Leah Higgins

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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. Ruins 1 180cm x 60cm Shortlisted Fine Art Quilt Masters 2015

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.

Transitions by Etcetera at the Platform Gallery, Clitheroe

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