Textiles retreat

With Janet bolton

What’s Included

  • Accommodation in a stunning medieval manor (1300sAD) or adjoining Tudor Manor house (1500sAD) the opportunity to stay in a beautifully renovated country house, steeped in history

  • Fully catered, chef prepared meals: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner with selected wines and all refreshments.

  • Daily guided mindfulness sessions / low key yoga! (optional)

  • Inspiring and engaging talk from History of Art professional

  • Flower Picking and Arranging in our beautiful flower garden

  • Fulfilling conversation with likeminded individuals

  • Visit from a textile trader bringing mouthwatering vintage textiles to purchase from her expeditions in France.

  • a local visit to a nearby cultural spot, Brunels suspension bridge, and / or the nearby Clevedon Pier- the prettiest in England!

  • Time to potter to the shops or walk to the nearby Marina or estuary to see the beautiful sunsets.

What Will You Learn?

In this workshop students, with a subject matter in mind, will be introduced to the idea of working directly with the fabrics they have selected which are both suitable for the idea they have in mind, and importantly, complimentary to each other.

This approach, rather than working from drawn or painted studies allows for a wonderful directness and freedom. It allows for complete accuracy of intent in both colour and texture. It also allows for the composition to evolve though many stages, which, although they remain unrecorded will have allowed the idea to evolve and change, sometimes quite dramatically!

This spontaneous development makes the work exciting to the very last minute, as at all stages the construction and the composition go hand in hand down to the very last stitch or added object. At the beginning of the day Janet will demonstrate, using examples of work in progress, the ways in which an idea can be developed. She will also demonstrate the simple hand sewing techniques to be used at all stages.

Each student will be given individual help throughout the workshop the emphasis being on developing their own ideas. Suggestions of simple ideas for a first piece will be offered to those who appreciate a more structured approach at this early stage.

At sometime during the workshop Janet will discuss ways of presenting and framing the works. The workshop will end with a group appraisal, which allows each student, if they wish, to talk about the way in which their particular piece has developed and to see the work of others

A LITTLE ABOUT COURT HOUSE FARM…

Which isn’t really a working farm at all! It’s more of a lovely cluster of charming historic buildings, the site originally dating from pre doomsday. The remaining Manor and smaller Manor are medieval and Tudor, dating from 1350, with some characterful outbuildings. (You may be making things in the cowshed- but no cows and clean!) we have 4 acres of land around the buildings with a little flower farm, and we are right in the heart of a small estuary sea-side town of Portishead in Somerset (with a lovely little high street, Marina and stunning coastal walks and the most fabulous setting suns). Do look at more information on the website and for photographs of the interiors and exteriors. During your stay, we will have some additional fun interludes and entertainment (we must show you our neighbouring little seaside town called Clevedon- with the prettiest Pier in England) and of course plenty of flowers!

FURTHER DETAILS

  • This is a 3-night residential retreat. (3 nights’ accommodation and full board).

  • The early bird 2023 prices are £1550, for a room with ensuite. £ 1450 for an own room with shared bathroom, or £ 1350 for a shared room. ( two friends coming together)

  • If you are local and would like to attend the retreat on a day only basis the cost is £750. This includes all workshops with Janet, delicious chef cooked lunch and early evening meal, plus wine, talks and visits. Please contact Helen for further details or to book at: at.courthousefarm@gmail.com

  • The booking deposit is £500. (please get in touch for other currency)

  • The balance will be due 8 weeks prior to the retreat. Payments can be made by Paypal or Bank Transfer, ( although we do charge for the Pay pal interest fee.)

  • The Course Fees are non-refundable once paid, but of course, if we cancel for any reason all payments will be refunded, or mutually agreeable alternative dates offered.

  • If you are coming from abroad or feel you may want to spend a day on either side of the retreat for rest and relaxation, do, please discuss this with us.

If you have a question or need further details please contact us using the button below.