iPrintedThat
  • home
  • workshop-calendar
    • workshop gift vouchers
  • covid-19 policy
  • printmaking tutorials
  • blog
  • contact
#iprintedthat

hidden artwork discovered at medway open studios

24/7/2014

1 Comment

 
Something pretty incredible happened to me the other day. Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin;

It's flying ant day, the distant buzz of the lawn mower is making me sleepy, and the rhythmic click-click of the teacher's high heels irritate me. I've got to concentrate, this is it, the last 5 years have been building up to this day - my fashion and textiles final exam.

Fast forward 18 years and I'm ringing the door bell of Medway Open Studio Artist map no. 5.

Picture
"Come in, come in" the artist beckons "Excuse the shorts" she says looking down at her tanned legs. It's been a sweltering hot day and the suggestion of a storm lays heavy over the River Medway.
"Well, if you've got great pins then show them off" I say and she looks at me in the comparative dark of the hallway, taking in my features
"You're Rachel Anderson" she exclaims.
"And you're Mrs Trinder" I smile.

After 18 years of teaching countless other children in different schools Mrs Trinder (or Jackie as she now insists I call her) still remembers me. I'm impressed.
 
"I've still got some of your work" she says and I instinctively know - hope I know - what piece she is referring to.
"They were going to throw it away, and I couldn't bear that so I brought it home. Would you like it?"
My eyes widened, and may have gone a bit watery.
"Yes. Please." I say pronouncing each letter. I can hardly believe what is happening.
"Have a look through that while I go and get it out of the loft"
She hands me a felted covered, spiral bound book. I stand in her cool tiled studio in front of a huge watercolour of a Tiger Lilly. As I turn the stiff black pages familiar faces stare back at me. Pieces of artwork jump out at me and I can name the Year 11 pupil who created each one of them.
 
Back down from the stifling loft, Jackie scrambles to take a large felted piece out of a translucent blue recycling bag, she is as excited as I am. My fingers are twitching to touch the itchy wool and connect with my past. Jackie hastily unfolds it. Curly threads of purple, aquamarine and a flash of orange bring back a memory. A flat dark brown and muted ochre tones contrast the Van Gogh inspired background. I breathe heavily.
 
It perches awkwardly on the chair and we stop it from slipping onto the floor, both smiling. I'm close to tears.
 
It is the 16 year old me's hopes and dreams. It is the freedom of leaving school, the anticipation of starting college, of adventures unknown and a future ready to be written.
 
It's no masterpiece but to me it is priceless.
1 Comment

    about this blog

    Here I'll share with you ways to create prints and things at home. There's also a good chance of some of my general thoughts and ramblings.

    archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    February 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    July 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    September 2016
    February 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013

    categories

    All
    Apples
    Bag
    Creative Workshop
    Gifts
    Make
    No Sew
    No-sew
    School
    Star
    T-shirt
    Wrapping Paper

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.