Silk organza, silver fabric, feathers and hand embroidery
It goes without saying that it’s been a strange year, we’ve all been challenged in ways we never anticipated and we’ve had to constantly adjust and adapt. I started the year with plans of how I was going to change my work and that’s certainly happened, just not in quite the way I’d planned. Now we’re nearing the end of this oddest of years it feels like a good time to pause and reflect and to think about what happens next.
My exhibition is one of the few ‘real life’ events that’s been able to go ahead this year!
As I think back over the year one of the overwhelming things that strikes me is how much I have to be grateful for. One of the ‘silver linings’ of this time is the way we’ve found new ways of connecting with each other. I’ve been involved in some really exciting projects and been able to engage with new communities in a way that I’m not sure I’d have been able to without the events of this year.
Part of Elsewhere, The Stove Network, Dumfries
Photo credit: Kirsten McEwan
I’ve had to really up my technology game this year, not being able to teach ‘in real life’ has forced me to learn how to use different platforms and programmes and some of it I’ve actually really enjoyed! Running a workshop online isn’t the same as running it face to face but it does have some advantages, like not having to get up at silly o’clock in the morning to drive to a venue and not having to worry about whether I’ve packed everything! For a lot of people as well it’s meant they’ve been able to take part in sessions that they wouldn’t have been able to reach ‘in real life.’
This year I’ve also had the opportunity to re-vamp my online Folksy shop and I’ve enjoyed making pieces for my shop so much. I’ve also taken part in a couple of online markets and it’s been so lovely to engage with people through these and I’ve met so many talented people. Again, I’ve been encouraged by how everyone has done what they can to support each other and to support small independent makers such as myself. Each small purchase, comment and like makes such a difference.
Pen, pastel and gold paper on watercolour paper
Although I have been working throughout the year I have had more time than I usually would to work in my studio and I’ve really appreciated being able to shut myself away and work through some of my ideas. It’s also given me a chance to learn some new (non digital) skills and that’s something I look forward to continuing with next year. I think it’s really important to try new things, it can be easy to get stuck in a rut but trying a new technique or material can be just the thing to reignite that creative spark.
Looking forward, I feel positive and excited about next year. I feel like 2020 has been a bit of a ‘press the reset button’ year and that we’re going to go into 2021 ready to make things better. There’s still a lot of uncertainty but I have several projects ‘in the pipeline’ and a continually growing list of things I want to try and do. So, I’m raising a glass and saying thank you to you all for reading and here’s to a happy, healthy and creative 2021!
Helen
