Friday 7 June 2013

Open Studios Re-visited



Right, are you ready for another Textile Jaunt? OK, check your look in the mirror and come with me!



          Lynne K and I set off through the sunny Norfolk lanes towards our first stop at Foulsham.


The lovely Shepherd's Hut Studio of Sally-Ann Rainey. What an incredible setting this is, restful greenery, and some very entertaining chooks of different varieties.



Sally-Ann paints these delightful ladies (and the occasional chap!) capturing their endearing personalities to a tee!



                     Also lots of other lovely things inside........................   .....................


 This gorgeous cushion came home with me. Drat, I meant to take a photograph of its big sister, the rag rug I bought last time I was here; it keeps my feet warm while I'm at the kitchen sink!







And here is lovely Sally-Ann herself, who treated us to refreshing elderflower juice to sip as we browsed. I hope the weather holds for the family celebrations later on this month, Sally-Ann!

Next stop, as we meandered our way northwards, was to re-visit Pauline Wrighton at her magnificent studio at Hindolveston.


                     I have told Pauline once or twice that she is living my fantasy life!

 
Pauline works in a number of different media, cloth, yarn, thread, paper and ink, using a variety of techniques. She exhibits and sells her work, and also runs workshops for small numbers.



                                    Pauline discussing her work enthusiastically with us.


I was particularly taken with a series of collographs, which she had printed on this wonderful old mangle - this seems to be a leitmotif in my blog-posts recently, doesn't it??





 This is an incredible piece of work, which my photograph does not do justice to. The Award winning piece was created by using tiny scraps of fabric laid down on a fabric ground much in the same way as a pointillist painter might use brush-strokes. Lynne and I are hoping to join Pauline for a workshop soon to have a go ourselves.


 Outside we went to re-acquaint ourselves with Pauline's gorgeous Haflinger mares. Gentle, friendly creatures, they ambled across to us for a fuss and a few handsful of fresh grass. What wouldn't I give to have this paddock at the bottom of MY garden!




Then we were off again, further north into High Norfolk, to the village of Glandford, near the river Glaven. Our destination was theArt Cafe, seen in the header photograph, owned and run by Roo Sangster-Bullers (I was once almost her Health Visitor, and years ago her husband purchased from me, as a gift for Roo, one of my Wacky Waistcoats; we later met and she commissioned another. Small world, living in Norfolk, it really is!)






Here we consumed a hearty lunch and people watched for a while. Then we popped next door to the Birdscape Gallery. Incredible art-work to be found here, with the emphasis on lino-prints - I was in heaven!

I particularly liked this running hare, by  Harriet Mead. I did ask about taking photographs and was given permission, but took too many to include here, and also wasn't able to remember the artists' names. I did buy a beautiful book though - perhaps will show you that some other time.
Then, we set off again, meandering up through Stiffkey before dropping back down to the Creakes, in order to pop in on Stitch & Bitch friend Yvonne Autie for a cuppa, and a chat.


Finally, back through more lovely sun-dappled lanes to Lynne's home where I left her to return to mine.


An absolutely fabulous day, weather did us proud, and such a pleasure to be able to meet such wonderfully creative people and feast our eyes on their work. I hope you managed to hang on in there with me - this has been a long post! Thanks LynneK for driving, and for your great company.

16 comments:

  1. Great pics Lynne - I thought the self portrait was a particularly good pic (not because you're in it, but it was a nicely balanced shot - hehehe - although you are wearing a lovely smile)
    ;0)

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  2. Oh Lynne what a marvellous day! All that talent to see, and in such wonderful surroundings too! :) x

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    1. It was just one of those perfect days, Ada. It really tired me out though - it was an early night for me - all that fresh air and too much excitement, I'm not used to it!! Lx

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  3. I think we also went to Pauline's place on our last studio visit. Fantastic place isn't it. I think we might have seen you from a distance in KL last Thursday or Friday. Did you bend down to help pick up some rolls of something that had dropped from a pushchair?

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    1. Blimey Dc, you've got good eyes! Had to think about that for a minute, but yes, I remember picking some rolls of -paper I think - which had dropped from a push-chair; mum was Eastern European as I remember. Fancy you having been to Pauline's place as well -she didn't open last year, but I met her the previous year, and again at Yvonne's Private Viewing the other week. Lovely lady, and such a beautiful situation she has there. Don't know which I envy her most for - the ponies or her studio...... Lx

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  4. What wonderful places! I love open studios -we never get very far though-too much chatting probably.The cafe looked well worth a visit too, the food looks delicious.

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    1. I did have to rein myself in when I planned the route - I didn't want Lynne to have to drive too far, so I think we did pretty well, got the balance right. Actually the driving (though I wasn't doing it!) wasn't too much of a bind because the scenery is so lovely. Lx

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  5. I usually love going around some of the open studios but haven't had the time this year so thank you for that.
    Must try that the cafe at Glandford looks great.
    Gillx

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    1. Hi Gill, yes do try the cafe, we had a lovely lunch. The eye opener for me was the Gallery next door; I'm not a bird enthusiast but I loved all the prints - Lynne was amazed I'd never been there before. The trick for us was to find sufficient textile venues - there are plenty of paper and canvas and paint artists out there, ceramicists too, but precious few stitchers. Lx

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  6. My goodness Lynne, that looks like my kind of heavenly day! I love Pauline's work, so clever and her studio!!! Sally-Anne's Shepherd hut is my dream too :o) I am a really nosey girl and love visiting open studio's and chatting to the artists too. Your lunch is making me hungry, that is definitely "my kind of food" Yummy.
    I have just bought a new crochet book by Erica Knight and she has a rag rug in it, I have never made one before and have always liked the idea of recycling t-shirts or scraps of fabric for this. After seeing your purchase I doubt my creation will be as beautiful, but it has inspired me to add it to my never ending list!!! Happy sunny days to you and yours lovely Lynne xxx Penny

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    1. Hi Penny, thanks for popping by. I know, just imagine having either of those lovely studios for your very own. (sigh). Just great to spend the day tootling about and visiting. I have done rag rugging before but I get cross with myself because my strips don't lie straight (My friend Yvonne says not to worry, but I do!) But do have a go, you will love it. HAve lovely weekend, Pen.Lx

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  7. What beautiful studios you visited, there are quite a few around this way too!

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    1. There were a few textiley ones in other areas, Jay, but I didn't want Lynne K to have to spend all day driving! There were one or two we might have gone to but they weren't open on the day. You will have to tell me, in code, where you are! Lx

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  8. Just back from my visit to family in Germany and I'm on catch up. So glad I didn't miss this super day out with you to all those fabulous open studios. Also enjoyed your progging results. Great use of colour in your own great style.
    Jo x

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    1. Thanks Jo, I get cross with myself as I just CANNOT get my wool/fabric to lie in neat rows, but I do enjoy doing it. Hope you had a lovely time in Germany - you must surely have had better weather than we had here! Lx

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