Guest Artist Scheme - GAS
Our aim is to offer 2-5 artists the opportunity to join the Cherrydidi network three times a year. GAS 1 - February to June, GAS 2 - July to September, GAS 3 - October to December.
'Terry Abraham' Multi-award winning filmmaker and photographer Terry Abraham can often be found in a tent atop the fells of Cumbria. His critically acclaimed ‘Life of a Mountain: Scafell Pike’ (2014), ‘Life of a Mountain: Blencathra’ (2016) and ‘Life of a Mountain: Helvellyn’ (2020) have been enjoyed by millions of viewers on the BBC and beyond.
'Dais' - "I am primarily an illustrator, focusing on the natural world and our native wildlife, soaking up my inspiration from the Lake District where I am lucky enough to live in Ambleside." Dais mainly works in pen and ink, which she finds very practical for working outside but she does love to experiment with all mediums and often introduce a bit of colour to her art with watercolours she makes her myself.
'Sward Designs' - "I have been a keen crafts person all my life and discovered the joy of working with wood a few years ago thanks to my brother. I take my design inspiration from the outdoor environment."
'Flotsam Prints' - Inspired by a renewed connection with water Megan began her printmaking journey in March 2019. A passion developed into a business and she now works out of Ocean Studios, Plymouth. Megan enjoys creating linocuts with clean lines and portrait imagery. She finds water her greatest muse for pieces and utilises her regular wild swimming adventures as inspiration.
'Sue's Made Something' - "I first learnt to knit when I was a young girl and since then I’ve been obsessed with anything to do with wool and fabric crafts in general. Knitting, crocheting, sewing, dressmaking, quilting, you name it and I’ve probably done it. I also hand spin and dye wool from the fleece to the skein and often use this for a variety of projects."
October to February 2021 Guest Artists
'Ben Bush Photography' - "Some of my earliest memories are of my mum’s darkroom on the stairs and seeing the photos taken days developed there and then” Ben Bush is an artist from the northern lake district, UK, who specializes in awesome starry nights over different parts of the lake district. Ben uses long exposures to try and capture the beauty that he is fortunate enough to see around him daily.
'Jane Mallison' - "Over the last 15 years I have come to understand that felt is a wonderful way to use wool as a palate, by dyeing and blending colour like paint” Jane Mallison creates beautiful felt and silk scarves to create a delicate texture that can be combined with all different colours inspired by the landscape around her to create an unusual medium of wearable art.
'Jess Davids Glass' - Often inspired by travelling and the natural world, she combines glass blowing techniques to create unique designs Jess Davids is a designer-maker specializing in glass blowing based in South Manchester, after graduating from De Montfort university with honors studying Design Crafts, she developed her wonderful glass technique during her time as Artist in residence in the following academic year.
'Kate Rhodes Jewellery' - Kate uses colour as a visual language highly influenced by 20th century abstract sculptures and textiles Cumbria born and raised, Kate’s 23 years of experience and BA(Hons) in Jewellery and Silversmithing allows her to create exquisite pieces of jewelry inspired by the countryside surrounding her home in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.
'Menai Art' - Pip Conlon is a Lake District based artist creating beautiful Felt fells. Pip moved to the lake district to work as a vet but had a career change to using locally grown and dyed sheep’s wool to create amazing pieces that highlight the beauty of the lakes with iconic fells being immortalized through interesting colours that differ from the expected browns and greens.
'Cumbrian Tea' - “We love tea, you’ll love our tea, we could be happy together” Mark and Duncan look to fulfill their mission to work sustainably to provide the people of Cumbria and its visitors with great tasting, ethically sourced and environmentally friendly products at a very reasonable price. Their black tea has become a hotly sold product within the Cherrydidi shops.
'Lakeland Artisan' - All our products are naturally delicious with no artificial flavours, colours or preservatives and handcrafted with love and care at our premises in Staveley, Nr. Kendal in the English Lake District. Lakeland Artisan run by Husband wife team Geoff and Mary Monkman, and With over 50 Great Taste Awards to date and many other accolades a truly award-winning company. The company produces a wide range of preserves, chutneys and fruit syrups under “Cumbrian Delights”.
July to September 2020 Guest Artists
'Sew Can Sue' - "I am a Yorkshire lass born and bred. I have sewn for as long as I remember and over the years have sewn everything from dolls clothing to soft furnishings. I particularly like bright vibrant colours and recently have started to embellish my work with machine embroidery designs, the quirky sheep are a particular favourite.
'Lucy Brookfield' - "I like to use texture and vivid colours to create intimate scenes which capture a sense of personality and life." Creating unique watercolour artworks and prints, with a particular passion for working on wood. Having been fascinated with wildlife from a young age, most of my art features colourful depictions of animals and plants. My love of the environment has also lead me to try and reduce my impact on the world, using unwanted and second hand wood where possible.
February to June 2020 Guest Artists
'Jo McGrath Artist' - Based at the famous Yew Tree Farm in Coniston where I’m surrounded by constant inspiration for my drawings and paintings! Yew Tree Farm was once owned by Beatrix Potter, and I love the idea that I’m following in her footsteps, specialising in the character of our domestic and wild cumbrian animals. On the creative side, I draw and paint, creating animal portraits for prints and cards.
'MarmaladeRose' - a self taught artist, Fiona Gill, based in North Yorkshire, works from her kitchen creating chaos and wet felted artworks, brooches and handbags. My work is usually whimsical and wishful, cheerful and happy. I flit about like a butterfly tasting a little of this and a little of that and then mixing it all together creating a garden of texture and colour.
'KeramikaMCR' - Handmade porcelain jewellery, made in Manchester. KeramikaMCR jewellery is independently designed and ethically produced in the north of England in a leafy Manchester suburb. The clean cut design is inspired by contemporary geometric forms, minimalism and uses high quality materials.
'Mavis Plant Fibre Artist' - I make a range of things from tea cosies, bags and purses to smaller items such as brooches and keyrings. I usually use 100% acrylic wool and try to source this locally to support local businesses.
July to December 2019 Guest Artists
'Andrea Hall Designs' - “Two things in life make my heart sing -swimming and painting. It is the sense of vulnerability and freedom in the open water that I try to portray”. The body of water is the focus here, with dry land given second billing. Keep an eye out for the unmistakable vivid yellow of her water thermometer and long-time swimming companion Ducky, who inhabits every piece.
'Sam Martin Art' - "I'm a self taught artist who loves being in the great outdoors. I walk every day and this is where the inspiration for most of my work comes from." Through her love of the countryside and walking, she sees the landscape in blocks of colour and this is reflected in her paintings. Her work is exhibited in galleries throughout the UK.
'West Yorkshire Spinners' - British flocks make super socks! West Yorkshire Spinners are extremely proud to be one of few remaining hand knitting brands on the UK market still developing and manufacturing yarns in house. We firmly believe that it is this freedom to innovate which sets us apart from the competition. A real treat for your feet!
'Martin Stephenson' - living on the edge of Exmoor in his native North Devon with his wife, two children, dog, cats, rescue hens and multitude of other wildlife that surrounds him! Inspired by the themes and forms of nature, the art and architecture of Dali and Gaudi and of course the Arts and crafts movement. Pieces often reflect a combination of these elements. Since starting in 1993 the work has continued to develop and evolve always attempting to please both hand and eye.
'Tarnside Ceramics' - Deborah Robinson lives in the small market town of Ulverston in Cumbria. Specialising in stoneware animal forms, including pet commissions and native wildlife, but has recently been working on a series of human characters inspired by the local history of rural life from Morecambe Bay and the Lake District.
'Wild and Fruitful' - "I cannot bear waste. I wanted to prove that it was possible to make a business out of local, not imported fruit" Wild and Fruitful is a specialist preserve maker offering a huge range of jams, chutneys, marmalades, jellies and other preserves, specialising in local Cumbrian produce.
'Kevin Weaver' - born in Scotland but moved to England aged ten. On completing a BA Hons Degree in the Arts, he worked as a photojournalist covering conflicts across the world in the 90’s including the Romanian revolution. He paints using very impressionistic colours using contrasts and draws on a variety of influences including The Impressionists, Fauvism, Cubism, art deco and contemporary art.
'Hollie Childe Art' - graduating from Lancaster University with a First Class Fine art degree, I have been working extensively creating paintings of British farm animals, wildlife, and unique pet portraits. My childhood summers were spent playing in the woods, with my dog Smokey at my side, whilst we discovered all kinds of wildlife. It was this incredible experience that has fostered my total love for British farming and wildlife that is at the heart of all of my artwork.
'Jon Lamey' (July to September) - a self-taught artist living and working from home in northern Cumbria, having relocated to the area from Wiltshire five years ago. It was the love of the fells that drove the move and which now inspires his work. His wood burned pieces, or pyrography, provide a unique impression of the Lake District landscape where he can often (he says not often enough) be found walking or running. Each picture is full of individual detail and texture, and shows an appreciation of the small things as well as the monumental features that the county is famous for.
February to June 2019 Guest Artists
'MarmaladeRose' - a self taught artist, Fiona Gill, based in North Yorkshire, works from her kitchen creating chaos and wet felted artworks, brooches and handbags. My work is usually whimsical and wishful, cheerful and happy. I flit about like a butterfly tasting a little of this and a little of that and then mixing it all together creating a garden of texture and colour.
'Jo Witherington' - Original Lake District Art, Jo is from rural Cambridgeshire, but settled in the Lakes after working and travelling overseas- after long shifts working in pubs, she decided that there has to be more to life. She picked up a paint brush and began working in a corner of her tiny staff flat... a few years on and art has become an occupation and a way of life!
'Fell View Felting' - Nicky Long is a needle felting artist living in Cumbria- I am inspired by the Cumbrian countryside and the creatures that live there.
I make handmade brooches, fridge magnets and box frames featuring the iconic Herdwick sheep and other animals such as alpacas, llamas and Highland cattle. The animals seem to develop their own personalities as I felt them, making each one unique. That is the magic of needle felting!
'Carol Lewis' - Mixed media landscape artist, born Mansfield, Nottinghamshire who now resides in Cumbria.
Carol gets her inspiration from aspects of the landscapes that surround her. Sometimes her images bear a close resemblance to a specific place or feature. Others simply capture the spirit, atmosphere, flora or fauna of the scene. Carol paints in mixed media combining water based mediums, pastels and textural materials such as tissue paper and thread.
'Patricia Murray' - a self taught Painter of Animals who grew up on the West coast of Cumbria and now living in the village of Braithwaite. Working from my kitchen at home, I paint mainly in Acrylics on canvas from the small to the very large, furry and feathered subjects which are my focus at present, in all their wonderful variations.
'Bee Bombs' - Native, wildflower seedballs, handmade in Dorset. With your help, we can start to restore the lost wildflower habitat and make an important contribution to the biodiversity of Great Britain. Beebombs are a mix of 18 British wildflower seeds, fine, sifted soil and locally sourced clay. Our seeds are native species and designated by the Royal Horticultural Society as "Perfect for Pollinators" 'Let's #bringthebeesback'
July to September 2018 Guest Artists
'Upland Clay' - Alicja Zasucha is a start-up ceramicist based in Ireby, Cumbria.
Combining rustic, speckled clay, with a strong, smooth glaze, my robust mugs really feel a part of the landscape I live in. I moved to the Lakes to be able to spend more time hiking, climbing and wild camping – I am happiest when amongst the mountains with my partner, friends and dog. I want my work to communicate that feeling of putting your feet up after a long day out in the fells.
'Night Owl Needle Felts' - needle felted animal art based in Cumbria. Leane creates intricate vibrant characters out of woollen fibres.
'The Enlightened Hound' - Debbie Kendall is a printmaker specialising in linocut based in Buckinghamshire. I hand-print original art, inspired by my love of dogs. Producing work that others can connect with is important to me. I use hand-lettered words and illustration to interpret and narrate the unique connection people have with their dogs.
Conquer Lake District - We design and create awesome hiking patches in Cumbria. Our aim is to inspire people to have fun and celebrate the adventure whilst also caring for our majestic and delicate landscape.
'MarmaladeRose' - a self taught artist, Fiona Gill, based in North Yorkshire, works from her kitchen creating chaos and wet felted artworks, brooches and handbags. My work is usually whimsical and wishful, cheerful and happy. I flit about like a butterfly tasting a little of this and a little of that and then mixing it all together creating a garden of texture and colour.
'Susannah Lawless -SIBL' - a contemporary landscape artist, specialising in acrylics. Having been born and raised on the Solway Plain, Cumbria and now living in Ilkley, Yorkshire, it is these landscapes which inspire me the most.
'Designer at Large' - recycled bottle lamps - Sam Bickerdike is a British designer based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. His passion is creating quality, long-lasting products that inspire a similarly enduring and emotive relationship between the user and the product
'Crafts by Ra' - Natural wool rugs & cushions - Rachel Nelson is a Cumbrian farmers' daughter who has a passion for sheep and their wool. She loves to turn the fleece of sheep into something useful and valuable. She transforms the fleeces into natural handwoven wool rugs, mainly using Herdwick from local farms in the Eden valley and Keswick but she also uses a mix of Shetland, Jacob, Zwartbles to create different patterns, textures and colours within the rugs. Once the fleeces are prepared and carded Rachel weaves the rugs with a pegloom.
'Visual Counterpoint' – 35mm film photographs with abstract acrylic painting. This collection is the visual expression of counterpoint, on the simplest level juxtaposing 35mm film photographs with abstract acrylic paintings and also, with themselves.
'Art You Wear' – handmade jewellery by Justine Nettleton who is a Nottingham based Fine Artist. She paints landscapes and site specific artwork. She incorporates her love of nature into her botanical designs while animals and birds are a source of inspiration for her brooches.
'Sacred Nature' – a self taught needle felt artist - I'm Hannah, and I find joy in using natural fibres to create beautiful things. I started as a knitter, then learnt to spin and weave, then I came across needle-felting. Although I love all these crafts, I especially enjoy needle felting. I specialise in needle felting wildlife/nature images on to Harris Tweed using British wool.
'Graham McKenzie-Smith' – Graphite pencil, ink & digital painting techniques - Graham's preferred medium is the Cumbrian made Derwent Graphite pencil, though he has also recently been working with pen and charcoal, as well as exploring digital painting techniques. His preference is for monotone pictures where the shades and textures work together with high detail so that the viewer spends time with his drawings rather than moving quickly on from a punchy image. Although his style can appear traditional, he often incorporates his own unique stamp, be it an unusual viewpoint or feature.
'Marmalade Rose' – a self taught artist, Fiona Gill, based in Hawes, North Yorkshire, works from her kitchen creating chaos and wet felted artworks, brooches and handbags. My work is usually whimsical and wishful, cheerful and happy. I flit about like a butterfly tasting a little of this and a little of that and then mixing it all together creating a garden of texture and colour.
July to December 2016 Guest Artists
'Loving Slate' - Honister slate sculptures - we use slate from the world famous Honister Slate Mine in Keswick for our Lakeland collection. Slate has been mined at Honister for centuries and is renowned for its beautiful green hue. Owner Terry was born and brought up in Liverpool, he fell in love with the wonderful landscape of the Lake District as a teenager and has been a regular visitor ever since. Terry has developed a unique layering technique, an innovative and original approach which he combines with traditional methods of working with slate. Using this new technique he has designed and produced a range of beautiful birds and animals, each individually and lovingly handcrafted.
'Witch Mountain' - Cyanotype printing - Kim Tillyer is an artist, designer and maker, originally from North Yorkshire, now living in Cumbria. Much of Kim’s work combines cyanotype printing with traditional stitch techniques and hand drawn motifs such as bears, plants, birds and ‘shelters in a landscape’ including tents, simple houses and romantic and mysterious towers.
'Natalie Burns' - Sketching & Photography - Natalie grew up in a family that loved the outdoors. Forests, lakes, mountains and the west coast of Cumbria are her inspiration. She likes experimenting with different materials and combines sketching with Derwent line Painters and photography to achieve bright, modern designs for cards and prints. Natalie also works in acrylics using sea sponges creating one off paintings of forests.
'Crafts by Ra' - Natural wool rugs - Rachel Nelson is a Cumbrian farmers' daughter who has a passion for sheep and their wool. She loves to turn the fleece of sheep into something useful and valuable. She transforms the fleeces into natural handwoven wool rugs, mainly using Herdwick from local farms in the Eden valley and Keswick but she also uses a mix of Shetland, Jacob, Zwartbles to create different patterns, textures and colours within the rugs. Once the fleeces are prepared and carded Rachel weaves the rugs with a pegloom.
February to June Guest Artists
'Sarah Robley' - Lino-printing - I was born and raised on a farm in the Eden Valley, where I now work as a printmaker with my lovely Labrador, Quiver. After studying History of Art at the University of Cambridge, and completing an MA in Medieval Studies at York University, I decided I wanted to create beautiful things, not just look at them! I love the individuality that medieval artists gave their animal subjects; medieval ‘marginalia’ and decorative art inspires much of my work. I also take inspiration from the wildlife of the Lake District and from Folk Art. Working in a minimalist, illustrative style, I love the bold simplicity of line to which linocutting lends itself so beautifully. I enjoy the expressive qualities of rough-cut backgrounds and the sense of movement they evoke.
'Marmalade Rose' – a self taught artist, Fiona Gill, based in North Yorkshire, works from her kitchen creating chaos and wet felted artworks, brooches and handbags. My work is usually whimsical and wishful, cheerful and happy. I flit about like a butterfly tasting a little of this and a little of that and then mixing it all together creating a garden of texture and colour.
'Glenshee Pottery' - Hand thrown pottery - Glenshee Pottery is a family business run by mother and daughter, Diana and Jennifer. Together we make hand thrown pottery using red and white earthenware clay and as it is all hand thrown shapes and sizes are ever changing.
