Eleven artists and crafts people living in and around the village of Walsham-le-Willows form the Walsham-le-Willows Arts and Crafts Group. Together, they hold an exhibition annually in the Priory Room, situated on The Causeway, next to St. Mary’s Church.
Dates for 2017 are 18th-20th November 10am – 6pm. Admission to the exhibition is free.
The group produces ceramics, glass, jewellery, batik, metalwork, photography, printmaking and paintings in oil, watercolour, pastel and gouache.
All members are pleased to accept commissions.
The Artists and Craftspeople…
Diana Calvert
Painter
Diana paints in oils. Her favourite subjects are landscapes, predominantly in the Walsham area, still life and flower paintings. She is a member of the New English Art Club which is based at the Mall Galleries in London.
Contact | dianamartineau@btinternet.com
Gillian Crossley Holland
Painting with oil pastels
Gillian enjoys painting the fens of Lopham and Redgrave and the salt marshes and empty coasts of north Norfolk.
In her work Gillian is intrigued by crossing places, reversals and in particular, those views when the earth is no more than a mirror to the sky, she often explores these themes and plays with composition, light and reflections.
Gillian works in oil pastels, which allow her to instantly build up layers and textures and even, as illustrated here, create a monoprint from a painting started in Lopham Fen.
Contact | gillian@crossley-holland.com
Alison Dane
Jewellery
“My unique paper beads are made from self coloured and printed papers and strung with a mixture of semi-precious and glass beads.
My necklaces are colourful, lightweight, easy to wear and long lasting.
I use the Suffolk countryside as inspiration and enjoy experimenting with colour, developing my individual pieces to reflect the seasons and the colours on the High Street.”
Contact | s.dane2011@btinternet.com
Helen Dougall
Batik and paintings in gouache
“I paint and draw directly from observation, out in the open, in an effort to capture the complete essence of a landscape. I am particularly interested in the effect of agriculture on the landscape, tractors ‘drawing’ across fields to produce perspective patterns and the effect sunlight across stubble fields, and seascapes with wet, shiny undulating beaches or multi-coloured shingle.
I develop these ideas in batik, drawing and painting molten wax and dye across fabric.”
Contact | helen@hdbatik.co.uk
Website | www.hdbatik.co.uk
Chris and Hilary Evans
Printmaking
Chris says “I find the variety of the natural world an inspiration for my prints as well as building structures and landscapes. My collagraph plates are made from card and textured papers and I use zinc plates for my etchings.”
Hilary says “I love colour and pattern and printing gives me the opportunity to explore different colour combinations, consequently, I rarely edition my work.”
Contact | evans2312@hotmail.co.uk
Lesley Foster
Photographer
“I worked in photography for 40 years before actually picking up a camera. Now I find it almost impossible to put one down, especially since I acquired a macro lens and discovered the astonishing complexity, diversity and incredible beauty of nature in close up.”
Contact | lesfoster1@gmail.com
Website | www.elfphotography.co.uk
Gill Grimes
Hand-spinner and knitter
“I learnt to spin and use natural dyes when my children left home. I found it a fascinating hobby. I, also, started knitting. As my husband was exceptionally tall and could never get socks long enough to wear for walking or fishing, I knitted him a pair with a fancy top. I now knit jumpers, hats, scarves etc. in my hand-spun wool but stick to commercial wool, (due to washing) for all my socks.”
Contact | gill.wagner@live.co.uk
Mandy Jaggard
Cast glass
“I am fascinated by natural and man-made structures that have strength in their design and the spaces around them. Cast glass offers me opacity and transparency, and a depth of material in which to replicate these strong forms and their negative spaces. I use photography to develop my ideas, and sometimes these become an end in themselves. My glass work ranges from small paperweights and bowls through to larger forms and interior wall lighting. I use lead crystal and recycled glass.”
Contact | mandy.jaggard@btinternet.com
Peter Rudderham
Metalwork
“I design and make unique metal sculpture and apply artistic techniques to the production of functional items such as gates, weather vanes, arches etc. I am also developing an unusual method of picture painting.”
Contact | 01359 259 433
Mary-Jane Toulson
Weaver
Mary Jane weaves hard-wearing floor rugs using wool and jute. Each one is unique, with colour contrasts and blends being her speciality.
She, also weaves small-scale pictorial wall hangings using hand-spun wool and natural dyes.
Contact | iandmj@tiscali.co.uk
Rob Wheeler
Potter
“Most of my work has its roots in nature. The forms and textures often taking their inspiration from fossils, sea life and the countryside. Classic Chinese forms such as baluster vases, Roman and Greek shapes and decoration are also an influence.
Most of this work is produced in white earthenware and then put through the Raku process. Some of the more sculptural work is fired to stoneware.
I also produce a small range (mostly jugs and bowls) of domestic earthenware in blue and white and traditional commemorative slipware plates.”
Contact | rob@robwheelerpotter.com | 01359 258 167
Website | www.robwheelerpotter.com
Other works by the same artists
Contact
For information about future exhibitions or to commission work
Diana Calvert | 01359 259 237
Helen Dougall | www.hdbatik.co.uk