Where the minds meet…
Spindependence began to coalesce when two creative souls chanced to meet on a foggy night in the fens. There was cake and coffee and a touch of the magic that happens when two people are on the same wavelength.
Lyn says:
I am fascinated by what shows itself when elements combine in a way that gives them some degree of freedom. I can’t copy or repeat, only experiment and discover. I am quite relaxed about how the end result reveals itself. I relish the process and resultant observation. My work is predicated on unrepeatability. It may frustrate others, but when onlookers ask me what I am doing, my usual answer is: “I don’t know yet, just watch”. Blending fibres, dyeing – specifically indigo – gives enormous scope for not knowing what will result and is therefore, in my view, completely compelling…
Having the confidence – from knowledge and experience – and the mind set to sit back and go with the flow, watch the reveal… that is Spindependence. It’s absolutely not manufacturing – it is serial fascination! Art? I don’t know, maybe you might tell me?
Jo says:
For me, creating anything begins with the inspiration – once the mood strikes and the idea blossoms there really is no stopping me. Then it’s about the story. I believe that everyone, everything has a story, and to me that is what makes something interesting and beautiful. Once I start working with something I have to tune in, let it tell me its story and then I help it to become, to fulfil its potential and be what it was born to be. Of course, I introduce my influence into the mix, my creativity, my joy in the process, but I can’t force what I’m working with to be something it’s not meant to be – it’s beautiful because it’s on a journey of becoming. Once it leaves me, whatever ‘it’ is, its journey continues, off to become something else, something useful and beautiful, filled with creativity and compassion and integrity – to me, that is what Spindependence is – having the courage to walk your path, make your journey, be in the flow. Overcome the challenges. Grow, become… and when you’ve gone as far as you’re meant to go, just be.
Jo created the Spinfinity Logo for Spindependence because it sums up what we do here – when you work with fibre, the possibilities are infinite – give 100 spinners/felters/weavers the same bag of fibre and they’ll show you 100 different things to do with it. That is the beauty of fibre – that’s Spinfinity – that’s Spindependence.