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Friday 15 June 2012

Talking wool with Prince Charles

Scotsheep is a biannual event held to support all parts of the sheep farming industry.
I was delighted to be invited as a textile artist to partake in this particularly important Scotsheep 2012.
It was held just down the road from Heartfelt Studios present location in Dumfries House estate, at Morrissons Farm. I was asked to take the yurt to show the versatility of wool in its many uses.
Many of my felty friends also were showing their skills with felted fleeces by Ann Ross. Fine felt by Jenny McKay, Fungi dying with Marlene Cadell  and the lovely spinners from the Lanarkshire spinners group.Jennifer Alexander who had rounded up a talented flock of textile workers had a beautiful display of her work and lots of samples of native breeds and how they felted and spun. The display was well appreciated by the farmers and visitors, especially the many schools that braved the rainy day to learn some hands on about textiles. We were very fortunate to be introduced to Prince Charles and his genuine interest and depth of knowledge on wool was amazing. I had a lovely talk with him about the Highgrove Florigelieum felted book covers I had made for him and he told me about his fascinating new project. Perhaps more book covers in a few years time then.
Felt has defiantly found a place in royal appreciation.
Wool has led me to such exciting places and the challenge goes on.
Thanks to Jennifer Alexander and Millside Farm for organising this textile opportunity.

Monday 4 June 2012

news@janelocke.ie: Wake Exhibition - May/June 2012

news@janelocke.ie: Wake Exhibition - May/June 2012: Welcome to news@janelocke.ie.  The purpose of this blog is to provide the most up to date information on my work and will include images and...

Sunday 3 June 2012

The eyes of a building

Buildings with blanked off windows are blind in my view.
No one can see in but the building itself is also 'blind' ...mouth sealed up it doesn't breath and eyes not able to see the world going by.It lives only in the echo of its memories held within the stone of it's walls...sad.
But the sight has come again to Dalmally Station after many years and new case and sash windows have lifted the veil. The building feels happy again, filled with light.
I am sitting looking out on the beautiful Glen Orchy hills and I have watched the morning light touch the contours and the shadowed crevices and change as the day has worn on. I am captivated.









I so look forward to working in the studio with the view to railway track and to hills on the other side in the bright open light. 
The station has come alive