Doors Sprang Open for Charity!

What a lovely, sunny and showery spring afternoon was spent at my studio on Sunday, with an eclectic mix of people, who were all there to help celebrate the opening of the studio for the Easter fortnight, but most especially to find out who had won the art raffle prizes. And the winners were as follows:

“Cloud on Cul Mor” by Mairearad Green was won by Mark French, from Chester

“Bothy at Badentarbet” by Chelsea Frew was won by Ruth Luckhurst, from Elphin

“Winter Crofts” by Jan Kilpatrick was won by Sheonaid Clark, from Elphin

Thank you to everyone who took part in the raffle. Together, we raised almost £1000 in aid of MacMillan Nurses and Maggie’s Centres. And this would not have been possible without the help of a cheery band of ticket sellers: Jan and Sara of Ceard, Ann and Helen of Elphin Tearooms and the inimitable Sheila Green of Achnahaird. I would also like to thank Calum for donating the framing of Mairearad’s painting, the Ullapool News for publicity and, of course, to Mairearad Green and Chelsea Frew for donating their work.

Happy Easter everyone!

Jan

 

 

New Commission

 

This panel was made as a birthday present for one of the many climbers for whom Suilven has a special place in their hearts.

The composition (100cm x 130 cm) was based on the view of the mountain from Ledmore, just to the north of Elphin, with the Ledmore river winding its way towards Cam Loch. 

The client requested that I use the burnt orange of the bracken and old heather that is found on the slopes of the low hills.  To this I added the range of faded yellows and gold found in the wide variety of grasses that are found on the flood plain of the river.  And, of course, the unmistakable silhouette of Suilven stands proud above it all.

 

 

Exhibition 2018

Long, slow days and nights of snow and ice and spectacular skies; January is a month for reflection and for dividing my time between walking and quiet research.  But, I have a shiny new stove in my studio, which is drawing me in and back towards work, which is just as well because I am exhibiting a new body of work in late summer of this year, work that has emerged from my experiments with eco-printing and natural dyes and pigments.  I will be showing a range of textile works alongside Mairearad Green, award-winning composer and musician from Achiltibuie, who has more than a few strings to her bow.  We have collaborated before, through song-writing, but this time Mairearad is producing paintings full of an energetic expression of the spirit of the north west.  We both feel such a strong connection to the land in this part of the Highlands that I think our work will make perfect companions. 

The exhibition will take place at The Ceilidh Place, Ullapool, between 26th of August and the 7th of October 2018.

 

The Fabric of the Land

 

With each year that I spend living my life in this rugged yet bountiful landscape I find that, in order to draw closer to the essence of the place, more and more am I using natural materials and simple methods in the mark-making and construction of my textile works.  I am now into my fourth year of experimenting with eco-printing, a skill worthy of an honours degree!  And so most days I have a witch's brew of plants and fabric simmering away in the oven of Ruby, my red Aga.  More recently, I have begun to make my own pigments for print-making, using the soft rocks found in and around my garden.  I am very excited by the influence of time, chance, climate and season on the results of these experiments and this is having a profound effect on my work.

And I feel that I am ready to pass on some of my new-found knowledge through the creation of a new course, to be launched in September 2018, called The Fabric of the Land. I hope some of you will want to join me in rolling back time and immersing yourself, or at least your hands, in the raw materials that make up the fabric of this land.

 

Open Studio 2018

Jan's Studio in Elphin is open to visitors between 11.00 am and 4.00 pm on the following days:

Wednesdays, between 2^nd May and 26^th September

except for the following Wednesdays:

23^rd May

6^th June

20^th June

4^th July

18^th July

5^th September

19^th September

Jan holds a collection of her larger works at her Studio. To arrange a private viewing please email Jan or telephone 01854 666279 to arrange a time.

Visit the Open Studio / Location  page for more details. 

 

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