             |
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|
The Court Cupboard Craft Gallery was set up exclusively for members of the Black Mountains Circle – a group of local people involved in traditional art and craft work. Their products and skills have been chosen because they represent the best traditions in terms of quality and variety.
|
||||
|
|
MAGGIE JONES |
||||
|
|
KEITH FOSTERArtistKeith Foster studied Fine Art at Newport College of Art and completed his postgraduate teaching studies at Cardiff University. He has spent over twenty years as a professional artist and teacher. He now paints full time from his studio in South Wales.His paintings are a personal response to the cultural heritage and the changing moods of the Welsh landscape. He paints in an expressionistic manner using bold expressive strokes and the paint can sometimes become tactile. His vivid and intense use of colour is inspired by his intimate knowledge of the immediate environment, the industrial communities, the intimate valleys, the wild, rugged hills and majestic mountains. His paintings are in many private and corporate collections. Click here for examples of Keith's works Telephone:- 01495 756718
CATRIN PETTSCalligrapherCatrin Petts was born in North Wales, the daughter of John
Petts, internationally known artist-craftsman, and Kusha Petts, writer
and painter. Her upbringing was steeped in the freelance creativity of
her parents, creating an awareness of the varied applications of the
arts, reinforced through constant contact with visiting artists. Click here for examples of Catrin's works Email:petts552@btinternet.com Telephone:- 01873 858827
SIONI RHYS HANDWEAVERSHand WeaverIn a district famous for its soft flannel, the craft of
weaving continues in the studios of Sioni Rhys Handweavers. The
traditional Carthen or throw is woven in the modern idiom with pure new
wool, reflecting the colours of the surrounding Black Mountains. The
Celtic inspiration in the textiles of Sioni Rhys Handweavers is evident
in the new Llanofer Heritage range of throws which echo the traditional
weaves of the mills of the area. Click here for examples of Stuart's works E-mail: sioni.rhys@btopenworld.com Website: www.sionirhys.eu Telephone:- 01873 890441
PAULINE PATERSONCeramicsPauline Paterson was born and educated in North London. She
left school at fifteen and worked as an Assistant Stage Manager and
actress in various repertory companies. Click here for examples of Pauline's works Telephone:- 01874 711518
JACQUELINE GIBBONSFeltmakerJacqueline Gibbons, feltmaker, currently only exhibits her
range of felt pieces at the Court cupboard Gallery, Abergavenny. She
uses both locally sourced wools, merino wools and silks occasionally
dyeing her own colours. Click here for examples of Jacqueline's works E-mail: jackiegibbons49@hotmail.com Telephone:- 02920 654496
SARAH STACEYSpinnerSarah Stacey is a working shepherd in the Llanthony Valley.
She was already a proficient knitter when learned to spin in 1989 so
that she could use the wool she produced. Her work is now sourced to
the Welsh National Museums and Galleries. She enjoys the tactile nature
of spinning and prefers to work with the wool from White-faced Woodland
sheep. She develops her own knitted designs which depend on the
individual quality and nature of the wool she is working with at the
time. She makes knitted garments to commission for adults, children and
babies. Click here for examples of Sarah's works E-mail: sarah@hedgehogequipment.co.uk Website: www.hedgehogequipment.co.uk Telephone:- 01873 890712
ZOOHANDSPUNSpinnerJeanette Bush began spinning in 1980 as a way of relaxing in
between caring for her new baby and studying for her BSc. She sharpened
her spinning techniques when she joined the Breconshire Guild of
Spinners, Weavers and Dyers and studied with Margaret Hansford, Elinor
Kelsall and Mabel Ross. Click here for examples of Jeanette's works E-mail: j.s.bush@talk21.com Telephone:- 01873 811068
ELSA DESIGNSGold, Silver and Gemstone JewelleryElsa's degree in jewellery and silversmithing at Sir John
Cass, City of London, encouraged her to explore an extensive range of
materials. Within this range of possibilities she still turned to the
traditional use of sterling silver, gold and a wide variety of
gemstones. Click here for examples of Elsa's works E-mail: elsacleminson@tiscali.co.uk Telephone:- 01873 810905
DAVID JONESLovespoonsDavid Jones was born and bred in the Welsh Valleys. His love
affair with wood began at an early age with winning prizes for model
making at the school eisteddfod. Click here for examples of David's works Telephone:- 01633 790285
SUSAN POCHRONGlass BeadworkSusan is passionate about beads and beadwork, learning from antique finds and creating her own pieces. However, she started her career in 'University research' and teaching as a fungal physiologist enjoying the challenge of promoting awareness of microbiology for many years. She now concentrates on beadwork as a means of relaxation and using her teaching skills to give lectures, demonstrations and to run workshops initiating others in beading skills. It is the beadwork that fascinates her most and she now makes lampwork beads from imported glass rods to use in the creation of unique necklaces. Susan enjoys exploring the balance of colour and texture in creating wearable art.
Click here for examples of Susan's works E-mail: susan@heatherfieldbeads.com Telephone:- 01516 539067 Website:- www.heatherfieldbeads.com
ANNE GULLICKTextile ArtistAnne Gullick’s love of textiles and colour started as a child
whilst watching her mother and grandmother creating clothes and
embroidered items in fabric, wool and thread. Click here for examples of Anne's works E-mail: annegullickuk@yahoo.co.uk Telephone:- 01873 850689
FRANCES LESTERJewellerFrances Lester trained as a jeweller in her late forties after
a career as an engineer. A sense of structure and balance are part of
her design personality and they have common ground with her former
career and with her jewellery designs. The pieces are made in silver or
18ct. gold and some are set with natural precious or semi-precious gems. Click here for examples of Frances's works Website: www.franceslester.co.uk Telephone:- 01873 821352
KAREN BEATONSilksKaren Beaton has worked with textiles for 20 years, initially
as a spinner and weaver. In recent years a fascination with the way
silk responds to light and colour led her to concentrate entirely upon
dyeing. Click here for examples of Karen's works E-mail: karen@silkdyer.freeserve.co.uk Telephone:- 01335 300995
THE THREE COALSBlacksmith'sThe three blacksmiths who work under this name, met while
training at Cannington Agricultural College under the auspices of the
Wessex Guild of Blacksmiths. Members of the group have won prizes at
the Royal Welsh Show and other County shows across Britain. They are
members of the Wessex Guild and hold certificates awarded by the
Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths. All items made by the Three Coals
are hand crafted using modern and traditional methods and materials. Click here for examples of the 3 Coal's works E-mail: barrie2hartley@btinternet.com Telephone:- 01291 672469
JUDY HARTLEYBasketryJudy was brought up on a farm near Abergavenny but moved to
London to train as a nurse. In 1998 she returned to college and studied
at the London College of Furniture and completed a diploma in Textile
Crafts. She then studied Basket making at Guildhall University from
1991-1997. Judy’s main interest is in traditional willow basketry with a key to maintaining some of the older skills in willow working to create functional baskets. Judy grows a variety of basketry willows at her home, selected for colour and other characteristics for use in her work. Click here for examples of Judy's works E-mail: barrie2hartley@btinternet.com Telephone:- 01291 672469
ANNYSA RAHIMTextile ArtistAnnysa trained at Carmarthen College of Technology & Art
and launched her business in July 2004. Click here for examples of Annysa's works E-mail: annysa.rahim@ntlworld.com Website:- www.annysarahim.co.uk Telephone:- 01792 517635
MAGGIE JONESEnamelling on copperMaggie Jones is a Welsh born artist who expresses her visual experiences in many ways. The art of enamelling is ancient and beautiful and is the reward of patience. It is an intensive process with immensely satisfying results. With its limitless colour possibilities and textures, Maggie's pieces have the ability to enhance and the power to mesmerize. Each piece is individually made. Click here for examples of Maggie's works E-mail: enquiries@mcjonesfineart.co.uk Website:- www.mcjonesfineart.co.uk Telephone:- 01639 883924
DAVID HASWELLArtistThough self taught David's approach has been largely
influenced by his interest in the work of three Welsh painters: Kyffin
Williams, John Blockley and John Knapp-Fisher. All three included in
their work simple farming structures, dramatic skies and a limited
colour palette. Click here for examples of David's works E-mail: haswelldavid@aol.com Telephone:- 01873 850440
BRENDA GRIFFITHSThe Good Tree Soap CompanyBrenda is passionate about the inherent dangers attached to
the amount of chemicals and impurities contained in some mass produced
products. She has established a growing, home based industry in the
making of soaps from only the purest, most natural ingredients. Click here for examples of Brenda's works E-mail: brendagriffiths@mac.com Website: www.goodtreesoap.co.uk Telephone:- 01639 770732
LOUISE LOVELLTextile and Bead JewelleryLouise lives in rural Monmouthshire with her husband. She studied an art foundation course along side a teachers training degree in the 1970s, but having finished the training decided teaching wasn’t for her. She then got married and had her son and whilst he was growing up she worked on various projects including designing knitwear and tapestries. Louise now works from a studio in her house designing and making jewellery, which is something she has always been interested in. Drawing on her many years of working with textiles, she hand sews and hand knits pieces from new and vintage fabrics and wools. These pieces are put together with flowers made from felt, beads, pearls, buttons, crystals and old bits of jewellery all from a large collection accumulated over time. These are strung on leather, ribbon or plaited wools, ribbon and leather. Louise likes to recycle old things giving them a new lease of life. Her jewellery is very feminine and each piece is individually designed and made. Louise’s inspiration comes from her love of gardening, bright flower combinations and the colours in nature. She uses a heart as a re-occurring shape a symbol for life, flowers for their femininity and all the other bits and pieces carefully chosen to create a mood and interpretation of a ‘‘feel good’’ memory or scene such as a garden at different times of the day or season. Click here for examples of Louise's works E-mail: louiselovell@btconnect.com Website: www.louiselovell.com Telephone:- 01600 780460
ALAN POOLEStained Glass and Decorative MirrorsAlan is an MOD trained graduate engineer and for 25 years worked in an industrial design environment, and has always admired the works of stained glass artists and the use of light and shade as a creative medium. He takes his inspiration from the flora and fauna of the beautiful little valley where he lives just outside Builth Wells, in a small hamlet where the Edw and Wye valleys meet. His work is a reflection of this using the influences of such artists as Lloyd Wright, Burges, and Burne-Jones to produce diverse and pleasing pieces. Alan's designs incorporate many methods of working with glass from the more traditional leading with came through to experimental work in the style of Louis Comfort Tiffany. Many of his projects are brought about by private commission, always welcomed, and is designed to not only to be sympathetic to its setting, but also as an important feature of the room or hallway. Alan's range of intricate mirrors offer an alternative, yet more abstract way to enhance an interior with subtle colour changes and distortions that enable the observer to be part of the composition. He uses a small laptop computer to record his designs and to produce the all important template (strictly a cartoon) and then use traditional millennia old techniques to produce the finished article – a perfect fusion of 21st and 11th century skills. Click here for examples of Alan's works E-mail: info@redkiteglass.co.uk Website: www.redkiteglass.co.uk Telephone:- 01982 553577
GAYNOR ELLIOTTCeramistGaynor Elliott at 60, while finding time on her hands indulged a lifetime appreciation of ceramics and was accepted on a full time course under the tutorship of Jack Doherty and Alastair Young, world known ceramists. This was a exciting 3 years, resulting in several exhibitions and attaining the Professional Studio Ceramics Diploma. Her surroundings in the beautiful Llanthony Valley with its rugged outcrops and colours are epitomised in the pots she makes. "Working with clay is a challenge - it has a life of its own, many pieces seem to dictate the outcome and when this happens the symbiosis between clay and potter is complete and a unique one-off piece is created." She also has a love of old leather and this can be seen in the character given to "Well Worn" shoes, bags and especially books which conjure up a tale all of their own. Click here for examples of Gaynor's works Telephone:- 01873 890781
|
||||
|
MEMBERSHIP If you would like to apply for membership or click on the link below to
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|
|||||
