Creative Chaos for Lou Lou's Birthday!

A really fun afternoon was had by all to celebrate Louise's birthday at Vanesssa Conyers Pottery Parlour in Blandford, earlier on this month.

Friends and family were invited to get down and dirty with the hope of creating a handmade ceramic masterpiece. As you can see we had a brilliant time and can't wait to go back again! Thanks Vanessa x

If you would like to book a session or party contact: Vanessa on 01258 455232 or email info@potteryparlourdorset.co.uk

Sophie's Work Placement

Hi my name is Sophie, i have just finished my first year on the FdA Textiles course at The Arts University College Bournemouth and am really enjoying it. I have recently moved down from Birmingham and am finding sea-side living really inspiring! i love all things handmade and was really pleased when offered a placement at Coastal Creatives.

During my time there i was set a brief by Rachael and Louise where i was asked to design and make a banner representing Coastal Creatives, that was to be used for future fayres and exhibitions.

I created a sketchbook to get my ideas going, collecting postcards and ephemera and taking photographs around bournemouth pier.

My banner was ready in time for the 'vintage fayre' and I felt really proud to see it hanging up representing Coastal Creatives! I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here, Rachael and Louise are lovely and i wish them all the best for the future, i know they will do well!
x

Stacey's Work Placement

Hi there, my name is Stacey and i am a student at the Arts University College Bournemouth studying textiles. I have a real passion for the craft area within textiles and especially unique/bespoke pieces. Another love of mine is the beach so working here at Coastal Creatives was perfect for me! It has been very inspiring to spend my two weeks here at the boutique gallery, I am leaving with a head full of new ideas ready for the second year on my course.

As part of my placement I was set a little brief by Rachael and Louise to design and make a small gift to send away as a press release. I was working on something with a christmas theme as magazines are always ahead of time. I made some lavender cushions using beach imagery but tried to make them feel more wintery with the colours and textures of fabrics that I used.

I have had such an enjoyable time here on my placement and I would like to wish Rachael and Louise the best for the future with their successful growing business.

'A Stroll Along The Prom'

Textile art exhibition ‘A Stroll along the Prom’ opens at Coastal Creatives, Bournemouth’s leading lifestyle gallery on Saturday 18th July. Gallery owners have invited four leading South coast artists to capture the best of Bournemouth in their own unique style and medium. The exhibition promises to be a wonderful celebration of seaside fun and frolics whilst capturing our very own iconic landmarks such as Bournemouth Pier, art deco beach huts, sandy beaches and bathing belles.

Participating artist include Gillian Bates (Brighton), Annie Watkins of Rosiepink (Bournemouth), Michelle Steele (Essex) and Jane Colquhoun (Swanage). Canvasses and wall hangings will also be available to purchase online, please click on Picture Perfect- Mixed Media/Textiles. The Exhibition closes on Saturday 22nd August.
















FEATURE ARTIST- GILLIAN BATES (images above)
"I’m a little bit obsessed, it’s perfectly true - I go funny around fabric. In fact the only thing I enjoy more than adding to my ever-growing collection of vintage and reclaimed fabrics is rummaging through them all to find just the right piece to integrate into my latest textile art canvas.

My obsession for all things textiles led me to successfully gaining a BA(Hons) in Textile and Surface Design in 2007 . During my studies I was extremely pleased to be shortlisted for the RSA Fashion Interiors Bursary Award. I am now very happy to be indulging my passion working as a full-time artist, creating contemporary textile art from my studio based in the elegant, seaside town of Eastbourne, East Sussex. All of my handmade canvases are entirely unique and are created using the pick of my reclaimed and vintage fabrics
With levels of care and attention that only come from focused obsession, I work in a fantastically wide range of canvas sizes and colours to produce art that I hope you will find both engaging and pleasing."