Business and Pleasure

Popped over to Clitheroe yesterday with more stock for the Platform Gallery shop – bookmarks and framed pieces. I always love visiting this gallery, I think it’s my favourite – for the place, the people and the crafts. So, it was a huge relief to see that the recent changes to bring in a Visitor Info section haven’t spoilt it. A little less space, but longer opening hours and maybe more people will venture in?

Business (!) over, time for a treat - the Lancs and Yorks Crafts Open exhibition. I’ve been in this the last three years, but didn’t apply this time as it was earlier than usual and clashed with other things. Wow, it’s stunning! So much wonderful textile art in particular, I probably wouldn’t have got in anyway.

I made notes and tried to look up some of the artists when I got home, but surprised to find most don’t seem to have any web presence... shame.

Some of the best – Katharine Owen’s layered constructions in Perspex boxes, Alice Fox’s nicely understated print/stitch “Green Wall” series, Clare Lane’s digital prints with embroidered infill. Also Chris Cannon – “Groynes”, paper laminating and hand stitch hanging; Paula Bishop – large framed pieces in shades of white constructed from found textiles and paper; Stewart Kelly – Life Lines I, subtle monoprint and machine embroidery. I wish these artists had websites or at least blogs to show you!

Well worth a 30 mile drive in torrential rain – highly recommended if you’re within reach, it’s on until 14^th July.

Exhibitions, exhibitions, exhibitions!

Not as much to blog about as I hoped recently - I managed (only just) a stint stewarding at Contemporary Craven Christmas in Skipton, and then succumbed to a nasty bug and missed the opening of Textilia's third exhibition this year at the Signature Gallery in Kendal. I did make it to the opening of the Platform Gallery's Christmas show, "Kaleidoscope", in Clitheroe yesterday though - and that's well worth seeing. I've got five "shadow play" pieces in there, and some little ones in the shop area as well. Shoal (above) sold quickly, but I'm making another - might even try gold fish (!) this time for a change?
Temptations at Platform include James Lethbridge's gorgeous clear glass sculptural forms (below) and wooden automata by Susan R Evans (I think) - one incredibly detailed one in natural shades of wood was a woman scuba diving, hair floating out around her. When you turn the handle the diver, seaweed fronds and fishes all move around. Reminded me of Kate Humble! Extra little creatures, octopus, jelly fish etc amongst the workings. I don't usually go for automata, but this was great fun, sorry I can't find any photos.

Three out of Three

Last batch of work for Christmas exhibitions delivered yesterday, for "Kaleidoscope" at the Platform Gallery (Clitheroe, Lancs.). This time it's all framed pieces, continuing my fascination for multiple small shape floating above the background to cast shadows. The pic below shows a close up of my favourite new design - a mass of tiny butterflies hand cut from an old plant catalogue. More pics on my website in the Shadow Play gallery.

This week also saw the opening of the Craven Contemporary Christmas exhibition in Skipton, with a packed private view on Wednesday evening. This is a different one for me as it includes paintings as well as so-called "crafts" such as textiles, jewellery and ceramics. Hmmm... they're all art and they're all craft to me, any distinction seems false. Looking forward to having plenty of time for a close look when I do my stints on the stewarding rota.