play

2022 was a particularly tough one.

This February I moved into a roomy one-bed rental flat in Langley Mill, Derbyshire with my cat Cilla. Unable to find affordable accommodation along the Derwent Valley I made the difficult decision to leave Haarlem Artspace in Wirksworth and the familiar people/surroundings that I love - hopefully I'll return one day.

I'm grateful for my own space and being reunited with my darling cat. Have set up a studio in the living room and am planning to take time to reengage with my art practice, pick up unfinished work and consider next steps. There is a neglected garden here and I've purchased a selection of interesting heritage seeds and plan to sew a small patch of flax.

I'm currently working as a creative practitioner for Derby QUAD, the Museum of Making (Midlands Maker Challenge) and Artcore.

Draw Derby is going from strength to strength: word of mouth and DD's Instagram is calling in the drawing kin - as I'd hoped. A regular attendee took me aside at the March gathering and said Draw Derby had changed her life, giving her confidence and the opportunity to meet likeminded, Kindly people - WOW! For more information and to book a free Eventbrite ticket see here!

Watch this space! Come on 2023 - play nicely!

pause

Having moved 6 times in the last 4 years and dealing with everything the pandemic has bought into our lives, I'm currently in low battery/preservation mode and have paused in updating my blog.

All focus is directed at finding part-time paid work(s) and securing a stable home where I can unpack and ground and b r e a t h e.

I'll pick up the threads of my practice soon (it's always buzzing around my head anyhow) and share all the fabulous things that are on the tip of my tongue 💥 

Thanks folks, sending best wishes to you all ❤️

Ink drawn insect in a handmade book made in 1944 - a gift for brother Wilfred

(inspiration for a hand stitched textile commission)

take time residency: day 2

Eek! Where did February go? Just realised I'd not added day 2 of the residency I set up at Haarlem Artspace in January 😶

Take Time: Day 2

See the a-n blog here and read about my frustrating day!

Unresolved

take time residency: day 1

Take Time: Day 1

For more information see the a-n blog I've set up here 🙂 

take time residency

Excited to share that I've set up a mini residency with the studio holder participants of the Virtual Residency at Haarlem Artspace in November 2020. 

We will gather on the last two days of January 2022 to reconnect and focus on an unresolved and/or unattended creative itch in caring critical support. I've set up a blog on a-n to record our intentions, actions, progress and insights.

Work that came to a halt - The Tablecloth Cloak

draw_derby

The idea to draw Derby has been floating around in my head for a while - so here goes! 

Draw Derby is a free-monthly-untutored-bring your own materials-outdoor-all welcome-gathering in the city centre. Come and meet like minded others and DRAW! Find Draw Derby on Instagram.

Draw Derby takes place on the last Saturday of each month throughout 2022. For further details and to book free eventbrite tickets for January's gathering click here.

Drawing materials at the ready, see you on the 29th ✋🏻✏️📗

element

Last month I was handed this beautiful book, Element, by Catherine Rogers.

I'm honoured that my work, Daughters of Daughters is featured with the story Weaving Fire. Catherine has woven stories from studio holders at Haarlem Artspace with ancient tales/abstract storytelling to create new/old tellings of new/old inspirations and motivations.