Artist of the month = Jill Lyon "Jill Stitch"

Have you been to the shop to see the new window display? Well - if not, come and visit us and see Jill Lyon's amazing stitched images which she creates from photos and special objects.

I asked Jill to tell us a bit about herself:

"Hello, I'm Jill, the creator behind the canvas stitched pictures which you can see here on my website.

I create my work from photos, a detailed process of taking a photo, creating a drawing from the image, using a light box to transfer by hand onto fabric and then a mix of hand

 and machine stitching.  I then hand stretch the fabric onto a canvas 

frame and the piece is ready to hang.

I consider all commission ideas, from pictures of your house, to recreating your child's first shoes.

These stitched pictures are wonderfully unique and quirky and a modern way of displaying your memories."

"I studied Fine Art & Sculpture at Brighton University, 

and studied further at Goldsmiths where I completed my masters in Art Therapy.

I find inspiration from my past, my everyday life and my surroundings.

Living in Battle I am encompassed in history and culture, and being 20 minutes from the sea means that it is hard not to be creatively inspired.

I spend my days working with children who have special and complex needs (part time) 

I also volunteer in a charity shop, and have recently started and outreach service to older people in need of companionship."

Snaps of Jill's window:

Penny Hobson - Artist of the Month - July

Meet the creator of some wildly imaginative art works: Penny Hobson BA Hons, Fine Art & Design.

Her window display this month is perfectly mind blowing - found objects from the beach gathered together making the forgotten unforgettable :)

 A close up of one of Penny's canvases  "Boat Race Blues"

Penny's creativity knows no bounds, here is what she has to say about her craft and life:

"I am currently engaged in an A level Photography course at Sussex Coast College. Once again my family have been my inspirations;  in the first year, five generations of my female line and latterly photos of my late husband Nick and our son Jim.  My main thrust this year is cameraless photography - making inkjet transfer prints and when the weather allows, Anthotypes  [making sunprints with crushed berries and leaves]"

 

I am normally on duty in the shop on alternate Thursdays, so do come along, say hello and see our wide range of exciting offerings"

Find more about Penny here: www.pennyhobson.co.uk

Or - and even better - come in meet and adore her on alternate Mondays - she is a rainbow of positivity.

Artist of the month - Vicky Craggs

It's the 13th, Which may be unlucky for some, but not for us, as it is the day I get to introduce you to our new member of the month!

So, without further ado, meet Vicky, one of our newest members to join the collective at Starlings.

 If you have a keen eye, you may have noticed the window display is bursting with the colourful art work that Vicky creates. From handsome hares, to fantastic florals.

 "I live in Bexhill, and I have painted for as long as I can remember. I have my own space in where I can create, but often have to share it with the dog!

For the last couple of years, I have worked in watercolour, a medium that I find rewarding and expressive. More recently, I have developed an affinity with hares, and love capturing their individuality. 

Inspiration for my work comes from all around, though nature inspires me most, with its intricate hedgerows and countryside beauty.

Being so close to the seafront is also something I feel very lucky about, and often find myself influenced by the changing landscapes and weather.

We hope to see you soon!

xxxx

Starlings

Artist of the month : Little Musings

A new feature in store for Starlings, will be "Artist of the month"
Our first to be featured is Little Musings

Little Musings prints are perfect bespoke gifts for your loved ones.

SJ works with you to create you a print that you will love.

Your choice of words, names, special dates and places, all designed in your chosen colours.

What better way to show someone just how much you know and love them?

Range of prints include:
Family Likes
Family Nicknames *very cute!
House Rules
Personal likes * ideal for Birthday gifts!
Couples prints with memorable places, dates and names
Family sayings
Song Lyrics (Perfect for anniversary gifts, lyrics from first dance etc)

Custom prints can also be designed if you have a specific idea in mind.

Does someone close to you have a birthday coming up soon?  Why not pop in, see SJ and discuss having a print made up. Can't wait? Then get in touch here

About Little Musings:

Little musings typography prints are the end product of the peculiar thoughts that drift around Sarah Jane’s head. Whilst you and I might wait at a bus stop pondering the yellow-sticker-reduced price-food-bargains in Tesco, SJ ponders such things as:

What is at the edge of space……
Do Whales worry they have too much blubber?
Where are all my hair bands?
I wonder if Jane Austen ever had a pyjama day?
Isn’t Pyjama a funny word?

And other such nonsensical that she traps in a jar in her mind, and stores up for later.
One day, she started a deep love affair with typography and print.

Her keen sense of adventure saw her flirt with lino cutting and printing, but the scars prove that her keenness and her sensibility are in no way matched. Instead, SJ decided to create affordable pieces of printed artwork. Each with a sometimes sweet, sometimes comical and sometimes deep notion, of which, she hopes, will resonate with the imperfections within you.

"The comical ones are there to remind you that life is a funny ride.
The deep ones are there to ease the troubled soul you hide.
The sweet ones are there to give to those who stay by your side"

Hand water coloured typography prints will add a splash of sweet colour to any room. 

They look especially sweet in children's bedrooms.

Recently added to her range, is the BEXHILL love print.

Mentioning some local landmarks and aspects of Bexhill life - the prints are ideal for those who love the town we live in!

 Sj loves to draw, and a lot of her prints will feature hand drawn elements.

You can read more about SJ on her blog.

Come in and see us in Starlings soon!

Browsers always welcome 

xx

Meet & Greet = Joe & Charlotte

Hello!

Welcome to our second entry on the Starlings Blog.

Each month we will feature one of our creative members at Starlings with a list of questions and answers. 

For our first entry, I am excited to introduce to you our founders - Charlotte & Joe.

You may recognise Charlotte from the Colonnade Shops on Bexhill seafront.

She can be found there at the weekends come rain or shine, often layered up preventing frostbite, supplying Bexhill with some of the most beautiful handbags you have ever seen.

I gave them a list of questions, and here are their answers, starting with the Shop Statement.

We are a collective of inspirational local artists and designer makers - working together to promote each others work.

Like the birds, Starlings by themselves are little brown garden birds but when they fly together they create an amazing murmuration that's hard to define - just like our members.

1: What inspired you both to create Starlings, has it turned out how you expected?

 "We both moved down to Bexhill because it seemed like such a nice place to live. Charlotte had been trading in Greenwich Art & Craft Market for 20 years.. and when we opened our kiosk on the sea front.. we met so many talented local artists and craft people that we thought we could use the shop space to showcase their work...a bit like being part of a thriving Art and Craft market. It has been an inspirational experience - even after only 4 weeks.. it has surpassed our expectations."

2: What do you Create?

 "Charlotte - handbags  handmade using a wide variety of fabrics embroidered with lots of different motifs"

3: Do you have a favourite quote or anecdote that best describes you?

 "Charlotte - accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative.. and don't mess with Mr. in-between"

4: If you were to be ship wrecked - what five items would you take with you? 

"My cat, my mother's paintings, wizard of oz DVD, thermal socks and vests (can't live without them at the moment) and a lifetime supply of chick peas."

 5: Are you working on any projects at the moment, any sneak peeks?

"Yes..Spring fabrics - gannex tweeds and cotton prints. No sneak peeks yet, but we will keep you updated!"

6: Give us a little insight as to where you see Bag Ladies heading?

" To build business up at the colonnade on the sea front and then to promote Starlings to get more tourists into the shop"

Thank you Joe & Charlotte for allowing us some insight into your lives - I am sure you will all agree, that Bexhill is a much nicer place for their presence.