Julia Burrowes
My main aim is to act as a facilitator – to make the work accessible to students of all levels.
What will students gain if they come on one of your courses?I hope my students gain confidence in the own ability to work with the formal elements. I hope they find the courses stimulating but not too challenging and discover the joy of making in a relaxed and unthreatening environment. They will also learn a very useful, creative and enjoyable craft.
Are there any particular techniques/processes you use in your teaching?I try to cover as wide a range of processes as is practical on a course in order to give students the ability to continue to extend their practice in their own time.
What inspires your own work?My greatest inspiration is always colour. I can be influenced as much by mood as by the things surrounding me.
Where can students see examples of your work?Most of my work is to commission but I exhibit regulary with the The Sixty Two Group of Textile Artists.
Where did you gain your training/experience?I trained as a fine artist at Bradford College of Art, Wolverhampton College of Art and did my postgraduate qualification at the Slade School. I began working in textiles in the early 1980s, translating some of my earlier paintings into rugs (self taught) and, pardon the pun, was hooked!
What teaching experience have you had?I have taught at secondary level since 1972 until my retirement in 2007. I have also lectured in the history of art and had considerable experience in Adult Education.
Is your work in any public or private collections?I have work in may private collections and some in the National Collection at the Shipley Gallery, Gateshead, University College London, MacDonalds Head Offices, Barwood Ltd and many other company headquarters.
Have you written any books/had articles published?I try to avoid it if at all possible – after a lifetime of teaching I am allergic to paperwork!
Do you belong to any professional groups/societites?The Sixty Two Group of Textile Artists.