Caroline Utterson Textiles and Embroidery

‘Colours in the Landscape’ exhibition is now open! 🙌🏻 🌈

I’ve spent literally all Summer working on a series of 8 brand new embroideries for my latest exhibition with York Textile Artists.
They are all based on photographs which I have taken in the North Yorkshire Moors, over the last few months. I thoroughly enjoyed researching lots of new places (not so much the walk back entirely uphill from Gormire Lake, on the hottest day of the year! That nearly killed me!!) and revisiting places that I’ve not been to since I was a kid, like Goatland. It’s like stepping back in time there!
The North York Moors National Park is such a stunningly beautiful place, I could have done many more pictures and probably will as I have so many photos now!

This is just a little snapshot, I’ll post the pictures properly once I’ve tidied up my studio. It’s even more chaotic than ever but I’ve had the vacuum out and everything this afternoon! 🧹💪🏻 🤣

The exhibition is at the Inspired by… Gallery at Danby Lodge National Park Centre. It’s a really lovely place to explore, full of art, and . On until the 10th November so there’s plenty of time to visit!

I don’t have time to speak at the moment, let alone eat or do social media, but here’s a quick snap of something I’ve been frantically trying to finish off today. It’s been very sunny and I’ve missed it all! Except through the window ☀️ 🥵.

The fluorescent pink has emerged so I think I’m losing it… 🤪😬

Must. Keep. Going. 😁

Another trip to the North York Moors National Park means another purple picture in progress! (They’re not all purple I promise!) This one was taken at the end of July near to Fen Bog Nature Reserve. Such beautiful views! I’m currently working on a series of exploring ‘Colours in the Landscape’ which is the title and theme of our upcoming exhibition at Inspired by.. gallery in Danby, where York Textile Artists will be exhibiting from September to November. Still sooo much to do but I’ve really enjoyed exploring the North York Moors over the last couple of months. I’ve ended up with far too many photos but I take my research very seriously! 🧐🤣

We had a lovely trip to Hutton Le Hole this week, the sun shone and we tramped around, chasing sheep and searching for heather. Lo and behold, I found some purple heather! 🙌🏻. I’ve been waiting for it to bloom for ages so I could go and take photos and finally start a picture to go with my other North York Moors which will be exhibited with the York Textile Artists at the Inspired By Gallery in Danby in September. It’s not ‘out out’ yet but it’s purple enough for me! I have lots of brown pictures of the Moors but I love colours too much not to do a colourful version. Anyhoo, this is the current state of desk and picture after a whole weekend in the . 🥱. I’m not sure why I bothered painting the background as I’ve mainly just covered it with appliqué but never mind! Lots of stitching to do now..

I’m enjoying experimenting with lots of and and bits at the moment. Currently trying to make a covered in moss and foliage out of . Obvs. 🤣. Still lots left to do but getting there. This one is part of a series of pieces exploring colours in the landscape of the North Yorkshire Moors which will be exhibited later this year along with my fellow York Textile Artists at Inspired By… Gallery in Danby. Busy, exciting times!

A little snippet of a piece I’ve been working on for the last few weeks. It’s taken longer than anticipated, with lots of tidgy, teeny pieces of fabric that have been appliquéd to my painted fabric background, before being free machine embroidered. So glad I discovered tweezers to help with this, my fingers are far too sausagey! 🤣
I really ought to start working bigger, might make my life a bit easier! 🤨

I’m delighted to be taking part in a new at RURAL ARTS in Thirsk, with the lovely York Textile Artists. It’s only on for two weeks so if you’re in or near Thirsk then go and have a look! Open Tuesday to Saturday until the 11th May.

I can’t believe it’s almost a week since the second weekend of York Open Studios. Now I’ve recovered, I’m strangely missing the stress of it all! It’s extremely hard work but I really do love it. The conversations, the compliments, the sharing of ideas and of course, the sales. I still find it crazy and humbling that people buy my work. I guess I’m living my dream!
Thank you so much to every single person who visited me and my fellow artists at South Bank Studios. We really appreciate you, your support means the world!

These are just a few of the originals that I sold last weekend. Two ladies who were friends bought the ones on the right and a lovely collector of mine bagged my brand new ‘Yorkshire Bluebell Woods’, she was so chuffed! I really love this colour palette, it’s so uplifting!
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Come and say Hi to my brand new ‘Sunny Robin’ at York Open Studios this weekend! He and Mr. Nuthatch (and 8 awesome artists!) are waiting to welcome you on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st April at South Bank Studios. We’re open 10 till 5 both days and we’re at Venue 41! There’s a cafe & toilets too aswell as loads of to see!

Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to come and see me and my work at York Open Studios last weekend! It was absolutely amazing! I don’t think I stopped (or slept) for the whole week so it’s taken me a few days to recover. It’s truly exhausting but so worth it to hear all the incredible comments about my work, speak to such enthusiastic people and of course, sell my art to such lovely customers. It still seems crazy that people actually want to part with their hard earned cash to buy my work. I now have several repeat customers who have collections of my work, which absolutely blows my mind 🤯. Thank you all, so very much. I’m still saving for the elusive house with a garden but getting closer with every sale. 🙏🏼 🙌🏻🥹

Special shoutout to Studio Pinnock:Emma Louise Pinnock who came all the way from Manchester, with her lovely Mam (from Newcastle) to see me. We did the same Uni degree, faaarrr too many years ago to discuss! 😳. Thank you Emma, that meant such a lot. You are a wonderful person and a fantastic artist. It was so great to see you! 😘.

Nearly time to do it all again this weekend…! 🤪

Last minute and at home this morning! Trying to finish some little pictures which I started and then didn’t finish/lost in the crazy mess that is my studio! Hopefully they’ll be finished and framed in time for this weekend! Lots more finishing, framing, photographing, mounting, tidying and sorting to do today in readiness for ‘set up day’ tomorrow! 😅

She finally got her whiskers!
‘Red Squirrel at the Arboretum’ is making her debut this weekend at the York Open Studios Taster exhibition at the Hospitium in York Museum Gardens. Open Saturday & Sunday, 10-4, it’s a great chance to have a look at a piece of artwork from most of the artists who are taking part in York Open Studios this year. Go and have a look!
My piece is based on a photograph that I took at The Yorkshire Arboretum last year in their new red squirrel enclosure. If you haven’t visited yet, you really should. They are so cheeky and gorgeous!
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Happy Sunday/Spring/Easter! 🐣
I’ve spent alllll weekend at the working on this cheeky little chappy! 😅 What was meant to be just a ‘quick’ new Robin which I started a couple of weeks ago (to avoid finishing other stuff) has turned into a right mission! The on the tree has been a lot harder to emulate in and than I anticipated. Safe to say I don’t want to do anymore bark for a while! Yesterday I went off robins but I can’t dislike my favourite muse for long! The was actually harder to stitch than the robin!

It’s less than 2 weeks until York Open Studios so my sewing machine is taking a right battering as I frantically try and finish all my half done pieces! 🤣😬

Adding some tiny purple to this one. It’s all about the ✨👌
This new embroidery will be available to see (and buy!) at York Open Studios, venue 41 at South Bank Studios from Saturday 13th April. My pieces always seem to be popular for some reason. Not sure if I’ll have time to stitch another before then. This one is of Helmsley Walled Garden, there’s not much wall in it but hopefully it’ll still be well received!

Working on a little on a , at the tonight. Lots to finish for York Open Studios which starts in less than 4 weeks. Gulp! 😅

Hand sewing at home this morning, adding the small but important to this one. There’s a lot of and needed here to bring it to life. I’m really trying to finish some of the many pieces I’ve started and failed to finish (there’s a lot! 🤦‍♀️) so they can be professionally scanned & photographed before they’re framed ready for York Open Studios in April. I’m terrible at finishing stuff so really starting to feel the pressure now 😅.

That sudden realisation that you’ve only got a week left to finish and submit your piece for the York Open Studios Taster exhibition. But your has no proper hands, no whiskers and her tail is much too bright! 😬 Luckily I’m doing the late shift at the tonight after a lovely visit to the Yorkshire Arboretum in the sunshine today to see the beautiful and the absolutely gorgeous . I was trying to establish which I’m actually but they’ve changed so much since I took the picture a few months ago, so I’ve no idea! Maybe Holly, maybe Hazel? Not sure 🤷‍♀️
Hopefully I can finish this little cutie in time…🤞

I’m re-visiting this piece which I started last Summer. I love working on Summery scenes when it’s freezing outside! I’m slightly daunted by the sheer amount of which I think will be needed to bring this one to life. But probably more excited than I should be by the potential for adding loads of beads! I’m slightly obsessed with lately! Alll the shiny things! ✨😆

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Happy New Year everyone! I’m enjoying being back in the studio and looking forward to the year ahead. I’m thrilled to say that I will be taking part in York Open Studios again this year 🙌🏻. Myself and 6 of my fellow studio artists and makers will be flinging open the doors of South Bank Studios, ready to welcome you on the 13/14 and 20/21 April! Lots of work to do but can’t wait! 😀

Combining her two great loves: fabric and photography, Caroline creates embroidered, appliquéd and felted artworks which are inspired by animals, nature and the landscape around her. Caroline Utterson Textiles and Embroidery

Caroline Utterson will be exhibiting at venue 41 during York open Studios 2024.

All set up and raring to go at .makers Winter Fair! Come on down to Clements Hall and have a mooch. It’s full of lovely local and . My Mum, (aka wingman and biggest cheerleader) is helping, it’s very busy! Come and say Hi!

It’s officially Big Coat Weather so it’s officially not too soon to get my out!
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Mr Penguin is one of my earliest designs but still remains a firm favourite. Why not pop on down to York Makers Winter Fair today and P-P-Pick up a Penguin or ! And lots of other lovely things! Hopefully see you there!

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It’s tomorrow!! Myself and 20 other local, talented artists and makers will be sharing our work with you at York Makers Winter Fair! Come and say hello, grab a cuppa and a tasty treat and start your Christmas shopping, without the crazy city centre crowds! Support your local , we really, really appreciate it!

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My will be joining me at York Makers Winter Fair this Saturday! Come along if you need to do some Christmas shopping but want to avoid the crazy crowds of York city centre! York Makers are doing a £25 voucher giveaway which ends tonight at 6pm (I just realised 🤦‍♀️) so pop to their page quickly to be in with a chance to win!

Thank you so much to everyone who popped by last Saturday to the South Bank Studios Winter Fair. I was tucked away upstairs in my studio so was pleasantly surprised by the amount of people who came up to see me! Thank you for all your support and purchases, I still find it weird and humbling that people actually want to buy my stuff!
Between chatting to customers, I spent much of the day frantically stitching brooches. I couldn’t keep up with demand, as soon as I put them out, they were selling! I managed to take a quick photo of this one & then it was gone! Thank you, I’m glad you love them as much as I love making them. It helps me to justify the sheer amount of beads I’ve just bought at The Knitting & Stitching Show! 😬😂
I will be trying to finish lots more in readiness for the York Makers Winter Fair next Saturday! 🙌🏻
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