2015 round up

Well it is that time of year! And it has been quite a year for me as an artist. Lots of 'firsts' and very few disappointments. So, here is my recap.

The biggest thrill of the year was having Ruins 1 shortlisted in Fine Art Quilt Masters. My first selection into a major exhibition and I still can't quite believe it. I had 3 other pieces selected into exhibitions in 2015. Sin City 2 was shown in 'Inspirations' at the Knitting and Stitching Show, Olympia. After Image was selected to show in CQ 'Elements' at Festival of Quilts and is still touring. And Ruins 4 was shown in 'Structures' at The Old Fire Station, Henley-on-Thames.

Another big first for me was my first exhibition as part of Etcetera. Transitions showed at The Platform Gallery in September. There was a steep learning curve but it was worth it! We've had great feedback and have already confirmed exhibitions at Ryedale Folk Museum and Gallery in March 2016, Stockport Art Gallery at a date to be confirmed in 2016 and Didsbury Parsonage in January 2017.

Although I have had this website for a couple of years I only started this blog at the end of December in 2014. This is my 54th post which I reckon is pretty good going. I don't think I will ever be a 'prolific' blogger but the comments I have received along the way have meant a lot to me - thank you all!

And finally this has been the year where I have found my voice. A horrible and much over used phrase but most people will know what I mean. Hidden Message was my first series and it taught me a lot about building from a strong idea or base. But it did not 'flow' from piece to piece. The Ruins series has and continues to flow through my mind, throwing up endless possibilities. I finished 4 Ruins pieces in 2015, have two more in production and lots of scribbled sketches to work from. Ruins felt so 'natural', so 'right' but very different from Hidden Message that I worried it might be a one-off. Thankfully in the second half of 2015 I found myself developing a new colour family, a new collection of fabrics and finally new pieces in a series I'm calling Still / Storm. The inspiration behind this new body of work is very different to that for Ruins and has been inevitably influenced by my home life. But when I look at the two I see something that is recognisably 'me'. And that feels pretty amazing.

I'd like to wish everybody who has taken the time to read my blog the very best for 2016. I look forward to sharing it with you.

Leah