PLATFORM 22 GALLERY

Open Air Market at Platform 22

2011-03-14T12:53:00.016Z

Our latest planning application at Platform 22 is for an Open Air Market. We hope to be able to offer the village a range of fresh produce, local arts & crafts and at the same time support local businesses in these hard times.

The village has been hit rather hard in the last six months with the loss & closure of Mother Hubbard's and G&D Sinclairs the butcher. Its going to be a real loss to the community, as well as for the representation of small independent village businesses helping keep Torphins alive. It has motivated David and I to give local businesses and village community groups an opportunity to connect with the villagers.

If anyone has a chance to lend a little bit of time please take a moment to post a message of support with Aberdeenshire Council by the 24th of March 2011. You can submit your comments by following the link http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/planning/apps/detail.asp?ref_no=APP/2011/0510 and your help is very much appreciated.

Networking 2011 .. thats what it's all about!

2011-03-06T18:14:00.004Z

For some reason this year seems to have such an importance for community and networking .. it must be something to do with the financial situation the the Press seem so keen to scare us with. I'm trying to tell myself to keep positive and so far this year it is! Onwards and upwards..

Today I have finally got the chance to get to the computer .. its been an incredibly busy week with commissions, new ventures, NEOS and just juggling everything along with family too! Anyway, I realised that I missed the launch of a blog I wrote for Joanne Dewberry about "Sale or Return" .. if you haven't seen it please check it out at w ww.joannedewberry.co.uk

Dorset Business Mum of the Year (and many other awards) an excellent blog about her journey from mum to business guru.

Torphins Mumpreneurs’ join forces to promote `portraits and fancy pieces’

2011-02-07T10:57:00.008Z

Just a quick post to tell you about our first Platform 22 Blog Giveaway!

In the news today (link to Deeside Piper & Herald) Torphins Business mums join forces!

Yes I'm teaming up with Suzanne Edge of Edge Photography in Torphins just in time for Valentine's and Mother's Days.

Over the next few weeks visitors to Platform 22 will have a chance to win portrait sessions with Edge Photography; which will include a family sitting, editing, viewing and a 10x8 mounted print. We think any Mum would love and cherish some beautiful family photos, or, what about treating that special someone in your life to their very own photo shoot!

Also, anyone visiting the Suzanne's studio for a portrait session will be given a complimentary coffee and cake at Platform 22 Gallery and coffee house on Station Road.

For more information about the giveaways please pop into Platform 22, 01339 882039 or call Suzanne at (013398) 89275

Part-time Paid Vacancy

2011-01-08T16:02:00.008Z

Due to the increase in workload, Platform 22 in Torphins is looking for part time people to help us with the gallery and coffee house.

Do you enjoy baking, art and meeting new people?

We are looking for like minded people who are resourceful, cheerful, reliable, free thinking and flexible? Ideal for a physically active person who is looking for a few hours paid work a week.

Gallery opening times: Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 5pm

For more information please contact Emma on 0133988 2039 or email her at emma@platform22.co.uk

Opening Times for 2011

2011-01-08T15:20:00.002Z

Due to staffing shortages at Platform 22 (and the wintry weather we've been having), we will now be closed on Sundays and Mondays for the foreseeable future. Otherwise we will be open as normal Tuesday to Saturdays 10am until 5pm

2011-01-08T14:53:00.002Z

David and I would like to wish all our customers, friends and fans a very happy, creative and prosperous 2011!

2010-11-30T10:11:00.005Z

We are open Tuesday to Saturday 10am ~5pm & Sundays 12pm ~5pm.

Since December is almost apon us and customers have been asking, Platform 22's Christmas opening times will be as normal, apart from closing for the 25th, 26th & 27th December. We will close again on the 1st, 2nd & 3rd of January 2011.

How Much is That Doggie in the Window?

2010-11-27T16:10:00.011Z

How much is that doggie in the window? Woof woof!
The one with the waggle-ly tail.
How much is that doggie in the window? Woof woof!
I do hope that doggie's for sale!

Well, here at Platform 22 we have some great Westie (or Scottie depending on your preference) door stops, handmade by Kardznmore of Balmedie, Aberdeenshire. All looking for a good home!

These cheery little friends will hold the door open, peeking round the corner keeping an eye on what you are up to! Great for that annoying heavy door!
And what about finding a cheerful friend for keeping your child's bedroom door open at night and keeping guard ... no bad dreams get by this little fellow!

We also have a few cheeky cats, sitting tall, wise, and wanting to be with you!

Remember a dog and cat is not just for Christmas ... it's for life!

The best thing of all about these new additions to your home ... there's no bad habits, or attitude, feeding and best of all NO cleaning up after, so they will make a brilliant Christmas present!

Do pop by Platform Gallery in Torphins we are open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and don't forget we are open on Sundays too, from 12pm until 5pm WHATEVER THE WEATHER!!! Hope to see you soon!

The weather outside is ..

2010-11-26T10:07:00.009Z

Now that Winter is here and the nights are drawing in we have a new range of our delicious Choc-o-lait! Come in, warm yourself by the fire and try one!

You can choose from Milk, Dark, Hazelnut, Coffee, Cointreau, Caramel and Cinnamon. You can buy them to take home too, £1.50 each or three for £4 Ohhh you know you want to! And now we have Platform 22 mug sets with 3 sticks of Choc-o-lait .. YUM!

OH...The weather outside is frightning,
Platform 22 is so inviting,
There's only one thing we know,
Lets all go, lets all go, lets all go!

A Feast for the Eyes!

2010-11-04T18:49:00.003Z

We are back from holiday and celebrating the wonderful news that we have been awarded the Number 1 spot for Eat Scotand's Restaurant of the Month, as voted by you!
To show our thanks for all the wonderful support, Platform 22 will be introducing a loyalty card (as soon as it is printed!) ensuring you get more value for money and to keep you coming back, of course!!!

2010-10-15T17:40:00.000+01:00

Deeside Vegetables at Platform 22!

2010-09-08T09:44:00.003+01:00

Every Wednesday (starting 8th September) Deeside Vegetables will be selling their delicious home grown, fresh vegetables at Platform 22 between 2 and 4pm.

In season just at the moment is:
* Kale
* Cabbage
* Cucumbers
* Tomatoes
* Mangetout
* Peas
* New potatoes
* Courgettes
* Runner beans
* Broad beans
* Spinach
* Carrots
* Beetroot
* Kohl rabi

You can also order a veg box ~ small box for £12 and large £17. For more information visit their website at http://www.deesideveg.co.uk
Weather is terrible today, but come rain or shine Deeside Vegetables will be here!!

Forget-Me-Not Club Press Coverage!

2010-04-08T10:57:00.003+01:00

New Summer Term Workshops!

2010-03-30T17:27:00.005+01:00

Due to the great success, textile artist Annabel Pattullo will be holding her Kids Art & Craft Club again, for 8 to 12 year olds after school on Mondays at the new time of 4pm to 5:20pm at Platform 22 Gallery.

The Summer Term workshop dates start are split into 2 art blocks starting from 12th April (6 week block) and 31st May (5 week block). If you book both blocks Annabel is offering a special reduced price! Class prices include all materials, tuition and refreshment, but places are limited, so book now to avoid missing out!

For more information and booking enquiries please call 013398 82039 or email mail@platform22.co.uk

NEOS 2010 Call for Artists!

2010-03-23T16:24:00.010Z

Platform 22 is looking for artists and makers for this years NEOS week ~ Saturday 11th to Sunday 19th September 2010

North East Open Studios (NEOS) is Scotlands Largest Open Studios event! An award winning, not for profit collective of artists, makers and galleries in the North East of Scotland who open their doors to the public yearly.

Platform 22 would like to showcase a selection of 3D works for the event in ceramics, glass, wood, textiles and jewelery. In particular we are looking for artisans to exhibit as well as demonstrate their skills. We would like each participant to have their own entry in the NEOS booklet, but this is not essential.

Please email Emma at mail@platform22.co.uk as soon as possible if you are interested!

NEOS2010 deadline for application is 12th April & the entry fee £99 ~ please visit www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk for more information and to register your application.

Platform 22 needs your help!

2010-02-24T10:10:00.009Z

As many of you will know Platform 22 Gallery has been an arts venue since opening in 2005. In that time we have out grown the existing building and we are now planning a new and improved facility with dedicated gallery, studio, workshop and coffee shop areas.

The planning application has been rumbling on since June last year, but we are at last nearing some sort of conclusion. We have had to re-apply and this time round it looks like we may have a fight on our hands! To help the project across the finishing line we would very much appreciate if any of our supporters could take a moment to post a message of support with Aberdeenshire Council by the 28th of February 2010 at
www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/planning/apps/detail.asp?ref_no=APP/2010/0257

Platform 22 has always tried to support local artists and makers, and we hope that the new building will allow us to continue and develop this.

Many thanks for your help it is very much appreciated.

North East Open Studios AGM

2010-02-03T14:28:00.003Z

NEOS 7th Annual General Meeting
Saturday the 6th of February ~ 10am - 12pm
Gordon Highlanders Museum, Viewfield Road, Aberdeen.

Come along and have your say about the future of NEOS and find out more about this years registration process, deadlines and general information. There will be a chance to network with other creatives and vote for members of the committee. Tea, coffee and yummy scones will be served.

The following positions are currently available on the NEOS committee: Secretary, Minutes Secretary, Publicity Officer and Advertising officer. If you or someone you know might be interested then please note your interest with Emma Pattullo at emma@platform22.co.uk

Hope to see you there! RSVP: info@northeastopenstudios.co.uk

Workshop for Kids!

2010-02-01T18:23:00.004Z

Annabel Pattullo is holding a wonderful Valentines Decopatch Kids Workshop at Platform 22 on Monday 8th February 4 to 5pm. It is the perfect craft to "make & take" home with you ... just in time for Valentines day! Places are limited, so book now to avoid missing out!!!

Annabel will also be starting a Children's Art Club, for 8 to 12 year olds after school on Mondays . The Winter and Spring programme begins on Monday 22nd February, for 5 weeks and will include printmaking, junk art, painting, blue-print photography and textile design.

For more information about the workshops with Annabel, or booking enquiries please call 013398 82039 or email mail@platform22.co.uk

Christmas Market at Platform 22

2009-11-30T15:23:00.003Z

On Saturday 5th December 10am to 2pm we are holding our second Christmas Market. Outside the gallery in the courtyard we have a great mix of stalls selling everything from Christmas wreaths, handmade soaps and chocolates to basketry, art prints and calendars. Additionally there will be a Traidcraft stall and the opportunity to have a quick (5 minute) portrait by local artist Deirdre Varley or a relaxing massage by Anna Rochester.

Torphins Primary School's PTA will be magically transforming Emma's studio into a "winter grotto" for the arrival of a special guest, Santa! He is of course a VERY busy man just now and we are thrilled he is coming to join us between 10:30 am and 2 pm along with his happy helper elves!

In the gallery our Christmas Exhibition is showcaseing work by wildlife artist George Perkynson, wood work by Duncan Andrew and Robert Paterson, jewellery by Pip Will, wire work by Sandra Gorrora, glassware by Scandiscot and ceramics by Crazy Chix and Emma Pattullo.

Fingers crossed for good weather! However, just in case it might be cold we will be serving warming mulled apple cup to keep you warm while you check out the goodies on offer. Platform 22 also has a new cinnamon flavour of our popular Choc-o-Lait hot chocolate and this will be available, along with the usual teas and coffees, from the coffee house.

We look forward to seeing you!

2009-10-29T12:52:00.001Z

Book Signing & Exhibition

2009-10-27T13:51:00.007Z

"FEMININE LANDSCAPES"

with INGEBORG BODZIOCH

October is international breast cancer awareness month. In support of the campaign Platform 22 will be hosting a special event featuring work by Torphins artist Ingeborg Bodzioch.

On the evening of Friday the 30th of October, from 7 pm, you are invited to attend a preview of Ingeborg's artwork and listen whilst she reads extracts from her book "The Soliloquy of a Female Crisis". The book has been written and illustrated by Ingeborg along with Cecelia Ottenweller and Tony Bodzioch, and was published with the breast cancer awareness cause specifically in mind.

On Saturday the 31st Ingeborg will be at Platform 22 from 11am until 3pm to sign copies of her book and to talk about her work and experiences. The exhibition will then run for a further two weeks ending on the 14th of November.

All profits from sales of the book will be donated to CLAN (Cancer Link Aberdeen and North) as will profits from the sale of cakes and homebaking in the Platform 22 coffee house.

I hope you will be able to join us for what promises to be an inspiring and uplifting event.

Pots & Baskets Exhibition

2009-10-22T09:19:00.004+01:00

The Scottish Potters Association & the Scottish Basket Makers Circle

invite you to a joint exhibition of their members’ work

Pots and Baskets

The Barn Gallery at The Beild

Blackruthven, Tibbermore, Perth, PH1 1PY

Friday 9th to Sunday 25th October

Gallery open: 10:30am – 5pm daily

It would be lovely to see you at the exhibition launch on Sunday 2.30 to 4.30pm at the Bield at Blackruthven. This collaborative exhibition includes an exciting and wonderful mix of ceramics, basket work and combinations of the two crafts.

There will be a raku workshop on the 17th and 18th and a photography workshop to help members photograph their work on the last day of the exhibition.

The grounds of the Bield are lovely and it is near to Gloagburn Farm Shop for yummy, healthy food and nice teas too!

For more information please visit the Scottish Potters Association website at www.scottishpotters.co.uk

Invitation to our Summer Market

2009-06-03T14:00:00.004+01:00

Platform 22 is holding its Summer Market this Saturday the 6th of June between 10am and 2pm, and, if you are in the area we hope you will be able to pop along and pay us a visit!

This is the second seasonal market that Platform 22 has organised following on from last December's successful Christmas market. Once again there will be a wide and eclectic selection of produce and services on offer from the stallholders.

With summer in full swing there will be a variety of garden related stalls offering everything from hanging baskets to plants, herbs and garden design services. And after a hard day in the garden what could be finer that a visit to the "Therapy Tent" where visitors will be offered Swedish massage, a nail bar and stalls selling a variety of soaps and scents to relax and revive.

As always art and design have a special place at Platform 22 and several local artists will be showing work both in the gallery and outside on the stalls, additionally portraitist Deirdre Varley will be on hand to provide quick, 10 minute, caricatures; an ideal present for Fathers day on the 21st June.

If you are looking for something more sustaining there will be locally made jams and confectioneries and the Platform 22 café will be of course dispensing teas and coffees.

The market is aimed at helping and encouraging the development of a network of local businesses and is supporting the Federation of Small Businesses' "Keep Trade Local" campaign. Independent businesses play a vital role in Scotland's communities and our lives and key point of the FSB campaign is the added value attached to money spent with local businesses; every £1 spent with a local supplier being worth £1.76 to the local economy.

Looking forward to seeing you and fingers crossed for wonderful weather!!!!

Unexpected Day

2009-04-15T12:44:00.003+01:00

We have a wonderful bright, up beat spring exhibition at the moment, with work by Lesley Cullan, Alan Steele, Shelley Tuck and all sorts my ceramics that I've been trying out. Do pop in if you are in the area, we'd love to see you!

David and I debated last Sunday if we should be open for Easter Monday ... I wasn't sure & kind of felt I wanted time away from the shop ... but decided to unofficially open as we knew that I would be in the gallery anyway!!

Monday was such a beautiful day and warm, so we left the shop door open and I tried to finish a commission for a 25th Anniversary platter ... TRIED being the word!

We were VERY busy and shop sales were fantastic, so, I guess we will be doing the same next year!! I love days like that .. the biggest problem was finding work quickly to hang on the walls, so that there wasn't a gapping hole for Tuesday! NO I'm not complaing!!!

A year gone by!

2009-04-11T13:27:00.003+01:00

I don't know where this last year has gone to! So much is happening at the minute, but we seem to be stuck in a state of waiting to hear back from so many people in order to move forward! If that makes any sense.

We are planing a big change for Platform 22's Shop ~ demolish and rebuilding a space where everything has its own spot, and not everything in one room (almost). Got to find the money!!!!!

I have had fun the early months of this year experimenting and playing with some ideas, which seem to be rather popular ~ dare I say it! But a little fine tuning over time and I'll be very happy with the work.

Do check out the Platform 22 new look website, and if you would like to be sent the newsletter we have just started this year ~ do sign up! Nearly forgot to mention the ON LINE SHOP!!! There are some lovely pieces on there, so do take a peek and hopefully be tempted!!!

I have also put together a web page for myself, if you like a look ... its still in the making, but progressing nicely I think! Check it out at http://www.spanglefish.com/EmmaPattullo/

I will try very hard now to keep this blog up to date and post images as new work and ranges are established. I will no doubt waffle to much and have some disasters along the way, which will hopefully make for good reading!!!

That's it for now and I'll blog soon.

That Sinking Feeling!

2008-04-28T12:56:00.005+01:00

Today certainly started with a rude awakening!! VERY unlucky and its all down hill from there.

My youngest woke at 5am this morning having had a nightmare and as I stumbled back into bed still half asleep (having calmed the imagination and tears) ... I heard the sound of rain against our bedroom window ... usually I think how pleased I am to be in bed and warm and pull the covers up high ... but then ...

OH NO! ITS RAINING!

And like a bolt of lightening I remembered that I had left all my work out side to dry ... (it was a beautiful day on Sunday) ... AND it was still sitting at the bottom of the garden on the bench...

!!GULP & GASP!!

Launching myself like a torpedo out of my warm bed I shot out the back door (barefoot) down the path ... to ... find ... a terrible scene of sloppy dripping wet clay! What a mess & disaster!

!!!AGHHH!!!

On top of that I have heard today by post that my ceramic pieces have not been accepted by the Aberdeen Artist Exhibition at Aberdeen Art Gallery. I know its hard to get into, but it would have been nice to have something good happen to me after my disaster.

Oh well there is always tomorrow... as well as this afternoon! I must not get dragged down ~ I don't have time anyway. Will post some images after I have painted my butterflies for the Creative Cairngorms Exhibition which opens this Saturday 3rd May!

Emma Pattullo is on a roll ... & so is Platform 22!

2008-04-27T18:27:00.004+01:00

Wow! I have just been so busy lately. I forget every year round about March April & May that it is mayhem on the art scene! I always seem to muddle through somehow. Work is going out as fast as I can make it, and I just hope it sells! In this last month and a bit I have been getting ready for six different exhibitions. Just the last two to do now.

First of the exhibitions was the Kincardine and Deeside Arts Forum Competition, this I produced 5 pieces for (3 acorn bowls, which I was secretly pleased with and 2 carved tiles with gold leaves, called Eastern Promise).
I also managed to persuade Annabel Pattullo (my sister-in-law) to submit 2 of her textile pieces in, as well as 2 of my pottery evening students to submit their work. I had to laugh ... but Annabel and Emma (not me!) both won prizes ... one from NEOS and the other from the Gallery owner for the best 3D piece! I'm chuffed to bits for them, but laughing as I sob into a soggy handkerchief (I should have been an actor not ceramicist ... as I lay this on thick ... still would not win the Golden Grammy thing) ... as none of them would have done it without me!

The second exhibition is for the Aberdeen Artists Exhibition at Aberdeen Art Gallery. This is done by selection, and it rather hard to get into .... I'm still waiting to hear if I got in this year. I keep telling myself "no news is good news" so I must be in!!! I put in two sculptural pieces inspired by my daughter & her love of flowing material and daydreaming! Keep you fingers crossed for me.

I have also submitted work and sent it off down to Stirling as part of the Scottish Potters Annual Exhibition. I promised myself that I would really try to send my work further afield this year ... so this seemed like an opportunity I could not miss out on. I have sent down my 4 Black Gold sculptural vessels, they are going to be exhibited in a red room, which I felt would really make them feel even more rich and luxurious. It starts on the 3rd of May and I'll post a link for you tomorrow.

I as I told you in my last blog am taking part in the Macmillan Charity Art Exhibition at Satrospher in Aberdeen. I am exhibiting my butterfly platters for this (of which I have so far sold 2 pieces), I also spent all of yesterday (Saturday) teaching my pottery workshop and in the afternoon demonstrated my skills at hand building pottery acorns... you could easily say I've gone completely nuts ... and I'll be doing it all over again next Saturday.

The next two exhibitions are part of the touring exhibition for Creative Cairngorms. The first is to be held at Ballater for a week (3rd to 11th May) and then the Creative Caingorms Exhibition will come here to Platform 22 from Tuesday 13th May to the end of June. On top of that David and I decided that it was time to make a few risks and take Platform 22 Gallery onto another level ~ so we have invested in an amazing coffee machine to change our little cafe in to a coffee house. This we are hoping will really complement our little gallery and Platform 22 will become a great place to enjoy art whilst having a fabulous cup of something tasty and maybe even decide you cannot leave without one (or more) of the artworks!!!

Sorry I have really jabbered on ... and no pictures! I'll try an sort something for you in the morning. Do pop into see the Macmillan Exhibition if you can, or, come see us at Platform 22 and introduce yourself!

Macmillan Art Show

2008-04-25T10:21:00.007+01:00

I went to the opening preview for the Macmillan Art Show last night and was amazed by the amount of work on display. It is held at the Satrosphere Science Centre, 179 Constitution Street, Aberdeen from 25th April to 5th May.

It is one of Scotland's largest art shows with over 700 works of art for sale by amateur and professional artists, including paintings, sculptures, textiles, ceramics and jewellery. It is huge! And what a fabulous selection, there is something there for everybody ... And I mean everybody! It is a must see, so if you are in the area please pop in and have a look … even better buy something!!! It’s for such a good cause. Or log onto the Macmillan Cancer Support web site.
There will be a series of lectures and workshops by featured artists running during this charity exhibition, including myself! Emma Pattullo's children’s workshop "Pottery Plaques" on Saturdays 26^th April and 3^rdMay ~ 10:30 to 12pm, children can create and make a pottery plaque in clay for a bedroom door/wall. On the Saturday afternoons from 2 to 4pm I am the resident artist(!) working away on my most recent body of work, so do pop by and see me at work for "In a Nutshell".
If you are interested booking a place to any of the lectures or workshops, or finding out more about the exhibition and artists please telephone (01224) 701505 or email northscotland@macmillan.org.uk

Lucky Old Me!

2008-04-04T14:08:00.006+01:00

Wow! What a week! The panic ... the remedy ... and the relief!

I have to thank my lucky stars this week. It started with the disaster of my kiln dying and trying to fix the situation. I talked endlessly to the people I bought my kiln from and going through what my kiln was doing (or not). Then we worked on the various scenarios, from the worst case: new kiln ~ only a few thousand pounds to spend, to new controller ~ down to about £300 and finally to fixing the problem ~ either by electrician or kiln supplier ... hopefully not more than £150!

But no, none of this in the end happened. My darling husband came to my rescue (he has his uses you know... Cheek! I hear him say). He found the problem AND fixed it! YES! And best of all fixed it for under 5pence ~ in other words a pint down the pub for Peter our car mechanic friend that luckily had the part, and of course, a BIG hug for my clever hubby!

!! WAHOOOO !! YIPPEE !! HOORAY !!

So if anything else that could go wrong, went wrong this week ~ I didn't care, because I saved myself thousands of pounds ~ sort of! Happy days!!

Anyway, since the rescue of my kiln, I have been frantically catching up with firings and finishing my acorns. I'm not terribly happy with the first three acorn cups. So I am now adding some gold lustre around the rim to see if that cures the problem. Give them a bit of bling!
I cannot describe why they didn't work, its something to do with the inside invading onto the outside. Since this decision I have glazed the giant large acorn cup differently and I think that's how I'll do it from now on. But I'm still pondering.

I don't think any of the acorn cups (bowls) are ready for the Kincardine and Deeside Art Exhibition and Competition, which the hand in date is tomorrow. So, I'll see what news the kiln brings me in the morning and make up my mind then. After all I do have back up pieces of ceramics just in case.

I have also finished building my whole acorn sculpture ~ it is the first of many to be made of various sizes and finishes. OH I'm really excited about it! Here are some images for you of work in progress ...

Yes! I'm showing off before I have even finished ~ but just letting myself think about how well it is going so far... and where its going ... it makes me tingle all over! I can't wait to see how it turns out. These pieces will be for my exhibition in September, as part of the North East Open Studios. I am getting ready now as I have SO many ideas to be getting on with.

This image, as you can see, I have played with on the computer ~ I rather like the way it shows off and enhances the architectural quality of the scalloped acorn cup.

Yes I am content (to say the least) with how things have turned out this week. Hope your week was just as good!

Breakdown!

2008-03-29T12:54:00.003Z

I am in a pickle! Yesterday I was having real problem with my kiln's control panel, it kept shutting down before reaching temperature ~ but finally after a lot of adjusting it got there. I'm not so lucky today though. The dam thing just doesn't last longer than half an hour and cuts out. The electricy supply is reaching the kiln but just isn't working on the controls. What am I to do? I have my first exhibition dead line in under two weeks and then things get serious and extremely busy. Exhibition after exhibition, after exhibition!

Yes its a technical AND nervous breakdown. I'm very good a panicking and I'm certainly in that zone right now! It will teach me to boast in my last blog post about working best under pressure ~ well today I am not!

Of course it happens when there is no technical support available ~ on a Saturday. Even if there was somebody at the end of a telephone line, I'm fairly certain I'm going to have to send off the control panel to be fixed ... how long that will take I dread to think. Its old and probably past its best ... CRAP ... its going to be expensive too!

Well all I can do is keep making and pray it comes right quickly! And thank the little blessings that its has happened after I have finished all my commissions and classes works.

Dam Computers

2008-03-25T21:58:00.002Z

Today I have been procrastinating!! And AGHHHH ~ I have so much work to do ... So what do I do ... I sit down for what I thought would be five minutes to read my emails only to discover the WHOLE day has passed! But I have nearly got my web page sorted... with a few hiccups to mend and some bits to change ... take a look and tell me what you think so far of Emma Pattullo!
YES! Its a learning curve! A stepping stone to my dreamy, smart, clean cut and high art page!

Exhibitions, to many to think about and I'm not panicking quiet yet ... so I must be OK! Yes as you know I work best under pressure! HA! I laugh in the face of a deadline.
Currently I am working on finishing my butterfly platters for the Macmillan Art Exhibition, glazing my acorns (sounds rude but its not meant to) this is my latest body of work that I'm all excited about (when the kiln opens and I'm happy ... only then will I show you!) What else ... oh all sorts.

OH! I mustn't forget to get my application into the North East Open Studios .. deadline is looming and if I don't get it done ... it would not be funny. Application deadline is the 14th April and NO later! Please link to the NEOS web site and visit any of the amazing artists, makers or galleries that you think might interest you.

I will post some images tomorrow when I have A FEW HOURS TO SPARE ~ if anything like today is to go by! Brain is a muddle and I'm not really writing to much sense, so I'll log off for now.

New blog site

2008-03-09T16:43:00.004Z

My sister-in-law Robin emailed me yesterday telling me of her new blog spot selling her jewelery in North Carolina.

Its called Robin and Daughters Designs do take a look at it.

She made me the sweetest double bracelet for Christmas with beautiful Swarovski Crystals & sterling silver beads, as well as beads spelling my children's names ~ really lovely. The attention to detail is lovely, as well as very well made. I love mine and wear it everyday, except for when I'm elbows deep in clay. But, what a fantastic present for mums, or for children on their naming day/Christening. Hang on a minute ... why have an excuse to give somebody a present, give it for love!!

I'm back in the land of bloging!

2008-03-09T16:26:00.002Z

I am so sorry for the lack of blogs. After North East Open Studios I was so busy with the gallery, exhibitions, classes and commissions that I didn't have the brain space to sit down and blog!

It took until Christmas had passed that I was finally able to concentrate solely on the "big" commission ~ which I have literally just finished. Friday the 7th of March was a good day! I opened up the kiln to find all the finished tile unbroken. I have spent the last 3 months firing these tiles living with my heart in my throat ~ I finished the job with only 12 spare tiles left. Its a peculiar thing finishing a job that has been part of your life for so long. I thought I would be so excited ... I think relief and contentment is one way of looking at it. Of course my client is still to see the finished piece, so I still have a small reservation of fear! But I am quietly confident.

Its funny to think I started my blog about this time last year feeling frustrated and uninspired for creating any ceramic art work. Well this year is SO completely different. WOW I'm really excited! Lots of exhibitions and shows to tell you about.

I think now I have finally finished the commission I can now allow myself to explore and develop all the ideas I have been squirreling away.. and yes that's a good clue to where my work is taking me. But I'm leaving that for another day ~ I just wanted to say hello to you, I'm back, so keep checking my blog and I'll try to keep this more frequent and regular.

I haven't forgot to Blog!

2007-11-08T15:20:00.000Z

I am very quickly writing to say I'm sorry for not writing anything for a long while. I have been frantically working in the gallery since NEOS, and then it was the school holidays which I was determined to spend with the girls and of course my husband! So we went to the West Coast, Oban, Scotland for a fantastic get away.
Since I came back I have been lying low trying very hard to get my commission finished and planning my winter show at Platform 22.
I will make an effort at writing my blog again as I seem to have got out of the habit... so more soon I promise.

PRESS RELEASES

2007-09-25T17:45:00.000+01:00

NEOS 2007 at PLATFORM 22

Saturday the 15^th of September sees the start of this year’s North East Open Studios (NEOS) event where artists and artisans from across the region open their studio doors to the public. The work on show includes painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, textiles, jewellery, leatherwork, glassware and multimedia creations, and styles range from the traditional to the contemporary; there is truly something for everyone!

Amongst the galleries taking part is Platform 22 in Torphins where owner Emma Pattullo will be exhibiting a range of her own ceramic designs. Emma has enjoyed a busy year as apart from tutoring a range of successful classes at Platform 22 and Woodend Barn her own work has become increasingly sought after, in particular her vases in black clay edged with real gold and her range of platters depicting butterflies, dragonflies and bumblebees! She has also found time to experiment with ideas such as ‘freeform’ mirrors inspired by the work of Gustav Klimt and some more sculptural work featuring a ‘dreaming ballerina’.

Apart from exhibiting her own work Emma and husband David will also be playing host to a range of other artists in the gallery. Amongst those showing at Platform 22 are painters Timmie Penny and Stephanie Vandem, photographer Robert Grey, ceramicists Mina Rusk and Sandra Gorrara, textile artist Annabel Pattullo and wood turner Alan Steele. As well as being able to enjoy a wide range of exhibits visitors to the gallery will also be able to see an artist at work with wood turner Alan Steele giving demonstrations of his skills making ‘fairy goblets’ during Saturday 15^th and Sunday 16^th. During NEOS week Platform 22 will be open from 10am to 5 pm and the gallery’s café will be operating offering weary culture vultures a chance to enjoy a restorative cuppa!

This year’s NEOS event, the fourth since its inception in 2003, is the biggest yet with nearly 160 individual artists and over 20 galleries involved and runs from the 14^th through till Monday the 24^th. NEOS has now become a big part of the arts scene in the north east and a many people now take the week off to spend it touring the studios and galleries on the north east searching out the very best in local artistic talent. To this end the NEOS organising committee produce a comprehensive directory and map covering all the venues involved, from Nairn to St Cyrus and Fraserburgh to Tomintoul; these are widely available from galleries and art venues around the area. Further information can also be found online at www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk.

FAIRY GOBLETS at PLATFORM 22

Wood-turner Alan Steele will be hard at work this weekend producing “fairy goblets” for Queen Tatiana’s autumn garden party! Visitors to the Platform 22 Gallery in Torphins will be able to watch Alan demonstrating his intricate woodturning skills and may even catch a glimpse of the reclusive fairies as they wait eagerly for Alan to complete his work. As well as being able to watch Alan at work the gallery is also hosting a major exhibition of his work for the North East Open Studios event with over 30 examples of his work on show.

Although born in Cheshire and raised in Yorkshire Alan is now based in Aberdeen where he has his workshop and from where he founded the “Grampian Wood Turners” group whose aim is to promote the art of woodturning in the northeast. Alan began his career as an artist-craftsman as a young boy carving jet from the beach at Whitby and helping out at a local blacksmith’s making fire irons. As a teenager he became an “indentured apprentice” with an engineering company as a turner/tool-maker. It was a rude introduction to the world of work as his wages didn’t cover the cost of getting to work and feeding himself so he kept on his job with the blacksmith and progressed on to making copper jewellery which he sold to supplement his income!

Having gained a reputation as a skilled craftsman Alan began exhibiting his work at various cultural and folklore festivals at home and abroad. The insight he gained into other cultures and crafts helped him expand the scope of his work and he soon developed his skills in leatherwork and wood turning. Today these two materials, leather and wood, form the basis of nearly all his work and although most of his pieces are made from one or the other he has had considerable success in making items from a combination of the two!

Today Alan draws his inspiration from the natural world and the titles to the pieces reflect his knowledge and love of folklore and mythology. The exhibition at Platform 22 is comprised of a range of turned screw-top boxes in hardwoods and thin-walled “hollow forms” made from unseasoned timbers and coloured with dyes to create the most amazing pieces of art that seem to defy gravity, as well as description!

Alan will be on hand to talk about his work and give demonstrations throughout Saturday 22nd Sept. (10 am – 5 pm) and on Sunday 23rd (12 noon – 5 pm). The gallery/cafe will be open showing Alan’s work alongside a wide selection of ceramics, photography, paintings, textiles and jewellery throughout the NEOS week (15^th – 24^th September, 10 am –5 pm). For more information telephone: 01339 882039.

The Week Rushes By... and Now Its Over!

2007-09-22T13:26:00.000+01:00

My goodness I cannot believe that we are on the second weekend of NEOS already.... Saturday and Sunday have now passed and its the last day, hopefully the Aberdeen holiday will bring the final NEOS visitors out to see us!

Sorry, once again Platform 22 got really busy and I never managed to write my posts! It is Tuesday afternoon now! But, WOW what a fantastic NEOS week! From start to finish it has just been so busy ~ we even were visited by some fairies!!! I'll tell you more later.

We moved my long work table out of the studio for the opening night, to maximize standing room. Which was just as well really as I don't think that we had any less than 60 people at any one time. Some friends who came to the opening were very impressed that I even had a celebrity come along, Carol Baxter from television's Beech Grove Gardens! There is a picture of her right eye and forehead to prove it on some body's mobile phone!!! Ha! Ha!!

Anyway (as you can see), David had the great idea to bring the garden tables that we got for the summer cafe for outside the gallery, into the studio. It worked brilliantly and I think it really helped to tempt the foot sore culture vultures to rest their feet and regenerate their strength! It was a fantastic way to really launch the cafe to Torphins village and hopefully put us on the map.

The first weekend passed in a flash and sales were much better than last year, in fact sales for the first weekend were the same as our takings for the whole of NEOS'06! And people just kept coming. Alan Steele came and worked away in the terrible rain & cold on the Tuesday, he certainly amazed people with his skill and talent. On Friday we got the Press and Journal to come out and write an article for us. People were waiting for our doors to be opened on Saturday morning, wanting to find out more...

The picture above is showing a relatively large goblet; Alan made a couple that are only 13mm high - absolutely stunning!

As I mentioned earlier, we were even visited by fairies ... they were tempted here by the beautifully turned fairy goblets. So Platform 22 had Fairy Queen Tatiana's Autumn Garden Party at the bottom of the garden!!

But I cannot stress how fantastic NEOS is, I feel encouraged by my conversations with people and enjoyed sharing stories and exchanging ideas with artists and enthusiastic people alike. I think that one of the great things (there are many) about NEOS is that the people who take the time to visit you are keen to find out more and want to know why, how and where you make and you work. If there was one event I could recommend to any artist to promote themselves and spend their money wisely I would say North East Open Studios every time.

I had a great conversation with a customer over her cup of tea and cake, about how it is so very difficult to get the public from just around the corner to come in. This lady had a book shop and on her days off from work was touring North East Open Studios by bus! She commented how people from far and wide knew about her book shop and yet the villagers had not popped in, some of whom walked by maybe daily! So yes, my challenge (one of many) for 2007 and '08 is to get our locals involved and aware of what we offer!!

First Weekend of NEOS

2007-09-18T14:10:00.000+01:00

Saturday 15th Sept - The morning was a little slow, but it wasn't surprising as the weather was foul! But by 11am things really started to hot up. By 3pm Platform 22 was full to the brim with people having teas/coffees and chatting about the various artists and the work on show. And of course buying lots of work too! At the end of our first day I would say we have had about 40 people through our doors.

The highlight to Platform 22's NEOS first weekend was Alan Steele, who took shelter in his gazebo outside and worked at his lathe all Saturday and Sunday, turning the most beautiful fairy goblets which we have on sale along side his stunning wooden hollow forms and boxes exhibited at Platform 22.

Sunday 16th Sept - Again another busy day, but much more steady than Saturday. Funnily enough I had a friend to come help me with the teas from 2:30pm until 5pm, but the minute she arrived the cafe took a slow down ... which was probably a good thing as we were about to run out of cups, cafetieres and plates ... so she got stuck at the sink instead!!
Again, Alan Steele worked away at his lathe in the cold, but he always had a captivated his audience even in the windy cold weather. I have still to grab a moment to pop out the door and watch him at work!

Had some very interesting people in on Sunday, chatting about the other artists/exhibits and how wonderful everything was. As well as how many talented people are out there, that, nobody really knows about, let alone what they do. I love the fact that they are so keen to meet and talk, it is how it should be all the time ... but then I'd never get any work done (Tee Hee!). I think on Sunday there must have been at least 45 customers visiting Platform 22.

If you read my blog that I posted on Sunday evening I could hardly string two words together - I was so tired. I am just about caught up with my energy levels today. Don't get me wrong I am not complaining in any form, I love NEOS to bits, it is such a fantastic idea for everybody.

If you are in Aberdeenshire, Scotland why not look up NEOS on the web at www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk and visit Platform 22, as well as many more fantastic locations! It will be worth it and we'd love to meet you!

North East Open Studios is here!

2007-09-18T09:43:00.000+01:00

Well all I can say is WOW to the beginning of NEOS! WE certainly started with a big "BANG"! I am rather taken aback by how busy Platform 22 has been. Not only getting ready for the big preview launch, which meant working until about 3am for the week before, but the Preview evening and the weekend since. This, so far, since joining North East Open Studios has been the best year yet.

Friday 14th Sept - I don't really remember much about the day apart from playing permanent catch up! I had to collect the jewelery, make all the labels for pricing the work (which the computer took an instant dislike too), wash the floor as well as do all my mothering duties too. I was a whirl wind that day.

I heard at about 5:50pm that STV News (Scottish Television) were showing the interview that a group of NEOS artists had done earlier in the week (including a snippet of me... nerves got the better of me I'm afraid and I don't know where the words went!!! - So I'm nervously curious) so I spent the next half hour desperately looking for a video tape to record it whilst trying to have a bath and wash my hair... put it this way the corridor between the bath & the telly was rather wet! AND THEN after all of that STV never showed it - I was disappointed for NEOS but relieved for myself!

We hadn't even reached 6:30pm (opening at 7pm) when people started to arrive, and it never stopped from there! We were packed into Platform 22 ... I would say that we had 50 - 60 people here. I never left the till and if I did it was only to place a red dot on an item! We kept going until about 10pm. What an amazing atmosphere and spectacular evening.

And ... Ready! Set! GO!!

2007-09-16T20:14:00.000+01:00

It is now Sunday evening, the first chance to sit and not collapse in a deep sleep since Friday evening.

I am trying to put words into action, but too pooped! Everything was and still is a huge success, but I'm sorry you will have to wait until tomorrow before I can get my head around writing my next post! Yes, I know, it is the end of only day two of North East Open Studios, but I'm done in for today. I promise to tell all tomorrow!

Forgot to tell you!

2007-09-14T01:02:00.000+01:00

I can't remember if I have mentioned, but, on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th Alan Steele is joining me here at Platform 22 in Torphins with his lathe and wood turning skills. He will be turning the most AMAZING tiny fairy goblets. They are beautiful and I'm really excited. So if you are in the area, don't forget to come see us. I'll try to post a picture of the fairy goblets in the morning. The detail and precision is just wonderful, I've never seen anything like it.
Hopefully Alan will come back again the following weekend to make some more! An ideal present for any little girl or boy. Something to get their imagination going! I've already started thinking of who I can give them to!
Anyway, it is now 1:15am and I must go to bed! Goodnight!

One more day to go!

2007-09-14T00:29:00.000+01:00

Today has gone really rather well, this is somehow strange ... I can't help thinking "what have I forgotten?"

I hung all the work today. I even ran out of picture hooks at one point... so some pieces are hung with humongous nails ... I started at 9am(ish) and kept going until 3:31pm! At which point I realised I hadn't gone to collect my daughter plus her 2 friends from school nursery, and so, ran down the hill, jumped (almost flew) the wall into the school playgroup (this activity is not allowed, it is a bad example to set the children ~ I once got caught .. BIG OOPS!), but, nobody was watching today! All OK and in the end because of my flying short cut I arrived before most of the other Mums! Anyhow, once I got back I spent the rest of the afternoon arranging the ceramics and wood work. I have to say I'm really pleased, the gallery looks AMAZING and it is a fabulous show this year!!! OH it just GREAT!!! I have sadly got a lot of tidying to do tomorrow!

So, tomorrow morning I hope the two jewelery people are dropping work off, I will arrange what they give me. Try to quickly finish off all the pricing and labling (ugh) I hate this part. Then I'll finish tiding up, do the last minute fiddles and wash the shop floor... then hopefully hop into the bath myself, relax (?), by which point it will then be time to pick up the girls... we will have (I hope) a lovely afternoon together and not step foot into the studio, quick and early supper, get changed and put on the old face ... take down the window screens ... and then ... its the BIG opening.... Wish me Luck!

So no pictures today ... I would like to show you my progress, but then it will spoil my first nights opening ... you'll see them on Saturday.

Funny to think the preview will be over this time tomorrow. I hope lots of people turn up!

Please come and see us if you are in the area, there is something here for everybody, and all budgets too! Or, come have a cuppa & sit back & enjoy!

Two Days to Go!

2007-09-13T01:17:00.000+01:00

Well almost 2 days to go! It's nearly 2am & I have finished for the day!

Wednesday 12th Sept and the - I have delivered two lots of work to galleries ~ the Milton outside Banchory and the Butterworth at Balogie. I also collected the prints (x25) of my "Up Close and Personal" (fruit) series and have spent most of the day cutting mounts for them and this evening wrapping them in plastic wrap ... not very taxing ... rather tedious really as I have so many other things I should really be getting on with.

Luckily all the artists have delivered their creations and master pieces by the deadline of today. PHEW!!!

My favorite part of today (sad as it may be) was shutting the shop at 5pm, putting up my window screens (hiding the next couple of days until the big off) ... and taking ALL the work off the walls and shelves. And then slowly, but surely, chaos spread across my one haven of tranquility in our home. My studio gallery is one big mess!!!

See what I mean!!! AGHHHHHHHHHHH!

Now the walls are bare, looking big and empty, and, I have finally finished poly filling all the nail holes and repainting the walls ~ there were surprisingly rather a lot of holes.

So, now I'm ready for tomorrow. But, bed first! ZZzzzzzz

Countdown to North East Open Studios '07

2007-09-11T20:38:00.000+01:00

Well the countdown has started!

Sunday 9th Sept ~ Husband decided that it was a good idea to get out with the kids ... change of scene ... breath of fresh air ... It feels as though I have had my head stuck in my kiln for about 2 weeks now, getting pieces bisque fired, glazed and some pieces lustre fired, as well as pieces for Mina Rusk who is also exhibiting at Platform 22 for NEOS. Its amazing what starts to happen when the pressure of a deadline approaches... then the panic attack starts ... what have or haven't I done?

Monday 10th Sept ~ Hours, minutes and seconds have no meaning. Where is my list and my list of lists? I know I should have emailed out all my press releases last week and earlier... but no, not me. What about the invitations... Everything is getting done right now! And I've just run out of mounting board, as have most of Aberdeenshire I've now discovered ... some art shops are holding back their stock supply, because its in such high demand so don't want to let it all go!!!! Oh help!

Yes I know it sounds as if its mayhem here in my studio gallery. Most of it is in my head. I'm not making much sense these days and I keep forgetting where I'm going with conversations (too much to think about), but somebody said today "no change there then!" - thanks for that!

This part of the week is a bit like the lull before a storm. I cannot do anything until I have all the work here. I don't know what my artists are bringing me to an extent, this can be nerve tingling but also very exciting. Some work has started to arrive and I'm beginning to feel more confident. This is going to be a great show!

Tuesday 11th Sept ~ Invites are out - most of them (check), press releases sent (check), weeding flower beds (sorted), posters out (check), work almost finished (ish), prints printed & mounted (tomorrow), walls painted and poly filled (tomorrow) drinks & nibbles for opening night (check) , hanging picture and installing work (all day Thursday) Panic (Friday afternoon only) ... so you see I'm getting there. I just have to keep telling ... reminding myself of that!

So, do come and join us for the opening of this years NEOS exhibition at Platform 22 on Friday 14th September 7 to 9pm. Celebrate with us over a glass of wine! But, if you cannot make it to the opening NEOS at Platform 22 is open to the public from Saturday 15th to Monday 24th September 10am to 5pm daily, it would be lovely to see you.

Artists and makers showing at Platform 22 with Emma Pattullo are Timmie Penny, Stephanie Vandem, Robert Grey, Jan Holm, Mina Rusk, Sandra Gorrara, Annabel Pattullo, Alan Steele, Jane Frazer, Alex Philp, Michael Zappert and the Shire Dweller.

As well as being able to enjoy a wide range of exhibits visitors to the gallery will also be able to see an artist at work with wood turner Alan Steele giving demonstrations of his skills making fairy goblets during the Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th.

During NEOS week Platform 22 will be open from 10am to 5pm and the gallery cafe will be operating offering weary culture vultures a chance to enjoy a restorative cuppa!

Hope to see you soon! I'll keep you posted as things progress ... hopefully lots of images soon!

Time flies...

2007-09-05T21:05:00.000+01:00

I have hardly had time to get back to make more posts, I apologise.

Its heads down and work hard ... deadline next Friday! Platform 22's preview night for its part in North East Open Studios 2007. My kiln is firing away non stop with no room for mistakes.
So, for now, I must get on ... & try to make more posts with pictures (as and when I can) ... So, for now it is hard slog and no procrastinating!!!

Wish me luck!!!

New web site

2007-08-20T14:48:00.000+01:00

I have decided to set up my own web site which you can have a look at. I was inspired by Gwen Black's web page with Spanglefish (please see link), and decided, if I can get this blog going, I can make my own web site too! At the moment its all written words, and I'm about to start incorporating my images ~ so do take a look, its listed under my blog links. Let me know what you think!

Tomorrow is my last Aboyne and Deeside pottery sessions. It always amazes me (Sorry! I've said this before), but you give each individual in the class the same size of lump of clay and the work that is produced at the end of the session is always so different. I'm not speaking about quality or quantity, but the approach to the material and what is created. Some people are very timid and need their hands held while other are really quiet gungho! And the work can either be detailed, concentrated or protective, while other pieces produced feel rather zesty, experimental and liberating. It is also exhausting! So over the last 9 weeks I have seen a huge array of work and approaches (some of which has inspired me with my own work), so, I will download some images for you tomorrow.

Its been an interesting and fun time over the summer (forgetting the weather), and although I have enjoyed the pottery classes enormously, I'm glad they have now come to an end. I'll do them again next year, and some more evening classes come late September through to December. But, my own work is pressing ~ getting ready for NEOS'07, sorting out my commission and it is time to move on.

Holidays and work! Work!! WORK!!!

2007-08-11T15:08:00.001+01:00

I haven't posted for a while now. I have got caught up with the holidays, children and the shop open 7 days a week as well as...

My Pottery morning sessions at Platform 22 and one at Woodend Barn, which are all going swimming-Ly well! It always amazes me the different work people make with the same sized lump of clay. I love it!

My BIG commission ... this has hit a huge glitch. All started so well, I painted the owl, bats, cockerel, foxgloves, butterflies, bees, moth, robin and a fabulous squirrel ~ popped them into the kiln and started on the tree ... But when I opened the kiln ... DISASTER! More than half the tiles had split in a very unusual way. So I have spent the last two weeks trying to sort out why this is happening and how to fix it. I have lost so many tiles now its just unfunny. My clients are away until this weekend and I can't progress. This sort of stress and upset I can do without, and I don't cope very well... there have been many tears this week. But as my hubby keeps saying "It will be alright in the end, we just have to get there!" I hope so (A LOT!).

Artaboyne Exhibition went very well. The exhibit was hung really well and the work this year was of a great standard and of such variety (I think I have told you this already) ... Anyway I sold out, which is even better!

I've had a boost in more commission work, which I am just about keeping up with, just one more to go.

And now I am frantically working towards NEOS'07 too. I have no work left from exhibitions to pass on... so the pressure is on. I luckily work well under this type of pressure... it forces the flow and you HAVE to just do it!

This year has been amazing so far, what with taking the time to paint as well as do my pottery and its been really interesting for me to keep my thoughts on this blog, it seems to make me think much more about what I am making and why. May be it is just expressing myself through words ~ this is something I have never felt comfortable with... the blog seems detached and nonthreatening and so I'm able to waffle on! Maybe by doing all these experiments and exercises, I am more fulfilled with what I am making, therefore this could be why my work is doing so much better this year?!

Keep watching... Bye for now!

On a Happier Note!

2007-07-29T21:29:00.000+01:00

I forgot to tell you, as I ranted in my earlier post ... that I have sold my Lemon in a Metal Bowl, Capsicum and Butternut Squash paintings this week, as well as 3 of my Gold vases at the Artaboyne exhibiting!

So all the hard work is worth it. And it make me smile, a lot!
I'll pop more pictures on soon. Do keep looking.

Exhibitions and Ranting

2007-07-29T20:09:00.000+01:00

Well, I'm slowly making my way with my commission. Its time consuming and I'm feeling rather over whelmed by it at the moment ~ it seems never ending. I know it will suddenly come together, but its not there yet. I can't help but worry... I'm the worlds top worrier!

I was thinking, as I was working today, about the Artaboyne exhibition that is currently showing. Which is, by the way, very good and if you are near by take the time to go to see it. Everybody I have spoken to who have been to see it is very impressed by the vast amount of wonderful work displayed, from paintings and photography to sculpture, jewellery and ceramics (of course!).

Anyway! I digress!

Just before the Artaboyne someone from my pottery class said they had just met another artist (jeweller in fact), who was (as she put it) in a panic about having everything ready in time ~ I said also that I too was worried, but getting there. She seemed really very amazed & said that she couldn't see what we were fussing about or why it mattered so much ... after all it is surely so easy when you know what you are doing!

I cannot stop thinking about this comment! AGHHHHH!

I have come to the conclusion if you filled a conference hall with all the people (from artists, press, general public, tourists and who ever else) that might go to see the exhibition, and ask them to present a topic from work... nerves/stage fright would set in...
Yes OK! To the person who does this for a living there must be an element of discomfort, but, it isn't personal you can be detached.
What if, you had to strip off buck naked and do this ... I guess that most people would think twice at this point?
Now how about if every single person decided to say there thoughts and frankly say exactly what they were thinking, then there, you just about have it! Of course you would be nervous and unsure. It would be only natural.

Everybody is an art critic. Everybody has a point of view.

I am selling a little bit of me; I am selling something that I have physically made and REALLY thought about. After all if who ever buys a piece and takes it home they have give you the thumbs up. That is the approval, the thumbs up and appreciation of what I have made that I work for, and helps me to earn my living ... so I have to get it right.

Does this make any sense to you? Am I spouting off ... don't answer that one! Funny how such an innocent comment has really rattled my cage. I think, because I'm so stressed about the commission, the studio gallery being open 7 days a week, that fact that I have NO time for my children at the moment and it is their summer holidays (weather not helping) I have put this out of proportion. But, I am frustrated that they think living the life as an artist is easy... its not... it is great most of the time, but sometimes is F*#king tough too and I wish more people could see that.

Maybe my ranting will change someones perception about what happens, I don't know! But, I feel better for that! Ahhhh. Breath out and smile Emma ... Tomorrow is another day... Hope you have a good one too!

Commission in progress!

2007-07-23T13:57:00.000+01:00

I have been telling you all about my BIG commission for so long and not posted anything yet. Well today, you will be glad to see, is the day!

In the picture to the left, you will see a pillar with the stove/fireplace enclosed, which I have been asked to tile all around. Each tile is approximately 11" x 8" with smaller tiles for the top and bottom of the pillar. They have been especially made to size. It took me a good few weeks to find somebody who was able to do this for me, but now they are finally here.

The piece is taking its inspiration from the Willow Pattern and a wonderful set of tiles I came across that the clients really liked too. So, I am painting the "Tree of Life" in a wonderful Persian blue/green with a plane cream background, then in and around the tree I will be painting animals insects and flowers in their true colours. It should look very striking and will certainly be the centre piece for this amazing Eco friendly house and home.

I started by wrapping the pillar in paper and sketching out my ideas. I then laid out the sketch onto the floor and traced the image so to work onto the tiles with more ease, see the image above right. Its a lot of fiddling, lifting and replacing the traced image up and down, on and off the tiles to see if it is all correct... but I've done it. Phew!

See below the two samples or the Robin and Owl. They are not fired or glazed at this point and are on 8"x8" tiles rather than using up they special ones.

Well that is all I can show you for now! I am working in the attic with our roof rabbits (mice!) for company, as they are better that the girls walking over them. And, it is the only space in the house that I can work on the image as a whole with peace and quiet.

I'll post more images as I progress, so, keep watching........ !

Wish Me Luck!

2007-07-10T22:14:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow I am handing in ten pieces of work for the Artaboyne Exhibition. I've worked my socks off getting them ready for tommorrows deadline. I'll be very pleased to hand them over.... But I'm feeling rather nervous... or should I say unsure... because, I have made ten pieces in my "Gold" range ~ this will really test the market!

I love them. They are so striking AND they have REAL gold on them tooo! BUT, I don't know what it is, but I have a horrid feeling that they are too... how can I describe them... too... ummmm.... too dark? And certainly not every bodies cup of tea... well it seems more like a mega tea-pot at the moment! But I think the darkness is part of their beauty. I think they are sleek, stylish and rich like dark chocolate melting in your mouth once you have opened that golden wrapper... except this time the gold is the hidden treasure just peeking out.

Oh I hope they like them.

If you happen to be in the area, do pop by. It is at the Victory Hall in Aboyne, the private view is this Friday evening 7 - 9pm and then open daily 10am to 8pm, from Saturday 14th July for 3 weeks, until the 7th August. It should be a fantastic show ~ it certainly boasts its high standards, so don't miss it!

I'll post the photos of them tommorrow, once they are handed in. I'll be more relaxed then! See you soon!

Chuffed!

2007-07-08T18:27:00.001+01:00

I've just heard that 2 of my trio of platters sold at the private viewing evening for the Deeside Artists Exhibition. I'm so chuffed, because, I so nearly didn't put them in at the last minute! Funnily enough, it was the Butterfly Platter and the Robin Redbreast Platter that sold, which I wasn't expecting to sell first. I am rather fond of the bumble bees (as well as being secretly proud of them) and so I thought that the Bumble Bee Platter would be the first to be sold.

What's even better ... is that I have heard (through the gossip line) that a gallery loves them and wants me to put together an exhibition ... but I don't know who yet! They will have to wait ... a little bit!

So much to do and so little time, of course! So, I must stop typing and go see my children, as the holidays have just started and I want to spend time with them this summer ... even if the weather is rubbish and it's nearly supper time!!!

I'll post again soon with more images ... so keep looking!

Memory on Fabric with Annabel Pattullo

2007-07-08T15:05:00.000+01:00

Here is my sister-in-law, Annabel teaching her very successful textiles workshop (Annabel is at the head of the table facing us) here at Platform 22. The class had to extend an extra week as the group were enjoying the course so much!

Each person made wonderful pieces using photographs, sewing, materials and so much more, from fabric books to fabric framed mirrors. Each piece held a significant meaning or memory to those attending. I haven't seen the finished works, but Annabel said they were all beautiful and so eclectic.

Pottery Workshop with Emma Pattullo

2007-07-08T13:39:00.001+01:00

Here is my Tuesday pottery workshop hard at work... happily beavering away. I'm not pictured, as I am the one behind the camera! I really enjoy the classes from my studio, they are relaxed and the conversation always flows. Classes at Platform 22 are very different from the classes I hold anywhere else, I presume its because I'm at home, in my studio and so my approach is that bit more relaxed... who knows!

As you can see everyone is very comfortable. People feel they can just dabble, or experiment, or try something more elaborate and there is no pressure. I think with all the artwork around on the studio gallery's walls, that people find it an inspiring atmosphere, so they can express or create something much more easily. I am always on hand to help, guide and teach ~ but generally I never have to instruct! But, I also find that the class all help each other out too, which is lovely.

If you are interested in any of the classes, or workshops I offer from Platform 22, please email me or leave me a message and I will send you more details.

Zoom Zoom Zoom We're Flying to the Moon

2007-07-07T11:48:00.000+01:00

"Zoom Zoom" is a picture I did for a friend's little boy, it is a mix of wax crayon, oil pastel and water colour.
200mm x 290mm.

I had such fun playing with the image, letting my imagination run away with me... well just a little!

After drawing the rocket in oils I started scratching into the oil pastel for texture, with my daughters wax crayons I then added swirls all around it, and last of all, with a wash of colour to create a lovely night sky ~ which is deep and soft yet full of movement.

It is just a simple picture, but a nice piece just right for a little 4 year old boy.

I went onto have fun playing with the image on the computer which you can see below, so "Zoom Zoom Zoom!" is now a wonderful girlie pink too!

I now sell prints and cards of my rockets flying to the moon, so if you are interested please email me.

Trio of Platters - £70 (GBP) each - SOLD

2007-07-02T18:22:00.001+01:00

Bumble Bee Platter. Slip cast earthenware platter decorated with three bees using under glazes.
295mm x 295mm

Butterfly platter. Slip cast earthenware platter, decorated with a butterfly using under glazes.
295mm x 295mm

Slip cast earthenware platter decorated with a perching Robin using under glazes.
295mm x 295mm

Here are three platters I have just finished making for the Deeside Artist Exhibition at Banchory. If you are in the area and would like to see them (as well as the other exhibiting artists!), please visit the exhibition ... it runs from Thursday 5Th to Sunday 15Th July open daily 10am to 6pm.

Each image is taken from the large tile commission I am currently working on, which is inspired from the willow pattern combined with the Tree of Life. These pieces are not only art pieces in their own right, but art in the making ... as I am working out composition and colours, as well as gaining confidence before I start the commissioned piece.
I will post some more images of the commission as I progress with it ~ next week I will be launching into the massive job of sketching out the layout onto the tiles from the preparatory sketches, which are in themselves rather large.

Green and Silver Corsage - £7.50 (GBP) - SOLD

2007-06-21T17:14:00.000+01:00

Hand carded green felt flower, with black glitter organza and finished of with a stunning silver button. Gorgeous darling! 105mm diameter.

You know, images are a bit like a bus.. you don't see one for HOURS and then three all come at once! As you have probably guessed ... Yes! I have finally got my camera pictures down loaded, so, I have lots of lovely things to show you... but I'm going to make them last... keep checking my blog and I'll keep adding pictures for you.

Must dash the weather if fantastic and sunny, so I must get out and play with the girls, finish some glazing and get ready for tonight's class.. not to much to do really!

Red and Pearl Corsage - £7.50 (GBP) - SOLD

2007-06-21T13:58:00.000+01:00

Hand carded red felt flower with white cotton stitching, embellished with mother of pearl and pearl buttons ~ a fabulous flamboyant corsage. 105mm diameter.

Felt Corsage Brooch - £7.50 each (GBP)

2007-06-21T10:56:00.000+01:00

Here we have some examples of my corsage brooches. They are great fun and the perfect size to post, so make ideal presents for that flamboyant friend who has everything ... or ... even better ... spoil yourself!

They are all hand sewn and lovingly put together, embellished with various buttons to complement the colours and sometimes I add layers of organza to soften the felt background flower. I adore making these corsages, they are such fun to put together. I tend to make them it in large batches so that I can really immerse myself and find that perfect combination.

I think it is that wonder of going through Granny's button box, which is a huge collection and full of fantastic buttons ~ I remember loving playing, sorting and marvelling at them as a child. Something I find my girls enjoying too. It has that wonderful eclectic, treasure trove feeling and it always throws up surprises, I always seem to find buckles and buttons that I've not noticed before even though I go through it many many times. The button collecting thing is a little addictive too, as I now find myself buying and adding to the collection. I'll post some individual corsages for you to see and some close ups too, if you see any you would like to buy, email me and I'll check if I still have it first, as they are extremely popular and sell as fast as I can make them.

Artwork Underway - Phew!

2007-06-13T20:58:00.000+01:00

I have been beavering away, trying not to get too distracted (like just now!) and produce some work for these exhibitions in July and August.
I also have my own big exhibition at my studio gallery Platform 22, which is part of North East Open Studios (NEOS) ~ this is a fantastic event where artists, makers, and galleries open their doors to the public over 10 days. Platform 22 first opened with NEOS for our big launch 2 years ago, and make it my annual big exhibition, and ask artist friends to join me at the gallery.
I have just joined the NEOS committee, so I am all excited and enthusing about it! Do have a look at the links so see how diverse its and if you are about in September take the time to check out some of the places open... especially me!

This last week I made some more sculptural vases like the "Black Gold" shown in an earlier post. They are not nearly as big, but I'm hoping they will still make a big impact.
I like lining them up and seeing not only the vessels as individual artworks, but also as a continual pattern ~ drawing on the spaces in-between each piece playing with the negative and positive shapes created. Its an odd image to describe, so I'll take a photograph to show you.
A lot of people don't see it at first and then realise the potential combinations, it becomes quiet infectious ~ and they want me to rearrange them to their preference! So in a sense it becomes an interchangeable installation.

I have also made a start on some figures. But I'll let you know how they are coming on another day. I must tidy my studio for my sister-in-laws "Memory on Fabric" class tomorrow morning! At the moment there is rather a lot of clay strewn about the studio, which I don't think Annabel or her students will appreciate!

Sorry no pictures still, must get the pictures downloaded off the camera by the hubby. Bye for now!

Under Presure

2007-06-09T11:19:00.000+01:00

Its been a little while since my last post, I must apologise! I don't know where time goes. Well what have I been doing... Since my last post...

I have started some pottery classes at Platform 22, which are filling up quickly. if you are interested they are listed in the right hand column of my blog page. It's great being busy, but daunting too... I always feel I might have forgotten something!

On the creative side to my life, I have finally managed to pick up some clay and start creating. It hit me the other day that we are in JUNE! Oh my! Next month I have 2 exhibitions to prepare for... and no work to sell or exhibit... in fact I should say 3 exhibits, as I always forget that Platform 22 Gallery needs my art work too! So, I have no choice to get making! Forget indulging in exploring my most inner feelings that I might want to express ~ I'm going to discover it as I develop the works... even if it isn't the way I intended. But it has meant I have had to stop being so precious and GET ON WITH IT! No more procrastinating!

Its funny how quickly you get so out of practice, and when starting new ideas you forget how long it takes to actually make and finish something. I seem to take two steps forward and then very quickly three back! I am very happy with the work I produced last week, although David will say I was a very grumpy artist (or something rude!), whilst I was working. Well, I was ~ creative stress you know! Sorry darling!
I think because I'm juggling my days between family life, the children and all that goes with them, plus house things (like cleaning etc.. which never seems to get done, unless a visitor/friend/family pops by and then its a panic of dusters, cleaning and hoovering!), then there is my teaching, and finally the various committees I work with.. time is a precious thing, and energy is another matter altogether! Sadly it means generally that my work gets left until last... something is going to have to give so I can work on my work. I'm not complaining (much), but simpler would be nicer!

Artist are their own worst enemy. We say silly comments like "I'm toying with this idea" or "I'm playing about with the materials" ... no wonder everyone thinks its an easy life! I may well say I'm playing with something, but you can be sure I'm certainly not. Stressing, working out logistics and techniques, worrying and of course working jolly hard to get it right. No I'm not grumpy, I'm working my whole ass off ~ from the tips of my fingers, through my body strength, up to the top of my head... brain workout! Its no help that I'm a perfectionist too!

Wow, another verbal pour! I never think I have anything to say when I start a new post and wonder if I need pictures to help fill the page, but really its not a problem. OK, its nice to see images to catch the eye, but I obviously need not worry about having to compensate for the lack of words. Oh no ~ I'm off again! STOP EMMA PATTULLO! You have said enough for one day!!!

See you soon...............

Ceramic Art-Work Montage

2007-05-17T22:38:00.000+01:00

I seem to be permanently sat at my computer (as you can probably tell), if it is not trying to set up my web site for Platform 22, its organising this very exciting group with my sister-in-law for artists with similar interests to exchange ideas, or, trying to put new posts with images for you to see... or procrastinating!

I haven't got any work done for a while now and I'm feeling VERY frustrated. Next week I am setting my self a goal to make a start on some new sculptural work.

Since I have not managed to show you any images for a while, I thought I would pop in a montage of work that I'm thinking of putting on the web site! It shows just how varied my work can be at times! And I'm longing to start creating some more pieces!

More Computer Mayhem!! AGHHH!!

2007-05-11T15:30:00.000+01:00

I am so sorry! I have not been able to post any pictures for a while now, but you would not believe the chaos that has landed on us with computers.
I have finally got my computer sorted. Phew! And I was just about to get David to put my pictures on to a disc, so I can show you my commission... but as I was opening my mouth... his crashed too... POOP!

Anyway, no more grumbling about computers.. here is some snippets of my latest news:

I am at a stale-mate with the tile man who I have had to subcontract to, so I cannot do any more work until I know he is able do do the work for me. If I can't get the tiles... then its a BIG re-think as to how to do the job. But I have made a great sample section to show you!
I am still painting that very large canvas... (the one that killed my clay figure!)... Its very different work/approach to painting compared to a still life, but an enjoyable challenge!
I've been very busy with the children. I can't think what exactly but we feel busy! Oh yes!!! We have been looking at baby guinea-pigs, aghhh so adorable! It doesn't take much for the maternal hormones to start raging, and I mean RAGING!!! Oh well I'll have to settle for a guinea-pig, it will just have to do!
Oh yes! Platform 22 opened our Gallery Cafe for the first time last weekend (May bank holiday). For now it will only be open at the weekends, but if it is going well by the summer holidays we might open it full time. So if you are passing and fancy dropping by, do! Come join us, have a coffee and a delicious homemade cake, or what ever tickles your taste buds and of course enjoy the art work! We are open 10am to 5pm on Saturdays and 2pm to 5 pm on Sundays.

That's it for today, I will try to get some images for you soon, so keep looking!

Computer Mayhem

2007-05-02T10:08:00.000+01:00

Well it is one of those irritating things! Once you have one its difficult not to have one... COMPUTERS! I don't know what has happened, but mine has had a mid-life crisis!

It half works... I can just about get on line (I'm risking writing this post to you), but I cannot get to my emails and it is a real bummer! Then when I think everything is OK, it says I've done something illegal? What does that mean? I'm just typing!!!!! AGHHHH!
I wish I made paper proofs of all sorts of things, or at least popped the important bits on to a disc... You always kid yourself that you will do it tomorrow or next week ~ but I never do! And I keep asking my darling hubby to help me, but it never happens & then this happens! POOP!

So bare with me over the next few days while I find a nice computer literate person to help me!

Thoughts of the past, present and future...

2007-04-29T12:32:00.000+01:00

Its funny, well strange in a pondering way. All those years ago at art school the tutors would get you to talk endlessly about your work, how it was developing, where the inspiration came from and what it meant. In reality, outside in the big wide world away from art school, OK well away (14 years) from art school, I find I now want to speak about my work... but very few ever ask about it or question it.

My tutors were exasperated when time after time I exclaimed "what you see is what you get" or "you tell me"! In my fight to put my foot down and not explain myself (hoping that my work would do the speaking for me) I admit I missed part of the point. They were only trying to make me understand myself and the work I had produced and how to sell it all as a package. But I hated doing it! Some students seemed to be able to reel off huge thoughts and deep meanings about there work... all bullsh*t and a waist of time to me!
I could not believe that for a piece of work to succeed it had to come with an A4 paper document explaining the process & thoughts. Why should one artwork succeed with verbal garbage and not be of any quality, when a another would fail because of lack of explanation, but be of equal if not a higher standard? I could never see why the observer couldn't look at it and understand the piece for him or herself? Surely the whole point is how you express yourself and how the beholder sees and understands it... how it speaks to them... AND how they relate to it? It is the interaction between the three ~ the artist, the work and the observer...

I guess somewhere out there; there are lots of art students still going through this process. Either, excelling in portraying their work, agonising how to make themselves sound important and prove that they are better than the nonsense that their colleagues spout out. I wonder how many of them continue after college and what percentage of talent goes by the wayside?
A couple of my tutors didn't believe that I would continue after art school... "go get married, have babies and get a nanny" was one tutors advice! I wonder if they know I have done it all (apart from the nanny bit) AND that I am still making/creating ceramic artworks! The saddest thing of all, is that out of at least 20 odd ceramic students in my year, only 2 if not 3 of us are still making and creating as far as I know.

This blog has really made me stop and think. But, all this pondering is a double edged knife ~ on one hand I now know what I'm making and feel fairly confident with it and how I portray myself; but on the other, it is my downfall... It leaves me wondering if I am spouting rubbish myself?! Asking if my work is any good or if it is too commercial, if it speaks for itself, or if anybody is interested - does anybody care? After all every piece of work is a little bit of you, so there is always going to be that inkling of self-doubt, it natural.

I suppose it's the need for standing up and being counted. I don't want my fifteen minutes of fame, I don't necessarily want to make a big difference to the world, but on a very small level it would be nice to be heard, understood and not ignored.

Black Gold - £95 (GBP) - SOLD

2007-04-26T11:15:00.000+01:00

Black earthenware clay textured and embossed with lace, the ripped rim of the vase is enhanced with gold luster, as if discovered only by ripping the clay open.
410mm x 250mm x 45mm

It is a powerful, dramatic yet elegant sculptural piece and I love this work, but it doesn't seem to sell up here in rural Scotland. Not sure why, maybe you could tell me your thoughts? I was SO chuffed with it when I had made it and the other pieces in the "Gold" series. I'll add the image of all 3 for you to see later. It was a challenge to get the thin, tall walls of each vessel to stand up and not warp in the kiln. Most people want to pick them up and talk about them, but just don't want to buy one! Maybe if they were sunny yellow, bright green then would they sell... I don't know. The big positive is that I get to keep hold of them and enjoy them for a little longer!!!

Calmed down now!!!

2007-04-26T10:50:00.000+01:00

I'm back from my disastrous break and tantrum! David managed to persuade me not to bin the figure and we have glued her back together as best as we can. I'll take some photographs for my portfolio and my eldest will have her wish.. its hers and not for sale!

This break has really set me back in this creative streak. But I am beginning to be calm enough to let myself do some work. At least it has made me stop for some thinking time. I guess it proved to me that I was just taking on a little or a lottle too much at one time.

I cannot get back to the large painting that slipped and broke the figure. It's just got stuck in a rut for now, but hey ho I'll do it sometime soon. At the same time as dismissing the painting it suddenly occurred to me that I preferred the figure when she was the rich clay brown colour, rather than the terracotta orange. Then I remembered that I had lots of dark black clay left over from some work I did at the beginning of last year, so I'm going to start another figure in this smooth black clay.

I'm off again! Well kind of, I'm not starting it straight away ~ I'm going to ponder over it a little bit more.

Disaster! Disaster! Disaster!

2007-04-17T14:06:00.000+01:00

Oh F**K! And many more obscenities! I could just scream!

I finally got my figure of the girl finished ... (I glazed it with a thin wash of white glaze letting it collect in the dips and accentuate the textures, and I decided I was happy with her) ... was about to photograph and price her, when...

CRASH BANG!

The large canvas I started yesterday slipped off the stools I had it (stupidly) balanced on and knocked the figure flying... It is now headless, cracked and badly chipped... and I am besides myself, beyond crying and wanting to have a really big tantrum!

This is the problem when you have children and no relations/family for back up near by for that little extra support. You find that you lay so much importance on something relatively minor. Like, having an afternoon to yourself, or getting out alone with your husband, or actually managing to achieve something purely for yourself outwith the family. So when it goes wrong it feels like the end of the world so to speak.

So, sorry no pictures today, just can't. I'll post something when I've calmed down.

Back to School and Nightmares

2007-04-16T20:28:00.000+01:00

As much as I hate to admit it, the children have gone back to school and playgroup ... Oh it is LOVELY! I got some initial paint strokes and outlines down on a large canvas I've just started, painted some sample tiles for my mega commission, and begun a ... diet!

All rather satisfying.. ish!

I have no pictures for you just now, but hopefully tomorrow I'll be ables to show you some photographs of what my mega commission is all about. I seem to eat, sleep and dream it just now. Lately I've been having this awful nightmare... I finally finish the job, very happy with it and deliver it without breaking a single tile driving down their amazingly bumpy pothole-y track of a driveway (I digress), then, they announce that they have changed their minds and want Aztec patterns instead!!!!!!!
HELP - the terrors of worried sleep! Aghhhh!

Gargoyle

2007-04-12T19:53:00.000+01:00

Here is a very old piece of work I did for my O'Levels! I still love it and it reminds me of a time when the world seemed against me. I was struggling through my teens, school and parental disputes... and rebelling as much as I could get away with at boarding school!

But, there was one rock in my life that I would fight tooth and nail for.. Mr Biggs and his Art Department! What I would have done without him and it I don't know... I can't image how very different my life might be now.

Clay Girl - work in progress

2007-04-10T13:39:00.000+01:00

This is my first bit of sculptural work in clay that I have done in a long long time. I REALLY enjoyed making this. It (as always) is not how I imagined it to be. I wanted a very simplified and stylised figure of a little girl, but, I forgot how much I love details and movement. My hands and imagination got carried away.

She is not very big and stands only 220mm tall. She is now fired and has changed to a bright terracotta orange, not exactly the best look... and of course I can't decide what to do next, but I do have a couple of ideas which I'm toying with. She reminds me of my eldest girl and her love of "dancing dresses" as she calls them, which flow and move as you twirl and dance around. Maybe that's why I like her, as does my daughter.. who said she would never forgive me if I sold it. I'll show you when I've finished!

I've got so many irons in the fire at the moment... a mega big commission, my paintings and so much more, that I don't know which way is up... its great! I also have some exhibition deadlines coming up, which I need some ceramics for... some how I've got to decide what to do and make for them!

Well it is certainly (so far) a year of taking up past and forgotten talents (can I say that?) and love for painting and creating. I'm really enjoying the chance to explore, experiment and get carried away. I think it gets more difficult to get these chances as you get older (dare I say it), and your responsibilities change. Having said that, I have just bought 3 large canvases, which I have no idea of what to do with, but I'm all excited! How many people can relish in the fact of just going for it... and enjoying it too!? It is probably a bit trivial to most people and possibly a bit sad, but for me its a big deal and I'm not ashamed, making excuses or talking myself out of it. So there!!!

It is the school holidays just now (if you didn't know), so my posts will be less regular, I must spend some time with the family. But I will be adding more posts, so keep me in mind the next time you log on. See you then.. and you could always leave me a message... HA! HA! Yes, I'm forever hopeful!

Coming and Going

2007-04-07T20:22:00.000+01:00

This is a slightly larger piece of work and new in approach.. as it is an abstract piece. It is themed on the tidal flow ebbing back and forth. The random rhythm of the water coming and going... coming and going.

It isn't quiet finished yet... but I'm living with it as it is for now... it needs something else but what I can't quite decide, maybe a little bit of dimension, depth or form. I'll show you when I do something about it! And let you know price and measurements then.

Christening Commission

2007-04-05T11:38:00.000+01:00

This is a lovely commission I did last month for a christening present. I painted this sweet bear, her name and the date on a 8" x 8" tile. Once again it has a boarder left clear for family, friends and Godparents attending to leave their messages of love on Olivia's special day. It is being framed at the moment, so I haven't seen it signed yet, but as soon as I do ~ you will too!

Birthday Commission

2007-04-05T11:14:00.000+01:00

Here is a commission that I did last month for a 60th birthday party... the birthday boy's nick name was Pig! The rim was left blank for all his friends at the big birthday bash to sign and leave their messages (using a special pen which can be set in the oven)!

This is a great idea and very popular for all sorts of occasions, from engagements, weddings, baby namings, to house-warmings, anniversaries, retirement... you name it!! What a super way to remember that special occasion, as well as who was there to celebrate it with you.

This is one of my newest lines in commissioned commemorative wares, that are proving more and more popular! The pieces can be on tiles to large platters and my prices start from as little as £40 up to £250.

Platform 22 Studio Gallery

2007-04-04T11:28:00.000+01:00

A picture montage of my work and the studio gallery. The gallery is always changing, and as I develop my work I seem to be filling more and more of it.

Last year I spent a lot of time trying to get other artists to join me and hang their work here, but it was extraordinarily difficult to get them to actually commit. It became a vicious circle really... and didn't really make it very fulfilling for me, or my husband ~ in fact it alienated him from the business and helping me. So why keep spiralling downwards?!

SO! I've decided that I'm going to carry on, but on a slightly different tangent. I'll fill the gallery with my work throughout the year and the occasional piece by David (hubby) and his sister Annabel ~ make it a real family affair! Then, do two specialist big exhibitions a year, like North East Open Studios (please check out the link) in September and a Spring/Summer show too.

So watch this space for new developments on the studio gallery front too! Yes! It's all happening here... I say hopefully!

Pear - £85 (GBP)

2007-04-04T10:43:00.000+01:00

Study of half a pear in acrylics painted on primed M.D.F and wooden frame. The image continues up and over the frame & it is ready to hang.
280mm x 280mm x 43mm

This is the image I was telling you about yesterday. The background is much more vivid than in this photograph, but I love the strong contrast between the soft, pale pear's flesh to the lush purple! I kept the image of the pear just inside the frame for this picture, so that it would really capture the cut centre of the fruit revealing the core and pips. I painted this relatively quickly as I didn't want to fuss over it, keeping it as simple and clean cut as I could. Hope you like it too.

Big Fat Juicy Pear - £85 (GBP)

2007-04-03T20:20:00.000+01:00

A close up study of a juicy round ripe pear, painted in acrylics on primed M.D.F and wooden frame. The painting continues over and around the frame and is ready to hang.
280mm x 280mm x 43mm

This was such fun to paint. It is an idea I have had for a long time, using the frame as part of the picture and I really want to develop this with some more expressive work and on a much bigger scale. But, for now I seem to have a great feeling for the pears skin for some reason... and most enjoy painting it. I have another study of a pear with wonderful vibrant purple background. Its a bit loud, but just good fun.

I hate to eat pears, I don't like the texture much when raw or cooked, so I think it really rather amusing how I seem to capture the skin holding in the juicy oddly textured flesh inside. My husband much enjoyed eating this at supper when I had finished painting, cutting it up and painting it once again!

Pomegranate - £80 (GBP)

2007-04-02T16:15:00.000+01:00

Study of a pomegranate in acrylic on box canvas. The image continues around the edges so there is no need to frame and it is ready to hang.
255mm x 255mm x 40mm

This was a strange painting for me, I didn't really enjoy painting it in the beginning, but I quickly stopped myself from looking at it in too much detail and then quite literally went for it... letting the colours and my hands do the work. I got rather carried away and enjoyed it very much in the end! Lots of people have commented on it saying they like it the best so far, but I'm not sure. I suppose, because it isn't exactly how I imagined it to turn out, it doesn't sit well with me for now ~ but it is growing on me.

My confidence has had a little knock lately, as my husband kindly said they were my "toilet and kitchen pieces"... I was taken totally aback by this comment, even a little disappointed that he thought so little of my work... but stopping myself from going all dramatic(!) I realised he meant that they are fun, simple paintings with nothing more to offer other than being what they are ~ and I'm sticking to that explanation! I'm having fun doing this, so I guess I have captured something other than the object painted and people seem to really like them.

This is such a new learning curve for me. I want to express myself in some manner, but fruit and veg aren't really the way of speaking to people. I really enjoy learning through these works, and am happy doing this for now... but as I have said before I want to find that thing that I cannot stop myself from doing... as if addicted or possessed. But I'm just grasping at straws now ~ I don't think painting still life's for ever more will keep me happy for ever more!

Anyway here is the first of many images I wanted to show you. Over the next few days I'll be popping many more posts onto my blog, from work in progress to my first clay sculptural piece in a while and more, so keep watching!

Mother Earth - £95 (GBP)

2007-03-31T14:13:00.000+01:00

Large terracotta earthenware bowl, using coloured slips and fine lines of silver luster (hardly if at all visible in picture).
420cm diameter x 80cm

I am having a spring sale at my studio gallery just now. Making space for new work and to stop holding on to the past. Sometimes its very difficult to part with old friends and this is one! I will be hard pressed to say good-bye.
I cannot get my new images on to my page, our camera only works on the husbands computer, and I cannot get it to move them over to mine. So, I am posting this instead.

Please bare with me... the images will be here soon!

Lack of Posts!

2007-03-28T15:36:00.000+01:00

I've been rather busy of late! I have been painting, doing some quick commissions and actually managing to do my first bit of ceramics in a while! So, I have lots of images to show you but can't get my camera to do its bit on to the computer.
My BIG commission is trudging on very slowly as I am waiting to see about these large tiles I'm ordering especially for the job. But the sketches are coming on well and I can't do any more than that!
Please keep checking over the next few days to see what I've been doing.

One of Those Days!

2007-03-17T15:10:00.000Z

Hi there! It is just one of those days!!! AGHHHHH!
I have managed to flag myself for objectionable content and don't know what this means or how it will affect my blog. In fact, I did it 2 or 3 times to try to undo this mistake! Oh! POOP!
Somebody please tell me (in normal speak not computer jargon) how to undo this, or what I can do! HELP! Looking forward to hearing from somebody!

Lemon in Metal Bowl - £55 (GBP) SOLD

2007-03-09T16:27:00.000Z

Acrylic painting of a lemon on a box canvas, the picture continues around the edges so there is no need to frame.
200mm x 200mm x 20mm

Here is a study I did of a lemon in this great little bowl I found at the school's jumble sale. I knew I wanted a lemon in it! I have really started to look at everyday objects in a very different light, since taking up painting. I'm enjoying exploring and painting things up close and personal. Getting a really good look at something that we might just pass over or take for granted.

Well, a very short and sweet post today, I have just started a picture of a pomegranate... so want to get on with it! You'll see it soon!

Capsicum - £55 (GBP) SOLD

2007-03-05T20:58:00.000Z

A still life of two capsicums in acrylics on box canvas, the painting continues around the edges. It is ready to hang and there is no need to frame.
200mm x 200mm x 20mm.

These I found a challenge to paint, but I really enjoyed painting the stalk for some peculiar reason! I intended to paint a regular pepper, but my husband bought these for me instead. Beautiful, long, ripe, red capsicums. I was going to paint them from another angle to show off their contours & length, but realised that I would not be able to paint for a few day later... so... I decided after painting them that I would especially enjoyed eating them for our supper instead! We had them roasted with butternut and bacon! YUM!
Hope you enjoy the painting as much as I did painting and eating them!

Geode Pots - left £15 (GBP) right £18 (GBP)

2007-03-05T18:13:00.000Z

Earthenware terracotta pinch pots. Polished with bees wax and raspberry fleck crystal glaze in one & blue surprise crystal glaze in the other. From the "Geodes" series.
(L) 100 mm diameter x 60 mm deep and (R) 120 mm diameter x 75 mm deep.

Geode Pot - £18 (GBP)

2007-03-04T11:14:00.000Z

Earthenware terracotta pinch pot. Clear glaze on the outside and a blue, black & white crystal glaze inside. From the series "Geodes".
150 mm x 120 mm x 65 mm deep

Geode Pot - £15 (GBP)

2007-03-03T17:48:00.000Z

Earthenware terracotta pinch pot with a Dalmatian crystal glaze inside. From the series "Geodes".
Around 130 mm diameter x 80 mm deep

The idea behind my series of Geode pots is the discovery of a treasure inside ~ all of us have it in us. Its like stumbling across a geode (rock), when it is split you find an amazing wonder inside.. a true treasure!
I like the idea that you uncover something old, that has taken maybe millions of years to form, but it is new in the fact it has only just been discovered.
So... I have mixed together old traditional techniques ~ the pinch pot vessel and keeping the form simple, but over stretched the clay to give the outside a cracked weathered feel. After all firings I then polish each vessel with beeswax for a buffed feel.
Then in contrast I mixed it with the "new" by glazing the inside with a crystal glaze ~ a relatively modern/new pottery glazing technique. The glaze has crystals suspended in it, once applied to the ware and it is being fired the crystals react during the firing, releasing burst of color ~ I can't predict how the crystals perform... so even a small surprise for me too!
These are very pleasing shapes which are extremely tactile. Each one holds within it a wonderful richly coloured burst of treasure inside. It's funny, everybody seems drawn to them and compelled to pick them up, cradle them and peep in side.

Butternut Squash - £55 (GBP) SOLD

2007-03-03T15:13:00.000Z

Close up study of a butternut squash, painted in acrylics on to a box canvas. The image continues around the edges, it is ready to hang & no need to frame.
200mm x 200mm x 20mm

I love butternut squash, it is delicious. A recent find to our food/eating menu. Don't know how we missed out before. I have only really come to like this painting until now, in fact, it was my very first "getting back to painting" painting ~ done over a month ago! I chose the butternut because foolishly I thought... Gosh this is going to be easy... then I got to the pips... Oh they were infuriating!
It made me realise and admire all the paintings a day people ~ the talent and.. dam! I am SOOOO rusty! I decided that it had to be put away for a little while, so this is why you haven't seen it until now! It was one of those times it had to be either put down & stop painting, or I would be at it forever, OR in the bin!
Now I love the colours ~ all the golden yellows, creams, flesh tones to the warm ripe orange to reds. Never thought I'd see the day that I liked orange! And I really like the table cloth that curls around the edge of the box canvas. I'm a perfectionist I suppose (no suppose ~ I am) and had it in my mind that it should be much more detailed, but actually I like the swift paintbrush strokes I used for the pips in the end, it gives that huddled & muddled feel, especially in contrast to the smooth hard flesh.

Funny how over time you come to change your perception about something. Yes I like it a lot now!

All this painting reminded me of my school teacher Alan Biggs (check out the link), if it hadn't been for his support, patience & dedication, I don't know where my art would be in my life. He gave me my first belief in myself and my art creations... I certainly would not have got any of my exams, or went to art school if he had not been there for me. Everybody needs that amazing teacher in school... and I was so very lucky to have him... Even better we still keep in touch and occasionally see each other. What I should be saying is "Thank you Mr. Biggs!"

The thing that amazes me about this blog thing... is every time I sit down, I never think I have anything to say. But it just pours out ~ it must be the conversations I don't have... the children free zone in my head that I've found a way of expressing. Having said that my mind has just gone completely blank... I'll sign off now before I launch into the next topic and save it for another day!

Hope you like my butternut, go and get one, cook it up for supper and enjoy!

Crunchie Juicy Apples - £70 (GBP) -SOLD

2007-02-26T15:46:00.000Z

Study of three green apples in acrylic on box canvas; the image continues around the edges of the canvas so there is no need to frame.
505 mm x 200 mm x 15 mm.
I'm personally not a great fan of Granny-Smith apples, they are far to tart for my liking ~ its rather like biting into a lemon. But I'm please to I have also captured a sensation as well as the apples, so that when you look at these your mouth almost starts to salivate getting ready to take a bite!

Well, what can I say! The children are back at school now and it has taken me a little bit of time to get myself back into my own little routine!
I have been checking up on my blog when I can to see if anybody has had a look or left me a message. Do drop me a line! Otherwise I don't know if its worth sitting down religiously and pouring out my soul ( yes! I'm melodramatic too)!

Can anybody tell me if I can add a counter to my blog so I can monitor how many people have tapped into my rambling words?

This last week has mostly been taken up with organising a artist Creative Exchange group, and working out all the beginning steps to entice other artists to join in and let it grow. I have also landed myself a fantastic commission to tile around a chimney. Big job for me! I will post pictures as I go along.

Talking of posts, what do you make of my latest painting. Please do leave me a message if you are interested in any of my work. That's it for today. Short and sweet! Hope to hear from you soon!

Pair Of Pears - £55 (GBP) - SOLD

2007-02-17T16:20:00.000Z

Study of pears in acrylic on box canvas the image continues around the sides, so there is no need to frame.
200 mm x 200 mm x 20 mm.

I should never write about my creative block! I haven't been able to get back to writing, painting, potting or anything really. The children are on a mini school break, so time is not my own really ~ I've been getting stuck at every turn.
So, today in desperation I am posting one of my first paintings, let me know what you think... but remember, be kind now!!!

Its all coming back now since my days at art school (oh! Hark at me!), like... as I finish each painting I have a small sense of tingling excitement ~ quietly proud, not too cocky. Its funny, I'm having to re-learn all over again how to actually look and observe with my eyes and not my head and then translate that through my hands ~ very different to creating in clay which is imagination rather than observation. But working on my own I always wonder what the public response would be... even though these first paintings are hardly offensive; yes, yes here comes the tough self-critic and self-doubt!
So, to keep on the safe side I'm starting with simple still lives, and eventually I’m going to build up to something more emotional, or thought provoking (heaven knows what though)... I always cover all scenarios, as I don't much like failure ~ well who does? I want to achieve so much and do it NOW! The frustration is just humongous!

Round Platter

2007-02-14T16:35:00.000Z

Earthenware platter, in greens and yellow engobes and tube lining.
37.5 cm diameter.
£75 (GBP) ~ SOLD

Artistic Block

2007-02-14T15:30:00.000Z

Today I have been thinking a lot about how to develop this blog page.
I have started to place images of my work, which seems fine for now. I would like to use this blog by way of a tool to get myself "out there", to sell my work (I'll create a link to eBay soon) and to discover where I am going ~ in creating my own work so to speak.

I am suffering from a huge, enormous, great big, mammoth of an artistic block! I thought it was the dreadful post Christmas / New Year gluck.. no mans land... but it still drags on. Plus, geewhillickers my darling children are a big distraction too! So, I don't seem to get a moment to myself to soul search I suppose.
I have, how ever, been waisting lots of time on eBay! I discovered a wonderful artist called Sheila Vaughan (please see link) she introduced me to the American painting craze of "A Painting a Day" (again check out the link). So, I decided in this time of desperation to change direction and turn my hands to other creative sources in hope of inspiration. After all when I was at art school, if I lacked direction I just popped through to another art department.
So, watch this space. Who knows where this blog and art journey will take me. And maybe you might see something you might like to purchase.

Rectangular Platter

2007-02-14T10:21:00.000Z

Earthenware slip-cast rectangular platter, decorated with blue and green engobes, tube lining and mother of pearl lustre.
19.6 cm x 38.9 cm
£60 (GBP) ~ SOLD

Square Ocean Platter

2007-02-13T15:38:00.001Z

Earthenware slip-cast platter decorated in turquoise & yellow engobes, tube-lining and mother of pearl lustre.
29.3 cm x 29.3 cm
£55 (GBP) ~ SOLD

Ocean Platters

2007-02-12T20:21:00.000Z

Here are three dishes from my "Ocean Platter" series, which I started making in 2005. Platters vary in size, shape and colour.
Prices from £25 to £75
Each platter is slip cast and decorated with engobes (coloured slips) by painting and printing techniques, then I tube-line thin lines (a bit like piping onto cakes!) to create texture and ripples across the surface. The piece is biscuit fired, then glazed and fired again. Finally I apply lines of silver or gold luster for their reflective qualities and fire the piece once more. It all sounds rather laborious, but definitely worth it ~ each piece has a fluid depth with a wonderful tactile quality.