The works for my show in November are almost finished. I'm now at the stage to bring in other people. The framers, the box makers, and the photographer. This photo is a test-shot by @rebeccabrookerphoto
Work: yet to be titled. 2025
Book, paper, and birch twigs.
#bookobject #audubonbirdguide
I'm excited to announce a new online workshop. On Saturday 18th July, join me for my new #starflower workshop. Why Starflower? Well, back in December I was commissioned to create a posy of wildflowers for music legend, Sir Paul McCartney. Apparently, starflower are among his favourite wildflowers. This was my first time making this distinctive flower, and I've since redesigned the template and am excited to share it with you. If you've worked with me in making a posy of wildflowers before, the Starflower will be a striking addition to your display. I've tailored the workshop to suit those of you who have already attended my classes, but if not, I'm running another workshop for beginners on the 11th July, making wild poppies and daisies. 🌼 You'll receive all the cut-out flower pieces in the post prior to the workshop starting. All you'll need are tools to construct the flowers (most of which can be found around the home). I can't wait for you to join me in making wildflowers together on zoom. Link in my bio, or go to my online shop for details 💠
@ninagrossartist worked with me for a few months last summer as my 'studio assistant'. She left when she relocated to the north of England in September. Since then, Nina has been working tirelessly on her project, which has now come to fruition, and is on display @bethlemgallery in Croydon until 11th July. This is her first public exhibition since graduating from West Dean College, and I was there for the opening night.
Nina has created intricate paper replicas of some of the rooms from her childhood home, worked on mostly by memory. These interiors are of a particular moment in time; a messy teenage bedroom, complete with cluttered desk. A radiator in the hallway draped with odd socks. I particularly like the way Nina has incorporated light beaming through blinds at the window, casting shadows inside. In a similar way to myself, Nina shares an obsession to detail. Read more about this project @ninagrossartist and if you get the chance, go see the exhibition for yourself.
#paperinterior #iwanttogohome #bethlemgallery
Evolving journal designs with @rogerlaborde from 2010. Starting with a simple black pocket journal featuring 'Alice: A Mad Tea Party' to 2026, incorporating bright colour, with illustrated pages and a heart-shaped lock and key. 🩷🗝
What will come next?
#rogerlaborde #ilovejournals #journaling #writethingsdown
Happy 80th birthday to Diane Bates, pictured here in her signature hat. Diane is one of the guiding lights I gave credit to in my book @into.the.dark.woods who encouraged me to move to London from Sheffield to study an MA @rcatextiles She likes to go against the grain, and is as inspiring now, as she was when she taught textiles at Bradford College in the late 90s. Still stitching, still embroidering, still exhibiting her wonderful work... a true maverick. I visited her last week, and one of the last things she said to me as I walked out the door was, 'Su, what would you prefer, to be a housewife or an artist'? No surprise to how I answered her.
#inspirationalteacher
I can never resist having a go on a rope swing that I come across, even at age 50!
Artwork: The House in the Oak Tree, 2015
#innerchild #ropeswing 🌳
#icantbetheonlyone
I currently have work @britishlibrary exhibition, 'Fairytales', which opened over the weekend, alongside copies of my 'Into the Dark Woods' book for sale in the library shop. In the introduction to my book, I write about the work I was making @rcatextiles in 2002, which compelled me to pull out some old photographs. For my RCA assessment, I made a series of notebooks from small brown envelopes, documenting my second year. In it, I made my first book object from a found book, as well as origami birds folded from my dissertation about memory, wire wings, a shroud of stained teabags, stitched together; tea I consumed in the days of grieving. A visit to the Ornitholgical Dept at the Walter Rothschild Museum in Tring found me juxtaposing tropical bird wings with less tropical species. In the Peak District, I happened upon a derelict barn to hang a web of knotted linen thread, and in the final image, I invited fellow students to write down their dreams on soluble paper and float them in a tray of water, whereby they gradually dissipated, leaving only fragments of ink trials behind.
@into.the.dark.woods
