Whenever I come home after spending time by the sea, for a while afterwards I am still sort of emotionally and mentally sea-bound. I find that my subconscious sort of draws me to contemplate sea-related things, to seek out coastal images, to reminisce about past seaside holidays.
Yesterday, I even found that whilst sitting at the computer and waiting for images to load, my absent minded doodles on a scrap of paper were all sea-related too (little fishermans cottages and boats, when usually I doodle hearts, flowers and birds!)
So yesterday, after I had written my post about our weekend by the coast, I found myself thinking of the many different times during the past when I have visited Robin Hoods Bay (first ever visit, vividly and passionately remembered, September 1996). I also suddenly remembered that I had once stitched a picture of Robin Hoods Bay, and after routing around in the Attic24 eaves, I managed to find my old portfolios of textile work.
I have been wanting to share my textile work with you for some time, wanted to air them on my blog, but have been ridiculously nervous to do so.
I still feel butterflies in my stomach seeing these images on the computer screen, although I don't know why.
I think because they are so much a part of me, so personal to my life, they cause me to feel huge emotion.
It's most odd.
I began stitching these sort of textile pictures in February 1997, at a
time when I was tentatively attempting to find a way to earn money from
my work.
Each piece of work is a unique, one off piece, and because the
scale is
quite small (top picture of Robin Hoods Bay measures roughly 8"x5") I
was able to put the original piece of work directly on to a colour photocopying machine
and photocopy it.
I am SO Very Glad I had the foresight to record every
single piece of work I made by copying it in this way, because it has
become a very valuable and precious record of my work.
I sold my first piece of work in the Spring of 1998.
I was exhibiting at a contemporary craft fair in Battersea, London, and a wealthy lady bought a framed piece to go in her Paris apartment.
She paid me £180.
I was shaking from head to foot during the whole transaction.
Over the next four years before My Little Man was born, I went on to establish myself as a contemporary textile artist and produced a great many one-off pieces of work.
One Hundred and Fifty Nine to be precise, all numbered and dated and recorded in my portfolios.
I exhibited at fairs and galleries up and down the country, and even had my very own one-man show at a Cornish gallery in 2000, where I sold every single piece of work (20 in total)
I have ten pieces left, some hanging on the walls and some wrapped up and stored away.
These seascapes were such a pleasure to make, and looking at them again now, I can remember creating each one, usually following a weekend spent by the sea.
I did have other subject matter too :: flowers and the such like.
Perhaps I'll show you some more sometime, the flowery ones?
It's been fun to share these with you, although I somehow feel like I need a stiff drink now.
I am not normal, am I?!
xxx
Lucy, I came here from your 50th birthday post and I, like so many others, love this work. I would love to see you do more.
Posted by: Ruth | October 16, 2018 at 10:25 AM
OMG...these are amazing...hats off to u...respect..respect..respect...
Posted by: Ankita Vj (India) | June 27, 2015 at 09:05 PM
Wow, wow! They are just amazing Lucy. Is there anything you can't do?! Would lovvv to buy one. They are beautiful and the colours. Have you sold any prints?
Jules xx
Posted by: Jules Francis | February 28, 2015 at 08:53 PM
I'm so glad you put this link up again. I missed this first time. Now I see where your colour love comes from! These are really good, and you are a very talented artist. It must be lovely to get to share your talent through your blog. Well done for being a good role model.
Posted by: Angel Jem | February 28, 2015 at 07:52 PM
Who wants to be 'normal!'
Well, who knew?!?! Wow! You are so amazing!! And the colours are SO Attic24!!!
So glad you linked to this, thankyou!
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie, Essex | February 28, 2015 at 10:35 AM
Well! You learn something new very day! These are lovely and I can see the @attic24 pallet of colours shining out!
Posted by: Miriam | February 28, 2015 at 12:00 AM
What is "Normal" anyhow?
and Who wants to be normal if it means one cannot express oneself the way one wishes to do so?
You are so very creative! and your use of color is what attracted me to your work immediately!
That and your wonderful way of expressing yourself and describing your surroundings in such detail that the reader feels as if she/he is there in person seeing it for herself?
If you are "not normal", then I don't WANT to be normal! When I 'grow up' (I'm 70, by the way) I want to be just like YOU!
Posted by: Carol D | February 27, 2015 at 03:24 PM
You are amazing Lucy,
the pictures are beautiful.
Posted by: ingrid weber | February 27, 2015 at 05:30 AM
What a bright spot you are in the day. These are so delightful. What a deep gift you have in so many directions. Thank you from the heart for sharing.
Posted by: Louise | February 27, 2015 at 02:17 AM
I know exactly what not normal feels like, only minus the talent! My GOODNESS, what sheer delight you've created in these stitched pictures. My favorite thing is that you've even captured the tone and mottled effect of each sky so well! Makes me want to go visit these locales Right Now! :)
Posted by: Jenny | February 26, 2015 at 11:56 PM
These are truly beautiful. Thanks for sharing them, they are very inspiring.
Posted by: Michaela | December 17, 2014 at 07:52 AM
Thankyou for showing us your wonderful work Lucy, no wonder your crochet is so great, so pleased you photographed everything, we do the same, my quilts and embroideries and my husbands paintings, great to have a slide show now and then. You have made my day once again.
Caro NZ.
Posted by: Carolyn Jackson | February 01, 2014 at 10:35 PM
Lucy! You have so many gifts and talents! Thank you for sharing your artwork with us. Color therapy!
Posted by: Rita | October 27, 2013 at 04:42 PM
i didn't know this about you, how wonderful this work is.
Posted by: jeannette | January 09, 2012 at 11:34 PM
Lucy, these are SO lovely! I can see your heart in them...very personal pieces of art. I linked to this post from your current one.
Posted by: Sarah | January 08, 2012 at 05:14 PM
Lucy, these are gorgeous! What I love most about this post (having come to it via your festive garland post in Jan 2012) is how modest you are about your considerable talent - not just making these beautiful seaside scenes, but having the gumption to go out there and sell them. Perhaps some day you will go back to the honourable business of making money from your artistic/crafty creations. Like so many others I am really grateful to you for having such a generous heart to share your tutorials with us for free, and to encourage us to explore our own creative potential. You really are so inspiring. Thanks! (And Happy New Year!)
Posted by: Christine | January 07, 2012 at 06:27 PM
Lovely!
...Though this comment is about 3 years too late. It's not my fault..I only came to crochet and your blog last year really :-)
I made my first crocheted blanket at Christmas in a farm cottage overlooking Robin Hood's bay in 2008. The pebbles on the beach are AMAZING colours, aren't they?
Posted by: Rachel | January 07, 2012 at 04:07 PM
Lucy questi paesaggi cuciti sono meravigliosi!
Posted by: Maria | September 24, 2011 at 02:56 PM
I've been indulging myself by a wander through your archives, through all the posts that existed before I came across Attic24. I think your textile artwork is stunning...even more so than your crochet, which is saying something!
That lighthouse one is my favourite. I love, love, love lighthouses!
Posted by: Allyson | August 11, 2011 at 11:35 AM
You have helped me to get out of a slump...I have a beautiful sewing machine, lots of tools, fabric and threads...too much actually. But I think when no one sees the end results and it goes into yet another plastic storage tub....then the joy of handicrafts becomes a memory. You have inspired me to keep my talents and sewing skills active, and I appreciate the opportunity to post to you.
Posted by: Jan Wagner | February 28, 2011 at 11:09 PM
They are so absolutely wonderful...
Posted by: Dulce | April 15, 2010 at 12:39 PM
I just found your blog. Oh, how lovely! everything you make is inspiring me to get to my creative "space" and get going!
Posted by: Josette | September 14, 2009 at 05:02 AM
My heart skips a beat when I see the boaty, sea-sidey ones... Eagerly awaiting stuff on your Etsy shop. Or would it be possible to commision work from you?
Posted by: Anna, Sydney | September 13, 2009 at 12:18 AM
Wow! I'm just speechless! You have such talent! wow...
Posted by: Erica K | September 03, 2009 at 07:51 PM
hi maybe i'm toooo late to give a comment on ur blog and ur beautifull thing u do . LOVE ur crochet and ur appliques, ur sewing specially with lighthouses are georgous, ADORE LIGHTHOUSES AND would like to have one is it possible, i'm from LEBANON,just passed by anna horner and found u, love ur beautifull home surrounding , my dream is to visit ur side of the country and just walk by its meadows and smell the grass after the rain. Would like to hear from u , after seeing also ur crochet am going to go for it. wish me luck.
Posted by: NATHALIE ABI AAD | August 22, 2009 at 07:16 PM