I find that
this afternoon is free to sit quietly and round up the last of my weeks in the
UK for 2018. It has been a full and wonderful trip. Thank you to all for
inviting me, hosting me, feeding me, adding a few glasses of wine, telling me
your stories and allowing me to show you some of my work and favourite
techniques for designing and making.
After the
Dublin Knitting and Stitching Show I have been to Oxford Embroiderers’ Guild,
the Granary Studio (Winchester), back to Oxford, to the Knitting and Stitching
Show in Harrogate and to Jersey.
'The Space Between' at The Granary Studio
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The Space Between with Alysn Midgelow-Marsden |
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The Space Between with Alysn Midgelow-Marsden |
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The Space Between with Alysn Midgelow-Marsden |
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The Space Between with Alysn Midgelow-Marsden |
I am back at the Granary Studio with the 'Meetings with Metals' course in November 2019, contact Sue for full details.
In Jersey at the Harbour Gallery we jaunted through 3 days, looking at 'Draw and Stitch Permutations', 'The Crown Jewels Gone Mad' and 'Slash and Burn'.
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Draw and Stitch Permutations with Alysn Midgelow-Marsden |
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Draw and Stitch Permutations with Alysn Midgelow-Marsden |
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Draw and Stitch Permutations with Alysn Midgelow-Marsden |
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Draw and Stitch Permutations with Alysn Midgelow-Marsden |
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Draw and Stitch Permutations with Alysn Midgelow-Marsden |
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Draw and Stitch Permutations with Alysn Midgelow-Marsden |
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The Crown Jewels Gone Mad with Alysn Midgelow-Marsden |
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The Crown Jewels Gone Mad with Alysn Midgelow-Marsden |
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Combined Draw and Stitch and The Crown Jewels Gone Mad with Alysn Midgelow-Marsden |
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The Crown Jewels Gone Mad with Alysn Midgelow-Marsden |
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Combined Draw and Stitch and The Crown Jewels Gone Mad with Alysn Midgelow-Marsden |
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The Crown Jewels Gone Mad with Alysn Midgelow-Marsden |
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Slash and Burn with Alysn Midgelow-Marsden |
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Slash and Burn with Alysn Midgelow-Marsden |
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Slash and Burn with Alysn Midgelow-Marsden |
If you are interested in workshops in Jersey, contact the Harbour Gallery for dates in 2019, mine and other tutors.
I also
managed an overnight to London to see a couple of fabulous exhibitions – AnniAlbers (Tate Modern) and Fashioned from Nature (Victoria and Albert). Both of
these were engrossing in completely different ways. As I’m not a weaver, the
technicalities of Anni’s work were a little beyond my grasp, but I loved the
inclusion of the development drawings, the student notes, exercises and
artefacts from her days at the Black Mountain College. Amazing that many of the
design exercises she used are still so relevant, and the cognisance of
upcycling for the jewellery was probably before it's time.
The
Fashioned from Nature exhibition at the V&A was also absorbing. The fashion
was presented in context with the material and design origins and was aimed at
making the visitor consider the impact of the clothing we have work through the
ages. The social and environmental costs of clothing and fashion were foremost.
Definitely an exhibition which you can’t leave without having a changed view of
what we choose to wear and why in this era of increasing concerns about the
cost our choices make for the Earth. That a venerable institution such as the
V&A is making such a strong statement is perhaps an indicator of the
changing consciousness of our times.
I’m often asked
– what do I miss most about the UK? And when leaving the country in the grey
half light of a mizzly December day, I have to say, one thing I don’t miss is days
like that! By contrast, the glorious clear blue skies and sharp frosts are definitely
very special. It goes without saying that family, friends and relationships
built over many years are always high on that list and I really appreciate
catching up with as many people as I can during my sojourns in the UK.
What else is on the ‘missing’ list? Springing to mind right now are being able to visit great cities and small villages, each with their special vibes. The fabulous exhibitions, historical vistas and places, and unexpectedly - comedy whether live or on the radio (we now spend our Saturday morning catching up with the Friday Radio 4 6.30pm comedy), walks and hikes on the numerous public pathways through spectacular countryside (with the dogs too in many cases – something which is not so possible in New Zealand); the Nottingham Climbing Centre, and other things I can’t bring to mind right now. However, new homes, new vistas, new experiences, new people are all wonderful too, and when I am asked the question ‘which country do you prefer?’, my answer is that the two countries and people in both are simply different parts of my life – a wider community and that the well known adage that you take yourself with you wherever you are, is true. In other words, I am ‘bi-continental’.
What else is on the ‘missing’ list? Springing to mind right now are being able to visit great cities and small villages, each with their special vibes. The fabulous exhibitions, historical vistas and places, and unexpectedly - comedy whether live or on the radio (we now spend our Saturday morning catching up with the Friday Radio 4 6.30pm comedy), walks and hikes on the numerous public pathways through spectacular countryside (with the dogs too in many cases – something which is not so possible in New Zealand); the Nottingham Climbing Centre, and other things I can’t bring to mind right now. However, new homes, new vistas, new experiences, new people are all wonderful too, and when I am asked the question ‘which country do you prefer?’, my answer is that the two countries and people in both are simply different parts of my life – a wider community and that the well known adage that you take yourself with you wherever you are, is true. In other words, I am ‘bi-continental’.
Being away
from the day to day home life also allows time for reflection. In fact, it
almost demands it. The mind runs to ‘what next?’, ‘how can I work better?’,
‘where should I be putting my efforts next?’, ‘what is important to me
personally and creatively?’. Indeed, I have quite a full notebook of ideas for
new work, developments and changes I would like to pursue. After the hiatus of
Christmas I will have energy and time to devote to at least some of these. In
the meantime I have a quilt to make for my daughter which was promised 6 months
ago, gardening to get on top of again, a new sewing machine to get to know (ooh,
what a treat!), catching up with the other Fabricated Narratives artists to
review the UK exhibition and see where we might go next and Christmas
activities.
One part of
the plan for the ‘2019 UK tour’ which I can release is that there are more workshop events to be held at the
Risley Village Hall in late October. These booked up really quickly this year,
so if you are interested, please do message me to reserve your place.
Here are
the details:
1.
The Space Between
Dates: 28
and 29 October
When we observe objects, we usually choose to concentrate on
the object itself, however there are many interesting lines and patterns in the
lines along edges of the objects or the junctions between objects (often known
as ‘negative spaces’).
In this course you will be led through the development of patterns derived from the gaps between spaces created by repeating, reversing and otherwise modifying the original forms. This becomes a design process which I devised to create intricate overlaying patterns. It can be used to develop patterns and lines for interpretation in many techniques.
In this course you will be led through the development of patterns derived from the gaps between spaces created by repeating, reversing and otherwise modifying the original forms. This becomes a design process which I devised to create intricate overlaying patterns. It can be used to develop patterns and lines for interpretation in many techniques.
You will also explore a variety of
materials and techniques to express your work starting with drawn lines, prints
and collage, then developing through fabrics, wires, fibres and stitch. In the
extended course you have a choice to concentrate on paper, on fabrics or on
metals and metal cloths. Each providing exciting results. Bringing together the
materials and your designs is when you will build a layered and intensively
worked piece.
This course does not require any prior design or drawing
skills. It assumes that if you wish to use a sewing machine that you have a
working knowledge of the machine. You can choose to work in many ways, and hand
or machine stitch is a personal choice for the participant.
One of my pieces using this technique won the Bernina Award
for the most innovative use of a sewing machine, the highest award at ‘Changing
Threads’, New Zealand’s premiere contemporary textile art exhibition.
The Space Between with Alysn Midgelow-Marsden |
2.
Autumnal Surfaces and
Textures
https://www.facebook.com/events/2242107702777417/
Dates: 31 Oct 1 Nov
Dates: 31 Oct 1 Nov
Take inspiration from the colours,
textures, shapes and marks seen in autumnal leaves to develop surfaces in a
variety of media. The glorious, vibrant colours and textures we associate with
the autumn will be translated through the media of metals, recycled coffee pods,
needlefelting, wirework, heat reactive surfaces, stitching and beading to
create a panel or free standing sculpture.
This workshop includes a rich mixture of
methods to record and translate your subject matter. These will then be
combined and developed into a personal piece which uses your favourite
techniques from those we have sampled. It will also leave you with a range of
techniques which can be adapted for use in your own designs later.
Machine stitch is recommended though it
is possible to work entirely in hand stitch if you desire to.
This is a modification of the project
developed for WOWBook 2 (June 2018).
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Autumnal Surfaces and Textures with Alysn Midgelow-Marsden |
Venue: Risley Village Hall, Derby Road, Risley, Derbyshire (just off J25
M1)
Cost: £100.00/2 days
If book 4 days £180.00
Time: 10am - 4pm
Cost: £100.00/2 days
If book 4 days £180.00
Time: 10am - 4pm
Bring your own lunch, refreshments
provided.
Materials and Equipment lists will be
provided in advance.
Payment: Bank transfer, cheque or PAYPAL (details will be sent when you ask to
book).
If I have not received your payment and the place
is requested by another person, I will email you with 24 hours to complete the
transfer to retain your place.
If the course is cancelled I will request your bank
details to refund you the whole course cost.
If you cancel and I cannot refill your place, your
fee will be retained.
Places to stay: If you would like to know more
about places to stay or eat, please let me know.
If you require further information,
please get in touch.
I’ll leave
you now, with best wishes for a fabulous festive season wherever you are, but look out for the 2019 workshop list being posted very soon.
Enjoy!
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A welcome back to NZ sunset. |