Janet Rawlins' collage heralds move to Tennants

Leading North Yorkshire artist Janet Rawlins has given permission to The Arts Society Wensleydale (TASW) to use an image of her inspirational fabric collage entitled Bain Valley Twilight on their website and banner. It marks the Society’s move to Tennants of Leyburn as their regular lecture venue from October 2019.

Jackie Pope of TASW said. "Janet has a long association with the Society, having designed our original logo and been a member for many years. We are delighted to celebrate her work and our development in this way. Membership of the Society has increased by 11% in the last year and we have welcomed 151 guests. The move gives both members and visitors the chance to experience our exciting new programme in Tennants modern and accessible setting.”

Janet, born in Horsforth, Leeds in 1931, studied illustration at Leeds College of Art, now Leeds Art University, from 1947 to 1952. A prolific artist, she has illustrated children’s books as well as jigsaws for Waddingtons, and produced many drawings and cover paintings for the Dalesman magazine. Her publications include A Dales Countryside Cookbook and A Grass Rope to Catch a Unicorn: Wensleydale Wild Flowers and Other Illustrations. 

Janet’s father was a great inspiration, teaching her art from the age of 8 and her childhood ambition was to attend Leeds College of Art. In the 1920’s her father had to go into the family firm so was only allowed to go to the College one day a week to “Get it out of his system”. It was with great pleasure that Janet recently presented an award winning artwork by her father to Leeds Art University.

Janet’s career breakthrough came when she was commissioned to make large scale machine-embroidered fabric collages for institutions including ICI, NCB and Tetley’s. A major project for Leeds Building Society led to the creation of 38 large double side collages, each with a local theme, for branches from Deal to Dundee. Sadly, with the demise of the Society, all but one are believed to have been lost. 

Since her permanent move to the Yorkshire Dales in 1970 her art has focused on local landscapes in watercolour and fabric collage. She has exhibited frequently at the Royal Academy and in Northern galleries where she has had several solo exhibitions. Leeds Art University’s first Alumna exhibition in 2016 featured her work.  The University is holding a major retrospective to celebrate Janet’s career from 13th September until 1st November 2019 in the Vernon Street building where she studied.

Gallery Images: 

Image of Janet: photo copyright Martin Haywood, image copyright Janet Rawlins. 

Banner image by courtesy of Susan Rumsey

(Click on the images to bring up the full photographs)