Create – Jon Eland

Sources – Templars of Newsam

As an inquisitive artist, my goal is not to present a definitive historical account, but to use the threads I find to piece together a believable narrative and reflect on contemporary change. There are no first-hand contemporary documents about the Newsam preceptory, the documentation we do have is limited to legal documents as the Templars…… Continue reading Sources – Templars of Newsam

Pondering… the impact of change

The author’s reflections on the recent Trump win prompt a contemplation of historical changes in Leeds during the late 11th century. The author notes how distant events, like the Norman conquest, affected local communities.

My self-initiated master’s

The article outlines a self-initiated master’s program focused on intentional creative practice over three years. It highlights structured development across portraiture, place-based projects, and community-building, emphasizing reflection and collaboration.

Pondering… a new project

Entirely fictitious image of a would-be templar layperson in somewhere that could vaguely be Temple Newsam (Leeds, Yorkshire) - AI image created in midjourney

So, I’m at that point where long term project/s need work (both Along the Calls and a new project of Gen-X Queer portraits) so, what do I do, but take on a ‘small’ side project. This came about because I’ve started attending meetings of the Leeds Stitch and Textile Group (relating to the Embroiderers Guild);…… Continue reading Pondering… a new project

Pondering “why I do..?”

AI generated cartoon showing a child who's enjoying and confused by the praise they're receiving... without realising this is setting them up for future perfectionism

This is a very abstract think piece – why do I do the things I do inside my head. Why do I prefer to distance questions from being about me – why do I often pose things as ‘we’ or ‘you’ rather than ‘I’? The original question was something I’ve since forgotten – but it…… Continue reading Pondering “why I do..?”

Pondering late 11th century life in Leeds

AI generated sketch of a man looking wistfully at an unseen subject. He is in woodland or an orchard and wears a woollen top. Historical accuracy has not been verified. Source: Midjourney (prompt author’s own).

My long term project considers life over time in the location of Leeds’ original settlement. This post focuses specifically on the aftermath of the Norman Conquest.

Me, my poncho and my safe place

When the Arts & MInds exhibition came around again I wasn’t sure how to contribute – I wanted to include something I had made – but I also wanted the piece to reflect my own mental health journey. In the past this had been textile objects I’d created which helped settle my mind. I had…… Continue reading Me, my poncho and my safe place

Pill-boxed

In WWII defensive positions were built around the UK coast (and inland) to provide spaces from which soldiers could defend. the country. Sadly these were largely unused as we were never directly attacked by foot soldiers. As a child I recalled the pillboxes on Filey beach near where we used to holiday and these have…… Continue reading Pill-boxed

Coffee and tea ware #1

This set was one I made using up some clay that I’d taken away from a workshop – to make a set of small coffee and tea cups (for Chinese tea and macchiato coffees) – trialling using the coloured slips I’d bought.

Beyond photography…

In 2006 I found myself looking for a pastime – my life no longer revolved around just work and socialising and I needed something to occupy myself. After a brief flirtation with bonsai I turned my attention to photography – I owned a camera, liked taking images and had trained on it during my art…… Continue reading Beyond photography…