'Second Chance' sale at Craft in the Bay, Cardiff - 6-7 Feb

This coming weekend 7-8th Feb I will be taking part in a special sale at Craft in the Bay, Cardiff. 11 members of the Makers Guild in Wales will be selling 'last seasons stock and slight seconds' at hugely reduced prices..... I will be selling work at up to 75% off. I will have a selection of Resonate artworks, plus cushions, scarves and other items for sale - basically I need to clear some space in my studio!

Please do come along and see if there is anything that takes your fancy!

It will be upstairs in the conference room, open from 11am til 5pm.

All sales will be cash or cheque only as this is an event separate from the gallery.

Please tell any friends about this event.

Hope to see you there.

Laura x

Latest news...

The Natural Fibre Company's online shop has now gone live and I am delighted that one of my designs for them is featured.... hopefully more will be added soon. Please visit the site (and buy!)

A selection of my Resonate Collection of sculptures have gone on display in the craft showcase at Newport Art Gallery and Museum until the 5th Feb 2009. This includes one new piece entitled 'Chromascope':

The Christmas Exhibition at Craft in the Bay in the Cardiff is well and truly underway now and I'm very happy to say that my work is selling well. However, those sales are being regularly replenished, so please do still pay a visit!

And lastly, I am very excited that Drusilla Cole's book 'Textiles Now' which features some of my work has finally hit the bookstores! Not that I'm biased, but this is a wonderful book exemplifying the very best in contemporary textile design.... well worth purchasing!

Until next time.....

Forthcoming exhibitions and events

I delighted to report that Brown Grotta Arts is now representing me in the USA. I have just sent them a selection of recent 'Loose Threads' sculptures which this week will be exhibited at the prestigious SOFA Chicago (Sculpture, Objects and Functional Art). Please visit the Brown Grotta website to see my work.

Last moth PARKart represented me at The Affordable Art in London, and I was thrilled that sales were buoyant and my work well received. This weekend (8-9 November) they are hosting 'Art in Action' a special weekend of promotional events in Selfridges were they also exhibit some of my work. Please visit the fourth floor of Selridges, where you'll be able to see:

• Celebrity Snapping by Tony Briggs
• Restoration by Alison Gunter
• Graffiti by Tom Lewis

The 14th of November sees the opening of the Craft in the Bay Christmas exhibition in Cardiff Bay where I will be showing some brand new jacquard woven artworks. This exhibition continues until the 10th of January 2009.

From the 4th December - 5th February 2009, you will be able to see a selection of my 'Resonate' work showcased in the Newport City Art Gallery

And finally don't forget that my work can also be found in the Ruthin Craft Centre, North Wales; the Margo Selby shop, London; an the Inspires Art Gallery in Oxford.

Origin etc

Well, once again I am starting my post with an apology for the lack of blogging activity recently.... must try harder!

Earlier this month I was exhibiting at Origin, the Crafts Council show at Somerset House in London. This was my second year there after a great exhibition in 2007. Akin to last year, I was given a fantastic stand, right by the show entrance - nobody could possibly miss me!

It was once again a busy show - great sales and contacts were made. The Thursday evening also saw me receiving my Wesley Barrell Craft Award for Interior Textiles which was the icing on the cake for the whole event.

It was also particularly wonderful to see some of the people that bought pieces from me last year.









This last picture shows me on the last day, somewhat tired and now if my comfy shoes!

As for other news: PARKart took some of my work to the Affordable Art Fair in London last week. They have also placed some of my 'Jacquard Sketch' artworks in Selfridge's, Oxford Street, London. You can see the work on the fourth floor in the Loft Living and BoConcept concessions.

Images from the Model House Craft and Design Centre solo exhibition

Just thought I would share a few photographs with you from the little solo show that is on at the Model House Craft and Design Centre at the moment......



The exhibition is on until the end of August.......

Exhibition at Model House Craft and Design Centre, plus the Eisteddfod!

Tomorrow sees the opening of a solo exhibition of my work at the Model House Craft and Design Centre in Llantrisant. It's open until the 31st August, and it shows a wide variety of my differing styles of work. As always, you can see my Resonate series of works of textiles captured in acrylic. But there are also some handwoven silks; jacquard 'sketches' and 'needle woven' textiles woven straight into acrylic box panels.

There was a little article in yesterdays Metro relating to this exhibition.

I am also delighted to report that I have had two pieces of work selected for this years' Eisteddfod exhibition. The two pieces are 'Grasses' and 'Meadow Grasses' which you can see below:

The Eisteddfod is in Cardiff this year, and is open from the 2-9 August.

As well as having work in the main Eisteddfod Art and Crafts exhibition, I will also have work exhibited with ...A Crefft in the Exhibition Hall. Again, this will be more pieces from the Jacquard Sketch series.

Towels designed for Lasa International (UK)

Just had an email today with pictures of some towels I designed for Lasa International (UK) last year. They have now gone into production.... hopefully you'll see them in shops soon! if you are interested in stocking these towels, contact the UK sales team - http://www.lasainternational.co.uk/

news update...

Well, apologies first for not keeping my blog as up-to-date as I ought! Its been an extraordinarily busy last month or two

So in no particular this is what has been happening recently....

Firstly, and most excitingly, I had a great time at the HD-Expo trade show in Las Vegas back in May. I was one of seven creative business exhibiting on the International Business Wales stand, and the response to my work from visitors was fantastic. Many thanks to all the visitors who came to find me!

Just after I got back from Vegas I had to go to London for the press launch for the Wesley Barrell Craft Award that I have been short-listed for. I had the opportunity to meet the judges, which included Jon Snow, Celia Birtwell and Kara O'Reilly amongst others. Kara very kindly gave me a mention that following weekend in The Sunday Times The award will be announced at Origin in October..... keep your fingers crossed for me!

I have also recently been photographed in my studio by the legendary photographer Martin Parr for a forthcoming Cardiff feature in The Guardian - will keep you posted as to when that gets published.

On Sunday, I was delighted to be awarded the Applied Artist category award in the Welsh Artist of the Year competition.

On Monday I installed the Karen Davies memorial artwork commission for Milford Haven School.... photo's to follow.

Will post again very soon about my forthcoming exhibitions..... there is lots coming up!

PARKart at Grand Designs, London

Tomorrow I will be at the Grand Designs show at Excel in London. As part of their 'Meet the Artist' schedule, I'll be on the PARKart stand between 2-5pm to talk about my work that they are exhibiting. See us in the Interiors Hall, stand no. L330. The show continues until the 11th May. Hope to see you there!

Milford Haven School textile commission

In December 07 I was invited back to my old comprehensive school to give a presentation of my work to a group of sixth form students who had raised money to commission an artwork in memory of a much loved textiles teacher, Karen Davies who passed away last year. I was absolutely delighted to be considered for the job and was thrilled to be offered the commission on the day. Whilst I had never met Mrs Davies, I know what an impact a good teacher can have on students - my art and design teachers throughout my education have been fundamental in helping me become who I am today. It was very humbling to hear the students talk about Mrs Davies with such affection and to learn how they had independently raised a significant amount of money in her memory.

Yesterday I presented the students with my design proposals for them to select their preferred option. I had already talked to the students about their feelings regarding colour, and the response was that bright pink was Mrs Davies's favourite colour and that which they most associated with her vibrant personality.

I presented a number of colour ideas, all tonal arrangements merging pinks with reds and burgundies. The selected design is pictured below - an almost unanimous choice.

The five panels each measure 90cm x 35cm and will mounted onto a white backboard, and will be sited in the school hall - a digital simulation of the design in situ can also be seen below. The panels will composed of silk and cotton threads encapsulated in acrylic.

The artwork will be installed on the 23rd June with the dedication service being held on the 25th June.

Shortlisted for Welsh Artist of the Year

Just had a letter saying that I have been shortlisted for the Welsh Artist of the Year competition & exhibition for my submission of a Resonate 'Loose Threads' sculpture. The exhibition is at St David's Hall in Cardiff from the 22nd June - 26th July 2008. The winners will be announced at the opening on the 22nd June - keep your fingers crossed for me!

UK and Las Vegas exhibitions update!

I have a lot of work out in exhibitions over the next month or two..... so if you are wanting to see (and buy!) some work in the flesh...... here's where you can track it down:

• Wales Millennium Centre - 'Heritage' a group exhibition by a selection of members from the Makers Guild in Wales. This exhibition opened on the 14th April and continues to the 16th June. I have five 'Loose Threads' wall panels on show here.
  
• PARKart will be presenting a series of my 'Resonate' sculptures at Grand Designs, Interiors Hall, stand no. L330 in London from the 3rd-11th May. I am going to be on the stand from 2-5pm on the 7th May. This is one of the five pieces they will be exhibiting:

• Fibre Art Wales group show at Banbury Art Gallery and Museum from the 7th May - 22nd June. These are the five 'Convergence' sculptures that will be exhibited:

• From the 15th - 17th May you can find me at HD Expo in Las Vegas! This is a largest hotel design trade show in the US, and I am exhibiting my Resonate wall panels and sculptures on the International Business Wales stand number 873. Hope to see you there!
  
• Inspires Art Gallery in Oxford. From the 17th of May, a selection new Resonate sculptures will exhibited alongside prints by Terry Frost, Peter Blake and Sandra Blow.
  
• From the 22nd May, you will be able to see my 'Grid Weave' work that has been shortlisted for a Wesley Barrell Craft Award at the Wesley Barrell London flagship store. It will then tour around the country before finishing at an exhibition at Origin, the Crafts Council show at Somerset House in October where the winner will be announced.

There are lots more shows in the pipeline - will keep you posted!

British Craft Trade Fair

Just got back from a busy few days up in Harrogate where I was exhibiting alongside other members of the Makers Guild of Wales at the British Craft Trade Fair. Had a very positive response from lots of galleries which will hopefully materialise into lots of exhibitions over the next few months....

Pleasingly these brand new black and gold designs were particularly well received....

Wesley Barrell Craft Awards

Great news: I have just learnt that I have been shortlisted for the Wesley Barrell Craft Awards in the Textiles for Interiors category for the work entitled 'Grid Weave: chocolate.' (Picture below.)

It will be included in an exhibition at the Wesley Barrell flagship store in London which will then tour around the country, finishing at Origin, the Crafts Council show at Somerset House in October when the winner will be announced. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

http://www.wesley-barrell.co.uk/

busy busy busy.....

I need to apologise first for not keeping very up date with my blogging activity.... have been so busy recently, I even had to miss out on my Easter break.... get the violins out eh?!

So what's been keeping me occupied?

Primarily, it has been the very exciting commission to 'respond to the Iron Trials in the World Heritage Site centred around Blaenavon in the South Wales Valleys, and to make initial proposals for public art ideas'. There was huge time pressure to get this work done, hence no Easter respite. This is an extremely new way for me to think about my work, but obviously an amazing opportunity to start thinking about translating my artworks to become applicable for the outdoor environment.

I came up with several proposals focusing on two sites - 'The Gap' on Broad Street in Blaenavon, and the Garn Lakes just outside the town. The two images show my very basic digital simulations for two of the ideas. At this point in the commission process, it was about demonstrating the way I would plan to tackle the project, the likely aesthetics, materials and processes.

Both the images show a development of my 'Loose Threads' acrylic encapsulated process - by Garn Lake it would be a large block with the threads echoing the contours of the land behind - surreal window or doorway into the landscape. In 'The Gap', a continuous panel would stretch around the three walls, which would be dramatically back lit to enhance the colour. This would be complimented by central stone seating which would incorporate glass inserts to make a visual link to the wall panels.

The presentation was given last Friday to a packed room of all the interested parties, from the Arts Council, local Council, residents, landscape architects etc. Perhaps one of my most nerve racking experiences! Nevertheless, my ideas seemed to generate a lot interest, and so hopefully something will be selected to move forward with.

Aside from that commission, amongst many other things, I have been finalising my 'Woven Structure' chapter for a book entitled Smart Clothes and Wearable Technology to be published by Woodhead - date tbc. Also I am busily preparing for the British Craft Trade Fair in Harrogate which opens this Sunday. Hope to perhaps see you there!