One of the most recent topics of conversation in the North East this week has been the comment made by Lord Howell of how fracking would be OK in the North East as it is a desolate place. It has been commented on numerous times in social media and has been taken on board by groups such as @NorthEastHour and https://www.facebook.com/groups/DesolateNorthEast/. Who are all for promoting how great the North East is and wanting to show that the region is a great place to live and work.
As a textile designer and maker I love living in the Newcastle and find it a great source of inspiration. My latest prints inspired by the puffins on the Farne Islands is just one example of how where you live feeds into your work. The pictures below taken by Marek were then used by me to produce the delightful characters in my prints below. If you are a regular visitor to my blog you will have seen my previous post on these cheeky little chaps.
Staple Island Puffins- Picture credits Marek Bidwell
Fish Supper- Tracy Bidwell for Ballistic Owl copyright 2013
The Offering- Tracy Bidwell for Ballistic Owl copyright 2013
It's not just the wildlife that inspires my work but also the built environment and the beautiful countryside. The Baltic and Central station have fantastic architectural details and the prints shown below are from those great landmarks from architectural history.Newcastle's Cathedral is also a beautiful building with many great details to inspire the creative mind.
Baltic Flour Mill- Tracy Bidwell for Ballistic Owl copyright 2013
Central Station- Tracy Bidwell for Ballistic Owl copyright 2013
Newcastle Cathedral - Picture credit Tracy Bidwell
Gothic Cushion inspired by the Cathedral door- Tracy Bidwell for Ballistic Owl copyright 2013
The architects of the past, such as John Dobson left us with a great wealth of inspiring buildings, whether they be industrial or residential. Even having lived here for many years I'm still discovering fantastic buildings within the region.
As for the countryside we couldn't really ask for anything better, open fields, woodlands, coastline and meadows. As well as a wealth of beautiful stately properties and gardens. Images I take as I walk around these places all form a vast library for me to work from either in print or stitch.
Secret Garden (detail)- Tracy Bidwell for Ballistic Owl copyright 2013
Grasses from around Cragside's extensive grounds- Image credit Tracy Bidwell
So as you can see I love nothing more than going round where I live and taking pictures that then inform my designs. So lets hear it for the fabulous North East and all it's beauty and variety!
To see more of my work please go to www.ballisticowl.co.uk or visit my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BallisticOwl
Buy my work at www.etsy.com/shop/BallisticOwl
I agree with everything you say Tracy, Newcastle is so full of inspiration. The coast where I live is too, such amazing beaches, architecture and landscapes to inspire.Jayne x
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