Friday 6th June: "Landlines, drawn lines, stitch lines" - a talk by Amanda Hislop

'Elements of the Shore'

Amanda delivers an inspirational presentation illustrated with examples of her work.  She combines drawn and painted marks with the tactile qualities of thread, paper and fabric.  The essence of the landscape and natural forms inspire her work.  She uses drawings to record fleeting fragments observed and absorbed.  The changing weather experienced when walking is a constant source of inspiration to her.

detail: 'Layers of time ... rock strata'

Julia Caprara Award to Leamington member

We are delighted to share the news that Leamington & District member, Sue Cooke, won the Julia Caprara Award for the Use of Colour for her entry in the 'Tree Rhythms' 2014 Annual Members' Challenge.  This is the stunning embroidery that won her the award:

Tree Rhythms, Sue Cooke

Sue explains her inspiration for the piece:

"I attended a dayschool last year when we had to take photographs and weave them together as a starting point for a design. I followed this technique and used two photographs I took when visiting my son in New Zealand. One was of a tree fern, which is very structured in shape, and the other of a pohutokawa tree, which is very soft and fluffy when it is in flower. The flowers are red and it blooms in December, hence its name of ‘The Christmas Tree’.   

The pohutokawa tree ended up being the background, with the tree fern in the centre.  The techniques I used were felting, appliqué, machine and hand stitching."  

Congratulations, Sue! 

'Creative Surfaces' Workshop by Lynda Monk

Lynda's superb talk earlier this month was followed up the next day with a workshop that enabled us to have a go at creating some of the wonderfully textured and exciting surfaces that she had shown us.

Lynda provided participants with everything they needed for the workshop, so with pre-prepared painted pelmet Vilene we 'bondawebbed', foiled, painted, glued either more Vilene painted shapes and/or pieces of tissue from old dressmaking patterns (Vogue patterns are the best!).  

We also managed to fit in some screen printing using puffa paint.  Having the materials pre-prepared meant that we didn't waste a single minute during the full-on session, and we were able to take full advantage of Lynda's expert tuition and guidance in the techniques she uses.

We all had lots of samples to take home, which developed further as they were drying, and which we can stitch into at our leisure ....