Brenda Marshall
Textile Artist/Designer.
The dictionary definition of ‘Metamorphose’ means ‘change’ so I have taken this literal meaning as the word that sums up my life of late. It has been a roller coaster since gaining my degree late in life in 2000. I hope this writing may be an inspiration to others to find the courage to turn their lives around and to see that it is never too late for ‘change’
Through innovative experimentation with fibres and fabric construction, I endeavour to satisfy my passion for tactile reward. I work intuitively through projects using colour, surface pattern and texture to achieve this, drawing on my artistic background and influenced by nature and world cultures. My aim has been to push boundaries, producing objects with intrinsic beauty and paying attention to detail.
This massive boost of confidence and acknowledgment of my skills and supreme encouragement from my family, gave me the courage to start out in a new direction. So taking a massive leap of faith, for the past three and a half years I have been running a very successful business as a self employed textile artist in my studio. I was working in house alongside selling to the public and building up a loyal client base many of whom became friends. I also ran numerous workshops and exhibited in the local sculpture exhibitions.
I recommend studio based working to artists starting out in their career as an excellent confidence booster situation, especially good, if like me, you can find a situation where there is an opportunity to work in close proximity to other artists. Interaction with them means ideas bounce around and the support is there when any difficulties arise.
It is an excellent training ground for running a business and for interacting with the public. Some of the public come up with some brilliant ideas if you are open to listening and are up for taking some of the challenges on board that they are expressing. I had no business experience at all prior to opening my studio. I remember on my first day when thirteen people all came in to the studio at the same time. My heart was going nineteen to the dozen and I literally felt like crawling under the table. With a lot of sales on my first day I was encouraged. They were so enthusiastic and over time I was able to learn so much about valuing my work and myself. I was someone who had so little confidence in what I did in life in general so this was a huge step for me.
Recently I have decided to have another change of direction in my life and after a lot of deliberation, decided to leave the studio based at the Jinney Ring mainly because it meant I had to be there six days a week and as a sole trader left me little or no time for any social life or personal development. I missed doing things with friends and family. I still continue to teach workshops as I really enjoy the pleasure the students get out of making stunning objects from a few fibres rubbed together. Even if they have no design skills etc. each and every one has always created fantastic results.
Formally a successful watercolourist, mixed media artist and tutor of textiles, fashion and art, I say at the moment my medium now is painting with fibres.
I try and create inspirational contemporary designs which are described as bold, dramatic, artistic, organic, flamboyant, exotic, colourful.... All individual, one-off pieces are inspired by the textures and colours found in the natural landscape and life. I work using a modern twist on ancient felting techniques to blend merino fibres together with other luxury fibres including silks, bamboo, soya bean, banana and Alpaca and anything else I can get to felt in, together with fabrics.
My creations also include one off sumptuous wraps, scarves, bags, jewellery, accessories, mobiles, wall art & sculptural forms etc. Customers are overwhelmed by the fantastic range of articles which have been created using just fibre as the starting point. Felting skills, patience and a very vivid imagination are brought into play in this therapeutic craft.
I always welcome commissions and use my knowledge of colour mixing and blending to colour match to customer’s requirements both in fashion and interiors.
TEACHING SESSION
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