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resources for the textile arts community
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resources for the textile arts community
I live in Maidstone, Kent and after obtaining a Fine Arts degree in the early eighties, my understanding of paper, textiles and related media was further enhanced through two periods of long-term study in Japan in the mid to late eighties (supported by the Japan Foundation and the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.)
I continue to develop my techniques working in both gallery and non-gallery spaces. I like to use discarded items, waste material no longer considered useful. My work is informed by personal experience, places visited, stories of my grandmother, old and forgotten textiles. Recycled materials and waste have a history. These I break down, tear, and cut, until they are re-assembled to create something more meaningful. Fragments and layers mark the passing of time, the rituals of making (cutting paper, gathering materials, machining, sewing) acting as part of the narrative of the work.
I tutor on PGCE and college courses including Painting and Drawing at Adult Education. I also teach at West Dean College and have also worked on a residency at the colleges and have had work purchased for their collection. I work both locally and internationally and have run workshops and held exhibitions in Italy, France and the USA. More recently I spent three weeks working with textile groups in Colorado and for 'Art in the Frame' in Jersey. I am currently writing a book for Batsford, The Found Object in Embroidery and Textile Arts due out in October 2010. I am also touring in a two-person exhibition, Natural Histories, see my websites for up to date information.
In addition to developing my own practice, I work on commissions and exhibitions, developing projects with people of all ages and abilities within the community sector, schools, museums and recently, even on the beach. I also enjoy the challenge of working on site-specific projects and installations in collaboration with other artists, performers and musicians.
The following is a sample list of practical workshops. I can also offer talks on my own practice and issues surrounding paper, textiles and the use of found material. Most of the workshops can be run for introductory sessions of a day or developed more intensely, combined with other techniques and run over a number of days.
Artists always make reference to other images and narrative. Use of old books and maps as a starting point to create a new work. The book and text references you decide to use will direct the content as you apply processes from layering and cutting techniques through to stitch and print. The creative process develops as you find your subject matter and combine with materials and mediums of your choice. We will look at progressing through sketchbooks/journals as we work.
Explore the physical ideas of layering textiles and paper. Layers hide and reveal, can be heavy and solid, but they can also be thin and transparent. They can conceal and also create curiosity and encourage closer observation. We will create visual layers through painting and printing, and we will further work with collage constructions and fabric manipulation to create physical layering. Participants will be asked to bring a small treasured object, which will be used as a starting point for developing a series of small collages, that later could be the inspiration for a larger piece.
A focus on colour, line, texture and mark making with fabric, paper and stitch. A playful 'what if?' approach to design and an appreciation of the experimental approach to gaining inspiration for textile and mixed media work. By enlisting 'found objects', we will create tools to paint, print and stamp with onto fabric. The creative process develops as you find your subject matter and combine with materials and mediums of your choice. A series of creative exercises will further help to develop a personal expression and add meaning to your work.
Workshop looking at using old cotton based clothing (shirts, aprons, children's clothes etc) as a starting point for new work. We will look at deconstruction and rejoining methods as well as surface intervention, either dry techniques (stitch and markers, crayons) or wet techniques (dye, and paper layering) or both.
This workshop looks at aspects of 'green thinking' and the 'Use of the Found' as a means to stimulating creativity - not just by recycling old fabric or vintage fabric, but by completely altering it through a variety of experimental design and paint techniques. Textiles have a rich tradition of creating beautiful artworks from the recycling of materials, from outgrown and outlived clothing and bedding to flour sacks and bags. Create 'new works' from unconventional old and vintage materials.
This workshop introduces mixed media methods to explore the character and the quality of old, decaying and historical surfaces. We will literally go 'Beyond the Surface' and look at the layers below. Graphic and tactile qualities of texture will be explored in making marks as we work with both paper and textile. Participants will be asked to bring an image or tactile object which will be used as a starting point for developing a series of small collages, that later could be the inspiration for a larger piece.
I am happy to discuss additional workshops in paper, textiles, mixed media and drawing or to work on commissioned projects and exhibitions.
I can offer the workshops to a hosting organisation, schools, colleges, museum and textile groups at their own venue. More intimate workshops can be offered at my own premises for two to four students. They run from 10 - 4 with refreshments provided. Please bring your own lunch and sewing machine (optional). I will supply a list of requirements and further details at time of booking. The fee per person is £50.00-£75.00 and the day will offer lots of individual attention.
For further details please contact me via email in the first instance:
me at ,
or .
See my work and work with groups on:
www.casholmes.textilearts.net
www.casholmes.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
www.axisartists.org/artist/casholmes
www.casholmes.blogspot.com
Read Cas's article on Textile Art and the Land...
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