In a complete departure from my usual style, I have been experimenting with boro and sashiko techniques. I decided to try my hand at making a kimono. I had fun putting lots of scraps together and stitching over them and have learned a lot along the way. I found I had so many bits of blue coloured fabric, together with a couple of pairs of old jeans and a shirt or two, that there was no need to buy anything.
These will be at an exhibition with A Touch Of Colour at the Lansdown Gallery in Stroud from 9th May for two weeks. My fellow artists are: Christine Seager, Claire Passmore, Maria Harriman and Sylvia Hammond. We all work very differently, so there will be plenty of variety to see.
These will be at an exhibition with A Touch Of Colour at the Lansdown Gallery in Stroud from 9th May for two weeks. My fellow artists are: Christine Seager, Claire Passmore, Maria Harriman and Sylvia Hammond. We all work very differently, so there will be plenty of variety to see.
We have a new series of challenges and this is my response to the first - Trees.
This month the artist was Frida Kahlo and this is my response. A self portrait with some of the things which are important to me, in the style of Frida, with her watching me!
This was my response to the challenge John Piper. 16" X 16"
The Six Dames challenge this quarter - My response to the artist Nadir Afonso. 16" X 16"
Six Dames challenge - every three months we make a piece - currently as a response to an artist one of us chooses. This is "View through the window" my response to the artist Pierre Bonnard. 16" x 16"
Northern Lights.
This was made following a trip my son and I made to north Norway, through the fjords and beyond the Arctic Circle. 
"Marilyn". This is the sixth piece for a group to which I belong called Six Dames (four of us are english and two are french.) You can see all 36 pieces at Biat - La Biennale Internationale d'Art Textile 15 - 18 April 2020 at Villefranche-sur-Saone. (near Lyon)
Every three months one of us posts a photograph online and then we each have three months in which to respond to it in any way we like. |
Leaving II
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Leaving III
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This piece was made in response to a challenge from the Chair of Bristol Quilters.
We had to make a quilt measuring 30" X 12" and there had to be a horizontal line somewhere. Otherwise we could do whatever we wanted.
I love buildings and reflections, so this was my answer. It is not of anywhere in particular, but suggests Amsterdam, where I have never been.
We had to make a quilt measuring 30" X 12" and there had to be a horizontal line somewhere. Otherwise we could do whatever we wanted.
I love buildings and reflections, so this was my answer. It is not of anywhere in particular, but suggests Amsterdam, where I have never been.
This is "View from the Window" - my entry for SAQA's Made in Europe III exhibition.
It is painted, with a bit of piecing, and lots of applique and stitch.
It is painted, with a bit of piecing, and lots of applique and stitch.
This quilt is my response to the latest Bristol Quilters' challenge. We were asked to make a quilt of any size with a weather-related theme. We were all give a piece of spotted fabric (mine was red and white) and had to make sure a piece was included on the front of the quilt.
This quilt is called "Carpe Diem" (Seize the Day).
I seem to have been to rather a lot of funerals in recent months and it has made me think about how we often put things off until it is too late.
Some people are good at "seizing the day" and making the most of life, whether or not everything works out well. I have decided I do not want to die with too many regrets at things I have meant to do and haven't attempted. Not just big things, but small things too.
There is a lot of text in this quilt as I kept on coming across meaningful words and sayings, so I made text the quilting method here.
I have plans for a companion piece.
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"What in these Shoes?" II
This is the other side of what I have been working on lately - much more fun. I had so enjoyed making shoe pictures for "What in these Shoes I" that I decided to make a whole new piece - this one is also travelling with CQ West's latest exhibition - Unfolding Stories 3.
This is the other side of what I have been working on lately - much more fun. I had so enjoyed making shoe pictures for "What in these Shoes I" that I decided to make a whole new piece - this one is also travelling with CQ West's latest exhibition - Unfolding Stories 3.
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"Decay and Detritus". This quilt came about because I was becoming more and more aware of rubbish building up at the side of the street and in hedges etc. This made me think about urban decay in general and how streets can decay even when they are close to busy, successful areas.
I began taking lots of photos (my grandchildren have been pointing out bits of rubbish for me to take with great glee) and this quilt is the result. It is of nowhere in particular - I just started to draw and this is the result.
It is travelling to three different venues this year with CQ West. First of all at Harbour House in Kingsbridge, then Festival of Quilts in August and finally at The West Country Quilt Show in September.
I began taking lots of photos (my grandchildren have been pointing out bits of rubbish for me to take with great glee) and this quilt is the result. It is of nowhere in particular - I just started to draw and this is the result.
It is travelling to three different venues this year with CQ West. First of all at Harbour House in Kingsbridge, then Festival of Quilts in August and finally at The West Country Quilt Show in September.
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A couple of detailed shots from "Decay and Detritus"
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These three pieces are travelling with "Decay and Detritus". I wanted to show how even in the smallest area there is always some sort of rubbish.
I also wanted to make an interesting picture out of a small area, showing the texture of the stone and how even rubbish can be interesting!
I also wanted to make an interesting picture out of a small area, showing the texture of the stone and how even rubbish can be interesting!
In These Shoes (thanks to Kirsty McCall)
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Joe's Place
Postcards from Cape Verde - based on a wonderful trip to Sal and observations of the people and their activities. A detail below:
Protest outside the Royal Courts of Justice - my contribution to SAQA's "Made in Europe II" challenge
This quilt is called "And then three come along at once..." It has been selected for the SAQA exhibition "Made in Europe" which is travelling to various venues in the US in 2017.
CQ West - one of the groups to which I belong - had an exhibition recently at Rook Lane Gallery in Frome. I made six pieces of work in my black and white series called "Frome Views"
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I am continuing with my "Glimpses" series - off and on.
These two pieces and purely imaginary, although they have rather a Parisian feel to them and they are a pair, although they can stand alone too.
These two pieces and purely imaginary, although they have rather a Parisian feel to them and they are a pair, although they can stand alone too.
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I have been working a lot in black and white recently. Some of these pieces are based on photographs I have taken and some are imaginary. I draw on a white background and then stitch. Usually I add paint (black fabric paint) and go back in to stitch some more or paint some more. Sometimes it seems appropriate to add a touch of colour.
These three are all views of Bath which is quite near to my home.
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This piece is based on a photograph taken on holiday in Brittany.
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Another piece from the Brittany holiday.
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This one just called out for some colour. SOLD
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My 2015 journal quilts on the wall at the South West Quilt and Textile Show.
"GLIMPSES' Series
I have an ongoing series called "Glimpses". This started with journal quilts this year and I am now making some larger work. All three of these pieces involve a lot of drawing and painting; appliqué and masses of stitching.
I want the viewer to wonder what is happening, has already happened or is about to happen.
I want the viewer to wonder what is happening, has already happened or is about to happen.
The Flower Shop
The Window Seat
Getting Ready
This is a large wall hanging consisting of 30 small quilts held together with hand made 60s style buttons.
It is not intended to be a record of the sixties, but a glimpse of some of my personal memories of the time.
It is not a brilliant photo, but at the bottom is says "I was at primary school at the beginning of the 60s and a college student at the end....These are some of my memories.
Some of them are especially personal, but you will have to ask me!....
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It is not intended to be a record of the sixties, but a glimpse of some of my personal memories of the time.
It is not a brilliant photo, but at the bottom is says "I was at primary school at the beginning of the 60s and a college student at the end....These are some of my memories.
Some of them are especially personal, but you will have to ask me!....
SOLD
Various bags made specifically for the Sixties work I am doing with my friends from Threaded Together.
There are several different methods of working here.
The pink and black cushion and the black and white op-art bag are made with stencils and printed with fabric paints.
The black bag at the back is appliqued.
The green flowery bag is painted with fabric paints.
The blue bag at the back is tie-dyed and stitched with metallic threads. The bag on the right has been carefully folded and space-dyed.
There are several different methods of working here.
The pink and black cushion and the black and white op-art bag are made with stencils and printed with fabric paints.
The black bag at the back is appliqued.
The green flowery bag is painted with fabric paints.
The blue bag at the back is tie-dyed and stitched with metallic threads. The bag on the right has been carefully folded and space-dyed.
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Bristol Blue. I am currently Chair of Bristol Quilters and we are this year celebrating our 35th anniversary. I have issued a challenge to members to create a 20" X 30" quilt on the theme of Bristol and we shall be showing them all in an exhibition at the West Country Quilt Show in November. This is my contribution. There are 35 squares (subtle!?) to represent the 35 years and each contains some relevant reference to Bristol. Some are more obvious than others. They are drawn on white cotton in pencil, then painted with fabric paints and stitched. I decided to stay with blue and white to reference Bristol Blue glass. I hope I have covered most things of importance in Bristol. This is the first in a new series - Glimpses. It is a triptych, but it is intended that each piece can stand alone. Each panel measures 12" X 6" and I am using them for my journal quilts for 2015 with a view to making four triptychs and then pursuing the theme on a larger scale. I shall probably mount them together on one frame. A stitched glimpse of the pool area at Masseria della Zingara in Puglia where I spent a wonderful few days on a course with Pauline Burbidge hosted by Andrew and Noreen Salmon - terrific hosts |
Festival DancersI
42" X 30"
This is a series of quilts based on photos taken by my friend, Jayne Burton, of samba dancers at the St Paul's Festival 2013. The appeal to me was the colours, attitude and bling of the dancers.
They are drawn in pencil and painted with fabric paints. Then I stitch densely. Some bling was added to reflect the mood of the women.
This is one of a series which was exhibited at the West Barn, Bradford-on-Avon with C Q West.
42" X 30"
This is a series of quilts based on photos taken by my friend, Jayne Burton, of samba dancers at the St Paul's Festival 2013. The appeal to me was the colours, attitude and bling of the dancers.
They are drawn in pencil and painted with fabric paints. Then I stitch densely. Some bling was added to reflect the mood of the women.
This is one of a series which was exhibited at the West Barn, Bradford-on-Avon with C Q West.
Festival Dancers II
14" X 16" |
Festival Dancers III
14" X 16" |
Festival Dancers VII 15" X 16" 
Festival Dancers IV
14.5" X 16" |
Festival Dancers VI
14" X 16" 
Festival Dancers V 14" X 16" |
Holy Island I
Following a trip to Lindisfarne (Holy Island) this is the first part of a tryptych. I have taken liberties and moved the causeway and painted vaguely from photos I took. This is early morning as the causeway is becoming clear. |
Holy Island II
This is later in the morning on a crisp, sunny day when the shadows are strong. I added a couple of people and moved the sea. |
Holy Island III
Around the middle of the day when the light is strong. I have again moved the sea. I wanted to show the strong shadows and the light. |
These three pieces are part of the Pathways exhibition by the South West Textile Group which was held at Ilminster Arts Centre.
This is my triptych - Chinese journey in three parts which won first prize in the pictorial category at Festival of Quilts 2013 and "Best in World" at the World Quilt Show in the US 2014.
Each panel measures approx. 24" X 62"
I went to China in 2012 to visit my son who was studying Daoism at the Five Dragon Temple in Wudang in Hubei Province. It is a very remote spot. We met in Beijing and travelled together, mostly by rail, to Wudand. These three pieces represent three memorable parts of that trip. They are based on my photographs.
The central panel is about Beijing, The Great Wall and the Forbidden City, especially the fantastic creatures there.
The left hand panel is based on a wonderful day we spent on the journey to Wudang.
The third panel is about Wudang and the Five Dragon Temple itself. The Five Dragon Temple was the first Daoist temple in the region and is being painstakingly restored. The area will undoubtedly become a tourist attraction in the next few years, but was incredibly quite and peaceful when I visited.
I started by doing three paintings at a quarter scale. I did make a lot of alterations along the way, but basically scaled them up to fit the panels which are approx 24" each in width and approx 62" in height. I painted the backgrounds of hills and mountains and they are very densely stitched. The temples, creatures and pillars are mostly painted separately and appliqued onto the background. There is a great deal of free motion stitching on them. I was aiming at creating a feeling of perspective and light with enough detail to entice the viewer in to want to know more.
Each panel measures approx. 24" X 62"
I went to China in 2012 to visit my son who was studying Daoism at the Five Dragon Temple in Wudang in Hubei Province. It is a very remote spot. We met in Beijing and travelled together, mostly by rail, to Wudand. These three pieces represent three memorable parts of that trip. They are based on my photographs.
The central panel is about Beijing, The Great Wall and the Forbidden City, especially the fantastic creatures there.
The left hand panel is based on a wonderful day we spent on the journey to Wudang.
The third panel is about Wudang and the Five Dragon Temple itself. The Five Dragon Temple was the first Daoist temple in the region and is being painstakingly restored. The area will undoubtedly become a tourist attraction in the next few years, but was incredibly quite and peaceful when I visited.
I started by doing three paintings at a quarter scale. I did make a lot of alterations along the way, but basically scaled them up to fit the panels which are approx 24" each in width and approx 62" in height. I painted the backgrounds of hills and mountains and they are very densely stitched. The temples, creatures and pillars are mostly painted separately and appliqued onto the background. There is a great deal of free motion stitching on them. I was aiming at creating a feeling of perspective and light with enough detail to entice the viewer in to want to know more.
Icon 1
8" X 8" Mounted on canvas block NFS |
Icon 2
4" X 5" Mounted on canvas block £25 |
Icon 3
8" X 8" Mounted on canvas block £35 |
Icon 4
6" X 6" Mounted on canvas block £30 |
Icon 5
8" X 8" Mounted on canvas block SOLD |
Icon 6
5" X 5" Mounted on canvas block £25 |
A robin singing heartily.
19 cms X 23 cms.
19 cms X 23 cms.
This is a portable shrine also inspired by my visit to China. I had also been to see the Grayson Perry exhibition at the British Museum and was fascinated by an ancient wooden portable shrine he included from the B M archives.
It is made in silk which I first embroidered with traditional buddhist symbols. The drawer below the Buddha's shrine contains incense sticks and a holder, which can be set up before the shrine. The closing mechanism uses chopsticks.
It is made in silk which I first embroidered with traditional buddhist symbols. The drawer below the Buddha's shrine contains incense sticks and a holder, which can be set up before the shrine. The closing mechanism uses chopsticks.
This is the miniature quilt which I made for my C & G Diploma. It measures 11" X 11". It is based on a street scene from Morocco. I wanted it to be intriguing (the lady behind the grille) and enticing (the corridor and the steps leading up and out of view). The fabrics are hand-dyed and I used paint and applique. The tiled wall is a stencil made from freezer paper.
A Hamsa - Hand of Fatima. It measures about 8" high.
A miniature quilt that I enjoyed making (in the style of scottish painter George Birrell)
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