Textile Goddess

I can’t believe, I mean I REALLY can’t believe all that has been happening in my life and I am so shocked to see it was FEBRUARY when I last posted.

Crikey… and insert words to that effect.

Well, I feel I should apologise for neglecting you. I do hope you catch me on Facebook and Instagram. For the blog here is a short recap of the missing months;

I was 50!!! Can only be summarised as fifty and f-ing fabulous!
A new ladies writing bureau found its way home, thanks to gifts of birthday money.
I decorated a room that was used by my soon to be ex-husband (yes, thats the big factor this year in my life – dealing with divorce) and, though I HATE decorating, I LOVE the end result. A perfect room for the bureau and I found a perfect chair to pair with it.
I have drunk LOTS of coffee whilst studying the Masters Degree. I have learnt an important life lesson. One ALWAYS needs good coffee, even if you live on lentil soup for a week to be in a position to afford it.
I have read numerous NOVELS in the last twelve months. I have always read a lot, every day, well, every night in bed. This last year I have often read during the day too, the best escape therapy there is.
I started work, one day a week, as a Front of House person at Coldstream Museum. Well, on my working day I AM the staff of Coldstream Museum. The visitors have been wonderfully eccentric and entertaining, the other staff, though I don’t see them very often, are a great laugh and well, a museum. How perfect is that for a job?
I changed my name. Very empowering. I am still ‘professionally known as’ Helen Cowans and my business is still Helen Cowans Arts. My personal name is now Helen Leighton-Rose. No, it’s not my maiden name, nor my mothers name but a name that wasn’t given by any man, but one I gave my self. Leighton…. Lord…. his house is the MOST stunningly artful house I have ever visited and THAT picture of roses…. well, when I saw it for real it was a jaw-dropping moment I will never forget. So there you are, thats how to choose a name. It is google proof (as in there is only me in a search) but what a pain to type on a. email and b. a couriers scribbly pad thingy.
PINK. Yes, I started wearing PINK. Then I ordered PINK bedlinen…. and then a rose gold bed….. rocking my internal girly self. Why not.
Black and greys and grunge haven’t deserted me though and I have retuned to them for the winter, both in sketches and apparel.
I’ve sold several pieces of work this year, I will summarise soon on another post and Henry is once again a poster boy, this time in the Earth Pathways Calendar.
Exhibitions ran in the Borders Textile Towerhouse and Gallery 45 in Felton. Sold originals and cards.
I have spent HOURS, DAYS, WEEKS, MONTHS reading for the MA after I somehow managed to ‘loose’ 6 months of my life through shock and depression…. I was granted a 2 month extension and pleased to say I not only gained a MASTERS DEGREE, but passed with DISTINCTION. Go me!
The MA could not have been achieved without a. help from friends, b. gifts from friends c. coffee, d. more coffee and e. chocolate.
I wore (and wear) more red lipstick than ever before. Empowering and attitude forming.
My son has a new car, he is in love. He cleans it on a regular basis, gives it TLC and it poses for photos. However, being only 4 inches off the road surface, it is not the most suitable car for Northumbrian country road potholes. The exhaust gives a good warning that he’s almost arrived, the sound is distinctive and unmissable.
Autumn has come, and almost gone, and I had hoped to sell my house by now. Seems not. I have been house hunting, there are option and important decisions to be made. Head for practicality or heart for the countryside. I think it’s the toughest decision I will make. Sometimes you need to put your feet up in Barter Books and have a coffee, cake and natter to mull it all over.
And FINALLY as I sort and pack the studio I have decided to have a SALE. Samples, small pieces, teaching aids…. they will be priced to sell in a ONE OFF SALE of my artwork. Well two sales, one starting the the first week of December and one in the New Year. Watch this space (and Facebook and Instagram).