Being an artist is more than just making art. At least it is for me as I believe showing work to others is an important part of calling myself an artist with a capital A. In a perfect world exhibition organisers, curators and galleries would somehow know that I had just finished a piece of fantastic art and would be beating down my door to get at it …..

Unfortunately it doesn’t work like that and so a significant part of most artists life is self-promotion, filling out calls for entry, submitting exhibition proposals and, if successful, shipping pieces across the world (which is increasingly difficult and worthy of a post in itself). As you may have noticed I’m pretty active on the self promotion front but I have to admit that I’ve let some things drift whilst I have focussed on teaching and writing.

Before I got distracted I kept a file of potential ‘calls for entry’ that looked at least 18 months ahead so that I could identify ‘targets’ and work to have suitable quilts ready for specific dates. I work in series and have found trying to respond to other peoples themes rather disappointing. I discard many opportunities to exhibit because of that and only keep a list of those that don’t have specific themes or have themes, such as ‘Structures’ that might fit with my work. Or I did. Having a few scraps of paper in a random pile does not count as a proper list. I have put that right and now have a well organised file of ‘calls for entry’. Most are in the quilt world but I’ve also decided that now is the time to venture out in the bigger textile world. Having a list doesn’t mean success. The more you submit work, the more rejections you get. But, as the saying goes, you have to be in it to win it’!

The other thing I used to be very disciplined about was submitting proposals for exhibition, either on my own or with others. Curators are often working one or two years ahead. Some artists prepare a collection of work and then submit proposals but most, myself included, submit proposals when they only have ‘work in progress’ and maybe one or two finished pieces. I haven’t done that for a long time and I could kick myself as there is almost certainly a back log due to Covid. And the success rate is even lower than ‘calls for entry’. I don’t have anything in the pipeline and realistically can’t expect to having a solo exhibition for at least two or three years. Ho hum!!

The good news though is that I am now feeling very happy with the work that I’m creating. To the extent that I’ve submitted a couple of pieces to a couple of calls for entry. I can’t share images of the full quilts but have included a photo of the detail in one piece above. And, more importantly, I know that I have a new series. By that I mean that I have an inspiration / set of ideas that has enough breadth and has engaged me so deeply that I know I can produce more pieces of art exploring the same theme. I am calling this new series Cadence as its inspiration has come from the regular and repeated process of making breakdown screens, printing fabric, washing fabric, cutting fabric, arranging and piecing fabric, layering and stitching. And because I think it is a lovely word.

Feeling connected to my process again is wonderful and means that I have the confidence to write new proposals for exhibition. To look further ahead on days when the present is so dark. So watch this space!

Hidden Message 2 - one of the quilts on display in From There to Now

Those of you who live in the UK will be aware that the government announced new restrictions covering Greater Manchester (where I live) on Thursday evening due to an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases locally. We are no longer able to visit each others homes or gardens. They have not imposed any new restrictions on businesses so I could continue to teach. However, whilst my students never go inside my home, they do use the garden to access the studio, the bathroom and screen wash trough as well as sitting in the garden on sunny days. It is tempting to bend the rules as I know that I, and my family, are being super careful. And I know that the studio is Covid-19 safe. But I’m not going too. If we all bend the rules we will never get free of this disease.

So yesterday I contacted those students who were due in the studio in the next couple of weeks. They have all been so understanding and so lovely and I thank them for making a difficult day easier to bear. I’m trying to reschedule the Breakdown Your Palette workshop for later in the summer and may have a couple of free spaces if it goes ahead.

But life goes on and there is much to celebrate. Beyond The Festival of Quilts launched on Thursday and I have had some fabulous responses to my virtual gallery ‘From There to Now’. Although the official event finishes tomorrow I believe that the galleries are going to be left visible until next years show. I’ve also had a good response to the Helen Parrott and Rosie James workshops in 2021 with half the places taken in a couple of days. They are popular teachers!

And thank you to those who have ordered from my webshop, especially those buying my limited edition bookmarks. As a reminder the 10% discount code FOQ2020 is valid until midnight on Sunday.

Yesterday was horrible but today I have given myself a good talking to and am back working on my book.

Leah x

Still 3 (Rest)

I have a few things to share. All of them warm my heart.

Firstly, I am delighted to tell you that I have a virtual gallery, called From There to Now, at Beyond the Festival of Quilts from Thursday 30th July to Sunday 2nd August. Because we can’t all meet in person the organisers have put together a collection of online workshops and lectures, virtual galleries and an online shopping hub to entertain us when we would normally be enjoying the biggest quilt show in Europe. The links aren’t live yet but you can check out the workshops and other offerings here.

The gallery features some of my favourite quilts from the last seven years, including Still 3 (Rest) shown above. Some pieces you will have seen before, but some may be new to you. I even recorded an audio track that should play as you look at the quilts. Which was rather terrifying.

Secondly, if you live in Manchester, you can see a few of my smaller pieces at The Oystercatcher restaurant in Chorlton. They contacted me at the beginning of the year to ask if I could lend them some art as they like to show (and hopefully sell) interesting pieces by local artists. I was really rather chuffed … but then lockdown happened. Thankfully things are better and the restaurant is open again. The photo below shows three of my smaller ‘Kilns’ pieces, each displayed in shadow box frames. I miss having them on show in my studio but it is kind of cool to think that lots of people will get to seem them.

And finally, a big thank you to everyone that has brought one of my charity bookmarks. And to Ruth Brown for donating some books to the cause. We have raised another £90 which I have just transferred to The Trussell Trust. Their work is so important. Nobody should go hungry in the UK but sadly many do. Please have a look at their website if you want to know more about their work. Or maybe buy on of my bookmarks. There are still some left. £5 each and I pay the postage. .

We find ourselves in a bit of a mess and we really don’t know what is going to happen in the next few days, let alone the next few weeks or months. Coronavirus is affecting our lives in many ways and I sincerely hope that you, your family and friends remain healthy and we don’t get anywhere near the worst case scenerios we are hearing.

Last week I had a wonderful gallery space and stand at The Scottish Quilting Show in Glasgow. I got a little stressed setting up but my son Joe sorted me out and, as per usual, was a great help throughout. I meet some old friends, made new friends and had an amazing response to my work. We sold lots of books, fabric, dyes etc ….. the stand looked very empty by the Sunday. We also managed to meet up with my daughter and her partner who live in Glasgow. So very happy Joe and Leah!

I spent the first few days this week working to get ready for the Fashion & Embroidery Show at the NEC next week. Long, satisfying days in the studio. But unfortunately I heard on Wednesday night that the show has been postponed due to coronavirus. I don’t know if this is an over reaction. Only time will tell. The organisers have postponed the show until the 25th to 28th June. I will (hopefully) be teaching that week so won’t be there. Fingers crossed that this and other shows are able to go ahead safely.

In the meantime I thought I would share some photos that the lovely Elisabeth Viguie-Culshaw took of the mini workshop I gave at last weeks show.

My stand at last years Scottish Quilting Show …. can’t believe it has been 12 months!

Tomorrow my son, Joe, and I set off for the Scottish Quilting Show in Glasgow. I’ve nearly finished packing everything ….. Usually I am super organised and have absolutely everything ready days in advance but this year seems to be whizzing by. So I still need to do a couple of things and am trying to ignore that panicky feeling I get when I’m not totally in control. Ho hum!

I really enjoyed the show in Glasgow last year and hope that the show will be a success. I’m delighted to have a substantial gallery space and will be showing a selection of my big quilts from last years exhibition at Festival of Quilts. I’ll be demonstrating breakdown printing in the gallery and will be teaching a 90 minute workshop each day. Please stop by and say hello! (And please congratulate Joe who become engaged on the 29th … yes, his lovely girlfriend Sarah popped the question!)

I also have a stand at the upcoming Fashion and Embroidery Show at the NEC, Birmingham (19th to 22nd March). Just a regular stand this time where I will be demonstrating breakdown printing and will also be giving a 90 minute workshop each day. If you are going to the show you can use the discount code below to get a £3 discount on your ticket.

March is a busy month for me as it also includes a couple of days teaching. And I will be welcoming my first guest tutor, Alice Fox, into the studio at the end of the month. I would love to think that I could get some hours stitching in as well but I think that may be wishful thinking!

Ruins 9: Cottonopolis Revisited

I am very excited to announce that I will be one of the featured artists at the upcoming ‘T’ IS FOR TEXTILES exhibition at the Rheged Centre in Penrith. Running from 27th March until 28th June the exhibition showcases the best in contemporary textile art across North England and Scotland. It features work from across a diverse range of styles and techniques and also touches on the textile heritage of the North.

The curator has selected three of my Ruins quilts that were inspired by the cotton industry in Salford and Manchester. I am delighted that these large pieces are going to be seen by so many people in what is a fabulous gallery space. As well as Ruins 9: Cottonopolis Revisited the exhibition will include Ruins 10: Salford Mills and Ruins 11: Bridgewater.

The Rheged Centre is more than just a fabulous gallery - it is a cinema, a theatre and has lovely shops and places to eat so is worth a visit. It opens from 9am to 5pm each day and admission to the gallery is free.

Ruins 9: Cottonopolis Revisited

It is always sad when you put so much of your heart and soul into a quilt, or a collection of quilts, for them to only get shown in public once. So I am very pleased to let you know that I will be taking some of the pieces from Deconstruction-Reconstruction-Evolution to The Scottish Quilting Show at Glasgow’s SEC from 5th to 8th March. The organisers have very kindly given me a lovely space to display my big quilts. And I will be in good company with so many other well known quilters sharing their work.

I will also be demonstrating within my gallery space and leading a workshop each day in which you can print a tote bag using textile inks. If you’re planning on visiting please use the code EV265 to get a £3 discount on your tickets.

My son Joe and I had a lovely time at the show last March. Maybe it is because there aren’t many shows in Scotland but it was noticeable how warm and friendly the visitors and the stewards on the other stand were. Of course my daughter lives in Glasgow and my favourite place in the world (apart from my studio) is on the Ayrshire coast so I may be a little biased!

Well maybe not quite as busy as 2019! A full teaching schedule, writing and publishing my first book, an absolutely amazing solo gallery at Festival of Quilts and unexpected drama on the home front meant 2019 was a bit of a roller-coaster ride. No wonder that I have spent a lot of the Christmas break sleeping!

However I did get into the studio most days even if only for an hour or two and spent my time working on the first two full pieces in my new series. I have given the series a working title of ‘Democracy’. I could have called the series Brexit but I want to make pieces that express my broader concerns about politics, the proliferation of lies and fake news and the way our political leadership is changing. And although the individual quilts may reference events in the UK I hope they will resonated with people in other countries. Despite the rather gloomy subject matter I am thoroughly enjoying working on a series. And, as per usual, I am spending lots of time machine stitching straight lines!

But the holidays are over and it is back to work for me. 2020 got off to a flying start - yesterday I gave a talk to the Manchester Branch of the Embroiderer’s Guild. This was the first of 8 talks I’ll be giving this year and the first of 4 that I’ll be giving to branches of the Embroiderer’s Guild. I arrived with a car boot full of quilts including some of the pieces I’ve exhibited in recent years. And, as you will already know, most of my pieces are big. Really big. Which means that some are quite heavy. So a big thank you to the ladies and gentleman who volunteered to hold them up! The difference in scale between my work and some of the pieces being worked on in the room could not be greater.

I also took along some older quilts and some sketchbooks from the City & Guild’s Diploma I did with the lovely and talented Linda Kemshall many years ago. Whilst doing my diploma I figured out that if you work onto separate sheets rather than directly into a sketchbook you can choose what you share. And you can back engineer a lovely looking sketchbook after you have finished making a quilt. OK, so I learnt that you could cheat. But much, much more importantly I learnt that I didn’t need to work into sketchbooks to produce art. It might not have been the intention of the course but this learning was an big step forward for me.

As well as talks I have a full teaching schedule this year. Most of my classes for the first half of the year are sold out but I still have odd places on my Simply Screen Printing workshop and my Print Your Palette workshop. I will also be welcoming my first three guest tutors into the studio. The workshops with Alice Fox and Christine Chester are sold out but there is still one place left on Ruth Browns Books for Textile Artists.

I will be demonstrating at The Creative Craft shows in Glasgow and Birmingham in March and will have a stand at this summers Festival of Quilts. And I am delighted to have a gallery at the West Country Quilt and Textile Show in August. Phew! There was me thinking it wouldn’t be as busy as 2019!

I meant to write this post a few weeks ago but, as per usual, I’ve been busy and didn’t get round to it…. but I’ll put that right now!

During my exhibition at Festival of Quilts I was asked if I was willing to do a ‘meet the artist’ interview for a YouTube channel. I immediately said yes as I was very flattered and publicity is always welcome. It was arranged for the next morning.

Ten minutes later I started getting stressed about being filmed …. what would I say? what would I wear? what if I had a particularly bad hair day? …… Whilst I thoroughly enjoy talking about my art I hate having my photo taken and the thought of being filmed was, frankly, terrifying.

Thankfully Catherine Hill from Arnold’s Attic was brilliant. She said the right things to calm me down and had clearly spent time preparing her questions. She had taken the time the previous day to really look at the exhibition, to read my artists statement and to read the labels for the each piece.

She did a great job of editing the interview and I am absolutely thrilled to have this record of my first solo exhibition. If you have a look please take the time to like and comment - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KmBLjnBlAs