SURFACE TENSION - MAGGIE H TEXTILE ARTIST
My love of fabrics goes back to childhood and over the years I have developed a passion for textiles. Much of my inspiration comes from the natural world, both wild and cultivated as well as organic forms. However, I am also inspired by historic buildings, both grand houses and places of work. I enjoy reusing fabrics, especially natural fibres, silks, linens, wools and cotton. I find that space-dying many of the fabrics and threads I use give wonderfully subtle changes of colour and shade which make them a joy to use. I also enjoy incorporating found objects, which add a sense of history to a finished piece.

I have worked on a number of private commissions and exhibition pieces, but more recently I have enjoyed creating pieces for my own pleasure.

SURFACE TENSION WORKSHOPS
My Workshops are aimed at inspiring beginners and those wishing to experiment with new ideas in textiles and stitch.

These Workshops can be for a limited group of four at my Studio or the Gallery or for a larger group at an alternative venue - please contact me for more details.

Current Day Workshops include -

Learning to Look
Using source material to provide exciting design ideas in stitch.

Sketchbooks
Recording your inspiration and creating a personal resource.

Limited to One Stitch
Using textures and colour to explore one stitch and create surprising results

Stitch a Memory
Not a sampler and not a collage, something in between. Be inspired to create a lasting memory using your own found objects and images.

Tiaras - All that Glitters
Be a princess for the day. We shall be creating a simple tiara just for fun or for your special occasion - this is a great idea for a Hen Party!

SOMETHING MORE ....

By it's very nature a Day Workshop can only be a taster session. If you would like to do more then my Inspired to Stitch Course may be just the thing. A series of Workshops developing skills, aimed at those who enjoy creative work, who would like to be more experimental, but unsure where to begin....

A series of 'one day a week' Workshops over five weeks creating a course where we work through a variety of methods from inspiration and source material to commencing a piece of creative textile work.

Aimed at those unsure of how to progress without the security of a 'kit' or those not wishing to commit to a longer term course. We shall explore ways of recording thoughts and ideas in sketchbooks, expanding ideas into design using a variety of media, translating those designs to textile and stitch ideas and working samples, finally interpreting the design and working on a finished piece.

Course notes and a reading list will be supplied, together with material requirements.

Please contact me for further details
MagHoll@Aol.com

PERSONAL EXHIBITIONS
Prior to taking over the Coachman's House Gallery, I entered work in numerous Exhibitions in and around my local area, these are some of the venues where my work was exhibited .....

Coachman’s House Gallery – Newport – Solo exhibition (Prior to my ownership)
Herbert Art Gallery, Coventry – ‘ Expressions in Stitch’ Central and Wales Embroiderer’s Guild Exhibition – selected
Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford – Stafford Open Exhibition 2002 – selected
Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent – Autumn – selected
Weeping Cross Health Centre, Stafford – mixed exhibition
Moorlands Art and Antiques Centre, Leek – Moorlands Open Exhibition – selected
Coachman’s House Gallery, Newport – mixed exhibition (prior to my ownership)
Moorlands Art and Antiques Centre, Leek – Seascapes Exhibition – selected
Shire Hall Library, Stafford – Display Cabinets
Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent – Foyer Cabinets
Perton Library. Wolverhampton – mixed exhibition
Handmade 2 – regional showcase – selected
Ancient High House – Solo Exhibition – Main Exhibition Room
Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent – Summer Exhibition
Leek Gallery, Broad Street, Leek – Spring Exhibition – selected
Uttoxeter Heritage Centre – solo exhibition
Ancient High House, Stafford – mixed exhibition

EXTERNAL WORKSHOPS
I enjoy visiting Groups/Schools and Galleries to run Workshops, if you would like further information, please contact me. Here are some of the venues where I have run Workshops in the past .....

2008 - Bilston Craft Gallery – West Midlands
Pods and Cases (Inspired by organic forms)
2007 - Shire Hall Gallery – Stafford
Pods and Cases (Inspired by organic forms)
2007 - Shire Hall Gallery – Stafford
Parasols (inspired by costume exhibition)
2007 - Shire Hall Gallery – Stafford
Breathe-in (inspired by corsetry)
2006 = Shire Hall Gallery – Stafford
Who’s been sitting in my chair (Inspired by Furniture Exhibition)
2006 - Gatehouse Theatre – Stafford
(Midsummer Nights Dream – Hats and Wands)
2006 - Shire Hall Gallery – Stafford
Unexpected Textiles (using recycled materials)
2005 - Dunston Ladies Group- Textile Day
2005 - Shire Hall Gallery – Notice Boards
2005 - Shire Hall Gallery – Christmas Napkin Rings
2004 - Newport Ladies Circle – Tiara Making

TALKS
If you belong to a group who might be interested in inviting me to talk, please contact me for more details. These are some of the groups I have visited in the past ......

2007 - Embroiderers’ Guild – Marches Branch, Bishops Castle
2007 - Embroiderers’ Guild – Stoke-on-Trent Branch
2006 - Female 77 – Newport
2006 - Embroiderers’ Guild – Stafford Branch
2005 - Welsh Borders’ Weaving Group