Entering the New Year with a positive outlook
Updated: Jan 1
2024 is creaking to an end: I say "creaking" because both my husband and I went down with a horrible cold/flu virus a week or so before Christmas and have spent the festive period with considerable snuffling, coughing, groaning and minimal energy levels. However, there are always positives to take out of every situation and it has given me a good opportunity to reflect on the good things that have happened during the last year and to plan ahead for the next.
Creatively, I am so pleased to have developed my textile art: completing my large work "Crooked Spire at Night" before going on to tackle another A4 size woodland mosaic "Bluebell Time" and six other smaller pictures in my collection "Walks around Holymoorside". Each was a joy to make in its own way and, when a local resident bought four of these smaller ones, I got that extra buzz from knowing that someone else loves them!
There's more to be glad about than just completing (and selling) pictures: through the process of making, I have learnt more, developed my techniques and gained a greater understanding of what I want to achieve with this form of art. It has helped me to see myself as an artist rather than a crafts person who makes bags and has started to introduce me into a world of artists. I see my, as yet unsold, pieces as a portfolio that I am building up to have ready for exhibiting or displaying when opportunities arise.
But bag-making hasn't been abandoned. During the year, I've made a few new items to sell at craft fairs but most of the bags that I made have been made-to-order and I'm always interested in orders for bespoke bags. My stock of ready-made bags is reducing and those that are still available can be found online in my BuyIndie shop BarMadeCreations or at my next in-person market at The Arkwright Centre near Chesterfield on 16th March.
Currently, I'm working on another large textile mosaic. When I finished "Crooked Spire at Night", I said to myself that I wouldn't embark on another large piece again, because of the time and patience required. However, a year on and here I am doing another that is almost as large! It's been satisfying making small pictures, especially as those are the ones that have sold, but it was also good to have made a large one that created a greater impact for display. The current one is inspired by the theme for an upcoming exhibition to be put on by the Art Through Textiles group of which I am now a member. My image for "Reflection" will, hopefully, be ready for inclusion in the exhibition towards the end of March, but i am well aware how long it took me to complete "Crooked Spire". After a break from it to make a Christmas gift for my granddaughter, I've returned to working on it for a bit of time each day. With better health, I should be able to spend a bit longer on it daily, although I know other distractions will get in the way! Here's just a glimpse of the work-in-progress:
Apart from this major work, I also want to do more textile mosaics to add to my collection "Walks around Holymoorside" - see this earlier blog for more information about these.
I have also felt enthused to do more painting and drawing. I have recently done a few pencil and pastel drawings of my granddaughters, using photos of them as my guide, and although I've yet to properly capture their likenesses, I've enjoyed the process and intend to do more in 2025.
When it comes to painting, I find it always takes a bit more time to set up, but I go to an art group once a week in the village and this gives me a dedicated time in which to paint. One of the other artists at the art group observed that the paintings I do as a way of exploring a subject for a textile picture are better than others that I've done. I think this is because I'm not focusing on the outcome of the painting as a piece of artwork in itself and that has freed up my technique. However, I would still like to produce looser and more abstract paintings as a contrast to my textile pictures, as well as making use of a wider variety of painting mediums. As part of this intention, I'm doing an online course set up by Tara Leaver called "Painted Postcards" which gives guidance on producing a collection of small, postcard-sized paintings in a fun way. With plenty of tips on how to produce more abstract work, this artist has lots to offer both through the courses she offers and also the blogs on her website. During January she runs an Instagram challenge "21 days in My Art World" which I will take part in as it gives a purpose to me sharing some of my work and also gives an interesting window into other artists' work and ideas. Follow me on Instagram at BarMadeBags to see what I share!
What else is coming up for me at the beginning of 2025? I will be giving a talk about my use of upcycled fabrics at the Holymoorside Ladies Club in mid-January and I will be showing and talking about "Crooked Spire at Night" in the February meeting of the Art in Textiles group in Sheffield when the focus is Urban - more new experiences which I will approach and welcome with both excitement and trepidation!
I'm always keeping my mind open to new opportunities and challenges and maintaining my viewpoint that we're never too old to learn new skills. How are you approaching the new year and what challenges will you meet along the way?
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