Oh Hello, my name is Ailis Dewar from the Isle of Islay, just off the West Coast of Scotland. Being brought up in such an idyllic setting I definitely have a love for the outdoors, and a keen interest in the rural landscape that I live in. I am a bit of a hoarder, as I love collecting everything and anything. I have yarn and vintage fabric coming out my ears, as well as a good haul of art books, buttons and unusual found objects. Now a Textile Design student in the city of Glasgow, I am thoroughly enjoying the student/city life which is a dramatic but welcome contrast to home.

about the work

The concept I have chosen to research for my fabric design is based around the word 'Coast', looking at anything found ashore or adrift along the Scottish Coastline. This allowed me to explore pattern in both naturally occurring and found man-made objects, coming across subject matter such as buoys, ropes, rocks, driftwood and seaweed. I have tried to use a strong variety of mix media in my drawing to capture qualities found, from fine and detailed to rough and weathered. Colour analysis has been taken from my original research photographs and I have chosen palettes to take forward in relation to forecast colour trends of 2013. My final fabric print design is based on a watercolour and graphite study of an old fishing rope. The pattern repeat is a fluid and lively, holding attractive detail that has inviting depth. Palettes of bleached out teals, delicate blues and warm greys I feel are intriguing colour-ways that stay true to my original theme. I feel that this design, in terms of an printed fabric for upholstery, is softly striking without being over-powering. An attractive addition to a contemporary home.