Textile Printing with Laura Spring (1/4)
Time & Location
About The Event
Workshops are open to all Reachout members. If you are not a member and would like to join, or if you are a partner wishing to refer someone to Reachout, please call 01259-214-951 or email info@reachoutwithartsinmind.org.uk to arrange an appointment with one of our team.
A block of four workshops exploring textile printing techniques such as block printing and screen printing and screen printing with a final outcome of a t-shirt, bag or tea towel.
PLEASE NOTE: You must be able to commit to all 4 workshop sessions. There are eight places available on a first-come-first-served basis. Please email us, call in or register via this web event.
Bold, graphic prints combined with bright colours transformed into beautifully crafted products are at the core of Laura Spring’s design practice. With a passion for colour, print, pattern and process, Laura creates covetable annual collections of functional yet vibrant homewares and accessories as well as regularly collaborating with others.
Laura Spring, originally from Staffordshire, is a textile designer/maker living and working in Glasgow creating bold graphic print designs that are transformed through screen and digital print into fashion accessories, homeware and stationery. She is a graduate of Glasgow School of Art where she was awarded a BA in graphic design in 2002. Always preferring to ‘make’, Laura began working in various costume departments within the theatre and film industry after graduation. However in late 2011 after a summer craft residency at Cove Park, Scotland, Laura established her own eponymous label and print studio in the heart of Glasgow and took her first collection to London to exhibit as part of Charlotte Abraham’s ‘Spotted’ showcase at Top Drawer.
Bold, graphic prints combined with bright colours transformed into beautifully crafted products are at the core of Laura Spring’s design practice. With a passion for colour, print, pattern and process, Laura creates covetable annual collections of functional yet vibrant homewares and accessories as well as regularly collaborating with others.
In early 2017, Laura was awarded a Creative Scotland grant to enable her to complete a self-initiated residency in various locations throughout Finland focusing on the traditional Finnish weaving technique known as täkänä. Täkänä is a double-sided woven textile, typically of just two colours, with the same design appearing on both sides, but in reverse. Laura first discovered this technique whilst on a residency at Arteles Creative Centre in Finland back in 2015. She was instantly drawn to the graphic patterns used in some of the weavings, but it wasn’t until she returned to her studio in Scotland that she discovered that many täkänäs only use two colours – something that is prevalent in Laura’s bold and colourful print designs.
Her interest in this technique led to many hours exploring the patterns and meanings of original täkänäs in archives in Finland. Many seemed to reflect the weaver’s favourite things, or often inspiration derived from nature. Laura often looks to nature for inspiration and for this new collection she chose to develop three designs that reflect her currentrelationship with nature - Solstice, Forest & Peas. Collectively these three prints form ‘The Good Life’ range.
Laura is committed to supporting ethical methods of production in the creation of her work and works closely with all her suppliers.
In 2016, Laura won the S:RD Interiors Award and Etsy Regional Award for Scotland.
Collaboration has always been integral to her practice and Laura values the sharing of knowledge and skills with others as a way of learning, designing and making. Key collaborations and commissions include: Heal’s, Floor_Story, Lush Cosmetics, Belle & Sebastian, House of Voltaire and The National Trust for Scotland. See our 'PROJECTS' page for more.
Laura exhibits at trade shows regularly both here in the UK and internationally and has her work stocked in a small selection of shops and galleries throughout the world.
As seen in:
VOGUE | SUNDAY TIMES HOME | LONDON EVENING STANDARD | THE GUARDIAN WEEKEND MAGAZINE | THE SCOTSMAN | THE SCOTTISH HERALD | FRANKIE | MOLLIE MAKES | HOMES & INTERIORS SCOTLAND