Creative Residency Exhibition

Way back in June 2011 I took part in a Creative Residency tutoring a group of wonderful students in screen-printing and textiles. Last night the organisers of this amazing opportunity held an exhibition of the completed sketchbooks, fabric. and prints and to say I was a little proud would be a hugh understatement. It was great to see how they had changed and progressed, hear what their plans are for the future and know that a week of being creative can send you on a journey you might not expect (for me and them). Check out the great work below, I wish I had been this good when I was in my mid teens...Enjoy!

Above: Sketchbook work, this student had an amazing eye for combining different found and bought materials and adding in his own sketches too.

Above: Another great sketchbook, getting the students to record information quickly, add notes and not be afraid if something goes wrong to carry on were some of the key points they learnt in just 5 days!

Above: Printed works inspired by Oban, the students weren't afraid of a bit of colour...great!

Above: And not everyone just printed, it was great to get them to manipulate and have a play with textiles too, this was looking at recreating ropes found at the harbour but using lots of fun colours.

Above: Work inspired by Oban, different students created these pieces but they compliment each other perfectly...loving the anchor.

Above: And some wonderful hand painted onto screen seahorses, which were printed onto paper and fabric. Don't they look impressive framed too...very professional.

Adventures and Excitement in 2012

You're probably wondering where I've vanished for the past month and a half, apart from it having been Christmas and New Year, I have somewhat disappeared off the blogging radar and I'll tell you why...because running your own business is tough! Anyone that thinks it's all drawing pretty pictures and making new products would sadly be mistaken, there's admin, development, courses, networking, printing, distributing, invoicing, researching, events and exhibitions and that's on a good day! But you know what I LOVE it. I've finally set up a fan page on Facebook, developed these new brooches above, started getting my head in gear for an upcoming trade fair (my first trade event selling GraceInk products...scary), started taking lots of photos of my work for my website and managed to finally start listing more goodies on Etsy...not bad for 2012 so far.

I hope you enjoy GraceInk's advancements over the past month and I'm really looking forward to the exciting adventures that lay ahead in 2012, even if it has taken me half of January to say so. Whatever you're upto creatively I really hope it's a successful year for you guys too...work hard, smile lots, eat pleanty of chocolate and everything will come right in the end!