New Exhibition Space

My work is now displayed in the wonderful gallery cafe, Jack Sevens Art Yard in Macclesfield.  www.jacksevens.co.uk

Here are a few sneak peeks of the display:

It's a lovely little gallery shop and cafe and definitely worth a visit! 

New Mills Festival

I am excited to announce that I will be taking part in the New Mills Festival this year!  I will be one of the 49 artists from around the country displaying my art work in the windows of local businesses in and around New Mills town.  The New Mills Arts Trail has grown in size since the start of the festival and I am really happy to be a part of it this year.  A full list of artists and venues and all the other events taking place this September are on the New Mills Festival website:  www.newmillsfestival.com

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!)

You're all invited!

...To our Derbyshire Open Arts preview evening.  Friday 1st June from 7pm at Spring Bank Arts Centre, New Mill, SK22 4BB.  Join us for wine, nibbles and a sneak peek at all eight artists fantastic works.  Hope you can make it!

Long Overdue...

Update!! I've been so busy lately and not even on exciting makey things, but just at my regular part time job.  So here are few pics of my latest embroidered piece, which took forever!  It needs to framed yet and I'm yet to decide whether to get it photographed professionally or not...  This piece will be making it's debut real life exhibition at the Derbyshire Open Arts event over the Jubilee weekend at the newly restored Spring Bank Arts Centre.  If you can come along please do, it's a fantastic event and there are loads of amazing artists exhibiting all over Derbyshire, and especially in New Mills.   Anyway enough babble, enjoy!

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!!

A little stitchy update..

I've not posted for a while, I've been super busy with my part-time job and it hasn't left me much time to do anything else really!  But Derbyshire Open Arts Festival is creeping ever closer and I am a long way off from finishing this particular stitched piece.  I hope to get this done and another by June, fingers crossed!  So, here is a sneaky picture for you.  Hopefully I will update again soon when I've made a bit more progress!

New Stitched Scene

I have started a new Embroidery; it will be called 'Cat sat on Rocks' which kind of gives it away a little bit.  But here is the work in progress.  Whenever I get a chance I sew a bit more, with the hope that it will be finished by the end of February! 

Seagull

Here he is!  A little sneak peek for you all, as he is waiting to be exhibited in the Derbyshire Open Arts event in June this year.  I am taking part this time as an individual artist in a brand new arts venue in New Mills.  Keep the Diamond Jubilee bank holiday weekend free for an arts trail around Derbyshire!  Enjoy!

'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.
 

Gingerbread Twins!

They're finally finished!  They're so cute, I think I'll have to keep one for our tree!  I'm sure the other one will find a good home too :)

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!

Artist cards

I sell my artist cards at New Mills Original so I thought I'd share with those who aren't local to the gallery what my hand embellished art cards look like.




It is a print of my hand stitched 'Spring Tree' which I then hand stitch tiny beads onto to accentuate the colours and add dimension. I then attach them with foam pads which creates a 'floating' effect.

Super Busy Times!

This past week has been incredibly jam packed! I have been very busy making lots and lots of Mother's Day cards for Fibre, New Mills Original gallery and I've had quite a few personal orders too.



I taught in a joint embroidery and felting workshop at New Mills Original; it has made me think about maybe hosting my own which would give me the push to start stitching again. I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed it!

More art news, it is the big re-hang at the gallery this week and I have had this image framed for it. It'll be something new to look at as it's been four months since I joined!

Finished Works

My eight finished pieces on display at my 2010 BA(Hons) Embroidery Degree Show.

Goosey Goosey Gander

This piece is directly respondent from the original drawing, creating a painterly texture with individual stitched marks. Varying tone creates depth in the piece and the Geese are subtle in form and colour. This piece will make an appearance in my final degree show.

Fly Away Petal

Using french knots to resemble blossom petals which turn into individual chain stitch as they fly away on the spring breeze. Where they go is anybody's guess...

Recycling bank and shopping trolley

The sense of communication between the two objects brings a different element to this piece. The varying textures and line qualities add eye-catching patches of interest.

Blossom tree

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