Something different...

Having finally got a big pile of work off to my framers, I'm feeling very relieved and relaxed today (I may be now, not sure how I'll feel when I get the bill), so I decided to try doing some slightly different work.

I've been focusing a lot on Coastal pictures lately, trying to appeal to some seaside galleries, so for the last couple of days I turned my attention to trees, and came up with two new pieces.

My collages used to incorporate quite a lot of paint, and I've returned to that style recently. I've also become a bit addicted to using envelopes to create skies and water - they really are fantastic materials for collage, as you can come across a wide variety of interesting patterns printed on the inside of them. Plus they're readily available, and I do like to recycle!

My next workshop at artisOn is all about collage. Myself and Josie Beszant will be doing projects inspired by some of the great collage artists of the 20th century, such as Peter Blake and Robert Rauschenberg. I'm really excited about this workshop, and extra pleased because it's already sold out!

Thats all from me, have a good weekend everyone- I'm going househunting!

Rosie

Inspired by The Island

I recently had my first visit to the Isle of Wight (to meet my boyfriends parents!), and really enjoyed my time there. I felt a bit silly when I realised how little I knew about 'The Island', particularly as I pride myself on having covered quite a lot of Britain. I stayed in Newport for the weekend, and visited Osbourne House, Carisbrooke Castle and the amazing Garlic Farm (it's a lovely place, with all the tasty pickles you can eat, but do take some mints with you), but strangely enough felt inspired to make a piece about the ferry journey over.

I'm hoping that some galleries on the island may be interested in this piece, and hopefully I'll make a few more once I've another visit...

Tiny Maps and Coastal Pictures

I've been working in The Gallery, Masham, for the past week while some of my fellow artists were busy with the North Yorkshire Open Studios, so today I'm back at my desk after a little break. I've got two pictures finished which I'm hoping to put in The Biscuit Factory in Newcastle. 

I was given some little maps from an old guide to the north east coast recently, and they've been really useful as I often struggle to make small map collages, and lately the big ones have been reaching quite ridiculous sizes! The other great thing about these little maps is that they're all of places I know fairly well. I really enjoy making coastal pictures, and hopefully The Biscuit Factory will be an appropriate place for them.

The most difficult aspect of making these pictures is trying to fit all the pieces back together. I'm gradually working out how to shape the pieces of map so that I don't need to leave too much space between them, as that creates a massive picture, and thus a massive framing bill.I really like the slightly jumbled, off-centre arrangement of the pictures, as it creates a bit more movement and depth.

I'm very excited as I've been given another collection of small maps, this time in the form of the White Cross Road Atlas of Great Britain. It's a pretty old copy, but has a fantastic selection of maps, and even a list of route planners, with your starting point, destination, list of towns in between and miles in between them covering 342 routes around the country. I would just disconnect my internet but I fear other towns may have been built since publishing...

I found a really inspiring blog yesterday which is definitely worth a look.www.tumblinghills.com is the blog of Hebden Bridge - based artist Angie Rogers, and it's full of really interesting and unusual art projects. I particularly love the tree house book back in March.http://www.tumblinghills.com/

Thats all from me today!

Rosie

Beads, Maps and Books

On saturday I co-ran a workshop at ArtisOn titled Beads Beads Beads. My fellow tutor was local ceramicist Charlotte Morrison, and between us we made beads from Porcelain, Paper, Felt and Wire. I'm always nervous before a workshop, and this one was no different (especially because I'd had a small disaster with one of my proposed projects and had to change our lesson plan the day before!). We had a lovely group, a really enthusiastic bunch, and everyone came away inspired, including me.

Here are a few snaps from the day...

I thought I'd mention an exciting event coming up this weekend, just incase anyone reading is stuck for ideas of what to get up to. This Friday is the start of North Yorkshire Open Studios, an event which allows visitors to see into the workshops and studios of artists and craft makers all over the region. My co-tutor Charlotte is exhibiting her fantastic work up at ArtisOn, along with the work of mixed media artist Josie Beszant and painter/printmaker Ian Scott Massie.

A preview evening on Friday (from 7.30 - 9.30) is taking place onsite, a chance to meet the artists and also check out the new schedule of forthcoming workshops. Incidentally, I am running another workshop in July 31st, titled Collage, Inspired by Vintage. This workshop (co-run by Josie Beszant), is all about using recycled and vintage materials to create unique and unusual mixed media pieces. I will also be running a number of other workshops later in the year, so check out the new workshop schedule...

Have a great week!

Rosie

Tea and Sympathy

Its been a long time since I've posted, having had quite a busy month (and a few issues with signing into my account), I'm pleased to be blogging again!

I seem to have had a bottomless list of things to work on this month - I'm still putting together a selection of pictures to take up to The Biscuit Factory gallery in Newcastle, I have a few commissions to work on, and I have been preparing work for the new exhibition at Masham Gallery which opened last Friday. Having helped hang the exhibition last week, I'm really pleased about how it looks. My two new pieces are hanging alongside some great stuff, including some beautiful collages by Harriet Quilty, and amazing stitched sculputres by Priscilla Jones. I created a new deconstructed map picture for the show

and something slightly different - and collage on a OS map cover, titled 'A long way for a Cup of Tea'

Royal Academy Update

Last week, after nearly two months of waiting, I finally had a letter through the door! Unfortunately, both the pieces entered for the Royal Academy Summer Show were rejected. 11,000 pieces were entered, and although I didn't make it into the final show, one of my pieces was shortlisted. Maybe I'll have better luck next year!

Thats all from me this week!

Rosie

Workshops and Commissions...

Hi!

I've been a bit slow with this blog, partly due to a tenuous internet connection, partly because I've been staying in the big city of Birmingham for the last 10 days, partly because I've been working my way through a massive pile of Easter chocolate.So apologies for the delay! My main focus over the last week has been my Saltburn commission,which i mentioned a few blogs ago.

It took quite a while for me to work out the layout of this piece, as I'm making it for someone in particular, and they wanted a number of specific things featured in the picture. But i think i've finally worked it out, and I'm just about ready to start the cutting phase (my favourite bit!).

Here are the initial sketches...

Once I'm happy with that, I transfer the design onto the back of the map...

Once it's all cut out I can work out the size of the piece, and start painting the individual sections of the map. I already have two other pieces all cut up and ready to be arranged on board and stuck down, so very soon I will have a good stack of big pieces, ready to go to a gallery (hopefully...).

A few weeks ago I ran my Cards, Tags and Decorative Papercrafts workshop at Artison. We had a great day, everyone enjoyed themselves, and everyone produced some brilliant things to take home, including handprinted wrapping paper, tissue flowers and collaged cards. Here's some of the great work..

Thats all from me, enjoy the beautiful weather everyone!

Rosie

Crafty present ideas

I'm just finalising my plans for my Cards, Tags and Decorative Papercrafts workshop today, so I thought I'd let you have a little look at some of the things I've come up with. For a start I've made some pretty tissue flowers, perfect for jazzing up a wrapped present

I've also put my homemade stamps to good use, creating some unique wrapping paper

and I've made some papercut and collaged cards

Hopefully the attendees of the course will enjoy making everything as much as I have!

I'll let you know how it goes.

Rosie x