In these strange times, one has time to reflect, ponder and wonder. Also to rethink and reset the ways of being and doing. There are multiple strands to my life and yet at their confluence is the whole. I feel now is the time to join the dots.
Summer 2020; I am relocating back to Ireland. The journey is unknown.
As an artist, designer, foodie and creative being, much of what I observe influences my work. Inspiration too comes from the myriad of places I visit, people I interact with and what I absorb visually in nature.
My passion for nature is a driving force, my sense of place, of connectedness, of wonder and my boundless enthusiasm is infectious. The knowledge that life is so incredible when you open yourself up to new possibilities, experiences and life changing adventures is truly exhilarating and liberating.
I am currently working on a body of work and will be looking to exhibit in the not too distant future. Look out for places showing my work. You may meet me at a market stall somewhere in West Cork; make sure and say hello!.
When time permits, I love to be at home painting and creating beautiful silk scarves, or pastel artwork. Each piece is unique and made with love.
I adore the velvety softness of pastels and how they capture the colours and tones of nature so beautifully.
I am exploring different techniques with my silks; non-traditional shibori in particular, with limited colours to produce unique, vibrant and stunning wearable art. The unexpected results are always a surprise regardless of how much planning and thought goes into the piece.
My inspiration comes from the vastly diverse landscapes, seascapes and mountains of Morocco and Ireland.
What defines us an artist is often only the finished pieces we exhibit, sell, Instagram or show online. However, what brings us to the point of being confident to “air our smalls”(we often feel very exposed when our work is on public view) is multi-faceted and often extensively time consuming. Creativity is a drug that must be indulged. To neglect that yearning to make or create, the inner drive to produce something, irrespective of whether it is something saleable or if anyone ever sees it, is to deny your born gifts, your inner light, your intuition ignored and crushed. Sometimes it is a burning need when all else is ignored. Inside you feel the glow, the flame as it grows with the satisfaction of just doing. Then of course there are the times of mind numbness and of procrastination.
As a child I was hugely fortunate to have been exposed to a plethora of crafts, largely by my mother, who, like her mother, excelled in many areas of arts, textiles and design as well as pottery in my grandmothers case. By the time I was 11, I was sewing my own clothes having already learnt and dabbled in a vast range of crafts. By the age of 13, I was making my own school uniform. I find that I fluctuate between paper based artwork and crafts and design processes including dress design, textiles and making bags. I hope to grow my Etsy shop adding as I create sufficient stock. It just makes perfect sense to use a professional platform like Etsy to sell my work. Enjoy!
https://linktr.ee/rebpowell