December - Working (and Relaxing)

December, and that does this mean for lots of us..... this!!

A chance to meet up enjoy company and enjoy a foody get together. Of course we did have formal discussion before the serious business of consumption! So much is happening next year, we have to keep on top of it all. Everyone is making a 3d piece, yes its all a secret until exhibition time. I know we keep teasing, but not long to go now. But I can tell you the interpretations include the natural world, everyday objects, fantasy and symbolism. Its all coming together nicely.
Another date for a project has gone in the diary, with the topic and other criteria decided upon - it needs the formal agreements in place before we share that with you all - but its all in hand.
The Material Girls are going to be displaying their work at several venues in 2012, so do note dates in those new diaries
We would like to wish all our blogging friends the Very Best for Christmas, have a Happy Creative Wonderful New Year.

November - Working Hard

Gosh, what a busy meeting we had.  We have a diary drawn up now which takes us right through until December 2012 - yes I did say 2012!!!
We have Three Venues in place to show the Articulated Materials, Bridging Waters Exhibition - and a further unconnected event in the pending file.
So much to discuss, organise, allocate, think about, pencils scribbling furiously.  We have paperwork to complete and send off to Canada too for our collaborative partners to action.  And a little matter of actual work to be made.  The Wall Hangings are 99% done - in the picture below you can see intense study of one of them (deliberately hidden).   And now we are all working on 3d items - some of those are almost finished, some still in the paper design stage.  What we have in answer to the Theme is variety and vibrancy, a fine example of how different people can interpret the same topic.

Chris and Carol with their backs to us - Diane is hidden

Miriam, Margaret, Julie and Jill

in deep thought and discussion!

October - Making Progress

Here we are in October, already, and work is moving on  apace for our Exhibition in February. 
So as well as admiring achievements so far - today we also had to discuss the admin to do with a collaborative exhibition in another country.  And also there are exciting ventures in the pipeline.  Confirmation pending - but at least two things which will extend out into the wider artistic arena.  One of which The Material Girls will be at the heart of.  Watch this space, as this is sure to be of interest to anyone interested or involved with textile art.
Here's a sneak peek offering a glimpse at what is to come.  Not revealing more, the who or what, all will be revealed in February.

Primarily Colour Exhibition Opens

Primarily Colour Exhibition is now open - The Material Girls invite you to visit.

Open every day (except Mondays) until 2nd October, at Craft Arena, Barleylands Road, Billericay, Essex, CM11 2UD.  Alongside the Exhibition, Member, Diane Kelsey is offering a Workshop.   Wednesday 28th September  10.30am/4.00pm  Seaside Inspired Heart.  Cost £25, all materials provided.  Please get in touch with Denise Gannon of Craft Arena for further information and booking.  We hope you enjoy your visit.

September - Things To Do

I'm a newbie to the Group but have received a warm welcome and am here with my first task - updates from the world of The Material Girls.
Today was a regular monthly meeting - with lots to discuss.  Work was delivered ready for setting up the "Primarily Colour" exhibition at Craft Arena.  Do go along to see it 20th Sept/2nd Oct.
Our collaborative exhibition in February "Articulated Materials" is also moving on - pieces under construction, dates and tasks in hand.  We've a deadline to finish our hanging by the next meeting - so no pressure.  Miriam worked out how many days it is to go... allowing for being ready in time, and time off for Xmas/New Year - we reckon we've 100!!  tick, tick tick...

Other venues are being investigated to make the most of this work, potential new opportunities arising - so come back regularly to check for news on those.

Today we had a new honorary member.... Betsy, an 11 week old puppy, who joined Miriam's family only at the weekend.  Cute.

The Material Girls next Exhibition at Craft Arena

Further information: Craft Arena Gallery, Barleylands Craft Village, Barleylands Road, Billericay, Essex. CM11 2UD telephone 01268 523780; Opening Hours 10am-5pm (closed Mondays)
There will be an opportunity to attend a workshop at Craft Arena run by Diane Kelsey, for more details contact Denise Gannon at Craft Arena, 01268 523780

New Artist's Join Group

The Material Girls have been going through changes over the last few months.

At our meeting on Tuesday two new Textile Artists joined the group, Carol Broughton and Beverley Folkard. Carol and Beverley came along for a chat and to show us their work, this proved to be a formality as most of us already knew them both and their work, which by the way is brilliant. They will fit into the group so well and they join us at a very exciting and busy time. Lots of things are happening more about that in future posts. So as 'they' say 'Watch this Space'.

BA Degree Show & Ladies Who Lunch

It was a big week this week for one member of the Material Girls, Chris Spencer has come to the end of her studies with the JC School of Textile Art Thursday evening was the Private View of the Degree Show 'Coming Through'.

Christine Spencer

Friday most of the Material Girls met at the gallery so those of us that didn't get to the pv could have a good look at the work. We  then went for a coffee before moving to a restaurant  in Spitalfields for lunch. We were lucky to be joined by Ingrid Lincoln and Lesley Turner  from Articulation Textile Group, Janette Bright from East and two other students that had graduated.

Leslie, Janette and Jill 'A Quick Coffee'

Ladies at Lunch

The Material Girls were really pleased to be able to join Chris and share the day with her, we all know the hard work that she has put into her degree, over the years.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday we will be visiting 'Docklands Museum, London' when we will be researching for our exhibition 'Bridging Waters'  (joint project between MG and Articulation), of course there will be lunch!

Exhibition work Returned

Today at our meeting Chris gave us back our work from Jersey, it has been returned to us safely, after a successful exhibition. There will be another chance for us to exhibit our work in September at Craft Arena. There are lots of things coming up for Material Girls, we are going to be a busy group, watch this space.

In The Post

Chris emailed the group today to let us know the work was sent to Jersey by Parcel force this morning . It should arrive there in two days, so fingers crossed it arrives safely, it's not a cheap exercise. I think we'll all breath a sigh of relief when the work is returned safe and sound................ of course after a successful exhibition!

The Material Girls Go To Jersey

Well if we aren't actually going ourselves our work is!  Today  took our work to the meeting to be photographed, Chris is packing the work to be sent off to Jersey, our work is being exhibited at the Textiles Showcase. Here is a selection of images from the work ' Primarily Colour '. For more images take a look at the website.

Marie Payne

Miriam Weaver

Pat Baldwin

Jill Birleson

Grace Talbot

Julie Chellingsworth

Mary Carter

Chris Spencer

Margaret Lacy

Win Clarke

Everyone is getting on with the next project 'Bridging Waters' it never stops, we are a really busy group!

First Meeting of 2011

Tuesday was the first meeting for Material Girls of 2011, it was a busy meeting. Lots of decisions made about the body of work for the Bridging Waters Exhibition. MG's are taking their inspiration from the River Thames, lots of inspiration to be found along the 215 miles from the source at Thames Head to the Estuary.

Margaret, Grace and Julie taking a well earned break

And having fun!