Kates Dinner Party

Kate Jenkins' second exhibition at Rebecca Hosack's Gallery in Fitzrovia opened on Thursday last week.


The theme of this Solo is the dinner party and of course Kate knits and crochets every element of the perfect dinner party - the glasses, bottles, chandeliers....The prawn cocktail starters...and smoked herring

The pork pies...


and for the more sophisticated palate - 'sewshi'...

I couldn't make the Preview last week but I'm told that it was very busy so if you want to partake in Kate's feast get down there as soon as you can. The exhibition is on till 24 July, Rebecca Hossacks Gallery, 28 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, London W1T 2NA



Kate Jenkins Website Cardigan

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Artist of the Week - Lisa Traxler

Lisa Traxler is an artist based in South East England. Her practise combines painting & photography with collage & stitching documenting & investigating the space around her.


When and where did you first want to do what you do?
Many years ago at primary school I remember a project we were set that asked us what we thought we might like to do later in life – I vividly remember writing that I wanted to be an artist & accompanied the piece with a splendid pencil drawing of me as an adult standing in a studio at an easel painting! The drawing has been lost with the passing of time but the vision stayed with me although its fruition has been an eclectic journey.


Where did you train?
My training started at Art College where I went on to pursue a fashion & textile degree at Birmingham in the mid eighties. Through life’s twists & turns I then spent the following decade & more traveling around the globe as a fashion editor & stylist for magazines & TV. I think it has always been a passion of mine to pursue textiles & pattern along with colour & form & this continued when I moved out of London & went to live on a houseboat on the Isle of Wight. This is when I truly let my creativity open up. Within a few months of living aboard I had started painting & creating my collage pieces whilst always pursuing my photography. The rest is history with exhibitions & residencies opening new experiences all the time – life is never dull!




One favourite living artist?
I would say from the many, many artists whose work I respect & admire one I would have to mention would be Rachel Whiteread. She is one of Britain’s leading contemporary sculptors & the gigantic labyrinth-like structure, EMBANKMENT, made from 14,000 casts of the inside of different boxes, stacked in the Turbine hall in Tate Modern was absolutely awe inspiring yet had an intimacy invoked by the mystery of what each box might contain. I like where my mind wonders to when I see her art works.

One favourite historical artist?
I think I will have to say Peter Lanyon – the abstract 50’s/60’s painter from St. Ives. I am greatly drawn to the abstract expressionists of the mid 20th century – internal feelings were expressed by the physical action of producing the art works. With Lanyon’s works the application of the paint on the canvas & mark making, colour & form applied resonate with my own painting side of my practice whereas I am probably drawn to Whiteread’s pure space & shape sculptures which perhaps resonate in my stitched installation pieces.

Where do you get most of your inspiration from?
I think my practise as an artist and my life are intrinsically bound – one cannot be separated by the other – the practice of an artist does not turn on & off but is simply a combined flow with life. I am passionate about 50’s/60’s textiles & furniture – something about the simplicity of line, function, colour draws me in. On a daily level a walk with my dog, Little Susie, lends me moments of meditation to unravel & process life but equally a passing comment can conjure a colour & shape. Recent works have been gripped by old photographs, faded memories.


What is the most interesting / fun job you have had. Any why?
I do think having a job that took me to countries in the world that I would never have had the opportunity to visit was pretty magical when I was a fashion editor but saying that, each day here in my studio brings enchantment that I never visualized – being able to make a living from what I love is the best ‘job’ in the world – is it a job? Seems too good!

Do you work mostly on your own? Have you had any interesting work related collaborations?
I do work mainly solo but often collaborations happen when you least expect them – coming to Brighton Art fair this year will be great as I am with another artist, Matt Chambers who works in ceramic sculptures. I had greatly admired his work & through conversation he quite liked my paintings & through an art swap we realized a mutual work ethic & went on to exhibit together at a sell out show last summer – let’s hope Brighton enjoys our collaboration!



At age 18 who most influenced your style?
Cast my mind back to being 18…. I was a jumble sale queen! I still love vintage & retro clothes & objects – can’t say one individual really, although I have always been pretty into Barbara Hulanicki & her Biba empire…. If only I had been around then, wow, the colours & new vision!

How much do you bend your 'vision' to suit the marketplace - if at all?
I’d never thought of bending my vision to suit the marketplace – that in my mind relates to my years in the fashion industry with a ‘new look’ every season – spots & stripes anyone?

What one word would describe your feeling of doing your work?
Energizing!



Who would you say buys your work?
Who buys my work? Well, for the very large abstract canvas’s I paint, people with very large walls in their homes! Although saying that if a painting resonates with someone they will make it work in their home no matter what & they are the people I like to hear about as they are responding to the energy of the piece rather than if it colour matches their sofa! I had one client who bought a painting because the title was a message for him & drew him into the painting – it was quite emotional hearing him say this & I truly feel humbled when I hear these stories.

Where and what is your studio?

My studio – the space where I spend so much time thinking & doing. A very energizing space – my sanctuary! I now have a new studio that I am settling in to where I live at home on the Isle of Wight. I am incredibly lucky as it was designed for me by my partner who is an architectural designer, little bit of news here… it will be shown later in September on the Grand Designs TV programme!

Do you have a good work/life balance?
Work/life balance – I would love to say it is a balance but I think it is as much my personality but I think it does get a bit too work related – I find it very hard to switch off or at least move down a gear… can’t help it!

If you could be doing anything else what would it be?
If I could be doing anything else? Time travel – except I would like to travel in the past – I love history & the stories behind places & objects. A bit like the H.G. Wells classic, ‘The Time Machine’


If you could exhibit in any gallery in the world which would it be?
It would have to be the centre atrium of the Guggenheim in New York. Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece of modern architecture – walking along the grand ramp that curves from the ground to the dome!

Please list any exhibitions you have had in the past 12 months.

Selected solo exhibitions:
2010 arc space @ aspex, Portsmouth
2009 gASP Gallery, Art Space Sponsored Studio Award Exhibition, Portsmouth
2009/10 'Letters Home' Solo touring exhibition:
Eldon Gallery, University of Portsmouth, Hampshire
The Link Gallery, University of Winchester, Winchester
Quay Arts, Newport, Isle of Wight

Selected group exhibitions
2010 'HYDE 900' Winchester Cathedral.
City Space at The Discovery Centre, Winchester.
The Link Gallery, Winchester
2010 'Recollection' Chapel Gallery, Lancashire
2009/2010 Seaview Gallery, IW.
Combined show with sculptural ceramics by Matt Chambers
2009 'Wonderland' Boojum&Snark, Sandown, IW
2009 'Art Liberating Lives' Group Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London W1
2009 ReOpen Exhibition, Lighthouse Centre for the Arts, Poole
2009 NAPA National Exhibition, View Two Gallery, Matthew Street, Liverpool
2009 Cork Street Open Exhibition, 28 Cork Street, London W1
2009 HOMEGROWN, The Depozitry, Ryde IW
2009 1000 Lakeside, Portsmouth, Hampshire
2009 Women's Work Exhibition, The Fairground, Andover, Hampshire

Exhibitions to follow:
Two Week Residency & Exhibition in surreal disused basement of a former Wesleyan Chapel, Ryde, IW, Summer 2010
Affordable Art Fair, Battersea, October 2010 with Kendalls Fine Art Gallery
Artworks to be shown in Grand Designs TV Programme, late September 2010
Coast Magazine, late 2010/2011 feature & profile
Major solo exhibition at Michael West Gallery, Quay Arts, Isle of Wight, 2012



Lisa will be sharing a stand at the Brighton Art Fair with Matt Chambers who works in sculptural ceramics 2D & 3D combine to create this exciting collaboration.

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Linda Miller's Creative Machine Embroidery Book

Textile artist Linda Miller has a new book out today entitled Creative Machine Embroidery. Full of images of Linda's work and with various projects to make, the book is written with the machine embroidery beginner and textile enthusiast in mind so instructions are easy to follow and the projects fun. Photography in the book is by Cecsa Sims and is gorgeous!

Linda's book is published by A&C Black, costs £11.99 and is available on Amazon.

Linda will be exhibiting and selling her work at MADE10 in November.

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Inkspot Press - Launch

Inkspot is the latest studio to emerge after the old BIP printmaking studio closed in April.
In May BIP - ART situated in a mews in Kemptown opened, specialising in litho, traditional etching and handpress relief prints.
Inkspot Press launched this Saturday with a BBQ, printmaking demo's, party and music.


Inkspot is using the old BIP studio on the Lewes Road but that is where the similarity ends. The studio has been cleared, painted and refurbished. New lighting installed, and the studio redesigned to give a clear, light clean space where artists can produce prints and work efficiently.


The Studio houses 4 large screenbeds, 2 proofing presses for letterpress printing (along with 180 cases of type), a Hunter-Penrose etching press suitable for printing collagraph or etching plates or similar (there aren't facilities at the studio for traditional acid etching) and a hydraulic 'Polymataal' relief press. Inkspot is also employing a studio manager - Nim - to keep the studio and equipment running efficiently.


It's good to see that letterpress printing is being rediscovered by young designers today and allied to printmaking whole new ideas an innovations are emerging - artists books etc. Inkspot has a letter press section with a fantastic FAG (swiss made) Proofing Press as well as an American Vandercook proofing press, and 180 cases of wooden poster type and metal fonts. They said that letterpress classes at the studio already have a waiting list.


Less attractive but more practical than the old BIP cast iron Columbian Press is "The Beast" - the Polymetaal relief press. It's the same size as a Columbian and the same basic design but instead of using a lever to print the press uses an electric / hydraulic system which enables high pressures to be achieved than the old hand press which was designed more for type than large solid colour woodcuts (solid colour needs more pressure). I haven't personally tested "The Beast" yet but those who have say how forgiving it is and easy to use - even printing warped blocks perfectly if they can be inked properly.


Hunter-Penrose etching press nice heavy geared etching press.


Inkspot Press hasn't had time to design their website so I strongly suggest you go and have a look round the press. The courses in screenprinting, woodcut and letterpress have already started and Inkspot are taking bookings for future courses and summer-schools.

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Artist of the Week - Jane Ford

Jane Ford works from her studio in Kent. Her latest series of works have been semi-abstract reflections of New York city as mirrored in its glass skyscrapers.

Where did you train? What did training teach you and what do you wish it had taught you?
I trained at Newcastle-under-Lyme School of Art Staffordshire in the very early '70's when Art Schools were Art Schools. It gave me discipline and a comprehensive knowledge of techniques and how to use 'the tools of the trade' to my advantage . It could have taught me flexability, I learnt that through experience.

When and where did you first want to do what you do?
I was about 5 when I first wanted to paint. My uncle was the head designer for Spode Pottery and in his spare time painted for pleasure, he allowed me to have a go.

One favourite living artist?
Lucien Freud. Love his technique.



One favourite historical artist?
John Singer-Sargeant. The man could do anything, in any media, with any subject.

Where do you get most of your inspiration from?
Travel mainly especially in The Big Apple Dreaming Series. Faces and how they relate to 16th century faces in the Ombra della Maschere series and a dead Stoat in the wildlife series.........poor thing found in the road was so lovely.



What is the most interesting / fun job you have had.
The only job I have ever had has been my painting, either as a designer in the first twenty years of my career or as a painter in the latter years.

Do you work mostly on your own? Have you had any interesting work related collaborations?
I always work alone, although for Big Apple my husband did all the photography for reference, he goes to New York a lot.

At age 18 who most influenced your style?
At 18 Edward Burn-Jones...........pre Raphealites were the in thing then.

How much do you bend your 'vision' to suit the marketplace - if at all?
I never bend to the market, I have been lucky that the market has liked my work. There have been a few blips and the series that hasn't quite been popular has been dropped.

Who would you say buys your work?
All sorts of people buy my work mainly those with an eye for quirky.

Where and what is your studio?
My studio is custom made and sits in the garden surrounded by orchards, sheep and horses, lucky eh!



Do you have a good work/life balance?
Lately work has dominated life and is increasingly so.

What one word would describe your feeling of doing your work?
Existance

If you could be doing anything else what would it be?
Dont think I want to do anything else.........maybe a wildlife vet.

If you could exhibit in any gallery in the world which would it be?
The National Portrait Gallery, The Guggenhiem Venice, The Met New York.



Please list any exhibitions you have had in the past 12 months.
The Opus Gallery, Ashbourne, Pilgrims Artists Lenham.
The Royal Society of British Artists, London.
The Untitled Art Fair, Chelsea.
The Gould Gallery, Sandwich.
The Galleria San Maurizio, Venice.

Coming up..
The Blackheath Gallery, London.
Brighton Art Fair
The Affordable Art Fair 2011

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Ravilious Exhibition - Opens 3rd July 2010

"Familiar Visions - Eric and James Ravilious: Father & Son" exhibition opens next Saturday 3rd July 2010 at Towner gallery in Eastbourne.

The exhibition will show the Sussex landscape paintings by Eric Ravilious alongside his son James's photographs of rural Devon.

On the opening Saturday there is also a talk by James Russell, author of "Ravilious in Pictures: Sussex and the Downs" and also talking will be Robin Ravilious, widow of photographer James Ravilious. The talk will have lots of illustrations and photogrpahs too. The talk is at 12 noon - costs £10/£9 conc with exhibition entry. Booking essential - call Towner on 01323 434670 or visit Towner: www.townereastbourne.org.uk

Also opening on the Saturday 3rd July just around the corner at the Emma Mason Gallery is a selling show of work by father and daughter printmakers Bernard Cheese and Chloe Cheese "Cheese & Cheese". All are welcome to the opening and Chloe Cheese will be at the gallery on the Saturday. Full details at www.emmamason.co.uk

"Cheese & Cheese" is open all day 10 -5 at the Emma Mason Gallery 3 Cornfield Terrace, Eastbourne. BN21 4NN. The exhibition is on from 3rd - 24th July.

Why not make a day and visit Eastbourne next Saturday 3rd July to see both new exhibitions!

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MADE10 - Selection

We're pleased to announce the full selection for MADE10 - Brighton's Design and Craft Fair to be held in the Brighton Corn Exchange in November. It was another very very competitive selection especially with certain disciplines at the fair - jewellery for instance is always vastly oversubscribed.

(Helen Noakes)

We know it's going to be a very exciting, good quality show possibly our best one yet. We'll be talking about the makers and designers on this blog in the coming months but we have them all on the website with images so please have a browse.

(Rachel Dormer)

We're also very pleased that Coast Magazine have again agreed to support the MADE show - Coast Magazine under editor Clare Gogerty has consistently been supportive of innovative, individual makers and designers and individual, independent, quirky small shops which seem to thrive or survive especially around the coastal fringes of Britain.

(Barbara Keal - Kealwork)

We've relaunched and redesigned the MADE website too we hope it's clearer and simpler use. Let us know if you spot any glitches.

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