In early September I went to
Bradness Gallery in East Sussex
to be on a course with Sarah Campbell.
Last February or March I was recuperating from influenza when I heard on the radio about Sarah and the new book
The Collier and Campbell Archive. This led me to do internet search and I found myself excitedly making a phone call and booking a last place.
I have one of their designs
BAUHAUS as a metre plus length of material which I have not cut - I used it and use it as a tablecloth. It was bought from Liberty's of London in about 1972 or 3. I had no money but hacd just started teaching. We went to Liberty to sell my former husband's silversmithing work. I fell in love with Liberty's which I knew from my college days in London and just had to have that design necause I loved the bright geometry at a time when floral prints were all the rage!
I thoroughly enjoyed myself once I'd got over my lack of confidence in making marks on paper and material! I was very envious of all the professional and amateur artists who said THEY lacked confidence!!!!!! Everyone is at different levels. It is how it should be in life!
BUT... I love well presented interesting food so just for the moment, never mind the ART!
The food was part of the artistic palette! Lots of spices, almonds and pomegranates, fruits, meats, cheeses, vegetables.
MY style of food for lunch and evening meal. There was cake that we could help ourselves to ... but much as my eyes wished to eat them, my stomach dictated, 'No', apart from some very healthy flapjack!
 |
| French Fudge Cake |
 |
| Bilberries and Pineapple |
 |
| Aubergine something |
 |
| Quiche |
 |
| Leafy veg and roots salad |
 |
| Strawberry and Pomegranate Pavlova |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| Emma Burnett - owner of the Bradness Art Gallery with Micheal Cruikshank. |
| | |
|
|
Emma and Mike were in the kitchen. They were always cheerful, calm, welcoming, wonderful hosts, entertaining the course participants in their newly created work area in their own home.
Sarah Campbell... designer extraordinaire.. was so charming, peaceful, supportive, modest and taught by example. She showed and shared with us her work and creativity. I wanted to know more on how to make marks, use different brushes and implements but she moved onto free painting and negative spaces at which point I was lost! Different people were at different levels and some really understood what she wanted us to do. Others more experienced than me were ready for that stage! I quickly learned to be happy doing my own thing, trying to do what I had seen her do. As I gained courage and self esteem I began to wander around the room and watch all the other guests at work. I really valued the opportunity to be there. I was lucky.
 |
| Sarah's design |
 |
| Sarah's design of silk scarf |
The last one is mine .. to begin with I got angry working only in black, then she suggested we used another colour. RED popped into my mind... 'ooh no' I said to myself ...;try calming blue' as all the while I kept saying to myself observing the rising anger "What is all this about?"
Then it came.. It was all about an incident that happened when I was at school as a teacher. At the time it was annoying when the little boy had already blackened not only his own work but someone else's and was about to do the same to another! Several years later the incident was brought up in the Spanish questionnaires from the County, that I endured for four hours one day and four and half hours another day! Hm... My headteacher did the same for longer for other transgressions or not!
It is clear that I am still angry about the whole set- up which brought my career to finality. I am glad I retired early! Anyway, moving on.
