A Walk Around the Neighbourhood

A simple walk around the neighbourhood can provide endless inspiration. On these last few hot days of August, sitting and drawing has reminded me how the places where one things meets the other have become an important reference:
Footpaths and weeds where they meet walls and fences. 

The edges of buildings, rooftops and features of the landscape against the skyline.

and even a spiders web which blocks your way down the garden in the early morning sunshine

 or simply take over the space as Louise Bourgeois’s late works at the Tate modern illustrate as well as the most wonderful skyline of London from the top of the new Tate Modern extension.

It is these influences that have come to play in more recent work which was recently on show for Concealed with Art Textiles Made in Britain at the Festival of Quilts.(the link show works by all members)
Unfolding Landscapes, Cas Holmes looking at what is revealed and concealed at the edges of our paths and roadways throughout the seasons. This work was shown alongside Rosie James pieces in simple stark contrast looks at Pylons at the power behind our industry in cloth.

Rosie James Pylon Series and Unfolding Landscape

 As Autumn enters I am developing new pieces for exhibition in Europe next year. These continue the look at where private and public spaces meets. More about this later meanwhile, you can check out current exhibitions on my blog including exhibitions in October in Kent at the Kent Wildlife Trust, Tyland Barn, a small exhibition and book signing with Batsford in their London bookshop and work at the Knitting and Stitching Shows with the Embroiderer's Guild Capability Brown exhibition.
Withdrawing into the shade and view the neighbourhood through the shadows they cast on our windows

Finally but not least, this blog is named after after a chapter in my first book, The Found Object in Textile Art 2010. It is being reprinted for the fourth time as we speak.

The Nature of Image and 7th Quilt Festival Luxembourg

Early in May I was in Luxembourg where I was guest artist at the 7 International Quilt Festival (more on this later). I ‪stayed in ‪Clervaux‬ which had an annual exhibition of photographs ‪‎. Clervaux - cité de l' image 

Sonja Braas You are Here

Tine Poppe Where Gods Reside, (Clervaux Castle in the background)

We sometimes take image for granted. It is so easy just to take a 'snap' in these digital days. This stunning exhibition set beautifully in the landscape of the small town demanded attention raising the questions on how we record the world around us, the 'nature' of that world and our place in it.
The view of Clervaux Castle has been a constant companion.I slept at night with it as my nightlight through the window. This is where the Battle of the Bulge was fought 16 Dec 1944. The castle has been rebuilt after the town was reduced to rubble

The festival itself took place over several villages in the region. Details of some of the works in Centre Communal, Wilwerwiltz, ‪taken at end of set up.Works below by by ‪ ‪fellow artists sharing the space.

Julliette Eckel‬ 

Di Ford Hall‬

 Kate Dowty‬

‎‪Photographer in among ‪ Tea Flora Tales with the work of Jacqueline de Jonge in the background‬.....and a few more images of my work installed in a lovely space

 And there is always time to draw among the visitors
I had little time to see other works here a few of works further afield.I managed a brief walk to the neighbouring village Enshaerange and caught these pieces in the local fire station by the Norwegian group 'Sting'.

Inger-Ann Olsen

Bente Andersen Sundlo

 and Grenzenlo(o)s Dutch German collaboration in the historic flour mill:

Group project, Ladies with Bags

Installation shot

Johanna Mench

Hilde Kamps

I had time on my last morning to take a walk in the woods and footpaths around the Clervaux village:

All for now, I am taking time to work on new pieces for 'Concealed' the forthcoming exhibition with Art Textiles Made in Britain at Festival of Quilts this Summer.I also have work in the 6th European Quilt Triennial at the show.

Also see Visions blog