No time for embroidery

It’s been a very busy week – our local art exhibition opened last weekend and I was astounded at how many people came, and the interest they showed. We were part of NEOS, which is the North-East Open Studio event. This takes place every year in Aberdeenshire and consists of artists all over the area opening their studios to the public, and galleries mounting special exhibitions. Our small exhibition was limited to artists from the Strathdon and Glenbuchat areas, and I wasn’t the only one who was amazed at how many first-class artists live in this small rural community. In fact the whole county of Aberdeenshire is rich in creative talent

I’m spending a lot of time at the show demonstrating the embroidery machine and people are fascinated by the way that technology can be used to translate design into a new kind of art form

Here is a picture of my stand at the show. I’m afraid the quilts in the background aren’t mine, but were made by two very talented local quilt-makers

The Accidental Embroiderer at the Glenbuchat NEOS exhibition

If that wasn’t enough to make life busy this week, I’ve also been attending a workshop by textile artists Alison King and Rose Campbell, held at a nearby arts centre, The Woodend Barn, in Banchory. I’ve been to Alison’s workshops before and they are always very challenging. As a result I never do very good work there, but the ideas and techniques that she teaches have a huge influence on my work, once I have the chance to sit down and think about it