As winter trundles on there are signs of Spring amongst the left-over snow - the daffodils are coming up and my hens have started to lay eggs again after a very long wait! My creative world has been pulling me in new, exciting and sometimes unexpected directions courtesy of the MA in Creative Practice which I am currently studying for through Harrogate College. My research subject is perception of and connection to the landscape, the value of which is so important to so many of us. As well as studying art theory, the first term was preoccupied with exploring media and I have started to incorporate stitch, painted & printed fabrics, and found material into my textile work. As the preliminary studies turn into pieces, I shall share them here.

In terms of exhibitions I have work in a new exhibition starting 7pm Saturday 24th Jan at Kala Sangam South Asian Arts Centre in Bradford. I have seven silk pieces on display in the foyer alongside a collection of Varli paintings by Ramya Tangiralaarli - together our exhibition is 'Colours of Spring'. The free preview is to be held 7-8pm followed by 'Songs of Spring', a performance of traditional Gujrati music by Rakesh Joshi - tickets are available through the Kala Sangam website.  

'Gateway to Spring' Mixed Media on Silk

Enjoying my preparations for two upcoming events, the first being Art in the Pen.  Around 100 artists/craftspeople will be setting up their individual pens to display their wonderful wares on Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th August 10-4pm with the preview being held on Fri 15th 7-9pm (all welcome). It is held at Skipton Auction Mart, Ling Fields, Gargrave Road, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 1UD.

My second event this month is as part of Nidderdale's Nidd Art Trail. I will be exhibiting alongside Justin Grimaldi & Jacqui Galloway at the Dacre & Hartwith Village Hall in Dacre Banks, Harrogate, HG3 4EN and we will be open Saturday 23rd-Monday 25th 10:30am-5:30pm with lots of lovely fine art and textiles.

Talking of work, I've recently finished 2 pieces based on still-life observations - one influenced by the fabulous textile artist & designer Kaffe Fassett,

the other by listening to 'Hamlet'  BBC i-player radio - can you guess which one is which?

Opening hours for this final week of the pop-up shop on Station Parade, Harrogate, North Yorkshire are;

Tues 22nd 10-4pm

Wed 23rd 10-4pm

Thurs 24th 10-1:30pm

Fri 25th 10-4pm

Saturday 10-4pm

And once that's all dismantled, it's time to get ready for the fantastic Art in the Pen event in Skipton!

Wow, what a weekend! Yorkshire embraced the Tour de France and had beautiful weather to boot!

This weeks opening hours for the Pop-up shop, Station Parade, Harrogate are;

Tues 8th July 1:30-4pm

Wed 9th July 10-4pm

Thurs 10th July 10-4pm

Fri 11th July 10-4pm

Sat 11th July 10-3pm

Rather glad to be back in the Pop-Up Shop at 49 Station Parade, Harrogate, North Yorkshire until Saturday 26th July, alongside Grimaldi & Galloway Arts, Frances Payne, Yeun Jewellery, Anna Whitehouse Ceramics and Elephantattic Design.

This weeks opening hours are;

Wed 2nd 10-2pm

Thurs 3rd - Sun 6th 10-4pm

Harrogate is about to be host to the Tour de France (5th/6th July) - roads will be closed and it could be incredibly busy, but what a fantastic event!

Recently back from a wonderful holiday on the Isle of Skye, revisiting stunning landscapes such as The Quiriang and The Old Man of Storr - a Lord of the Rings setting if ever there was one! I can recommend 9 Torrin Self-Catering Caravan Accomodation for excellent accomodation, games room and most importantly drying room!

Have a busy weekend ahead setting up a 2 week Creative iD group exhibition at The Station in Richmond and as part of a 'Meet the Artist' demonstration programme at Wensleydale Galleries in Leyburn. I'll be demonstrating silk painting techniques alongside other artists specializing in fine art, chainsaw sculpture, willow weaving and paper-cutting - the demonstration timetable can be seen on my Facebook page.

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