Friday 18 May 2012

Stroud Open Studios 2012

Stroud Open Studios 2012 continues this weekend. I managed to take a quick peek at some last Sunday but didn't have much time to linger. However I did pop over to Frogmarsh Mill to see the studios of printmakers Barbara Webb and Jen Whiskerd.

Barbara was a founder member of Camden Printmakers and specialises in etching. She was so gracious and welcoming when we visited, showing us work in progress and describing techniques and processes. Her subject matter is fairly traditional but she has a light touch which makes the charming images hard to resist. Prices range from £10 to about £35 for unframed etchings.



Completely different in style, the studio above Barbara's is occupied by an amazing relief printer. Jen Whiskerd's large, bold woodcuts of animals are full of humour and narrative. I bought one of her cards as a Good Luck card for my daughter.


Hopefully I'll have more time this weekend to look inside other wonderful studios and see some of the huge diversity of work which is created in and around Stroud.

To view the Open Studios catalogue click on the link on the right. (Barbara is on page 12)


Thursday 17 May 2012

Almost there!

'50 people I've never met'  (2012)  Hannah Williamson


Went to Cardiff on Tuesday to help my daughter hang some of her work for her final degree assessment. Everything is due in  tomorrow so anxiety is reaching fever pitch. Couldn't resist showing you a photo of the piece which is going in the degree show. (And another one which is on the show poster). I'm very proud of her.






Wednesday 16 May 2012

Curious crow doll

I finished the 'Big Cawdelia' doll today. She's the same pattern as the one I made for my daughter only 4 times bigger. She's even got the some of the same RAF braid on her dress.

I eventually took some photos of her sitting on the newly grey Ronnie Rhino. (the pink wasn't very popular). At first Cawdelia wasn't very sure about Ronnie and she refused to come down from the bird table for about an hour. But crows are by nature very curious creaures and by the afternoon hers had got the better of her. Now they are best of friends and settled by the window in the sitting room watching the goings on in the garden and dreaming of the adventures they're going to have together....














Thursday 3 May 2012

Three printmakers at Prema


Three exhibitions started down at Prema in Uley this week - and the artists are all printmakers! Or at least printmaking is a large part of their artistic practice. Just shows how much interest in the medium has increased from the public (and artists) over the last few years.

The three exhibiting artists pretty much cover all the print processes between them (including etching, drypoint, woodcut, lino and screen printing) and there is some really beautiful work. Well worth a visit.

In his subtle etchings and watercolours Ali Yanya  has caught ordinary people going about their business. I found the still, shadowy figures strangely moving, the sense of isolation and transience is really strong.

In the cafe Sarah Young is exhibiting some of her colourful relief prints. The illustrations for the Greek Myths book are particularly eyecatching. Having checked out her website I am in awe of her productivity and creative repertoire. (and she has an Etsy shop!) Something for me to aspire to.
Emily Hogarth is one of the growing number of artists creating intricate paper cuts which really lend themselves to screen printing and are very popular at the moment. She has created packaging and artwork for Cadburys, M&S and Lloyds TSB among others. A short video about her design process can be found on the Nivea website. Bit twee, but it's always interesting to see how artists get inspiration for their work.

Another reason to go (if you need one) is that the new cafe is open. Yummy cakes!   



Prema is a family friendly Arts Centre, promoting performance, live music and art exhibitions, as well as accessible workshops, classes and creative experiences for kids and adults. Prema, near Dursley in the Stroud valleys, offers an afforadable day out for all folk in the South West.