Trade Shows come in all shapes and sizes, and cover every industry you can imagine. What is your dream show? I always thought mine would be a stationery trade show, where you can see what is on the horizon, meet suppliers directly, get ideas and inspiration and generally spend hours walking around a massive hall of gorgeous stationery. And I was not disappointed when I visite ISOT 2012 as research for The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design. It was huge, exciting and eye-opening.
If you like the sound of a city centre closed to traffic, ancient wooden festival floats lit up with hundreds of traditional lanterns, street stalls selling fried noodles and other delicious offerings, and tens of thousands of people strolling in beautiful summer kimonos, then you want to take yourself to Kyoto for the Gion Matsuri. Here are a few pictures from a hot hot night here!
Today’s shared story comes from Rachelle Panagarry who lives in the UK with her husband and children, teaches full time, creates art and loves life.
Some people might say that from the outside appearance, I’m already doing what I love, but those who really know me can see that I’m actually just beginning to do it. I know this might not really make too much sense but let me explain.
I’m currently working full time as a school teacher in a school that is full of fun and challenges and no two days are ever the same. What’s more, I LOVE that place and I feel in a very honored position to have a part in educating the children that come into my care.
BUT
My true love, in fact what I now believe to be my true life as well as love, is my art.
After taking a break from teaching due to illness, and having much needed breathing space, I have rediscovered what I knew to be true all along. I am an artist. Yes, I said it. I AM an artist. This is my true calling, I know it and feel it and the desire to be creative grows stronger every day.
For so many years now, I have watched and admired other artists from the sidelines. I’d read about them, collect artwork, view websites and wonder ‘what if’ I’d pursued my art rather than teaching. Well due to what could have been a real negative situation, but actually turned out to be the best, the illness (heart related) has given me that push to go do it for myself. If I’ve learned one thing this last twelve months, it’s that life is short so GRAB it and DO WHAT YOU LOVE.
I realized that if I want to be taken seriously, then I had to take my art seriously myself. I started to blog, tentatively at first, and put my artwork ‘out there’ for the whole world to see. I wasn’t really prepared for the response that I got. Like many creative folk, I too suffer from the ‘my art’s not good enough syndrome’, so it was a real shock when the response was positive. But even better was an email in my inbox asking if I’d like to have my art included in a book to be published by Suzi Blu. I think I actually screamed out loud when I read the message. Of course I said yes, and this year it was published. A dream come true for me, but better than that, it gave me the confidence to really believe in myself and to go after what I want. I want to do what I love, and what I love is making art.
Things are starting to go from strength to strength and I can feel a bright future ahead of me now, something that I didn’t see before I was ill. It’s so exciting… I can’t wait for this creative journey ahead, I just know I’m going to LOVE it.
[Images courtesy of Rachelle Panagarry.]
Find out more about Rachelle on her website.
This month’s theme was Summer. Very appropriate – it was baking as I made my way from the little train station to my Sensei’s house.
I have never noticed the colour and texture of blueberries in a way I did when photographing them for this session.
And all the little tricks – the water spray, the fanning out of stray berries, the reflection of light with a white foam board – are all so good to know. I am learning a lot!
The good news just keeps pouring in for our fantastic graduates of The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design (the e-course) The lovely Suzanne Washington has been signed by Wallpapered.com and has created a collection of 6 beautiful designs for them! You can see her fantastic designs below. This was a direct result of Suzanne submitting to a live brief set by Wallpapered.com for Module 3.
You can see more of her fabulous work on her website: Suzyspellbound
Congratulations to Suzanne & well done to all of our e-course graduates! So proud!
My monthly photostyling sessions are like a marker in my calendar for my time in Kyoto. Six months. Six lessons. And it’s time for lesson three already.
Last month’s theme was Spring (above and below). My teacher inspired me to buy a new lens for my camera and it has made a huge difference.
The tricky thing with photostyling is that you need props, which would be fine at home with my studio full of interesting things, but more difficult here with a minimum amount of ‘stuff’. I guess that means I just have to be inventive, and look to nature (and supermarket packaging!)
Sunny days are made for picnics, and no-one makes a packed lunch quite like the Japanese! (Check this video out to see what I mean!) I have never seen such a variety of lunchboxes – fabulous products for surface pattern design (you can tell polka dots are big in Japan this year!) Here are some I found in Loft Kyoto.
The Kyoto Botanical Gardens is a perfect place to chill out in the sun, as well as shake up the routine. We have been experimenting with lots of picnic goodies from the supermarket. No cucumber sandwiches here – delicious fried noodles and weird vegetables instead…
When was the last time you took a picnic outside? What’s your favourite picnic food?
Digitally manipulated ‘Painterly’ by Ange Yake
Recently Rachael Taylor and I wrapped up Module 3 of The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design, and celebrated with our first cohort of graduates! We are so proud of them all – as they go out into the world of professional design, we have already celebrated licensing deals, features in books, launches of new studios, exhibitions at top trade shows and top prizes in national design competitions. We cannot wait to see what is next for them!
Perhaps even more importantly, we have seen the impact it has had on people’s lives. Here are some of the testimonials our class have shared:
“Life changing and inspiring. This course should be included in the 5 year plan of anyone who is interested in a career in Surface Pattern Design!”
“This course teaches you what is really important to become a surface pattern designer. It provides the overview you don’t have as a beginner, full of incredible insider tips and fun exercises, that keep you going. If you only manage to do a third of its content, it’ll change your life!”
“It’s a course that gave me all the information and inspiration I need to make my dreams come true. Now it only depends on me!”
“Amazing! Life-changing and addictive.”
“If you’ve always wondered how to get your art and designs on home goods, wallpaper, clothing, etc, this is the course that helps you achieve this dream.”
“Yesterday I said to friend: “This was the best thing I have done in years”.”
“It is intense and very exciting, inspiring and stimulating.”
“You poured yourselves into this. Every thought and consideration was made. The course was full of personality and passion and I can’t believe how much Rachael shared. It was beautifully designed, communicated really well, and really well managed. I really couldn’t have made the life change that I have (given up my job! yikes) to follow my heart. This course has given me knowledge and confidence to get going. “
“This course has blown my mind! I feel like I can take ownership of my own destiny. No one has ever said to me that I have a right to do this before! I have had some negative influences so I think that the positive energy that Rachael radiates and the way that the course is structured is the best part. I don’t have the words but above all this course is a bargain!! Nothing is missing…it’s perfect. It’s challenging enough to make you think and deal with stuff you would rather put aside (eg legal, finance, being pro-active, networking) and inspirational to get you creatively motivated. “
“The Art and Business of Surface Pattern design course has changed my life. It has provided me the opportunity to go after a long time dream. I have always been surrounded by design in my professional career but never formally trained. Now, I feel this course has provided me the necessary skills and opportunities to make my dream a reality. Rachel and Beth, thank you so much for creating an amazing course.”
“This course helped me gain confidence, as an artist and a person I am very shy and have had many moments of doubting myself in the past. Sharing my work with other creative, kind and encouraging people helped me realize that I do have what it takes as long as I assert myself. If you are shy like myself I say take this course ! It has helped me so much, Rachael and Beth you really have created something very special. I am fully committed to working towards my dream and thanks to this course I am one step closer. “
“It’s full of vital information and a very strong support group. It’s a vital course to help give new surface pattern designers and ones that want to set up business the confidence to just go for it.”
“Inspiring, full of detail and dedication, total value for money.”
“This is an INtense, INdepth, INspiring and FUN course about surface pattern design! Get IN! Not only is the coursework great but there are many opportunities to take advantage of that could open doors for you.”
“It has provided me with a structure to beginning my life as a freelance designer and going back to the basics of creating. It is so important to do all 3 modules if you can, because it gives you a real sense of community and support along with great advice and resources, links and things that I would never had found on my own. It’s a special journey designing your own way…but even more special to share!”
“Not only business facts, but an amazing insight into the industry, encouragement to seek out which path is right for you and the support you need to actually make it happen. “
“Life changing! Content-rich, insightful and inspiring. Not just a course but a place to make friends. “
Layered ‘Blooming Day’ from Rachael Bright
“I just can’t thank you both enough for making this wonderful course happen. I wish there were another 3 modules. I would sign up now! It has been the best decision I ever made, completely invaluable to the start my business.”
“I honestly don’t think I could have made so much progress in a year had it not been for this course and the framework it provided me to get back into doing what I love. There are so many good things about it; it is so accessible – there is no snobbery; everyone is encouraged and nurtured no matter what stage they are at. There is so much invaluable information and insight, so many tips, realistic briefs and amazing live briefs and other opportunities.”
“I know several people who are unable to study surface pattern design at degree level because of financial and practical reasons. This course would definitely be an alternative route for them.”
“Being a self taught printer and homeware designer, the modules have given me the technical background and creative permission to believe in my potential and my future in this field. Thank you so much Rachael and Beth for showing us how to do what we love for life!”
“WAAAAAHHH. It’s over! I think the fact that you helped get our names out in the real world is an amazing aspect that I never anticipated. “
“This course should be added to every art degree syllabus! “
“This course is the best thing that happened to me for years!!! I love the incredibly supportive, positive and motivating creative atmosphere! This is so rare. Thanks so much for your hard work behind the scenes and for sharing your knowledge with us. I’m on a mission to make this world more happy and beautiful now! “
“Thank you for being so thoughtful in every aspect. As I’m Brazilian, I found the audio transcripts really helpful! Thank you, you’re helping me to change my life for the better! “
“I can only say how grateful I am for all the educational material, the links, the insights, the energy and the love I felt through the whole course. “
“LOVED IT!! The course has empowered me to start my own business and makes me excited about what the future holds. “
***
If you want to join us for the next module (Module 2 Creating your professional identity) you’d better be quick! Find out more and register here.
One of my favourite things about Kawashima Textile School was being surrounded by colour and texture – on the walls, on the desks (works in progress of other students), in the teachers’ rooms… esepecially the rows and rows of silk threads lining the shelves. A colour feast for the eyes… (and perfect for testing out wedding colour palettes!)
More posts from school here: Preparing and dyeing the thread / Preparing giant bobbins / Preparing the warp / Preparing the loom / Time for weaving! / Lessons in weaving, lessons in life / Silkworm encounter
