You will begin by building layered backgrounds then sampling and experimenting with lettering and text styles. You will then choose elements of your inspiration to creatively transform and emphasise, by disrupting or highlighting characters in abstract compositions.

Techniques will include collage, appliqué, hand and machine embroidery, and working with dissolvable fabrics.

There will be an opportunity to produce a series of smaller samples, or to work on one more in-depth resolved textile artwork; all pieces will develop their own narrative.

Now interestingly Matthew Harris was teaching a face to face course at Moor Hall last week and that was also about Text and he called the course 'Text.....ile'. Now I did say I would show work from Alice Fox and Amanda Clayton's workshops, but felt this time that Matthew's course followed the 'Text' theme rather nicely!!!!!!

His course was about looking at the calligraphic mark as a creative starting point. Through drawing and sampling students explored both the narrative and abstract potential of hand written text, and developed exciting new visual ideas about form, pattern, scale, shape and structure within textiles. Matthew delivered this course some years ago now and it is one that I can recommend should you see it advertised anywhere. It will get you thinking in new ways but also with opportunities of applying ideas to your current working practise. An excellent and stimulating 3 day course. Here is some of the work produced.

Now finally I must tell you about the Pearl of Africa Childrens Choir who are now touring England to great acclaim. If you find them in your area you must get to see them.

The choir will now be performing in October at:

St Laurence’s Church in Ludlow on Sunday, 22 October at 3pm,

Bishop’s Castle Community College on Monday, 23 at 6:30pm,

St Lawrence’s CE Primary School in Church Stretton on Tuesday, 24 (tbc) Newcastle Community Centre on Wednesday, 25 at 6:30pm.