Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn – Meet the Artists

Textile artists and authors, Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn, have worked together for over 45 years. Their Rhythms & Reflections exhibition builds on their love of detailed hand and machine embroidered surfaces.

Join Jan and Jean, as they share the stitches and techniques that created the work.

Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn:  https://doubletrouble-ent.com/ 

Books by Jan and Jean: https://amzn.to/4bN0G3N 

Jan’s work is inspired by the ever-changing landscape of the Wetlands of Lefkada in Greece.

“The colours and organic growth patterns provided the initial fascination. Excitement followed by observations of the lush, overgrown variety of grasses, which offered layers of glorious textures yet still maintain the rhythms and constrictions of the tidal waterways. Intriguing light and atmospheric changes in early evening and after sundown have led to developing new focal points.” 

Work from the Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn exhibition
Work from the Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn exhibition

Jean’s work centres on the rhythms and cycles of the moon, and she reflects on how our ancestors viewed these phenomena as evidenced in cultural myths and legends.

“During lockdown, the phases of the moon embodied continuity and reassurance in an uncertain world and became the focus of her work. Moon mythology informed pieces such as ‘Wolf Moon’ and ‘Sturgeon Moon’, whereas other works were responses to night-time observations of atmospheric cloud framed moons.“

Work from the Jan and Jean's exhibition
Work from the Jan and Jean’s exhibition

Filmed at the Knitting & Stitching Show, London 2023.

For a more inspiration, please browse the ‘Meet the Artist’ collection on my YouTube Channel.

Textile Portraits Book by Anne Kelly

I’m pleased to announce that my hand embroidery ‘Headspace – Self Portrait’ has been published in a new book – Textile Portraits by Anne Kelly.

Textile Portraits Book by Anne Kelly is available to purchase via this Amazon Link.

Anne contacted me in Autumn 2021, with an invitation to include my hand stitched ‘Self Portrait’ in a new book she was about to write. Of course I was delighted and accepted.

My embroidery appears on page 20 of the Textile book
My embroidery appears on page 20 of Textile book.

The artwork had previously been on show in the ‘Self Portrait’ exhibition at the Knitting and Stitching Show in 2021.

I’m thrilled with the published book. Thank you to Anne Kelly for inviting me to take part.

Bunting, Butties and a Brew

In the year we crowned our new monarch, the Embroiderers’ Guild has designed a royal themed members’ project to share at the Knitting and Stitching Shows in 2023. ‘Fit for a King’ is the name of the exhibition and my contribution ‘Bunting, Butties and a Brew’ is a new piece of work, designed and stitched especially for exhibition.

Bunting, Butties and a Brew - hand embroidered textile art
Bunting, Butties and a Brew – Hand embroidered textile art

About ‘Bunting, Butties and a Brew’:

With any royal celebration, my family has a long-established tradition that involves bunting, vintage china and a cake stand.  This year was no different as London was transformed for the coronation of our new monarch and his queen.

Bunting, Butties and a Brew
Bunting, Butties and a Brew

We celebrated with our pile of butties cut into triangles (crusts off), a Victoria Sponge cake, a freshly brewed pot of tea and individual trifles served in vintage glassware – and then toasted our king with a chilled glass of bubbly.

Vintage Sylko threads
Vintage Sylko threads

The hand embroidered panel is 12 x 23.5cm. The artwork is entirely hand embroidered and stitched with a variety of vintage Sylko threads.

Reverse of work
Reverse of work

This piece is a continuation of a body of work based on memory, food and family.