An Unexpected Break for Dorset textile artist Carol Cruickshank

I completed my textile of Budleigh Salterton in February and then fitted in a flying visit to see my parents in Sale, Neil’s mum on Anglesey and our son and family in London before the nation went into lockdown. It has been and still is a horrifying time for us all and it was difficult to watch the news unfurling.

Memories of Summer on Anglesey

I started a new textile picture of a beautiful estuary village on Anglesey called Aberffraw. It is a place I knew well, and I had done preparatory sketches the previous summer when Neil and I with his mum and Honey the dog walked along the shoreline. I had a happy time under clear skies and warm sun crossing the river back and forth with Honey.

Testing Times

I had great plans to explore different textile techniques whilst I had a break from the admin for Artwey but then, one week after lockdown, out of the blue, I had a heart attack. There followed some very difficult days recovering. I also had a swollen wrist and arm from the angiogram and was unable to do any sewing for quite a while. It was a huge relief to get back to the rhythm and creativity that goes with sewing my pictures. Very slowly I completed my picture of Aberffraw.

Inspiration from my Garden

I next started on a smaller textile picture based on the tiny wild flower area at the bottom of our garden. I, like so many of us, have come to take time to appreciate and delight in the beauty in our surroundings, the trees, flowers , birds. I have depicted the flowers which appeared over the period from March to May in this wild spot, primroses, cowslips, forget me nots, alliums, crocuses and daisies.

Sad Times

During this time very sadly, my father died of covid-19 in his nursing home. It has been a difficult time for all the family and we will miss him very much. This loss has been made more difficult with all the restrictions in place for travel, meeting together and funeral arrangements.

A New Commission for Textile Artist Carol Cruickshank

A great opportunity to work on a piece I planned last summer of Anvil Point Lighthouse. I am currently over halfway through and have been enjoying working on it very much. The commission came just as I was finishing my garden textile and looking round to see what to do next – so it was great timing.

Beach Huts on Stilts…sold

… and posted to someone who already owns one of my originals.

Framing Textiles

Neil has framed my latest textiles using driftwood and pallet wood.