Jane Blease has kindly given us the first Radiance Blog interview. We have just got some of Janes gorgeous acrylic wall lights in the shop. Read on and find out more about the artist...
Describe what you do. What materials/techniques do you use?
I am a designer maker of lighting and interior products. I make things from wood, acrylic, recycled and reclaimed plastics.
Where do you live? How does it feed your art?
I have lived in Manchester for the last 7 years since I started university. It is a vibrant city bursting with culture and eccentric people.
Describe your workshop. Where is it? Do you work alone? How often do you go there?
I have just moved into my studio/shop at the Manchester Craft and Design Centre so I do as much making as I can here. Being a shop as well as my workshop means I am open 6 days a week. I think it adds to the experience for shoppers seeing the maker hand crafting their products. Being able to chat first hand to the maker about their work and inspiration turns it into a much more enjoyable shopping experience. The Craft Centre is such a lovely place to work too, it has such a relaxed atmosphere. There is a cafe downstairs and the building has around 20 studios with jewellers, painters, photographers, ceramic artists, furniture makers and me. I am the only lighting shop in the Craft Centre, which is nice. I went to university with a few of the people here and I have also taken part in exhibitions with others so it felt like home straight away. It’s great to have a supportive network around me.
Have you always been a maker?
I have always wanted to persue an artistic career and over the years my desire to become a maker and create a career from what I love grew and grew! I couldn’t imagine doing anything else now. I absolutely love it and seeing the pleasure in peoples faces when they see my work for the first time is wonderful.
Where did you train?
I studied at Manchester Metropolitan University on the Three Dimensional Design Course. I also did the fourth year which was about Creative Business Development, helping to turn your ‘hobby’ into a viable business. After University I was successful in gaining a place on the Design Initiatives two year Setting Up Scheme which gave me a business mentor, training and funding towards equipment and promotion of my business. I think these were vital years in growing my understanding and confidence to set up as a sole trader.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get my inspiration from everything around me, nature, exhibitions, travelling. All of my work is organic, either in form, pattern or materials used. I also love creating contrast in my work by combining sharp angular forms with flowing, organic pattern. I like to collect objects and images that inspires me.
Is there anyone or any style that you’re influenced by?
I get influenced by lots of things. I love looking at designers from the past. At university I discovered Bruno Munari. His lighting from the 60’s has a beautiful clean simplicity. (if that makes sense) His Falkland suspension light is my favourite. I suppose I’d describe my products in a similar way. I don’t like too much fussiness. To be honest I love everything from the 60’s, the fashion was all about clarity and geometry.
What piece of machinery or tool could you not live without?
Definitely my router. I often use it to design new patterns. I like to be quite spontaneous with it, I don’t tend to draw out the pattern in advance I just have an idea and go with it. In my University days, I would be in the wood workshop routing patterns all day long! You can be quite sculptural with it by altering the depths of cuts and using different shaped cutters. I’m a bit of a power tool geek.
Besides the products you sell at Radiance is there anything else that you make?
Yes, I make lots of different types of Lighting. Wooden Light Boxes, recycled C.D. Plastic Light Boxes, pendant, wall and table lights in Imitation Tortoiseshell (Cellulose Acetate). Material from the 60’s that was origionally made for glasses frames. I also make platters from Recycled yoghurt pot and also pendant and wall lights from Acrylic which come in a range of beautiful colours.
What are you working on at the moment?
I am currently introducing new and fresh spring colours into my work and expanding my product range by designing more interior products….
What do you do when you’re not working? How do you unwind?
I like to go for day trips out into the country or just go to the park to relax. Eating is also one of my pastimes, I love food!
What do you like least about being a designer/maker? Any occupational hazards?
It’s difficult to keep your hands looking pretty.
What do you like the most about being a designer/maker?
I love putting my heart and soul into designing and making a product and knowing that someone is going to cherish it. I love some of the reactions from customers entering my shop, it makes me feel proud. I still get all giddy and flustered every time I make a sale.
Any links you'd like to share with us?.
There are so many beautiful blogs and websites to look at these days, one I found today is Mieke Williems, lots of sweet pictures. And here are two of my friends beautiful websites showing their fantastic work, www.bethanlloydworthington.co.uk and www.iamkathrynedwards.co.uk. Hannah Nunn’s blog’s Ok too!
Buy Janes lights here.
Where do you live? How does it feed your art?
I have lived in Manchester for the last 7 years since I started university. It is a vibrant city bursting with culture and eccentric people.
Describe your workshop. Where is it? Do you work alone? How often do you go there?
I have just moved into my studio/shop at the Manchester Craft and Design Centre so I do as much making as I can here. Being a shop as well as my workshop means I am open 6 days a week. I think it adds to the experience for shoppers seeing the maker hand crafting their products. Being able to chat first hand to the maker about their work and inspiration turns it into a much more enjoyable shopping experience. The Craft Centre is such a lovely place to work too, it has such a relaxed atmosphere. There is a cafe downstairs and the building has around 20 studios with jewellers, painters, photographers, ceramic artists, furniture makers and me. I am the only lighting shop in the Craft Centre, which is nice. I went to university with a few of the people here and I have also taken part in exhibitions with others so it felt like home straight away. It’s great to have a supportive network around me.
Have you always been a maker?
I have always wanted to persue an artistic career and over the years my desire to become a maker and create a career from what I love grew and grew! I couldn’t imagine doing anything else now. I absolutely love it and seeing the pleasure in peoples faces when they see my work for the first time is wonderful.
Where did you train?
I studied at Manchester Metropolitan University on the Three Dimensional Design Course. I also did the fourth year which was about Creative Business Development, helping to turn your ‘hobby’ into a viable business. After University I was successful in gaining a place on the Design Initiatives two year Setting Up Scheme which gave me a business mentor, training and funding towards equipment and promotion of my business. I think these were vital years in growing my understanding and confidence to set up as a sole trader.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get my inspiration from everything around me, nature, exhibitions, travelling. All of my work is organic, either in form, pattern or materials used. I also love creating contrast in my work by combining sharp angular forms with flowing, organic pattern. I like to collect objects and images that inspires me.
Is there anyone or any style that you’re influenced by?
I get influenced by lots of things. I love looking at designers from the past. At university I discovered Bruno Munari. His lighting from the 60’s has a beautiful clean simplicity. (if that makes sense) His Falkland suspension light is my favourite. I suppose I’d describe my products in a similar way. I don’t like too much fussiness. To be honest I love everything from the 60’s, the fashion was all about clarity and geometry.
What piece of machinery or tool could you not live without?
Definitely my router. I often use it to design new patterns. I like to be quite spontaneous with it, I don’t tend to draw out the pattern in advance I just have an idea and go with it. In my University days, I would be in the wood workshop routing patterns all day long! You can be quite sculptural with it by altering the depths of cuts and using different shaped cutters. I’m a bit of a power tool geek.
Besides the products you sell at Radiance is there anything else that you make?
Yes, I make lots of different types of Lighting. Wooden Light Boxes, recycled C.D. Plastic Light Boxes, pendant, wall and table lights in Imitation Tortoiseshell (Cellulose Acetate). Material from the 60’s that was origionally made for glasses frames. I also make platters from Recycled yoghurt pot and also pendant and wall lights from Acrylic which come in a range of beautiful colours.
What are you working on at the moment?
I am currently introducing new and fresh spring colours into my work and expanding my product range by designing more interior products….
What do you do when you’re not working? How do you unwind?
I like to go for day trips out into the country or just go to the park to relax. Eating is also one of my pastimes, I love food!
What do you like least about being a designer/maker? Any occupational hazards?
It’s difficult to keep your hands looking pretty.
What do you like the most about being a designer/maker?
I love putting my heart and soul into designing and making a product and knowing that someone is going to cherish it. I love some of the reactions from customers entering my shop, it makes me feel proud. I still get all giddy and flustered every time I make a sale.
Any links you'd like to share with us?.
There are so many beautiful blogs and websites to look at these days, one I found today is Mieke Williems, lots of sweet pictures. And here are two of my friends beautiful websites showing their fantastic work, www.bethanlloydworthington.co.uk and www.iamkathrynedwards.co.uk. Hannah Nunn’s blog’s Ok too!
Buy Janes lights here.
2 comments:
Excellent Work!
I Buy Lights
I love your lights they are so beautiful!!! I will definitely recommend you to the press and friends. keep up the good work!!! x
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