The Rosette

5th May

BANK HOLIDAY

7th May

Today I recieved a funny message from Rebecca, Anns assistant. She asked if the post Ann had uploaded onto Instagram with me was a mistake. My heart drops everytime I get a message from Rebecca as it’s never anything positive anymore. I feel as though I am being made to look and feel stupid. Lots of the people around me have told me not to worry. It’s definitely a lesson to learn. I have been very lucky this year. Everyone has been super friendly and kind. I suppose it was too good to be true to end on a clean sweep. Its hard to find the balance of sticking up for yourself but also not wanting to get into an argument with a very argumentative person. I worry if I do stand up for myself too much, words can be twisted and reported back to Ann to suit Rebeccas story.

12th May

Today we had a discussion about the Instagram. Rebecca had clearly chatted to Ann via email. She was very clever in the way she delivered things. I thought she used Anns naivety with Instagram to her advantage. Saying things like ‘Its not like that Ann’, I was a bit shocked by this whole conversation. I think I need to get better at standing up for myself. In that situation I felt as though I couldn’t speak up and back myself. Instead Rebecca led the whole conversation without me standing up for myself.

I felt quite gutted after this conversation. Rebecca was trying to make jokes with me, as much as I was trying to act like it wasn’t bothering me it really was. I couldn’t belive a 50 year old woman could act like such a child and be so rude and unkind to someone else.

14th May

Today we were on a roll in Anns studio. So much was tied up anmc completed. And, even better it all looked good and worked how we wanted it too.

This week on the 16th May Ann turned 90. She invited me along with 6 others to her party and dinner. It was such a lovely day and so nice to speak to Rebecca normally. I am so glad I set the problems aside. By forgetting about the situation I was able to be completely normal, without thinking she was so mean! I think long term it’s the right decision as I don’t want there to be any awkwardness in the work place especially for Anns sake.

19th May

We continued working away prepping for an exciting visitor on Thursday for Ann. This way Anns pieces will be sold and seen more. He does seem like the perfect man for the job.

21st May

My last day with Ann for a month or so. We were sad about this day, however know its not long at all. Ann is so excited for me to go to Thailand and learn from the weavers in Chiang Mai. Ann has told me lots of stories about weaving out there. I feel well prepped for this next adventure. I will still be able to see Ann at the carehome for the next two weeks, but its not the same as working away in her studio.

2nd April

Today we sorted through a load of Anns drawings. It’s so important to go through them regularly as she completes so many it can become uncontrollable and out of hand. We found many drawings that could lead onto good ideas. I always enjoy doing a task like this because I learn a lot about Anns practice and way of working.

7th April

Today we were producing some more content for Anns Instagram. Its nice to have a collection of images ready for when its time to post. It was nice because Ann had lots of good ideas and seemed to be enjoying being involved in the process. I continued knitting, ready for some more art pieces.

9th April

I completed the first woven art work and am so happy with the outcome. It does look amazing. Ann is super happy with the outcome also. 3 more to go!

14th April

More experimentation…

16th April

I continued sewing the knitted items together at home today. It is such a time consumingtask but so nice once its done.

21st April

EASTER MONDAY

23rd April

Today I joined Ann on a visit to the Matt Black Barn in Chichester. It was really interesting seeing the scale of the workspace. We definitely had workshop envy! I was nice to see sculptures on a much larger scale. we both really enjoyed the visit. In the afternoon I went to the studio on my own and continued knitting as I really want the collection completed.

28th April

Another art piece completed. The the only issue is that the yarn supplier has run out of the yarn we are using. Very annoying as they said they were very reliable. So this project is on hold while we wait.

30th April

Today we experimented with a new material. IT’S AMAZING!! We are both so thrilled! We have been experimenting on everything and anything we can find. We are so happy with how it’s turning out. Fingers crossed it sets correctly.

March with Ann Sutton OBE

03/03/2025

Prepping for gallery visit. I placed all experiments out on the table. It’s quite nice to see everything stacking up. There’s still so much to do though! I also tried getting the knitting machine to work however, it wasn’t happy! Really want more time to work on it.

03/03/2025

10/03/2025

Margo Selby Placement

13/03/2025

Margo Selby Placement

17/03/2025

Worked on projects at home for Ann today. It’s nice that she feels as though she can trust me to do that.

19/03/2025

Was really nice to see Ann today, it had felt like a long time! She was eager to get to the studio. I took some images for potentially Anns Instagram. I am really ager to get on that but Rebecca wants to wait a bit.

24/03/2025

Ann always comes to the studio with a load of new ideas. We tried getting ontop of past projects to be able to keep up with Anns new ideas. The days normally start with a 20-minute meeting of what’s happened over the week. It’s really important to have this meeting as we all know how everyone is getting on and what we need to work towards. I would take this forward when setting up on my own. It’s very important to have good communication.

27/03/2025

More knitting!!

31/03/2025

More knitting and continuing to experiment with paint, mesh, and fabric.

February with Ann Sutton OBE

03/02/2025

Today was productive. I was working on taking the knitting completed before Christmas, and also worked through weave patterns. I was feeling a little overwhelmed with what Ann was asking of me. I wanted to act knowledgeable, but wasn’t completely sure. I think Ann was a little shocked I hadn’t ever worked out a pattern before. She’s determined for me to learn, and is throwing me in at the deep end. It’s probably a good thing, however, I feel pressured to work it out quickly and correctly.

05/02/2025

We continued sorting through art works at Westergate. She produces so many quick drawings it’s easy to build up. I think Ann is feeling satisfied with the jobs we are getting done. She gives me little notes from newspapers that might be of interest, around weaving etc.

10/02/2025

Today was a lot of discussion around instagram. We are going to sort it on Wednesday. I started drawing up different designs for a secret project. I found it quite difficult to design with the number constraints we had calculated. This will mean when something does work it will click and be very satisfying. I just need to bare with and keep experimenting.

12/02/2025

We set up the instagram! Yay! It was a faff trying to work out what email was linked and then trying to get in, however, it was worth it. Ann is now back on instagram. We are going to use the instagram that has nearly 1000 followers as it already looks quite established. I am very excited about the direction we can take this. She is equally as excited. I think it will be great to learn how to make a professional instagram. I will be able to work out what works and what doesn’t. This is extremely important for the future. I am very perfectionist so want the instagram to be a professional and cohesive space. We also continued organising. She has so many scarfs, I always find it so interesting hearing about all the stories attached to them!

17/02/2025

Tried working out some patterns for upcoming pieces, the issue is we only have 12×12. It’s hard to find a pattern that works for those exact numbers. I have learnt to simplify over complicating it. It can more often than not look better with a simpler idea. The only issue is its a lot easier to copy if you can work it out.

19/02/2025

Organising! Ann was very sweet, she said I was her favourite person she has ever worked with. I was shocked! Shes definately not the kind of person that randomly says these things! She has discuessed me working with her and Rebecca again next year. We need to work out the logistics however, I am quite excited by this idea as I think we will be both be beneficial towards each other. She could be extreamly useful with my projects, and visa versa. She has such amazing knowledge on the weaving world and also the carehome. Shes the perfect person to have to help me with any advice etc.

24/02/2025

Continued experimenting with materials. Some pieces clicked today! I love it when something clicks and then its continues to spiral into new ideas that all work together.

27/02/2025

Last day of organising. It’s so nice to think everything is done and Ann now has a space where she can be productive. She is so happy with the space now. Can definately be more productive in the space.