Catherine Green

Mini Artwork

2011-11-29T05:33:00.000-08:00

New mini artwork is now available in my online shop! I have created some smaller pieces recently to add to the shop in time for Christmas in the same style as my larger pieces but these are individually screen printed to allow for repeats of different designs. Each piece is printed onto previously dyed fabric so each is unique as the pattern and colour on each piece of fabric is different. So far the wren design is proving the most popular...take a look and see what you think......http://catherinegreen.co.uk/Online-shop/Mini-artwork-collection.

It has been a while since I last blogged (surprise, surprise!) and I have been caught up in the pre-Christmas madness as usual. The exhibition at Leeds Craft and Design Centre is now up and I have been so pleased with the response to my working, selling all 4 of the first delivery of work....happy days!

I have also got an exhibition of my work at The Black Swan Hotel in Helmsley through Gallery Beyond in Nunnington. I am told that my work can be seen in the newly decorated bar and has gone down very well with a few comments on Twitter already.

New work is also now available at Finestra Gallery in Kirkby Lonsdale as I made a long awaited trip up there to restock. It's been really difficult finding time to get out recently with orders to fulfil; I sent work to Bluestone Gallery in Wiltshire with my parents who were going on holiday down that way! But I am finally catching up and am on track to be up to date for Christmas.

Just a quick mention before I go about Holmfirth Art Market. I was lucky enough to be selected to show my work here in November and was pleasantly surprised at how well the day went and how many sales I made. The stand was set up fairly quickly as the access to the indoor market was great and the visitors were all very appreciative of the work on offer...the only slight hiccup was when my Mum managed to spill a cup of coffee over my new clean covers.....but we aren't allowed to mention that (oops!).

Here's an image of one of the mini artworks.....bye for now.

August News

2011-08-12T10:39:00.000-07:00

Yet again, it's been a while but I have been busy making a few changes to the studio that I am quite excited about! The studio next door to mine at the Old Tannery became available recently and it was just too good an opportunity to miss. Not only does it offer extra space but a separate room looking onto the front of the building, which I can use as a permanent display area, and also a loo, making it completely self contained. When I start running workshops again it will be a fantastic space to work in with a separate area to relax and enjoy lunch and my existing studio will be used as a wash out area. I have already made a few changes to the space creating a whole wall of storage, those who know me will now why (major hoarder), and adding a small partition wall to the front to partially screen off the working area. I have also been going a bit mad on Ebay and buying a few vintage furniture pieces to dress the display area.....any excuse for a bit of retail therapy!

The new space will be finished and fully functioning by the end of the summer holidays and I am planning on a launch date of the 17th/18th September as I have decided, after changing my mind many times, to take part in HOST again this year, so hopefully I will get a few visitors to come along and enjoy the new space with me!

Here's a picture of a fairly new piece of work as I can't do a blog post without an image....

New Stockists

2011-06-09T02:59:00.000-07:00

I have spent the last few weeks travelling around the country delivering my work to some lovely galleries following British Craft Trade Fair. Some of the galleries visited so far are:

Itch Gallery, Oakham, Rutland
Felsted Studio, Dunmow, Essex
Bluestone Gallery, Devizes, Wiltshire
Lee Chapman Gallery, Keswick, Lake District
Finestra Gallery, Kirkby Lonsdale.

I have also sent badges to Apendage in Brighton and a selection of cards to The Pantry at Lockton, near Whitby. It has been good to see some of the country and a few of the fantastic galleries that we have but it will be good to get back in the studio for a much needed re-stock!

I am looking forward to some exhibitions in the very near future starting with Heart Gallery in Hebden Bridge in June followed by Holmfirth Art Week and Gallery Beyond in Nunnington in July.

I have really enjoyed the past 12 months and everything has moved at quite a pace so I have taken some time to reflect and make plans for the next 12. I think it's important to reassess every so often and look at what's working and just as importantly what is not, it's easy to get drawn into doing things because everyone else is ( especially the shows) and doing all the additional things that seem to go with making a living as a creative person, but maybe sometimes you've just got to do things a bit differently? I have enjoyed my school and adult workshops and events/shows but I am struggling to juggle all of these with my core business of actually making work to sell, so I have decided to take a break from teaching and attending retail fairs to concentrate on just creating for a while.......for now anyway!

So the next 12 months will see some changes and hopefully a more relaxed approach to both my working and family life, starting with reclaiming my weekends! I am creating some exciting new work for exhibitions at present and then I shall spend the next few months creating even more to be ahead of myself when my stockists need new work or if I see an exhibition I would like to apply for, I have so many new ideas just waiting for the time to explore them. Finally I am in the (very) early stages of a new range of work aimed at the commercial sector.....more news on that one later.....

Country Living Spring Fair and BCTF, Harrogate

2011-04-17T07:39:00.000-07:00

I promised to write a post after the Country Living Spring Fair but I was rather negative for at least a week as the show was disappointing (to say the very least!) and I didn't want to moan too much! I had very high expectations for this show and the cost of the stand plus food and accommodation in London made it very expensive so just to break even would have been okay. The visitors wowed and oooh'd and aah'd at my work but very few actually bought. People were going away to think about buying a few cards so the chances of taking a reasonable amount of money at the show were looking doubtful from the very start. On the positive side my work was very well received and I am trying to take a few positives from the show rather than dwell on the negatives (not easy!).

By the time BCTF came around I was feeling ever so slightly less grumpy and had not really thought too much about the show other than what I was taking and how my stand would look. I really enjoy doing this show as I am surrounded by the loveliest makers and it's a great chance to have a catch up and see what everyone has been up to. So what can I say, expectations were pretty low due to the economy and the number of galleries which have closed in recent months and I had a fantastic show! I was overwhelmed by the number of galleries selecting work and also the compliments that I received from other exhibitors. In the end I had a small number of pieces left (and I took a lot!) and have already received orders after the show before I have even done any follow up. So all in all it's been a roller coaster few months but I have come out the other side feeling much more confident about the direction in which I am going and with so many ideas for the future along with some exciting new opportunities....watch this space....

They're not seedheads!

2011-03-01T09:54:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post as I haven't posted for a while...thought I would share a few almost finished pieces....of pears!!!

They still need stitching etc. to finish off and will be framed in a lovely dark brown frame just in time for Country Living Spring Fair in March.

Doing!

2011-02-10T06:33:00.000-08:00

Finally I feel like I am getting somewhere! I have started quite a few new pieces of work this week in some new colours (mainly blue) and am really please with how they are going.

I decided to do a bit of a stock check whilst they were drying and breathed a sigh of relief as I already have quite a few pieces wrapped and ready to go to Country Living Spring Fair. It's amazing how many pieces you can store in a plan chest! So I felt a little more relaxed knowing that I could just concentrate on the new work to go on the walls.....as I only have a 3m x 1m stand with 1 open side they need to be big eyecatching pieces so I am planning on creating 2 big canvas'......

this one is in the first stage of production and is the width and nearly the whole length of my printing table so it's going to be big! This image is the reverse of the fabric stretched onto my table and has been drawn into with dye and also printed. It will go in the steamer tomorrow and have it's first wash and then on with the next process.

I am also about to start a commission for a hotel who want five large pieces of work for their reception and dining area (for mid March!) and have been contacted by a new gallery regarding an exhibition in June/July so things are going a bit crazy lately.

I will post some more pictures once these pieces are a stage further and I haven't forgotten about the sketchbook pages that I promised to show you....maybe next week!

If anyone wants to sign up for my newsletter to receive occassional updates about exhibitions, events etc. you can subscribe on my website here and if you like my work and would like to vote for me in the craft and design Selected awards please click here....much appreciated!

Preparation and planning

2011-01-25T04:21:00.000-08:00

I have spent this morning planning the colour schemes for the work that I will be taking to Country Living Spring Fair and British Craft Trade Fair. I don't normally plan in this way but I often find that I have lots of work in certain colours and would like to ensure this time that I have a range of colourways and an even mix. I am only selecting the colourways that are right for my work and that I normally use anyway but I am always looking at interior and fashion magazines and this just seems like a good way to collate all of the images that I have torn out because I like the texture/colour/pattern. You can't get away from the fact that certain colours sell well when they are in fashion and whilst I would hope that my work will stand the test of time I don't think it can harm to keep an eye on trends and fashions as these are usually the colours that galleries/shops/magazines are looking for and requesting because they are current.

I have put this sheet up on my wall as a constant reminder as to what I am aiming for as I find it all too easy to digress and whilst I usually enjoy letting my work flow and evolve I am working to a pretty tight deadline and want to get this just right.

So I have planned my colourways and have so many images and ideas in my head of how I want each piece to look I just need a quiet few hours to get some of these onto paper. If I am feeling brave I might put some sketch book pages on here too.....

Transfer Printing Part 1

2011-01-10T16:15:00.000-08:00

Finally back in the studio today after an extended Christmas break! I decided to ease myself back into things with a fun morning transfer printing as I have a few bags to finish for an exhibition at the end of January and I have decided to decorate them with some transfer printed satin. I am always excited by the possibilities of transfer printing but never seem to have enough time to fully explore it's different methods of application so I have decided that this is one of the areas I am going to explore further this year. For those of you unfamiliar with transfer printing it is when disperse dye is applied to paper (endless possibilities for doing this!) and once dry is ironed onto fabric (manmade). I am planning to try different resists and today decided to use a dried piece of plant from my garden....here are the results..

...can't wait to try some more of the things that I have collected and to take these pieces further.

Country Living Spring Fair

2011-01-05T16:10:00.000-08:00

I have had an enforced day at home today as my son is off school poorly so I have been catching up on a bit of planning and as usual ended up surfing the net. I visited the Country Living Spring Fair website and had a moment of nervous excitement as I discovered my details had been added; it was only my name and address but it really doesn't take much! It made me realise how near the event actually is and whilst I am looking forward to it I still have a huge amount of work to do. It's so difficult to judge how much work to take as well; probably dependant on what will fit in the car; as I would hate to not take enough but must try and select the right things. I am also going to order a new set of stationery and packaging with my fab new(ish) logo, designed by the very talented Michael Barrett aka emelbi, so everything works together on the stand.

I am looking forward to finishing some new pieces off when I get back in the studio....pears! I started studying these before the Christmas rush kicked in and discovered some interesting new ways of printing off my screens coated in thickened dye using simple paper resists and printing and overprinting. I just need to apply the devore paste and a little more dye and I will share them with you.

Before I go here are a few interesting blogs that I discovered today:

http://moobaacluck.blogspot.com/

http://ukhandmade.co.uk/

Happy surfing!

Happy New Year

2011-01-04T16:35:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone! I am looking forward to a busy 2011 and can't wait to set to work on all of the new ideas I have for Country Living Spring Fair and British Craft Trade Fair. I have started by writing a list as usual......it just makes me feel like I have made a start! I am making only 2 new years resolutions this year:

The first is to not take on too much....easier said than done! I am prone to loosing track of how much I have achieved and concentrating a bit too much on what I haven't and this can cause me to try and cram in too many things. The Christmas break has been a good opportunity to look back on the past few years and see how far I have come; 2011 is a year for enjoying where I am now and really getting the most out of my creativity without putting myself under too much pressure.

The second is to try and blog more...this is a recurring theme! I am going to attempt a new post a week (at least) to try and form a visual diary of my year; what I have created, what has inspired me, who I have discovered and what exhibitions and events I have been a part of.

But for now I am calling it a day. It's been a really rewarding day working with teachers from Reinwood School prior to my creative partnership project there this term but a full on start to the year...bye for now.

A Few New Pieces

2010-11-07T11:33:00.000-08:00

Just thought I would share a few images of some new work. I have had an informative and educational day with Yvonne Grist on her photography workshop at West Yorkshire Print Workshop in Mirfield. It was a lovely group and we spent the day chatting and learning how to photograph artwork for our websites...it does get quite addictive though!

Finestra Gallery

2010-11-04T06:45:00.000-07:00

Here are three new pieces of work now available from Finestra Gallery in Kirkby Lonsdale, they are all 34" square framed pieces. The photographs don't show up the detailed stitching but you get the idea!

Inspiration

2010-11-04T06:14:00.000-07:00

I took quite a few photos in Scotland, here are a few that have inspired a new collection of work that I will be starting work on in the coming weeks....

Scotland

2010-11-04T04:49:00.000-07:00

I'm back! After the summer holidays I was thrown straight back into work with Christmas orders to complete hence my abscence from here (again) but a relaxing week in Plockton, Scotland has recharged the batteries and it was such a beautiful place I thought I would put some photos on here. The picture above was the view from the house that we stayed in and it was the most peaceful setting with sea otters on the island across, seals in the water and pine martens in the garden...we couldn't have hoped for anywhere better! The village of Plockton was just across the water...

....with it's excellent seafood restaurants and a lovely little gallery. We had a drive to Applecross towards the end of the week and the view along the coastal road were amazing....a truly relaxing and inspiring week!

August News

2010-08-04T10:01:00.000-07:00

Even though it's the school holidays there's still lots going on.....after a lovely day feltmaking at Roberttown J&I Summer School I spent a lazy long weekend in the Yorkshire Dales and called in at a few galleries in the area. Stonegate Gallery in Low Bentham is full of gorgeous fused glass artwork, made by the owners, hung alongside artwork by a selection of other artists. The gallery was a pleasure to look round and is in such a beatiful location it's definitely worth a visit. Finestra Gallery, Kirkby Lonsdale was my next stop and they have a lovely new range of work by Rachael Taylor which is now definitely on my wish list! Finestra Gallery have recently had an exhibition of my work and I was really pleased to hear that the work had been well received and that my large statement piece had sold already....looking forward to creating some more large pieces for them very soon. The weekend was finished off with a gorgeous meal in the Dog and Partridge...perfect.

So it's back to it now and I am looking forward to collecting some prints of my work from Ali White ready to hand finish and stitch in preparation for HOST....pictures soon.

Where has July gone?

2010-07-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

I always hope to blog more....it never happens! So here is what has been going on in July....I have been asked to produce some prints which I will hand finish and stitch so I have been busy creating some work for those, I am also aiming to have some fine bone china cups made with my work on...images of these in the next month or so! I have done a commission for a retirement present and am in the process of creating a bouquet of felt flowers for a rather special couple getting married in the autumn. Two workshops have taken place, a mixed media and a devore, and only this morning a badge making session with children at the arena centre in Dewsbury. I am busy getting ready for HOST which will see my studio opening for the first time in September and also the busy Christmas period and Country Living Spring Fair next March (I will be organised!). Oh and a very successful Holmfirth Artweek has been and gone and work is still on show at Gallery 49, Bridlington and Finestra Gallery in Kirkby Lonsdale.........so it's no wonder I never have time to blog!!!

New website

2010-06-09T06:23:00.000-07:00

I have decided to make a few changes to the website and upgrade to an eshop! I really like the website as it is now but have decided to change to an online shop as it will make things much easier (famous last words!) when it comes to booking workshops and selling work. I am hoping that the new site will enable me to integrate the selling more in the main website rather than have a seperate shop section so I have been busy photographing work today (pics above). Another big reason is that I can also have a newsletter facility so it should hopefully be easier to do the mail outs. So....keep checking the website, I am hoping (fingers crossed) to have everything uploaded by the end of the week.

News for May

2010-05-29T07:39:00.000-07:00

It's been a while! I have had a very busy month moving studios and I am pleased to say I love the new space, it's almost finished with just a few little jobs left to do. I now have everything I need to create my work in one place and a little desk upstairs to do my admin which has a lovely view onto the cricket field next to us. I have lots of new work to do with Holmfirth artweek not far away as well as the West Yorkshire Print Workshop exhibition at Gallery 49 in Bridlington.

I have done Leeds Art Fair since my last post which was a great success and has also resulted in a few very interesting emails since....more news on those later! Following on from BCTF I have work in an exhibition opening soon at Finestra Gallery in Kirkby Lonsdale......just need to crack on with some new work now!!!!

British Craft Trade Fair

2010-04-16T07:57:00.000-07:00

Back from BCTF and almost receovered! It was interesting to hear what people thought of my work; I had some fantastic comments from other exhibitors! I find it really difficult knowing which galleries to put myself forward to as I am a textile artist, which is seen as 'craft' but most of the galleries which approached me regarding showing / buying my work were more 'fine art' galleries. I think maybe there isn't as much of an art/craft divide as there once was; I hate it when people want to give you a label.....anyway the show was worthwhile I am pleased to say and I have re-booked for next year.

Update 2

2010-03-17T16:43:00.000-07:00

Well it's been a tiring weekend at Ther Contemporary Textiles Fair but fantastic! It was amazing to meet so many people interested in textiles and I feel like I have talked almost non stop....anyway no rest for the wicked so it's on with preparing for the next event which is the British Craft Trade Fair, 11-13th April. Before then if you fancy a visit to the studio we are having a craft and art fair on Saturday 27th March and my studio door will be open....come along and pay us a visit.

I also found out I have been selected to show work at Leeds Art Fair from the 7th - 10th May 2010, really excited to be exhibiting at The Light in Leeds!

This Saturday I will be running a mixed media workshop at the studio and am going to try and write a blog post about that next with some pictures of everyone's creations.....see you soon...

Contemporary Textiles Fair is looming!

2010-02-07T12:46:00.000-08:00

With the Contemporary Textiles Fair in the not too distant future I have posted a few finished pieces which are off to be framed next week. More photos to follow soon......

Flickr

2010-02-01T16:02:00.000-08:00

Just been setting up a Flickr account, click on the link to view a selection of my work. Images will be added to Flickr on a regular basis to build up an online portfolio. Lots of new work is almost finished........more photos soon!

The beginning

2010-01-14T14:15:00.000-08:00

Finally managed to get back into my studio this afternoon to print the screens that I had coated. Schools are atill closed but I managed to find just enough time to do the first print for work for the Contemporary Textiles Fair to keep me on track with everything. I have a few exciting projects in the pipeline which will hopefully keep me busy during 2010...more info to follow as things are confirmed!

Here are a few images of the coated screens and the first prints onto the fabric....the beginning!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-05T15:55:00.000-08:00

A belated Happy New Year to one and all!

Okay so the posting from the phone didn't quite get me to post on my blog any more often.....so here is a quick update. December was absolutely hectic with loads of work being sold which was fantastic!! I am now starting to prepare for the Contemporary Textiles Fair (March) and BCTF (April) along with exhibitions being fitted in as they come up. I have been out and about with my new camera (digital SLR..not quite got the hang of it yet!) taking some pictures as reference for my new work. Just need the snow to melt now and I can get going.......can't wait!!!

Experiment

2009-11-16T13:24:00.000-08:00

Trying a post from my phone...might be a way of getting posts on my blog a bit more often.......here goes!

Catherine

Update!

2009-11-16T11:52:00.000-08:00

It's been a little while since the last post and there has been lots happening! I now have work at Grosmont Gallery, near Whitby and The Edge Gallery in Lancaster; both well worth a visit.

I have decide to take the plunge and do the British Craft Trade Fair next April.....I have thought about applying for this one for several years and feel that now the time is right. So it's going to be a busy 6 months!

Contemporary Textiles Fair

2009-10-29T13:51:00.000-07:00

Just found out I've been accepted for the Contemporary Textiles Fair, Landmark Arts Centre, Teddington. 13th/14th March 2010 if you fancy a trip down; I'll be on stand 42! Haven't been to this one before so it's a step into the unknown but I feel like venturing a bit further afield. Lots of interst from galleries in the past few weeks, Castle Howard Christmas Art Fair, West Yorkshire Print Workshop Christmas Fair and now this one next March....lots of work to do!!!

Portfolio

2009-10-21T04:55:00.000-07:00

I had some professional photographs taken recently by Yvonne Grist. I've put them in a slide show for a kind of online portfolio......hope you like them!

New Stockist

2009-10-15T14:16:00.000-07:00

I've left a selection of my work at a fantastic gallery in Hillsborough, Sheffield. Cupola Gallery has a varied selection of work as well as a solo show by Isobel Walker who is showing a beautiful collection of prints. You really need to see them first hand to appreciate them!

HOST

2009-09-27T14:56:00.000-07:00

It's the end of a fantastic weekend as part of the Huddersfield Open Studio Trail. Thanks to everyone who came to visit my studio and made the weekend worthwhile. The next event is Castle Howard Christmas Art Fair at the end of November. Back in the studio tomorrow getting ready for the next one!

There's still time to catch the West Yorkshire Print Workshop members exhibition at the Upper Gallery, Cherished, Otley where I have the linocut pictured.

HOST

2009-09-10T02:58:00.000-07:00

Just over 1 week to the HOST opening party and 2 weeks to the open studios weekend at West Yorkshire Print Workshop. In the process of putting work back on the walls after all the recent exhibitions and events and having a tidy up. There's a fine line between working studio and tip!!!

Click on the link to the HOST website and join the facebook group to keep posted on all of the events and workshops.

The piece on the right will be in the preview night exhibition at the University of Huddersfield, Creative Arts Building. Everyone's welcome to the opening night party so come along and plan your trail!

Coastal Wilderness

2009-09-09T04:32:00.000-07:00

Have been busy working on some new work and getting things photograpphed. Yvonne Grist has done the photos and it makes such a difference having them done by a pro!

Getting ready for a big mail out of the new images and of course HOST, open studio event on Sat 26th and Sun 27th September.

Transfer Printing

2009-05-18T09:48:00.000-07:00

Further work on my 'Walk in the Park' work. Detail of transfer printed velvet with acrylic paint and machine stitching.

Folksy

2009-05-16T06:51:00.000-07:00

Visit my Folksy shop! I have put a few brooches on so far and original artwork will be going on there soon.......

'A View Through'

2009-05-16T06:34:00.001-07:00

I have been doing some experimenting in my new collection of work with layering images and fabrics. This is one of the new pieces with dyed fabric overlaying an ink and watercolour sketch in a box frame. The image at the back is going to change slightly but overall I'm really pleased with the effect and these will be on my website soon.

Brooches......lots of them

2009-05-14T12:42:00.000-07:00

I have discovered a use for all my little pieces of fabric which I am left with at the end of a project......brooches! I have so many beautiful pieces of fabric that I can't throw away but haven't, until now, been able to use. I have used a button making kit to make the main part and attached a brooch back with a strong glue. These are going to be available to buy on Folksy and Etsy soon. They have already proved very popular with visitors to my studio and I am eagerly awaiting some samples of square ones made with a badge making machine.....watch this space.................

Busy, Busy...

2009-05-11T10:59:00.000-07:00

Busy time at the moment with 2 exhibitions confirmed for July and 3 pieces to do for Holmfirth Art Week! I am working on some new ways of displaying my work at present with cut out circles.....test piece here......

I've had some really interesting results from screenprinting the dye onto the fabric instead of painting and will be putting the finished pieces on my blog and website soon.

Small and Beautiful

2009-04-30T10:50:00.001-07:00

The transfer printing has been going so well I have decided to add a pair of velvet shoes to my collection. The screen printed paper shoes have sold really well so I'm hoping these will be just as popular!

I'm also hoping to do these in devore fabric so hopefully images of those will be on my blog soon.

A Walk in the Park

2009-04-27T14:39:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my blog!

I have decided to set up a blog to record my working days as a textile artist; new work, thoughts, experiments..........I have never tried anything like this before so here goes!......

I am working on a collection of work at the moment based on a day out at Yorkshire Sculpture Park in Bretton, West Yorkshire. It's a fantastic place to enjoy art and sculpture in wonderful countryside; and one of the few 'arty' places that I can persuade my boys to go on a weekend without the response, "not another crafty shop!", so it's a popular choice for all of us!

The image shown is entitled 'A Walk in the Park I' and is transfer printed velvet with screen printing.