Anne Kelly

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Learn Textile Art with Anne Kelly!

Anne Kelly is an internationally acclaimed artist, author and tutor. Her multilayered and densely embroidered fabric collages have a highly textured look, reminiscent of detailed tapestry hangings. Trained in Canada and Goldsmiths College in London, Anne creates wall hangings and objects using a combination of mixed media collage, hand and machine embroidery, working with collected ephemera, objects and vintage fabrics.

So how do we tell the stories of people and the histories of places seen?

In Anne’s words “by collating paper, fabric and stitch, we are able to preserve memories, make observations and new meaningful work. By understanding elements of our world near and far we can better portray, preserve and protect it.”

Through this course you’ll learn how to tell your story through textiles.

In Collections as a Catalyst you’ll learn about…

Developing Themes
Discover how to draw inspiration from a variety of collections, whether it’s fabric, paper, people, or places. Learn how these can be catalysts for your creative work, helping you to develop rich, meaningful themes in your artwork.

Telling Your Own Story
Learn to express your personal narrative through your art, allowing your unique voice and experiences to shine and resonate with others. Master Anne’s techniques for textile collage, covering objects, and the three types of stitching: architectural stitching, background stitching, and embellishment. These techniques make textile collage more accessible and allow you to build strong, detailed pieces embedded with your unique stories.

Refining Your Ideas
Gain the skills to refine and hone your ideas, transforming initial inspirations into polished, cohesive works of art. Explore simple printing techniques on paper and fabric to create iconic motifs for your work. Combine materials in mixed-media projects.

Chapter 1: Looking at Historical Collections

In this chapter, you'll explore:

Visiting Cultural Hubs: Learn how to effectively plan and conduct visits to museums and cultural centres, capturing inspiration from their collections.
Collecting Visual Notes: Discover techniques for taking visual notes and sketches
that will serve as valuable references for your textile art projects.
Analyzing Collections: Understand how to identify and focus on specific details
within collections that can ignite your creativity.

By the end of this chapter, you will be well-equipped to start your projects with a fresh
perspective and a wealth of inspiration.

Chapter 2: Looking at Your Collections

Anne will demonstrate how to harness the power of your collections to create
inspiring works of art. This chapter focuses on organizing your collections, using
observational drawing to connect thought and observation, and starting your project
planning.

Anne will showcase examples of her own works, such as a suitcase and a house collage, to illustrate the techniques covered in the course. You will learn the importance of themes and how to start by drawing to loosen up and connect with your materials.

By the end of this chapter, you will have a compiled collection of materials, objects, and
drawings to begin planning your project.

Chapter 3: Developing a Theme

In Chapter 3, you are guided through the process of organising your thoughts and ideas
using mood boards, mind maps, and idea trees. These tools are invaluable for planning and arranging your thoughts, providing a visual reference that can spark new ideas and help refine your project as it progresses.

Anne will demonstrate how to create a mood board based on her sample collections,
helping you to select and arrange the most important aspects of your own collections. By the end of this chapter, you will have compiled a mood board or mind map that serves as a foundation for your project planning.

Chapter 5: Printing

Explore the exciting and creative world of printing techniques. Printing adds a unique, handcrafted quality to your projects, offering depth and texture that can't be achieved through other methods.

In this chapter, you'll learn how to work with Easy Print blocks, transfer your designs, and print on both fabric and paper. This technique is versatile, allowing you to work in small spaces and use minimal materials. Whether you incorporate printing into one or both of your projects, you'll find it to be a valuable and enjoyable addition to your creative toolkit.

Chapter 6: Mixed Media Suitcase

Here you'll undertake an exciting project to create a decorative box for holding your treasured collections. This project not only adds a beautiful, personal touch to your items but also evokes memories of travel and special moments. You will learn to design, embellish, and assemble a box using various materials and techniques.

By the end of this chapter, you will have a unique, handcrafted box that showcases your creativity and serves as a lovely gift or keepsake.

BONUS Chapter 8: Textile Portraits

In this bonus chapter, we will delve into the intricate and meaningful process of creating a stitched portrait. This chapter is dedicated to exploring how we can honour and remember someone special by transforming their likeness into textile artwork. Through a series of detailed steps, Anne will guide you from the initial stages of preparing your portrait to the final touches that bring your piece to life.

You will learn how to effectively use photo transfer techniques, free motion stitching, and fabric applique to create a portrait that captures the essence of your subject. This chapter emphasizes creativity, personal expression, and the emotional connection we can convey through textile art. By the end of this chapter, you will have a unique and personalized portrait that combines artistic skill with heartfelt sentiment.

Why Enrol in a Fibre Arts Take Two Signature Course?

Joining Collections as a Catalyst includes:

Lifetime Access: Revisit the course content anytime to refresh your skills or find new inspiration. Learn at your own pace!
Student Community Group: Engage with like-minded artists and form connections that could last a lifetime.
Two Live Q&A Sessions: Get direct feedback and insights from Anne herself.
8 Weeks of Tutor Support: Anne will be there to guide you, answer your questions, and help you overcome any artistic hurdles.
Comprehensive Learning Resources: Access detailed guides to support your learning and artistic development.
Showcase your artwork: your enrolment includes an invitation to participate in an online exhibition, where you can share your creations with a broader audience.