Surrey Artist of the Year 2010 - Results!

Well the Surrey Artist of the Year was announced at an evening reception on 7 October. I didn't win, but I was very pleased to find that I'd sold a piece (the fossil necklace) and also that someone would like to commission me to make a bag along the lines of the lily journal I had made. Have a look at the New Ashgate Gallery website here (http://www.newashgate.org.uk/pages/event/295.html) for details of all the pieces in the show (click on a photo to enlarge) and which ones were sold. Overall it was a great experience to be involved in the whole event and make a small collection of pieces for a show. So thanks again to everyone who voted for me!

Workshops and their hidden surprises!

Attended an excellent workshop on Sunday with tutor Carole Waddle and 6 talented felters, as part of the International Feltmakers Association/Feltmakers Lacemakers Embroiderers Weavers Spinners Group (both co-ordinated by Joan Braganza). The workshop was entitled 'Hidden Depths' and was all about layering up different colours of fleece and then cutting back into it after felting to reveal new colours underneath. We used plastic resists to create pockets hidden within the felt (which we could again cut into to reveal new colours) and also to part-attach yarns to the fleece, so they were attached by their ends but were otherwise left loose or hanging where the resist was. Really interesting techniques, and we all enjoyed playing with the Norwegian fleece we used (bit different to the usual Merino). Photo here of the results - I've still got more cutting to do on mine, so I'll post some before and after photos once I've done a bit more.

And more hidden surprises when I got home that day. A lady called Sonia had attended a mini journal workshop with me back in June (see previous posting) but not had a chance to turn her piece of felt into a journal. Well once she'd got home she decided to make a sewing kit with her felt instead - and on Sunday she sent me the results as you can see here. Great idea - and it's always inspiring to see what other people come up with from the same basic idea or material.

Surrey Artist of the Year 2010 - Photo Update

Surrey Artist of the Year 2010 Update

Last Friday night saw the preview show for the Baines Surrey Artist of the Year 2010 exhibition, at the New Ashgate Gallery in Farnham (see my post of 17 August 2010). I was really looking forward to seeing whether all 4 of my pieces were in the show and how they'd been displayed, and also what the other artists' work was like. It was a busy night with lots of visitors, and the range and standard of all the work on show was very impressive - quite how the public and the judges are going to decide between them all (ie paintings, sculpture, glass, ceramics, textiles) is anyone's guess. Do visit the gallery and vote for your favourite artist if you can (the exhibition is on til 7 October, and the gallery itself has lots of other lovely work on display and for sale).

Alpaca Open Day

Had a great day on Saturday at the Alpaca Open Day, demonstrating feltmaking with alpaca fleece. It was a really busy day (over 1000 visitors), and there was lots of interest in the animals themselves (including other animals like the cute baby donkey you can see here, with alpacas in the background) as well as all the different things you can do with alpaca fleece, eg spinning, knitting and feltmaking. An interesting change for me as I've never demonstrated all day like this before, but I really enjoyed it and look forward to having another go next year. Thanks to everyone who came along and said hello, and also to all the visitors who collectively raised over £1000 for charity!

Alpaca Open Day, Saturday 4 September 2010

If you were interested in my posting back in April (see below) about felting with alpaca fleece, then you may like to come along to an alpaca open day on Saturday 4 September. It's being hosted by Barbara at Lightfoot Alpacas based in Hawkhurst, Kent (click on the poster, left, for full details). It's an opportunity to see and even pet alpacas, as well as learn more about them and what can be done with their fleece. I'll be there all day demonstrating felting with alpaca fleece, so I very much look forward to chatting with everyone about the process. The farm is in a lovely setting, and this annual event is a really nice way to spend a couple of hours - so I do hope some of you are able to make it!

Baines Surrey Artist of the Year 2010

Had some exciting news after the Surrey Artists Open Studios finished in June when I found out I'd been voted one of the top 14 favourite artists by visitors - thank you to everyone who voted for me! This has led to me and the other 13 artists being invited to exhibit in a show at the New Ashgate Gallery in Farnham in September/October, when the public will have a chance to vote for their top favourite (which will be combined with votes from a judging panel). So I'm currently working on producing 4 new pieces for the exhibition, to be delivered by the end of August (and trying not to panic at the same time!). See the sneak preview photos here for an idea of what I'm making (focusing on combining felting with knitting techniques).

The exhibiton takes place from Friday 10 September to Thursday 7 October, with a Private View on 10 September 6-8pm and a Closing Reception on 7 October 6-8pm when the winner is announced - and all are welcome to both evening events or to visit the gallery during normal hours (Tuesday-Saturday, 10-5). The gallery is very close to Farnham station, see the gallery website (left) for more details and a map. So if you get a chance to go along and vote, please do! I'll let you know how it goes!