Wabi Sabi and The Joy of 'Accidental' at West Dean

I have just had a most wonderful Summer School week at West Dean with a group of students who really took the idea of Wabi Sabi and the joy that can be found in the overlooked and accidental to a new level.

We found some small details to draw and photograph in the gardens and were later entertained by the Chilli Festival

 

Had a glimpse of enough sun on one of the days to experiment with sun print and when we were not able to do that, we dyed 

Lovely transfers and dyed fabric by Lesley Thomas

Lis Gabb working board full of colour

Julie Ford linking words to several pieces loved the box form presentation

Katie Boucher detail of layered and stitched transfer and teabags and Judith Ward red thread miniature.

  

Detail of Amy Fords layered collage,,even net curtains can be beautiful.

 

Resources boards ideas and some of the raw materials we sometimes need 'to remove all that is unnecessary. It is really hard to communicate how the workshop went through several changes over the week as we refined our ideas. When working I forget to take images as I am concentrating on the jn in hand.

Finally, during the afternoon off I captured a few images from West Dean, shadows and ladybirds as well a visit to Chichester where I revisited the wonderful John Piper tapestry and found a needlepoint cushion and wall ceramic with birds.

Thank you to the students who gave me permission to use the images and to West Dean for providing such an inspirational environment to teach in.

Finally, on the last day, I found out 'Connected Cloth' co written with Anne Kelly, is already out there.