Q & A with Makers' Fair exhibitor Anne Brooke of H-anne-made

Tell us about the work you do and the types of materials you use.
I create, mainly, Stitched Collages based on the things I collect on the walks I go on. I am obsessed with seed pods and ‘weeds’ and represent them through collaged paper and fabric that I then draw into with a sewing machine. All the things in my work relate to journeys, from the things I collect, materials I up cycle to the maps of the places I have been.

Where do you produce your work? Does your working environment form part of the inspiration for your art?
I produce my work in my studio at home. Here I have all the things I have collected, images that inspire me and it is the place I love to be.

Is your art your main job?
Yes but creating my own work isn’t my primary ‘job’. I am the Head of Art at Brighouse High School. I love teaching Art and sharing my passion with others.

How did you get started?
I have been teaching for 17 years now and over time developed an interest in textiles. After completing a distance learning City and Guilds level 3 I was not sure what to do next. It was 2 years ago that I decided to focus some of my time creating my own work. Initially I intended just to spend an evening a week playing in my studio, but after being talked into entering the Calderdale open exhibition in 2011, winning a prize and selling some work, I began to spend more time on my own work and slowly developing my stitched collages. I exhibited at Art in the Pen last year and since then I have been continuing my love of teaching through teaching my own workshops, giving talks and demonstrations at various groups and exhibiting at a number of galleries both in the north and the south.

What work will you be exhibiting at the Saltaire Arts Trail?
There will be a range of my stitched collages, handmade and printed cards and felt pods

Do you work in any other mediums besides the work you will be exhibiting at the Arts Trail?
I also have a love of photography especially when recording inspirational items.

Where else can we see and buy your work?

I have a Folksy shop (H-anne-made) and current work on sale at NeST in Barnard Castle and at 2 galleries in Leigh-on Sea (till the end of the month)

Tell us about your most exciting or memorable commission?
My most exciting moment was selling my first large piece of work at Art in the Pen last year. The family that bought it had seen me at the Trawden show the week before and had wanted to see my other work. It was one of my first large collages that feature a number of seed heads, machine and hand embroidery.

What was it about the Saltaire Arts Trail that made you want to apply to exhibit?
I first heard about the Arts Trail through a link on facebook. After looking at the website and seeing the fantastic work that was on exhibition last year I thought I would love to be part of the next one, but thought I wouldn’t be selected. On hearing I have been selected was amazing especially after I read about the number of entries there had been. I am really looking forward to participating, but also seeing the trail for the first time.

What is unique about it and how does it differ from other events?
I don’t have a lot of things to compare it to that I have taken part in, just things I have visited. I love the mix of artists that will be there and the variety of places you will be able to see the work. Sometimes seeing work in galleries can make everything formal and you can feel from the work. Being able to meet the artists and make a personal connection with them is unique as is seeing the work. I am looking forward to my 2 children coming too as all the family activities sound fantastic and I love anything that engages young people with art and in the current climate makes being creative important.

H-anne-MADE are appearing at the Makers' Fair in the Victoria Hall