loch lomond shores

not posted on my blog in ages... something to rectify over the hols I think!  I'm heading off to Loch Lomond shores this morning to do a market.  Tagging on to farmers markets to see how that works out.  Loch Lomond is a stunning location, so looking forward to a wee day trip with my son to keep me company. Will post how things go and hopefully a few nice pics later.

Diary of an artist writer online | Project blogs | Artists talking | a-n

Diary of an artist writer online | Project blogs | Artists talking | a-n

link to Ann Shaw's blog on the recent Bridge of Allan Arts and Crafts Festival.

As a fairly recently graduated 'mature student' of 2+ years I can relate to Ann's comments.  Technology can and will have so much impact on the art world.  I also live in hope I'll eventually be able to speak from one soapbox rather the multi channel facebook, flickr, blog, email,etc etc approach that's happening now and that I'll at least get some use out of my newly acquired hard-drive before I totally 'reach for the cloud's!"

Ultimately, as a participating Artist in Saturday's Bridge of Allan Contemporary Arts and Crafts Festival, I believe you can't beat face to face interaction between art practitioners, art and audience.  From what I could see and personally experienced, Saturday was a resounding success, due to both the efforts of the organisers, the artists' and ultimately the visitors' thirst to experience and interact with something that never be truly replicated virtually.  I relish the opportunity to  participate in future events with the Forth Valley Open Studios, the Bridge of Allan event and other events such as the Little Birds Market and Byres Road Makers Market as this is where I think there is a genuine revival and appreciation of the skill and craftmanship of original art which, for sometime, has been lost within the mass production throwaway culture of the last few decades.  

Revampt Furniture

I've been working on this circa 1950's bedside table and have now finished here's some images of how it looks now...

...and just as a reminder - this was how it looked before! 

I think this would be perfect for many spaces in the home:- it would do very well as a bedside table, an occasional piece for the sitting room, telephone table, or even a little storage space for the smallest room in the house!

West End Chin Wags

I managed to scrape a couple of hours together during October break (now a distant memory!!) to go visit Native Flowers and have a wee peak at my artwork and tables in situ. 

I think you'll agree that Jenny and Noreen have created a great display in the shop & their shop is looking as lovely as ever with their beautiful seasonal flowers and arrangements.

Latest Acquisitions - sneak peek

here's a wee batch of furniture that will keep me busy through the winter!  


If you fancy one of these pieces mail me at sheilaboyle67@gmail.com to discuss design options.  But be quick, I've already started.....

cute little dining chair circa 50's/60's.
I plan to reveal some of the lovely wood
and give it a contemporary lift
with paint and some fresh upholstery.

Function with Form! Nest of 3 occasional tables from the G-Plan range.
Very solid with rectangular tops and lovely curvaceous lines on the legs.

I'm thinking bold and bright for the design on these!

Unique, beautifully designed
and very cool Nathan coffee table
from the mid-century

simple but elegant G-Plan chest of drawers.

These are a commission piece to
revamp and give them a contemporary 'lift'
..... watch this space!

I see this smart little 1050's/60's bedside table
from Lebus Furniture Manufacturers
spreading its wings to many areas in the home:
hall, lounge, bathroom and of course bedroom
.... where do you see it?

Another elegant and unusual glass topped circular coffee table
from Nathan Furniture...
I have two of these which could be commissioned as a set.

Approx 82cm in diameter they would work
beautifully individually as a central piece to a sitting room
or as a set of side tables for the lounge.

lean and lovely long-john table... guess what era... mid-century!

This one has a lipped-end top and a lower shelf.
Excellent for afternoon tea or evening drinkies!
It could even serve as a very individual
alternative stand for your lovely flat screen tv...how modern!

simple little side table/small coffee table
 I'm planning a decorative motif for this one
... still deciding colour...
what would you choose?

love love love these chest of drawers.
I've still to track down manufacturer (possibly McIntosh or G Plan) Definitely mid-century and I'm really going to funk these up.

...can't wait!

Interesting Insights from Parade Artists group (WASPS) studios

Parade Artists - We’ve Made it Through Our First Show! Creative Scotland is such a brilliant resource of useful info for up and coming (or even established) artists and designers. I can't wait for the holidays so I've got time to read this!!!

Gone Native!

well, to Native Flowers to be precise...  

...I met the lovely Noreen & Jenny whilst checking out the Little Birds Market with FionaPrints a couple of months ago.  We got talking and Noreen owns and runs Native Flowers which is a lovely aromatic florist based in Hyndland in the West End of Glasgow.

I'm very pleased to say that some of my stitched artwork and Revampt tables will be on display and for sale through at Noreen's shop...exciting times!

A Little Birdie has just told me...

I'll be appearing at the Little Birds Market at Sloan's in Glasgow City Centre again this coming Sunday 9th October with a selection of tables, towers and stitched artworks...time to get busy busy with it!

Commissions & Bespoke Service

Teenie Towers

Do you have your child’s first precious pair of jeans hid away in a cupboard or loft?

Rather than store them away, you can commission a bespoke tower to remind yourself of that of that special time, as your someone small grows tall!

Fat Fit Feature

Reached your target weight and never want to go back there again?

Rather than take the risk of going back 'there', why not commission a bespoke fabulous feature and convert those ‘fat-fit’ jeans into a towering testimony of your success!

Snapshot Stitch

Got a rarely seen snapshot of 
a special person, day or scene 
which is just stored away in 
a photo album or computer?  




Commission a unique piece 
of stitched artwork so you can 
display your special memory 
in a creative way.

Commissions for bespoke projects can take 2 - 4 weeks, subject to demand, and 4 - 6 weeks prior to Christmas.  Contact me at sheilaboyle67@gmail.com for a quote and delivery requirements.

revampt furniture

The lastest additions to the furniture range lovely little petal shaped occasional tables from the Nathan range of furniture.  

I stripped off all the old finish (truly a labour of love - but worth it!)then set to work creating a bespoke stencil for some of the tables.  I mixed up a luscious lime green paint, applied it, finishing in varnish for durability then wax to bring out the natural rich lustre of the wood. 




There are two tables available in this finish and they would make a lovely addition to the home as bedside tables, side tables for the sofa or just to brighten up a little corner!


















For the remaining two of the tables I went for a simple finish of the lime green on the legs and underside of the table.




I think the vibrant colour gives these gorgeous mid-century pieces a contemporary feel.

sbd - facebook

a quick link to sheila boyle designs facebook page which contains photos of work & details of up and coming events.

From Byre to Bird

I can't quite get my head round the fact that we're well into September already and my first market at the Byres Road Makers Market seems like a distant memory!  Lest I forget, here's a few wee photos from the day, taken by my friend, table assistant and photographer of the day Fiona Robertson. We had great fun & I sold a few pieces including two of my green leaf occasional tables, a few of stitched landscapes including "The Blue Door" "The Pitch" & "The Tall Grass"    

The Blue Door
sold

My next event is looming already and I'll be going from Byre to Bird this Sunday 11th at the Little Birds Market at Sloan's.  Finding time to get the new term up and running alongside prepping furniture and stitching has been quite a challenge and I may have to hire a body double.  Needless to say I'm running on adrenaline and am very excited - all good character building stuff!  I'll be posting a sneak peek of my latest occasional tables on Saturday.

Breaking News...

Just had confirmation that I have a place at the Byres Road Makers Market on Saturday 27th August 2011 and would love to see some familiar faces there.  Now all I have to do is Make, Make, Make!

Upcycled Furniture

One of my loves is things from the mid-century.  I am always drawn to the colours, the patterns, shapes and lines from that era.  When I'm not beavering away on the sewing machine, my other project is upcycling discarded & charity shop furniture from that era, giving it a new lease of life.  Here's my latest project and a few earlier pieces.

 This is my latest piece

'birds nest'
a little set of occasional tables
perfect for the compact home or for entertaining

stitched landscapes

Sunday afternoon already!  Time flies when you're having fun...

This series explored interest in emotions and expression through body language and was also exhibited at the CMTBasement exhibition in Edinburgh.   The viewer is invited to create a narrative based on their interpretation of the image and their own childhood memories.

28cm x 22.5cm
(unframed)

28cm x 22.5cm

(unframed)

I've since reformatted to a polaroid style and done some individual commissions.   The construction material is recycled from old clothes and fabric & the drawing is a combination of acrylic paint and pen, with a canvas mount.  Image  = 13cm x 13cm, Mount = 21cm x 21cm.  They are really fun to do though it can be quite a challenge drawing on wool!  I'm happy to take on commissions around specific photographic images or described memories.

Here's my latest little batch...

Detail

Detail

  

Detail

Detail

I'll be revisiting indoor shots as well as looking at scottish landmarks and sporting scenes over the next few weeks.  Watch this space x...