Yesterday saw me taking part in ‘Crafted by Hand’ in Masham, the market town at the eastern end of Wensleydale. It’s held in the lovely town hall and about 40 artists take part. I have had the privilege of taking part for several years now and it’s always most enjoyable.
The organisers undertake an enormous amount of work to stage an event and visitors and artists must thank them all and we must not forget that, throughout the world probably, there are people who voluntarily undertake this sort of organisation. I suppose that I have done my bit in the past so I do appreciate all the hard work.
I just had to produce the art work, turn up and fill my stand, and here it is.
I did complete my books, as mentioned in my last post, but haven’t photographed them yet – so next time!
Progress – well it has rained a lot over the past couple of weeks.
I have been able to use my new inks and print the last two plates from my ‘Stories From the Cloth’ project. Sometimes I find that there can be a disconnect within a project if there is a stop in the middle and I was pleased when I had completed all four as I felt that I had been holding too many ideas in my head.
Here are the four plates, a detail from one and the papers that I have painted for the detailing in the books. I am hoping that the four editions will be completed by the time of my next event at the end of the month – Crafted By Hand in Masham. For details see here
Saltaire had seen a run on my printed cards so I set to and made a new batch. The new inks made a significant difference as their drying time is a few days and it was a good opportunity to try them out. There are three different designs.
I shall concentrate on the construction of the four editions over the next two weeks. I feel that I will then be able to focus on the next stage of my plan – ‘Stories from the Collection’ and continue to use the designs from cotton, linen silk and wool which are in my collection of textiles.
There seems to be an ongoing disruptions to being able to settle down to an ongoing flow of work.
However life has been interesting and I’m content.
I took part in the Makers Fair in Saltaire last week end, it was busy for the whole of the three days and I met some lovely and interesting people. As a stand holder you really only get time to chat to the artists that are next door or opposite and then here is a quick rush round to talk with other artists. Several visitors bought my artists’ books and I love it when they tell you where it’s going, a Ruby wedding and a Mothers birthday immediately come to mind. And then there are the visitors who tell you that the book that they bought last year has been much admired – so lovely to have made connections with people, it’s the little things in life!
I sold many cards so this was my priority this week. I tried out my new printing inks and they worked very well. These prints look odd but images in my blog next time they will hopefully become clearer.
Time to clear up! the new inks are rubbed into the plate with a brush so next time I will mix them with the linseed in old yogurt pots rather than on the glass surfaceand see if that makes clearing up easier.
I am pleased to say that my book “A Dictionary of Silk” has been selected for the Word Image Object exhibitionat the Abecedarian Gallery in Denver USA. There is something magical about posting a parcel for the other side of the world! See here for more details.
The weather has been conducive to gardening and the rain has made the weeds grow. We have been observed frequently by cows, from the meadow beyond the hedge, peering through the gap.
Annwyn Dean 