Memories of Times Past

As we enter Spring I am drawn to reflect on childhood memories of the season.Gran was a Romany and she and my grandad were a constant teller of stories both over a cuppa or walking in the local park. My sisters and I  were told the faeries had just hidden from view as we looked for them when walking in the local park with grandad. My grandmother loved her tea and always had her favourite recipes for cleaning the kettle. 

 I look back on equally exciting trips of my childhood. It was often during the long Easter weekend break, money allowing, that we would make our annual visit to London with Dad to see the sights The Victoria and Albert Museum and The Natural History Museum were always on the agenda but some of our more intimate museums hold little treasures. A recent visit to the Garden Museum reminded me of drying herbs in my grandmothers kitchen but not nearly a stunning as Rebecca Louise Law's installation is called 'The Flower Garden Display'd' and was created using over 4,600 blooms.to support their current Fashion and Gardens exhibition (on until 27th April). It is a lovely space to visit set in the ancient church of St Mary’s which is the burial place of John Tradescant (c1570 – 1638), the first great gardener and plant-hunter in British history.It also has a great tea and cakes.

Students on a recent course at Maidstone Museum referred to old historic Ladybird book illustrations to draw upon their favourite memories from camping to a childhood swing in a garden in this work in progress inspired by the Ladybird Childhood exhibition. 

Bird Egg book Illustration form the Ladybird book of British Birds (private collector)

These vintage books from their historic imprint on show at the Batsford  Prize 2014 shortlist  have a wonderfully classic feel and I spied a new edition I must get for my collection.

Making my work allows me to revisit favourite places near and far. The planning is full of sweet anticipation and anxious packing. When travelling however, there are times I wish to be home and when home I get 'Itchy feet'. As leave I will enjoy all the new experiences and places and meeting with old and new friends, but equally, as the weeks go by, I think about the changes in my garden and the landscape back home and getting back to my studio

I will keep you posted. The postings may be brief and differently 'managed' as I will only have a tablet..we shall see.

 

Interior Landscapes

The weather has been keeping many of us inside more recently. Don't think we could face any more of this stuff. No matter how beautiful it can look

Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.'  William Morris

Many of the patterns and designs we take for granted have passed down historically such as those of the Arts and Crafts, movement and ceramic designs form Spode are still available and can still be seen in the textiles and on the walls of our houses today. 
Inside  much of what we have in the home reflects our love the outside and the landscape like this wonderful detail of a tea service belonging to a friend.

The fabrics and ceramics we have in our homes often contain prints and designs of plants, birds and animals as if to bring bring the outside into the indoor spaces and can be useful starting point for new projects.

 

Detail of Arts an Crafts inspired curtain fabric and cushion in my house.Both gifts/donations.

 A sneak picture of a students skirt.

From a Tea Garden detail

Detail of a piece in progress from '40 yards' using an old fragment of French stitch pattern .
 

More details of exhibitions on my blog