Book - Here's A Story I Heard Tell

After so long planning it's very exciting that my book has gone to print this week! I can't wait to get my hands on the finished copy.

The book is called - Here's A Story I Heard Tell

It is written as though the wonderful creatures of our world have become so rare that stories of them compare to fairytales of myth & legend. I imagine a grandparent reciting the poems with wonder and regret.

I hope this book inspires all generations to do what they can to preserve our beautiful natural world and those we share it with.

www.kirstieadamson.co.uk/book

Charity Upcycle For MIND

‘Shelly dancing in the Moonlight’ magazine collage on an ex-display helmet. 

I’ve made this personal, if I’m going to do a charity piece then I wanted to do it in memory of somebody special and so this is a nod to the work Mind do for those grieving. Shelly was my best friend and an amazing artist, she had a brain haemorrhage at 24 and was never the same again, she died in June this year aged 40. Dancing in the moonlight by Toploader was her favourite song.

One of twenty ex-display helmets being upcycled for Mind Organised by MuckNBrass & Upcycled Hour
These will be auction off via social media so keep your eye out!

Summer School

The magazine collage panels that I created with students at Bemrose school Derby during their summer, have been completed and are all ready to go up in the halls.

I spent four sessions with them in total, working on Seascapes during the first week and then this group project for the second. I'm so pleased with how well it went.

Live from the studio!

Lovely (& a bit nerve-wracking!) to have Nigel Cash from Radio Derby visit the studio this morning for a live interview and to record a segment of him having a go at magazine collage, which both aired during Sally Pepper’s morning show. It will be available via the website shortly should you wish to have a listen and stays up for 30 days Approx 9:45 & 10:45am

Community Produce Show

I had a very tough job today judging the children’s paper collage category at the village produce show, so hard to decide! Call into the village hall at 3pm to see who the winners are!

Featured Artist Dame Catherine's Art Exhibition

Long but lovely day demonstrating at Dame Catherine’s Art Exhibition. Great to meet so many new people and see some familiar faces. Three of my collages found new homes too!

Solo Exhibition - Let's Pretend

'Let's Pretend' exhibition. A collection of my magazine collages relating to role play, film & fantasy, inspired by climate change denial.

Banks Mill Studios 71 Bridge St, Derby DE1 3LB

4th-29th September Mon-Fri 10-3pm 

Advise calling ahead 01332 594170

If you'd like to arrange for me to meet you please email hello@kirstieadamson.co.uk as I'm not in every day.

This body of work is inspired by climate change denial, in the face of mounting evidence, there is still a large number of influential people who deny and ignore the issues surrounding our environment. I aim to inspire, not demand or lecture, others to live more cleanly and make whatever changes they are able, no matter how small, to help counteract the damage that is being done.

When I first decided to specialise in magazine collage over ten years ago it was with the intention of illustrating the possibilities of upcycling and I enjoy the challenge of seeing how far I can take my work within this medium.

NEW Magazine Collage Workshops

I get repeated requests for one on one tuition and workshops so I am launching the following in Autumn 2017. If these are successful I will add more dates to my 2018 calendar.

Magazine Collage Butterfly Workshops

Sat 21st October 2017 & Sat 16th December 2017
10am-3pm £50 per person Maximum of four students per session

Spend the day with me in my studio creating 3D collaged butterflies. I will take you through the entire process of collaging and constructing the Monarch butterflies on logs I created to raise awareness of their decline.

All tools and materials provided. Finished pieces can be free standing or fitted with a D-ring for hanging.

Click Here To Book Online

_____________________________________________________________

Magazine Collage Fairy Workshops

Sat 18th November 2017 & Sat 20th January 2018
10am-3pm £50 per person Maximum of four students per session

Spend the day with me in my studio creating collaged fairies, recreate one of my designs or come up with your own. I will take you through the entire process, with plenty of hints and tips for future projects.

All tools and materials provided.

Click Here To Book Online

_____________________________________________________________

One On One Tuition

£25 per hour Email hello@kirstieadamson.co.uk to book.

I am now offering one on one tuition to give individual guidance for artists wishing to explore working with magazine collage. I will advise and demonstrate suitable techniques to help you collage your chosen image.

Suitable for all levels of ability, I will adapt accordingly. Image suitability can be discussed via email prior to the session. A kit list will be provided prior to booking. Tools and materials will be available at the lesson but advise obtaining own to continue working on your piece following session.

Derbyshire Open 2017

Chatsworth Estate - Winter Twilight

My Chatsworth Estate - Winter Twilight collage has been 'Commended' by the judges at the Derbyshire Open. We had a lovely time at the preview and awards on Friday evening.

I am thrilled that both of the Chatsworth collages I entered have made it through selection. They are A3 magazine collages, no paint. I hope to add to my Chatsworth collection at a later date and I have several more pieces planned.

Chatsworth House In The Snow

They will be exhibited at Buxton Museum & Art gallery 24th June until 1st September 2017.

www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/buxton_museum/derbyshire_open/

Lynne's Dragonflies - Fundraising For My Friends Cancer Treatment

POST UPDATE:Sadly Lynne lost her battle and we said goodbye to her in a beautiful celebration of life at Little Fistral beach in April. I want to thank everyone who helped out in any way with this fundraising effort. I have donated the funds raised to another fundraiser of a similar nature. Fly high dragonfly Xx

A4 Dragonfly Collage - No Paint

Just before Christmas my lovely friend Lynne was told that she has inoperable pancreatic cancer. The response from her family and friends in raising money to pay for her upcoming wedding, her treatment and anything else she needs has been incredible but more help is needed.

There is a fundraising page here telling you a little about Lynne's story and the treatment she has opted for. www.youcaring.com/lynnecantrill-725506

You may also be interested in this article about the initial fundraising response - Read Article

Lynne's fundraising friends have dubbed themselves her 'Dragonflies'. I wanted to find a way to help with the efforts and so I am creating a series of Dragonfly collages to donate. Some of the money from the sale of the originals will go towards getting some cards printed to raise further funds. Lynne did suggest that I only donate a percentage but I wouldn't feel right making a bean out of this so she will get the lot.😉

Since meeting on our first day of university this girl has become an incredibly important thread in the tapestry of my life, she is loved by so many and we aren't going to give her up without a fight. We also happen to share a beautiful niece, my little muse who features regularly in my work.

Lynne & I, at our degree show in 2000

I will be selling the original collages and cards through my Facebook page or you can order through EcoCreate,

Cards can be found here Buy Now

The originals are available through my shop on EcoCreate Shop Now

Please help me support this very worthy cause, Kirstie x

Call for entries - Behind The Smile

My experience of living with endometriosis and adenomyosis inspired me to create an exhibition to raise awareness of invisible illness. Together with other artists I am curating an exhibition for March 2018 at Banks Mill Studios, Derby.

Behind the Smile
An invisible illness exhibition exploring living with issues such as chronic pain, depression & anxiety. Aiming to break taboos & raise awareness.

The deadline will be 31st December.

Any artistic interpretation of invisible illness will be considered including pieces from a loved ones perspective. If you're not sure if your project is relevant please email hello@kirstieadamson.co.uk to discuss.

There will be a voluntary contribution towards the cost of publicity and a private view event, this will be confirmed once I have an idea of numbers but no more that £20.

If you’re interested in getting involved please register your interest below

Register Interest

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Last Name

Time & Tide EcoCreate Exhibition

The launch of the Time & Tide exhibition was a great success, so pleased with the turnout. I have loved helping to curate this exhibition with Charlotte Rhoades as part of my role at the EcoCreate network.

Running until 27th Jan 2017 Mon-Friday 10am-3pm at Banksmill Studios we recommend calling ahead 01332 594170 We also have the open day Sat 21st still to come, see our upcoming events on Facebook!

Although I'm excluded from the judging process I do like to produce a piece for these exhibitions, this is my 'Father Time'.

‘Time rules the world’, magazine collage depicting Father Time watching the tide rise and the sunset on parliament. The stars become dandelion clocks as they fall, they read ‘Tick Tock’. Made entirely of ripped and cut magazines, on recycled board using non-toxic adhesives.

Christmas Commissions 2016

I can now show you what I was up to in the run up to Christmas 2016.

All of these are A4 magazine collage commissions.

Hand Stand On The Shore

Girl & Her Dog

Brothers

Dovedale Dash

Holiday In Scotland 

Open Studios

A huge thank you to everyone who came to see me at the recent Open Studios and artisan fair at Banks Mill Studios.

The turnout was again fantastic with so much going on throughout the weekend. I only wish I could have seen a bit more of it!

I am loving being in my new larger studio, only having one flight of stairs to climb instead on four is also a bonus!

Aspin Family Magazine Collage Commission

Aspin Family Collage

A2 magazine collage commission depicting the recipient with his three sons and the family dog. A favourite family walk along the Norfolk coast.

The light in this was really lovely and I wanted to make sure I captured it. 

original photograph

I loved the little dog and was really pleased with how he turned out, lots of tiny pieces but it was worth the effort.

Aspin Family Collage Close Up

The sun catches the hair beautifully, again lots of tiny pieces were needed to recreate it.

Aspin Family Collage Close Up

Happy Customers!

Lovely feedback on this -

Just unwrapped! My husband is totally blown away by the collage you did of him and our 3 boys on a walk in one of our favourite places on the north Norfolk coast. It's for a 'significant' birthday - we are both totally in awe of the exquisite detail and the way you've captured a moment so perfectly in a beautiful piece of art to enjoy forever. You are so clever!

St Michael's Mount A3 Magazine Collage

St Michael's Mount was a really lovely commission to receive. 

There was so much detail to capture, it really put my collaging skills to the test! Achieving the effect of brickwork and the windows were the main challenge.

I highlighted interesting details such at the white gates, doors and windows.

Father Time Magazine Collage

This is my entry for the EcoCreate Time & Tide exhibition to be held at Banks Mill Studios January 2017. Learn More

Father Time Magazine Collage

'Time rules the world', magazine collage depicting Father Time watching the tide rise and the sunset on parliament. The stars become dandelion clocks as they fall, they read 'Tick Tock'. Made entirely of ripped and cut magazines, on recycled board using non-toxic adhesives.

This piece was collaged on the back board of a preloved frame, reinserted once complete. I have a matching frame which I hope to use for a related piece. I hope this will be the first of many in my 'Personification' series.

The collage had such a positive reaction on line that it is now available as an A4 print and A6 art card.

Available online at EcoCreate www.eco-create.co.uk/shops/kirstie-adamson-artist/

Hubble Bubble A3 Magazine Collage

Hubble Bubble is the latest in my 'Let's Pretend' series for my solo exhibition September 2017.

The collage was based on a photograph my daughter posed for in our back garden.

Original Photograph

The collage had such a positive reaction on line that it is now available as an A4 print and A6 art card.

Available online at EcoCreate www.eco-create.co.uk/shops/kirstie-adamson-artist/

Vanter Family A2 Magazine Collage Commission

This piece was created using several family photographs to place the family on the coastal path they wished to be depicted on. I love to collage sea, sky and rural scenes so this was a fun one for me to work on.

There were lots of details to get correct and changes had to be made to clothing to suit the location. I also used my artistic licence to widen the path enough for them to walk in pairs.

Szabo Family Magazine Collage Commission

I love how sunny this magazine collage feels, mainly due to the light colours used and bright yellow of the field on the left.

A2 Magazine Collage Commission

It was based mainly on one photograph supplied by the client, with some additional requests to make more of the buggy visable, To remove the jumper tid aound the waist and to remove the oncoming cyclists.

Client Photograph

There was a lot of detail in this piece which was fun to highlight.

The client opted to organise framing this piece themselves.