I make quirky and larger than life apple cores and twisted banana skins, their discarded remains give me my inspirations.

Looking closer at the beauty of discarded objects: my pieces are individually modeled or hand built from life, there will never be an exact replica!

These ceramic sculptural forms are fun and amusing and everybody can recognize and react to them.

E: louisebassant@aol.com

Nicola’s work examines the use of text as decorative form. A handwritten letter found in an antiques shop, dating from World War II, made her think about the way we communicate with friends and loved ones today via text messages and emails which can never convey feelings in quite the same way.

Whilst retaining a sense of permanence and tradition encapsulated in the handwritten letter, Nicola has created a collection of jewellery for the twenty first century, using computer-aided design and traditional   hand-making techniques – objects which can be worn, kept and treasured by future generations.

T: 07817 184107
E: info@nicolacrawford.co.uk
W: www.nicolacrawford.co.uk

The Old Reed Bed guest artist for Summer Open Studios 2011 is Sharon Pallent.  Sharon trained at Maidstone College of Art and has worked as an illustrator for various publishers, including Cambridge University Press, the Museum of London and London Underground, during the course of her career.

Using pen, ink and watercolour she works mainly on location, recording old, disused and derelict industrial buildings.  She returns time and again to Chatham’s Historic Dockyard for inspiration and subject matter. Sharon also undertakes individual commissions for paintings of private residences and local landscape views.