Derbyshire Open Arts 2012

Here is a very long awaited blog post about Derbyshire Open Arts weekend.  I had a successful three days, sold lots of cards, got lots of positive feedback on my work and some very kind words about my watercolour prints, which I have never exhibitd before.  So, here are a few pics to show off how the amazing Spring Bank Arts Centre venue looked in all its renovated glory and how the eight of us artists fitted in...

Left to right from the back: Adele Kime, Lucy Gell, Paul Smith, John E.Walter, Clare Allen, Karl-Christian Geleff, Jo Orme, Me (Helen Harkawenko, incase you weren't sure!)

A Sneak Peek

I'm being (sort of) organised and getting ready for Derbyshire Open Arts 2012.  So far I've had 2 embroideries framed and 4 prints of my watercolour drawings, and they look fab!!  I'm so pleased with them, cannot wait to group them together for the exhibition.  Next on my to do list is to get a few more prints made and some new artists cards done.  Time to get in gear!!

'Autumn Leaves'

... has sold!  Very chuffed indeed!  I don't think I've ever posted about my more recent embroidered pieces so here is a sneak peek of what is up at New Mills Original gallery.
 

A Little Update...

... on my goings on.

I am pleased to say my embroidered chickens that were on sale at New Mills Original flew away in July!  I am still pleased as punch that someone has purchased one of my embroidered pieces, hopefully this is the start of a trend!

A friend of mine got married recently and kindly asked me to make her thank you cards.  I am super excited about this opportunity, it will be a great experience and hopefully if everything goes well I'll be able to offer personalised wedding thank you cards in my Etsy shop.  Updates on this once the client and recipients have sent and seen them!

More drawings

Another quick sketch to try and get back into the swing of things. My favourite chickens I see on my run route, they're very friendly and love to chat!

'Two Chickens'
scan of original watercolour

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to all my lovely followers!
Have a fabulous sunny Easter weekend!

Chickens

Handstitched samples of chickens in different settings. The surrounding space affects the composition of each sample and the relation between the images. The smaller sample I feel works better in terms of composition and narrative as the chickens work together and tell a story. The colour blending and shading of the chickens gives them a realistic feeling, a suggestion that they have been taken from real life and captured in stitch.