Wallhangings at The Studio Gallery

Some of my wallhangings will be making their public debut at the Scarborough Poetry Workshop open mic night, tomorrow, 18th October 2013, from 7.30pm to 9.00pm. Please come -  EVERYONE WELCOME. If you like,  just be part of the audience. There's no pressure to perform. If you fancy giving it a go though, bring along your favourite poem to read aloud. It can be a published poem, or even better, one of your own!!!  

The Studio Gallery, 5 Belle Vue Parade, YO11 1SU

And while you listen or recite you can have a look at the wallhangings, which I am photographing for my website - soon to appear on www.helenbirmingham.com and BCTF Harrogate - April 2014.

Obsession

The end is always suprising.

Totally unforeseen

however often it comes.

Take the thread.

Sew with it.

Go with it.

There is no absolute.

Working towards BCTF at Harrogate 2014

Well I feel like I've taken on a huge commitment - But it's the incentive I needed to actually get a business up and running. 

Helen Birmingham - Contemporary Quilting. 

I'm busy making samples and setting up an online shop for TRADE customers.

The product which I'll be launching at British Craft Trade Fair in April 2014 is a versatile quilted panel design, broadly based on my studies into evolution and heredity. I am using natural fibres for the outside 'look' of the panels, but as a child of the 1960's I have a reminiscent sentimental love for Terylene wadding in eiderdowns and quilts. I am using 4oz wadding, which gives that wonderfully puffy, over-stuffed comforter feel.

Each panel begins life as a piece of linen measuring 18" wide by about 6ft long. I work the surface with the addition of appliqued and quilted fabrics, such as linen, hemp, wool, silk and cotton. I am particularly fond of hessian, jute and muslin with very open weave, the structure of which i can physically manipulate before stitching to the suface of the panel.

 I also really like the look of couched thread, string and wool. My favourite hand embroidery stitches are a plain running stitch, bullion stitch and a simple fly stitch. 

Once i am satisfied with the look or feel of the panel, and before using wadding or batting, or binding the edges, I make a decision as to the end product i wish to make. This either involves cutting the panel into smaller sections, for example for a cushion or a bag, or stitching panels together to form larger wallhangings or throws.

I think this will provide a versatile method of working. I have a very creative mind, and have acknowledged my constant need to keep moving forwards with ideas and projects. I believe that this method of working will mean that i can adapt ideas and design within a fairly stable framework. I will be able to make a 'stock pile' of panels, and then adapt them according to the orders i receive.  I am very happy with the progress of this project so far. I have my logo. I nearly have my on-line shop. I am making good samples, thinking about the 'look' of my trade stand, and have an information leaflet ready to send to printers.

Onwards . . . . . .  

The Shroud of Motherhood

Poetry and the written word has opened a rich seam of inspiration for me. I find i can express things in words which i can't in images. I have now begun to look at the interaction between the two art forms.

One fascinating example of this "cross-fertilisation" or to give it its proper title, ecphrasis, is the work of sculptor and poet, Pascale Petit. In 'What the Water gave Me' Pascale Petit speaks in the voice of Mexican Painter, Freda Kahlo. Each poem is an interpretation, or the voice of a specific Kahlo painting and shares its title with that painting. 

Taking this as a starting point, i have tried to use poetry to describe the feeling i had when looking at a piece of art. Janet White recently had an exhibition at The Studio Gallery called 'Transition'. Unbeknown to me, when she was taking the work down earlier in the week, she wrapped the wire sculptures in white plastic, to protect them during transit.  When i came back in the afternoon one of the figures appeared to be hanging in a shroud. This poem is my response.

Transition by Janet White

The Shroud of Motherhood

By Helen Birmingham

Blood red still flowing in a luminescent sac.

Old body catching stains 

Running in rivulets through folds of silk.

Perfumed whiteness hanging by a noose of thread.

Make It Up North

Going to 'Make it up North' a Contemporary Craft event in York yesterday was so good for me, on so many levels. Janilaine Mainprize and I went to listen to Dionne Swift talking about her work, and then we spent time looking round the rest of the exhibits followed by a lovely lunch in the Autumnal sunshine.

Dionne Swift - New Grounds

I've been having a tough time recently,  and having a day out, away from the studio and home was JUST what I needed, and I couldn't have wished for a better companion. What a treat to talk about sewing machines, fabrics, and pebbles with someone who genuinely shares an interest in it, and isn't just humouring me!    

janilaine mainprize - Pebbles

 I was particularly interested in using some of the day looking at how other artists set out their 'wares' and promotional materials at fairs and exhibitions. I am thinking particularly about how to display my work at BCTF in April.

Helen Birmingham - geology inspired

Dionne Swift's talk was interesting. Finding out about other artist's inspiration and career progression is always interesting, in a voyeuristic sort of way, but I can't say that it was the highlight of my day - how often is it that the thing you are looking forward to seeing feels is slightly disappointing - but then something totally unexpected blows you away? 

 That spot for me, yesterday, was taken by Helaina Sharpley, Wirework Artist.  Her kindness, and generosity in sharing good practice tips about setting up a craft business, orders, marketing, publicity etc was really invaluable. What a fantastic gift, thank you. AND her work is fabulous too! Www.helainasharpley.co.uk    There is a great article/interview about her on 

http://ukhandmade.co.uk/content/meet-helaina-sharpley

On to the show itself - the thing that struck me most, was the difference between the 'look' of many stands, and i tried to think about which ones stood out, for me, and why. I decided that, for me, those with an overriding theme or image worked best. One definitive style. Whether i liked the work or not was irrelevant really. If the stand was a 'display in itself' i was drawn to it. It isn't enough to just put your work out on plinths and stands. Dressing the stand seemed to be very effective. I will be thinking about how to make my stand at BCTF into a mini exhibition/experience.

When we were out buying and eating lunch we came across a gentle looking man, with a beard, slightly 'hippy' looking, with longish hair and 'easy to wear' comfortable clothes. He was carrying a sign which said "FREE HUGS". I availed myself of one of his hugs, and it was really really lovely. What a special service he was providing. I was moved by him and the idea of him. X x

All in all a very good day.

I've spent today thinking my about my brand image. Selling product and selling a ' Brand'  is a totally different business to making art or craft. Obvious really. But a hard discipline to get my head round, when i go into the studio and just want to 'make'.  I really think having distinct working areas will help me. IT, manufacturing, Research & Development, marketing - all different departments, all needing their own area and head-space.

Onwards . . . . . . 

Just Me

Just Me

By Helen Birmingham

Just me. The sea.

One wave forming the undercurrent for the next.

Urgent activity on the edges of solitude and loneliness.

Vast depths of rise and fall. 

Swell and crash.

One moment of glory and power become water. 

The waves rise then crash one after another

Another 

And another.

Rising then crashing.

The beauty goes on.

The danger goes on. 

The hurting goes on.

The powerful forward thrust doesn't diminish but

It goes nowhere.