Pat Albeck

Daisy Chain Pat Albeck for John Lewis

Copyright Pat Albeck

Copyright Pat Albeck

Anyone else hear Pat Albeck on Desert Island Discs this morning?  She has been creating designs since 1950 and more recently you will have seen her design Daisy Chain recoloured, rescaled and reintroduced in John Lewis to celebrate their 150th anniversary. It graced tablecloths, curtains, bed linen and more, and remained on sale in their shops for over 20 years. You may have also seen Pat's work in National Trust shops on packaging, tea towels and other accessories. What an inspirational woman and still designing at 85! You can listen again to the program here. 

Winter Light

Bruce Monro has another FABULOUS selection of light installations in the Waddesdon Manor gardens this Christmas called Winter Light. It was freezing cold but great to see more of Bruce's creations. Works include "Gathering of the clans" which has neon pegs on washing lines representing birds perching, the wonderful "Field of light" which is a flower garden of changing colours and a huge dome called "Beacon" made from plastic bottles. If you live nearby it finishes soon so try and get there if you can. The house is beautifully decorated too : )

Messy?

Copyright Milton Bayer

Aasen Stephenson Deathhouse

Copyright Aasen Stephenson

I stumbled across Aasen Stephenson's work on the local website of Ferri photographer's. Aasen used to be a car mecanic who painted and created in his spare time using anything around him that could be used to unleash his artistic flair. As Aasen’s artistic skills grew he decided to turn his passion into a full time job. Aasen's work is beautifully hand crafted using only a blade. He has created leather dresses used on the catwalk of London Fashion week, unique designs decorating Zizzi Tops amplifier and has "tattooed" footwear for the shoe makers Jeffery West boots and shoes. Take a look at Aasens Facebook page and see some of the other fabulous things he has made.

Mandy Clayton

Photograph by Helen Roberts

Photograph by Helen Roberts

I went to a wonderful talk by Amanda (Mandy) Clayton last night. She shared her current work and plans and took us through her life of stitching which started as a very small child. Her work revels in textiles that are used, wonderfully tactile, deconstructed, worn, frayed and pre-loved. Amanda is passionate about maintaining the joy of holding a needle. Childhood experiences with stitch and cloth evolved as Amanda gained a First Class Degree in Embroidery in 1982. She is an artist who is gregarious, generous with her time and dedicated to sharing knowledge. If you get a chance to see Amanda's work or to hear her speak you MUST go, I came away from the talk inspired and NEEDING to get my sewing out.

L@@K

Car door by Severija Incirauskaite-Kriauneviciene

Stitching on porcelain by Diem Chan

Floral Bowl by Barbara Jeremiah

I saw some FANTASTIC things, bought some lovely things and had a great day at The Knitting and Stitching Show at Ali Pali.

Pushwagner: Soft City

At the weekend we went to a great exhibition at our art local gallery. The gallery had even painted the building to advertise the artist. I wasn't allowed to photograph any of the work inside but it was an interesting mix of paintings, drawings and animation. Hariton Pushwagner is from Norway (born in 1940) and is interested in the appeal of post war American consumer culture and the glamour of Pop Art, non conformity and control in metropolitan life. Quite a powerful mix hey? My kids loved the outside of the building most and standing on the tongue.