Thickthorn Cottage
108 Leamington Rd
Kenilworth
CV8 2AA
Tel : 01926 852395
ARTISTS STATEMENT 2006
Eleanor Allitt
http://www.eleanorallitt.com
Over the last few years I have become increasingly interested in stories. I have graduated recently at the Bleddfa Summer School of Storytelling where I found great inspiration. If we listen carefully a story can tell us our life history as well as giving us clues as to how to proceed. They can lead us into places which are hard to describe in normal everyday words. They can take us away, free us from the usual clutter of life and lead us to a different world where we can understand their message on a deep level. Their power comes from another realm. Very often they can give us the support we need to go forward, often in spite of severe difficulties. As one contemplates the story, so it offers up its secrets.
Through the study of the vast and rich store of myth and legend it becomes apparent that there is really only one story, that is, the one about the hero who for some compelling reason, goes on a journey. He/she encounters many difficulties, and has to give up much and to risk losing everything in order to eventually win the prize and to return home. The prize may be a beloved, or it may be an initiation of some kind, or it may be for the healing of some soul close to the hero. Whatever it is, it fulfils a deep need and enables the hero to return home transformed.
It was from this point of view that this series of picture/illustrations of Baba-Yaga came to be made. In the process I was able to penetrate deeply into the meaning of the story, and hopefully to portray this in the finished work
‘There is an undercurrent, the real life beneath all appearances everywhere. I do not say that any master has fully comprehended it at any time, but the value of his work is in that he has sensed it and his work reports the measure of his experience.’ Robert Henri
TRAINING: BA (Hons) Textile Design 1967, Central School of Art and Design, London
Graduate Bleddfa School of Storytelling 2004.
SOLO SHOWS: Paintings and Monoprints, Burgh House, London NW3, in 2002 and 2004.
GROUP SHOWS: Spirit of Lleyn Exhibition 2003, Summer Exhibition New Grafton Gallery London 2004, Royal West of England Academy 2004, Royal Academy of Art Summer Exhibition 2004. Traherne Festival 2004, Regular exhibitor with Association of Midland Artists.
PRIVATE COLLECTIONS: Numerous works in England, Germany, Sweden, Italy.
COMMISIONS: Illustrations for Russian Story ‘Baba-yaga’ 2005
TEACHING: Summer Courses in colour mixing Leamington Spa, Storytelling with art workshops in primary schools, lecturer in design and textile history, calligraphy and plant drawing Warwickshire College, stencilling and paint effects workshops.
PUBLICATIONS: The Complete Book of Patchwork and Quilting (W.I.) Collins
INTERIOR DESIGN: Designer/Director Columbine Stencil Company. Numerous commissions for stencilling and paint effects in hotels, cafés, and private houses.
TEXTILE DESIGN & PRODUCTION: Hand block-printed silk scarves, hand dyed and pieced quilts,
freelance textile design for Liberties, Jacqmar, Aschers.
Paintings this page Copyright © 2008 Eleanor Allitt