Hello my darling ones!

I hope this newsletter finds you happy and invigorated on this July day. I have much to tell you and some upcoming dates for your diary so be sure to keep reading so you don’t miss out.

Studio Diaries

I have, this very morning, put a bisque firing on with sooooo many goodies! I am already impatient to open the lid and see if everything survived. I really, really hope everything survives…

I have made some big pieces this time round too, which have been great fun but also verrry stressful to watch dry! There are two, large Puffins which have just landed on their cliff perches, two wall-mounted Puffins with their legs up, two wall-mounted Octopuses (these are bigger than normal!), a swooping, wall-mounted Barn Owl and a bunch of delightful Ladybirds, mini Owls, mini Puffins and Toadstools. Pheewww!

If you spot anything you like, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

It was so good to get my hands back into the clay as I have been very busy with the videography side of my business recently, so haven’t had much time to play!

Speaking of…

Over the past few months, I have been working with York Theatre Royal on their massive community project: Sweet Legacies.
“In partnership with York Theatre Royal’s community production, His Last Report, we’ve explored the rich history and lasting impact of the Rowntree family, highlighting their legacy through the eyes of communities throughout the city.”
My role has been mainly behind the camera as videographer for the project. I have attended many sessions and catalogued the performances and rehearsals all whilst meeting the most amazing people.
However I have also been a practitioner and taken some very messy, crafty, colourful art sessions! James Drury took this photo of me during one of these workshops and SOMEHOW it has made its way into the exhibition and is displayed on the windows of York Theatre Royal. It is SO BIG!
It has been such a huge and wonderful project to be a part of; the exhibition displaying all the community engagement is on for 2 weeks alongside ‘His Last Report’ so get to the theatre while you can.
For more information about the incredible work a bunch of incredible people have been doing, head to the website. You can see all the videos I’ve edited on there and a few other sneaky, candid shots.

My Wearable Art is also ticking along in the background, though a bit slower as wool this time of year is hot to wear and hot to work with.

I did manage to create this though:

And I loved making it! I found the blanket and ribbon in a charity shop and the lining of the vest was vintage material my mum gave me years ago. It was my own design and while aspects of it work well, some aspects need refining. It has inspired me to make more clothes and be more playful with designs. Oh, and be a more patient sewer. I need to learn to be more patient… and breathe.

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of working with a Year 6 class on their DT project: Make Do and Mend. As you can imagine, it had Jessica Jenyns Artist written all over it.

The pupils were tasked to upcycle an old school shirt by hand-sewing a beetle onto it:

I was SO impressed with their patience and creativity! Using embroidery thread and great, big needles was hard work but they produced the most beautiful beetles using different sewing techniques (the pipe-cleaners for antennae are just too much). Their class teacher, Emily, informed me that they wore them for their last day of primary school and were VERY protective of their masterpieces when signing each other’s shirts!!

Upcoming Dates for your Diary!

I am very excited to be exhibiting my work at the Black Lion pub in Skelton on Ure, so please do pop in and view some beautiful artworks from some gorgeous artists. I will be there, in person, on the Friday night and Sunday:

I will also be exhibiting my Tansy Beetle Coat as part of the Exhibition, Connections, at Ilkley Manor House from September to October! I am so proud to be a part of this and will send out more information as it comes in:

RIGHT poppets, I think that might already be information overload so, if you are still reading, thank you for sticking with me. You are all wonderful.

Ttfn!

JJ x