Rose Martin

Art and design have always been my passion from a very young age. When choosing a career Art was not considered a safe option so I followed my mother (also a creative person) and went to the Froebel Educational Institute  to do teacher training. At college I studied Natural History which became important to me. A twenty year career as a Primary School teacher followed both in the UK and abroad.

 

Much later I took various courses at Norwich Art School and West Dean College in Sussex and became interested in textiles. I was lucky to be taught by an outstanding Silk Painter, Jane Venables , who mentored me for some years. I was blown away by what the medium had to offer. This began a long journey of learning and experimentation which still excites me after 30 years.

 

I take my inspiration from the natural world, the landscape, the sea, wild and garden flowers.

 

I paint on medium weight white silk with waterbased steam fixed dyes. I explore the way the dye moves and blends to produce interesting effects and vibrant colour in a painterly way. Using resists such as wax, salt, gutta and thickener I can control the movement of the dyes.

 

My work includes original pictures and unique hand painted silk scarves which make wonderful presents.

 

Previously I was a member of Suffolk Open Studios and The Guild of Silk  Painters. I have been a member of The Harleston and Waveney Art Trail Collective since moving to Norfolk in 2010 and have taken part in exhibitions across East Anglia.

 

 My pictures and scarves have found new homes across the world.