BOBBY BRITNELL
TEXTILE and ART courses offering unique learning opportunities for all
In beautiful South Shropshire an area of outstanding natural beauty
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NEWS FROM MOOR HALL STUDIO
Hi everyone
Not sure where that month has gone and not that certain what the weather is doing. Some lovely sunny days amidst rain and coldness. Well I suppose this is England and the weather is certainly changing world wide. We have managed to plant a couple of hundred trees and hedge plants this year. We could do with planting a few more but at least we have made a start. I am even letting the garden go wild, which suits me fine as gardening has become a real no-no for me.
This edition of the newsletter shows embroidery in different forms, from Amanda Claytons course to work by the Royal School of Needlework. It recaps on 'Making 50' a Textile Study group exhibition and links to our 'Making Conversations', workshops etc and then news of The Bettws Triangle, a music and arts festival we are hosting here in Bettws-y-crwyn.
But let's begin with the Coronation.......how many of you watched this? Some of you may have been glued to the proceedings while others of you may not have been too bothered about any of it, but what none of us can deny is the magnificent craftsmanship of the embroidery on show that day. Here are images of the the 'Embroidered Anointing Screen', made for the Coronation.
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LINK to Royal School of Needlework for more images and information.
Also five artists were commissioned to capture some of the most significant moments of the Coronation weekend. The artists will produce sketches and paintings of the Coronation Procession and Service, as well as the Coronation concert. I am looking forward to seeing what was produced.
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Amanda Clayton with Ottoman Stitchness |
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Amanda Clayton delivered another successful workshop at Moor Hall. We saw returning students amongst some very new ones and lets hope all return another time. The comments at the end of the course were very encouraging. Mandy began by showing her collection of Ottoman fabrics and samples, and soon led the students into doing their own sampling.
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As you can see the students soon settled into producing some beautifully crafted samples of their own, showing their skills in doing some exquisite stitches. |
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ALEX McINTYRE
'Physical mark making and visual texture'
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I am looking forward to this course with Alex which is coming up next month on the 9/10/11 June.
I still have a couple of places available if anyone has been wondering about doing this course.
Do get back to me and I will send all the required information. Here is some of Alex's own work as a reminder.
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If you are interested in this course there is further information on my website
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THE BETTWS TRIANGLE
Music and Arts Festival
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It will soon be the time of year for our music and arts festival and like everything that happens in Bettws we are wondering whether folk will be turning up........so my question to you is 'Are you Coming'? It will be a fabulous event and whats more, day-time events are all free, although I dare say you will see a donation pot here and there.
We have such an amazing line up of performing and visual artists in three venues during the day-time, hence the Bettws Triangle, and this year we will also be having three evening performances from Little Rumba, Remi Harris Duo and John Kirkpatrick. £12 per ticket (reductions if coming to more than one event)
Attaching the full programme HERE
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LITTLE RUMBA ~ 16th June 2023
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Little Rumba write all their own music and over the years this has developed an instantly recognizable house style which owes debts to East Europe and South America as well as jazz and blues. With a great line-up of musicians this is a perfect band to listen too as well as keen folk having a jolly good dance. |
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REMI HARRIS DUO ~ 17th June 2023
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Acclaimed jazz and blues guitarist Remi Harris and virtuoso double bassist Tom Moore present an evening of music ranging from the acoustic jazz of the 30s and 40s to the electric blues of the 60s and 70s.
"Remi is an absolutely extraordinary musician" (Jamie Cullum, BBC Radio 2); “Astonishing stuff” (Cerys Matthews, BBC Radio 2 & BBC 6 Music)
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JOHN KIRKPATRICK ~ 18th June 2023
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John is a folk musician who sings and plays the melodeon, button accordion and Anglo concertina. He has been dancing, singing, and playing since 1959 and has been fully professional since 1970, both as a solo artist and in a variety of other guises, including spells within Steeleye Span, the Albion Band, Roy Bailey, Band of Hope, Richard Thompson Band, Brass Monkey and many, many more.
John is highly entertaining and puts on a brilliant show everytime.
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ART EXHIBITIONS and DEMONSTRATIONS
In addition to the live music we will be having exhibitions of art work from 3 local artists, Sarah Jameson, Russell Morris and Josie Crompton-Morris and also from my students who have been studying Paul Klee this term. So do come along and see their work:
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Sarah lives in the Redlake Valley just a raven’s call from Bettws-y-crwyn. The steep-sided valleys and woods inspire much of her work. Sarah makes unique botanical monoprints using wildflowers, leaves and grasses from a meadow that she manages
for nature. She will also have a selection of
greetings cards and handmade books and give some informal printmaking demonstrations.
Sarah will be showing her work at Moor Hall Studio and will also be demonstrating one of her print-making techniques.
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Russell is a fine artist based in the Clun Valley. There is evidence of the forces of nature at work in his acrylic paintings in contrast to the lush valleys of Shropshire, he is currently finding inspiration in the rugged landscapes of the Scottish West Coast
and Hebridean Isles. Russell will be showing
a few pieces of his work at Moor Hall Studio.
Russell will be showing his work at Moor Hall Studio.
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Josie lives and works in South Shropshire. Her principal painting medium is mixed media, working primarily in watercolour and pen. Her work is inspired by the landscape, the Upper Clun and Teme alleys, and the rural backdrop of the Radnorshire Hills, all close to her home. She has work in private
collections, nationally and in Germany, Sweden and the USA.
This is a view from the window at Black Mountain Chapel where Josie will be exhibiting her work.
Josie's website
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Bobby has been an artist for over 40 years. She teaches art and textiles from her studio in South Shropshire and brings in some of the country’s best tutors. Students attend courses from all over the world. Last term her students were studying Paul Klee and produced a series of works in his style. This is the work that they will be showing.
Moor Art 1 and Moor Art 2, two of the regular groups taught by Bobby, will be showing their artwork at Moor Hall Studio.
www.bobbybritnell.co.uk
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TEXTILE STUDY GROUP
Making:50
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EXHIBITIONS 2023
Last month I mentioned the Textile Study Group 'Making 50' exhibition which is currently showing in Scotland.
We were delighted to be recommended by the Crafts Council as one of the top ten exhibitions to visit.
MAKING:50 is a significant touring exhibition to mark this notable milestone in the group’s history. All 24 members responded to the challenge of creating a new artwork which includes an element of 50 – either obviously or obscurely.
No two works are alike. Each piece offers an intimate insight into the interests, inspiration and practice of the artist. From important issues that affect us all, to quirky and humbling reflections of the last five decades, each artwork has been individually crafted and stitched from a myriad of materials including salvaged plastics, foraged fibres, upcycled slides and found or treasured items.
1st April to 5th August 2023
16th September to 26th November 2023
(Please check gallery websites for opening hours.)
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WILD GARDEN
This exquisite piece on the right was designed and made by Dorothy Tucker for 'Making 50'. Wild Garden is about plants found along footpaths, field boundaries or in open spaces. In a journey constantly open to change the organic rhythms of the plants, the life force contained in their seed pods and the release of seeds is explored through handsewn drawings worked into a shattered and and fragile background.
Dorothy will also be teaching
at Moor Hall 31July/1 August 2023, when Dorothy will show you how to create and stitch your own kantha based designs from fruit and flowers, leaves and seeds, birds, animals or fish to create your own personal story in kantha stitch.
Click HERE to book on her course.
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This was my submission for 'Making:50. It is made from natural bark cloth in two colours and measures 150cm x 150cm. The work represents a mathematical formula of 49 squares. The whole piece makes the 50th square. Each square is divided into further 49 units with an additional small square added to each in turn, creating a pattern due to the placement. Stabstitch holds them secure.
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WORKSHOPS and MEET THE ARTIST EVENTS
at the Tweeddale Gallery Exhibitions
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The exhibition at Tweeddale Gallery. Pebbles will be supported by 'Workshops' and 'Meet the Artist' events |
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Contact the Gallery for further events from
Mandy Pattullo and Sheila Mortlock
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MAKING:50
Making Conversations
to support the exhibitions
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Making Conversation is a series of six online events to accompany the 'Making:50' exhibition. In each session, two Textile Study Group members reflect on and share their own experience of creating new work for the Making:50 exhibitions.
Initial ideas and inspiration, frustrations and successful parts of the creative process, together with images of the artists’ work, are included in each conversation. Join us for an opportunity to have a peek over their shoulders and ask questions.
I shall be joining Dorothy and Jane on the 15th May.
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Conversation Dates and Speakers
15th May: Dorothy Tucker & Jane McKeating
26th June: Alice Fox & Janet Edmonds
7th August: Mandy Pattullo & Sue Green
2nd October: Mary Sleigh & Julia Triston
13th November: Sarah Burgess & Sian Martin
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Sessions will be held via Zoom starting at 7pm (UK time) and will last approximately 1 hour.
Ticket price is £7.50 per talk.
Each ticket purchase is for one person to attend the talk.
Ticket sales will close 24 hours before each session.
No refunds.
Session invitation links will be emailed out on the morning of each talk.
Talks will not be recorded.
To book a ticket, please use this link:
Visit our website for more information on each artist’s practice:
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Making:50 is a limited edition bespoke book commissioned by the Textile Study Group to celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2023.
With a reflective introduction by Michael Brennand-Wood, this visually stunning publication showcases new work by current members, all of whom embraced the challenge of creating artworks with an element of 50 – either obviously or obscurely.
From important issues that affect us all, to quirky and humbling reflections of the last five decades, all works have been sensitively photographed in detail, and offer an intimate insight into each artist’s inspiration and practice.
Making:50 is a joyful, beautiful and celebratory publication. Each artist’s work is displayed across a double page spread,and statements at the back of the book offer a short explanation of each artwork.
CLICK HERE to order a copy
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That's all for now.
I will be back with more news soon
Sunny today......so enjoy!!!!
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BOBBY BRITNELL
01547 510664
www.bobbybritnell.co.uk
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