New Year

Happy New Year!

It's 2014, it's cold and it's about time I posted a new blog. Before Christmas I had a great time working on some interesting commissions (as you can see in my last post) and I am lucky to have a few more commissions to tide me over in the long quiet month of January. One of them is of Slenningford Park near West Tanfield, North Yorkshire. A handsome house not far from where I grew up, I have been driving past it for years but never stopped to look until now.

At this quiet time of year it's tempting to do very little, particularly when the weather is so dark and uninspiring. But I have to remind myself that although Spring feels like it's a long way off, it'll come around fast and with it my first big event of the year - York Open Studios. This is my first year doing YOS, and I can't wait to fill my living room with pictures and await visitors over the first two weekends of April. My stocks are low after a great few months of sales at the end of last year, so in between commissions I am getting on with finding new subjects and producing some new work. Following on from my exhibition Down Hidden Tracks in 2013, where I explored follies around North Yorkshire, I have begun by having a look at the stunning landscape of the Yorkshire Wolds, and some of the interesting buildings therein. At the moment I am particularly fascinated by the village of Sledmere, where you can't move for memorials, towers, sham-castles and temples. I am currently working on a large piece based on two of the memorials in Sledmere, including the amazing Waggoner's memorial (pictured), but I have a feeling this is the first of a number of pieces based on this lovely place.

A little further east of Sledmere, near to the sea, is the village of Carnaby, and tucked away up a narrow farm track is Carnaby Temple. I first came across the temple in a book of follies, and it instantly pricked my interest. There seem to be many stories surrounding it, apparently it was used as a sighting tower to aid smugglers coming in to Bridlington. I have also been told that the interior was decorated by paper cut outs, which seems appropriate for me! I love the way it sits amongst the endless flat fields catching the sun, and luckily when I came to visit it the weather was particularly beautiful (for January!).

I am also involved in North Yorkshire Open Studios and Art in the Pen this year, and more events will be confirmed soon, so keep reading!

Rosie x

Towers and Temples

Hello!

This month I have been working on a number of interesting commissions, both big and small. As well as finally getting the chance to work on one of my favourite buildings, The OXO Tower, I've been enjoying the challenge of working on an international piece based on Oregon.

 

I have also just started working on the piece based on the beautiful Mausoleum on the Brocklesby Estate, which I was lucky enough to visit this week. Apparently one of the best preserved buildings of it's kind, the Mausoleum, which is private but open to public on certain occasions, has some incredible carvings and an amazing interior, though sadly no electricity hence the slightly dull pics! I felt very privileged to be allowed off season access to such a breath taking building, despite it being a chilly 8am visit!

 

After a long break over summer I am suddenly back in workshop mode, with three different creative courses over as many weeks. Over the weekend I ran a collage course with some really impressive results, and next weekend I am getting all festive with my Christmas Cards, Tags and Decorative Papercrafts course. I've been preparing by making a few pretty examples, and it is certainly helping me accept the fact that winter is well and truly on it's way.

Meanwhile, I am a little late in announcing that I now have some work in the stunning Bils and Rye gallery in Nunnington. If you haven't ever visited I would thoroughly recommend it (not simply so you can see three of my location appropriate pieces). It was lovely to see the work of fellow papercutter Jimmy Brunt on display there, so I know I'm in good company.

That's it from me, wrap up warm!
Rosie

Pins and paper

Hi!

I've just been uploading some pictures of the two pieces I've finished this week, and couldn't help noticing the amount of work I've produced so far this year. I feel like I've been going straight from one project to another, and my work output certainly reflects that. I'm really pleased about this, as not only have I increased my productivity by a good amount from last year, but I'm pretty pleased with the pictures themselves. I know using phrases such as 'increased productivity' doesn't chime with the romantic image of an artist following their inspiration, but it's great feeling like I have lots of work to do, and even better knowing that I'm getting through it. There have been a number of times in the last couple of years when I was desperate for a project, and a deadline, so having lots in place this year is a good thing.

It seems I have the humble dressmaking pin to thank for this, as this latest collection of my work has proved very popular so far. I must admit I really enjoy the process of pinning the papercut pieces, and it's much cleaner and less gluey than my other papercuts!

Pinning my latest papercut.

If you are interested in seeing some of my new pinned work, visit The Biscuit Factory in March, Cambridge Contemporary Art in April and Masham Gallery in May - that way you'll see brand new pieces in their relevant locations!

Here are the new pieces I've finished this week:

The Round Church, Cambridge

King's College Gate, Cambridge

Have a great weekend!

Rosie x

New places and new work

Hi!

It's amazing how long it takes to really get back to normal after a week away - I seem to have spent the last few weeks not really concentrating and finding the prospect of Christmas far more interesting than work. Having said that, I've got a decent amount done, and am pleased to say I'm soon to have my work in a few more places, so I can't complain!

I've finally turned my attention back to printmaking, having got so carried away on a wave of pinned papercuts that the old lino has been shelved for some time. Given that follies have started to completely dominate my work I thought I'd give one a go in print, and have come up with this piece. It's my third picture of the Temple Folly, near Swinithwaite in Wensleydale.

The Temple Folly, Wensleydale

I'm pleased to say that my linocuts will soon be on display in a brand new store called Chirpy in Chapel Allerton, Leeds. Chirpy is a lovely little place, stocking quirky home items, prints, and lots of lovely accessories created by independent suppliers. The store opens this weekend, and owner Harriet will be there celebrating, so if you fancy joining her visit the Chirpy website to find out more. I will be dropping my work off next week, and I'm really excited to be part of an exciting new project.

I am also really pleased that I will be supplying the Heart Gallery in Hebden Bridge with some new pinned papercuts as of early 2013. Back in 2008, when I had just started making and selling a few collages, Alison at the Heart very kindly supported me and included some of my pieces in an exhibition. 4 years on, my work has changed a huge amount (though having said that I'm still obsessed with maps and gouache paint) and couldn't be happier to be taking some pictures to such a lovely gallery, in one of my favourite towns. All I have to do now is find some exciting subjects in the west Yorkshire area to re-create in papercut form!

If you fancy having a closer look at my latest collection of work, my pinned papercuts, they are currently in Masham Gallery as part of the Treasure exhibition. So if you're stuck for a Christmas present for someone with exceptional taste, you know where to go....

The Fox Tower, Brough

Thats all from me, have a good week.

Rosie x

Another Dimension

Hello!

Last week I forgot to blog, having been swept up in a new way of making my collages.Having researched lots of interesting papercutting artists for my workshop at ArtisOn a few weeks ago, I felt inspired to try something new and add 'another dimension' to my small papercut collages, so I bought a pack of foam board and borrowed some dressmaking pins and got to work...

I had a great week and found it really addictive once I'd started. I've designed my papercuts in the same way as I normally do, but instead of gluing the finished piece down into board, I wanted to see how effective it would be if I pinned the pieces of paper to board, allowing space behind them to create depth and shadows. I must say I'm really pleased with the results and am looking forward to much more experimenting this week.

Here are my results so far:

The Banqueting House, Hackfall

Flamborough Head Lighthouse

Brizlee Tower, Alnwick

The Temple of Victory, Allerton Castle

I am researching follies at the moment as early preparation for my exhibition with Charlotte Morrison at Fountains Abbey next year. The dates have been confirmed - September 12th to 26th 2013. We are yet to decide on a title but the themes will focus on hidden paths, and unusual buildings. Put the dates in your diary and watch this space for more developments.

This week as well as working on my 3D pieces I'm going to be cracking on with my installation for Crafted by Hand. I will be installing an eye catching paper artwork in the entrance of Masham town hall for one day on October the 28th. Although I have my design idea confirmed, I have a lot of cutting out to do and now only 4 weeks to do it! here's a little taster of what to expect.

Have a great week,

Rosie x

Back to Normal

Hello!

Summer seems to be disappearing fast, I think we may have just had the last sunny weekend as today in York it is looking decidedly dull. Having just completed my last planned art fair for the time being it feels to me a lot like starting a new term today - the last few months have been busy busy with open studios, galleries to deliver to, Art in the Pen and finally Saltaire Maker's Fair last weekend. On the one hand it's nice to get back to 'normal', on the other I know that I now don't have an excuse not to catch up with my bookkeeping...

Saltaire Maker's Fair

I had a fun day at the 'fair on Saturday, chatting to visitors and meeting some lovely fellow makers such as printmakers James Green and Sarah Harris. The fair took place in the absolutely gorgeous Victoria Hall, just up the hill from Salt's Mill, and was packed with exciting and unusual art and craft items. I was lucky enough to get a chance to have a wonder round the fair and bought a few early Christmas pressies (trying to be extra organised this year) from Finest Imaginary, and fell in love with the work of Butterscotch and Beesting, in particular this lovely Circus Lampshade. All in all it was a long but good day.

So now I've got to devote some time to catching up with the less exciting paperwork, and also start preparing for my forthcoming Papercutting Workshop at ArtisOn. Having a had a few months off from tutoring I'm really looking forward to getting back into it again. There are still a few places left on my course on Saturday the 22nd of September, so if you fancy trying your hand at papercutting check out the course details here.

Have a good week!
Rosie