Journal

I was surprised and delighted to be invited to exhibit at the 2012 Royal Horticultural Society Flower Show at Tatton Park, back in Decmeber.

However, after overcoming the initial excitement (..which took a while!) and considering other commitments and exhibitions I am already working towards, I felt that I just didn't have enough time to prepare myself and create sufficient artwork to attend the Flower Show this year.

Exhibiting at the RHS Flower Shows has always been something I have aspired to for longer than I can remember but had always delayed such ambitions until both my children were at school, this of course being from September 2012! So with a whole year to plan and prepare, I hope very much to be involved in the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show in July 2013. Luckily the organisers understood my position and reasoning.

..I'm excited already!

My 'Christmas 2011,' Exhibition Opens tomorrow, Saturday 10th December 2011 when Philip's Bastow's Workshop and Gallery will be open for a special, 'late shopping evening'. This exhibition will run through into the new year. Framed tissue paper collage originals and unframed Originals on Canvas are on display and for sale in The Art Gallery on the ground floor and also upstairs, above Philip's workshop. Please see the events section for further details.

...I love this time of year and wish all a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year!

With the Living North Christmas Fair held at the Newcastle Racecourse over once again for the year; I'd just like to thank everyone who came over to visit my stand and hope that lots of fun was had by all at the event.

I have a couple of commissions on the go at the moment and I'm also straight back into creating new original artwork to take along to the next Living North Christmas Fair to be held at Harewood House, Leeds. This fair opens on Friday 25th November and with so much to do and so little time left to do it in, I'd better get cracking!

With the Living North Christmas Fair at Gosforth park, Newcastle Racecourse, just over a week away it's busy, busy, busy!

Don't miss this fantastic annual event!

Living North Christmas Fair 2011

Just returned from a visit to the gorgeous Swaledale village of Reeth, located in the idyllic countryside of the North Yorkshire Dales. Such a beautiful day over there too!

A selection of my original (framed and also unframed originals on canvas) are now on display and for sale in this lovely part of the world.

Why not pop over to Reeth, take in some breathtaking scenery, be fascinated by Philip's individually tailored furniture using oak, ash, sycamore and elm and view my Autumn collection of tissue paper collage originals while you're there?

Philip Bastow's Workshop and Gallery

Thank you to everyone who called in to the Gardener's cottage up at Eggleston Hall over the last week and helped make this years open studios event such a success. I hope you all had as much fun as I did!

Sunday 25th September, and Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd October 2011. 10 am to 5pm.

I have set up my studio for the event and will be creating tissue paper collage original artwork in the gorgeously set, Gardener's Cottage in the grounds of Eggleston Hall near Barnard Castle.

Teesdale is a beautiful area, the high fells of the upper dale are such a wonderful backdrop to the top half of the gardens. The Eggleston Hall gardens are beautiful and very inspiring, the nurseries stock a fantastic range of plants and flowers and a with a fantastic cafe, it really is a great place to visit. .... and such lovely weather promised too!

Why not come and visit us?

I'm off to Eggleston Hall Gardens in the morning to begin setting up for the forthcoming Open Studios Event. This year I will be demonstrating and creating original artwork in the Gardener's Cottage, Eggleston Hall Gardens at Eggleston Hall.

I will be working in the studio on Saturday 24th, Sunday 25th September, and Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd October 2011. 10 am to 5pm.
During the week: Wednesday 28th and Friday 30th September. 10 am to 5 pm.

Eggleston Hall Gardens, Eggleston, Barnard Castle, Durham, England, DL12 0AG.

The last couple of months have been busy, the recent exhibitions at The Station in Richmond and The Witham Hall in Barnard Castle have been very successful and enjoyable too. Thank you to all who visited.

I have now taken a selection of original artwork over to Philip Bastow's Gallery in Reeth, this exhibition will run through to mid September. I have a number of commissions to work on and then will be starting preparations for the Open Studios event in September.

Best wishes for a less rainy summer!

Finally got around to joining facebook, something I have been meaning to do for a while.

I have also just set up a business page. I need 25 'likes' to guarentee my spot. Please, 'like me,' by clicking the link below. Thank you.

Gosh...Where did June go! ....Very busy month - Suzanne and I had a great exhibition at The Station in Richmond. Thank you to all who came to see us.

....Busy, busy, busy....I'm working very hard (..and late in to the night!) in preparation for the launch of the new Spring/Summer Collection at The Station in Richmond next month.

The Exhibition Opens on Saturday 11th June and runs through to Friday 24th June 2011.

The Station, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 4LD.

I'm keeping busy working on new original artwork for the forthcoming exhibitions in the Summer. Experimenting with different colour combinations, compostions and varieties of flowers, I really am having great fun being creative and feel very lucky to have the enthusiasm and support from my husband, family and friends which allows me to do so.

This gorgeous sunny weather is really helping the garden along, bringing the beautiful flowers and blossoms to full bloom. So very inspiring...

I'm continuing to work on creating new and exciting original artwork for the forthcoming Spring Summer exhibitions. Inspired and very enthusiastic, with just a slight lack of sleep, I'm having lots of fun!

...December was a very busy month, with many late nights and early mornings I amazingly managed to complete all commissions on time but then fell ill over Christmas ..Cracking Timing!

With many new year resolution intentions, including a need for many more early nights and a definate need to be more organised next Christmas!! Right now, I'm having great fun enjoying some quality family time...

...Having said that, I am feeling very inspired and can't wait to get creative again.

Very best wishes for a healthy and happy New Year!

We have a Winter Wonderland in Staindrop, it's very pretty ...and very cold!

Just returned from the Essence Of Christmas Fair in Harrogate at the weekend, the Snow created a very romantic setting for such an event. Thank you to all who braved the severe winter conditions and came anyway.

I now have a number of commissions to work on, many of which need to be complete for Christmas. ...And with that I shall be off to be creative.

..."Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year"...

I've just returned from The Living North Essence Of Christmas Fair at The Newcastle Racecourse. The exhibition proved to be very successful and was of course, great fun!

Once again I was lucky enough to bump in to people who had purchased my artwork seven or eight years ago which is really lovely. I still find it hard to believe that I have been working in this style for over ten years now.

The Living North Essence Of Christmas Fair in Harrogate is my next deadline. The first Living North fair in Yorkshire promises to be every bit as exciting as the Newcastle one. I am planning to have some new original artworks on canvas for the event, as well as the framed original artworks, open edition prints, limited edition prints and ever growing collection of greetings cards. For further information, please follow the link. Living North Fairs

The Teesdale Open Studios Event for 2010 has just come to an end. I have to say last week I was finding the whole idea very daunting but I have had a really lovely time. I set up my studio in the, 'My Generation,' retro boutique in Barnard Castle. A fantastic little space and I have met some very interesting people along the way. A special thank you to Suzanne for inviting me to set up in her middle room. We had an amazing 205 people come through the doors on the first Saturday. Fantastic!

11th October 2010 - I am incredibly busy at the moment finishing off several commissions acquired earlier in the year. I am also working on a number of small pieces of artwork on canvas. There has been a lot of interest taken in the couple I had and sold at the exhibition at The Station in Richmond, back in June and also at Philip Bastow's Workshop and Gallery in Reeth.

I hope to have several finished and on display for the Teesdale Open Studios Event (..less than two weeks away now!) and those which are not finished I plan to be working on during the event.

If you'd like to come along to see my new work and watch me working, please follow the link to The Open Studios Website, where all the necessary information can be found and the new 2010 booklets can be downloaded.

For this years Teesdale Open Studios Event , I will be setting up a temporary studio in the new and exciting, vintage, retro boutique known as, 'My Generation.' Located right next to the Butter Market, opposite Barclays Bank in Barnard Castle town centre. Parking can be found directly outside the shop, there are also a number of car parks and other street parking close by.

I will be working in the studio on Saturday 23rd, Sunday 24th, Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st October 2010. 10.30am - 5.30pm.

'My Generation,' boutique will be open as normal during the week. My artwork will be on display in the studio throughout the open studios event, although I cannot be there every day during the week.

To meet me at the studio during week days, please phone in advance to avoid disappointment.

If you have any questions about this or any of the other up and coming exhibitions please don't hesitate to contact me.

Teesdale Open Studios

...The Living North Christmas Fairs are fast approaching too! Newcastle Racecourse 4th - 7th November and Yorkshire Event Centre 26th -28th November 2010. Please follow the links for more information regarding these fantastic Christmas Fairs.

Living North Fairs

9th August 2010 - Although a bit of a balancing act at the moment, whenever I do get some spare time I can't wait to get back up to the attic and enjoy being artistic and creative all over again. In fact it is quite a treat!

...This afternoon however, my four year old daughter decided that she should come up with me, (.. in her own words..) ".. Just to see what's actually going on up there!" This is not normally allowed however on this occasion she won me over, so off we went. I sat her at an easel with her own sheet of stretched paper and wooden board and I have to admit it was an entertaining experience for all especially when she almost immediately launched in to 'song' as she started her collage creation. ...And with a big pot of glue and a mass of coloured tissue papers surrounding her she was in her element!!

As enjoyable as it was, thankfully after a little while she decided she may be missing something more exciting downstairs with Daddy and her little brother, so I did eventually have quite a productive couple of hours at work.

I am currently working on a number of commisions along with some new work on paper and canvas in preparation for the forthcoming exhibitions and fairs.

I have just returned from a 'Teesdale Open Studios,' Meeting, where all the final ideas and plans are coming together. As well as the actual open studios week there will be an exhibtion at The Station in Richmond and also at The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle. I will update the website once all details have been confirmed.

If you would like a copy of the official Teesdale Open Studios/Artists Network Booklet once it becomes avalable just leave your details and I will arrange to send one out. Contact Victoria

Anyway wishing you a very happy summer and with that, I had now better get back to some work!!

27th July 2010 - The summer is going so fast, I just can't keep up! I had thought July may be a slightly less hectic month following the two exhibitions and two children's parties to organise in June but to be honest my feet have hardly touched the ground!

It is just over a year now since deciding to venture out on a slightly more exciting path by promoting and selling my artwork myself. ...Of course fitting around the needs of my two lovely children, which basically means working whenever they go to sleep!!

The 2009 Living North Fairs were my debut and having also had a number of successful exhibitions since I am really looking forward to the forthcoming fairs to exhibit my new collection of distinctive and striking tissue paper collage artwork. At this years fairs, in addition to the original framed art work and greeting cards, I will have available a number of Limited Edition and Open Edition Giclée prints and also original unframed artworks on canvas.

This year I will also be taking part in The Teesdale Open Studios Event running over Saturday 23rd, Sunday 24th, Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st October 2010.

This is all very exciting but I have a lot of work to get done!!

...so I'm off to be creative....

24th June 2010 - After successful exhibitions at The Station, in Richmond and The Witham Hall in Barnard Castle it has been a busy month to say the least. Thank you to everyone who visited the exhibitions, I hope you enjoyed viewing the work. Thank you also for the many lovely 'comments' left too.

I have just returned from taking a selection of artwork up to Reeth, in Swaledale, North Yorkshire, for the next exhibition to be held at Philip Bastow's Workshop and Art Gallery.

Over the last couple of weeks I have acquired a number of commissions to work on, which will certainly keep me out of trouble for a short while - at least!!

8th June 2010 - With the exhibition at The Station in Richmond still ongoing, orders for Wedding Invitations and children's Birthday party organising ...in the rain! -including baking and icing a Rainbow cake; this month has already been really rather hectic and we are not even half way through!

Thank you so much to everyone who has been to view the exhibition at The Station so far and for the lovely comments written too.

I hope you are very happy with your purchases and I hope they bring, 'Sunshine,' in to your homes even on the rainiest and dullest of days! Thank you

The exhibition at The Station is running until Friday 11th June so there's still a couple of days left to view. ...Hope to see you there.

Suzanne and I are also organising our second exhibition at The Witham Hall in Barnard Castle. This exhibition opens on Friday 18th June at 10am and runs through to 4pm on Wednesday 23rd June. Suzanne and I will try to be there together as often as possible between the hours of 10am and 4pm.

This month has flown by whilst preparing for the exhibition at The Station in Richmond. I've been working on some new work especially for the event so it's all very exciting!

The Exhibition opens on Saturday 29th May and runs through to Friday 11th June 2010. My artwork will be on display on The Mezzanine for the full two weeks along with Suzanne's Jewellery. I intend to be at The Station as much as possible (...but with two small children it is taking a bit of organising!)

Currently I plan to be at The Station from 10am until 4pm on Saturday 29th, Sunday 30th and Bank Holiday Monday 31st May. Also Friday 4th, Saturday 5th and Friday 11th June. Suzanne and I will be taking the exhibtion down from about 10am on Friday 11th June.

On the days when I can attend the Station, I will have cards and limited edition prints on display and for sale in addition to the original artwork.

I aim to keep these details up to date so if there are any changes to the dates when I am able to attend they will be shown on this website as soon as possible.

I will attempt some spontaneous visits to The Station on other days too but if you would like to meet with me, please leave a message to let me know when you plan to be there and I will do my best to be there too.

Please do come along, entry is free and it really is a fantastic place to visit.

April just seems to have come around and be passing so quickly. Spring is such a lovely time of year with the light nights and gorgeous flowers in the gardens, I'm feeling very inspired.

Thank you to everyone who came over to my stand at the British Craft Trade Fair in Harrogate earlier this month. I really enjoyed the whole experience and having never attended a trade fair up until now, I learned an awful lot in a couple of days! Please don't hesitate to Contact Me if you wish to follow up any discussions we may have had.

I am now looking forward to my next exhibition to be held at The Station in Richmond starting on 29th May and running through to the 11th June.

Alongside my original art work on display at The Station, there will be a stunning range of necklaces, bracelets and earings, designed and individually created by Suzanne Tweddle of Suzanne Jewellery .

'The Station,' really is such a great venue to visit, (not to mention the delicious cakes!) We hope to see you there...

I've been busy doing lots of research, organising and looking into exhibitions, fairs and visiting possible venues for exhibiting. As well, of course, as trying to escape up to my studio at every opportunity to work on some new images and designs.

...although I've enjoyed every moment, experimenting and creating new art work is definately more fun!

After entering two pieces of artwork into, 'The County Durham Spring Open Art Exhibition', I am delighted that both pieces have been successful and will be included in the exhibition running from 19th April to 8th May at, 'Locomotion' ', The National Railway Museum at Shildon, County Durham.

Also, I'm very much looking forward to the Spring Exhibition at, 'The Station,' in Richmond, North Yorkshire, running from the 29th May to 11th June. Once more Suzanne and I are working together on this one. My original tissue paper collage Art Work will be on display alongside Suzanne's beautifully hand created glass beads, which she incorporates into a stunning range of necklaces, bracelets and earings.

Suzanne has been working on new ideas and designs too, so it's all very exciting!

'The Station', is a truly fantastic venue and well worth a visit. Hope to see you there!

I am feeling very inspired and enthusiatic about the year ahead.

Some of you may know that as well as the original art work displayed on this web site, I have also designed a selection of greeting cards based on my original art work. These went down very well at the recent exhibitions and will hopefully soon be available to purchase on this website.

I am also looking into creating a number of limited edition prints to sell alongside my original art work. If you are interested in either cards or limited edition prints before they become available on this site please Contact Me .

In January I was approached to do a talk and demonstration for, The Barnard Castle Art Appreciation Society. I took a number of pieces of recent art work along with my portfolio, which shows clearly how I have progressed and developed my style over the last thirteen years. I believe fun was had by all and I have since, been asked to do a similar session for The Cotherstone Flower Club, in May. I have worked on a number of projects with children in various schools so it was quite a different, but equally enjoyable experience, working with adults this time.

Still very much enjoying working from home. which allows me to be there for and enjoy my young children as they grow. Although it is quite a challenge getting the balance right!

...We are all very much looking forward to spring and all the wonderful colours and flowers that it may bring.

Happy New Year!

....Gosh! What a lot of snow!

I've been very busy with card projects and desperately trying to motivate myself to get up in the attic to work on a commission and some new work. It is just so cold up there!!

I have in fact resorted to bringing my work downstairs to work on, which is great unless the chilldren gain access to the room in question. If they do see my room full of coloured tissue papers and pots of glue, their eyes just light up. The potential damage, mess and just general chaos they are very good at creating, would reach a whole new level!

...such Fun!!

I really enjoyed meeting those of you who visited the recent exhibition in Barnard Castle. Thank you for taking the time to visit at such a busy time of year. Suzanne and I have booked this venue again. I will be co-ordinating a Spring/Summer exhibition of Art work to be displayed alongside Suzanne's very individual and stunning jewellery, back at The Witham Hall in June 2010.

If you have any questions with regard to my Framed original art work or if you are interested in commissioning a special piece, please do not hesitate to Contact Me .

...Christmas just seems to have arrived so quickly and there still seems to be so much to do...

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year.

November 2009: Thank you to all those who came to see me and my work at the two Living North Christmas Fairs. It was lovely to meet you all and I very much enjoyed chatting and hearing your reactions to my work.

...And to those of you who purchased some of my original art work, I hope you are enjoyng it!

I also acquired a number of commissions as a direct result of the Christmas Fairs. I had actually forgotten how exciting it can be to work with a client to create a unique piece of art work specific to their requirements. It really becomes a very special experience for all involved.

If anyone has any questions or thoughts with regard to art work on display at the fairs or even how to go about commissioning art work, please do not hesitate to Contact Me .

I have been given a fantastic opportunity (..at very short notice) to exhibit at The Witham Hall - Castle Gallery, Barnard Castle, County Durham.

My Framed original art work will be on display and available to purchase alongside the beautfully hand created glass beads incorporated in to a stunning range of necklaces, bracelets and earings, of Suzanne Tweddle of Suzanne Jewellery.

Neither Suzanne or myself have exhibited our work in the wonderfully historic town of Barnard Castle so it will hopefully be an exciting experience for us both.

The exhibition is open from Friday 27th November to Wednesday 2nd December 2009, 10am - 4pm.

Please do call in to see us.

The Living North Christmas Fairs are fast approaching, and there still seems lots of organising and preparing to do. (..Although I promise I am not panicking!)

I've been working on a number of new pieces of art, these are soon to be presented on the website and will be on display and for sale at the fairs. I am so looking forward to meeting people at the wonderful venues and really just the whole experience.

Feeling very enthusiastic and inspired I have really enjoyed and appreciated having, once again, dedicated time to create art work. I have to thank Ian and my Mum and Dad for all their help and support which has enabled me to have this special time.

Something New: I have also been working on a range of greetings card designs taken form original art work. These will be available to purchase for the first time at The Living North Christmas Fairs and I intend to have them on display and available to purchase on the website shortly.

It's all very exciting..

The Living North Christmas Fairs 2009:
Newcastle Racecourse, Gosforth Park 5th - 8th November and Wynyard Hall 13th - 15th November. (See, 'Links,' page for more details)