My recent trip to Birmingham to visit my mentor the lovely Ruth Green proved to be a very enjoyable day indeed.
We printed up a storm, a rare treat for both of us trying out experimental techniques with no real purpose other than fun and discovery.
Ruth Green's signature Birdie singing his heart out from a vibrant experimental background we made while playing about
The warm autumnal sunshine poured into the comfy hundred year old home. The high ceilings, and stripped wood spaces were filled by an atmosphere of calm excitement as I discovered find upon find through out the house including the work of fellow print makers and contemporary designers which sat comfortably amongst the affordable high street furniture and vintage specimens alike.
a cute elephant plush by Alice Apple perched on top of a trio of vintage suitcases ingenuously used as storage
Ruth like me is a keen gardener and allotmenteer
We both enjoyed a lovely lunch of cheese and home made pickle sandwiches accompanied by delicious plum cordial made by my welcoming host herself(I wish I'd taken more photos now but I was far too busy consuming the goodies and chatting away) which was followed by my signature (well really Nigella Lawson's from 'How to be a domestic goddess') Lemon syrup loaf cake I had brought with me as a gift accompanied by coffee.
Grown by her own fair hand
All was eaten in the comfy retro style kitchen dotted with wonderful examples of kitchenalia which Ruth has lovingly collected. This love of retro imagary mixed with contemporary design is reflected in her work and in her home (of which I was simultainously welcomed into and envious of)
Thank you Ruth I had a wonderful day and learnt such a lot
x
