I meet many wonderfully creative people in my day job, Wendi is one of those special people. Her work is fresh and contemporary and her garden studio, inspiring. If you are lucky enough to travel to her home in the stunningly pretty village of Pebworth near Stratford, do pop along and see one of her exhibitions. If not, then luckily for you, she sells her work through her website: www.wendiweller.com. More links can be found at the bottom of the page.
many thanks Wendi!
HOW DID YOU BECOME AN ARTIST?
My journey into textiles began in 2010 when I was doing a tailoring and pattern cutting course at College – In another room, students were experimenting with screen printing, fabric manipulation and machine stitch techniques (that you shouldn’t really use a regular sewing machine for!!) I kept migrating out of my class, into the textiles group and eventually signed up to take that course the following year.
It was a lot like doing a foundation course, we covered many different textile techniques and processes throughout the year, but once I started printing, I was hooked!
I started to teach printing workshops a few years ago and have learned so much along the way – in fact I don’t think you ever stop creatively learning!
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I am a passionate gardener and I think most of my inspiration comes from nature: Flowers, seed-heads, insects, birds.. In my latest work I’m abstracting those natural shapes more and more to create my prints. I am also really influenced by travel and culture, anything from Turkish rugs, Indian textiles, Architecture to Moroccan tiles!
WHAT MATERIALS AND PROCESSES DO YOU USE?
I always start with drawing, I sketch the subject that inspires me. I then create a Lino cut, mainly using ‘speedy cut’ Lino, unless of course I want to create detailed print, then I’ll use Japanese Lino.
Once I have transferred my design onto the Lino, I spend time cutting, trial printing, cutting some more until I’m happy with the print. With ‘speedy cut’ Lino it’s exactly as it’s described – its speedy!
You do have to learn to slow down, otherwise you can cut away more than you intended! Once my Lino is cut and tested, I mount it onto a block. I hand block print onto fabric and the “perfectly imperfect mark” it creates when repeated, is so pleasing!
The print medium I use changes depending on what the project is: If I’m block printing onto fabric, I use fabric printing paint. This is then heat fixed and becomes washable. Screen printing inks tend to take longer to dry but lately I’ve been printing with chalk paints – I found this out purely by accident when, after painting a chest of drawers, I couldn’t get the paint out of my jeans!! It work a treat to print with but you must heat set it, to guarantee it won’t wash out and it does have a different feel on the fabric.
WHERE DO YOU SELL YOUR WORK?
I sell my products online from my website www.wendiweller.com and also at various art fairs such as Warwickshire Open Studios and this year I have been accepted to exhibit at Art In The Park in Leamington Spa. I am hoping at some point to have a pop up shop locally but my wonderful eco studio in Pebworth, between Chipping Camden and Stratford Upon Avon is always open by appointment.
I sell a variety of things for the home such as cushions, wash bags, lampshades, aprons and much much more.
WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU ARE ON YOUR CREATIVE JOURNEY?
My creative journey has restarted a few times!! BUT right now, I feel as though I’m finally on the right path, doing what I truly love. I have a fabulous new website, new branding, new product designs – the future is bright and exciting!!
Instagram @wendiweller
Facebook Wendi Weller @maplebarnstudio
Website www.wendiweller.com
Email hello@wendiweller.com
Phone 07716 923 982