Heartlift

So I went to the Studio yesterday and Karen introduced me to someone she's helping to set up a business, her name's Annick and she is blind. Karen is helping her to make her own scarves and they've been talking about making items which are full of texture like book covers for Annick to feel. It was a lovely day and the sun was out for one of few times it decides to appear in the North West of England!

I'll upload some photo's of this day and the art produced

Abigail

Whilst talking to Karen yesterday I got a better idea of what it is she wanted and she described in a sentence; "An alternative learning centre" where kids can learn from art and sport instead of an environment they'd struggle in. Already she's been in to several school to promote her work and the kids love it. A whole class came to the studio the other day and produced a lovely Batik, unfortunately I forgot to take a photo of it

I'm next in the studio Tuesday afternoon and I'm considering making my own, I've never worked with wax before... This may not go down so well

Abigail.

Today I will be spending more time within the studio to take more photo's of her art work.

Such a shame about the weather

Ciao guys!

Abigail.

So, I've uploaded a few images from her studio and will continue to upload more, but I would like to tell you a little more about what it is I'm doing.

I met Karen last Thursday as a volunteer to help her in the studio and she talked and talked about everything! Gambia, Heartlift, Haigh Hall... She basically told me the last 21 years of her life.

Now, I'm a film student and the work that she's been doing is so selfless (Which she says it's not because she get happiness out of it) that I want to help her to achieve the goal she has been aiming for. The main one's appear to be; to allow art to be a part of people's lives and for her studio to be recognised as a place of art.  So I though by setting up this account will allow you to give support to this woman who has dedicated the past 21 years to art and get her work out there.

Thank you all for your support and all the best

Abigail.

Hi! My name's Abigail and I'm creating this page on behave of the Artist Karen.

Karen has been working in the Stables Centre for 21 years, Haigh Hall, Wigan. Her work has been dedicated to promoting art, allowing people to see how liberating it is for the participants. She runs a batik workshop for people of all ages to enjoy and frequently makes trip to Gambia in which she has inspired a positive attitude towards art and it's ability to help people, particularly in schools. With her background in teaching she continues to apply her skills in order to teach people more about life through her art than about art.

Hopefully you'll come to understand how wonderful and inspiring this person is through her art and these journals.

On another note, Karen also works as partner to a company Heartlift which helps people from difficult backgrounds to cope with life. Her side of this project deals with art and often links 'art' with the suffix in 'heart' to help people come to a catharsis and happiness through working within the studio.

Her artwork has many influences including the Gambian culture and heartfelt stories which will be shared within the future.

Thankyou, Abigail.