Up to date at last

So I think I am up to date now, and have just been enjoying Christmas with my family. I've had two days off from the studio but have been completing some new 2D textile pieces at home, ready to take to an interview/presentation with the EAST textile group on the 8th January.
I bought a very tattered vintage quilt made from pieces of mens blue striped shirting, and it is this that I am using at the moment to continue the theme of my work....the weather has been too dull for me to take any photographs yet, so I will just leave the 3D work in progress ones with you untill I have the others....these are just pieces of fabric pinned onto the stands at the moment, and will probably develop in a slightly different way, but they are starting already to tell a story and I am thinking of names.

The "Family Dress" went to a new home too

The organiser, and curator of the Sotheby's show is herself an art collector, so I was very happy for her to purchase the "Family Dress" from the collection.
This was the one with my name on the brooch, and my own story in the accompanying booklet.

The Quilt "Fragment" had also been bought....as a Christening present, which is a lovely thought....although I shall really miss having this piece myself...I had hung it on a 19th century wooden Yoke, brought back from South Africa, and had expected to take them both home with me...but it will be cherished, I know, and I'm touched that someone else loved it as much as I did....I am planning another one at the moment, different of course as I would never repeat something...each thing I make has its own little story.

Sold at Sotheby's

I hadn't expected to sell any work at the Sotheby's show, so it was a wonderful surprise to find that Tricia Guild of Designers Guild had bought two pieces: The Collar:
and also one of the paper mounted works "Collar Fragment"

The Exciting Exhibition at Sotheby's

During our graduate exhibition at the New Designers Show in Islington( see older blogs), in July, I was approached by an art curator and journalist who holds regular exhibitions at Sotherby's in London and invited to be part of her next show in October.This was such a surprise to me, as I hadn't expected anything on this scale, and the thought of it was also a little scary...from college to the "deep end", so to speak.
The show, "Small Show Huge Talent" was held in October, in New Bond Street and was managed so well....technicians in white gloves to do all the hanging, and everything displayed perfectly. I was given a whole wall, so everything could be shown well.It was quite a difficult area to take a photograph in, so the one image I have here is not very clear and a bit dark...the actual lighting was perfect in the area though, and the work from the other artits, including another textile artist Lindsey Taylor, was very diverse....it included a large model of the Tate Modern, made from sugar cubes! There was an article on Artsthread about the show in November, I'm not sure if it is still there. as I havn't looked for a while.

First Open Studios Event, and thoughts:

The Open Studios event came hot on the heels of my seting up the studio, and I was slightly nervous, not knowing how my work would be received amongst the painters and sculpters and recognised artists.
It was, however, such a wonderful experience, and a great encouragement as I had people in the studio non stop all day...so much so that I couldn't leave it to visit the other artists! People were lovely, and I couldn't have wished for a better start to this step of the journey, and...best of all, new friends have been made.
I am in the Barn, so my room is lovely and old with thick white walls ( one very damp!!) and an old heavy black beam.....a perfect contrast to the Victorian lace and white fabrics which I love so much.With the fabrics I use, it is also all about the contrast...the rich and the poor...I am still following on with the "Exquisite Poverty" theme of my degree collection, as I want to go deeper into a subject which is still very relevant in todays world of mass textile and clothing production to the detriment of many of the makers.
The inside of my door is very old, and by itself, with just one glove, is to me an artwork in itself; Here it is:

New Work On The Way

It takes me an hour and a half to get to the studio...as I'm not a driver, I have to get two busses, and then there is a 3/4 mile walk each way, but when I get into my room, it is like entering another world...all my things are around me, and there is the space to play, think and create without the distractions I would have at home. I have now realised how impotant it is to be able to have all the things that inspire me, on show, and to be able to take time to start new work, and just leave it...in the early stages to see if it is right.
So at the moment I have the beginnings of a new body of work pinned on the dress stands, and laying on one of the tables...and filling my thoughts as usual:

Back At Last

It's hard to believe that eight weeks have passed since I promised to update my blog...I thought that once I had finished the degree, that I would have more time, but so much has been happening, that it has taken me up untill a Christmas break, to settle down to some writing and recording.
During September, I was busy setting up my new studio at Cuckoo Farm...furnishing it, and enlisting the help of friends and family to transport the bulk of my materials etc., it had to be ready for the Open Studios event, so there was no time to be lost.
Here are some early photos of the studio, but it is constantly changing, as new work appears.

Sorry......

I really will update this blog...any day now !!

yshlondon.com = textiles | interiors | fashion :: Karen Nicol August 10

yshlondon.com = textiles | interiors | fashion :: Karen Nicol August 10

Happenings

Just when I thought I would be able to spend more time on my blog....other things happen! good things, thankfully, although it means that I shan't be able to take a break yet as I have been given the Graduate Award of a studio for a year, free of charge at Cuckoo farm, Boxted, Essex.
I have spent the last two weeks gradually moving in, and it has started to feel a bit like home now.It's so excitiing having a real studio to work in, after taking up all the space in my 36ft caravan home, but with it comes the discipline to work; this I think is a good thing for me, otherwise I might just drift.
September is also the month for Open Studios, when the publice can come in and watch the artists working at the weekends....I have decided to continue with my graduation project of "Exquisite Poverty: Fragments" as I want to say more, in cloth and stitch.
As soon as the lighting allows ( go away rain), I will take some photographs of the studio, and also of the "new" materials I will be making the next dress from.
I have purchased a very old tattered patchwork quilt which is made from pieces of 1920s mens shirts, and also another antique mother of pearl name brooch..."Mother", which will be the theme of the dress.....I will try to get some images done as soon as possible for the blog, as it has been sorely neglected......I have also had some very interesting meetings with people like the head of design for Red Or Dead and Karen Millen, but enough writing for now...pictures next!

Avard Winners - Event - GFW

Avard Winners - Event - GFW

The Two Shows

Of the two shows, New designers was definitely the most interesting for me, and the most rewarding with offers to buy garments from the collection from both private and industry related sources....it didn't take long to decide that the integrity of my work is the most important thing, and however tempting I have decided not to sell into the industry, but to persue the art side. I would be quite happy to do freelance design work for commercial purposes ( we have to eat!), but I really want to continue with the "Exquisite Poverty" project as I think it is more of a beginning now for me, rather than the end and I feel excited about the future and inspired to keep going.

Graduate Fashion Week News

Graduate Fashion Week was before the New Designers Show, and now seems so long ago....My garments are not aimed at the fashion market, as they are art based and tell stories in cloth and stitch; however they generated a lot of interest and some contacts.The highlight for me was in winning the Graduate Fashion Week "First Word" journalism award....this was unexpected as I had sent the article in at the very last minute after staying up all night to write it! The award was presented by Hillary Alexander, fashion journalist and Sarah Bailey, editor of Harper's Bazaar.I was determined not to cry, but was quite "stunned" by it all...a night to remember.

New Designers Show, Islington

An Amazing Time!

It is hard to believe that a month and three exhibitions has now passed: Graduate Fashion Week,Graduate Exhibition at Colchester Institute and New Designers,Islington.Thankfully I am still really busy following up contacts...especially from New Designers, where I was almost overwhelmed by the response to my work...it has been so encouraging.

More Appologies !!

Exhibiting this week at the New Designers Show, Islington has been both exhausting and exciting....I have realised that there has just been no time to write here in my blog, but tomorrow is the last day of the show...then it will be a priority as I have so much to share about this show and Graduate Fashion Week, plus lots of images of my work and ongoing news.

Appologies!

Really sorry for the huge gap between the last post and now...just been so busy finishing the work and setting up exhibitions....there will be a grand update this week.

PDP and thoughts

This has been a really worthwhile module, although it has often irritated me as it "stole" my stitching time, but it has been a great discipline enabling me to really focus on who I am and what I want to achive in the future, after graduation. Unlike the young ones, I shall not be looking for a work placement, as I want to establish myself in a studio as an independant artist, by focusing on the future and sourcing information on exhibition spaces, and I now have a much clearer idea of what I shall need to do. I have joined the Eastern Region Textiles Forum so will be able to get together with other artists for joint exhibitions, seminars, forums etc. At present some of the members are involved with a project for the Warner textile Archive; but for this evening, I will continue to check through all the work in my PDP file, to make sure it is all in order for tomorrow. Earlier on I uploaded my projects onto the Artsthread website, so gradually everything is being completed.I still have to do my own photoshoot and a collection of A2 samples so there is no time to spare, but all is going according to plan, albeit with yet another very late night!