Maureen Galbraith

Earlier this year we were all very shocked and saddened to hear of the death of one of our 'treasured' members, Maureen Galbraith.   Maureen, a skilled feltmaker played an important role within Cheshire Textiles for many years and she is dearly missed.  The images included here are a reminder of her work and love of felt.  Click on the image to open the page.

The Sound of Water; a Fun Workshop

 


How often do you try and draw what you hear; isolating sound from its' usual  function of reinforcing what is seen? To further our own personal experience and knowledge of 'Water', the chosen theme for our next exhibition, we took on the challenge!  Simply, it was a mark making exercise, an immediate response to a series of sounds generated by agitating water and listening to music inspired by the sea.  It was a fun session and as can be seen from the images, we accumulated quite a pile of expressive marks!

Bridget organised an on going collaborative piece where we added collage to change a surface.  Over the next few weeks we will continue adding and working into it; the aim is to enjoy the process and not produce a finished piece!

We are almost into the last week of our exhibition 'Mark in Stitch' at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery.    Buxton is a Spa Town set in the beautiful Peak District, visiting the exhibition would make a lovely day out!

                                         Mark in Stitch ends Saturday 12th November 2011

Come and meet some of Cheshire Textiles!

Thursday, 27th October, 2-4pm

at

Buxton Museum and Art Gallery

An opportunity to meet and talk to some of the members of Cheshire Textiles.  

The exhibition continues until November 12th

The Creative Mind

'Am amazed at what the creative mind can come up with'  !!



This was one of the many lovely comments written in our visitors book at BUXTON MUSEUM and ART GALLERY, in response to our current exhibition, 'Mark in Stitch'.  The exhibition is upstairs in the main gallery - there is a stair lift - and there are cards for sale in the shop downstairs.

As textile artists we all have a passion for stitch. This has been the starting point for many of us but as the exhibition shows we have extended our interests, incorporating different media and techniques well beyond the traditions of embroidery.  Surfaces are painted and manipulated, photographs worked like fabric, hand made paper stacked and laminated, found objects made precious and who would have believed the domestic printer could print on fabric and beyond the normal A4!!  Many, many inspirational ideas, just call in and see!!

The exhibition closes on November 12th but you can meet some of us on

THURSDAY, 27th OCTOBER, 2-4pm when we are having another Meet the Artist Day.  



Royal Society of Arts

We are all delighted to hear Hilary has recently been honoured with a very special award, Life Membership of the Royal Society of Arts!!  Her link with the society came about when she worked for a bursary during her degree course, Contemporary Crafts at MMU.  During this time Hilary was able to research Japanese traditions and techniques used in both textiles and metalwork.

Yesterday Hilary gave us a very interesting talk about her work and showed us some of her lovely examples (photography by Elizabeth).  With references to hidden thoughts and camouflage, her beautiful tactile pieces show a clever combination of materials and an in depth knowledge of Japanese crafts.

Must add that the exquisite tray cloth under her pieces was worked by Hilary's mother when she was at the Royal School of Needlework.

Trebah Garden

Trebah Garden, near Falmouth, Cornwall is the source of inspiration for Rowena Ardern's latest exhibition 'Natural Interioers'.  Working from her many drawings and photos Rowena has produced a series of lively and colourful designs for use on fabrics, furniture and ceramics.  Her collection can be seen at the Visitors Centre in Trebah Garden until 2nd October 2011. http://www.trebahgarden.co.uk/

Bit too far for me to travel to see Rowena's exhibition at the moment but I have seen some of the work during the making and it is indeed like a breath of fresh air.  She has a sensitive approach to drawing which is beautifully translated with stitch and colour showing a natural empathy with plant life.  Please leave a comment if you manage to see the exhibition.        Jen

To see further work by Rowena Ardern please follow the link to her website http://www.rowenaardern/.com

New Exhibition!

Saturday was the opening of our latest exhibition 'Mark in Stitch' at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery.
Always an exciting occasion when we see the work displayed on the walls for the first time;  Martha and her team at Buxton have done well!

The gallery is a nice open space with good spotlighting ensuring that every piece can be seen properly; a necessity for textile enthusiasts who like to consider the materials and techniques each artist has used!  For variety of wall hung pieces, this exhibition will not disappoint.

 The image above gives a little taster of what is on view.  Sylvia's brightly coloured canvas worked with alpaca fleece describes the wonderful colours and experiences she enjoyed when visiting her daughter in New Zealand earlier this year.  From the left it leads onto Hilary's beautifully hand embroidered natural history images collected from around the world.  Next is Bridget's sensitive response in paper and stitch to loss and the relevance of objects when dealing with loss.  The space surrounding her manipulated paper hangings is an integral part of this piece offering quiet contemplation and reflection. On a lighter note Val's garments always bring a smile, full of anecdotes and images from the 1950's and 1960's; things we remember ourselves or from the stories we have heard.

There is much more to see, seven more artists work as well as more of both Sylvia's and Val's; it is well worth the visit and Buxton has plenty of coffee shops!!

Please follow the link for Buxton opening times, the exhibition is on until 12th November and we are having another Meet the Artist Day, Thursday 27th October 2-4pm.   Jen