handmade in Ballygarrett Art Studio

I started clearing my studio again today... as I came across things I tried to stay focused. Rubbish, recycling, books, shelves - fabric, wool ...Oh my favourite skein! + a tiny crochet hook.... ah I have to make something... one thing. So I sat and I crocheted this little sweet heart. You will find a different photo of it on Facebook.

Heart felt research. Roisin Markham 2012 ©

I love the fibre with its thin wool with loops on it and I love working with it it felts divinely too. as you can see from this image of a cowl I created in 2010.

Handmade with intent.
Roisin Markham 2010 © 

I make little hug tokens mostly out of felt but I'm exploring other materials...

Starting points for discovery

The threaded stories commission got me exploring ways to make letters out of stitch. No longer am I obsessed with getting text into my felt. Now I'm exploring stitching, crafting small letters in all sorts of ways crochet, needle felt, stitch and cut. I may bring this back to my felt in some way.

...not all Love ends on a blue note. Roisin Markham 2011

I was inspired to make this for a friend as I was finishing the commission she needs more love in her life and I thought these small crafted letters would help her find the texture of that in her life.

The 'L' was stitch into tuile and different threads stitched through. Then I cut the letter out leaving a ragged lacy effect around the edge. 

The 'O' is crocheted a letter too small from the commission originally part of the letter loss. Kind of fitting in some ways love and loss.

The 'V' is the netting from a basket of fruit. That plastic diamond open weave. Stitched tightly it has a fantastic texture, rich colour and fluffy quality. It does not look like stitched plastic.

The 'E' is a cut out of blue material and stitched with blue and purple.
The letters are pin mounted onto handmade paper with petals and leaves in it. There is a double depth of foam board so the pins are held in place.
It was presented in a box made of tracing paper which gave it an ethereal quality.
This seems to have captured the imagination of my children who have asked me how I did it and are working on their own versions. It is curious to see how this commission facilitated stitch and a conversation about thread even in our home.
I can see myself exploring this idea a bit more, playing with words and textures. The scale of the letters is about 2cm. Have you ever made letters? What kind, size?
I have a whole thing about 3D letters and teach typography to children including a 3D letter model. I suppose this just takes it in a new exploration. Think I'd like to try moss graffiti next...

Art NOT chocolate for Easter 2011

Art NOT chocolate for Easter 2010 Campaign Year 3

Roisin Markham, Ballygarrett Art Studio is continuing the 'Art not Chocolate for Easter!' campaign in 2011. Now in it's third year we suggest the following reasons why everyone should be supporting this campaign:

1. Art has no calories.
2. Art lasts much longer then flowers and out lasts some relationships, it adds something to memories... 
3. Original art is affordable. Prices at Ballygarrett Art Studio start at €25 for small original paintings, prints and textiles,  Whatever the budget or occasion a piece of art is the solution you will find something to suit and take away.
4. Support and patron me as an artist, purchase a piece of my creative work  

5. Patron your local artist 

What you can do;

Instead of buying chocolate view and purchase a piece of Roisin Markham’s art work other options include commission work, gift vouchers for art and creativity coaching are also available. 

Forward this to all the people you know and ask them to forward it so that this campaign can gain support 

If you are an artist steal the idea and start your own campaign

In 2009 I started and shared this campaign with others. 2010 saw me deliver the idea through social media and some galleries and creative craft spaces in Ireland. This year  I hope this year to extend it's reach and get other artists and galleries to steal this idea, share it and garner support from their communities. 

All I ask is that you share with me how you used the idea and how it went for you. Let me know how it goes at ballygarrettartstudio[at]gmail.com or tweet me @creativedynamix follow and support the campaign progress on Facebook.

Glendalough, a labyrinth on St.Patrick's Day 2011 & forty shades of green

Yesterday Ireland's national holiday we headed to Wicklow to an old favourite, Glendalough nestled in the Wicklow mountains an ancient monastic site that today still holds a certain soulful spiritual mystic quality that Ireland does so well.

Glendalough, Wicklow, Ireland. Roisin Markham

I grew up in County Wicklow and have memories of walks in Glendalough as a child. In my twenties I remembering cycling out to it as part of my maracycle training. Now I hanker after Glendalough usually in the Autumn where the trees take on the changing seasons like a coloured cloak. It is nice to visit at any time of the year. Spring has n't quite made it to this part of the garden of Ireland yet. One of my friends commented that it could have been November.
It was great to go for a day into the fresh air, for it not to rain and the sun to make its presence felt. I had n't been to Glendalough for ages, it's a great spot to meet Dublin based friends for a walk, picnic and reconnecting. But I had another reason I also wanted to go to see the labyrinth. Having only recently heard that one had been created there.

Labyrinth at Glendalough, Wicklow. Roisin Markham

I have to admit to being disappointed. It looks more significant in the photo then it was. It felt like a very unfinished piece of land art. I think I will return to have a closer look when the park is less busy and see if I can find out more about who is making it, why and is it finished...

Reefert Church, Glendalough, Wicklow. Roisin Markham

This is a selection of photographs I took around Reefert's Church it sits slightly elevated before the upper lake almost hidden in the trees. I think it dates from the 11th century. The green on the grass was a tufty fluffy green moss.
Which reminded me of some photographs I took of moss in the Dublin mountains circa 2004

Moss. Roisin Markham

and some subsequent design for print I worked on around these colours.
As you can see there is something interesting going on her for my psyche I am back to the green...
I'm sitting here laughing. I did n't consciously wear green yesterday. None of us had little tuffs of shamrock attached to our jackets.

Design available as a print. Roisin Markham

Wednesday evening I started thinking "well what does it mean to be Irish" and here is my blog post digressing into forty shades of green. Well that's okay too. I do have work available that is green and fabulous in the studio.

Alchemy, Of earth and soul. Roisin Markham
Acrylic on paper, 71 x 50cm. €900 framed.

Inland ii, 2005 – 2010. Roisin Markham
Acrylic on watercolour board,78 x 58cm. €1,100

Inland ii is part of a series painted around motherhood, fertility, more particularly the postpartum space where you know or decided not to have any more children. That sense of nurturing, acceptance, loss, gratitude that I felt for experiencing the mothering space physically within myself and within my life. This particular piece goes beyond that and asks questions around space we create to nurture ourselves, others.
It is currently on it's way to auction 50% of the proceeds will go to One in Four a charity I support. If I sell it I will donate 50% of the proceeds to this charity.
 Contact me if you see something you like. Framed work can be shipped unframed, negotiated prices will include shipping. Purchasing plans can be agreed and I do have paypal. You can also call me on +353.86.1546163.

Making work with intent

The love vibration. Roisin Markham, Hand rolled felt scarf. 2010.

Recently I have started making work for others with paying particular vibrational intention in the creation, making and packaging of felt. So as valentines day approaches if you would like something special for the loved one or organise a gift from someone special in your life. Call me lets discuss your budget and see what I can make for you.

From the hordes of Ballygarrett Art Studio 2

 

From season to season
Change series
Handmade paper, acrylic, oil pastels on paper.

Landscape
Acrylic on card.

Centered self
Change series
Acrylic on paper.


This work was made in the last few years, it is unframed so will ship well in a tube anywhere making it very cost effective. They are all approx 70cm x 100cm, although the first image is larger. Contact me directly on twitter, facebook or email me at creativedynamix.1 at gmail dot com if you would like more information or are interested to purchase.

Up and coming events at Ballygarrett Art Studio

Septemeber Schedule
More information to follow.

Saturday 19th September, 2.30pm -4.30pm: Felting demonstration and workshop at the studio. Children are welcome with a parent or adult.


Tuesday 22th September, 7.30 - 9.30: Women in Business Network creative down time.

Saturday 26th September, 11am - 4pm: Open studio.
Paintings, fine art prints, photography and handmade textiles for sale. Great price range €10 - €800, opportunity to see artists studio, collection of diverse work and purchase gifts or a treat for yourself.

Course dates to be set for the following:
Moving Forward Course
Accessing the Creative Process Workshop
Creative Safari Weekend, get away from it all and enjoy some creative down time.
Inspired Business Growth Seminars

ART not chocolate for Easter!

Here at Ballygarrett Art Studio we support

Art not chocolate for Easter 2009.




Ballygarrett Art Studio is establishing this campaign and suggests the following reasons why everyone should be supporting this campaign

1. Art has No calories.
2. Art lasts much longer.
3. Original art is affordable. Prices at Ballygarrett Art Studio start at €35. Whatever the budget or occasion we have something to suit or to recommend.
4. Support your local artist.


A selection of my work is on display at the Enterprise Centre, Gorey Business Park, Ramstown, Gorey, Co. Wexford.
Viewing of other work by arrangement with Roisin at 086.1546163.

What you can do;
· Instead of buying chocolate view and purchase a piece of Roisin Markham’s art work or commission work, gift vouchers are also available.

· Forward this to all the people you know and ask them to forward it so that this campaign can gain support

· If you’re an artist steal the idea and start your own campaign
just CC Ballygarrettartstudio@gmail.com on the email