Flowers exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery
I went along to the Saatchi Gallery to see the Flowers exhibition today, it was an exploration of the many flowers, incorporating different techniques, media and scale. It covers the love of flowers from the boom of Dutch Flower painting in the 17th and 18th centuries to the 19th century Arts & Crafts movement which incorporated floral design in to paintings, architecture, books, furniture and decorative arts and everyday life, as well as how flowers have been used by contemporary artists.. Here are some of my favourite works of art from the exhibition.
The benefits of Organic Cotton
Organic cotton offers numerous benefits, making it an increasingly popular choice among consumers who are concerned about the environment, their health, and ethical practices. One of the most significant advantages is its environmental impact. Organic cotton is grown without the use of harmful pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Rockpools and seaweed
The rocks at Meadfoot make for excellent rockpools, as much today as when I was a child and I still enjoy gazing in to them and admiring seaweed, shells, pebbles, rocks and fossil formations.
Beach life
These sand mason worms construct fascinating little tubes from bits of shell and sand, like mini sand trees, which protect the worms and help trap food.
Long weekend
I wanted to let you know that I have a few of my scarf designs left if you are looking to jolly up an outfit this Spring, or know someone who does. The bright colours and patterns are mood boosting and being printed on organic cotton, they are super soft and versatile. I tie mine around my bag or wrist when it is not around my neck keeping me warm… or cool. I’ve asked the printing company where they source their fabric from and the organic cotton for these particular scarves is sourced in China. I use organic cotton to support the farmers who choose this environmentally friendly way to work the land and keep it free from harmful pollutants. They don’t use chemicals or toxins to control pests. Organic cotton also uses up to 80% less water to produce than conventional cotton so it is one of the most sustainable fabrics available.
The joy and therapy in colour
As someone who also makes stained glass as well as designing pattern for textiles, I am fascinated by colour. From a holistic point of view colours are associated with the different chakras in the body. Chakras are known to be in balance or out of balance, and it’s possible to realign them with their associated colours. Crystals bearing these colours can be used to promote certain feelings and well-being, the vibrations of the colours benefit different zones in the body. For my textile designs I am drawn to bold and bright colours and looking across the whole range, it’s possible to see that they have a Mid Century Modern feel to them. If you are looking for particular colours with therapy in mind, this is a guide to help you decide where different colours are used throughout my Inkwell Designs collection.
Using Organic Cotton
When I was researching which fabric I wanted to print my designs on to, I looked at a whole range of textiles. In the past I might have considered silk, however since becoming vegan I wanted to be as insect friendly as possible as well. I’ve learned so much about the benefits of organic cotton as opposed to conventional cotton.
Inspiring places: Meadfoot Beach
I’m so lucky to have grown up in Torquay, it’s a beautiful part of the world and somewhere I continue to spend lots of time. There are many local beaches which are very close to my heart, they are my happy place to be
Parallax Art Fair, Feb 23
We are off to Parallax Art Fair tomorrow to showcase our six scarf designs. The Art Fair will be located at Kensington Town Hall, and is open to the public from Saturday 18 Feb - Sunday 19 Feb from 11am - 5pm.
A love of mark making
There is something about repeat pattern that makes my brain happy. With my stained glass work I appreciate the therapeutic qualities of colour, the flow of lines and the process of mark-making, and I have been able to incorporate these creative elements throughout my Inkwell Designs textile design collection as well.