Category Archive: Blog

  1. New Year’s Resolutions

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    It’s September, one of those typical glorious September days of soul lifting sunshine, warm enough not to need a coat but not so hot to be sticky or worried about showing too much flesh. The kids are back at school and no longer an impediment/excuse to get things done.  I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions. At that time of year, I just want to keep cosy and eat hearty food, basically hibernate until Spring. Now I am a parent of school kids (6 and 8 1/2), the start of the new academic year has become more significant not just for the kids needing new shoes and starting new things but also me.

    Being a freelance artist, I juggle working part time and looking after my children as there is only so much spending on childcare I can justify (they go 2 days a week to give me a couple of longer work days) plus I relish the opportunity my career choice has given me to be there for them and be part of their childhood. Like many others, I have spent my summer working even more part time while the children were off school. I am lucky that their Dad is also freelance and takes on a share of this but as a web designer (aka RAGINGtrifle who did this site of course), he is busier & earns more so I do a higher proportion of holiday cover. The concentrated time with them really emphasises how much they grow and develop each year. New things they can do and old favourites they no longer want to do. You can see the future, them no longer needing you so much and what then?

    This is why I am writing about new year’s resolutions now. This is my new year. A time for new me or at least let out the me who has busy focussing on kids, waiting to shine. I am trying to give myself Fridays as personal development days to focus on work that is not part of my general design & workshop commissions. I have already failed by agreeing to a meeting next Friday but it is near the Manchester Museum so will combine it with going to go back to have a better look at their new research facility, The Study, and take some photos of the Manchester Craft Mafia exhibition I am part of – more on this in another post as new me is going to try to blog more too. There is a local Zumba class that starts at 9.30am so have joined that to develop my body too (I have never been to the gym or an aerobics class of any sort before so this is a big thing). I have finally set up a professional artist page on Facebook (please like) and I have renewed the Crafty Wotnots domain with good intentions of relaunching my selling of handmade soft toys, brooches and my new line of lino prints & cards. Don’t go looking for it quite yet, I need a few more Fridays to get it back up and running. Now back to the studio before school pick up, well, back to tidying the studio after a summer of stolen moments and random dumping, it seriously needs some attention ready for this new creative drive. Go me!

  2. Back at DIY Theatre – Trails & Teepees

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    It is really great to be working with DIY Theatre Company again. I have worked with them on various projects over the past 10 years. They are a disability led theatre company. Whenever I work with them as designer, I run design sessions with the group that input into my design process but also help them in developing the show.

    Following The Thread is a new multi-sensory show designed for performance for children in special schools. There is a central character, Wooly, leading the performance and a set of performers working one on one to add individual sensory experience for each audience member. DIY have already spent time developing this show and testing it with their target audience. So far they have been using stuff they had lying around. It is my job to bring the design elements up to a professional standard to enhance the audience experience.

    2015-04-28-11.48.45_websqIn week 1, we looked at what the group had developed so far and started discussing who the central character was and where they are when we meet them. Key words to describe Wooly: cheeky, magic, fun, friendly, controls the weather. Key words to describe the location: natural, tent, beach. Through discussions we discovered that many of the group had a fixed idea of beach that was seaside, Blackpool, arcades & ice cream. The director, Sue Caudle, and I decided it would be good to run some exercises to help explore the idea of natural beaches and even try to plan an outing.

    For the next session, both Sue & I brought in our collections of stuff gathered on beaches: stones, shells, old glass, dried seaweed, driftwood. I brought in a collection of photographs of windswept outings to Formby & Fife. Sue ran an exercise with the group creating beach trails with the stuff. We also looked at driftwood dens and teepees and decided it would be good to try making our own. We also looked in more depth at the character Wooly. I brought images of shamans and Prospero to help in Wooly’s transition from camper to someone slightly magical and intune with nature. We combined fabrics and accessories I had brought with the shaggy scarf from Wooly’s original costume. Different people tried it on and explored moving in it and using the rainstick.

    2015-05-05-14.02.18_websqWeek 3 was teepee-tastic. We built 3 teepees using bamboo, masking tape and large newsprint paper  including one that was suitable for someone in a wheelchair to fit in. We explored three different themes: the song/journey; the weather/nature; the beach/sea. Each group took a theme and decorated their teepee using poster paint and sticky back plastic. I was keen to instil the fact that we were exploring a range of ideas rather than feeling it was a competition. The results were fabulous. I know have the task of combining their ideas to design the final teepee which will be made from calico and decorated using applique and a collection of sparkly trimmings that have kindly donated by Glen from Taylors Haberdashery Supplies. I will leave them for a few weeks to continue developing the performance and incorporating the design ideas and return with my designs for the teepee.

  3. Make:Believe Design for Performance Exhibition

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    Make: Believe UK Design for Performance 2011 – 2015

    Exhibition

    14 – 31 January 2015

    10.00am – 5pm Monday to Saturday

    Nottingham Trent University

    I am currently exhibiting in Nottingham as part of the Society of British Theatre Designers Exhibition.  It is a fantastic exhibition (not just because I feature) full of bold designs, intricate models, photographs, drawings, puppets and amazing costumes from shows designs in the past four years.

    It was featured on BBC Breakfast and in Design Week.

  4. Proud and Loud Arts on Tour…

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    Beyond the 4th Wall tour posterI designed the original production of “Beyond the 4th Wall” at The Lowry for Proud and Loud Arts last year. I have enjoyed working with them again to get it ready for their tour of the North West. Booking details for all the tour dates can be found on the Proud and Loud Arts website.

    The tour has started well back at The Lowry and received a cluster of 4 & 5 star reviews. My favourite was from Whats On Stage as I get a mention by name which is a rarity for a designer.

    Next stop Knowsley…

    [poster by RAGINGtrifle]

  5. Hark! An Ark!

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    I have recently been involved in a fabulous project bringing together Bridgewater Hall, Chetham’s School of Music and Manchester Cathedral for a production of Benjamin Britten’s community opera, Noye’s Fludde to celebrate his centenary.

    The ark had to be assembled and dismantled quickly and smoothly onstage during the performance. Adults on rehabilitation programmes with Back on Track Manchester are met every Friday to create the ark with me at Grumpy Creative Spaces. We used bamboo, wood, paper, postage tubes, cardboard and a lot of glue and gaffa tape. It was really good seeing it take shape over the weeks.

    I ran workshops with school children in three primary schools and with choristers from Manchester Cathedral to design and make the 56 pairs of animals. Children worked with Bryony Bell from Bridgewater Hall to learn the songs and create movements to represent the animals and the storm.

    There were only two performances of Noye’s Fludde at 1.45pm and 4.30pm on Saturday 23 February, both at Manchester Cathedral. I am looking forward to seeing the photos taken during the show and will share them with you in the portfolio section of my website.

    Noye’s Fludde is generously supported by the Booth Charities, Salford and the Britten-Pears Foundation.

    *UPDATE*

    • More photos of the ark in progress can be seen here.
    • For information and photos of the mask making workshops for this project, visit their own page.
  6. Chortlon Arts Festival Workshops 2012

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    mask making After performing at Chorlton Arts Festival 2011, Aqueous Humour were invited back to be part of the schools programme for 2012. They run a series of workshops and performances in the Blue Box Theatre at Chorlton High School for pupils at the school and from local primary schools. We worked with kids from Chorlton Church of England Primary.

    Tom  from Aqueous Humour explored drama games and improvisation with Year 1. Quite a change from the KS3 kids we have been working with. It was a delightful afternoon filled with fun and noise. Intrigued to discover many didn’t know what eye colour their own eyes were when asked to get into groups. Mild chaos & confusion ensued but they worked it out in the end by all working together. Enjoyed making images in groups but everyone wanted to be eyes in the face task. In one group nobody would back down so one boy suggested that they become a ‘3 eyed alien’. Well, Tom never said what kind of face. Tom felt it was a really successful session especially at the end when they thanked him with an en-masse hug/rugby tackle requesting him as their new teacher – aw, bless.

    Alien masksI made alien masks with Year 4. Aliens are good fun as can go mad with colour and texture and shape and antennae and tentacles etc. I worked with them in small groups to create the base masks while they drew some designs. It’s important to create a design however quick & rough to help get ideas going and make decisions. This leads to faster more confident work once you get to the making stage with less mistakes. Once they transferred their designs to the masks, they used tissue paper to colour them and ribbons, pipe-cleaners, sequin waste, wool etc to decorate them. They created a fabulously imaginative array of colourful aliens.

    Chorlton Church of England School should be proud of their pupils. They were a delight to work with and created some fantastic work. Thanks also to Chorlton High School for lending us their arts ambassadors to give a hand with the workshops, I hope they enjoyed themselves too. The Blue Box Theatre was a lovely (though a bit hot) space to run workshops in and hope to return in the future with a performance.

  7. News – Jubilee Crown and Tiara making workshop

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    hat making workshopBring the kids to Mill Gate for the Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday.

    On Tuesday 5th June, I will be running a special kids workshop where they can design & make their very own royal crowns and tiaras! There will be the opportunity to take their photo in our own special throne room. The workshop will be running on a drop in basis from 11am-4pm located in Schorndorf Square.

    In addition to this, on Monday & Tuesday there will be free face painting, chocolate and balloon giveaways plus our very own Monty the Monkey will be out and about from 11am-4pm. The Centre will be open 10.30am-4.30pm on both days.

    Mill Gate Jubilee flyer

    This event has been created in conjunction with The Met, Bury.

    UPDATE: To see photos from this event see my follow-up post.

  8. Emotionally Literate Design Sessions

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    Shocked & HappyOver the Spring term I have been running a series mask design sessions as part of the Emotionally Literate project for Aqueous Humour. I worked with Year 7 in Lever Park SEBD School in Bolton, The Willows youth group, 2 classes at Richmond Park KS3 PRU and 2 classes at Crossacres KS3 PRU.  The young people at these schools have been excluded from mainstream education for a variety of reasons, often violent and abusive behaviours towards their peers and adults working with them. These young people often have difficulty expressing themselves with clarity. Some have issues with anger and low self-image/esteem. This often means they find it extremely difficult to engage and function positively with others.

    The aim of the project is to develop an affordable emotional literacy resource using masks for active/kinaesthetic learners. The purpose of the programme is to offer a tool to creatively explore emotional literacy as a barrier to learning. We have been running drama and design sessions as part of the research and development process of the project.

    Please head over to the Aqueous Humour Community website to read my full blog post about the design sessions or to find out more about Emotionally Literate.

  9. Farewell Islington Mill…

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    Empty studioAfter over four years in residence, I moved out of Studio 305 in Islington Mill last week. It was an emotional* journey but an overdue one. This was my first studio. It was mine… My space… Private space. A bit of a mess but my mess. Prior to this I had worked from home particularly on my design work when not working onsite in a theatre workshop or tv studio. After my first child arrived, I found for me, tv schedules and overnight paintcalls didn’t appeal but I still needed/wanted to work in my chosen field. I found myself doing more designing & prop/costume making. I was also finding that theatres were giving up their workshop spaces and as a freelance scenic painter, prop & costume maker, people were starting to request that I had my own workshop space. My workspace/studio at home was one half of the through diningroom/lounge separated off with just a curtain. As small child started to move, I had to install a fence but no way to contain the smell of paint & glue that I had become accustomed to but not a good atmosphere for little lungs. We had run out of space not just physically but also headspace. I needed clarity between work and home.

    People think it’s great to work from home but it’s hard to escape (I am of course writing this at the reclaimed dining room table) but more than that I found it was easy enough to work when I was busy but it was those quiet times (other freelancers will know what I mean) when it was hard to focus on personal development and the search for new work, easy to get distracted by the washing and the long list of things that need fixing, painting etc. I checked out a several studios online. I was looking at sizes, prices, locations, facilities, availability and range of artforms. Some were very fine art orientated. Some were too open. Some were too expensive. Some didn’t have internet. I visited some to get a feel for what was on offer. Some were still being built. Generally there was nothing available.

    Studio viewJust after Christmas when my daughter had just turned one, a fellow artist/friend told me that some studios had become available in Islington Mill. I rang up and booked an appointment to view. I was working nearby in The Angel with DIY Theatre Company so it was very easy to pop by. Mark greeted me and showed me round the building. There were two medium studios still available – one at the back on the fourth floor and a slightly smaller one at the front on the third. I am not usually known for my decisiveness but something felt right. I knew this was meant to be. So on this grey wet day in Salford, I said yes and signed the contract and paid the deposit there and then. Knowing that I am often to be lugging stuff – props, costumes, materials etc and there was no lift, I lazily chose the one on the third plus it had a view of the cathedral (and as I later realised, a noisy school playground). Number 305.

    So in February 2008, I moved into my own studio. I bought some bookcases, a big desk and an oil filled heater (best buy) from Pete’s Secondhand Store on Upper Chorlton Rd. It felt good to buy some stuff from him as I had spent years blagging & borrowing stuff off him for various theatre shows. They included delivery in the price not just to the door of the Mill but right up into my studio which I was truly grateful for as it was a mammoth desk. On my first day, as I moved in, who should hold the door open for me but Johnny Marr. As he had seen me carrying rolls of fabric and dressmaker’s dummys up, he knocked on to introduce himself and ask my advice on curtains for soundproofing – “Hello, I’m Johnny, I have the studio at the end..” It was a nice welcome.
    Wall art by We Are BoyIn my early days at the Mill, the first floor gallery was a communal area with a food prep area with kettle, fridge, coffee maker and microwave. There was also a communal computer for internet access for those who didn’t have access in their studios. I would often pop down at lunchtime to get away from my work and that smell of glue & paint or so I didn’t get food on the fabric but also to see other faces and get to know what was going on. I was loving having my own space but I also liked that I was part of an artistic community but one that you definitely had to opt into rather than were forced to be part of. I particularly enjoyed Fridays when the butty man came calling and a big pot of coffee would be brewed. Another fan of butty Fridays was Rachel Wood who I was pleased to be reacquainted with as she had been my lodger and now we had studios on the same floor. I did certain days as I was also covering childcare for half the week. I got to know the others who crossed these hours as I rarely made it back for gigs or parties.

    stairs

    When I became pregnant with my second child, I was very glad that I had chosen the third floor. I also deliberated about giving my studio up but having waited so many years to have a studio of my own, I knew that the waiting lists meant that I may find it tricky to find another after my maternity leave especially at the Mill as its reputation had grown considerably. I would have to pay for storage anyway and I was in no state to do the move so I stayed. I was glad I did. It gave me a sense of artistic focus and belonging following my maternity leave. This was a tricky time for all involved in the arts as we waited to find out who had gained NPO status (including the Mill itself). I think it helped keep me sane. Things had changed in my absence. The gallery and bar were having a revamp.  Kim was doing food (this was a good thing) in The Engine House which had kind of replaced the first floor communal area. Faces had changed but this was a constant thing. There seemed to be more digital types which I think put a massive strain on the internet connection (one of my reasons for choosing Islington Mill) and so I was often to be found swearing at my laptop or retreating home if I needed to do webby stuff (you can tell I’m not that digital). I think it was shortly after my return to work that the council went a bit mad with the yellow paint and suddenly there was no longer anywhere to park (another of my reasons for picking the Mill) and as I mentioned before, I do a lot of lugging so this stressed me greatly.

    Installation in hallway

    Throughout my time at Islington Mill, I worked closely with physical theatre company, Aqueous Humour as their Head of Design. In 2009 Aqueous Humour were appointed Artists in Residence at Richmond Park KS3 PRU in Longsight and last year I was made joint Creative Director. This hasn’t meant more money but it has meant spending more time at base for meetings and project planning. When Aqueous Humour received confirmation that we would continue as Artists in Residence at the PRU, the natural progression was for me to move my studio there.

    I will miss Islington Mill but I was just no longer there enough. Knowing me, this means I will now actually attend more gigs/events and am looking forward to doing my Christmas shopping at Xmas at The Mill. I have become Twitter (@nerissact) and Instagram friends with several Mill residents so will continue to be in touch and support your projects. Was glad I paid The Blue Van company to help with my move as there is still no lift (though I heard a rumour that there is still hope for one) and that desk is still as big and heavy.

    *Thanks to my lovely neighbour Anj from Design By Day for the hug when I came over all emotional. I will miss their afternoon giggle attacks.

  10. Soft Toy Making – Blue Room

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    2016-01-29-17.32.57_websqKate from the The Men’s Room charity approached me to work with their Blue Room group which works specifically with young men vulnerable to sexual exploitation and those who were surviving by selling sex. They wanted to work with artist to look at a variety of craft skills with an end product that they could take home. Many craft products are traditionally thought of a feminine. I suggested soft toy making as hey, who doesn’t love a teddy?

    I showed them some of my Wotnots and a simple sock alien as inspiration. I created a basic pattern to make their own mini mascot. I did variations on the pattern for bunny, cat, owl and alien but was able to help them adapt the pattern to create any animal. A dog and a monkey were requested. I brought a variety of brightly coloured fleece fabrics. I chose fleece as it does not fray and is lovely and cuddly. Once they had cut out their pattern from their chosen fabric, I showed them 2 styles of stitches – back stitch on the inside to create a smooth finish and whip stitch on the outside for a rough homespun feel. The toys were stuffed with polyester fibre with chickpeas at bottom to give them a bit of weight for sitting. From this point they could choose how to embellish them – buttons, felt, ribbon, embroidery. They could also add arms, legs and/or tails.

    Initially everybody had various children and loved ones in mind to receive their toys but by the end they seemed to have become too attached to give them away. Hopefully they feel confident to make more as gifts.

  11. Remembering Applique

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    Much of my work is bold and seen from afar so speed & strength are priorities over detail & prettiness. I use glue and tape and staples and if I do sew, it’s fast machine stitch. So I started attending the monthly Lo-fi sessions run by Craft Mafia after I started making my Wotnots in an attempt to refocus on the more refined skills involved in crafting. The past couple of months have involved applique…

    February:

    For Valentine’s Nico aka Ophelia Button taught paper roses and heart shaped applique. We backed the hearts with bondaweb and attached them to our napkins/pillowcases using a hot iron. We used embroidery stitches to reinforce and embellish the hearts. I used this as an opportunity to brush up on my blanket and chain stitches. Not sure if I had done chain stitch since my primary school sampler which still has pride of place on my Mum’s wall.

    March:

    The next month, Sam from Ministry of Craft taught reverse applique which I really enjoyed. It is quick and effective. Looks far more complicated than it is which is a win win in my book. Basically you sew it all on in one go and then chop the patterns into it. I matched the felt trim and beads to the colours in the patterned base fabric. We used felt for the top layers as it doesn’t fray. I chose to use more of the same remnants as for my hearts for my apple motif bag. Really pleased with the result and definitely going to use this technique again.

    I have been going to the LO-fi sessions for a year but not been able to attend every month. You can see more things that I have made here. I have even run a session myself teaching my Wotnots style of Christmas decorations and brooches. If you want to join in, they are held on the first Tuesday of the month and there is a small charge for materials. However, places must be booked as space is limited. For more details and to book contact Nico.

     

  12. Nerissa’s Blog…

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    a picture of meSo if you talk about stuff once it has happened, that counts as blogging, right?

    With this in mind I have changed the name of this section from News to Blog as I kept posting about my news once it had happened or at least wanting to. I haven’t actually posted in this section for over a year which is appalling as I have been busy, things have happened, I have had ‘News’. I am hoping that in renaming it ‘Blog’, I might feel less pressured about the nature of the posts. I can write about projects as they progress, not just document them at the end in my portfolio sections. I can still blog about upcoming stuff too i.e. News.

    I might also take the opportunity to witter or vent about things which take my fancy or annoy me in the realms of design, theatre, craft etc but need more than the 140 characters of Twitter to express. Today I will spare you a full-on vent about the trial and tribulations of procuring reasonably priced car insurance without lying when you work in the arts. I will just say that I am now a ‘Community Craft Instructor’ which does actually describe my day-to-day work life more closely than anything on the list in previous years and leave you with Phelim McDermott’s thought’s on online forms and the arts – NOT JUST “OTHER”.