NEWS - Julie Vernon Mosaics

New Exhibition 29 January – 24 April 2022

Feb 14, 2022 | NEWS

Design Nation: Our Journey is an exciting new exhibition featuring the work of 25 makers from across the UK which you can visit at the Hub, Sleaford in Lincolnshire from 29 January – 24 April 2022. It has been earmarked by the Crafts Council as one of the shows to see in 2022 and I’m lucky enough to be one of the exhibitors!

Contemporary craft art exhibition

This diverse exhibition features work from makers working a variety of different disciplines who all demonstrate excellence and innovation in craftsmanship so there is plenty to see from ceramics, glass, leather and metal to repurposed materials, textile and wood. Exhibits include 2D artworks, decorative vessels, jewellery, lighting, mosaics, quilting, throws and sculptures.

“Amongst Design-Nation’s many talented makers in ceramics Julie Vernon stands out as a skilled mosaicist, and one who is challenging the traditional forms of this ancient craft through her new nature-inspired combinations of glass, ceramic, natural marble and slate” Design Nation

I’ve made 3 pieces for this exhibition – the Natural collection in Beach White, Ochre Layers and Rock Grey. The work was inspired by lockdown walks and the importance of being outdoors and surrounded by nature as part of my own wellbeing. I hand cut unglazed porcelain tiles into strands, using the uneven cut surface to create texture and pattern and combine these with tumbled beach ceramic, river rocks and found materials from my walks. As well as being a study of colour, I was drawn to the protective and shielding nature of circular shapes to hold and contain the movement of the tesserae.

List of exhibitors
Ash & Plumb, Scott Benefield, Charlie Birtles, Linda Bloomfield, Georgia Blossom, Jan Bowman, Rachel Fitzpatrick, Momoka Gomi, Myra Hutton & Nick Rawcliffe, Sam Isaacs, Lizzie Kimbley, Amy Leigh, Hannah Lobley, Lucy MacDonald, Michaela McMillan, Laura Mabbutt, Jacky Oliver, Janine Partington, Verity Pulford, Alison Shelton Brown, Helen Slater Stokes, Anna Thomson

View the exhibition catalogue

Rocket Round Leicester launches

Jul 22, 2021 | NEWS

Rocket Round Leicester has officially launched with all 40 giant rockets now out in their locations across the City of Leicester 19th July – 26 September. This is a free public art trail and you can find the shimmering ‘stardust’ located in St Peter’s Square outside Highcross shopping centre if you would like to visit at any time over the summer. For further details and trail maps click here https://rocketroundleicester.co.uk/art-trail/

You can also find me in the Rocket Round Leicester Hub Shop at Highcross on the upper mall, near to John Lewis on Wednesday 28th July 10 – 4. I’ll be showing my new collection of make your own Rocket kits and shimmering ‘stardust’ replica wall art if you would like to call in for a chat.

Mosaic craft kit – make your own rocket art

Mosaic Rocket Wall Art ready to hang!

Mosaic Workshops Resume

May 18, 2021 | NEWS

May 19th 2021 – the mosaic studio is now back open for in-person workshops. It’s been so long since I arranged a physical workshop I needed to remind myself that I still do them! Now taking private bookings for two – four person workshops either as a 2 hour taster workshop or full day mosaic experience. While we all step back cautiously into socialising indoors these workshops are a lovely opportunity to meet up with a friend or family member in the relaxed environment of an artist studio. Bring your partner, mum, daughter or bestie for some creative mosaic making. Flexible dates, simply get in touch to arrange.

Open Studios Notts 2021

May 11, 2021 | NEWS

Over 60 artists and makers across the county will be opening their studios throughout May and June 2021- a mixture of virtual and some physical visits where allowed.
Open Studios Notts | Open Studio events in May/June

I’ll be opening virtually over the weekend 15th & 16th May so join me for some virtual ‘lives’ from my studio
Saturday 15th May
2.00pm Instagram live: showing pieces from my new collection
4.00pm Instagram live: I’ll be chatting to lace textile artist JC Middlebrook
Sunday 16th May
2.30pm Instagram live: I’ll be chatting to potter Sarah Burton
4.00pm Instagram live: Interested in having a go at mosaics – I’ll be showing you my new mosaic kits

June
If anyone would like to view work in the studio please get in touch to make a private viewing

Exhibition Showcase at Decorex

Nov 13, 2020 | NEWS

Design Signatures: a bold new craft showcase by Design-Nation at Decorex

Featuring at Decorex International Design Show 17-19 November 2020

Nov 11, 2020 | NEWS

Much of this year has been spent making a new collection of interior wall art which I will be showcasing for the first time at Decorex, the International Design Show 17 – 19 November 2020. For the first time in its 42 year history, Decorex will be an all-virtual format with an opportunity to meet makers directly in their homes and studios and discover more about the inspirations behind their collections, commission and buy work https://www.decorex.com/.

My work is profiled as part of the Design-Nation showcase featuring 13 makers from Cornwall to the Shetlands and includes ceramics, furniture, silver-smithing, textiles and wall-based artworks http://designnationshowcase.co.uk/decorex-2020

I’m excited to be launching 3 distinct collections of circular mosaic wall art at this show;

Natural is inspired by my walks along the British coastline during lockdown. It reflects a calmness and serenity as I foraged for beach ceramic finds to incorporate into this new work. I often choose to work in a monochromatic colour palette, exploring the different tones of a single colour through texture and pattern. I was also drawn to the protective and shielding nature of a circular shape, containing that within safe. The Natural collection is framed in a handcrafted birch frame suiting a Scandi style feel.

Lunar brings a touch of glamour with a reflective colour palette of white and silver glass mosaic. This circular abstract wall art is inspired by space, stars and cosmic dust. Materials are cut and shaped by hand creating texture, pattern and a sense of movement. Custom sizes and bespoke colour themes possible.

Reclaimed builds on my love of collecting and combining materials with mosaics framed in vintage vespa and motorcycle wheels. Blue Vespa combines unglazed porcelain in dusky blues and greys with some special beach ceramic finds set into a gloriously textured wheel hub. All works are based on unique finds so can never be replicated exactly.

This year has been a creative and productive period for me – I’m fortunate to have a home studio so work has continued throughout the pandemic lockdowns. I’m now keen to experience this show and see what the interior design professionals think of this new work.

Photographed by https://www.yeshen.uk/, styled by https://jessicajungcreative.com/