Artist statement for Newark Park

Our exhibition at Newark Park is now quickly approaching and it is time to think about how my work will be presented and what my artist statement will say about it.

The free machine embroidered 'Stuart Casket' is now complete and ready to be mounted on to a perspex box the same size as the original piece on display in the Tudor Room.

Drawn Stuart Casket, 2016

I have calculated that the front piece of this project has taken approximately 315 hours to complete. Throughout this process I have questioned the skill and determination of young people - those of the past who have left us these wonderful antiquities, my youth, where I too enjoyed the excitement of a new craft kit and todays youth, where many hours are spent online. 

I plan to display kits from my past, representations of projects that I have spent many hours working on, a time where I developed my passion for making.

French Knitting Doll

Matchstick Kit

String Drawing

And for todays generation, a cinemagraph will be shown in the gallery of Newark Park examining their play - and once again, with many hours are occupied.

Cinemagraph, 'Young hands'', 2016

Work for Art in Action

This is always a busy time of year, but this time it is for new reasons. For five years I had deadlines for uni, but this spring I am working towards exhibitions as a freelance artist and this includes Art in Action where I have taught in the practical classes for seven consecutive years.

This year here will not be a 'Best of the Best' and have thereforI decided to concentrate on making some new drawings for the teachers exhibition tent. As always, I like to use a subject that is personal, an emotion that has to be shown and discussed rather than being hidden and allowed to become a problem. Next year, my eldest son will leave home and go to university; already I am anxious about this - since Carl's death 6 years ago we have become a very tight unit and now, having that broken will be another challenge. So my project to help ease this transition will explore our memories of fun times spent at home and as a family of foodies, the kitchen has been a key part of this.

I have decided to make drawings of some special food items that have become kitchen staples;  foods that help to evoke  happy memories of the family life that we have worked hard on building since being widowed. 

Embroidered drawing in progress

'Valor' is a Spanish chocolate that is melted with milk to make a very thick drinking chocolate that can then be dunked with churos. My boys have enjoyed this in Spain many times with their Grandad and, at home. 

Close up of letters being stitched

Work in progress, 'Valor' (Julie Heaton, 2016)

I am really enjoying this work and hope to get this piece finished, some prints made and then a drawing of a can of Spanish Olive Oil; my favourite kitchen food item and one that I am always trying to get the boys to taste.