JULIE COGHLAN

 

In 1979 I qualified as a Surface Pattern Designer and have worked in the Art & Design industry ever since. In 2008 I graduated with a First Class BA Hons in Contemporary Applied Arts specialising in constructed textiles.

My preferred methods of designing begin with drawing, painting and photography, although my best work often comes from artistic interpretation of the material itself, with the Cumbrian landscape providing the perfect environment and influences. The organic shapes, colours, line and texture within nature embrace all the qualities I need to create my artwork. The choice of subject matter does not depend on conventional notions of beauty; my most recent projects included decayed window frames and doors.

Birds have played a big part in my upbringing but only in recent times have I fully appreciated their beauty and variety. The beautiful colours and patterns on the green woodpecker provided the inspiration to design a collection of hand machine knitted fashion accessories.

www.julieasquithcollection.com

During 2015/16 our brief was entitled Text tiles. I was inspired to develop a combination of textiles and clay which I stitched onto reclaimed Cumberland slate. This has been enormously interesting and satisfying.

In 2012 after the death of both my Yorkshire born parents I was honoured to be accepted as a member of the Textilia3 group. The collaboration with multi skilled textile artists has been inspirational and rewarding.