Making Connections
Over the last few months I have been exploring new ways of working and 'making connections' with people in different ways due to a change of circumstances which require me to stay closer to home much of the time. I am in currently running my 'Making Connections' course with Fibre Arts Takes Two for the second time and am enjoying the daily connection I have with students. Today I have talked about outdoor sketchbooks.
At the same time, I shortly open a new exhibtion in Queensland, Australia which has been possible through on-line communication and great partnership with my friend Peta Lloyd
’Same but Different:Poetry of the Everyday’ is at the Fig Tree Galleries, Yeppoon, Queensland
This collaboration between friends was conceived at the beginning of the pandemic and reflects a strong need to be with each other as artists despite our plans being otherwise curtailed. The connection we have to each other has not been divided by distance, through on-line communication we came to an understanding that our experiences were' Same but Different'. As one was dressed for the warmth of winter, the other was wearing a t-shirt, one planting for Spring whilst the other harvested. We talked about our daily 'allowed' walks and the everyday things we saw around us, this exhibition reflects both the individual connects we have to our space and place and the commonalities.
This is the first time that Cas Holmes has taken part in a collaborative exhibition in Australia and despite personal circumstances which still limits her movements her visits to Australia remain in her thoughts. The signature piece Edges of Australia reflect that connection and started its journey in Peta’s studio. Her other pieces reflect her connection to Mote Park and her local region.
Bruce describes himself as a ‘wood nerd’, “I love wood, it's colour, it's texture, it's smell, there are endless possibilities when working with wood.”
“Wood is very much a part of life in England as it is in Australia. I have chosen the wood from Mango trees for this exhibition. Even though they are all created from mango, they are each different, just as the artists are. We are from different locations and climates. This type of difference can also be seen in the variation of timber colours and appearance, the same type of tree grown in different locations under different climatic conditions are expressed in a variety of colours and appearances.”
Bruce’s techniques with wood include wood turning, pyrography on timber and leather surfaces, dovetailing and French polishing, marquetry and wood carving.
Peta's work in the exhibition incorporates her daily creative practice from 2021 as well as works that have been inspired from her wanderings within her 98-acre backyard.
On Saturday 21st May, Peta will be teaching a workshop ‘Everyday Poetry’ in conjunction with the exhibition.
My exhibtion, Painting with Cloth continues at Farfield Mill until 15th May. Meanwhile, you can take part in an artist's talk on Saturday 14th May 2.30-3.30pm. Check the events link on the website.
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Yippee..Back in the studio and classroom
Finally, I have in some small way been able to get back to the studio and classroom. Over the last couple of weeks I have been able to return to my local Kent Adult Education classroom to teach Drawing and Painting. through 'blended teaching (some of us are in the classroom and some are on-line)
Finally, I was delighted that our story about Derek's Garden featured on the Stroke Associations Facebook page in April:
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