Based in Westmorland, Suzanne is a visual artist using a range of materials and methods and is primarily interested in the history, colours and textures of rural landscapes and buildings.
Initially making drawings and watercolours, she then uses oil on canvas or board to produce paintings. Combining original imagery can also result in mixed media collages.
After Fine Art in Liverpool and later, Art History & Philosophy with the Open University, she lived in Dumfries & Galloway and still participates in ‘Spring Fling’ Open Studios and other local exhibitions.
Rose Bank, Shap, Cumbria LA9 3HZ M:075322 30065
Beginning in 1994 as a self taught hobbyist, hatmaker Sharon Mann plaits raffia, stitches and dyes the raffia - all by hand, to create ladies and gents hats for special occasions, gardening hats and sunhats. Each hat takes from 11 to 25+ hours to complete.
The Madagascan raffia which Sharon uses for her hats is a natural, sustainable and biodegradable fibre, derived from the raffia palm.
Based in Kirkinner, Dumfries and Galloway, Sharon makes her hats at home in her studio.
Contact: [email protected] Insta: scotsbonnets
Facebook: Raffia hats by Sharon Mann
Julia is a knitwear designer and maker. Based at the Brewhouse Studios, overlooking the river in Alston, Cumbria. Her hand framed knitwear is mainly made from British pure wool from Yorkshire woollen mills. She also produces a range of accessories in British spun extra fine Merino from a non mulesed source.
A new sustainable range has recently been added to her collections. The wool only travels 50 miles from farm to yarn, supports British farmers and comes in lovely muted colours.
Julia’s design collections are constantly changing as new colour combinations and design influences catch her eye. Accessories include wristwarmers, hats, headbands, scarves and neckwarmers as well as simple garments and homeware.
Originally from Sardinia and is now based in Morpeth, Northumberland.
Luca hand carves wood into organic shapes emphasising the beauty of the patterns within the wood. His work is often based on nature and mythological themes.
The delicacy of the forms and the tactile finish he produces create a fluidity to his sculptures which make them difficult to resist touching to feel the beauty of the wood.
contact: [email protected]
Tricia creates painterly, abstract images with her own, unique photographic techniques.
She originally studied photography in the USA, then developed her artistic skills over time by experimentation to become an artist photographer.
Tricia's work blurs the line between art and photography.
As a member of the core group, she organises and presents this annual exhibition.
Julie is a maker of quality baskets and willow sculptures, made with Lancashire/Somerset willow and foraged materials, inspired by Lancashire's rich cultural and natural heritage.
Traditional techniques learnt from renowned basket-makers are used to design and make a range of quality baskets that are strong and a pleasure to use.
Sculptures are designed and drawn in pencil and the forms created using willow. Larger sculptures are produced with metal frames for greater strength and durability.
Website: www.pipcottage.co.uk email: [email protected]
Mobile: 07867499929 Instagram: Julie at Pip Cottage
‘RAM WORKSHOP’
Mary Kennedy is an artist who paints landscapes and domestic scenes, and translates her imagery onto wooden boxes and trays etc.
Mary is part of RAM Workshop with her husband Richard. She is a member of the core group who organise this annual exhibition.
Her painting is full of detail, light, colour and humour.
At North Lakes Stained Glass, Kate creates handcrafted stained glass inspired by the beauty, light, and emotion of the Cumbrian landscape. Influenced by these wild spaces, Kate works with carefully selected vintage, reclaimed, and modern glass to capture connection, memory, and place.
Working from her Keswick studio, she uses traditional techniques and kiln-fired painting in a contemporary style, combined with her love of the Arts & Crafts design movement.
Having appeared on the award winning BBC TV Show ‘Make It At Market’ in 2025, Kate now has a growing portfolio of bespoke residential commissions, public art installations and unique autonomous panels, hangings and ornaments. She also teaches regular workshops across Cumbria, championing craftsmanship, creativity, sustainability, and the enduring beauty of stained glass.”
www.instagram.com/North_Lakes_Stained_Glass
Debbie Lucas - textiles
info on it's way soon from Debbie
Richard is a woodcarver and furniture maker.
He runs Ram Workshop together with his wife Mary Kennedy, a decorative painter.
He lives and works in Cumbria and is a member of the core group which organise and present this exhibition each year.
Following a career in clothing design and textiles, Catriona was introduced to cyanotype printing by a friend. She immediately connected with the experimental aspect of this technique, which means every piece is an original. After working with this process for several years now, she continues to enjoy the ongoing development and experimentation.
Fortunate to live in Langholm, Dumfries & Galloway and surrounded by nature, with rivers, moors, woodlands, hills and sea. Beautiful wild plants, flowers and seaweeds are collected to include in her cyanotypes.
Catriona creates designs on natural fabrics as well as paper and likes to add finishes such as metallic inks, embroidery and fringing.
Textile cyanotypes are used to create handmade lampshades and cushions too. Her development with cyanotype is forever unfolding and inspiring endless possibilities of this magical process.
https://www.instagram.com/eskcollected/
https://www.facebook.com/eskcollected/
Carolyn aims to make objects that arrest attention and invite handling.
These may be hold-in-the-hand sculptures or smooth-glazed bottles.Often using locally-found materials in her work, she also makes site-specific installations.
*Carolyn is a member of the core group which organises and presents the exhibition each year.
Based in Brampton, Northeast Cumbria, she is a member of Northern Potters Association and Bensham Grove Pottery.
Michelle is a North East based artist, jewellery designer, maker and teacher working from her studio in The Biscuit Factory gallery in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Michelle works primarily in silver but also gold, copper and brass.
Using traditional silver smithing skills she incorporates precious, semiprecious stones and found pieces from her daily walks.
Living in the Tyne Valley her work is heavily influenced by her natural surroundings.
David has been working with clay for over 20 years, having produced work ranging from large hand built vessels to tiny culinary dishes and bowls, each with their own distinctive character and technical nuances. He draws inspiration from many angles; growth in natural, organic forms and erosive forces .
Having specialised in salt-glazing and wood-firing, a direct relationship has developed between form and functionality.
Distinctive designs and texture are inspired by the physical effects of salt-glazing. Sharp, crisp design can be softened and mellowed by the touch of flame and the pooling of molten minerals, resulting in a piece that feels as good to the hand as it does to complement good food.
Hand-Thrown Domestic Pottery - Northumberland Salt Glazed - Woodfired - Stoneware [email protected]
tel: 07743 170 362 /07779 633 114 www.davidlawsonceramics.com
Denise is an artist printmaker, inspired by wildness in nature. Cumbria and the wilder parts of the UK have forever been her inspiration. With a background in stitched textiles and interiors, she lived for many years in the Lake District where she lectured and exhibited nationally and further afield.
Exploring printmaking in Scotland’s wilder landscapes, she worked from a small garden studio/gallery on the Isle of Skye for 12 years. Denise is now permanently back in Cumbria and currently setting up her home studio in a nearby village . . an area she knows well after 25 years of exhibiting with Craftsmen at the Priory.
Handmade silkscreen and monotype prints, collagraph prints and jewellery reflect the beauty of her surroundings. www.cuckootreestudio.com
