Postcard From the Barn-Summer 2025
- Su France
- Sep 4
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 5
Cloud-decorated
skies, workshops & earthy linens
Lincolnshire's Vast Skies
I know it's been a good while since my last communication. I've been deliberating whether to share this in a newsletter, but I've always felt this should be a place where I can be candid with you. In the Spring, my dad passed away, and in the months since, I have been gentle with myself—gardened, tidied, ran courses, workshops created lots of earth pigment linens, been behind a stall at markets, spent lots of time with my mum and husband, so my newsletter has remained unwritten until now... apologies
One of dad's best pieces of advice was to do what matters, and I feel I am doing that again. My focus has now returned to giving attention more fully to my art, which has taken a gentle turn toward deep, rusty colours of the earth and the more ephemeral task of painting clouds.
My dad, who was proudly from the North East, had a deep love for the outdoors—hiking, gardening, and simply being present with nature's moods. Though he loved the mountains of Scotland, the Lakes and the Yorkshire Dales, here in Lincolnshire he came to appreciate our vast, ever-changing skyscapes. While everyone talks about 'good weather' being sunshine, there's so much to be said for refreshing rain and that extraordinary light that filters between clouds—something he taught me to notice and cherish.
Since his passing, I find myself drawn to capturing that same sense of wonder he felt, and the process feels entirely different from my other work. There's drama and moodiness in a cloud—I love a good, dark, inky storm—yet there's also something about them that calls for a particular lightness, noticing the edges, the bright, the hope.
I'm looking forward to using the silver and platinum threads I've bought to give accents to the clouds, hoping to catch just that fleeting quality, dancing between earth and sky. It's become a series, thinking of impermanence,
beauty, honestly; its work which I've spent lots of time sitting with, thinking and more thinking. You'll see how it is evolving soon.
In many ways, this work feels like a continuation of conversations we used to have about finding beauty in the everyday, in the changeable moods of weather, of geology, of earth.
Collage time
A collection of brand new mono print collages is now available on the website. I will exhibiting these at Oxcombe in the Lincolnshire Wolds soon but youve a first opportunity to buy before then, should you wish to.
A Workshop to Print with Plants
Discover the art of botanical printing in this relaxing workshop
Learning techniques of how to edit & best use plants
Creating unique monoprints using a gelli plate (monoprints / one-offs) and quality paints, including metallics.
Finishing your own mounted print or collage
When: September 14th, 2025,
Time: 10am - 3pm,
Where: Harriman & Co. (Leicestershire)
Keep for yourself or send to others
I've been busy creating new cards along with limited edition prints- They have proved really popular at artisan fairs.
.
Workshop Adventures: Tales from the Studio
I've been running lots of workshops recently, and each one has brought its own special energy and discoveries. There's something wonderful about watching techniques unfold in someone else's hands, for the first time.
I have written a short blog post about some of my recent courses, so if you fanch a five minute read...
What 10 books have made an impression...
I have added a couple of books to my list I have read - the new books are at the top of the pile (blogpost) so you don't need to search through a stack, if you have visited thisblog post before.
I'd love to hear recommendations from you too, so please leave a comment if any books you love come to mind. I also listen to a lot of podcasts in the studio so if you'd like a list of those, do let me know.
Comments