For our February meeting, textile artist Jo Gallant spoke to us on Zoom from her studio in Scotland. Starting out by using found fabrics from jumble sales to make appliqued cushions and other items, Jo moved to Balnakeil Craft Village in the far north of Scotland and set up her workshop there. She got her inspiration from dry stone walls, open hill side, flying crows looking like black plastic bags in the wind and even her cats were all used in hangings made from dyed natural fabrics.
Jo found she had collected a number of coloured zips over the years and they became important in the creation of cushions with zips as features – beaks, twigs and horizons. She has a wonderful variety for sale on her website.
Jo also showed us a selection of commissioned hangings of a bicycle ride, a letter box, individual awards for the Arts & Business organisation, a church window in Norfolk and a hospital stairway.
If you would like to find out more about Jo, look on her website where she has lots more photos of her work and the opportunity of buying one of those wonderful cushions! http://www.jogallant.co.uk/
The next meeting of Textile & Stitch around Marlborough will be held in the Kennet Valley Hall, Lockeridge on Monday 7 March when the speaker will be Wendy Lloyd and her talk will be entitled “My Inspiration”. Doors will open at 13.30 for a 14.00 start. If you would like to know more about our group please either look on our website https://textilesandstitch.co.uk/ or email Lindsay at frenchknots2014@yahoo.co.uk.