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October 18, 2017 In Art, Textile Art

Quilter Tara Faughan

Images above: A work in progress in Tara’s studio; Double Wedding Ring #2 (2017) in progress; Diamonds Wall Hanging 2016.

As any quilter knows, the journey from choosing the fabric to finishing the quilt is a long one. For Tara Faughan most quilts take between 40 – 100 hour, even longer if they are hand sewn.

Each quilt is designed slightly differently. “Usually I get an idea, and either work out the specifics by making small samples, or by figuring out the math on the computer,” she explains. “I’m at a point where I’m so comfortable with my craft that I can take an

idea and organically translate it into fabric. There is at times a seamless flow from my head through my hands, and it’s such a joy to be able to create in that manner.” We can’t wait to see what she creates next.

www.tarafaughnan.com

October 9, 2017 In Art, Textile Art

Colourful Embroideries by Victoria Potrovitza

Victoria Potrovitza with her embroideries

Many people pursue textiles later in life from various backgrounds, and Victoria Potrovitza is no exception.

She studied architecture in her native country Romania before becoming a fashion designer which led to a move to Israel and then the USA.

She left the pressures of the fashion industry behind and now focuses on her embroideries which encapsulate her balance and form of her architecture

with her talent for colour from her fashion days. Very inspiring! Check out her feature page on this website to see more of her art work.

October 2, 2017 In Art, Textile Art

Latest art quilts by Ann Brauer

Seasons of the Marsh Winter; Seasons of the Marsh Summer; Seasons of the Marsh Spring by Ann Brauer 2017. Photographs by John Polak

We were lucky enough to interview American quilter Ann Brauer last year. Here are some of her latest quilts. They are all based on the theme ‘Seasons for the Marsh,’ and using different colour palettes to reflect each season changes the mood entirely. Beautiful! www.annbrauer.com

September 25, 2017 In Art, Textile Art

Cos Ahmet

Cos Ahmet: In The Hands Of My Creator, (reworked) 2016 / 17

Some artists’ work evokes an immediate response, it’s easy to navigate and the viewer can relate the work to the title. Other artists take a more conceptual approach, many don’t do this intentionally it just happens in their creative process. The upside of this second approach is it draws more thought on viewing, as does Cos Ahmet’s work. His limited colour palette also gives the work a serenity especially when viewed in a suitable setting such as this piece above. It is on show at ‘Points of Juncture: An Exhibition by Cos Ahmet. Commissioned by Forty Hall and supported by Arts Council England until 22 October 2017. www.fortyhallestate.co.uk

September 18, 2017 In Art, Textile Art

New exhibition by Tracy Krumm

New work from Tracy Krumm: Layered; Plotted and Pannier.

We featured Tracy Krumm (who creates beautiful pieces using crochet and blacksmithing) over a year ago and we’re thrilled to show her latest work.

This series focuses on using found objects as the building blocks for her art, and the results are both sculptural and tactile.

As with most forms of textiles, the process is both time consuming and meditative, as Tracy explains:

“The core of my studio practice lies in the engagement with labor-as-medium. This involves intensive and repetitive fabrication methods that influence the creative experience through their meditative and transcendental aspects.”

Tracy is in a joint exhibition with painter John Bonick at the Andrea Schwartz Gallery in San Francisco until October 6th by appointment. www.asgallery.com

September 11, 2017 In Art, Textile Art

Inside the studio of Barbara Burns

Barbara Burns in her inspiring studio. Photograph by Michael Wilson

For years Barbara’s studio was “in a walk out basement with tiny windows and low ceilings.” So when it came to creating a new one her wish list was one of practically and ambience.

” This new studio [has] lots of light, a vaulted ceiling and huge gable end windows. Its situated on the second floor, above an oversized one car garage. The focal point of the room is my sixteen foot long yarn cabinet made with a set of six large, old, wood framed glass doors I found. I designed the cabinet using those doors which slide on tracks so I can easily access my stash, which is prodigious.

There is a corner with my sewing machines set up and ready to use with everything I need at hand. I have a large collection of books for reference and inspiration. In another corner is a built in desk/office area where I design and write with lots of storage. There is a small room for dyeing yarns. I even have a modest gallery. I crave order and I finally have it in my new studio: there is a place for everything!”

September 4, 2017 In Art, Textile Art

A Darker Thread Exhibition

Work exhibited at ‘A Darker Thread exhibition,’ artists clockwise from left to right: Spike Dennis; Philippa Lawrence; Laura Thomas and Rozanne Hawksley

A reoccurring theme for art at the moment is the reaction to the uncertain times we live in and the constant daily news feed. Some artists choose to reflect the darker side of what we see, others illustrate the alternative of a hopeful and peaceful outlook. ‘A Darker Thread,’ is a textile art exhibition in Wales where artists with a connection to Wales have come together under this theme.

Curated by Laura Thomas (a textile artist herself) she chose work that “demonstrated visual poetic eloquence, a mastery of medium and an absolute sensitivity to making and materials. Some of the work has a punk confrontational self-confidence, others, a gentle yet searing resilience.”

What makes it so interesting is the variety of materials, techniques and the diversity of the pieces under this disquieting subject.

A Darker Thread is exhibiting until 21st of October 2017 at the Oriel Myrddin Gallery, in Wales. www.orielmyrddingallery.co.uk

August 28, 2017 In Art, Textile Art

Needlepoint artist Natalie Fisher

Above: Natalie sewing on location and from home.

One way to describe textile art is ‘painting with wool,’ and this is exactly what Natalie Fisher does. Here she explains how to transfer her image onto canvas:

” I start by printing my photograph onto an A4 sheet, then I create a tracing of as many details as I can. This is then taken to the printer to enlarge to the finished size. I then do another tracing, this time from the printed cartoon onto blank needlepoint canvas.”

Using a frame for needlepoint is personal preference but Nataile prefers not to, which makes it easier for her to sew on location. Read more of her inspiring interview on her page on this website or visit www.artweave.com.au

August 21, 2017 In Uncategorized

Chuck Close Tapestries

Machine woven tapestries by Chuck Close exhibited at Ushaw College.

Textile art isn’t widely exhibited but the flip side of this is when you come across a textile exhibition it makes it even more special. On a trip home to my home city of Durham in the UK I was thrilled to see six tapestries by Chuck Close. His monochrome photographs have been digitally woven on a Jacquard loom and the juxtaposition of exhibiting these 3 m high tapestries against the Gothic architecture of the chapel is quite incredible. As with all textile art you really want to touch them but unfortunately it’s look only, however, viewing the chapel and the tapestries on their own is visually stunning, and when you combine both it is truly worth visiting.

Chuck Close Tapestries are on show until 30th September 2017 at St. Cuthbert’s Chapel, Ushaw, UK www.ushaw.org. Donation encouraged, please check opening times before visiting.

July 2, 2017 In Art, Textile Art

Behind the scenes with embroiderer Rachel Wright

Textile art is often described as ‘painting with thread’ and this is exactly what Rachel Wright does. Inspired by her father who was an artist,

and her artistic grandmother she honed her skills at university and started her business in the 1990s. Above is a peak into her creative process, stitch by stitch.