Ann Sharman

Through the Eye of a Needle

About the Event

Ann specialises in producing unique, exquisitely detailed interpretations of local landscapes, sensitively realised using combinations of fabric, paint and thread. In addition to the embroidered landscapes there will be cards, prints etc. for sale and demonstrations. Commissions and classes undertaken.

Event Type

Open Studio, Exhibition

Disciplines

Textiles/Fashion

Telephone

01823 400610

Email

sharman_crafts@lineone.net

Opening Times

Fri 7th	Sat 8th	Sun 9th	Mon 10th	Tue 11th	Wed 12th	Thu 13th	Fri 14th	Sat 15th	Sun 16th
closed	11am - 6pm	11am - 6pm	closed	11am - 6pm	11am - 6pm	11am - 6pm	11am - 6pm	11am - 6pm	11am - 6pm

Further Info

I am a textile artist, specialising in landscape embroidery using free machining, (note this definitely does not involve the use of computerised programs etc.) often this is embellished with hand stitching.

I was invited to have my first one-woman exhibition in 1995 (and another in 1998) by the curator of Watts Gallery in Compton (Surrey). There were 30 pictures in that first exhibition which was housed in the main gallery surrounded by the huge canvasses of the famous Victorian artist George Frederic Watts.

Since then I have had a further one-woman exhibition in 2000 at Guildford House at the invitation of Guildford Borough Council. An article in Needlecraft Magazine in August 2000 featured and summarised my work up to that date. I was also approached by the same magazine asking if they could feature an exhibition of my work at Earls Court and that took place later that year. Since moving to Somerset I opened my gallery/studio to take part in the local Ten Parishes Festival in 2005. I was approached by Kingston Gate Gallery who mounted a display of my work in their refurbished premises during the summer of 2006. In autumn of the same year I exhibited in my gallery/studio as part of the Somerset Arts Weeks. I am one of the founder members of Red Hat, Wiveliscombe Art and Craft Co-operative.

So far as I am aware there are only a handful of artists in the country who produce similar work to my own although I have developed what I believe to be, a uniquely personal style that is deeply rooted in the local countryside and my response to it. My work has been described as 'an intricate multi-layered fusion of paint and thread used to interpret the light and subtleties of the West Somerset countryside'. I use a range of textile techniques to portray the ever-changing landscape, whether those changes are caused by natural, seasonal or man-made influences. In general I prefer to produce work based on landscapes that I have personally visited, although this is obviously not possible when commissioned to undertake work for overseas customers. I work from photographs that I then translate into a simple, conventional watercolour in order to determine colour and texture; light and composition. The fabric (silk and cotton) is then painted with acrylics or silk paints to define the main features and then I stitch the trees, hedges, foliage etc.

The detailed nature of my work has meant that at first glance it has often been mistaken for a painting or even a photograph - I enjoy sharing in peoples surprise when they realize that they are in fact looking at piece of textile art.

I am frequently asked what free machining actually involves. Simply, it means that the feed dogs that move the fabric through the sewing machine are lowered, so that the fabric is moved under the needle by hand – this is sometimes referred to as needle painting. A specialised sewing machine is not needed for this work although it does require a robust and well-made basic machine with a straight and zigzag stitch capability. I am commonly asked how long it takes to complete a piece of work, as you would expect, this depends on several factors such as the complexity and size of the piece, but it can take anything from a week to 3 months to finish. By its very nature the work is extremely labour intensive but a benefit of this is, that it provides me with the opportunity to reflect and effect subtle detail changes as the piece progresses.

Although we only recently moved to Somerset I know that the landscape on my immediate doorstep will continue to inspire my work for many years to come.

I teach landscape embroidery classes and undertake commissions.

Venue Information

Address

Burchers Farmhouse

Milverton

Somerset

TA4 1RD

For Venue Information

01823 400610

Directions

On the B3227 from Taunton to Wiveliscombe, 200 yards past the second Milverton turn-off.

Parish

Milverton

Disabled Access

Poor

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