Cas Holmes - Guest Tutor 'Precious Objects, Stitch, Cloth & Paper'

Service Description

I am delighted to welcome Cas Holmes to the studio with this very special weekend of 'Precious Objects - Stitch, Cloth and Paper. The workshop encompasses two full days. An introductory workshop based on some of the artist’s personal approaches to creating mixed media works. We will use paper, & textile combined with stitch to create pieces based on precious objects or subject of your choice. Students will explore ideas related to design and the creation of textile papers, momigami, combine paper with cloth using and adaptation of Japanese laminating techniques, and look at different ways of creating a simple composition based on favourite objects. A focus will be placed on hand stitching as an extension of mark making and drawing, and various means of layering. You will have a small piece in progress by the end of the workshop. Topics covered in the workshop: - Distressing and layering paper and cloth and combining them with stitch, using adaptations of methods of textile and paper crafts that Cas studied during her visit to Japan. - Exploring methods of layering and composing your object themed pieces. - Mark-making with hand stitch informed by the Japanese principle of Boro using materials that are ‘Too Good to Waste’ as we create mixed media pieces using a selection of flat, raised, and filling stitches to define and honour our precious objects. Items to bring to the workshop: An object to refer to, a precious bowl, dried flower, shell found on a beach, something personal to you.. Prep material: Sketchbook or some drawing paper, Fineliner pen or similar permanent pen. 1 inch brush. A base fabric. Calico, linen, pieces from a vintage napkin, tablecloth for example. Small selection of found or vintage cloth and paper ephemera to add additional texture and detail in a colour palette to reflect your theme. Feel free to bring your own coloured or dyed cloth. Please wash any dressings out of new cloth. Threads relevant to your own colours and interest. hand embroidery threads - perle, stranded, rayon. Keep your palette limited as our focus will be on sampling stitch to create a stitch notebook so to speak. Needles, scissors, pins. Note: There will be a range of threads, cloth, and other materials in the studio shop. Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided, you are welcome to bring a packed lunch to the studio. Please note that the studio is on the third floor of the mill, with stair access only. The toilets are on the same floor as the studio.