As mentioned in my previous post I have some news!

Kalamkari are a group of Textile & Mixed Media Artists based in Central Scotland who meet regularly to share skills and techniques and work towards regular exhibitions of artworks. Standards are high and I've always admired the high quality of work they produce. Well I'm delighted to announce that I've been invited to join their group! It's always good to work with other creative people and that is one of the things I miss since leaving college. I'm very much looking forward to meeting up with the group in a few weeks time to discuss the next planned project. I've even had a sneaky preview of what the topic will be and am really pleased to find that it's something I've long held a big interest in! 

Kalamkari are currently holding an exhibition of their work at Waterston House in Aberlady, East Lothian.

Obviously I'm not participating in this one but I was invited to the preview event and was really impressed with the sheer variety of pieces on display as well as the creativity and craftsmanship. It's a fabulous venue with lovely outside views and the work just looks so good on the walls and tables. Fabulous exhibition! And it's on until 17th February so I recommend a visit if you are able to get there.
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Aberlady is a coastal village about 15 miles east of Edinburgh. I've always loved this coastline - from Longniddry through Aberlady and on to Gullane. The sand, the calm sea, the wildlife and the beaches, beautiful walks and there's always something to look at or to seek out.

While I was there I discovered a bit of a shell mountain. Nearly all were clam shells and most of them were covered in barnacles. Some of the markings and colourings were quite inspiring so I couldn't resist choosing a few for photographs.  

And now to find my sketching implements, I feel a drawing exercise coming on. Mark making, patterns, texture and see where it leads!

And a big welcome to 2016. Last year I achieved many of my long term goals and was pleased to see that my creative work was going into new directions as I focused on some interesting research topics. My (many) sketchbooks are stuffed with drawings, word maps and design ideas some of which I hope to progress further.

​I've developed a real interest in working with recycled materials, vintage textiles and found objects. I enjoy creating something new out of something old, discarded and abandoned. The bric-a-brac of life made into new artworks, the preservation of a previous 'life' and the creation of a new memory.

I've returned to making Artists' Books and this is something I really want to continue to explore more. For me the design and layout, the choice of materials, and the final construction methods are all important and I enjoy making the structure of my books as interesting as the content. ​

I've realised that I don't have to confine myself to just one type of artwork or style. In the past I worried that I hadn't developed a well defined 'brand' like many artists do, instead I continued to go off into all directions. Well, I think that's OK.  I can be many things, as I am in life. Sometimes I may want to work in vibrant colour and other times all in white - white on white, oh yes!  ..... after all Rothko was rather successful with his black graphite on black paint canvases!

I may make bold collages, perhaps a tiny book or even a large tome. Fabrics, paper, threads are all there for me, and I know from time to time I'll return to my 'Sepia Moods' alter ego and work with vintage lace, silks and hand stitch. How do I know? Well, because I already have a couple of works in progress .....

No, I did not spill my coffee on them, that vintage lace is complete with the old original tea stains! I like to see signs of previous use and wear and tear. I'll probably add more hand stitch to these pieces and then decide what to do with them, I think they would work well as book covers, any other suggestions?

That's all for now, but I'll be posting another update soon ...... and I will have some news, watch this space! ​As always I'd love to hear any comments