“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.”
Buddhist proverb
Through my own-designed brand of textile-based workshops, I help emerging artists and makers cultivate and develop their individual creative handwriting using their own choice of techniques and interests.
Together, we plan a project outline, using my template structure to map out goals, stimulate creative ideas and give some substance to random thoughts and even wild ambitions.
Gradually, the ideas – or seeds – are planted; nurturing helps them to grow, and I work alongside the student offering ideas to explore, advice, encouragement and direction.
My Explore Your Creative Potential courses are now starting their sixth year – a series of 10 monthly workshops in which students learn skills, techniques and design basics without the stress and worry of having to achieve a qualification. This unique course teaches emerging makers to become disciplined in developing their creative work, including taking an idea from concept through to an outcome, and cultivating their own “handwriting” – a unique design style that enables them to produce exciting bodies of original work.
Here are some comments from my previous students:
“The course allows you to look at alternatives to traditional patchwork and quilting –
but it doesn’t discount them. I promise it will really open your eyes.” Sarah Adcock
“The course proved quite a challenge but such a stimulating one.
Bren has a knack of pulling things together, but equally of addressing individual’s work
and articulating the most muddled of thoughts and intentions.” Sue King
“I have found that your classes have given me the kick-start that I desperately needed
and will miss you a good deal next year but as you say it is time to fledge and
I do now feel so much more confident.” Ann Beech
“The different approaches have been good exercises and have given much food for thought.
It has encouraged me to keep regular sketch books which I have never done before
and have quite surprised myself with them.” Judith Laundon
“I have achieved far more than I could ever have imagined.
What you were saying about teaching being at its best when it comes from
a nurturing safe place is so true and you have given that to us all in the last year.” Miki Bennett
“Thank you for helping me to think in ways that have improved
my practice considerably, and not just in textiles.” Val Chambers
“Bren’s influence and encouragement is directly responsible for me finally,
after so many years, gathering my courage and skills together to pursue my dream
of becoming a Real Artist when I grow up!” Fi Bowman
