Following a Narrative Thread

Janet Bolton’s lectures have a profound effect on people–be they seasoned makers or those who have never held a needle. Her impact is in part due to the strong connection between her life and imagery. Deceptively simple, Janet’s patchwork illustrations have led to an international reputation and a teaching schedule that criss-crosses the globe.

Join Janet as she presents a series of slides to illustrate her influences and development. She will show examples of works inspired by memory, visual experience, and imagination.

Looking back over her life, she will trace a thread that runs through her country childhood and the enthusiasms which still remain relevant to her working practice today.

Janet will also explore how, quite often, a particular piece of fabric has itself suggested a whole new theme of work and how some themes can be revisited time and time again in different ways.

Only working to please herself, Janet was delighted to discover that others were interested in her pieces. That interest is now large enough to allow her to work professionally full-time.

Janet Bolton composes textile pictures using the simplest of hand-sewing techniques. The placement of each element within the composition and the feeling this evokes are crucial to the success of each piece of work.

Janet has been on the Crafts Council Selected Index of Makers since 1985. Her work is in the British Council Collection, the Crafts Council Permanent Collection, the Embroiderers Guild Museum Collection, and many private collections.