Tracie is the last of the designer/makers that I will be sharing a stand with. Here's what she had to say.....
Can you
describe your journey to becoming a professional maker?
I
returned to education when my youngest child went to school. I began with a
part time access course in Art and then a BA (Hons) in Applied Art at Middlesex
University.
What
comes first materials or design?
My
materials come first, I use similar materials in all my work, mainly: wood,
fabric and paper but how I use the materials and the process of layering them
can be very broad depending on the inspiration for a particular collection of
work.
What are
your main influences when conceiving a piece of work?
When my
great Aunt Alice died she left me a treasure trove of love letters, ephemera
and fabrics. These treasures along with her tea sets and jugs inspired my Alice
Annie collection of teacups and pitchers.
One of my
recent collections, ‘Memory lane’, a series of little houses with imagery and
text are inspired by peeling layers of paint often found on doors and walls of
old houses. Memory lane collection evokes memories of people and places within
the 4 walls of ‘home’. The home being… “the silent receptacle of memory” as
written by Roma Tearne in Bone China.
What tips
do you have to get around creative block?
A trip to
the British museum or the V&A will always give me some creative fuel,
looking at and sketching ceramics, textiles and jewellery for form, stance,
colour and textures never fails to give me plenty of fresh ideas. I often find
that by stepping away from something I am working on gives me a different
perspective after a day of museum or gallery visits.
What
keeps you motivated?
I am very
self motivated, I just enjoy making and creating.
Tell us
about your workspace.
I am
lucky enough to have a small workshop, it opens onto the garden so if it is a
nice day I can take my tools outside….such a pleasure for me but maybe not for
the neighbours!
I also
have a room in my house which is filled from floor to ceiling with everything
that will one day become an artwork! Fabrics, laces, ephemera, 1950’s
magazines, beach glass, wood, sewing machine, buttons etc.etc.etc!
This is where I work but sometimes find it difficult to concentrate on one project as there is so many other things around me waiting for their turn.
What
would you say are your values and ethics when it comes to making?
When I am
beginning a new idea the honesty of it is very important. I value my narrative
of each collection.
From all
of your pieces which is your favourite and why?
My
favourite piece is always my newest piece! I love the satisfaction of bringing a new idea to
fruition. This
piece was inspired by a trip to the British Museum, looking at Egyptian
amphoras.
Have you got any shows or events coming up?
I will be
showing a range of work at MADE London 26th to 28th October 2012 then Made by Hand at
Tredegar House from 30th November to the 2nd December 2012. And I have been selected to be part of the Contemporary Craft Open 1-25th Nov 2012 at Unit twelve, Stafford
Do you have a website?
Yes, my website is http//www.traciem.co.uk/
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