HOST - Huddersfield

I have been asked to take part in HOST, Huddersfield on the weekends of 18th/19th and 25th/26th September and Thursday 23rd September at Radiant Works. Follow the link for details - http://hoststudios.co.uk/bm/artists/textiles/carolann-allan.shtml

Radiant Works is home to Dionne Swift and Fiona Wilson's studios and I am lucky enough to have been asked to use join them so I will be in very good company.

http://hoststudios.co.uk/bm/artists/textiles/dionne-swift.shtml

http://hoststudios.co.uk/bm/artists/textiles/fiona-wilson.shtml

I am hoping my holidays in Provence and Cornwall this year will produce some new work/developments.

See you there!

Back from New Designers 2010

Have just spent a week in London - 27th June to 4th July and it was exhausting! The New Designers Show 2010 Part 1 was 1st-4th July and it was a very hot week. I met lots of very nice and interesting people and there was certainly a lot of outstanding work. I was particularly impressed with the University of Derby and their weave and knit - even though I cannot do either very well, but they showcased wonderful talent. Also Bucks New University and Birmingham (Trevor Smith and Jess Edwards's embroidery) - but really throughout the whole show there was some amazing work and it is always interesting talking to people about their design inspiration.

As always I had the wonderful company of Sue who has shared this journey with me (she keeps me sane). Plus our families came down for a visit which made it all the more special.

So now it is back to reality and time at home getting my house de-cluttered and ready for holiday with my family. Oh yes and waiting for the examination results!!! (I actually feel sick when I think about it....)

Degree Show Preview Evening

Thank you to all my family and friends who came last night and supported me (and everyone else). It was a lovely evening and I met lots of new people as well. It was very busy and I didn't get a chance to look around the rest of the show but I will next week.

Textiles and HNC were together in the studio and it co-ordinated extremely well - some wonderful work.

The show is up for another week until we take down the items picked to go to New Designers, it will be interesting to see what does get picked and I guess it is a hard task for the tutors deciding what will coordinate best in our space in London. Another exciting week.

Thank you again.

Shreds of Evidence - Print and its machinery. Degree Show

Today is the Degree Show Preview 4.30 - 9.00pm at Bradford School of Arts and Media Its very exciting and there are lots of wonderful designs/collections for people to see in all departments textiles/fashion/printmaking/fine art/graphics.

This is my final collection and I look forward to seeing family and friends tonight - if anyone cannot make it they have a week left, see the link above for times etc.

I am very excited about it! Will upload photographs shortly.

Assessment Day

I was first up this morning for my 15 minute critical assessment. Sitting and listening were our tutors Gill Craven, Tami Stewart and Andrea Wilde (unfortunately Hannah could not come in today). I think it went well - I managed the full 15 minutes but its always a bit of a daze. I spent quite a bit of time writing and reading it to ensure I had covered all points - however you always remember something about 10 minutes after you have left the room.

My work is up now and all files handed in today - so that is it - the journey of 4 years hard work. My embroideries took a lot longer than I expected and with everything else going on checking etc I finally got to bed at 3.30 this morning. (I wore a lot of concealer for my assessment!) I know I need to acknowledge a few thank you's next week. (especially to Wes who make and put up my frames today for me)

The exciting bit now is the Degree Show next week (look at Bradford School of Arts & Media website) and then New Designers Show in London.

I feel very lucky that I was able to do this degree and have met some fabulous people. Feeling happy but a little bit sad.

Reality Check

Ok - my last post looked like I was just sat having fun in the garden!

• The reality is I am tired beyond belief - average bed time between 12.30 - 2.30 each night up again 6.45 ish most days.
• I am working so hard I would love not to have to have any sleep whatsoever so I could do more work.
• I have done my absolute best but feel that given time I could do even better. I see that as a positive development.
• My house is disgusting
• I have had washing on the line for over 5 days (no one else in the family has noticed) - although to be fair my husband has done all the washing and ironing in the Utility.
• I need to de-clutter my house
• I need to do something to myself - hair cut/dye, shave legs etc etc
• Have not been out in months and looking forward to a social life
• I have managed to look after my family, house, work and do the degree
• I have cried buckets

The positives:-

• I am nearly there - as a mature student feel very proud of myself
• I have met some wonderful friends on this journey (you know who you are girlies)
• I have enjoyed my development and met some great tutors & technicians at Bradford college.
• I feel that I am a textile artist now and not someone who does crafty things.

I have survived and looking forward to handing in, assessment, degree show and new designers.

But I still have the finishing off tonight and finish putting up the show tomorrow - so I had better get a move on xx

Big thanks today to Fiona for coming in, helping and keeping me calm love xxx

The last few days

I have been working since 7.30 this morning and going to bed now at 11.30pm. Doing this over a long period catches up with you - this week will be tying up all the loose ends, putting up my collection space in preparation for Assessment this coming Thursday and the Degree show starting 17th June. Have done a lot of stitching this weekend and managed to find a little peace in the garden yesterday for about an hour. I am very lucky with our garden - no traffic noise so it really is lovely when the sun is shining (or any other day for that matter).

My home studio is very messy, there is artwork to mount, fabrics to "dress", hang, iron, filing and work to finish. The end of my degree is near .........................