Studio blog: Inktober 2024, week 3 round up
The month is flying by and week three of Inktober is already over! Above are my sketches of daily life for this past week. See my week one blog to read a bit more about the project.
Studio blog: Inktober 2024 – week 2 round up
Week two of my Inktober project saw a lot of crafting tools and a couple of days out. See my week one blog to read a bit more about the project.
Studio blog: Inktober 2024 – week 1 round up
I am currently taking part in the annual Inktober challenge, where participants are encouraged to create a sketch using ink every day during October. There are ‘official’ prompts given out by the organisers if you are stuck for ideas, but I have decided to go my own way and concentrate on what I would like…
Studio blog: Celtic cross sketchbook play
That was fun! I’m enjoying getting out of my comfort zone in this sketchbook and am playing with acrylic and watercolour paints, rather than my usual pencil work. I have so much to learn about using both of these mediums! Anyway, I’m quite happy with this spread, which was inspired by a recent walk along…
Studio blog: Loose Celtic knotwork play
If you have seen my traditional Celtic knotwork then you will know that it is created using geometry and grids, and drawn in pencil, and is quite precise in nature. Recently I have been craving a bit more looseness and so I decided to use one of my many hand made sketchbooks to play around…
New artwork: metal embossed hand bound books
Recently I’ve really been enjoying making these metal embossed sketchbooks. Those with my Celtic designs on I made as sample pieces for my workshop with Birtley craft group, you can see all their amazing sketchbooks here. I recently spent a fantastic long weekend away with a group of amazing ladies, for each of whom I…
Finished artwork: Amongst the Ivy
I finished this Celtic knotwork drawing this afternoon, so this really is hot off the press! It’s a 5 inch x 7inch piece and has been created for this year’s Postcard Art Exhibit, which will take place in McKinney, Texas, later this year. It will be available to buy as part of the exhibition, and…
Studio blog: metal embossed monogram
This metal embossed monogram is a prototype for an upcoming workshop that I will be running for an outside group. I liked having a bit of fun with my metal embossing and Celtic knotwork, with added colour using both acrylic and alcohol ink pens. Have a look through the photos in the carousel to see…
Studio blog: metal embossed clock
Back in November last year I finished my first metal embossed clock prototype, created in copper, which you can read about in this blog post. The clock shown here has been created in aluminium and has a few improvements on the first one. The photos above show the process from my initial drawing of the…
Studio blog: Hand made metal embossed journal with Japanese stab binding
A couple of weeks ago I finished this prototype for an upcoming full day workshop. This is a bespoke workshop for a craft group and on it everyone will learn how to create this Japanese stab bound journal and then metal emboss the front cover. There’s a quick video below showing you the book ‘in…
Studio blog: Bishop Auckland Town Hall Open Art Exhibition
Last night was opening night at the Open Exhibition at Bishop Auckland Town Hall. I was over the moon to have three of my Celtic knotwork pieces selected for the exhibition. The exhibition is on until 17th February, so if you’re in the area do go along and see it. There are so many fantastic…
Studio blog: Durham Lumiere 2023
During October and November I was thrilled to work with Artichoke Trust as one of their community artists delivering community workshops to create the Flowers and Chandeliers pieces for Durham Lumiere this year. I had a fantastic time meeting people around County Durham and helping them to create the components for these pieces out of…