Liberty Gallery Showcases

Liberty Craft Case Gallery

Showcase, small works plus silver pieces by Louisa Crispin

Liberty Gallery is hosting some of my smaller works and brooches at the Hazlitt Arts Centre Space, Rose Yard off Earl Street, Maidsone. The centre is open 10.00-6.00pm

Working in collaboration the Sarah Robson, Arts Development Manager for Maidstone Borough Council, the Craft Cases are a perfect stage for contemporary crafts designed and created in Kent today. Work by four other artists includes:

Jenny Fairweather, printmaker from Aylesford, Fiona Flynn, glass artist from Downswood, Sonya Oke, textile jeweller from Maidstone and Louisa Crispin, fine silver Jeweller from Hawkhurst. This exhibition forms part of the Maidstone Contemporary Art, Craft and Design Exhibition at the Graham Clark Gallery from the 30th November -31st December.

Home in the Autumn

Manage to sneak a litle time out whilst running a workshop in Norwich to go to my favourite view from Mousehold Heath. A reminder that winter is on the way but a beautiful view of my home city. A brief visit, so mum was not aware I was home...don't let on.

Natural History Opens at Farnham

I have been busy getting ready for two exhibitions. Anne and I with a great deal of support from her husband Paul hung our exhibition, Natural Histories at Farnham Maltings on 12th October. The exhibition is on view in the Cafe and public areas as well as larger works and an installation in the East Wing Gallery. I have posted a few images on the blog. This is our first exhibition as 'Resonant Textiles' and we are pleased with how the work fits in with the light and airy space of the East Wing Gallery and the Cafe. To access the East Wing Gallery, please collect a key from the Box Office.

Dates are from:
12th-24th October 2009, Bridge Square, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7QR T: 01252 718001
Please contact me directly via casholmes28@yahoo.co.uk if you want further information and see my websites www.casholmes.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk and www.casholmes.textilearts.net

I am also exhibiting with the Vir Art in Maidstone:Vir-Art Graham Clarke Gallery, Hazlitt Arts Centre, Rose Yard. Maidstone. Kent Contact Paula Williams:01622 738887

Summer School West Dean

Summer school has just finished at West Dean. Got my glorious portrait drawn at the last night party (see above)

Had a great bigs space for the students to spread out in....some came as far away as Germany and Brussels to sample workshops, brilliant food and wonderful surroundings.

Examples of work in progress includes this little sampler by Helen Frost

Jenny Thomas stitching in progress

A tribute to shared resources and use of the found in Carol Tulloch's quick sketch, 'Cas and Me'. Using a bit of my discarded demo fabric...wish I had done that.

Amazing what you find on the Web

Paper costumes secondary school project.

Googled myself the other day to find a long lost site and came across an editorial of my work on

www.greendiary.com/.../eco-art-recycled-artwork-by-cas-holmes-is-amazingly-inspiring/

You might have to type on the above the find the links as I am not very good at this html stuff. The site is worth a visit for anyone interested in Eco-Arts. Just a bit suprised, nicely, to find myself featured. Blowing my own trumpet again...too bad.

Is googling and accepted verb now?


Copied from the site:
Art is a process of deliberately arranging elements aesthetically to mesmerize your senses. Cas Holmes, a Maidstone-based artist, has a lot to offer with her breathtaking eco-friendly creations. The designs are made by re-assembling discarded items and waste material to create something beautiful and more meaningful.

The artist works by combining textile and paper based technique, which is very correctly practiced on waste paper and fabric. She layers photos, drawings, text and fabric using glue transfer methods. These can be torn and scraped to reveal layers underneath. For holding the work together stitches are used, which not only keeps the work in place but also adds color or a line, like drawing.

Holmes has recently created large wall hangings, textile canvases and objects that reflect traditional and contemporary styles. These creations are a result of the materials that she collected from India combined with donated waste silks, fabric and paper from the UK. Her impressive works bring out the connection she shares with the environment. In addition to her exhibits, Holmes has been commissioned to write a book called “The Use of the Found in Textile” for Batsford Publications, which will be out in 2010.

artist does the 'business'

The challenge of working in different spaces is open to all kinds of possibilities.
'Fen' brings a sense of the outside space into interior office space. Using 'found materials, I like to create installations from the everyday which demand interaction. Office workers moved their hand through 'Red Rain' almost from the minute it was placed on the stairwell. Constructed from old teabags it is a reminder of the refreshing qualities of a good cup of tea...and of good rain! You can see these installations and other works at:

Kings Hill Art with Arts and Business. 30 Tower View, Kings Hill, West Malling. Kent. ME19 4UX (From 26th June until September).

www.AandB.org.uk, www.kings-hill.com.

Natural England Open Day Saturday 4th July in Kent

As part of the 'Welcome to the Wildside' project I have been running painting workshops over the June period with Natural England at Wye and Stodmarsh National Nature Reserves in Kent.

The resulting work will be exhibited at the National Wye Nature Reserve Festival on Saturday 4th July from 11.00-4.00pm. There will be plenty of activities for families including Wildlife walks, Charcoal making, heavy horse demonstrations as well as a painting workshop scheduled for 2.00-4.00pm (booking required).

This is a chance for local people to see what lies on their doorstep. There is limited parking but a free shuttle bus will run from Wye to the festival. Wye station is on the London to Canterbury rail route. Cycle or walk is another option if you are local. Helping to keep the carbon footprint down.

The event is free, there will be plenty of cover so join us for a day in the countryside whatever the weather!

For more information email: wildside@naturalengland.org.uk or telephone 0300 060 4765.

www.naturalengland.co.uk