http://www.arts-media.org//index.php/news/entry en james@arts-media.org Copyright 2010 2010-04-06T04:13:27+00:00 http://www.arts-media.org/index.php/profiles/entry/adam_boddison/ http://www.arts-media.org/index.php/profiles/entry/adam_boddison/#When:12:06:52Z In recent years, I have taught mathematics at both primary and secondary level in a variety of different schools.  My current role involves working with groups of schools across the community with the fundamental underlying aspiration of raising the profile of mathematics for both children and educationalists.  In Creative Partnerships, I have worked alongside a wide range of artists and we have planned projects that have numeracy at the core whilst incorporating other key skills and subject areas. Behind the practical element of my teaching is educational research, which is based at the University of Warwick.  This allows me to underpin good practice with sound pedagogical research.  I am able to offer a wide range of services to schools at both primary and secondary level targeting specific ability groups or mixed ability groups. 2009-03-23T12:06:52+00:00 http://www.arts-media.org/index.php/profiles/entry/gizella_k_warburton/ http://www.arts-media.org/index.php/profiles/entry/gizella_k_warburton/#When:11:11:56Z I am a Contemporary Textiles and Mixed Media Artist, who creates drawn and pieced wall-hung collage compositions using textile, paper and stitch. My work explores themes of fragmentation , inspired by ancient textiles, landscape, buildings and organic forms, and human journeys and histories. Faded, frayed….pieced and layered…as cloths are joined and patched together eccentricities in surface and stitch are revealed. Contrasts in colour, texture, seams and raw edges, form their own visual language. Each stitch, both considered and instinctive, becomes a painterly mark ... evoking a sense of landscape, both physical and emotional… traces of journey…suggestion of cypher … MY CREATIVE ARTS PRACTICE: TEACHING Alongside the making of work I deliver workshops for adults and children. Within these I hope to nurture individual creativity and confidence Collage Workshops Working with collage, textile, stitch and other mediums, participants are encouraged to explore surface texture, mark-making, colour, and composition. For workshops in galleries and schools, inspiration can be exhibition or curriculum-based, and adapted to the needs of specific audience groups. Creative start-points could include nature, landscape, decorative arts, multi-cultural societies, personal spaces and interests, recycling, language, and more. 2009-03-02T11:11:56+00:00 http://www.arts-media.org/index.php/profiles/entry/linda_harding/ http://www.arts-media.org/index.php/profiles/entry/linda_harding/#When:12:17:52Z Transform your space or classroom into outer space, under the sea or an enchanted forest – immersive environments to excite the imagination! I have created the fabulous IDEA room at Forest Lodge Primary School where I administer their Creative Partnerships project. I use objects as a starting point for projects - African art inspired by masks, Indian art using traditional textiles, Islamic, Aboriginal, South American and Chinese – explore the world through objects and art workshops! I can help you to make permanent artwork to enhance your school or community environment – Murals, Mosaics, Silk painted banners, Felted wall hangings – all designed and created with your children or group. Everyone can be creative – I work with people of all ages and abilities to develop their skills and self confidence. With over 16 years experience in education, family learning and community arts I can help your group to find inspiration in art! 2009-02-09T12:17:52+00:00 http://www.arts-media.org/index.php/profiles/entry/faye_lusher-anderson/ http://www.arts-media.org/index.php/profiles/entry/faye_lusher-anderson/#When:12:08:46Z I work mainly in print based visual design. My aim is to achieve a creative solution for a visual communication problem. I have a passion for the printed word and the way in which it sits within a space. I like to use colour, image and different typeface’s to express emotions or to convey a message. I use natural forms found within a specific environment to enhance an expression. These can be captured in the form of colour, shape, photographic evidence or texture. I’m fascinated by the tactile nature of paper and the direction a chosen material can take you in. I like to use paper engineering when relevant, to take the reader on a journey through the piece of work and to help accentuate the message I am trying to convey. I hold high regard for colour theory, what a colour can mean to an individual and the significance a colour can have on the viewer. I have a philosophy of creative thinking, a passion for detail and an obsession with the discovery of every design solution. I have worked in the creative industries for 14 years and have a broad spectrum of industry knowledge and experience. 2009-02-09T12:08:46+00:00 http://www.arts-media.org/index.php/profiles/entry/clare_hickey/ http://www.arts-media.org/index.php/profiles/entry/clare_hickey/#When:12:05:43Z Clare is a visual artist who experiments with a variety of mixed media to create 3D sculptural and tactile pieces. Her background is in textiles, investigating the nature of materials such as ceramics, paper and metal developing work with a hands-on approach. Through the exploration of space, texture and multi-sensory experiences and delight in discovering hidden and unusual objects, Clare is able to investigate her interests. Inspired by stories and organic forms, she creates work that engages the imagination. Clare is vastly experienced in delivering workshops, creative learning projects and creative consultation with children and young people. She is described as being very enthusiastic about child initiated practice and process led activities to help stimulate children’s learning.  Her ethos is to encourage the creativity of others by working in partnership and exploring possibilities in practical and exciting ways. I have worked with early year’s settings, schools, summer schools and youth groups, adapting activities to meet specific needs and abilities. 2009-02-09T12:05:43+00:00 http://www.arts-media.org/index.php/profiles/entry/benny_semp/ http://www.arts-media.org/index.php/profiles/entry/benny_semp/#When:11:45:41Z As a freelance visual artist I have over six years’ experience working in schools and community contexts to deliver exciting and accessible workshops with participants of all ages and backgrounds. I use a wide variety of media and techniques, from traditional fine art and craft materials to new and unexpected creative activities. Much of my work is based on simple inspiring ideas and materials, structured in a way that encourages people to respond creatively and have fun regardless of their experience. I believe the quality of the artist’s interaction is very important to create a friendly and supportive atmosphere for all participants. As well as freelance work I regularly teach in secondary schools as an art instructor. I have also worked as a project coordinator in educational and community contexts, so I know how to balance a range of demands from different parties to produce successful and high quality outcomes. 2009-02-09T11:45:41+00:00 http://www.arts-media.org/index.php/profiles/entry/jane_freear-wyld/ http://www.arts-media.org/index.php/profiles/entry/jane_freear-wyld/#When:16:19:34Z I use mainly natural fibres in my tapestries, weaving on frames or an upright loom. The print weaves combine a colour printout with either its monochrome or negative partner print. These are then cut and woven together resulting in works where vibrant colours and movement predominate. The digital camera and computer manipulation are central to my studio practice. Themes I work with include landscapes, and reflections in water and buildings. Colour is the cornerstone of my work, with Seurat’s paintings remaining a constant influence in my tapestries. From a distance his pointillist compositions are easily understood but, when close up, they become a series of small dots of pure colour. In a similar vein, my signature style has become pixelated squares and rectangles, and abstract designs are often composed from a series of small squares and rectangles. However, combining pixels with flowing shapes marks a new direction. I am a member of the British Tapestry Group, the American Tapestry Alliance, a selected member of the European Tapestry Forum and involved with TaP (Textiles and Paper), the Midlands Textile Forum and the Designer Maker West Midlands Forum. I regularly exhibit both in the UK and abroad. As a qualified and experienced teacher, I lead workshops in a variety of subjects including tapestry and paper weaving, and computer manipulation. Commissions undertaken. 2009-01-28T16:19:34+00:00 http://www.arts-media.org/index.php/profiles/entry/jenny_ferguson/ http://www.arts-media.org/index.php/profiles/entry/jenny_ferguson/#When:15:53:50Z Jenny works as a self-employed textile artist from her studio at Coventry Canal Basin. Jenny was born and raised in Cambridge and lived in Coventry for more than thirty years. She taught art for many years and, after having a family, she gained a BA in Art and Craft Studies at Coventry University in 1994 and an MA in Textiles from UCE in 2001. Jenny makes felted, mixed media and stitched one-off pieces for interiors, exhibition and commission, also making original, hand-felted scarves and other accessories for retail outlets, as well as running textiles workshops for all ages. Jenny has exhibited on a national and international level, and is an active member of International Feltmakers Association and a founder member of Coventry Contemporary Crafts and TaP (Textiles and Paper). Her work is based around feltmaking techniques and materials. Complex layering of sheer fabrics and stitch is achieved by placing delicate fabrics, silk fibres and other media between extremely thin layers of wool fibres, producing a subtly coloured and highly textured surface. Indicative graphic detail is described through free machine embroidery and felted-in threads and Jenny works as a self-employed textile original, hand-felted scarves and other accessories for retail outlets, as well member of International Feltmakers Association and a founder member of Coventry Contemporary Crafts and TaP (Textiles and Paper).Her work is based around feltmaking and international level, and is an active yarns, also incorporating digitally printed, graphic imagery, resulting in compelling collisions of photo, sketch and textile. exhibition and commission, also making ages. Jenny has exhibited on a national as running textiles workshops for all artist from her studio at Coventry Canal Basin. Jenny was born and raised in Cambridge and lived in Coventry for more than thirty years. She taught art for many years and, after having a family, she gained a BA in Art and Craft Studies at Coventry University in 1994 and an MA in Textiles from UCE in 2001.Jenny makes felted, mixed media and stitched one-off pieces for interiors, 2009-01-28T15:53:50+00:00 http://www.arts-media.org/index.php/profiles/entry/ermine_jackson-miles/ http://www.arts-media.org/index.php/profiles/entry/ermine_jackson-miles/#When:10:37:51Z   I graduated from the University of Central England in Birmingham, Institute of Art and Design in 2003 where I received a First class BA Hons specialising in constructed textile. I am a Freelance Designer/maker I draw inspiration from my surroundings whether it is architectural or organic shapes formed by nature. I am interested in issues concerning the Environment and as a result of this I like to work with materials that may eventually become part of the landscape. I enjoy pushing the boundaries by experimenting with various recycled materials such as paper, plastic and found objects to deconstruct by changing the texture and the appearance. I then incorporate it into my design thus reconstructing something new. Although I love working with colour the woven pieces I do the colour and texture is determined by the materials that I use. My work gives me the opportunity to explore various methods of expressing my thoughts and ideas as a creative process.  It has heightened my awareness within my environment, thus enabling me to re-interpret ideas accordingly. Since 2005, I run textile workshop in various setting. Each workshop is tailored to the age and the ability of the participants the projects are designed to fit a theme. I have a current CRB certificate.   2009-01-28T10:37:51+00:00 http://www.arts-media.org/index.php/profiles/entry/danny_watkins/ http://www.arts-media.org/index.php/profiles/entry/danny_watkins/#When:15:09:18Z Over the period of the MA I have been considering the ownership of space and taking into account individual’s reactions with their environment. There appeared to me to be a constant polarisation of thoughts, with people constantly using the environment and immersing themselves within it but at the same time not taking responsibility or owning it; like for example when people choose not to pay attention to homelessness or other negative associations within the city space in one respect, but then also complain about their streets being full of homeless people in another. This led me to consider the idea of how so many past histories and stories remain untold. Homelessness was a notion that completely contrasted all the experiences and encounters that had defined my personality and thoughts over the years, but was something that I wished to consider and pursue further not only in relation to how my individuality was defined, but also to consider other members of societies thoughts and explore the notion of untold stories further. Because it is so contrasting to the environment in which I grew up I decided to look at it using elements that I could relate to, but which could, at the same time, also highlight the polar domicile spectrums. I began looking at wallpaper and patterns that provided a link with my safe, secure and solid upbringing that contrasted greatly with the deprived world of homelessness. This culminated in numerous projects over the subsequent year using the wallpaper pattern theme with Bridge being such example of this research. Using the patterns in diverse environments and in different contexts to their original intention resulted in me further considering the relationship and meaning inherent within a piece of artwork. I also began questioning how the individual perceives the artworks meaning from the environment or location it is featured within, and how this translates when the work is featured within different areas or in positions that remove the artwork from it’s original context and meaning: as with January30th and The Sunday Times 0327 – 0424 – 0529 – 0626 – 05. Graffitism has been used throughout my work over the period of the year. Graffitism it appeared to me is one way in which certain individuals can make their mark on society and obtain a sense of self. In addition it allows them to have their say without being controlled by the governing bodies and without being affected by the constant messages of consumerism and capitalism. It is instead an art form in which they can declare their existence and stand in contrast to the simulated messages of the media. Tagging at the same time however works quite ironically as it can also be compared to advertising logos and signs. I decided to ironically incorporate graffitism within my work and use it to juxtapose people’s preconceptions of graffiti and the associations inherent within the artwork linking it to street crime. I thus looked at developing it in relation to the home space and objects that are used on a personal level to create a sense of individuality. All the materials have been selected due to their previous existence or how they relate to the subject matter. Featured Artists 2009-01-22T15:09:18+00:00