I recently led another set of workshops at Huddersfield Central Library, this time with pupils of Springwood Junior School. The aim of the workshops was to create another collaborative collage on the theme of 'Unusual Places to Read a Book'. I was interested in focusing the workshop on drawing and painting techniques to create pattern and texture. I had to design the collage to fill a space 47ft long and ensure the elements for the collage could be created during 2, 2-hour workshops! My solution was to base the design around kites, clouds and a rainbow. I love these photographs. They show sections of the kite and rainbow collages. The clouds had to be a little bit more low-key to sit alongside these.

I'm working on another library based collaborative collage, for Cleckheaton library so expect more photos of brightly coloured collage! I'm also looking forward to getting busy in the studio this year, after a period of reflection and research. 

Find & Seek

Here's a selection of photos from Assembly, the ReachOut RCA exhibition, showing some of the work students of Clapton Girls Technology College produced during two, one-day workshops. The aim was to introduce new approaches to drawing, based upon my own practice. Each workshop started with a huge pile of found images of miscellaneous objects. The processes we explored throughout the day included collaborative drawing, collage (2D & 3D) and drawing from memory and verbal descriptions. With every process each student created new interpretations of both the images and the objects. 

above: drawing from memory or verbal description

above: a selection of collages in the exhibition

above: two large collaborative collages 

and two examples of drawings made from these 

ReachOut RCA

You are invited to 'Assembly'

7 - 11 November, Royal College of Art

Here you can see work created by students from schools across London, during workshops devised and run by RCA Alumni including Rose Blake, Rachel Sim, Yann Le Bec and myself.  

Photos taken during the installation of work on Monday

Rose's props, Yann's masks, Rachel's prints

Children's Tree, Huddersfield

Last week I spent several days in a large room behind the scenes at Huddersfield Library on my hands and knees. What was I up to? Collaging a giant tree for the children's library of course! 

During two short workshops local children (aged 5 to 12) explored drawing and painting techniques and created leaves, bark textures, birds and insects for the tree. 

We used founds leaves and photographs of bark as reference material and we drew inspiration from Leanne Shapton's beautiful book 'The Native Trees of Canada'. 

You can view more photographs online here. 

British Craftsmen

Hmmmmm

Behind the scenes at Huddersfield Library

Happy All Hallows Eve

If you're looking for any mask making inspiration today here's a little selection I have cobbled together for your viewing pleasure.

Workshop-a-rama

It's been a bit quiet on the old making front lately hasn't it? That is definitely because I've been busy devising and delivering a range of workshops, in London and Yorkshire. 

I spent two fantastic afternoons this week working with children aged 5 - 12. Together we are making an artwork to inspire visitors to Huddersfield Children's Library. As you can see it has a natural theme -  which is perhaps down to all the time I spent outdoors this summer?

Other projects include leading Big Draw Workshops for ReachOut RCA and supporting the Intoart Collective's latest project - which you can read about here.

More on all of this soon!