This month we were visited by the lovely Alice Fox.
At our Thursday evening meeting, so told us about her allotment plot that she took on at the beginning of her MA.
She decided that she would work only with materials found or grown on her allotment plot.
Alice started her studies by sketching and photographing found objects and then exploring ways of making holes and stitching into some of the objects.
As her study and experimentation progressed, she grew plants and used wood prunings to make dyes and inks, and also used flax and nettles to make into cordage and yarn.
It was a fascinating talk and slide show that made us all reflect on our own artistic practice and need for experimentation.
Alice's talk was followed on Friday with a wonderful workshop called 'Paper and Stitch' where we were encouraged to experiment with, and explore the different tactile qualities of paper and how it responded to handling and stitching. As the day progressed, the experiments became more adventurous and by the end of the day I think we all learned how useful experimentation and 'play' should be when developing ideas.
At our Thursday evening meeting, so told us about her allotment plot that she took on at the beginning of her MA.
She decided that she would work only with materials found or grown on her allotment plot.
Alice started her studies by sketching and photographing found objects and then exploring ways of making holes and stitching into some of the objects.
As her study and experimentation progressed, she grew plants and used wood prunings to make dyes and inks, and also used flax and nettles to make into cordage and yarn.
It was a fascinating talk and slide show that made us all reflect on our own artistic practice and need for experimentation.
Alice's talk was followed on Friday with a wonderful workshop called 'Paper and Stitch' where we were encouraged to experiment with, and explore the different tactile qualities of paper and how it responded to handling and stitching. As the day progressed, the experiments became more adventurous and by the end of the day I think we all learned how useful experimentation and 'play' should be when developing ideas.