Previous Newsletters

Newsletter - May 2009

Welcome to the May Newsletter.

Spring Fling is dominating every waking moment just now, so this newsletter is primarily about it, both written and video. However, new in the Forthcoming section is notice of the Kirkcudbright Arts and Crafts Trail, and of course I have a print for you to download.

Two Years On

I forgot to mention last month that it is now two years since I began creating these monthly(ish) newsletters. It's quite amazing to see more than 20 videos and downloadable prints sitting in the newsletter section of my website. Don't forget you can still revisit any of the past newsletters and download the prints for your desktop or wall.

Spring Fling 2009

At the moment, I am in the throes of preparing for the Spring Fling open studio weekend, which is taking place here in South-west Scotland from the 23rd to the 25th May.

There is a lot to be done, not least the sorting out of my studio to make it presentable enough for visitors. I clean out my cupboard and shelves and find materials I’d forgotten I even owned!

Wonderful silk and threads for the next project perhaps?

Structuring paste and mica flakes…what treasures to experiment with.

Such beautiful iridescent glass beads would make an interesting addition to a piece of stitching… (or make into a fabulous necklace to go with, well, just anything I’ve got really!)

These are the lively, rich interruptions that make the task so energising - happy distractions from the more nerve-wracking job in hand.

Doubts and insecurities can loom really large at this time however:

Do I have enough work to show?

Does my studio still look cluttered?

Is there enough range of sizes and prices to suit?

Are the sample pieces on view even good enough?

Can I cope with hundreds of visitors coming?

What if nobody comes at all?

Is my work good enough to show?

What if no-one likes my art?

And then I remember Spring Fling last year…

It was so much fun and so worthwhile!

I really enjoyed meeting and talking to visitors from all over the country and beyond, who had chosen to spend some time in my studio.

So many positive comments!

So many really kind and lovely people!

Come and visit me again - I am looking forward to it!

Number 48 on the Red Route

Video

This year I plan on creating a collaborative piece of work. Come along and add something to an artwork which will develop across the weekend.

Forthcoming

Exploring Embroidery Exhibition

At the Mill on the Fleet in Gatehouse of Fleet, the Exploring Embroidery Group is having an exhibtion throughout June. A few of my artworks will be appearing alongside others from the group

Connecting the Threads - Farfield Mill

From 18th July to 31st August there will be a solo exhibition of my work in the Dover Gallery, at Farfield Mill, Sedbergh, Cumbria. www.farfieldmill.org. I'm excited about this exhibition as Farfield Mill is growing in reputation as a venue for showing textile art.

Kirkcudbright Arts and Crafts Trail

This year I will be taking part in the Kirkcudbright Arts and Craft Trail, from 31st July to 2nd Aug. Details to be confirmed

I will post more information about these events as time goes on.

Download a free high-resolution image for your own wall or computer desktop

At The Heart

.

Right-click on the image and select Save Target As. You can then save the image on your computer and print it off on photographic or watercolour paper at up to A4 size without losing any quality, or use it as a desktop background for your computer.

Be advised the image is approximately 2MB big, so might take a little while to download

If you run into any difficulties then please let me know.

Questions and Comments:

I would very much like to hear from you. Please email me with any questions about my artwork, or with ideas of things you'd like to see and read in future editions of this newsletter.

And finally, if you know of anyone who you think might be interested in receiving this newsletter, please point them to http://www.maggieayres.co.uk/newsletter.htm to sign up.

Wishing you all the best until next time,

Maggie

Please note we take our anti-spam policy very seriously. We will never pass your details on to anyone else. If you would like to unsubscribe and be removed from my mailing list, please send an email to news@maggieayres.co.uk with "REMOVE" in the subject bar