London Quilters, to which I belong, organised a two day workshop with Gwen Hedley whose work I have admired for some time.  We worked in black, white and another colour of our choice on a very small scale using A6 sketchbooks.  We made marks, painted, cut and tore up paper,  wove it, then isolated a small part, enlarging and stitching it.  These exercises made one look carefully at seemingly random and haphazard marks where interesting patterns emerge.  I will shortly post images of some of my work

This show at the Barbican had a good selection of works from the Bauhaus school. Although the school itself only lasted from 1919 to 1933 its influence has been far reaching.  There were many examples of painting, sculpture, ceramics, furniture, architecture and textiles. I particularly liked the ceramics, some of which looked impossible to use but, nonetheless, were beautiful.  And, of course, the textiles.....

I went to the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy for the first time in decades and now wonder why I haven't been every year. 

The exhibition has been hung beautifully, especially the main room where the small works appear to flow along the walls like waves of colour and texture.  Seeing the work of established and eminent artists next to those who are unknown, at least to the general public, is encouraging and uplifting.

I was overwhelmed by the scale of the show so didn't make notes of my favourite pieces but I will be returning, at least a couple of more times, and then hope to mention particular pieces which made an impression on me.  While I could describe them now, I feel it would be an insult to the artists not to credit their names and the titles of the works.  To be continued.....