cas holmes

Am busy with planning for workshops in the USA following a wonderful time with Cork Textile Network on my first visit to Ireland. I loved the English Market and found some examples of tree wrapping in church grounds.

The course was part of the Making Tomorrow Conference which included guest speakers Lesley Millar and Alice Kettle as well as a workshop and lecture programme. On the course we experimented with different approaches to marking paper and textile with print and stitch to create small studies under the title of 'Extreme Stitching'. A few images of the 'show and tell' and snippets from the workshop by kind permission of the students.


Show and Tell


Lesley Stothers

Violet Shirran


Moira Byrne

Rachael Howard had an exhibition of her wonderful stitch and print textiles at the Crawford College of Art and Design alongside a showing of work by Crawford College Textile Students.(finishes 14th March)

I also went to an exhibition Things/Daiktai at the CIT Wandersford Quay Gallery. An exchange project between from CIT Crawford College of Art and Design Students and Kaunas Art Institute, Vilnius Academy of Arts, Lithuania. A fascinating exhibition with a high standard of work but my own links with Japan and the use of cranes (Zenbazaru) in Japan seen as images for health and peace drew my attention.


Gidre Sudyte

Finally back to me. I have work in Architextur’ Elles from March 8 to April 21 - St Peter's Court Room Rue des Fossés Saint Pierre 72100 LE MANS. I am also preparing to go to the USA. I will update my blogs as and when I can. www.magpieofthemind.blogspot.com

Detail of Rouge Remembrance Cas Holmes

I have recently returned from teaching in the USA and have hit the ground running. It has only been a little over two weeks since I was in the baking heat of the St Diego skies on May Day. I met with friendship and warmth, met some wonderful people on my courses and had some amazing experiences. All reported on my magpie blogspot. Found these Californian poppies by the roadside.

Since return I have been working on some pieces for future exhibitions which include local shows at Ripley (with Anne Kelly) and with South East Open Studios, as well as preparing works for my guest appearance at the European Patchwork Meeting, with a new body of work '40 Yards', and 'Flowers of the Field' as well as a continuation of Tea Flora Tales (full details of all my forthcoming exhibitions on my Exhibitions and Events link).

Flowers of the Field (detail)

Many of the exhibitions include a workshop programme. I will be giving exhibiting and giving workshops for Quiltstar in July, and for the Lace museum in the Netherlands later in the year (enrolment for this is by beginning of August (detailsare in the Dutch language and enrolment closes on August 1st). Contact the museum direct for more information) ).
So not too busy then!

All of this preparation has been in the midst of an ongoing loft conversion in my small house so the limited workspace has dictated the nature of the work. I am always open to challenge. It was lovely to see the garden blooming and birds nesting (even if it does need a good tidy up and the Bonsai trimming)

I will update later in June with progress as the garden falls within 40 Yards (my current work)

I have just returned from a wonderful week of workshops with the Harbour Gallery in Jersey. I was made to feel very welcome by Pat, Raif and the team. Rain did not stop play and some wonderful sketchbooks, collages were produced in the workshop and in local schools.

Mixed Media sketches of work in progress

3 min sketch Cas Holmes

A fabulous photo and review from one of the students, "Busy weekend at the Harbour Gallery st Aubin as you can see from the photo the Cas homes workshop is in full swing, well we abandoned ship for just 5 mins to sketch the masts in the harbour, one of Cas' quick exercises to get everyone drawing, even the terrified!!
Great weekend great fun,thanks to Pat and her team for organising it."
Ros Varrie

I also have work currently on show at the Conquest Hospital Hastings with Sheilagh Dyson, The exhibition will also be part of the Coastal Currents festival which runs from 30 August to 14 September).

I go from small islands to a big island. Exposition organised by Glenys Mann opened in July in the Warwick Gallery Australia before touring. Each artist has created works inspired by a photograph that features a small empty glass bottle with remnants of the substance it contains and a weathered label tied with string. More than a message in a bottle?

Common Place, Marsh Sowthistle

I finish July with a return to Quiltstar where I will be running workshops and a one person show, Common-Place opening on my birthday! All details and links on my exhibition and events page.

I am hosting a number of workshops over the Summer including a workshop back at my home city of Norwich 21/22nd August. Contact Dominique for further details. My workshops at Festival of Quilts and West Dean are fully booked however, a very special workshop at the Lace museum in the Netherlands later in the year are taken bookings now (enrollment for this is by beginning of August (detailsare in the Dutch language and enrollment closes on August 1st). Contact the museum direct for more information) .

Picture of the wonderful Kevin from Art Van Go taking a picture of Hop Kins for Festival of Quilts exhibition.

Finally, I am participating at Festival of Quilts this summer with the exhibiting British textile group Art Textiles Made in Britain exhibiting in August and am still working on 40 Yards for the European Patchwork Meeting in September. I was delighted to be a cover girl for Fiber Art Now in July on Facebook with one of my pieces in progress.

You can see more of work in progress in a little bit behind the scenes by Richard Torble photographer

Autumn is nearly upon us and I am still busy working away on 40 Yards for the European Patchwork Meeting which starts on the 18th September. This and a project I have been working on for the Garden Museum in London have just features in an article 'Common Threads' in the current edition of Embroidery Magazine, . This edition also features an article on Rachel Howards new exhibition Red Works at the Waterside Arts Centre and an article on textiles in my home city Norwich and lots of other wonderful goodies.

I am still being sent some lovely pieces for Tea Flora Tales. Each strand of 7-10 individual pieces are getting packed up ready to take with me.

An exhibition Memory Cloth at the Lace museum in the Netherlands features the work of

Cherilyn Martin, Els van Baarle,Cas Holmes, Glenys Mann opens on the 12th October. It is supported by a workshop programme. I am giving a weekend workshop on 13-14 December 2014. (enrollment for this is open anddetailsare in the Dutch language) Contact the museum direct for more information in English).

I have just returned from teaching the Stirling Summer School for the Embroiderer's Guild, Scottish Region. A fantastic group of students who worked incredibly hard and produced samples and pieces of amazing quality. We needed to extend into the corridor to see be able to review the work properly!

Finally, some Rosebay willowherb growing around the Loch at Stirling.

The last few days Autumn has truly arrived and the wonderful late summer warmth of the wine valleys of Alsace where I exhibited as part of the European Patchwork Meeting feels a long time ago. I am currently exhibiting inMemory Clothat the Lace Museum, Netherlands until 4^thJanuary 2015. This includes work by Els van Baarle, Cherlyn Martin (Netherlands) and Glenys Mann (Australia). Glenys first initiated her ideas about Memory Cloth after the Black Saturday bush fires in Australia in 2009 and talks about cloth has taking on 'the imprint of energy, the memory, of the body through the years of use and wear. Conversely, the body holds within, a memory of that cloth'. This exhibition has its roots in Australia and I am delighted to have been invited to take part in this exhibition as it comes to the Netherlands.You can also book on courses by the artists.

I am also please to have taken part in theGardens and War Exhibition, Garden Museum, Lambeth, (until 5 Jan 2015) on a Handkerchief Project with Age UK Bromley and Greenwich (this project will be on display until mid to late November followed by work in ceramics).

Images by Jo Hone .By kind permission with the Garden Museum and participants of Age UK Bromley & Greenwich.

I have a few workshops coming up with guilds and groups.On 25th and Sunday 26th October2014, I am running two related weekend workshops with Sew Not Strawberry Jam in a gorgeous country setting near Tenterden, Kent along the theme of Autumn Hedgerows and Marshlands.

Finally, a four page review of my work appeared in the Fall edition of Fiber Art Now by the wonderful John Hopper of Textileblog fame

Exposition The Mundaring Art Centre Perth Until 21 December 2014

'In partnership with Fibre Arts Australia and Warwick Regional Gallery Queensland, seven international and six Australian artists come together to showcase the talent of fibre and textile artists from around the world. Each artist has been invited to create new works in response to a common object. Their response, created using the artists preferred medium, will be exhibited alongside the original object providing the audience with the opportunity to glimpse the artist’s journey as well as some of the finest contemporary textile techniques.'
Catalogue Mundaring Arts Centre

The Common Object, an image of a small glass bottle used the reference as a catalyst for new work.The exhibition was curated by Glenys Mann, exhibiting artist, and CEO of Fibre Art Australia The following few images gives you a sampling of the open evening, courtesy of Glenys Mann. Further details and downloadable press release and catalogue from the Mundaring Arts Centre website On line gallery

Above top to bottom: General view of gallery, Chris Atkins, Dionne Swift and myself.

‘RESPONSE’ is MAKING ART WORK’s latest contemporary art exhibition in Maidstone Museum’s Bentlif and Bearsted Galleries from 8 – 29 November 2014.

Using the site of the Museum as inspiration, the artists from Maidstone co-operative Making Art Work have produced a range of sculpture, photography, collage and print to explore the function, collection and architecture of the County Town’s award winning Museum and Galleries. This is an opportunity to see work by some of the Southeast’s most exciting contemporary artists in collaboration with Maidstone Museum.As one of the curators states: “The exhibition will suggest an eclectic “curiosity cabinet” of exhibits which allows the audience a new perspective on the Museum’s collection and its environment. Each artist has explored different themes and techniques, from making a survey of the architectural structure of the building to commenting on the functional purposes of a museum, re-interpreting the wealth of collections the museum has to offer."

Detail of work by Fleur Alston, Making Art Work

2014 has flown by balancing making work, exhibiting and teaching as well as working on my next book 'Stitch Stories'.

Laceflowers detail

More importantly, the support of friends and family has equally enabled me to find some quiet time when things may have got a little too busy. It was wonderful to have a few days off to take a walk around Mote Park in the winter sunshine.

I started the year in the Netherlands with running workshops with Zijdelings and meeting up at the Museum of Kantfabriek (lace factory) to plan for the Memory Cloth exhibition which ended the year. I am back with Zijdlings for workshops in March.

Travels have been far and wide and it was wonderful to catch up with old friends and meet new adventures. I was delighted to be in Cork for the Making Tomorrow Conference followed by the wonderful warmth and welcome of a tour in the USA in the Spring. Will never forget the Wisteria in Atlanta which made me feel right at home, the wonderful Arizona red desert and trip to the Grand Canyon ending with a lunar eclipse thrown in at the end of the day and my a last walk by the Pacific in San Diego.

I was delighted to exhibit my show Common-Place at Quiltstar over the Summer followed by the fabulous opportunity to guest show Place-Spaces-Traces at the European Patchwork Meeting in the September. Tea-Flora-Tales proved a hit with lots of people interacting and adding to the piece.Themes will be developed with new works for exhibitions planned for 2015.

This lovely four page review by Isabelle Wiessler in Les Nouvelles Patchwork et Creation Textile, the magazine of the Association of France Patchwork recently arrived on my doorstep.It contains great reviews on the European Patchwork Meeting generally.

'Connected Cloth', with Anne Kelly (image of our collaboration 'Bridges' above) continued its successful tour with exhibitions at Trinity Tunbridge Wells, Bromley, Crowborough and Cranbrook .It was wonderful to be part of the supportive 'family' of Art Textiles:Made in Britain and their first exhibition at Festival of Quilts in 2014.

I was delighted to have been commissioned to create works for the Garden Museum for their collection. This was on show as part of their Gardens and War exhibition.

Comments and continued support have been most welcome so thankyou to all who continue to support my work and share a mutual appreciation for both the 'creative world' of textiles.

Have a creative 2015

Spring is on its way and after a busy winter working on copy and images for my next book and Spring cleaning my workspace I have been working on pieces for exhibition and planning for workshops later in the year.
I am delighted to have a piece of work in theBentlif Open Art Prize, Maidstone Museum, Exhibition Dates: Saturday 14th March – Sunday 3rd May 2015.It would be good to see you at Private View: Friday 13th March 2015 18:00 – 19:30 where you can see work by artists from all over the region.

I am delighted to be also supporting the Big Heart Auction which runs from the 26 February until 8 March. There are over 200 artworks to bid on to raise money for Chestnut Tree House Children's Hospice. Sneak peek of my thieving Jackdaw below.

I am back in the Netherlands in March withZijdelings running two courses from the 16-18 March. So if you want to create new ideas with old materials or work on your designs there may still be space.

Spring as Sprung and new events are opening with the delightful sign of awaking flowers and birds nesting. I am delighted to be exhibiting in Mons with the Centre for Embroidery from 3rd-29th April.Interview on Mons region television (in French) about the exhibition and my workshop.

Also in April, I have been invited to take part in the Prague Patchwork Meeting, with Anne Kelly marking our collaboration as Resonant Textiles . We are both giving a workshops bookable here

Other workshops are in April are on this page
Finally, I can highly recommend , Louise Bourgeois: Works on Paper

at the Tate Modern: Display it end on the12 April 2015 (and Richard Tuttle's Installation is down on the 6th)

I had forgotten what is was like to just sit for a while so was pleased to have had a relatively quiet time catching up with family in Norfolk in late April when I visited my mother. It is great to see she is able to carry on enjoying her garden. As a child, no matter what went on in the house the garden had to be looked after. It is her pride and joy, 'her treasure'. It was nice to just sit, chat and sketch the 'Forget Me Nots'.

I also had a little time to go to the beautiful Norwich Cathedral to see the fabulousAna Maria Pacheco sculpture.

and sit in the little herb garden in the Cathedral grounds. Another little treasure.

Since then I have been preparing work for exhibitions later in the year. I am delighted to have been accepted for the 6th European Quilt-Triennial inTextilsammlung Max Berk/Kurpfälzisches Museum, Heidelberg in the Autumn with a piece from the 'Waterland' series called 'High Water'.
I am also preparing work for 'Common Threads, Common Land' Art Textil Sent , Switzerland. More information on my exhibitions page. Further updates later.

Finally, I am back with a workshop at the wonderful studio Preniac, France at the end of the month drawing ideas from the inspirational landscape, gardens, plants of the local area. Add wonderful hosts, good home cooked food and absorb the atmosphere. Of course, I am also madly preparing for visit to Australia in July. So no rest for the wicked.

I am excited that my third book'Stitch Stories' will be published in August. Batsfordhave done a fabulous job. It features wonderful contributions from artists from all over the globe all who create beautiful, unique work inspired by life, landscape and travels near and far.Thankyou to Jacqui Hurst for beautiful photography.

I have just returned from workshops in Scotland with Diva Design Studio. Moray, Scotland.

We saw all weathers, wonderful studios, students and enjoyed 'foraging'.

I also got to see the Knockando Woolmill. Set deep in the Spey Valley, it has woven cloth for over 200 year on its historic looms. The work is tough and they still produce fine tweeds and cloth. It was amazing to see weaver Hugh Jones, warp up the looms and weave.

I will be in Australia this summer visiting friends and running workshops. Thankyou to Fibre Arts Australia for all the wonderful help with this.(You know how good you are). I will endeaver to post regularly on Magpie but forgive me if time runs away with me. I am also preparing for exhibitions in Switzerland and France as well as closer to home in the Autumn. I will post further details on my return.
Finally, but by no means least. I am delighted to be in issue 5 of Inspirational magazine by the wonderful John Hopper who writes rich descriptions of the unique perspectives taken by each artist. There are 8 artists in total covering a wide range of stunning work from ceramics , through to print and weave. Other artists include, Algernon Eldritch, Brenda Holzke, Sarah Ross-Thompson, Fenella Elms, Barbara Schneider, Isobel Currie, Patricia Oblack
An insightful article which enabled me to take a 'step outside' and look into to my own practice through 'other eyes'.

I have just returned from Australia and have been keeping regular updates 'Edges of Australia' on my Magpie blog. It seems impossible that just last week I was walking around in wonderful hot Spring weather on Rottnest Island of the coast of Western Australia.

After a few days rest I am back in work mode for a busy Autumn.I am delighted to be exhibiting 'Common Threads, Common Land'with Art Textil Sent, Switzerland. Please join me for the opening and book signing of Stitch Stories on Saturday 19th September at 14.00 if you can. The exhibition continues until 4th October. followed by an exhibition as part of Les Annuelles à Monod, in Le Mans, France from 31st October until 22nd November. at Pavillon MONAD, Parc Theodore Monad. Open Tuesday to Sunday 2-30-5.30pm

Crimson Flower

Edgelands 1st October -14th November 2015

An exhibition at the Pod Gallery, Savill Building under the invitation of The Royal Landscape . Delighted to show in this wonderful building with its undulating roof shaped like a leaf, merges seamlessly with the tall trees surrounding by the parks and gardens. Situated in the southeast corner of Windsor Great Park in the Savill Garde. Issy Bean, one of the Royal Parks gardeners is also exhibiting.

I am also taking part in the events marking the Magna Carta in the exhibition

1215: Runnymede Revisited at St Peter’s Church in Oare. This exhibition also coincides with the East Kent Open Houses tour of the three-week Canterbury Festival.(Strangely enough, both the Swiss and Canterbury exhibition have chosen a poppy related piece for promotion.)

Poppies

'Stitch Stories'has been receiving lots of attention and a review by John Hopper appears in the forthcoming edition of Inspirational magazine alongside a review of Alice Fox's Natural Processes.(I was delighted to appear in issue 5).

Last, but not least, I am delighted to have been invited to have another book launch in the Medway on LV21 on Saturday 3rd October as part of Fun Palaces weekend.11.00-4.00pm.The crew and ship are featured in the book.

LV21 by Cas Holmes (photographer Gary Weston)

Circuta Virosa Installation Parc Du Monod

'Common Threads, Common Land' first shown at art textil sent in Switzerland continues in Le Mans, France from 31st October until 22nd November in the Pavillon MONAD, Parc Theodore Monad under the kind invitation of the City of Le Mans.The building and park were once the barracks of the 117th Infantry. With its raw walls provides and interesting backdrop for its temporary exhibitions.

Bridges

I like the way the walls sometimes merge with the work and the edges are lost.
Dutch Blue
Lace Windows
40 Yards

Some of the lovely walls both presenting a challenge and an opportunity to see work differently.

Outside, and the Autumn colour.

As part of the week I also ran workshops at Atelier de Genevieve looking at restructured books, text and image. Some images of work in progress:

I finished the short stay in France with a brief visit to the Musee Bourdelle, home of fabulous sculpture in gardens including Antoine Bourdelle and Rodin.

I was also delighted to exhibit with the Canterbury Festival as part of Runnymede Revisited (in celebration of the signing of the Magna Carta) at St Peters Church on Oare. Again, I loved how the work responded to the space.

I will also be exhibiting 'Common Place, Common Land' a linked exhibition at the Cafe Gallery in Maidstone Museum in December. This exhibition will have a 'Meet the Artist Day' on 12th December in aid of Ranscombe Farm/Plantlife

(Exhibition also supported also by John Harper, Partner of St. James’s Place Wealth Management www.johncharper.co.uk)

I am delighted to be exhibiting 'Common Place, Common Land' in support of Plantlife in the Cafe Gallery at Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Gallery. This exhibition also marks the publication of my third book,'Stitch Stories'. I have been making studies and drawing at the museum:

Visitors are also welcome to contribute to'Tea Flora Tales'an ongoing community piece started at the Knitting and Stitching Show in 2012 to raise awareness of plants and locality. This is an image of the piece in progress at The Beaney in Canterbury two years ago.

Please come and join me on the 12^th December for a 'Meet the Artist' session between 1-4pm and learn more about my work inspired by the plant collections at the museum and the local Plantlife reserve at Ranscombe.There is also an opportunity to win an original piece 'Sleeping Poppy' in a raffle to be held on the day (to be drawn shortly before 4.00pm). You can also support Plantlife direct here.

Datesof exhibition Thursday 3 December – Wednesday 30 December

Cafe Gallery, Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Gallery, St Faith's Street, Maidstone

Kent ME14 ILH T 01622 602838 E museuminfo@maidstone.gov.uk
www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk

(This exhibition is kindly supported by John Harper, Partner of St. James’s Place Wealth Management www.johncharper.co.uk)

As I type this and the winds blow down pouring rain in Kent my sympathies lie with colleagues and friends in the North of England and Scotland who have fallen foul of Storm Frank (and indeed anyone who has been hit by what seems to be seasonal flooding). The Medway in Kent broke its banks and caused mayhem in Maidstone and outlying areas this time two years ago.

My father's name was Frank. He was a gentle man so I am unsure he would liked to have been associated by name to this storm. Now my Gran would have been another thing.
Below 'Winter Flood', part of the series 40 Yards first shown at the European Patchwork Meeting

It seems appropriate a piece of my work, 'High Water' (detail left) is currently touring in the 6th European Quilt-Triennial inTextilsammlung Max Berk/Kurpfälzisches Museum, Heidelberg (ends on the 10 January 2016) and subsequently to Kreismuseum Zons in Germany,( 24 January - 28th March 2016)

I am preparing for travel to the USA in the Spring to the Sedona Arts Center in March and then on San Diego in April on the invitation of San Diego Book Art and one other venue for workshops(see workshops section on my blog for updates). I am thrilled to also be at Visions Art Museum for a one person show exhibition also entitled 'Stitch Stories'
Back at West Dean College in 19-22 February looking at Personal journals – sourcing inspiration for textiles.

As we look to the new I also reflect on 2015 a busy, fulfilling year full of friendship, making and travel. Finding the balance can be difficult and needing to at times to 'just be'. Workshops and exhibitions have allowed me to meet with some amazing makers. A trip to the Mons with the Centre for Embroidery at the early part of the year ended with a trip to Le Mans at the end of 2015 where I was invited to exhibit by the city at the Parc Du Monod (a former army barracks).

Between that time I exhibited in Sent Switzerland, had a massive textile workshop tour to Australia (reported on my Magpie blog as 'The Edges of Australia). I saw some amazing things and so enjoyed the wonderful sunsets at my first temporary home in Queensland which contrasted with the industrial landscapes in Loy Yang which had a strange beauty of their own and (thankyou Glenys to Fibre Arts Australia for helping with this) and so many more hosts and friends.
..you know who you are

Longer hauls were matched short by equally vibrant and fruitful workshops with guilds and groups at home to a short workshop where I exhibited at the Prague Patchwork Meeting in April. Last, but not least, Stitch Stories was published in late Summer. It is currently being reprinted..so a big thankyou...none of this would have been possible without the support of some amazing people.

Using my portable toolkit photographed in the book by the wonderful Jacqui Hurst.

Wishing you all a peaceful and creative 2016

You can keep up to date with my activities by following links to my blogs on Cas Holmes Textiles and on facebook

Over the winter I gave myself permission to 'hibernate' a bit and concentrated on research and developing new ideas for forthcoming shows. I grew up in a family which liked to tell stories so am thrilled to be a cover girl on the latest edition of Cloth, Paper, Scissors. The inside article looks at how you can create your own folding stitch-story from found materials.

As I order and re-order thing in preparation for another journey in March to the USA for my exhibition'Stitch Stories' at Visions Art Museum (reported in my previous blog) I am drawn to consider how I prepare for such events.I have been drawn to the 'lost' part of our landscape..the areason the edges of our roads, railways and industrial areas we often miss simply because we pass and not really look at them. Environmentally of value in our increasingly built upon and urbanised spaces

Spring Verge

2016 marks the 300th anniversary of the birth of Lancelot "Capability" Brown, I wonder how he would have seen and remarked upon the changed post industrial landscape before him in light of the 'English Idyl'? You can get involved in marking this event through the Embroiderer's Guild who are a Capability Brown festival partner.
In 1998 I was commissioned to work on a community collaboration at Compton Verney House to mark the multi faceted history of the house and gardens (designed by Capability Brown).This was part of the celebratory preview season marking the opening of the newly-restored ground floor rooms We worked high up in the attic space and the participants included the communities of Combrook and Kineton, Campion Youth Group and local training and educational centres.My ongoing project Tea Flora Tales which continues to mark flora and the landscape appears in an article by Patchwork Professional.You can see the article and look at how to get involved here.

I use the time spent travelling to think, and to make connections between my home territory and the destination. I collect materials, take photographs, and make notes and sketches to record what I see.The images below are a few photographs captured through window on a damp day at West Dean College where I regularly teach.

A windy night led to a more physical response in red early in the morning ..a warm up exercise and sketch outside before workshops began.

At the same time, participants on my course, Personal Journals-sourcing inspiration for textiles were also looking at gardens for processing their own work

Head down drawing

Carol Sacha, walled garden

Cherry Hirsh Sketchbook development

Lorna Goldsmith, back of work in progress(she records her process here)

Tracey Williams, detail of sample in progress.

You can read more about up and coming workshops in the UK and USA on this link

Final news (but not least)is that the reprint of Stitch Stories is finally here and being distributed in the UK and beyond. Thankyou Batsford/Pavilion.

I have been away most of the last few weeks in the South West of USA (reported on my Magpie blog) at the end of my tour I attended an opening of 'Stitch Stories' at Visions Art Museum earlier in April. This wonderful not for profit museum managed by a brilliant staff team and volunteers is at NTC at Liberty Station in San Diego presents engaging programs that increase the appreciation of quilts, textiles and fiber as fine art. I am honoured to be have been invited as one of four gallery shows which include: The Jury is In, Recurring Dream by Gay Lasher and Geometric,The Visions Members Challenge. I detail two images from the Stitch Stories installation below which included new works and pieces made within the last 5 years.

Tea Garden (photo credit Sue Benner)


Installation of Armchair Botanical (in background) and Wayside Weeds.

I was able to catch up briefly with old friends and it was great to see pieces by two of my American textile friends Sue Benner (below) and Patty Hawkins (above).

After a lovely weekend in Ireland on my return I am preparing for my show as a guest exhibitor at the 7th Quiltfestival in Luxembourg from 5-8th May Image detail of Winter Grasses, I will report on this on my return..

Art Textiles Made in Britain will be exhibiting 'Identity' (image from Festival of Quilts 2014) at the Minerva Gallery in Wales from 30 April until 30th May. This is accompanied by workshops (I will also be giving a workshop here 7-8 November 2016.)

Identity Panels on show at Festival of Quilts 2014

Prescriptions has also opened at the Beaney in Canterbury. The exhibition focuses on the book art of Martha Hall, on loan from the University of New England,accompanied by a curated show of artists books responding to themes of art, empathy and wellbeing. Further links and details on all exhibitions here.

Florascript Cas Holmes

I am delighted to be in two publications this month. The 100th edition of Stitch Magazine with Favourite Things. This also happens to be Kathy Troup's last edition as Editor so I am doubly delighted to mark and celebrate her time on the magazine since its inception and wish her well as she passes on a strong legacy the new Editor.

Last but not least, I am equally delighted to be included in Textileartist's series of E publications in 'Textile Art Inspired by Nature'

I was one of the first interviews on this new blog way back in 2012 when I was interviewed at the Knitting and Stitching Show by Sam Pitcher for their featured artist series (To Do Different). Along with his brother Joe, the site continues to develop as a valuable resource and demonstrates we can never have enough writing about textile art either on line or in print.

The relationship between landscape, nature, place and people have remained a constant in my practice and during a fleeting visit to West Dean last weekend the wonderful management of the gardens reminded me of what a delicate balance this is.

Whilst eating breakfast a friend (and student at the college) said to visit the Orchard mentioning that 'the wildflower meadows around the trees are just simple beautiful right now' and knowing my love for these pockets of nature suggested I make the time.

The gardens are a little piece of horticultural heaven carefully managed by Head Gardener Jim Buckland and a dedicated team of gardeners and volunteers for 25 years. The Victorian Glasshouses are a jewel in the gardens and an appeal to restore them is place.

Students drawing around the Glasshouses in sketchbook workshop.

Wildflowers and habitat are so important in places where our gardens and urban sprawl meet the greater landscape. Not least of all, they constantly provide inspiration and a 'place to breath' and just be and to draw.

Whilst in the middle of 'Summer' it is hard to think of winter. This time last year I was preparing for a visit to Australia where winter was in full swing. Equally beauty can be found in the winter landscape and with that in mind I am delighted to once again support the Big Heart Auction for Chestnut Tree House.. Around 200 donated artworks will be auctioned from local, national and celebrity artists, illustrators and photographers as well as pieces by some of the children.

This piece, 'Winter Tree' , marks the beauty to be seen everyday in the shapes of winter trees.

I sign off with this wonderful interview by Textileartist discusses how community, nature, and art continues to shape and influence my work. (photograph compliments of Richard Torble Photography)

Cas Holmes studio, photo by Richard Torble

Artists have been invited to take part in Stuff for Thought a shared project of textile artist Heidi Drahota and the Human Rights Office of the City of Nuremberg September 9th – September 24th 2016. Journal:Remnants from Not so Ordinary Lives (below) is one of the pieces selected.

My grandmother a Romany Gypsy ,taught me to look at the world and to take responsibility for what we do and how we work. This piece uses fabrics, papers and printing blocks gathered on a research trip to India. I stitched images made on location at railway station where people were gathering for work, at a festival and on a workplace rooftop. All people need access to light, good water and fresh air. Our clothing needs to be made from sustainable sources, not adding to land fill and demanding as much from the land as it does from the makers.(Readers may have seen this piece in my first publication, The Found Object in Textile Art)

This work is in specific response to these two articles from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Article 18. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Article 19. Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Background:With the awarding of the Nuremberg International Human Rights Award 2015 to the labor unionist of the textile industry in Bangladesh Amirul Haque Amin the city of Nuremberg gives the award to an activist for social and economic human rights for the first time.

The exhibition 'Stuff for thought' invited artists to submit work direct relating to 3 different topics:

1 First of all the awareness of the rights of workers in Bangladesh. It is very dangerous to be in a labor union there. The activists don’t only run the risk of losing their jobs when they fight against bad working conditions; they are also often harassed, threatened or arrested. The jury hopes that the award will give Mr. Amin and his allies the protection that they need to continue their work towards humane working conditions.

2 The jury also wants to call upon the consumer conscience and raise awareness for responsible consumption. The public has a right to know under what conditions their clothes are produced.

3 Last but not least the jury’s vote is embedded in an economic framework since global and fair trade without the adherence to social standards runs contrary to basic human needs.

Further details of the exhibitionin German

Art Textiles Made in Britain
This is our second show at the Festival and we will be presenting new work based upon the theme Concealed.This new body work includes work by two guest artists and equally has a strong connection to the human experience discussed above. Hidden meanings and emotions commenting on people and place, social and environmental conscience to personal stories and reflections.

We have produced this lovely catalogue which will be for sale in the Art Textiles gallery and then be available via Hilary Beattie's online shop for those that can't get to Festival. A few of my publications including Stitch Stories will also be available.

Finally, I am delighted to be supporting Hop Art one day exhibition in aid of the Air Ambulance on Bank Holiday Monday 29th August at the Hope Pole Inn, Nettlestead Green. Maidstone. I have donated a small original stitched and collage artwork Hortus, (framed it is 28x22cm). You can bid on this piece by emailing Pauline atHop Art For details of the Hop Pole contact Mark at the Hop Pole (tel 01622816916.)

In common with many artists I enjoy the challenge of creating pieces with relevance to given situations, audiences and locations and an association of over thirty five years with community and public arts keep me motivated and interested in the exchange and learning with others as part of this process.

Leaf Sculpture, Broad Oak Nature Reserve.

Much of my early work was in the Medway Towns and Kent working as a Community Artist with organisations such as Spiral Arts and Shape on projects with hospitals, in education and even with the prison service. This interaction taught me to explore all kinds of materials from bamboo, willow and cloth used in the making of giant puppets to projects and installations with natural materials and found resources reflecting nature and the world around us. This featured article by Textileartist gives you more detail of this work and some handy hints if you want to engage with other people and work outdoors as part of the process.

Makes a human and emotional connection between environment and landscape through stitch is the domain of many artists who work in textile and the pieces of Australian artists Glenys Mann featured below) and Holly Story as well as British artist Rosalind Davis also feature in the article talking about the fragility of this relationship.

Glenys Mann, Waiting #16 Bundled

https://nmsteachingmuseum.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/norwich-shawl.jpg

This connection to people and place is marked in exhibitions I am currently featuring in, Stuff for Thought (see previous blog) with its focus on Human Rights and the textile trade. 'Madder' (detail featured below), has been accepted for an exhibition Norwich Shawls: Past Glory, Present Inspiration,in the City famous for its cloth industry (my family home). Madder marks the importance of the dye in Norwich Red and at the same time, taken as adjective, Madder comments on the hard work and often poorly paid employment in the textile industry using fragments gathered in India and Pakistan. The exhibition is on from 1st to 15th October 2016. and is chance to see rarely-seen Norwich Shawls held in private collections alongside contemporary responses in the fine Hostry at Norwich Cathedral. This event is organised by the Costume and Textile Association of the Norfolk Museums Service.

Closer to home I will have a piece on loan to Maidstone Museum in the exhibition Coming Home, Conflict and Care. This includes pieces from the collection based on two paintings in the museum’s collections by artist Frank Hyde
http://museum.maidstone.gov.uk/whats-on/events/coming-home-conflict-care-1916/

Arrival of a Convoy of Wounded Soldiers at Maidstone Station, Kent, 1916

In October my one person show at Kent Wildlife, Tyland Barn opens and I will also be at the Pavilion Bookshop in Covent Garden from the 5th with a book signing on the 22nd October from 2-4. Please pop in if you can.
Finally I am delighted to be included in short article by Down Under Textiles Magazine

with some pieces marking my strong connection with the small things of daily life I love about that Big Country. All updates on exhibitions and workshops can be seen in the drop down pages on my blogsite.

Extreme Stitching, USA and Exhibitions.

May Days and leading to Summer

Summertime and the living is easy?

Common Threads

Memory and Cloth

Responses to objects and places. Exposition

Into the New

2014 has flown by balancing making work, exhibiting and teaching as well as working on my next book 'Stitch Stories'.

Laceflowers detail

More importantly, the support of friends and family has equally enabled me to find some quiet time when things may have got a little too busy. It was wonderful to have a few days off to take a walk around Mote Park in the winter sunshine.

I started the year in the Netherlands with running workshops with Zijdelings and meeting up at the Museum of Kantfabriek (lace factory) to plan for the Memory Cloth exhibition which ended the year. I am back with Zijdlings for workshops in March.

Have a creative 2015

Bees, the Bentlif and other awakening events.

Spring has Sprung and all that.

'Forgotten Treasures.

Stitch Stories

The Wanderer Returns: Exhibition in Switzerland and other Autumn Events

Uncommon Spaces

I like the way the walls sometimes merge with the work and the edges are lost.
Dutch Blue
Lace Windows
40 Yards

Plantlife and our Common Places

High Water reflections from the Old to the New Year

Wishing you all a peaceful and creative 2016

You can keep up to date with my activities by following links to my blogs on Cas Holmes Textiles and on facebook

Telling Stories

Visions and Favourite Things

Wildflowers at West Dean..back to nature

Stuff for Thought – marking Human Rights and Festival of Quilts

A Growing Concern..Textiles and Community

2014 has flown by balancing making work, exhibiting and teaching as well as working on my next book 'Stitch Stories'.

Laceflowers detail

More importantly, the support of friends and family has equally enabled me to find some quiet time when things may have got a little too busy. It was wonderful to have a few days off to take a walk around Mote Park in the winter sunshine.

I started the year in the Netherlands with running workshops with Zijdelings and meeting up at the Museum of Kantfabriek (lace factory) to plan for the Memory Cloth exhibition which ended the year. I am back with Zijdlings for workshops in March.

Have a creative 2015

I like the way the walls sometimes merge with the work and the edges are lost.Dutch BlueLace Windows40 Yards

Wishing you all a peaceful and creative 2016

You can keep up to date with my activities by following links to my blogs on Cas Holmes Textiles and on facebook

I like the way the walls sometimes merge with the work and the edges are lost.
Dutch Blue
Lace Windows
40 Yards