Gee How Quaint

Easyjet Magazine, October 2010

I'm a destination for October 9th...read on in the Hannah Zakari article.

 

Interview from the organizers of 100sqft exhibition

Artist Feature: Cassandra Harrison

100sqft caught up with Cassandra Harrison to find out why she works in textiles and what led her to exhibit at 100sqft.

What is your background in the arts? I was born and raised in a small farming town in the state of Nebraska.  As I wasn't into sports or cheerleading or band, participating in various artistic outlets was how I kept sane.  My 'training' began in high school, where I was subjected to week after week of drawing still lifes.  I obviously didn't seem to mind as I would set up still lifes in my room at home for extra drawing practice.  Eventually, I went on to study Art Education and Fine Art at a small university in Nebraska, graduating cum laude.  It is amazing that I even graduated at all as I spent several months in hospital during that time and had to attend university for an extra year to make up for lost time.  I feel that I must consider my former illness and time in hospital in the past as it drives most of my current decision making. 

  Have you always worked with textiles?

I didn't start working with textiles until 5 years ago when I started my online business, Gee How Quaint (www.geehowquaint.com).  I wanted to design bespoke fabrics for handmade travel accessories such as knicker bags, swim bags and shoe bags.  All of my fabrics were printed at home using the usual screen, squeegee and ink method as well as Gocco printing, a very compact and exciting system for printmaking.  The business has been ticking over nicely in the background whilst I pursue a career as an artist.  Two years ago I finally decided to commit my work to art that you didn't need to stuff your knickers or shoes into.  At the time I thought this was a risky move for myself as I didn't have much confidence as an artist.  I am still a bit shocked at the level of success I am experiencing and have racked up a nice list of galleries and exhibitions in my CV within the past year. Three years ago I illustrated a children's book called 'Plains, Trains and the London Eye' which can be purchased at the London Eye gift shop.

Why did you choose to enter the 100sqft exhibition.

I decided to enter my work into 100sqft because I thought the concept was very unusual, interesting and that the overall display of work would be very exciting.  As an emerging artist, I think it is important to identify a good opportunity and just go for it.  I consider 100sqft great exposure for both established and emerging artists, as well as bringing in a new audience that may not necessary frequent galleries.  Unfortunately, I live in Scotland so have not been able to attend the exhibition.  What a downer, as the opening show seems to be quite a good party.

Does the format of this exhibition suit your work or did you find it a challenge to conform to the size.

Originally, I did find the format beyond my usual tiny measurements.  Up to that time, my work was very small, measuring no more than 8 inches.  I liked reducing large buildings (brutalist architecture being a favourite) down to small, tactile pieces, giving the viewer a different experience of the structure.  Obviously, I have expanded the work, keeping the buildings small but adding extra space.  The structures remain small, maintaining their fragility and unravelling at the edge.  They remain approachable and as someone once commented: Comforting. Examples of current portfolio can be found at www.cassandraharrison.co.uk

Tell us about 'Heritage and Generations'

Heritage and Generations is a one woman art tour that I am taking to tour both the UK and Nebraska.  The project is based on the 200 year history of a family, picking up the tale during their time in Exeter, where the man of the house worked at a paper mill that is still standing today.  They eventually moved to Dudley, took a boat to the states, farmed the land, churned out an FBI agent, a drummer in a band and then yours truly.  By moving back to the UK, I have brought the family back home.  The broader issues that the exhibition will address are defining ourselves through our ancestry (not only nationality, but personality traits and character) as well as continuing the legacy or ending it due to not being able to or choosing not to have kids to carry on the family line.  I have been working on this project since June 2009 and it will eventually go on tour in April 2011, starting with a preview show in Newcastle upon Tyne.

To keep up to date on the progress, process as well as the struggles encountered during the life of this project, please go to www.teatowelsandsheets.wordpress.com

What are your goals for the coming year?

My goals for this year are to expand my printmaking skills through taking various courses at the Edinburgh Printmakers Studio. I will also do a refresher course on Photo emulsion printmaking as this will be my chosen method for creating the large works for the art tour.  Any spare time will be spent researching ancestry, history of both England and America in the 1800s (specifically population mobility in England during the mid 1800s and emigration).  My main goal is to have all artworks for this tour finished by December. 

The Chronicle, January 21st

Sew Hip! Jan 2010

Gee How Quaint is starting off the year with a bang.  This is the mention and pretty little photo in the UK's top selling sewing magazine.  I have ordered my copy and cannot wait to get stuck into new projects.  I did try to pick it up at WH Smith but all copies had already sold out.

Click on this to get your copy today.

The Journal, Jan 2nd - Trendspotting

A mention in this particular article was a quite big news for weeeeee little me.  The interiors section in Saturday's Journal was all about upcoming trends for 2010.  It's the handcrafted, bright colours that are catching people's attention and my little original artworks are right on trend.  I am totally pleased!  Totally.

Also mentioned in this article:  etsy, John Lewis, Barker and Stonehouse, Osborne and Little.

Why yes, I am bragging.  It's unfortunate but when you are in business, blabbing on and on about any achievement is necessary.

Journal Nov. 28th - Reindeer Cushion Feature

As part of the Newcastle Craft Mafia, my Gee How Quaint products and Cassandra Harrison original artwork has been mentioned.  And blimey!  Look at the gorgeous purple cushion.  Wonder where I can get me one of those.

www.geehowquaint.com

The Journal Oct 6 - The one about Newcastle Craft Mafia

Well, well.  Haven't we been enjoying our brief moment in the spotlight.  The Newcastle Craft Mafia has a nice article and photo on today's Journal paper.  Click on me and laught and sing to see the full article and a smashing photo of Leeanne Lowe, my lovely co-founder.

Incidentally, my photo is nowhere to be seen.  A photographer did come to my home for the previous article relating to artwork being taken to auction house.  I posed with my salvaged artworks.  I did as he said.  Tipped my head to the side a bit, looked in to the middle distance.  I think he must have taken about ten photos.  But alas, none are to be seen.

Which makes me conclude this:  I might be ugly.

It's such a shame as today is the best I will look as I shall only get older, more weather beaten and haggard as I age.  Things will slide south, the dark rings under my eyes will become darker, and my teeth will yellow with too much tea and red wine drink.

It's such a shame really.  I thought I had nice eyes at the very least.

For the complete story and comment

The Photography Pages is a very informative blog regarding the Art Works Galleries fiasco.  Everything from the artists' email of 'come get your stuff, we've closed' from the gallery to testimonials of money owed...it's all there. 

My biggest complaint about this fiasco, is how terribly Matt Forster handled it.  I think things would have gone much better if he had had the decency to speak to us face to face.  And possibly paid the Star and Shadow's rent to the council instead of pocketing it.  Does his business angel even know about any of this?  Hm.  Enquiring minds want to know.

Rescued art work from Art Works Galleries sinking ship

These are 3 of the 8 artworks I rescued from the auctioneers on Friday.  I could have been Lot 95 selling to recover Matt Forster's debts.

Today I and my two wonderful friends, Adrienne and Brenda, rocked up to Mr Forster's stand at the Art Fair and handed him invoices.  He just sat there looking rather tired.  And I stood there feeling very haggered and tired and actually just wanting the weekend to end.

www.cassandraharrison.co.uk for more of the same.

The Journal, Oct 3

http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2009/10/03/angry-artists-hit-out-at-art-works-gallery-s-owner-61634-24842567/

The above link will take you to today's story in The Journal regarding the angry artists of Art Works Galleries.  There are some small inaccuracies in the story, however, the basic truths are there so I am not going to be too worried about the small stuff.

They did age me by about 2 years.  Ah well.