June's Fibre Club Letter

I was only thinking yesterday that the Fibre club should be coming soon.  Today I got an e-mail with the theme for this months' fibre and hints at the colours and fibre blend.

This month's fibre is based on Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

The letter reads:

"On June 7th 1868 Charles Rennie Mackintosh was born. He was a leading light in the Art Nouveau design movement, and in his home city of Glasgow his influence is everywhere. Outside of architecture it’s hard to set foot in a gift shop without there being an item with one of his designs emblazoned on it. 

I’m not quite what he’d make of the mass produced items bearing his motifs…one of the originators of what become the Art Nouveau movement was William Morris, and high quality, craftsman made items were a key part of his aesthetic. Walking round a Mackintosh building and you’re struck by the exquisite detailing, and the thought that is put in to making sure everything in the building, including the furniture fits together. 

One of the very clear things that become obvious the more you look at Mackintosh’s work; he was not afraid of colour. He used stained glass beautifully in his buildings, and his original rooms often featured a wall painted in some stunningly colourful shades. One of the most beautiful venues I’ve ever been to for a yarn festival was Glasgow School of Yarn, held in the Mackintosh church. The main hall is dominated by a window in the most vividly intense blue. 

He was not an easy man to work with, obsessed with detail, and not willing to compromise on his vision. In 1914 he moved to London, after a decline in commissions in Glasgow. Unfortunately this move coincided with the start of World War I, and his practise never took off. He moved to the south of France in 1923, and became a water colour painter. He died in 1928 aged just 60 years old. 

Also of note is the woman who Mackintosh married. Margaret MacDonald was a hugely talented artist and designer in her own right. Together with Mackintosh, her sister Frances and James Herbery MacNair they formed a group known as The Four. They met at Glasgow School of Art, and together they were the driving force behind what became known as the “Glasgow style”. 

I’ve chosen a colour palette for this month that features on one of the most widely re-produced Mackintosh images. I also couldn’t resist using a Scottish wool. This is a properly fluffy, toothy blend"

I'm not all that familiar with Rennie Macintosh, other than with his "rose" design as my hall and stairs wallpaper features it so I am thinking pinks and greens with a hint of blue?

It should be here soon and so I will take photos and post again then.