I am really going to miss working at Mottisfont. This was my last workshop today. Everyone is so enthusiastic and talented. It makes it a real pleasure to be with all the people who've turned up and taken part, especially when they leave happy and I've been fed homemade cake!

drawing and papercut workshop in Maud Russel's bedroom, Mottisfont, 24 January 2012
Raining outside so we brought the plants in to draw.

Some of the volunteers came and joined in. Everyone is so talented, must be the air round here.

one of the papercuts which started out as a simple flower head.

One of the volunteers created this at lightning speed, using her 'blind' drawing of  a stem detail. 

Another wonderful creation from a single leaf drawing. 

the last of adult workshops have been this week, ending tomorrow. It's been a real joy, the time being spent drawing in the winter garden before going back to the stables to refine and translate into papercuts.  The people, all ladies so far, have been absolutely lovely, and it's been a pleasure working and eating cake with them. 

the year has started with workshops at Mottisfont, this time with a bit more colour for the start, hopefully, of spring. I've been inundated with families creating the most wonderful papercuts.

Fabulous day at Mottisfont, on Sunday. Wintery sunshine in Maud Russell's palatial bedroom making papercuts!! There was a full house of happy people of all ages making garlands, window snowflakes and mobiles. Big Thankyou to all who came. There will be more in January. See National Trust Website for details. HAPPY CHRISTMAS x

This Saturday 10th December,  I'll be leading a paper cutting workshop with a Christmas theme, as part of the 'Cutting Edge' Exhibition, at Mottisfont.  From 12 - 4 pm there will be a free drop-in at the house where you can make paper garlands, mobiles and window snowflakes. 

paper garlands

paper garlands

paper garlands

paper mobiles

The private view at Mottisfont took place this Friday.  A big big thank you to all who turned up, what a lovely evening.

For those who hadn't been before and even those who had, it was quite a journey to find it in the dark, but hopefully worth it. The path from the car park to the house was candlelit and we were greeted by champagne, live music from Jo Levine and Rebecca miles on Gamba de Viola and baroque recorder and even a real fire. (controlled, in a grate!!)  Lots of people turned up and seemed reluctant to leave at the end. It really would make a great party venue.

The installed work of the other artists, was amazing, brilliant and poetically inspiring. Louise Govier and Phil Smith who run the new gallery have created a London-style exhibition that I am sure will draw in the crowds.  I especially loved Rob Ryan's hand cut pieces and Ed Kluz's domed work.  My work was very received and due to it's location near the drinks table at the entrance to the show,  I probably had a higher than average favourable number of responses!  

Installation of 'Come, Heavy Sleep'

Finally it's "Installation day". I've had a few sleepless nights over this but it turned out to be serene and organised. It even included a laugh with friends who very kindly came along to help.

Phil Smith, the arts officer at Mottisfont,  made two wonderful telescopic poles which are basically carrying the whole piece, and the rest relies on curtain poles along with meters of fishing line. As I left everything was still suspended in place, fingers crossed it. Tomorrow is lighting day, where I get to position all the lights to create the atmosphere.

cutting edge exhibition private view

 Invitations printed and installation booked for next Tuesday. 

'Come, Heavy Sleep', my sentiments exactly!
My 4 meter cubed-ish,  papercut all cut, threaded and wrapped up ready for installation next week.

box of lights, at this stage I am not sure how they all fit together

The main papercut section. 

Studio looking tidy after wrapping up all the work, plus new chair to celebrate. thanks claire x

'hanging day'.

Today was spent in the empty studio from late morning until the light faded.  I used a ladder to hang lines across the ceiling then threaded my papercuts with hanging loops so that I could suspend the various sections.  I think I am pleased with the results, in so much as they didn't tear, warp too badly and cast good strong shadows.  There was a lot more movement in the constructions than I'd imagined but I really liked the effect, dying more than I'd expected!!  As a result the shadows are more contorted and less obvious which is a good side effect too.

long gallery trying out first panel

shadows on the ceiling

wall shadows

quite a nervy day as i took some of my work along to Mottisfont with the lights to test it all out. We were allowed access to the site before it opening to visitors and all the shutters and curtains had been closed to allow for optimum lighting conditions.

It's always a difficult transition when you've been working in a different environment to the one where the work will be installed and it's always a surprise. Thankfully this one was a good one, as i seem to have got the scale and lighting right but still have a way to go. 

things are progressing, albeit slowly, but such is the nature of cutting things by hand....i've managed to complete almost 3 panels, construct a fourth and play around with some fantastic lights. I'd been putting off venturing into the lighting for some time, a sort of denial phase, even though i knew the work was as much about shadows as the papercuts. however one of those 'i know someone who's a lighting engineer ....' conversations took place, and wallop!! within 48 hours i have me some professional lights on stands which seem to do the trick. In addition I seem to have secured a most fabulous baroque recorder player, she's a friend who's going to play something live and depressing on the evening of the opening!! (11.11.11 good date). all will be revealed......