Open Studio Visit - Linda Stokes

Yesterday afternoon I went to an Open Studio organised by WAFTA and hosted by Textile Artist Linda Stokes. Linda is lucky enough to have quite a large wet studio space set up in a seperate building just behind their house. She specialises in dyeing and printing onto fabric. Linda does her stitching in one of the rooms in the house. The wet studio space was large enough that we were all able to sit down to listen to Linda talk about her life, her art training (taken on later in life after children) and the work on display. When asked about various pieces Linda was very generous with details about how certain effects were achieved, and showed us some of the tools she uses (handmade stamps, stencils etc). What amazed me the most was how very simple stamps (a few squares of foam on a bit of Corflute for example) can be used to make the most complex fabric. I've made a few stamps myself but not used them because they look "boring"! I will have to dig them all out and have a go at creating some fabric with many layers of print to see if I can transform "boring" into "amazing" as Linda does.

Linda has a shop on Etsy where she sells Thermofax screens that she makes. She has a few of her own designs but will also create custom screens for other artists from images emailed to her. I bought one yesterday and am looking forward to giving it a go. Linda is a wonderful teacher, and her workshops for various techniques are always very informative. Linda has a blog here.

Concentrating on my Art Work

I have taken the big step of closing the Lizard of Oz website and not selling English Piecing papers, templates or patterns any more. This was a really difficult decision as it's been a part of my identity for the past 12 years. I found that I felt guilty about not doing Lizard of Oz "stuff" when doing my own artwork, and when I did Lizard of Oz work I felt that I wasn't really following my heart anymore. My artwork has moved away from quilting and more into printing, drawing and painting. So I decided some radical action was necessary. I would like to thank all the customers and friends who have been supportive of Lizard of Oz during all that time. There are 2 businesses that I know of who specialise in English Piecing and Applique, Patchwork with Busy Fingers and The Quilt Fairy. I hope they will be able to help you. Meanwhile I get to play in my studio without guilt! :-)