Betty at Goldsmiths continues

The exhibition continues through April. If you'd like to see my sketchbooks, design development and research they are an 'archive' item in Special Collections, just ask at the gallery!

Istanbul

Istanbul (Sultanahmet) skyline

Just spent a wonderful few days in Istanbul.  After creating the Izniks Abroad collection I had to go and see the real thing! The Aya Sofya is my favourite mosque, last year I made a series of notelets from a painting of it (sadly from a photo in a book), to see it for real was great and the inside is simply stunning. It was wonderful to see some of the original motifs that inspired my designs.  Naturally I visited the 'must see' spots including the Sultan Ahmet Camii (Blue Mosque), Topkapi Palace, Spice Market, Galata Tower, Beyoğlu, took a Bosphorus boat trip and of course shopped at the Grand Bazaar where I acquired two beautiful scarves and a tile to add to my coaster collection.

Sketch of the Aya Sofya

Inside Aya Sofya

Topkapi Palace - exterior of the Harem

Iznik bag collection

Betty - 1m high x 1 m wide

Betty on a shopper

Sketchy (digital print on canvas)

Iznik pattern (digital print on cotton satin)

Iznik Boat (digital print on cotton satin)

Rhodos (digital print on canvas)

Above are pictures of my recently exhibited new bag collection, including a giant size purse (top two images) that also functions as a suitcase!!  The purse is approximately 1m high.  The metal frame was made by Wendy Welder.