Julie Arkell papier-mache workshop at West Dean - January 2015

Hot off the press for once.  Just back from a 5 day course at West Dean with Julie Arkell.

The characters in their mummified state.  For speed we were using a 'dry' method of constructing the underlying structures by scrunching newspaper and binding it with masking tape, rather than using paste which would take too long to dry.

With a layer of newspaper pasted over the masking tape.

Being glued to pieces of mountboard for the soles of their feet.

Wearing some of their clothes.

Other odds and ends: tree, toadstools, stitched picture, and doll torso with papier-mache limbs.

Everything, although not finished of course.

Julie also had us making bird nests with papier-mache twigs, real twigs, and scraps of fabric, thread etc.  She completed one which is due for her nature table at her exhibition in Swansea.  We suggested that one of her partially completed nests would be best worn as a crown (above).

My nest was well camouflaged against the flint walls.


A good group of classmates who created some very inventive creatures:
 

Not a lot of daylight for walking in the grounds at this time of year.  The ground was quite bare compared with the summer but the snowdrops and hellebores were out and the river was in full flow.

Julie Arkell weekend at West Dean - May 2013

My first time at West Dean, for Julie Arkell's 'Objects of Curiosity".  The weekend was AMAZING: a Julie Arkell workshop (which frankly would be wonderful in any setting) and getting to wander around the beautiful grounds at West Dean in the late evening and early morning when no one else is around.  And good food.

After arriving on Friday afternoon and settling into my room I went out to explore the grounds.  View from the front door:

The front lawn is separated from the grazing parkland by the River Lavant.  This being May the park was full of ewes and bleating lambs, and the river was in full flow (apparently it dries up at some times of year).

The gardens are tranquil and idyllic.

The river flows through the Spring Gardens and has been 'waterscaped' over weirs and rocks at various places to give the sound of flowing water.  The gardens are extensive, with lots of twisting paths and bridges over the river.

Aliums among black tulips in the dry garden:

Awoke early on Saturday morning so decided to go for a 2 mile walk through the parkland and arboretum.  A view of the house through the early morning haze:

It was even too early for the sheep to be up and about:

A yellow carpet of cowslips:

Lunchtime on Saturday and time for a visit to the walled kitchen gardens.  Fruit trees in blossom:

And the chive flowers beginning to come out:

Saturday evening a late stroll through the long pergola and another trip around the Spring Gardens.  No one else around - just me and the birds starting to settle down for the night.  And a couple of bats.

And inside ...

Our workroom:

Inspired by Julie's work we were making brooches, 'creatures', flowers, toadstools, and houses.

My 'creature' pinned together in the planning process:

All sewn up and just the face to do.  A tip from Julie: use small scraps of fabric or thread to work out where you want the facial features,  before committing them in stitch.  The smile on her face reflects the happiness I felt in finally finishing her.

Displays of the group's work at the end of the weekend.  My brooch, creature, toadstool, and toadstool house:

Flowers and creatures by the workshop participants:

 

All in all a wonderful weekend and I highly recommend doing a workshop at West Dean at least once in your life.

Julie Arkell - Les Soeurs Anglaises - July 2012

Just returned from the Julie Arkell workshop at Les Soeurs Anglaises in south-west France.  Another fantastic workshop hosted by Katie et al!  Still adjusting back to London life after spending a week with the singing Australians, charming Californians, Claire with the Fair Hair, and an undertaker.  The theme was Summer Fetes and Puppet Shows, so we did flower brooches, bunting, and puppets.  I started all three but then concentrated on the flowers so I could steal Julie's ideas be inspired by Julie's flowers while I had the opportunity.

The flower on the right was my first (named Flower of Frankenstein because of the appalling stitching); the 'poppy' on the left was my second attempt (made with fabric from an old duvet cover bought at Riberac market); and the daisy in the middle was the third.  I don't have photos of my bunting so here are other peoples':

The puppets were great, especially Susan's baker and wedding cake, which should be on display at the Solvang Bakery in California sometime soon: