Kate and Peter Tame

Kate Tame is a textile artist fascinated with the effect of constantly changing movement and light on the colours and shapes of landscapes, seascapes and skyscapes.  Her semi-abstract work is about the essence rather than “one moment of time”.

Kate blends layers of fabrics and threads to capture reflected lights and mists, subtle colours and the relentless movement of nature. By adding/removing part layers she changes the work and thus copies the constantly evolving nature which she captures in her work. She uses her sewing machine freehand like a pencil to define, soften and highlight detail. She loves the tactile property of her media and often incorporates natural objects such as wood and sheepskin as well as threads and beads.

Kate’s roots are in the northern fringes of Manchester between the bleak moors and the cultural throb of the city and surrounded by traditional cotton mills. She spent 5 years in the late 1960’s at Art Colleges in Rochdale and Birmingham during an exciting time for art evolvement. Since then Kate has  travelled extensively always  involving outdoor activities such as camping, hiking and skiing as she is at her happiest in the open air amongst hills or near water. This prompted her move over 25 years ago to her current home overlooking the Duddon Estuary in South Cumbria. Here she finds much of her design inspiration from the hills, cloud formations, and tidal flows. On early retirement 10 years ago she returned to her artistic roots. Since then she has exhibited work at a number of galleries and venues in Cumbria –individually, with the 2 art groups (Bluetarn & Trident Stitchers ) and with her husband Peter who produces wood pictures from similar inspirations.

Peter Tame

Peter gets his inspiration for artwork arises from the natural beauty inherent in hardwoods and from wild unspoilt scenery. I have lived close to the Lake District, overlooking the Duddon Estuary for 28 years and have developed a great affinity for mountains, moors, lakes and estuaries. I also travel, walk and ski in the mountainous areas and national parks of Europe and North America. The endless local beauty, the memories and digital images taken on trips abroad provide the stimulus for me to create. 

The grain, colour, defect or texture of a hardwood can be the starting point for a panel or my response may come from a natural landscape.  Materials are shaped, formed and combined to produce both two and three dimensional work.