My Everyday. Once

I live in Yorkshire in an area that was once rich in textiles. Most of the old mills have either gone or been converted into apartments but lots of little villages can still be found dotted around with the old stone cottages at their heart.

This next embroidery I have done is a depiction of a typical view across the rooftops in one of these villages, with chimneys and roofs of varying heights, a view very similar to the one I had from my old house.

'My Everyday.Once'

I love the higgledy piggledy nature of these buildings, an indication of the steep hills that form this landscape. Who doesn't know the steep road that led up to the parsonage where the Brontes lived?

The title of the piece references the fact that this was once the view I saw every day, and so even though I have moved on, to a different view over fields and hills, this one still forms a part of my story. It remains in my memory and has been woven into my narrative. The older we get, the more past we carry with us and it's good to be able to draw on that history and experience, but always with an eye to the future.

Amanda xxx

The Hepworth Prize for Sculpture

A few evenings ago I visited The Hepworth in Wakefield for the opening party to celebrate The Hepworth Prize for Sculpture. The Prize was created to celebrate the gallery's 5th anniversary and is the UK's newest art prize.

I'd had a busy day at work, getting home when darkness was already falling, and the thought of cosying up in pyjama's was a tempting one. I'm so glad I made the effort to go out though...the works on show are diverse, bold and fabulous.

The first piece of work I saw was 'Cloud Canyons' by David Medalla, a system of clear plastic 'Willy Wonka' style tubes with bubbles of foam slowly and constantly frothing up and over.

Everyone showed great restraint in not plunging their hands into the frothy foaminess. These bubbles relate to both life and death with direct links to experiences in the artist's life.

As I entered 'Screestage' by Phyllida Barlow I was amazed at the monumental scale. As you approach from the rear, you find yourself in a kind of underground forest which gets lower and lower the further you go, making you want to sit down and create a child-like den.

 

As you walk round to the front, the landscape of the piece changes to an uneven broken surface constructed from layer upon layer of painted board, out of which rise totemic posts.

I was completely in awe of this sculpture; its massive scale; its immersive quality. Phyllida Barlow has created a whole new world within the confines of a gallery space and I loved it. My own work is so small and delicate it was a pleasure to spend time in something at the other end of the scale.

Helen Marten is the youngest sculptor on the shortlist but her work is no less accomplished for that. Her works initially look large, and you step back to take in the full effect (with one of the pieces this is the only way to properly see it) but then you find yourself edging closer and closer to get a good look at the quirky little details.

 

I found myself smiling a lot in this room.

Blue and yellow are the colours I immediately think of when recalling the room housing Steven Claydon's work... you enter through industrial yellow curtains and the space is lit with blue LED bulbs, probably enhanced by the fact that I saw it at night so there was no daylight streaming through the large windows. I wonder how different it will feel during the day.

A large wall even looked like an inky sky full of twinkling stars; which is in fact rubberised sheeting holding copper pennies to it's surface.

Leaving the work of the sculpture prize entrants I then found myself in 'Anthea Hamilton Reimagines Kettle's Yard', which is on display while Kettle's Yard is closed for renovation. This was a real treat for me as it included work by Alfred Wallis whose naïve paintings of boats and harbours I have long been a fan of. His paintings seem to come from the heart and displayed in this domestic setting the exhibit felt both familiar and comforting.

A wonderful end to an inspiring evening.

The winner of the sculpture prize will be announced on 17th November 2016.

Amanda xxx

A Child of Books

I just had to treat myself to a copy of this new book by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston:-

It feels like it's been written for me, and about me... I was a child of books.

The book is a beautifully produced work of art infused with a deep love of books and stories and words, marrying as it does the drawings of Jeffers' and the soaring text-scapes of Winston. Although a children's book, it will undoubtedly appeal to adults. I myself couldn't resist it.

Scenes depict a young girl riding high on the crest of a wave of words; and escaping from the clutches of a monster wrought in dense black type. Such a wonderful testament to the stories we read.

Amanda xxx

Attic Dreams

This is the completed fourth embroidery from 'Maps, Series1', titled 'Trapped by the Dream'.

As a child I loved the idea of an attic room, tucked away high up under the roof. A safe, snug, cosy refuge; somewhere to read books, draw, paint and dream. My grandparents boarded out the attic of their bungalow and so on my weekend sleepovers this would become my secret agent headquarters, as well as a place to create my architectural  or fashion designs - I had many career aspirations as a child.

I've carried this romantic vision with me and still relish the thought of hiding away in some kind of artist's eyrie complete with drawing board, easel and day bed.

But in some classic works of fiction, the attic room can be a place of imprisonment as in 'A Little Princess' by Frances Hodgson Burnett or 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte. The cosy haven suddenly becomes a cold and lonely place where things have gone terribly wrong.

Having hopes and dreams is essential but hanging on to the idea of a dream whilst knowing it will never be real is not good, and so sometimes you have to let go and walk away. This piece of work was conceived at a time when I was struggling with the dream I had, and the reality I had to face.

I now have my very own little attic that brings back the feelings from childhood, and provides a cosy space for my son.

Amanda
xxx

Time for a Clear Out

I've been in my house nearly three years now but I still had old college and university work crammed into my garden shed waiting to be dealt with. I couldn't let another Summer pass without tackling this job, and so now was the time to roll up my sleeves and delve into the past.

I have managed to part with some of my work over the years and I was fairly ruthless when I moved, but I was still hanging on to far too much. There is a part of me that would like to get rid of everything; streamline and simplify; but there are some things I just can't part with. As I turn the pages of design work, I reconnect with the younger me and realise that some things feel too precious to let go off.

Final Year Design Project

But I'm still creating work now and I don't want the present to be suffocated by the past, so I'm pleased when I find I can sift through and clear some space so there's air to breathe between the memories.

I loved my time at art college and looking at the designs I created there brought back happy memories...sitting in the studio with friends, immersing ourselves in projects and dreaming of the future. It was a wonderful experience, opening up and expanding my mind; filling me up with the desire to learn and see where I could go with my ideas. A feeling that I carry with me still.

So I've actually managed to edit it all down to a manageable amount that I can access easily to look at, rather than being boxed away becoming hoarders' relics. Such a relief to tick that off the list.

Amanda
xxx

Visiting Mister Finch

A couple of weeks ago I took advantage of some lovely warm weather and a free day off to pay a visit to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. I love to see the work of other artists and I particularly wanted to see an exhibit by the Leeds artist Mister Finch who works in fabric, bringing to life his darkly fairy tale visions.

This particular work is called 'The Midnight Meeting'. The idea behind the exhibition is a secret meeting in a secret wood. A magical fox has borrowed the moon and hidden it inside his body that is a cabinet. With the help of his friends, a pair of tall hares and birds who are all decorated in flowers and spices, they are there to welcome the first moths of spring. The fox doors open and the light of the moon inside leads the way.  All the pieces are pale in colour as the meeting only comes together at night. They never see the sun and only meet one night a year.

His work is enchanting with an undercurrent of unease and exquisite attention to detail. You can imagine the creatures coming to life as the moonlight hits the cabinet. It ends on 28th August 2016.

The current major exhibition at ysp is by the Swiss artist Not Vital, someone that I'm not familiar with, but found myself transfixed by his work in both its range and its impact.

He is showing both in the grounds of the park and in the Underground Gallery. This work is called 'The Last Supper', an 11-metre wide painting created to span an entire wall:-

This work, positioned on the Underground Gallery roof, is called 'House to Watch the Sunset':-

I would certainly recommend a visit. It runs until 2nd January 2017.

I'm aiming for an update on my own work before the end of the month, so you should be hearing from me again soon.

Amanda xxx

Mid-Year; Mid-life

It's July? Already? Do you remember the childhood Summers that stretched on forever?

Recent reads

As well as being incredibly busy at work, doing artwork, and settling a new little cat into my home, I've also been doing some reading. A recent book was 'Before the Fall' by Noah Hawley, a superbly constructed tale which follows the aftermath of a plane crash from which a man and a young boy are the only survivors. The back stories of all the characters that didn't make it are gradually revealed alongside the ongoing investigation. The man who survives, Scott Burroughs, is a struggling artist of a certain age and this sentence describing his stage in life resonated with me:-

"The rootlessness of youth was replaced by middle-aged self-involvement."

I've also been dipping into Miranda Sawyer's new book 'Out of Time', an exploration of what it is to be middle-aged and realise what you have become, and what you haven't become. I had worried that I was becoming too self-involved, but if so, then I'm certainly not alone.

It's quite natural in your mid-forties to take stock, think about what still needs doing, and then go into complete meltdown when you realise that you're running out of time. I still have dreams and ambitions; the danger is to believe that there is some cut-off point, but as long as the mind and body are willing then why impose limits. One of my favourite artists, Louise Bourgeois, was still working into her 90's - more than working; she was a creative dynamic force. And so, I'm facing up to the things I still want to achieve -  I want to exhibit my work; I want to have a book of my work published; and I want to visit more galleries and museums around the world. I have changed as I've grown older, and I hope I'm a little wiser, but my passion for art remains constant.

Poppy - in my Tiny Urban Garden

This poppy was short lived, but I managed to capture it here in full bloom.

Amanda xxx

Tiny Urban Garden - Aquilegia A-plenty

June already... I thought I would take the opportunity of having a free sun-filled afternoon for a quick catch up post. The sky is a clear and glorious blue, my kitchen door and window are both wide open to the warm air, the week's washing is drying nicely in the sun, and I am enjoying being barefoot.

Although I have, as ever, lots of work to be done, it's good on days like this to enjoy some relaxation and feel the sun on your face.

My Aquilegia's have opened up with a vibrant mix of colours so I made sure to grab some pictures while I had the chance:-

June is looking like a very busy month but I'm hoping I'll have some progress to report on my art project.

Amanda xxx

Progress Report

So this embroidery is now well under way; past the point of those first tentative stitches, wondering how it's going to look, and if I can even bring myself to start. Facing a blank piece of fabric is just as nerve wracking as when I face the blank piece of paper for my initial sketch; and if I have a face to do as part of my image, this really puts the pressure on. Because a human face is such a focal point it's important that I get it right, so it's always the first part of the embroidery I stitch - I don't want to have the worry of this affecting my work on the rest of the piece, so best to tackle it head-on.

I hand stitch my work which does require time and patience and although my sketch provides me with a template, I decide on colour and the type of stitch as I go along. I don't have a fixed idea of how a piece will end up looking, relying more on instinct and experimentation. This does mean that progress can be slow if I have to unpick something I'm not happy with, but that's all part of seeing what works and what doesn't.

When I first begin a piece of work I usually have a massive crises of confidence and start to question why I am even doing this, but as it starts to take shape and I see my creativity manifesting itself on the fabric, something seems to click into place. It's a vital piece of me and who I am. I love the assuredness of this figure and I love that I brought her into being.

Amanda xxx

Tiny Urban Garden - Bursting Into Life

With the combination of gloriously sunny weather and a few well-timed downpours we have had over the past week or so, my garden is really coming to life. Shrubs that looked like bundles of sticks a short while ago are becoming leafier by the day and the border down the side of my house has erupted into a delightful display of Bluebells complemented with the unmistakeable scent of Lavender.

The job that was top of my list to get done this year was a new fence in my front garden. There's never been a proper one, just some border edging that had fallen apart, and the garden was lacking definition. So the fence was put up last week and it looks fab, just need to put some protection on now. I have a little Willow tree here which is erupting with leaves - I think it's happier now the fence is up. I certainly am.

The Heuchera's are wearing purple with a hint of lime this season...

the flowers on the Aquilegia's are poised to open up...

and the Hydrangea is sending out lots of fresh green leaves...

Spring is just the best. Oh and I haven't forgotten about the embroidery update. That will be in my next post.

Amanda xxx

The Inner Voice

Everybody wants to be understood and have some form of recognition or validation. There are so many voices out there clamouring for attention that the world can seem a lonely place. But we all have an inner voice that we carry in our heads and this gave me the inspiration for the third embroidery in my 'Maps' series.

I am constantly having an internal dialogue; sometimes it's helpful and encouraging, at other times destructive and brutal. Your soul as companion is an idea used to great effect in Philip Pullman's novel 'Northern Lights' with Lyra's 'Daemon'. These daemon's are a physical manifestation of the inner self in animal form - a constant friend to guard against loneliness.

This is the beginning of the embroidery-

 The full title is:-

'Walking; I hear you Talking.

 In the back of my mind; You're always there'.

 

The image of the figure (one I kept as a cutting from a fashion magazine when I was at college), is a representation of me, as everything in my work is. The whole concept is to tell my story, plot my life, the things that touch me, influence me, inspire me, shape me The autobiographical is literally stitched into the fabric and the influences that I pick up and absorb along the way become integrated into who I am.

 

I'll be posting progress reports over the next couple of weeks.

 

Amanda xxx


 





Tiny Urban Garden

Having my own little garden is so important to me and while thinking about the content of this blog it's become apparent that posts about it will be a regularity. I am working on my art projects but have realised that my garden is very much a part of this - my art work is about me and my personal story, it all feeds into me and who I am; and the garden is a part of that story and so I have named it 'The Tiny Urban Garden'.

Monty Don
 

I know it's time to get back out there when 'Gardeners World' is back on television presented by the wonderful and charming Monty Don; and this year he's accompanied not only by that canine star known as Nigel but a new young pup called Nellie. I love to watch Monty every Friday evening as he accompanies me through the gardening year, sharing advice and the delights of his own stunning garden.

As for my garden, I have made a start, digging over the border in the back which I then spread with mulch. My plan is to fill this border out this year with a few more shrubs and a good mix of perennials.

I went to the garden centre and got myself an Easter treat. A Garrya to go in the front garden, a Camellia and a selection of perennials for the back border. Having them all grouped together in their pots, it looks like I've got lots of goodies but I know that once they go in the ground they'll look a lot less significant.

 

 

So I planned where to put them all and then, as I knew they would, they just seemed to disappear into the ground. Looking forward to Summer to see how different it all looks then. I just hope they're all happy in my soil, and thrive, and don't fall victim to the Slugs!

Today I aerated the lawn and felt very happy as every time I put the fork in the ground at least 2 or 3 earthworms came wriggling out, and I know that they are very good for the garden.

Amanda xxx

Re-Focusing

Well, I had the flu; almost made it to the end of Winter and then it just snuck up on me. I had several days in bed, a complete loss of appetite, it lingered for weeks, and I found myself lost in a fog of melancholia.

Just before all this I got out for a walk on a lovely mild, calm day and took some pictures which I hoped to share. As my focus has started to come back and I've caught up with the laundry, cleaned the bathroom, vacuumed the house, read through a pile of books, I've now reached the part of my never-ending checklist that says 'post blog'.

These are the hills across from where I live - I just go to the bottom of the road, walk up the hill, and then I'm lucky enough to be rewarded with this amazing view. I'm on the edge of a town with access to nature at her finest.

I passionately believe we should plant more trees. There are all the obvious benefits but on a more primal level I am completely in awe of trees and the power they have to transform the landscape. David Hockney's paintings of trees are some of my favourites and I'm sure I'm not the only one who hoped to find my own Magic Faraway Tree as a child; and who can resist the charms of a tree house?

So the trees are now starting to bud, gardens coming back to life and I've spent some time in my own garden tidying the borders. More about this next time.

Amanda xxx

Bringing Greenery Into Your Life

One of the programmes that I love to watch at this time of year is 'Wanted Down Under'. If you've never seen it I'll summarise the format:- couples/families decide that they have had enough of life in  the UK, for various reasons, and seek a new and better life at the other side of the world in either Australia or New Zealand. They then fly out for a week to sample the homes, lifestyle and work opportunities so they can make an informed choice about where they want to be.

It's fascinating tv, having at its heart the desire to find the perfect life. One of the things that always strikes me is that part of that better life is having beautiful scenery and nature which is something we have in this country in abundance, something to be celebrated. At the moment everything is pretty dormant but Spring is just around the corner, and then the magic really starts to happen.

Today was a really frosty start and branches are bare but there is such beauty in this. As Spring arrives there's no greater joy than watching trees and flowers bud and bloom and it's so incredibly beneficial. Doctors have started prescribing time in the garden to help people with depression because of the therapeutic properties and it's obviously uplifting to look out of a window and see greenery and trees as opposed to concrete and bricks. I can't wait to get outside in my garden, get my hands in the soil and make plans to create my own urban oasis.

When I first moved into my new home, the front garden was just a square of grass. You can see here that I dug some borders out and slowly but surely I keep adding little bits. It does require patience and time but I'm learning as I go and getting pleasure from my own little plot.

Amanda xxx

 

Just a Sprinkling

Woke this morning to see everything looking picturesque with a pretty dusting of snow.

I really love how everything looks when the snow has fallen, but I don't love the chaos it causes as buses grind to halt and schools decide to close; so I'm really hoping that was it for snow this Winter. My son is hoping for more snow - enough to close school. You just can't please everyone!

Happy new year by the way. I can hardly believe that we're already halfway through January. This was my first free weekend of the year and I made the most of it by relaxing in my armchair, drinking cups of tea, catching up with my reading and looking at some of my Christmas presents.

I treated myself to 'How to be Parisian' as I've had my eye on this for quite a while; and I also treated myself to Garance Dore's new book 'Love Style Life' as I love her blog and illustrations. My sister, knowing about my addiction to gorgeous notebooks, bought me a beautiful Ted Baker journal along with some jotting pens. Can't wait to start scribbling ideas for new projects in here.

I always feel so excited at the start of a new year - all the possibilities that lay ahead. I hope to make some real progress with my embroidery and will be sure to post updates here.

Amanda
xxx