Katrina McIntosh - Aspire Magazine

Scottish Art GuideSuperb Scottish ArtSarah HillKatrina McIntosh | 01561 320319www.kmcintosh.co.ukIntroducingKatrina McIntosh…With an eclectic range of theatre and dance, the world’s festival capital, outstanding summer music festivals, blockbustermovie locations, breathtaking art and architecture and a captivating literary history, Scotland has a truly thriving arts andculture scene.Image courtesy ofCaroline PlummerLizMcCarthyA love of art since childhood led me on to take it up more seriously once my children grewup. In 1994 I graduated as a mature student with a B.A. Honours from Duncan of JordonstoneCollege of Art, since then I have consistently exhibited in galleries in the U.K.My works are to be found in corporate and private collections worldwide including Australia,America, Germany and Ireland, one painting being hung in a major bank in Mumbai.Two are also owned by the Mayor of Danville near Los Angeles. I have been lucky enough tohave painted in France and Spain and have won several awards for my work.I have usually painted semi-abstract landscapes in acrylic but I wanted to avoid painting toa formula, and I have recently started to experiment with mixed media, collage and moretextural effects. Although most of my paintings are rooted in reality, surrounded as I am, bythe beautiful Angus countryside, I do enjoy putting my own personal spin on what I see, andinterpreting in a more imaginative way. I am particularly excited by the abstract harmoniesthat I sense in my subjects and in colour harmony and composition.If you would like to purchase a painting, ask about a private commission, or arranging anexhibition, please contact me directly by email lizmcart@btinternet.comWeb: www.lizmccarthy.co.ukAberdeenshireThe Aberdeenshire Council Arts Development Team works strategicallywith a broad range of partners to strengthen the arts sector and creativeindustries while increasing participation in the arts. The Team has a wholehost of events lined up for Christmas and beyond, including a Bookmakingcraft session, children’s winter story and crafts session and Knit andNatter sessions. For more info, visit www.aberdeenshirearts.org.ukArgyllRed dots blossom along the Argyll trail during the Open studio weekend.Wherever you find them, you’ll be assured of a warm welcome and muchto look at as you cross the beautiful landscape from north to south,east to west feasting your eyes the whole weekend long! For furtherinformation and dates for 2014, please visit www.artmapargyll.co.ukStirlingshireStirling Art was founded to act as a link between collectors and artistsacross the country. They do their best to promote the work of the artistsin original form and in the form of limited edition reproductions, whichare made in-house, one-by-one. For further information, please visitwww.stirlingart.comFor further information on arts and culture across Scotland,please visit www.visitscotland.com/about/arts-cultureSarah studied at St.Martins School of Art,aged 16 and then wenton to specialise inTheatre Design at theCentral School of Art.She left the art worldbehind after a few yearsin order to changedirection and studiedpiano, double bassand cello at the RoyalCollege of Music.Fascinated by the movement of waves, lightand colour, Sarah is dedicated to painting howshe sees her world from the ordinary to themagical moods of landscape and, of course, hercolleagues in the musical world.Working with a limited palette of four colours,the creative process begins with studyingcolour and how it works. Mixing and balancingtone with the vibrancy of colour is when theexcitement of painting begins.Tel: 01786 870535Email: sarahhillartist@btinternet.comWeb: www.sarahhillartist.comBirch Grove Cottage, Burnside, Kippen,Stirlingshire FK8 3EFScotland’s Unspoilt BeautyCaptured by Caroline PlummerCapturing the very best ofunspoilt Scotland CarolinePlummer (who signs herwork in her maiden name‘Wytrazek’) has always lovedto paint. She is inspiredby the dramatic coloursof the rugged landscapeand seascape of the westcoast, living nine milesdown a single track roadand overlooking the islandof Jura.Caroline told Aspire: “I try tocapture the changes in lightand amazing colours of themany splendid sunsets, themovement of water and thedrama of the changes of theseasons. Crashing waves on desertedbeaches and vivid sea-pinks influence alot of my work.”With her impressionistic style, Carolineuses bold colour and texture with paintlayered on the canvas. Caroline exhibitswidely throughout Argyll and the Isles‘White Sand and Thrift’ acrylic 60cm x 60cmand has just held a successful show‘Life on Land and Sea’ at The ArchwayGallery, Lochgilphead. Part of theArtmap Argyll artists network, Carolinealso takes part in the annual openstudio event held over four days eachAugust. She has also undertaken manyprivate commissions.For further information or to see more examples of her work, please visitwww.carolineplummer.co.uk or www.wytrazek.co.uk oremail info@carolineplummer.co.ukBorn and raised in Stonehaven, Scotland, Katrina McIntoshis a passionate and experienced artist who paints the worldaround her, as well as regularly taking on commissions to doanimal portraits, buildings (homes and castles) and murals fornurseries.Katrina told Aspire: “Art was my best subject at school, so I went on to study Graphic Designat university and ended up working for a design company until 1990, all the time still paintingand drawing for fun in my spare time. However a personal tragedy in the mid-80s caused meto lose my love of painting and drawing. After leaving my graphic design job, I worked in avariety of places, including working in France as a chalet cook. I came home from France in1992 and my father bought me a ticket to go to an artist’s demo; I begrudgingly went but assoon as I stepped inside I was hit by the smell of oil paints and everything clicked back intoplace. I’ve been painting ever since.“I met my husband through a mutual friend. He was teaching me how to water ski on AboyneLoch and we’ve since started a family. I am so grateful that I can make money from my art andalso to have it fit in around my family. I have a studio at home where I work and display mywork and I’m happy for people to visit me here and to see my work for themselves.“After having an operation on my right shoulder in May (an old skiing injury), I have spentthis year getting back into painting. My Highland cows are selling well at the moment. InSeptember I took part in the North East Open Studios (NEOS) and, as well as selling 25paintings, I was also asked to do several commissions. It was a highly successful event that I’mlooking forward to doing again.“I don’t have any one preferred medium, so I mostly work in acrylics, watercolours and pastels;I love them all equally! I get my inspiration from texture, reflections and the dramatic contrastbetween dark and light, as seen in the image on the front cover of the swans on the river atWindsor. I work from photos and I’ve always got my camera on me, even when I’m doing theschool run. I’ve been known to stop more than once on any given journey to take a photo ofsomething that has caught my eye.”Katrina’s work has been shown at numerous exhibitions around the northeast of Scotland. Sheregularly takes part in the Iverbervie show in April as well as the September North East OpenStudios. This year alone, Katrina has sold three large paintings to Shell in Aberdeen and sevento Fasque House in Fettercairn. She’s also sent three paintings of Highland cows to Canada,one to Atlanta and one to Dubai.The majority of the time, Katrina is working on a commission, which she mainly gains throughword-of-mouth recommendations. Katrina explained: “I am a very private person so much ofmy painting is for other people, to their specifications. I try to paint my commissions as thecustomer wants, so sometimes they are a little abstract but the subject of the painting is alwaystrue to life. I’ve got a few commissions lined up at the moment so I’m quite busy but I’malways happy to have a chat with potential customers about what they’d like. I’m also happy toprovide quotes on any commissions.”For further information, to discuss a commission or to arrange a visit to see Katrina in her home studio,please call 01561 320319, visit www.kmcintosh.co.uk or email katrina@melsom.co.uk2 ASPIREASPIRE 3

Handmade UKKatrina McIntosh | 01561 320319www.kmcintosh.co.ukGet Crafty,Image courtesy of Sarah LambWhen was the last time you tried something new? According to research conducted by The Department for Business,Innovation and Skills last year, more than a third of Brits hadn’t tried a new hobby or learnt a new activity in the previous12 months. This is despite the fact that those surveyed were enthusiastic about learning a new skill, believing that itwould give them a confidence boost. If this sounds like you then why not vow to ditch the box and tackle a new hobby,learn a new skill or experience something a little more rewarding than the TV has to offer.LESLEY ROSS JEWELLERYIf you’ve got a creative streak and want to put it to good use, why not learn how to sew, paint or make jewellery. As aresult of these tough financial times we’re now saving our cash, rather than buying the latest must-haves, making thesehobbies vital skills for those who want to save money but still have something new to wear come the weekend.Back when time began, man was wearing ‘jewellery’ in one form or another. Wood and clay were not only used tocreate tools and pottery; historical artefacts show us man-made wooden jewellery was the height of fashion during theNeolithic years. Times have changed and jewellery can now also be made from natural materials like bone and semipreciousstones. Other natural materials, ideal for jewellery making, include glass and ceramics – just let your imaginationrun wild! Jewellery doesn’t have to be made from boring, natural materials; plastics and acrylics are bright, colourfulmaterials that lend themselves perfectly to jewellery making. If you’re looking for something with a little more sparkle,rhinestones and diamantes could be for you.Knitting has steadily increased in popularity over the last decade or so and 21st Century knitters are no longerstereotypical fuddy-duddy grannies relaxing in an armchair; they’re fashion-conscious women of all ages. In fact it wasFrench fashion designer, Sonia Rykiel, who brought knitwear into fashion in the swinging 60s and they’ve been seen asclothes in their own right (and not just an accessory to woven items) ever since. There are so many things you can makewhen knitting, from a basic scarf to a unique jumper, or more complicated items such as socks and dresses. And, there’san array of fresh and exciting wools and fibres, yummy yarns, and lovely laceweights available to knit with. You couldeven branch out even further and knit with alpacas yarn – you can produce a unique and personal item of clothing forthe fraction of the price!I am a designer-maker of unique items ofsilver jewellery handmade in my barnstudioon a Cornish smallholding. Tactileas well as visual aspects are important inall my designs where simple line and formcombine with strong textures and highlightsto produce pieces that are both striking yeteasy to wear. The patterns and shapes ofnatural forms have a strong influence onmy work.Whilst working mainly in silver, I oftencomplement my designs with gold. Mycollection of work includes chunky, tactilerings, earrings and bangles, hammered cuffs,picture pendants, delicate flower pins andacid-etched pieces. I am happy to acceptindividual commissions.Get CreativeIf there’s a craft or skill that you’ve always wanted to have a go at, but aren’t sure where to start, sign up for a specialistcourse or head out on an artistic break, where you can discover the basics and meet like-minded people. Once youreturn, you could even head along to a local craft or art club and make your new found hobby a part of your social life.If you don’t have the patience to make your own crafts, there are a whole host of British craftspeople selling productsthat were made here in the UK that are just as good, if not better, than their foreign counterparts. One thing us Britsare especially proud of is our handmade products. So, next time you’re looking for homewares or collectables, or art toadorn your walls, Aspire would encourage you to buy British!Tel: 01209 860484Email: lesleyjross@lineone.netWeb: www.lesleyrossjewellery.co.ukAwarded Certificateof RecognitionJewellery My Design is the brain-child of Fiona Barron, an experienced jewellery maker who boasts her ownsilver hallmark, ensuring her work is of the highest quality. To reward Fiona’s dedication to quality and herpassion for beautiful jewellery, Aspire have selected her as winner of our Certificate of Recognition for QualityCraftsmanship.On hearing the news, Fiona said: “Thank you, Aspire. What a surprise – I’m thrilled! This is a fantastic end to2013 and a fantastic reward for me and all the hard work and time I have put into building my business and mybrand. When I started Jewellery My Design in 2006, not many other people were making jewellery like mine,but eventually, other people started to make similar jewellery. I’ve always wanted to offer something different,so I branched out into bead weaving, which, again, no-one was doing. A couple of years ago I discovered chainmaille and fell in love. I will admit, it’s not for everyone but I loved it, so I worked with it and produced somehigh quality jewellery. More recently, I have begun to work with niobium, which is relatively new to the family ofmetals used in jewellery making. Niobium is wonderful because it does not cause a metal reaction when worn,so if you haven’t been able to wear earrings or other jewellery, you can wear niobium.”As well as making jewellery using sterling silver and niobium, Fiona also uses glass and freshwater pearls,semi-precious gemstones, Swarovski crystals and artisan lampwork handmade beads. “All my silver pieces are925 Sterling Silver and are hallmarked in accordance with the Hallmarking Act 1973. Everything I make can betailored to match a certain outfit or made in your favourite colours. I’m more than happy to accept commissions.With so many present-giving opportunities; birthday, anniversary, Christmas, I can provide you with a unique giftfor your mother, sister, mother-in-law, friend, even yourself or anyone else you want to treat,” Fiona added.The Jewellery My Design website boasts a huge range of examples of jewellery Fiona has made, with pricesvarying from £20 to £250, depending on the materials used and the complexity of the piece. She is happy toaccept commissions, but please note that Fiona has to send jewellery away to be Hallmarked by an expert, sothis may increase the time it takes to produce your item of jewellery.Jewellery My Design will be appearing at eight craft fairs between now and Christmas.For further information, please visit www.jewellerymydesign.co.uk or call Fiona on 01327 310742.Stunning SilksFrom a young age, Diana Kisirauskiene has loved to paint. Born inLithuania but now based in Swindon, Diana produces beautiful silkpaintings inspired by the world around her.Diana told Aspire: “I loved to draw and paint but my parents wanted me tohave a ‘better’ education, so I have a junior lawyer speciality. However, thedesire to paint and be creative was always inside of me, so I continued inmy spare time, learning every technique and skill I could and having a go ateverything, including cross-stitch, drawing and painting. However, 18 yearsago when I was making clothes, life changed and I had to stop.I just didn’t have the desire to be creative but I knew I’d do itagain someday.“I started again in 2007 when a friend encouraged me to makesomething for her. I had no knowledge of silk painting butI wanted to have a go. Once I did, I was hooked. I found theright people and had some private lessons to learn the propertechniques - I became addicted. I still am, that’s why I haveenrolled at New College to do a course in textiles. I use waterbasedresists and gutta, salt and sugar crystals, as well as steamset dyes in my work. I have learned many different techniques,but I am constantly learning and searching for new techniquesand designs to keep my art fresh and exciting.”Diana’s work predominately features nature, including someof the flowers her mother cultivated from the garden whenDiana was a child. More recently, Diana has been influencedby the simple, clean style favoured by the Chinese. Dianaadded: “I am very happy to accept commissions as I enjoyhelping customers capture their own or a loved one’s personalityin a scarf or other silk item.”Stay up-to-date with everything Diana is doing online:www.designersilksbydiana.com or by pressing ‘Like’ on herFacebook page: facebook.com/pages/Designer-Silks-By-Diana/456350087758724Alternatively, you can contact Diana directly on01793 876146 / 07762649558Sarah Lamb JewelleryAwarded Certificate of RecognitionSarah Lamb Jewellery is the brain-childof Sarah Lamb, a trained jewellerymaker who boasts over 35 years ofexperience. The Sarah Lamb Jewelleryfeatures stunningly vibrant designsfor rings, necklaces, bracelets andpendants, as well as key rings andother keepsakes.Aspire are so impressed with Sarah LambJewellery that we’ve selected Sarah fora Certificate of Recognition for VibrantJewellery Design. On hearing the news,Sarah said: “Thank you, Aspire. I’mflattered and really pleased to have myhard work rewarded. Colour is, and hasalways been, a strong element in mywork. Originally my work had repeatedgeometric shapes in my designs, which Ienamelled, but as the jewellery makingindustry and fashions have changed, sohas my work. The discovery of silver claytransformed what I made. My designsbecame freer and had a more organicfeel and structure, which contrasted thegeometric shapes I had focused on in thepast. I still used enamel to add colourto the silver, for example, creating stars,dots and zigzags on my rings. My newaddition to my jewellery is making myown glass beads giving me freedomto use colours and shapes I want,producing a totally handmade piece ofjewellery that’s totally unique.”As much of Sarah’s work comes fromcommissions, there isn’t a huge collectionof ready-made jewellery to choose from.This means that you can customiseand personalise any and every pieceof jewellery. Sarah’s jewellery rangesfrom £10 to £200, depending on thematerials used.Sarah Lamb Jewellery is available tobuy online at www.sarahlambjewellery.co.uk or at a range of galleries acrossHertfordshire, including at The PalaceGreen Gallery in Hatfield House.For further information on Sarah LambJewellery, or to discuss a commission withSarah, please call 01992 589218 or07714 660492.6 ASPIREASPIRE 7

England’s Art TrailKatrina McIntosh | 01561 320319www.kmcintosh.co.ukWith over eight million visitors each year, The Louvre(Musée du Louvre) in Paris, France is the most visited artgallery in the world. Home to 35,000 works of art - includingLeonardo Da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa’ – it’s not hard to see whyit attracts so many art fans each year. The Louvre beats thenext most visited art gallery by over two million visitors;The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York welcomesover six million visitors through its doors each year, closelyfollowed in third by The British Museum in London, whichsees over 5.8 million people looking to soak up some art.As well as being a great place that inspires everyone,whether you’re six or eighty-six, art galleries are greatplaces to spend quality time with friends and family, in aninspirational and educational setting. Many of the largergalleries and museums are also free to visitors, so theyprovide you and your family with a great way to spendsome quality time together for very little money.You don’t have to travel the world to see magnificent,inspiring works of art, you can bring affordable and originalpieces into your very own home. Paintings, photographs,wall hangings and sculptures all bring life into a home andgive it an individual and distinct style.Although the majority of the Open Studios, Art Trails andexhibitions are over for 2013, there are still soma fantasticand creative areas to visit, as well as a number of Christmascraft fairs to attend across the country…NorwichThe second edition of ‘Art in Norwich’ is available coveringAugust 2013 to March 2014 visual art events in and aroundNorwich. This is the cover so look out for copies aroundthe city, from arts venues, the Tourist Information Centre,coffee shops and bars in the city centre - it’s a handy sizeto keep in your bag, on the noticeboard or in a drawer athome. For further information on art and artists in Norwich,visit www.artinnorwich.org.ukHampshire Artists CooperativeFormed in 2007, the Hampshire Artists Cooperative wasset up to provide an artist led exhibition space at TheSelborne Gallery, Selborne Hants. We run five shows eachyear, running consecutively from February to December.Cooperative Members vary from painters through toglassmakers with ceramics, jewellery and textiles, as wellas printmaking and drawing. For further information, visitwww.hampshireartistscooperative.comCornwallWith such a wealth of talented arts and crafts peopleacross the county, Cornwall has a number of wonderful andvaried exhibitions throughout the year. For further details,please visit www.cornwall-arts-and-crafts.co.uk/events/art_exhibitions_cornwall.phpDevon Artist NetworkDevon Artist Network (DAN) is a membership organisationset up to promote the visual arts and create opportunitiesfor artists and makers in Devon. DAN was established in2004 and is a non-profit making organisation initiating arange of projects across the county including the wellestablishedDevon Open Studios (DOS) event that runsannually in September. To keep up-to-date with upcomingDevon art events, please visitwww.devonartistnetwork.co.ukSuffolkAlthough the 2013 Open Studios has finished, there’sstill plenty to see in this creative county as many of thecounty’s artists are willing to let you visit their studios byappointment. Throughout each weekend in November ‘ArtBridges the Gap’ will show off a mixed range of works of artto raise funds for Age UK Suffolk. For more info, visitwww.suffolkopenstudios.org or www.ruralartssuffolk.org.uk/whats-onSussexWith such a wealth of talented arts and crafts people acrossthe county, Sussex has a number of wonderful and variedexhibitions from now until the end of the year. For furtherdetails, please visitwww.creativesacrosssussex.com/listings/events©VisitBritain / Simon KreitemDiscover EnglishArt At Its Best!Andrea Insoll‘Arum lilies’ stained glass series acrylic oncanvas 100 x 100cm.Having worked in many media includingtextiles, glass and ceramics, I am nowconcentrating on paintings which refer to myinterests in these other disciplines.My paintings are based on a combinationof still life, flora and geometric patternsobserved on my travels, drawn andphotographed for use in my studio.The stained glass series are a mix of flowersand geometric designs which I have beenworking on over the last 4 years.Having now moved my studio to the newhouse I am busily ‘nesting’ and can’t wait toget back to some serious painting.Tel: 01872 580417Email: a.insoll@btinternet.comAndrea Insoll, Gerrans bay house,12 Tregassick road, Portscatho,Cornwall TR2 5EDSue TemplemanSue studied Artfor two years butgot sidetrackedfor 30 years atthe BBC.However shekept paintingher surroundingswhich were theriver, when shelived on a boat and the sea now that sheoverlooks beautiful Mullion Cove in southwest Cornwall.She paints with acrylics, watercolour andcollage. She recycles newspapers etc andis especially fond of the linings in oldenvelopes! She has work in the MullionGallery, Alverton Gallery, Penzance and inthe Mullion Cove Hotel.All welcome to her Open Studio24 th May - 1 st June 2014Other visits by appointment.Email: suetempleman@hotmail.comPhone: 01326 241792Web: www.suetempleman.comAspire’s Top RecommendationLin WilliamsLin lives and paints in the beautiful area of the Helford River in Cornwall. Her landscapes andseascapes project a traditionally pleasing, atmospheric strength. They invite the onlooker intoa tranquil world with a slightly romantic edge.8 ASPIREIn 2005 Lin Williams took early retirement and returnedto Cornwall to concentrate on painting seriously.Starting with exhibiting with local art societies shefound success, which spurred her to enter CornwallOpen Studios in 2007. From there she grew a bodyof work for solo exhibitions and also to put forwardto galleries. This self-taught artist experimented withwatercolours, oils and acrylics. Six years ago Lin triedpastels and immediately realised that this was herpreferred media.Her desire to paint is fuelled by catching the veryessence of atmosphere and mood. She thrives onseeing the changing light, seasons and colours. “I nevertire of walking my favourite haunts looking and watchingfor that special moment that will draw my eye,” she says.“To find new territories is a great excitement – there isnothing like discovering a huge sky throwing light ontoslices of a new panorama, to make me reach for mypastels.”2014 will see her as part of Cornwall Open Studios,LizardArt Co-operative of Painters and one of the artistspermanently exhibiting at the prestigious GreenbankHotel in Falmouth. Alongside two solo exhibitionsshe will be part of several group exhibitions at localgalleries. Outside of Cornwall her work can be found atthe Hayrack Gallery in Upper Stowe, and in February atRHS Rosemoor, Torrington.www.linwilliams.comElizabeth ShardElizabeth Shard is an artist based inHampshire and working with various mediaincluding charcoal, watercolour, oil pasteland oil paint.The majority of her work is inspired bylandscapes and gardens, and in questioningwhat she sees by simplifying or complicatingthe subject, the work becomes expressive orabstract in nature. Colour is key in her workas is space and form, and it is important toher to work intuitively with the environment.Elizabeth frequently works in series ofdrawings or paintings, working the sameidea or location again and again. Sketchingis done on location out and about inHampshire and West Sussex mainly, with thework continuing in her studio.Works vary in size from small sketches and oil paintings 20 by 25 cms to larger piecesup to 65 by 90 cms. Elizabeth is happy to talk about her work and for people to visit thestudio by arrangements. She can be contacted by email liz.shard@btinternet.com ortelephone 01962 732161.Vibrant and Expressionistic Abstractsfrom Jane Miller‘Beautiful’ and ‘Glowing with colour’ are amongst the many complimentarycomments made about the body of work, lovingly produced by experiencedand passionate artist, Jane Miller. Always very creative, Jane taught Art forseveral years, learning fresh techniques along the way and experimenting,leading to interesting and visually rich work. Having just given up a volunteerposition that has taken up much of her time in the last few years, Jane is nowable to work full time as an artist.Jane told Aspire: “Ever since I can remember, I have been ‘artistic’. I have aphotograph of myself aged about three, drawing a face. I remember I was often given the materials to paint anddraw from an early age.“Our beautiful countryside, woods, forests, the flickering light and changing colours inspire me. I feel compelled to try to bring this beauty onto a canvas, torecreate, to share, to draw attention to. I feel as though I am in the scene when I paint, I only paint what I know well and really like. I sometimes paint outside,but I prefer to sketch and take photographs and videos; I have thousands of images just waiting to be used! I like working in a clean dry place, where I canpick the work up and put it onto the floor to work flat for a while. Basically, I don’t like to get cold!“I use brushes of all sizes; a big brush can make a very delicate mark. I also use twigs, rags and anything else to hand that I think might work! Veryoccasionally I will apply a thick area of paint with a knife, or ‘draw’ a fine line, but I do use palette knives all the time to mix colours. These are what they weredesigned for and I love the ease and thorough mix that they achieve very quickly. I use either watercolour on good quality smooth watercolour paper oracrylics on canvas or board. Either way, I use the best quality paint I can buy to ensure it has excellent coverage and lots of pigment.“Although the paintings I produce are rarely exact copies of real places, they are based on real places that I am very familiar with. I have been able to spendtime exploring and enjoying the countryside, and can walk into an area and be transported right back home, or to woods in France, for example, simply bythe smells and geology and similar plants growing. My paintings provide my audience with the general impression I have of a place or area.”Jane exhibits her work regularly around the country, but a lot of her work can be found in The Old School in Swaffham, with lots of other craftspeopleand antiques.Jane is happy to accept commissions, as well as visitors to her studio in South Norfolk, by appointment only.To discuss a commission with her, or for further information, please call 01508 548459, visit www.janemillerartist.co.uk or email janemillerartist@gmail.comASPIRE 9

England’s Art TrailJoanne PudneyJoanne Pudney is an artist surrounded by contrasts. She lives in a Garrison town on theHampshire and Wiltshire border. The immediate environment offers the echoing soundsfrom the military firing ranges to the rugged beauty of Salisbury Plain. Joanne has a uniquestudio set-up in her back garden. The up-cycled 1970’s caravan provides an affordable spaceto work and enjoy the ongoing conversations between the duck coop and dog kennel.Joanne studied at Howard Gardens, Cardiff under the guiding eye of tutor Terry Setch R.A.She graduated in 1993 with a B.A. Hons in Fine Art. She has since worked as a freelance artistand tutor.Joanne has also studied traditional painting techniques at the Princes School of TraditionalArts, London. This led into a busy 2013 with exhibitions set for every other month.Two of the exhibitions being the Hampshire Open Arts Studio and The Biennial SalisburyArts Trail. Joanne’s inspiration now stems from Eastern and Medieval Arts. She employstraditional painting techniques and materials. The compositions question acceptedrepresentations of Western Perspectives and primitive colour palettes add to the luminosityof the final glazes. Semi-abstracted forms appear incorporating the use of symbolism,geometry and biomorphism.If you are interested in finding out more about Joanne’s work or would like todiscuss commission possibilities, please contact her on jopart7@gmail.comAli Lindley ASWA SFPContemporary Freestyle Watercolourist.‘Watercolour has a reputation as the most difficult of all themediums but despite the challenges it offers I have learnt tomove with its unpredictable nature and harnessed a controlover it, yet still allowing freedom and expression within mywork. The magic of watercolour never fails to excite me.’With an innate sense of design her inspiration comesfrom all around, especially from foreign travel.This in turn leads to a variety of subject matter which isexpressed through colour, movement, light and shape.Touches of gold leaf and gold ink add an extra elementof surprise that draws viewers into the paintings. Withno formal art training but a burning desire to learn, herdedication has been rewarded with a growing reputationfor a very individual style. An elected member of TheSociety of Women Artists and The Society of FloralPainters she is the 2013 winner of HRH The PrincessMichael of Kent award for the Most Outstanding Watercolour with the SWA. She is based inChandlers Ford, Hampshire.More of Ali’s work can be seen at www.alilindleyartist.co.ukOr you can contact her at alilindley@hotmail.co.ukA Certificate of Recognition for Diana WackerbarthKatrina McIntosh | 01561 320319www.kmcintosh.co.ukElaine Nason: Printer & PainterElaine Nason is a figurative painter whoworks with oils to capture the beauty ofeveryday life and objects. Elaine attendedthe Colchester Art School in the 1950sbefore becoming an infant school teacherfor 36 years.“Working with children taught me so much aboutworking freely with paint,” Elaine told Aspire. “All thetime I was teaching I would paint in my spare time andat weekends so I have taken part in many exhibitionsover the years. I retired in 1999, and started toconcentrate on my art full-time. I have a studio at theend of my garden and I try to do something in thereevery day.“My subject matter is chiefly concerned with thehuman figure, still life and the domestic scene. Bypainting these, I try to get across to my audience myinterest in the everyday and commonplace, includingpeople reading, doing the washing or visiting thebeach. I think there’s beauty to be found in everyday,mundane situations. Composition, pattern and spaceare important considerations in my work. It’s verysatisfying to me to get the right composition.“I work from life mostly and use drawings as referencefor my paintings. Every painting I do always containspeople. The importance of drawing underpinseverything I do; it’s the most important part of me andmy work.”Jane ThompsonModernist & Expressionist PortraitsElaine is a member of two local art clubs: Suffolk Groupand Suffolk Artworks. Both groups run an annualexhibition each year which Elaine is part of, along withother local talented artists. Elaine also takes part in theNorwich Print Fair every February.As well as oil paintings of the everyday, Elaine alsoproduces linocuts, monoprints, drawings and etchings.To view examples of her previous work, please visitwww.elaine-nason.co.ukTo find out more, or to arrange a visit to Elaine’s studioto see her work up close, please call01986 798531Specialising in portraits influenced by the bold colours andbright loose style of Expressionist and Modernist pioneers, JaneThompson demonstrates the growing popularity of OUTSIDER ART,whereby untrained artists are producing original and spontaneousartwork, without the usual constraints of the established art world.With an urge to be creative from a young age, DianaWackerbarth specialises in photography and oillandscapes that explore the role of the imaginationand our relationship with the Earth. Despite acreative childhood, Diana pursued a conventionaleducation and subsequent career. However by herearly 40’s, Diana felt there was something missingfrom her life and so she embarked on a on a spiritualjourney to find what it might be.Diana told Aspire: “Discovering Tai-chi was a turning pointfor me. Through working intensively with a Tai-chi master,my path through academic education, professional workand family life, was transformed into a more creative andcolourful way of being than I had thought possible. Mychildhood love of art-making, landscape, the natural world,and life itself, re-emerged as my Taoist (the Way of Nature)spiritual practice grew. In 2010, I moved from London,where I had lived my entire life, to the tranquillity of Devon,to live closer to the rhythms of nature. The ‘new eyes’ thatTai-chi and my contemplative practice have given me aremy deepest source of inspiration in my work. Tai-chi hashelped me to live more in the moment that I used to. It hasenabled me to be much more aware of my surrounding, toliterally stop and smell the roses and to worry less about thefuture, in order to be fully alive in the present.“Much of my work is spontaneous. I have no fixed methodof working. I spend a lot of time outdoors, walking with mycamera in hand. I aim to convey the experience of beingsomewhere: not just the feelings, emotions and thoughts Ihad when I was there, but also the spiritual experience allget poured into my work.”To reward Diana’s hard work and dedication to herartwork, Aspire have awarded her with a Certificate ofRecognition for Natural Art. On hearing the news, Dianasaid: “It’s always wonderful when people are touched bymy work, so I am very happy to receive this recognitionfrom Aspire magazine and to know that it comes from aconnection with the natural world. The best feeling is whenpeople experience something as beautiful, even if they don’thave words to describe it. So I’d just like to say, ‘thank you!’”Diana was nominated for our Certificate of Recognitionby Aspire Sales Executive, Lee Matthews. Lee said:“Diana’s work is so unusual and unique. I love her use ofcolour, especially how she manages to convey her emotionsthrough each piece. As soon as I saw Diana’s work I knewshe’d be a wonderful candidate for our Certificate ofRecognition for Natural Art and I’m thrilled that my editoragreed.”For further information please visitwww.dianawackerbarth.co.ukor call Diana on 07711 349 586Jane told Aspire: “I used to be a writer and a teacher. I cared a lotabout people and politics and the general state of the world. I was abit of a rebel, I suppose. Now I’m finding that a lot of my concerns andpassions are finding their way into the subject matter of my paintings.I used to think well-chosen words could change the world. Now I’mhoping my portraits have something to say about the vitality andresourcefulness of the human condition. I am curious about people’slives, in all its rich diversity. My inspiration comes from ordinary people, from family and friendsand from those I’ve come across in my travels.“I don’t want my portraits to be naturalistic like photos. Although I often start with photos, thepaintings always end up somewhere else. What I admire about artists like Van Gogh is the wayhe makes his subjects come alive and burst out of the canvas. When I start a painting, I try to forget about everything else and just try to do itwell. What emerges comes from my emotions and I am happy when it provokes an emotional response in others. That’s good because theyare drawing on something in their own feelings to respond to the subject matter.“I’m currently working on a collection of portraits for a solo exhibition called FACING THE MUSIC, which will be a celebration of the many facesof music and performance. I’m hoping they’ll be ready in time for the summer Open Studios In Hampshire. Last year lots of people came andlots of paintings got sold.”You can see more of Jane’s paintings online at www.janelindsaythompson.com. For more information you can contact her atjanelindsaythompson@me.com. She is very happy to discuss sales, colours and commissions and to welcome you, by appointment, to hergarden studio in the heart of the beautiful New Forest.10 ASPIREASPIRE 11

England’s Art TrailKatrina McIntosh | 01561 320319www.kmcintosh.co.ukSheila Marlborough ScoopsCertificate of RecognitionSheila allowed Aspire to take a closer look at some of her most recent work…She said: “My work is usually started without a specific idea, but things develop as I continue painting, which might be the essenceof an event, or purely abstract, where the composition, colour, texture and movement all play a part. The title usually suggests itselfduring or after the painting is finished.”Specialising in colourful abstracts, in acrylic and mixed media on canvas, Sheila Marlborough is an experienced artistwith a career spanning 35 years. Despite not going to Art School, choosing instead to pursue a career in nursing,Sheila has spent much of her free time studying and practising art. As reward for her dedication and talent, Aspirehave selected Sheila for a Certificate of Recognition for Original Abstract Art.On hearing the news, Sheilasaid: “Thank you Aspire for myCertificate of Recognition. Itwas totally unexpected and alovely surprise, giving a niceboost to morale. I didn`t knowthe magazine before, as I live inSussex, but am so pleased thatyou promote the art and craft ofartists in Britain and am honouredto have won an award for myabstract painting.”Aspire Sales Executive, LeeMatthews, nominated Sheila for our Certificate of Recognition. Lee added: “As youcan see from the photos on this spread, Sheila’s work is unique, it’s different and I’m allfor promoting individuals who do something different. I’m so pleased that my editorfelt Sheila’s work deserved recognition too. I hope this Certificate of Recognition forOriginal Abstract Art boosts Sheila and encourages more of our readers to check outher work.”Sheila gave up nursing in 1988 and went on to teach art and mixed media toadults locally for about 15 years. In 2005, she was elected President of the SussexWatercolour Society and also became a member of Chalk Gallery, an artist-ledco-operative in Lewes.Sheila told Aspire: “I did a number of adult courses from 1978 to 1985 at BrightonPolytechnic, as it was then, and at the St Ives School of Painting in Cornwall. It wasat Brighton that I met Norma Weller, a fantastic teacher who was a big inspiration tome, and I met my husband on one of the many painting courses in St Ives - we’ve nowbeen married for 30 years.“I paint mainly in acrylics and most of my semi-abstract work originates from thefamiliar area where I live. Strong composition and emotive colour interest me most,aiming to create an individual interpretation of the landscape and to lift the spirits.I don’t plan my work out before starting, which gives my work a more spontaneous,organic feel.“St Ives in particular inspires me. I return to St Ives every year for inspiration as I findthe light and the atmosphere unique. There’s a strong art community in St Ives and it’swonderful to be surrounded by such creativity at every turn. I am also inspired by mySussex surroundings, in particular The Downs.“Music is also a big source of inspiration to me. I paint with music on in thebackground and I feel that the vibe of the music influences what I paint. For example,listening to May Day music, I painted an abstract picture that depicted childrenplaying around the May Pole. I’m not conscious of this process but once the painting iscomplete I realise what has happened and name my painting accordingly.”Sheila is currently working towards an exhibition at the Hop Gallery in Lewes, which takes place in August 2014. She’s also working on pieces for the Brighton ArtFair and the Brighton Festival Open Studios, both of which she has taken part in for the last four years.“I have exhibited my work extensively in the past. Over a period of ten years, I had paintings shown frequently at the Mall Galleries in London and in 2002 I won the RoyalWatercolour Society Award in the C21 Open Exhibition at the Bankside Gallery for a piece I did called ‘A Stitch In Time’,” Sheila added.For further information or to see a selection of Sheila’s work, please visit www.sheilamarlborough.co.ukor call Sheila on 01444 246605 to make an appointment to visit her and see her work in person.PastoraleMixed media on canvas 61x76cms - this has a musical theme,celebrating nature and the landscape.Nature`s RichesMixed media on canvas 61x76cms. Sussex Downland celebrated,incorporating collaged papers with written verse.CrescendoMixed mediaon canvas51x61cms -listening tolively musicreaching acrescendo insound andmovement.PrecipitationAcrylic on canvas 76x102cms - abstracted field patterns with approachingrain, simplification to convey an idea.WindbreakMixed media on canvas 51x61cms - summer and colour on PorthmeorBeach, St Ives.Summer FlightMixed media on canvas41x41cms - suggestingjoyous movementand ‘looping the loop’against a blue sky, alsoincorporating collagedpapers with writtenverse by Sir JohnBetjeman.12 ASPIREASPIRE 13

Ceramics Spotlight‘Studio Shot’, image byLaurence Jarrett-KerrA CloserLook At CeramicsRelaxing and educational, art and craft hobbies are idealfor those who want a pastime that offers a sense ofaccomplishment, whilst leaving you feeling calmer.The earliest ceramics made by humans were pottery objects, including27,000 year old figurines, made from clay, either by itself or mixed with othermaterials, hardened in fire. Ceramic artefacts have played an important role inarchaeology, helping us to understand the culture, technology and behaviourof people of the past. Today, ceramics include domestic, industrial and buildingproducts and a wide range of ceramic art.There is an amazing number of creative people covering the length and breadthof the UK making new and unusual ceramic art, as well as practical ceramicsfor use around the home. From decorative Porcelain figurines to China platesand from vibrant vases to delicate cups and saucers, there’s a whole host ofceramics to enjoy, made right here in the UK.If you fancy having a go yourself, you can sign up for one of the numerousceramics courses taking place across the country. You don’t have to beexperienced to sign up for a ceramics course as there are many experiencedteachers up and down the country that can show you basic techniques and get you started. Alternatively, you could pick up all the supplies you need from your localcraft store, borrow a ‘how to’ book from the library and try having a go at your chosen craft in the comfort of your own home.If you’d just like to look and admire a whole range of ceramics we’d recommend a visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The V&A houses the greatest andmost comprehensive collection of ceramics in the world. The collection is particularly rich in ceramics from Asia, the Middle East and Europe.Katrina McIntosh | 01561 320319www.kmcintosh.co.ukNew Forest MohairHome grown mohairyarns and fibresfrom our ownangora goat kidfleeces, spun inCornwall. Our DK,4ply and laceweightyarns are hand-dyedin beautiful colourson the farm. We also supply hand-dyedfleece and mohair/wool rovings and kitsfor feltmaking, needlefelting, knittingand stitching.Check out our website for where to findus. You can order online, or come andsay hello at ‘Malvern Creative CraftShow’ and ‘Fashion Embroidery & Stitch’at NEC Birmingham in March 2014.www.newforestmohair.co.ukBritish WoolcraftingWicked WoolA recent study suggests that engaging in a hobby,like knitting, making a patchwork quilt, or evenreading a book can delay the onset of dementia. Inthe study from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, nearly200 people ages 70 – 89 with mild memory problemswere compared to a group who had no impairment.Researchers asked the volunteers about their dailyactivities within the past year, and how mentally activethey had been from 50 – 65 years old; those who hadbeen bust reading or engaging in craft hobbies had a40% reduced risk of memory impairment. So, there’snever been a better reason to get creative, especiallywith wool and yarn.Knitting has steadily increased in popularity over thelast decade or so and 21st century knitters are nolonger stereotypical fuddy-duddy grannies relaxing inImage courtesy of Woolly Thinkingan armchair; they’re fashion-conscious women of allages. There are so many things you can make whenknitting, from a basic scarf to a unique jumper, or more complicated items such as socks and dresses. And, there’s an array offresh and exciting wools and fibres and yummy yarns available to knit with. You could even branch out even further and knitwith alpacas yarn – you can produce a unique and personal item of clothing for the fraction of the price!is like knitting in that it involves pulling loops through other loops, but additionally incorporates wrapping the workingmaterial around the hook one or more times. Crocheting uses a crochet hook and not needles, as with knitting, but unlikeknitting, only one stitch is active at one time (exceptions being Tunisian crochet and broomstick lace). Crochet hooks can bemetal, wood or plastic. Yarn for crochet is usually sold as balls or skeins (hanks), although it may also be wound on spools orcones.Not only will engaging in creative textile crafts produce some fantastic results in just a few hours, they’ll leave you feelingrelaxed and refreshed; a study from the American Journal Medical Association monitored 30 female heart patients whilstthey took part in a simple craft project – the results showed significantly lower heart rates, blood pressure and perspirationrates in all 30 patients!Aspire’s Top RecommendationRuth King CeramicsElaine ColesUp-cycling with Woolly ThinkingRuth King’s vessels, possessing a containedstillness and described as ‘starkly formal yetinventive’, reveal her thoughtful approach anddedication to the art and process of making.Restrained and reflective their essentialqualities of tension, volume, balance andasymmetry are expressed with economy andquietude. The components for each pieceare cut from sheets of clay then assembled,modified and intensively worked; they arestructured and tailored to contain space.The unique character of each vessel is furtherenhanced by the subtle colours and surfacesproduced by the movement and action ofvapours in the kiln during the final firing.Ruth has exhibited widely and her work isrepresented in many collections, both publicand private, in the UK and overseas.Ruth’s work features in a forthcoming show,‘Gems’ Dec 5 th - Jan 4 th at the ContemporaryCeramics Centre, Great Russell Street, LondonWC1, a showcase of work at The Hepworth,Wakefield until Feb 2 nd 2014 and onlinethrough onlineceramics.com.Tel: 01904 470196Web: www.ruthkingceramics.comRose Cottage, Main Street,Shipton-by-Beningbrough, York YO30 1ABMy work is smoke fired, porcelain,thrown on a wheel, it is then burnished,layers of terra-sigillata are applied,polishing in between each layer, givingthe pot a high sheen. I fire in saggars,and a raku kiln leaving the smokeand flames to dance over the surfacecreating unique marks.I find the combination of the smokeand clay fascinating, it gives mypots a sophistication, whilst using afundamental and primeval approach.Continuing my love of colour I alsomake traditional glazed raku pieces,using a raku clay. I sometimes,incorporate precious metal clay andgemstones.73a High Street, Chobham,Surrey GU24 8AFTel: 01276 856769Email: elaine@elainecoles.co.ukWeb: www.elainecoles.co.ukSpecialising in domestic ceramics thathave been designed and produced to beused and not just admired from afar, IsabelK-J Denyer Ceramics has been producing ‘Salad Bowl’, image by Bonnie Rowntreeceramics for 40 years. After getting a goodfoundation at Farnham School of Art, Isabel went on to do a two-year degree in Ceramicsat Harrow School of Art, who offered a unique course at the time. The course catered forpeople who wanted do to ceramics as a career and not just as a hobby.Isabel told Aspire: “I am fiercely passionate about mypots being used. It gives me great pleasure to think thatmy pots are part of people’s daily lives as they serveand enjoy food in different ways, from a family mealto special occasions. This for me makes the processcomplete and creates a mutual message betweenme the maker and the user and is the essence of myworking life. I can’t stand pots that don’t work, whichis why I always consider the functionality of everythingI make. I am a keen cook so I used muted colours asdecoration for my pots because I feel the food shouldbe the decoration; the food should enhance the pot‘Necklace in Porcelain, Egyptian Paste it’s served in. Everything I make can also be used in theand Silver’, image by Isabel K-J Denyer oven and the dishwasher.“My inspiration has changed over the years. Being originally from Jamaica, my early work wasdefinitely influenced by the West Indies, but having lived in rural Yorkshire for over 30 years,I’m now very much influenced by marks and patterns. I get a lot of inspiration from the naturalmarks, stripes and patterns on pebbles and elsewhere in nature.”As well as having a showroom at home (open to visitors by appointment), Isabel alsotakes part in numerous shows throughout the year, including York Open Studios (April)and Potfest in the Park (July). Isabel also has several pieces at both the New School HouseGallery in York and the gallery shop of the Hepworth Wakefield.For further information, please visit www.isabeldenyer.co.uk or call 01937 835632Founded six years ago, Woolly Thinking is the brainchild of June Emmerson, an experiencedtextile artist who is passionate about British wool and up-cycling. Woolly Thinking stocks aunique range of hand-felted wool yarns and patterns for big knitting, and Scottish Tweedselvedge. To complement the yarns, June sells large sizes of knitting needles and crochethooks, as well as peglooms.June told Aspire: “I moved from the northwest to Ludlow in Shropshire about 10 years ago, anddiscovered what a rich and diverse heritage of rare-breed sheep we have in this part of the country.I began to weave rugs on a pegloom with undyed sheep’s wool in nature’s range of colours and theysold rapidly at fairs and exhibitions. This led me into making peglooms and teaching this simpleform of weaving, which is wonderfully quick and well-suited to make good use of recycled textilesand sheep’s fleece. I never tire of teaching this simple process and love to see the pleasure it gives topeople by enabling them to make their own creations from cheaply sourced materials.“I am passionate about recycling. Our affluent society means we have too much choice. We acquireand throw away wildly. Surely there has to be a sense of satisfaction in creating a beautiful anddurable rug from others’ waste, which has cost almost nothing.“Over the past four years, I ran a small local business called ‘The Sheep Shed.’ At its heart was thedesire to promote British wool and, in particular, our rich local heritage of rare-breed sheep. Woolis one of our greatest natural resources and it has remarkable properties. It is both waterproof andfire-resistant, but we have moved away from valuing it in favour ofman-made fibres.“Currently I am teaching and selling in the Rural Skills Centre in MyriadOrganics, Ludlow. I offer workshops in spinning and fleece preparation,pegloom weaving, big knitting and crochet with up-cycling. Workshopscan be booked or longer sessions of two to three days tailor-madeto individual needs. Groups of up to eight can be accommodated.Alternatively, I am willing to present a course or workshop anywherein the Midlands region (expenses by arrangement.) I exhibit atWonderwool Wales (26th/27th April 2014) and at The Big Textile Showat Countesthorpe, Leicester (27th/28th September 2014).”For more information, please contact June on01584 877423 or visit her websitewww.woollythinking.org.uk14 ASPIREASPIRE 15

Whittlebury Hall CompetitionA Winter Wonderland At Whittlebury Hall Hotel & SpaKatrina McIntosh | 01561 320319www.kmcintosh.co.ukAdvertise With UsBe seen by 15,000 people throughoutLeicestershire and Northamptonshire...art • lifestyle • culture • entertainmentFeatureFeatureISSUE 329YOUR FREE COPYWINtickets to theFestive Gift Fairart • lifestyle • culture • entertainmentFeatureSheila MarlboroughSheila Marlborough is an experienced artist who specialisesin colourful abstracts, in acrylic and mixed media.For further information, visit www.sheilamarlborough.co.ukor turn to page 3…ISSUE 331YOUR FREE COPYAt the award-winning four-star Whittlebury Hall Hotel and Spa, we’ve got Christmas all wrapped up with ourexclusive range of Christmas Gift Cards and Spa Experiences. Enjoy stress-free Christmas shopping and chooseour Gift Cards, which can be used towards Day Spa experiences, treatments, beauty products, meals and evenstays at the hotel.ISSUE 330YOUR FREE COPYWhittlebury Hall Hotel Day Spa provides a haven in which to unwind. The Heat & Ice Experiences include anIce Cave, Sanarium, Crystal Steam Room, Caldarium, Sauna and Hydrotherapy Pool, which offers a host ofstimulating experiences complemented by dreamy smells and wonderful therapies. The Day Spa also has aHamman and a Rasul and offers treatments from the houses of Elemis, Espa, Clarins and JessicaThe Leisure Club, complete with state of the art equipment, offers superb facilities to cater for all your fitnessneeds. Enjoy some exercise in the 19-metre Swimming Pool with Bubble Jets, state-of-the-art Gym, Sauna,Steam Room and Whirlpool Spa.ENERGYHEALINGA comprehensive resource for healers who wantto discover and understand more about energyhealing and energy flows, Energy Healing: ThePractical Workbook was written by ChristinaMark. For more info, turn to page 14Give someone a gift thatthey’ll never forget atJohn LewisWhittlebury Hall Hotel offers excellent dining in Aston’s Restaurant, which offers a relaxed atmosphere and bycontrast, Murray’s Restaurant provides the ultimate fine dining experience, boasting two AA Rosettes for FineFood, and the winner of the Foodie Award, for two years running.View this issue online at www.aspiremagazinegroup.co.ukASPIRE 1View this issue online at www.aspiremagazinegroup.co.ukASPIRE 1For more details on the perfect gift ideas for family and friends this Christmas, visit www.whittleburyhall.co.uk/giftcards or call us on 0845 400 0002.WINWhittlebury Hall Hotel and Spa is offering you the perfect prize – a gift card containing a Relaxation Day for two people*. Your indulgent gift card will include:• Full use of The Day Spa• Full use of the Heat and Ice Experiences• Full use of The Leisure Club facilities• Two-course buffet lunchAlice MaudTucked away in a corner of Devon deep inthe South West of England countryside, isthe home of Alice Maud, creators of themost perfect, hand crafted dolls in theworld. For further info, please visitwww.alicemaud.co.uk or turn to page 3…View this issue online at www.aspiremagazinegroup.co.ukASPIRE 1To be in with the chance of winning, just send your name, address and daytime telephone number to Whittlebury Hall Competition, Aspire Magazine, 3rd Floor, 29 – 35 St NicholasPlace, Leicester LE1 4LD or email competitions@aspiremagazinegroup.co.uk by 5pm on Wednesday 18th December 2013.Terms and conditions: *Full terms and conditions apply. This prize is non-transferable and non-refundable, and has no cash equivalent. This prize cannot be used in conjunction with any other offeror promotion. The prize is available Sunday - Thursday only, excludes Valentines, Christmas and New Years and is subject to availability. Winners must be aged 18 years or over. This competitionis not open to the employees of Whittlebury Hall and Spa Limited and their family members. Prize to be booked and taken by 31st March 2014 (excluding Valentines period). Aspire are merelypromoting this prize on behalf of Whittlebury Hall Hotel and Spa – no alternative prizes will be offered.To advertise your company in Aspire,call our sales team on 0116 262 486722 ASPIREASPIRE 23

FeatureFeatureTake A Step BackIn Time withBirminghamBack to BacksSituated in the heart of Birmingham City Centre, Birmingham Back to Backsis a National Trust property that first opened its doors to visitors in July2004 and has continued to go from strength to strength. The last survivingcourt of back to back houses, houses built literally back-to-back around acommunal courtyard, in the whole of the West Midlands.Back to Backs is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from1pm during school term time and Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10amuntil 5pm. Booking a guided tour is highly recommended, especially duringbusy periods. Bookings can be made by calling 0121 6667671.Standard admission: £7.50 for adults, £3.95 for children and £16.90 for afamily (two adults and up to three children).For more information on Birmingham Back to Backs, please visitwww.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-birmingham_backtobacks24 ASPIREASPIRE 25