Illustrated Talks
Developed talks and lectures, suitable for Textile groups, Schools, Universities, Guilds and Organizations.
Each talk will last around 50 minutes, with time within the conclusion for a live Q and A. Audience participation is encouraged.
Please note: In person and online options are both available - for further guidance and advice on fees, please contact Ailish directly at ailish.h.theartist@gmail.com
‘From stories to stitch, Using Textiles to embroider your story’
The talk centres on the inspiration Ailish uses to found her work upon: “Life experiences, good and bad, can influence us for the positive or the negative, it is our choice”.
'Maker: Mended - What is your repair?'
This talk, goes deeper into personal themes that have influenced her work and how textiles can be a vent for self expression and a way to heal hurt and stress related issues. Ailish has recently written a Critical Review on this topic, thus has a fresh approach to the subject matter. It is her believe that the ‘maker’ can action a form of mending for oneself via the physical act of creating. A series of examples is shown throughout the lecture to illustrate and evidence her views. Audiences are encouraged to look at this topic personally and work out their own version of ‘repair’.
'Creating Characters in Stitch: Stitched Collage Portraits'
Her own body of work surrounding this theme has recently gained much interest from the public. Thus within this lecture, Ailish vocally and visually explores how she creates her pieces; what underpins them and how you too, can create your own. Samples of her collections are illustrated, including previously exhibited works from her recent solo exhibitions and magazine published pieces. Time is allowed for questions from the audience.
'Creating a personal narrative'
Through the course of her career, Ailish has often focused on personal experiences as a foundation for her art. More recently she delved into my own family history archives to use as a research point. Within this talk, discussion is based on how her findings have been used to develop sensitive and sensory pieces. The audience is encouraged to do the same with their own personal resources; explaining how it is possible. For this talk outcomes related to this subject matter are brought along, including recently made "archive" books.
'Creative Sketchbooks'
Learn how I have personally made sketchbooks and how you can create your own, using inspiration from memories, travel and even your own home.
'Butchery, a journey through dress making'
Based on her recently created garments, made from cutting up previously worn clothing and lingerie, using every part for new wearables. This talk discusses the processes used, as well as their time being exhibited.
Teaching
Ailish encourages and guides all attending to reach their own personal conclusions, whilst thematically creating a foundation starting point from which to grow. All materials will be provided for each session, however all are encouraged to reflect prior to the class on their own personal outcome and what this could be, in order to bring any items they wish to incorporate into their outcome. Ailish thrives on creating a relaxed and approachable manner within her classes, so all age ranges and abilities are welcome. Community and the bringing together of like minded individuals is at the heart of her practice, with a focus on the connection between the act of making and ones emotional wellbeing.
People and Place: Familial Inspired Stitched Collage
As a practicing artist, Ailish has considered familial links to create many of her pieces, building up a wealth of visual and research based outcomes. With guidance from the artist herself, learn how to connect your own ‘blood-ties’ with your creative practice, to develop unique works of art. Experiment and dabble with paper, fabric and other mindfully thought out collage items. Personal expression is encouraged, with consideration before class attendance in order for participants to bring along any items of their own which they with to incorporate.
All coloured out
Using hand dyed materials, along with a special decolourant paste, stencils and printing blocks, learn how to create a unique fabric. Once painted or printed onto fabric, left to dry and then heated by ironing, the decolourant paste discharges the colour from hand dyed fabric, revealing your lovely design. The fabric you create can then be used in subsequent projects you may have in mind.
The Language of Flowers
Using Ailish’s guidance and inspiration, alongside the ancient folk tales and illustrations alluding to flora and fauna an well as their visiting beasts and what this inclusion of nature to our every day can mean for us within the wellbeing context, create beautiful collaged works, with the inclusion of mixed media techniques and stitch play and drawn work.
Bonding and fusing
Creative use of materials and techniques, to create new fabrics and beads with heat distressing tools, such as a Heat Gun and Soldering Iron.
Repair x Making: Boro and Sashiko
The term boro is the Japanese word to describe clothes and household items which have been patched-up and repaired many times; it literally means old cloth. This technique has been passed down for many centuries and is often used to create family heirlooms. Within this class, you will learn to make your own small piece of boro, personalized to you. Participants may wish to incorporate their own personal materials within their explorations. Hand stitching together can be beautifully simplistic, so is suitable for those with little confidence. This class aligns with Ailish’s research work on the connection between emotional repair and the act of making.
The Rewrite
Can you think of a situation in your life you wished to change? Use it to inspire a textile art outcome! Within this workshop, all are encouraged to use materials such as fabrics and papers along with pen and stitch to create one off outcomes with a personal theme at their heart. Although no exact outcome is outlined to be achieved, all will finish the class with a visual memory personal to them. This may flourish in a collage, series of drawings or stitch samples.
People and Place: Stitched Collage from Nature
Inspired by the past few years where many of us have been affected by the pandemic and often finding ourselves with at least some time at home, Ailish has drawn upon the success of her Stitched Collage Portraits workshops and own working practice to develop a class based around using collage and stitch x nature and animals. A mixed media approach will be suggested, allowing participants to draw upon their own pandemic experience where they too may have had more time to walk within nature, or even own a pet! This personal inspiration can be married with Ailish’s teaching. Outcomes will be mixed media stitched pieces, with suggestions on how the work could be developed in the future.
People and Place: Stitched Collage Portraits and Characters
Inspired by her own work, this class guides students through the process of making their own portrait outcomes. Play with paper and collage with the choice to add stitch and personal treasured items/mementos. You don't have to be able to draw, it’s all about exploring the collage aspect and expressing your personality.
Creative Sketchbooks
Through Ailish’s teaching and lecturing experience, it has come to her attention that many participants lack confidence to work with a sketchbook. Learn how to use fine art, mixed media and Textiles to create beautiful pages for your sketchbooks, building confidence to work with blank pages and fabric.
People and Place: Stitched Collage Portraits and Character development
Due to the success of Stitched Collage portraits, Ailish has developed a further developed class. Participants who are interested in this type of work will be guided through extending their portrait ideas into new works, looking at 3D work such as stuffed fabric sculptures and methods of framing works to finish and present. Further guidance on tools and materials will be given.
‘Smallable’ Charecters
What can a portrait or charecter become? Let your imagination flow. Within this class, learn how to create a small miniature stitched character, made from a variety of materials which work personally for your own character’s theme. For example, maybe you have created a miniature piece based on a familial pet. You may then incorporate collage material which in some way relate to that pet - even a torn up photograph of that pet, or dare I say it, a particle of fur?! Constant supervision will be given throughout depending on your own needs. Draw, paint, collage, hand stitch or even at times machine….it is your choice! A small box or tin will be provided to house your miniature, so you may make it to the size of the box you have. This project works so well within a time limited setting, so that you can finish the piece more or less within the class. The box / tin also works as a method of framing your piece, a treasured memory.
Testimonials
‘I undertook a workshop recently with Ailish Henderson. Under her expert guidance I have realised my dream of creating portraits in stitched form but in a totally different way. Her free approach and relaxed manner encourages experimentation and her 'no rules approach' ensures individuality and pushes the student to a level not thought possible. A totally wonderful experience . I want to do more!' - (Rosalind, Stitch Club Member)
‘Excellent tutor, fabulous workshop’ (Anon. Student at The Knitting and Stitching Show, Harrogate 2018)
‘Ailish is an inspiration. My daughter is a bit younger than Ailish and not interested in Textiles or Art. However hearing Ailish's talk 'From Stories to Stitch' has given me hope that she too may one day take up Art! It is so refreshing to meet a young Artist’ (Alnwick Embroiders' Guild Member. 2015)
‘Ailish gave us a graphic outline of her life, relevant to her artwork...She brought along her stitched cake, which is an amazing creation demonstrating all her many skills...intricate and inspirational’ (Report by Linda Pepper, Border Textile Group. October 2015)
‘I just wanted to say thank you so much for Saturday. Both Oona and I had a great day. Also many thanks for talking to the bairn and sparing the time to look through her sketchbook - after mixed advice from school, she took the plunge to go with her own instincts and do the work the way she wanted to, but of course there is always the worry that she wasn’t doing it right. So, as she said, having a professional artist say her work was good has given her the confidence to continue…look forward to your next workshop’ (Kay, Cumbria, 2019)
‘It was a great pleasure to make the images. And listen: before your workshop I said to myself, you never can make a portrait! I had so much fun, it makes me still smiling’ (Joekie Blom - Textile Artist Stitch Club participant - hosted workshop by A.Henderson)
‘I would never have attempted to do a portrait, but your workshop presented a feeling of a portrait rather than a realistic representation. This inspired me to have a go, and I found I loved it. I did 5 portraits that week. Thanks for showing me this technique.’ (Joy Cicchini - Textile Artist Stitch Club participant - hosted workshop by A.Henderson)
‘You presented such a great challenge. Portraits are a real stretch for me, and the workshops that force me to take risks as an artist are my favourites. Thank you so much.’ - (Alison Taylor. Textile Artist Stitch Club participant - hosted workshop by A.Henderson)