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Hello! Something nice happened today. I received a parcel of some jewellery I bought from Emma Mitchell of blog Silver Pebble, (for someone who shall not be named incase they read this). Emma had read my previous blog post about Winifred Nicholson, and in the parcel she added a postcard of one of Winifred Nicholson's paintings! Is that not the most wonderful gesture, there's something very well observed and sensitive about that gift, apart from it being generous, because I suspect that the card is one of Emma's treasured postcards.
It's not the first time I have bought jewellery from Emma as a gift. Each gift I've bought has been a tremendous hit with the recipient, and so I keep on returning to Emma's etsy shop to buy more. Emma's jewellery is gaining ever increasing popularity and the word is spreading about her work, she had an entry in Kirstie Allsopp's latest book "Craft", and she was invited to sell her work at the Selvedge Christmas Fair, which is a seriously good thing to have been included in. Emma Mitchell Designs has a website here.
And now I have some news about me to share with you!
I entered three sculptures into the Society of Scottish Artists annual exhibition this year, and all three were accepted!
And THEN, I received this email:
Dear Vanessa,
Society of Scottish Artists Annual Exhibition 2012
Mansfield Park Gallery & Art Hire Prize
On behalf of the President and Council of the Society of Scottish Artists, I am delighted to inform you that you have been awarded Mansfield Park Gallery & Art Hire Prize for your artwork: Cloud Music
The Award is £250 Framing and a Solo Exhibition.
Prizes will be presented to you informally at the Private View on Friday 3rd February, between 5-9pm by the SSA President, Louise Ritchie.
Congratulations and best wishes,
Julia
-------------------------
Julia Douglas
Administrator, Society Of Scottish Artists
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (These are my exclamation marks!)
So Hugo and I are off to the Private View tonight.
Would you like to see the pieces I have in the exhibition?
"Determined Cat"
"The Old Stories"
"Cloud Music"
And how do I feel about this extraordinary turn of events? Amazed! Happy and astounded. And a little speechless. Truly.
Have a good weekend, may you experience nice surprises too!
Cheerio!
Vanessa xx
P.S. The exhibition, which is held in the Royal Scottish Academy on Princes Street, near Waverly Station in Edinburgh, is on from Saturday 4th February till Thursday 1st March.
Soceity of Scottish Artists website is here: www.s-s-a.org
Oooh I'm first!!!!
Many congratulations on your award, I'm thrilled for you. Have a wonderful time at the private view.
Best wishes
Katie x
Posted by: Katie | February 03, 2012 at 01:40 PM
Many congratulations! I just love the cat and dog sculptures! They are so adorable!
JUne
Posted by: June | February 03, 2012 at 01:44 PM
Oh, congratualtions, Vanessa. The sulptures are wonderful and I'm going to be puzzling about how you made the rabbit's ruff (probably in vain) for some time to come!
Posted by: Jane | February 03, 2012 at 01:48 PM
Brilliant news Vanessa, and so very deserved!
x
Posted by: cath w | February 03, 2012 at 01:52 PM
Wonderful!
Congratulations!
♥
Posted by: Martha | February 03, 2012 at 02:15 PM
Wow, Vanessa, this is fabulous news, congratulations! I am completely in love with the kitty sculpture (you knew I would be!) and when I look at the dog, I am reminded of Andy with his Fair Isle jerkin collection! Having spent this week on a papier mache course with Julie Arkell, I can now appreciate on a whole different level the amount of awesome skill that goes into your pieces. How you get such a fine level of detail beats me. So, a very well deserved reward Vaness, I wish I were close enough to visit the exhibition. Enjoy the private view.
Love Hen xxx
Posted by: Hen | February 03, 2012 at 02:29 PM
Congratulations! You deserved to win as these 3 animals are stunning. They are perfect and I can see how much they have changed since you first started making them. Xxx
Posted by: Kristina | February 03, 2012 at 02:35 PM
Congratulations !!!!!! They are great !!!
by the way: how's your red dress (the knitted one) ?? :o)!!
Posted by: Jacomijn | February 03, 2012 at 03:13 PM
Congratulations on a well deserved win. Your sculptures are amazing! xx
Posted by: serendipity | February 03, 2012 at 03:16 PM
I feel very happy for you. Well done and well deserved.
Posted by: Lucille | February 03, 2012 at 03:46 PM
COR! Well done you.Sculptures are fabulous, they should win prizes, very prizeworthy indeed.Love them all, but I think the rabbit has it by a whisker.
Hurrah!
Have fun at the Private View.
Posted by: Kate | February 03, 2012 at 04:03 PM
Congratulations on your well-deserved award.
All three are absolutely brilliant but I do love that cute little rabbit. :)
Vivienne x
Posted by: greenrabbitdesigns | February 03, 2012 at 04:25 PM
I'm soooooooooo over the moon for you Vanessa. Many congratulations, all 3 sculptures are just incredible. You so deserve the recognition. Have a really good time at the viewing, and enjoy your time on CLOUD 9!! love Sharon.
Posted by: Sharon Garlick | February 03, 2012 at 04:54 PM
Congratulations Vanessa! Wonderful! I particularly like 'Cloud Music'. Enjoy the Private View - I wish I lived closer and could go to the exhibition.
My Aunt, by the way, on a bit of a random note, was very pleased with her holly brooch, so thank you!
Posted by: Tessa | February 03, 2012 at 05:05 PM
V for Vanessa and VICTORY! Wow, how tuning re those sculptures, my mind boggles at your genius Vanessa, I adore the Cloud music rabbit, the detail oh the detail. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful work and a very big congratulations on your win, so very well deserved and hope you enjoy this evening and wallow a little in your victory. I think Kirsty Allsop sould come-a-knockin' at your door next!
ps. I love Emma's designs too xox
Posted by: Penelope | February 03, 2012 at 05:17 PM
sorry I type too fast, it's meant to say How stunning are...
Posted by: Penelope | February 03, 2012 at 05:18 PM
What wonderful news. Enjoy every moment of it. I love the sculptures - the cat is my favourite. Bx xxx
Posted by: Becky | February 03, 2012 at 06:24 PM
Dear Vanessa,
Congratulations and Well Done! on your award. I especially love the detail of the kitty's head which reminds me of your gardener sculpture - oh what was his name again?
Keep on keeping on!
Dawn
Posted by: Dawn in NL | February 03, 2012 at 06:43 PM
A massive congratulations, and a very well deserved one, as your beautiful creations are absolutely amazing! Have a fantastic evening, enjoy it! xx
Posted by: Jenny | February 03, 2012 at 06:47 PM
Wow! Congratulations, Vanessa!!! Have a wonderful evening!!!
Carly
x
Posted by: Crafted by Carly | February 03, 2012 at 07:17 PM
Wahoo Vanessa - I am absolutely thrilled for you - the level of artistry and joy that goes into your work is phenomenal and you are so wonderfully generous in sharing it with us too! I am in the process of getting my card of Cloud Music framed so I will sent you the link when it is done. I love it so much. He actually looks a little like our Honey bunny - maybe I should dress her up just like Mr. Cloud... the boys would love it - but then again, she is not so much into clothes. Lots and lots of love, Kate xxooxx.
Posted by: greedy for colour | February 03, 2012 at 07:24 PM
How exciting!!! congratulations! So happy for you. I just wish I were in SCotland to come see the exhibition in person!
Posted by: Heather L. | February 03, 2012 at 08:06 PM
Oh gosh! Huge congratulations, you must be over the moon. All the pieces are perfect but Cloud Music is certainly me favourite and looks to be quite a fantastic feat of construction. I'm really chuffed for you Vanessa :D
Posted by: Annie | February 03, 2012 at 09:34 PM
Oops, *my* favourite ... I'm another one who types too fast!
Posted by: Annie | February 03, 2012 at 09:36 PM
Oh, Vanessa I couldn't be more happy if I had won it myself! Your work is so amazing and has so much charm that I think you should be winnning awards every day. And it looks like you are - with the book and now the sculptures. (Ha HA - I KNEW the Bunny from the cards was special!!) I wish like anything that I could make it to your solo exhibition when it happens - I hope you can share some of it here. It's just SO exciting.
I think Emma is a very special person to share the beautiful Nicholson postcard with you. What a charming friend to have - but you bring it on yourself, you know. Your wonderful work and your delight in everything that is lovely invites it. So here's to you, deary - Hips, Hoorays, and many, many Well Dones.
Posted by: Liz in Missouri (with Lucy) | February 03, 2012 at 10:08 PM
Congratulations!! I am so happy for you. What a fabulous accomplishment.
Posted by: Rene Lewis | February 03, 2012 at 10:32 PM
Congratulations! Your pieces are wonderful! You are such an inspiration. It is always fun to check in with you!
Posted by: Val Reaves | February 03, 2012 at 10:53 PM
No wonder there were so many exclamation marks.......how wonderful...congrats 'n all that.
Not sure which of the sculptures I like the best......cat with the embroidery , dog with his wonderful knitted vest or rabbit with his ruff and cloud . All gorgeous enjoy the private viewing....
Claire :}
Posted by: Claire Smith | February 04, 2012 at 02:23 AM
*C*O*N*G*R*A*T*U*L*A*T*I*O*N*S*!* on having all three sculptures accepted and for the special award! Woo hoo! I'm so happy for you and VERY impressed! I won a 1st place in a National art contest for the Daughters of the American Revolution - on a beaded bag necklace I made... and I remember how thrilling it was. Enjoy it!
((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Posted by: Teresa Kasner | February 04, 2012 at 02:37 AM
GEEEEEEZZZMMM ... I swear that kitty sculpture talks. I bet you if you walked past it it would say something. It would come alive and ask me if I had brought a thermos with tea. There is so much human personality in your sculptures that I am sure they left little room for the awards to go to anyone else. Congrats, Vanessa. Truly awesome. Carolina
Posted by: The Muse of The Day | February 04, 2012 at 04:20 AM
Congratulations Vanessa!! You must have done the happy dance around the room when you read your letter!! Your work is brilliant and whimsical and just downright gorgeous ... I love it!
Posted by: Trudy McLauchlan | February 04, 2012 at 07:18 AM
Congratulations and what a place to exhibit in!! That's fab news.
Dawn xxx
Posted by: D A Nelson | February 04, 2012 at 10:03 AM
Congratulations Vanessa!!! All three sculptures are gorgeous - the flower shirt and the craft of the determined cat is great fun, as well as the dog with this amazing suitcase and the sleeveless pullover (in German we call this garment a "Pullunder") and of course a hanky in the pocket of his trousers - as we have Mozart week in Salzburg, I had to smile looking at the jumping rabbit and his music cloud (this collar!!!), but I guess I could spend hourse just looking at the shoes of the three guys - I hope to hear some more about them (and of course their names). Enjoy your success, Regina
Posted by: Regina | February 04, 2012 at 04:51 PM
Congratulations! So pleased your wonderful sculptures have done so well, they are so full of character. I love them all but the cat is my favourite.
Carol xx
Posted by: Carol | February 05, 2012 at 12:55 AM
Congratulations!!! Well-deserved accolades!
Posted by: Jeanne | February 05, 2012 at 02:31 AM
That's is amazing news - and what a wonderful way to start 2012! And your exhibition pieces are perfect, Vanessa, every each of them.
Congratulations!
Yours,
Mia
Posted by: Mia | February 05, 2012 at 06:37 AM
how absolutly thrilling!!! (i'm going to match you for exclamations!!!!!) you are SO deserving of this award and recognition dear vanessa. OH MY GOODNESS, the society of scottish artists sounds so official and serious and just wonderful. i love all your sculptures, they are all so amazing, fantastic, unique. i wish i had a magic carpet to swoop over to the gallery. have a wonderful magical night. i hope you are able to stay right in the moment and enjoy every bit of this.
xxx lori
p.s. what a lovely friend sending you the postcard, i'm off to follow the link now.
Posted by: lori | February 05, 2012 at 06:49 AM
Congratulations Vanessa, it's always heartwarming to gain recognition from one's peers! The cat is my favourite, such beautiful work and very inspiring.
Jak x
Posted by: Jak Winter | February 05, 2012 at 09:35 AM
Many well-deserved congratulations to you and the best news is....I can actually go and see your wonderful artistry at the RSA for myself!Enjoy the exhibition.
Posted by: Nana GoGo | February 05, 2012 at 10:36 AM
Hugest congratulations to you, Vanessa - how thrilling for you - a solo exhibition! How excited you must have felt receiving that letter.
I'm so glad you like the postcard - it's one of my favourites x
Posted by: Emma | February 05, 2012 at 11:41 AM
Wow you clever thing! Your work is outstanding, but how exciting to have it so widely acknowledged! What a great opportunity to have a Solo exhibition. My, you will have to be very busy! The pieces that you've had accepted, will they b for sale at the exhibition? I'm sure they will sell quickly.
Well done you!
Posted by: Faith | February 05, 2012 at 01:41 PM
Oh gosh - that's a prize and a half!
You well and truly deserve it too :-)
Celia
xx
Posted by: Magic Cochin | February 05, 2012 at 05:55 PM
Fantastic news Vanessa! Congratulations!
This is so well deserved - thank you for sharing your work with us!
Posted by: Gill | February 05, 2012 at 06:13 PM
Oh Vanessa! Congratulations! The pieces are absolutely beautiful, but I have a soft spot for the cat with the embroidery. Thoroughly deserved.
I have several pieces of Emma's jewellery too. I have a little sheep necklace based on my Planet Penny sheep which I never take off. Emma work is lovely, and completely individual.
Hope you had a great time at the private view,
lots of love, Penny xx
Posted by: Planet Penny | February 06, 2012 at 08:21 AM
Oh Vanessa congratulations! I love love love the dog statue! He is perfect!!!! Xxxxxxxxx
Posted by: Fliss | February 06, 2012 at 12:15 PM
Congratulations - I'm thrilled for you!!
Posted by: Archie the wonder dog | February 06, 2012 at 04:50 PM
Congratulations! That's wonderful. I love all three pieces.
Posted by: Bonnie | February 06, 2012 at 05:16 PM
Bravo you..from across the pond comes my admiration for your amazing talent.
Cynthia
Posted by: cynthia regan | February 07, 2012 at 05:50 AM
Another well-deserved honor -- your sculptures are just darling and so unique! Enjoy it to the fullest!
Posted by: Wool Free and Lovin' Knit | February 07, 2012 at 02:56 PM
Well done Vanessa, I have only just caught up with your blog. I think all your artwork is fab and you deserve the recognition.
xxx
Posted by: lyn | February 07, 2012 at 06:21 PM
Wow!!! Congratulations!! I can't believe how beautiful your sculptures are! So enchanting! Their faces are so sweet!
Posted by: Emily G. | February 08, 2012 at 05:09 AM
Isn't t'internet the best thing? A bit of a blog trawl and I stumble upon your sculptures and they are just fab! Congrats on your win :-)
Posted by: EggonaStick | February 08, 2012 at 08:34 PM
Congratulations from us too!
Posted by: SocietyScotArt | February 10, 2012 at 03:50 PM
Congratulations Vanessa! I'm so happy that your fantastic and talented work has been awarded! Your scultures are just so amazing and adorable! I would love to have all of them - every one is so unique and full of sweetness!
Your new cards are also really beautiful! I love your style!
x Teje
Posted by: Teje & Nero | February 14, 2012 at 06:26 PM
Phenomenal and beautiful! You go girl!!!
thea.
xx
Posted by: theaxx | February 14, 2012 at 11:33 PM
Oh my word, these three characters are stunning. Congratulations to you Vanessa, of course you deserve it though xxx
Kate
Posted by: harmony and rosie | February 15, 2012 at 09:59 PM
I personally really like the status of the rabbit. It makes me almost think that the rabbit things by holding the music notes balloon he is going to fly away.
Posted by: Mike | October 10, 2012 at 06:44 PM