How to Stay Sane

Welsh Poppy in the Sunshine

As we first entered 'lockdown' I ran a series of posts over on my Facebook and Instagram pages sharing some of the ways I stay sane in the hope that it would be useful for people at this strange and scary time.

I had a really good response so I decided to gather some of the ideas together in a blog post, so here you are: My guide to staying sane! I hope that some of my strategies will be useful to you but 'sane' is of course a very personal and individual thing. Remember to be kind to yourself and to do what you need to do to stay well.

Part 1. Draw Something

Daily Drawing: Birds in the Garden

I've written a lot about drawing on this blog over the years and how beneficial it is to me and, I believe, to pretty much everyone. In this instance I'm talking about drawing just as a process, the outcome really doesn't matter. Get lost in the feel, the look , the sound of your chosen implement moving across the paper. Enjoy the quiet focus of looking and getting to really know about what you're drawing. With practice your drawing will improve no end and hopefully you'll enjoy not only the process but some of the outcomes too.

Part 2. Have a Cup of Tea (or Coffee)

Fabric Teacup

Have a nice cup of tea. It won't solve your problems but taking time out to sit quietly and really enjoy a nice, hot brew can help calm you and get things in perspective. I also like to have a nice cup of tea with me when I'm drawing, stitching, gardening, doing anything at all actually.

Part 3. Get close to Nature

Oh Deer!

Being close to the natural world, whether that's a dandelion growing out of a crack in the pavement or a deer bounding across your path, reminds us that there was a before and there'll be an after and really we are all just a small part of something much bigger. Personally I find that very comforting. It is also a constant source of wonder to me the infinite variety and adaptability to be found in the natural world.

Part 4. Stitching

Stitching: Work in Progress

Stitching is something I always return to, especially during times of stress and anxiety. I find that the repetitive rhythm, the tactility and focus required for hand stitch are perfect for keeping a busy mind occupied but it's also not too taxing. I find the same goes for knitting and crochet and since this crisis started I've been doing a lot more of all these things!

Part 5.  Grow Something

Seedlings

Planting a seed implies a belief in the future and at a time like this that's more important than ever. Growing something is immensely satisfying, watching it grow and develop and maybe even turn into something you can eat is both exciting and relaxing at the same time. It's also a good chance to practise Part 3 and get close to nature.

Part 6. Simple Pleasures

A Sunny Day

It's easy to get dragged down and worried, especially at the moment, but taking time to 'count your blessings' really does help. From a nice cup of tea (see part 2) to your favourite film being shown on TV to a good cup of coffee to clean sheets on the bed it's important to take a moment to notice and appreciate these things. It's also one of those things that the more you do it the more you'll notice how many good things there are in our lives even when times are tough.

Part 7. Reach Out

Feather Collage

You are not alone, we're all going through a roller coaster of emotions at the moment so don't feel that it's just you. Reach out and enjoy the wonders of modern technology; phone your friend, whatsapp your cousin, skype your sister in law. We have so many ways to stay in touch even though we can't be together.

Stay safe and stay hopeful; I truly believe we have the opportunity to come out of this and to create a fairer, happier society.

One mindful week in...

New Year, new handmade sketchbook

We're just over a week into 2019 and as my first post of the year was about looking back over 2018 and looking forward to this year I thought my second post could focus on how I'm doing that. As I wrote last time I don't have any resolutions as such but I am trying to be more mindful and to focus on what I'm doing and enjoy it rather than trying to do several things at once and worrying that I'm not achieving any of them.

Handmade sketchbook (details)

Handmade sketchbook 

When I look back through my notebooks I always see 'need more time for my own work' so I'm trying to address that by blocking out time in my week specifically to be in the studio. I wear so many (metaphorical) hats and work on so many different projects that it can be easy to lose myself in planning, preparation and admin tasks. I'm hoping that by giving myself specific times to do certain things I can get a better balance and be able to achieve more of the things I want to in my personal practice (this morning, for instance, I'm blogging and photographing and this afternoon I AM going to work in my studio.)

Handmade sketchbook (details)

Handmade sketchbook (details)

Handmade sketchbook (details)

Towards the end of last year I got quite down and felt very low creatively. I decided that I would not make any 'proper' work at all in December and that I would instead focus on doing things that I wanted to do; crocheting, making decorations, dress making and so on. All creative things but also things that I often neglect. I'm really pleased that I did this, once I'd made the decision to not 'work' I was able to really enjoy making and playing with materials. It was a really good chance to refresh myself and towards the end of December I could feel myself getting itchy to get going on my 'proper' work again, I had new ideas and was ready to start again.

Daily Drawing 1.1.19

Daily Drawing 2 and 3.1.19

Daily Drawing 8.1.19

I began the new year by making a sketchbook and I've been using this for my daily drawing, another thing that I find hugely beneficial but which can also often be bumped down the priorities list. I love my drawing time, I always feel so much calmer and more focused after drawing, even if I only draw for a few minutes. I've started drawing in the mornings before I go out to work and I find it's a really good positive start to my day. Drawing also helps me work through and clarify ideas so as well as drawings I have some pages of notes (in a different sketchbook, I like to have several on the go at once) about how work might progress. 

Inspired by Winifred Nicholson
Hand dyed fabrics, applique and hand embroidery

Inspired by Winifred Nicholson
The painting that inspired me and my interpretation

Inspired by Winifred Nicholson
(detail)

Inspired by Winifred Nicholson
(detail)

As well as keeping up with my daily drawing I've been looking to clear a couple of things from my WIP (works in progress) list and so far I've finished two pieces started on workshops at Cumberland Embroiderers Guild last year. One was from a workshop with Mandy Pattullo, making textile interpretations of Winifred Nicholson's paintings. I loved this workshop and learnt a lot, it was a quite different way of working for me and I found it quite hard but exciting and I think there are elements that I will take forward and incorporate in my own work. Many is a really good tutor and I learnt a lot from her during this session. It was also a really good way of properly looking at Nicholson's paintings and I enjoyed that side of it too.

Bushkiri 

Bushkiri (detail)

Bushkiri (detail)

The second piece was from a workshop with Hilary Kimber, who showed us how to make Bushkiri (Indian dowry bags.) Again, I really enjoyed the workshop and had a lot of fun playing with colours and stitches. I'm very pleased to have these pieces finished as there is the catharsis of finishing and of having a clear desk (I don't actually have a clear desk, that would be silly...) and I'm also pleased with the finished pieces. I've learnt a lot form both of them and enjoyed making them.

Work in progress on sample for a new workshop

I've also been working on some samples for a new workshop I'm running this year, again new ideas are coming into my head and feeding into other areas of my work. I'm getting quite excited about the possibilities so I think I'm going to save writing any more about it for another post, watch this space...

Looking Back and Looking Forwards

Like all years 2018 had its ups and downs, although it felt like a lot more downs than ups to be honest! I haven't really felt like writing much on the blog at all recently and I haven't felt like doing my usual end of year reflection post so instead I've put together a couple of little slideshows of some of the things I've been up to this year. It's been a good chance to look back over all the good things from the year and some of the great projects I've been involved with. I'm starting this new year full of inspiration and positivity and am looking forward to a happy and creative 2019.

The first video is a mix of work I've made, exhibitions I've been part of, other things I've made and publications. The year started off really positively with an exhibition at RSPB Geltsdale and other highlights included having my Shadow-work tutorial published in Be Creative with Workbox magazine, the Embroiderers Guild '100 Hearts' project and exhibiting with Decorum at Farfield Mill. I had a bit of a creative slump in the second half of the year but I feel like I'm back on the up now with lots of new ideas to try out this year.

The second video is a mix of the workshops I've run and the projects I've been involved with through my roles at Heathlands and Prism Arts. My favourite project has to be the Processions banner made with a group at Prism Arts, both the making and the procession itself far exceeded my expectations and it was a real pleasure to work with everyone in the group. This years Heathlands quilt was also a lot of fun and I've run lots of workshops where I've met lovely people, been inspired and seen great work being created. Here's to more exciting collaborations for 2019!

One of the things I've definitely got better at over the past year is living in the moment more and enjoying things more. If I have a new years resolution it's this; to enjoy the simple things and not worry so much about the bigger picture. Here's to a happy, peaceful and creative New Year for us all!

Fabulous Frottage and Beautiful Birds

This post was written late last year, I was hoping to get some pictures of the finished display but haven't been able to yet and I want to move this out of my 'drafts' list!

Beautiful collaged birds

It's always nice to be asked back to places and so I was very pleased when Stoneraise School contacted me to ask if I would come and work with them again. Last year I did a felt making session with some of Key Stage 1 which was a lot of fun. This year I was asked if I could work with all the KS1 children to create a display in the school. I worked with Years 1 and 2 in the morning and Reception in the afternoon. The difference between the two groups was very noticeable, although both groups produced some fabulous work the level of concentration and dexterity was quite marked.

Experimenting with frottage

Experimenting with frottage

Experimenting with frottage

After some thinking and plotting I decided that a display of birds would be good, probably largely influenced by my own obsession! I wanted to give the children the chance to experiment with media and techniques in ways they maybe wouldn't usually and I wanted to produce a project that all the students could participate in and create something they would be proud of. This lead me to create quite a simple frottage and collage project that would allow the children to explore colour and texture using familiar materials in a different way. Using basic materials (sugar paper, card and wax crayons) the aim was to create an exciting display the children would enjoy making.

Creating feathers from our frottage

Creating feathers from our frottage

Creating feathers from our frottage

In an ideal world where budgets are not so tight I would have liked to work with the children to create their own drawings of birds to collage but as time and resources were limited I decided to create a couple of bird templates for the children to use. The first step was to look at texture, I introduced the students to the idea of creating texture on paper using frottage and set them off to explore their classroom and find different surfaces to take rubbings from. I asked the children to create at least two sugar paper sheets full of rubbings and to think about what colour crayon to use on their chosen colour of paper. After some initial hesitation the class was soon full of children taking rubbings from every available surface and proudly sharing their findings.

Collaging the feathers on

Collaging the feathers on

Collaging the feathers on

The next part of the project involved making a bit of a mess and so was one of my favourite bits! I asked the students to rip their pieces of frottaged paper into small pieces to make feathers for their birds. For some of the children this was really difficult. They didn't, understandably, want to destroy what they'd spent time and energy making. With a bit of reassurance and encouragement, however, all the children created a pile of 'feathers' ready for the next stage.

Collaging the feathers on

Collaging the feathers on

Having created the 'feathers' for their birds I next asked them to choose a template, I'd prepared a sitting bird and a flying bird expecting that  most of them would go for the flying bird. I was surprised how many went for the sitting bird but pleased as I thought it would help balance the finished display. I then demonstrated how we could use our bits of paper to build up layers of feathers, just like on a real bird, and set them to work covering their templates.

My samples

Sitting bird sample

For almost all my workshops I make and show samples and usually demonstrate as I go along, I've found it to be really helpful as often it is a lot easier to understand something if you can see it and hopefully participants find it quite inspiring.  Some practitioners prefer not to prepare examples as they do not want to overly influence the work of their participants and in certain settings I think this is a wise approach. However, I find in most cases participants respond better if they have something tangible as an example of what they might be aiming for and I find that with the right support and encouragement 'copying' is fairly limited.

Finished birds from the morning

Finished birds from the morning

Finished birds from the morning

Finished birds from the morning

Having covered their birds with their paper feathers I then unleashed the wiggly eyes and dyed feathers for the children to finish off their birds with. I was so impressed with some of the finished birds and the concentration and effort some of the children put in was great to see. I always think it's a good sign when they all ask if they can take their work them home with them!

Finished birds from the afternoon

Finished birds from the afternoon

Another aspect of working in schools that I'm starting to develop more and more is giving the students the chance to see how being an artist works 'in real life.' I explained a little bit about my work both in terms of running workshops and the work I produce and it was a nice ego boost that when I went back into Years 1 and 2 to say goodbye at the end of the day they were looking at my website and talking about my work. There was also a very funny discussion with reception about whether I was a dead artist, like Van Gogh who they'd been studying, or an alive artist. Thank fully they did eventually decide I was alive! I really enjoyed this project, the staff were all very supportive and the children very enthusiastic so the day flew by (pun fully intended) and I think the finished work is a great reflection of the hard work that the students put in.

Raining Dragons and Trolls

One of our Dragons

One of my 'day jobs' is working on Prism Arts Studio Theatre project and we are about to start touring our latest production 'Raining Dragons and Trolls' which is linked to the national Family Arts Festival. We will be performing in a variety of venues, including Keswick's Theatre by the Lake, and we are all really excited about the tour. Since we began Studio Theatre back in 2012 we have come a long way and I never cease to be impressed by the ideas, work and commitment that the group shows.

Initial designs

Developing characters with drawing

Set design ideas

Our starting point for this production was the BBC 10 Pieces, ten pieces of classical music selected to encourage and inspire creative responses. The project was mainly aimed at schools but we thought it would be an interesting starting point and this proved to be the case. From the music a story grew, we use a lot of drawing to help develop our ideas and it is often not until very near the end of the production process that we have anything solid written up.

Mecamecal (mechanical camel)

Castle

A lot of things change over the course of making a production, characters come and go (sadly, the mecamecal or mechanical camel did not make the grade this show) story lines change and evolve but eventually a piece of theatre emerges. The constant changing can be difficult for some people but overall it is a positive thing, keeping the group inspired and fired up and allowing new and better ideas to come through.

Felt making: in our productions we use a wide range of techniques and materials. 

Felt making

This production has a strong environmental message, something we all feel very strongly about and which is an important issue. Although there are a lot of fantasy elements in our productions (dragons, trolls, a friendly minotaur) the story is very much about humans and how we interact with each other and the world around us. The main characters in the show have to convince people that unless they change their ways and live in a more sustainable way the world will be in serious trouble.

Making prayer flags for one of the scenes

Prayer flags

I work on the backstage elements of the show, the drawings, props, scenery and costumes. Theatre Skills runs two days a week, one day being focused on production (the day I lead) and the other day focused on performance (led by Vicki Maxfield.) Obviously the performance day leads what we make on the production day but there is a constant flow of ideas back and forth, the two days are very much connected.

We make and use a lot of puppets. Here are the Trolls!

And two mini dragons in a boat

And one of the main dragons (detail)

And we use a lot of shadow puppetry as well

One of my favourite pieces that we have made for this performance is the Sea Guardians cloak. In the story the sea guardian has become trapped in discarded plastic waste and fishing nets and in struggling to escape he is creating huge waves and terrifying the fisherman. To represent the waste he is trapped in we used my favourite technique of crocheting and melting plastic bags to create a large net like cloak that the actor wears. We added further strings of crocheted plastic to give a really tangled up look and add movement. I think this piece of costume works really well and I'm looking forward to seeing it in action.

The Sea Guardians Rubbish Cloak

Crocheted cellophane

Melted plastic

I'm not going to write any more about the production but I hope that if you're near where we're performing you will come and see us and be transported to another world!