More leafy pieces.............

I'm really excited to have got these wall pieces finished in time for the Malvern Show!

These have been a development from a commission I did earlier this year. The leaves have been etched in copper & brass then oxidised to give the bronzed effect.

Before colouring the metal.....

What's also great is that the pieces can be displayed in different arrangements giving a greater flexibility than some of my other work.

Leafy panels....

These pieces are nearly finished!

Just in time for the Malvern Autumn Show at the weekend...

I've been using my new etched pieces which I've developed over the summer & these are the first panels I've made.

The rich red & gold colours work really well with the Autumnal theme
I just need to varnish them today in the lovely September sunshine (at the moment!!!)

Magic Beans

Some of my runner beans from the allotment had got too large. Apparently the actual beans are rather nice to eat so I thought I'd give it a go....you can either eat them fresh or dry them to store over the winter & use in soups etc.

I just thought the colours were fantastic!

CHELTENHAM tomorrow....

I took this picture on Sunday....there is definitely an Autumnal feel in the air. I've been working on my etched leafy pieces today as I'm hoping to have several new pieces to show at the Malvern Autumn Show next weekend....

However this weekend I am in Cheltenham again....The studio will still be open at The Fold too. From next month I'm also hoping to open the studio in Sundays as well up to Christmas but this really depends on getting help as I have lots of shows booked!

Arts Market

Cheltenham Promenade

Sat 18th September

9am - 5pm

Herding Cats

PAGE A DAY completion...

I've come to the end of my 'page a day' sketch book project. It's been a really enjoyable process & I'm pleased with some of the results. I'm now taking to daily pressure off & going to continue doing pages as and when....

These are the last 3 pages of the project:

h.Art inspirations.....

After showing at the Hereford Art Market on Saturday I then had Sunday & Monday to explore the h.Art venues. I have taken part in the event the past 2 years but made the decision to miss this year to enable me to visit some of the studios & exhibitions myself.

So far I've managed 18 venues & these are some of the highlights:

1st stop on Sunday was Dots Gallery (no31) in Bromyard showing some wonderful paper shoes by Pippa Meddings. Then off to Jonathan Smith: Bromyard Pottery (no30) where I have reserved some owl salt shakers when they are available...after a lovely homemade chocolate date slice...yummy... called into Greenstage Gallery (no24) at the Hop Pocket then off to see fellow WGDC members Jenny Pearce & Sarah Walker (no14) at Canon Frome

who are exhibiting willowwork & lamps with appliqued papers.

Tea & flap jacks....one-off sculptures by Ben & Harry: Mr Brush & Mr Swim purchased....off to the next!

Heading off in the direction of Ledbury we called at Stuart Houghton's Open Studio (no18) & also admired his fabulous garden! Running out of time we just squeezed in the Weavers Gallery (no23) to see 'Stitched Up' textile exhibition from the Embroiderer's Guild, Worcester.

Monday was another full day....

Leominster was the start with the Lion Gallery, Art on the Square (no.64), Pictures & Pots at the Granary (no.65) & various charity shops in between!

Bryony Burn ceramics (no61) had some lovely new work which I'm hoping to get into the studio for Christmas....quick hello to Squirrel the cat in the Old Chapel Gallery (no62) in Pembridge who stock my jewellery then Kington was calling.

Here we saw:

Polly Miller (no89) artist, Rachel Rickets (no90) sculpture & Peter Horrocks (no91) artist.

There was another reason for visiting Kington too as Sid Burnard has a gallery there too! More about that on another post......

Finally off to Presteigne to Sidney Nolan Trust Print exhibition (no87) where there was also an exhibition called 'FLOCK'
An installation of perspex sheep:
The Rodd's new flock of sheep, created by participants of three workshops led by Sally Matthews over the summer.

Time for a cuppa at The Workshouse Gallery (no82) then last stop A Celebration of Artistry & Craftsmanship (no109) in St Andrews Church, Presteigne.

Phew! No wonder I'm tired today!!! It's well worth making the effort to see some of the events taking part in h.Art this year - it's on until Sunday 19th so I might even fit in a couple more!!??

Dog earrings commission

I was recently asked to make some little dog earrings....based on a Border Terrier.

This is the result! Quite cute, happy looking doggies....I'm now making a pendant to match! They are made from oxidised silver & I've scratched the surface to give a 'hairy' effect.

Hereford Art Market tomorrow

Just loaded up for the show tomorrow...hope it stops raining!?

As it's the 1st day of h-Art there is lots to see & do in Hereford City Centre itself so looking forward to a busy day. The Arts Market will take place right in the centre of Hereford High Town.

Open from 9am - 5pm.

A great opportunity to view some of the work from talented local makers.

As usual my Bransford studio at The Fold will still be open 10am - 5pm

as mum is there again for me!

Hope to see you there.....

PUFFIN PLAQUE

I've recently made a plaque for a 10th wedding anniversary gift. The puffin design was used for the wedding invites & the illustration was done by the husband. The larger tummy to represent himself!

The puffins are made from oxidised copper & brass then mounted onto tin (for the 10th anniversary bit).....so in another 15years they may be requesting a silver version!?

Page a day progress....

My month of 'page-a-day' sketch book work is nearly up...

These are some of the latest pages:

SEPTEMBER SHOWS

I have 3 events booked for this month:

Sat 11th September

Art Market

Hereford High Town

9am - 5pm

Sat 18th September

Art Market

Cheltenham Promenade

9am - 5pm

Sat 25th & Sun 26th September

Autumn Show

Wye Hall with WGDC

3 Counties Showground Malvern

9am - 6pm

Page a day sketch book.....

During my speedy visit to St Ives earlier in August I popped into a textile exhibition at the Mariners Gallery. There was lots of fab work but I was particularly inspired by the ideas of Sue Dove. She is described as an artist, teacher, curator, she paints, stitches, weaves & prints she is head of HND Textile Fine Art at Cornwall College.

On display in the exhibition was a sketch book in which Sue Dove had done a page a day for a month. I thought this would be a great way to get my creativity going again so after a quick visit to The Tate shop I got myself a small sketch book for start on my return home!

I have been dutifully completing a page since 11th August...

I'm not 100% happy with all of the pages but these are a selection of some of my current favourites:

I'm finding the process a really useful exercise, rediscovering techniques & materials I've not used for years! After the month is up I'm going to continue doing pages but possibly not on a daily basis.