Biteabout Arts

Biteabout Arts was setup in 2011 by Anna Turnbull aiming to create and sell unique willow work and textile art as well as offering a variety of art and craft workshops.

Anna was born 10th June 1966 in Newcastle and after graduating in 1988 with BA Hons in Fine Art from Camberwell School of Arts, she returned home to Northumberland to work as a photographic artist and silversmith. In 1994 she trained to teach and then worked in schools whilst continuing on her own creative journey.

She started experimenting with the many processes in the making of felt 2005. She fell in love with its versatility, being able ‘to paint’ with a varied palette of dyed wools, create something delicate and ephemeral using fine wools and silks in making scarves and wraps, or use more sculptural techniques to form vessels, hats and bags. In 2010 she was introduced to the many varieties of coloured willows grown locally for basketry and the traditional techniques used to work with them. She was excited by them and started using these to create vessels and sculptures.

She set up Biteabout Arts in 2011, to work as a self-employed fibre artist using these media to create art works. Enjoying teaching, she also runs workshops and delivers courses at various venues including her studio.

• Feltmaking workshops
• Basketry workshops
• Willow sculpture workshops
• Etsy online shop
• Willow baskets
• Willow sculptures
• Felt bags, vessels & wearable items

Her work is inspired by the rural landscape in which she lives and works. She references the wildlife, the organic forms, the rich colours and textures of nature. She grows a variety of willows, using this and other locally grown materials in her work.

Her willow sculpture work starts with drawings, observations of movement, shapes, forms, the flow of muscles, directions, lines and tensions.

A metal skeleton is constructed as a starting point for the weaving, to give strength, and extend the life of the piece in an outdoor environment.

The willow is woven in bundles, creating lines which echo the contours of the muscles of the body. The piece is built up gradually.

Trade memberships / Awards / Qualifications

Heritage Crafts Association
Basketmakers’ Association
Scottish Basketmakers’ Circle
International Feltmakers Association.

Contact

Biteabout Farm, Lowick, Berwick upon Tweed, TD15 2QE

Telephone: 07786 765264

Email: annaturnbull@ymail.com

Website: www.biteabout.co.uk

Social Media

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BiteaboutArts

Instagram:  www.instagram.com/biteabout_arts/