DesignMatters News

This page was last updated on 14th February 2012

Welcome to our News page. Here you'll find information about all of the events and activities that we're involved with including our forthcoming exhibitions. If you'd like to keep up with regular updates you can sign up for our free e-newsletter, follow Linda's blog, or check out our Facebook page.

Thanks for visiting!

"The Painted Quilt"
An exhibition of quilted textiles by Linda and Laura Kemshall

New Leaf Gallery
Monmouth, Wales
18th February - 17th March 2012

We're exhibiting a small collection of quilts many of which involve the painting techniques that we love so much. This exhibition is timed to coincide with Monmouth's Womens' Festival.

For more details about the exhibition please contact the gallery.

Left: Lace and Gold (detail), by Laura.

New Work

'A Bird in the Hand'
by Laura

Acrylic on wood panel, 50cm x 70cm
Detail below right

Online Courses
A warm welcome to the new students who have recently joined our online courses. The interest in the courses was incredible and all places are now full. As you know, we only have a small dedicated team of tutors and we have to be careful not to over work them! All jokes aside, we like to ensure that each student receives the one-to-one attention that they might need during the course and that's why places have to be so strictly limited.If you are interested in the courses but didn't manage to secure a place then we hope you'll still enjoy following along with progress in the student Gallery. Recently we've added portfolios from a number of new graduates. Why not take a look?

Left and right: A selection of some work by recent graduates.

SiX and Friends
There is much chatter happening over on the SiX and Friends blog. Why not join us there to hear about how work is developing towards the next group exhibition 'Orientation'? You'll find we're posting inspirational images, plus work in progress shots and our thoughts as the work takes shape. We hope you'll find it interesting and of course tempt you to visit the exhibition at one of the venues (you'll find details below).

Introducing Fingerprint by Laura

So what's this all about I hear you ask! Traditionally fabrics have been block or screenprinted, but with the advancement in technology, digital printing is now an exciting alternative that enables limitless creative possibilities. Our printer can handle fabrics up to 150cm wide ranging from the finest silk chiffon to heavyweight canvas or even velvet. Rather than pigment based inks which sit on the fabric surface, we're printing with reactive dyes. This means that not only will the colours be vibrant, but the fabrics will also be machine washable and best of all, will retain

their soft handle and drape. Literally any image or design can be printed to fabric from scans of artwork in sketchbooks to digital photos or collage. We've been trialling different fabrics and images to test the process and get a feel for its potential. So far, we've just been blown away by the results. On the left you can see a fabulous silk chiffon printed with a digital photo of butterflies, while above the printer is working on test prints on cotton poplin.

We hope you're as excited about this as we are! Launching early in 2012 will be 'Fingerprint', a digital fabric printing service. There will be a new website where you'll be able to purchase limited edition printed panels and yardage, beautiful wearables, items for your home and ready-to-sew projects. Best of all you'll be able to order your own unique fabric using the bespoke printing service. Just email your image or design file to us, let us know what fabric you'd like, the size and quantity you'd like and we'll take care of the rest. After careful printing we'll steam and finish the fabric before popping it in the post to you, all ready to use. How fantastic is that!

The new Fingerprint website will go live in January/February 2012 if you have queries before then, please don't hesitate to email.

New on DMTV this week

We've featured an array of techniques on DMTV this month. Join us for shows on hand dyeing, digitally printing papers for collage, monoprinting and applique! All of these shows and many more are available for subscribers to watch any time, any day, all you need is a broadband internet connection.

Log in to watch the shows now.

If you're not already a DMTV subscriber why not treat yourself to a subscription? Starting at only £28 you'll have unlimited access to the current shows with new content added often.

Find out more now.

Future Exhibitions

These exhibitions are still a long way off, but we like to give you plenty of notice to get the dates in your diary! More details will be added nearer the time.

'Orientation'
SiX and Friends
Forge Mill Needle Museum, Redditch, Worcestershire, UK
7th September 2012 - 21st October 2012

The Bramble Patch, Weedon, Northants, UK
23rd March 2013 - 6th April 2012

Minerva Arts Centre, Llanidloes, Powys, Wales
8th July 2013 0 7th September 2013

Joining us will be: Hilary Beattie, Ineke Berlyn, Edwina Mackinnon, Catherine Nicholls, Annabel Rainbow, Stephanie Redfern and Marie Roper.

Also in the diary...

'Through our Hands'
Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum, Warwickshire, UK
18th October 2012 - 12th January 2013

An exhibition of work by Bethan Ash, Elizabeth Barton, Elizabeth Brimelow, Eszther Bornemisza, Dijanne Cevaal, Laura Kemshall, Linda Kemshall, Alicia Merrett, Sandra Meech and Annabel Rainbow.

We're thrilled to be part of such a stellar line-up and we're sure this show is going to be unmissable!

Quilt by Hilary Beattie



					Linda and Laura Kemshall working creatively with Madeira...
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					© 2001-2012 Linda and Laura Kemshall. All content including images is copyright and must not be reproduced or distributed in any way without prior written consent. Some images courtesy Matt Snook.