Following on from Tea with Moxie, our herald, she has become interested in the many different kinds of members in The Stove Network. She’s been catching up with and speaking to various members, and we’ll be introducing one every Friday over the next wee while. Interested in chatting to Moxie? You can get in touch with her on The Stove Herald facebook page here or by email.
This week Moxie has been speaking to Denise Zygadlo.
Denise has lived in Dumfries since 1980, moving from London with her husband to start a cabinet making business and bring up 4 children. As the children grew she gradually returned to her artwork, beginning with running art classes and community projects, making quilts and wall-hangings (e.g. 1996 Thornhill quilt hanging in Thomas Tosh.)
Having studied printed textiles at Winchester art school, her interest is in printing and cloth, and she has developed her own practice, focussing on drawing and looking at the relationship between the human body and cloth, through the use of the photocopied image and transfer-printing onto fabric.
Her work has been exhibited in Glasgow, Edinburgh and in ‘Affordable Art’ shows around the country and abroad and she has had 2 solo shows in The Mill on the Fleet and Gracefield Arts Centre.
Portrait of an Artist – a short film by Jo Hodges and Roger Lever
Did your life take an unexpected direction?
Suddenly finding myself saying “further education in art” when asked about career moves at school. Finding myself moving to Scotland. Finding out I was pregnant with our forth child and singing with him 23 years later on his first album. Becoming part of the psychology dept in Dumfries. Being a mushroom on wheels with Oceanallover. And lots more
What is your greatest fear?
Driving on an 8 lane freeway in America
Tell us about your creative process.
Looking at inspiring images, talking to inspiring people. Making notes; drawing.
What is your earliest memory?
Dressing up box.
What drew you to The Stove?
The first meeting at Parton – The energy, vision and determination of the core group and the excitement of it all happening in Dumfries.
Share your hope and dreams for The Stove?
That it becomes a place that everyone feels comfortable visiting and enjoying.
What keeps you in and around Dumfries?
Family; friends; landscape; art opportunities and support.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Dancer.
What’s been the most exciting part of the Stove Process for you?
Seeing the activities they create and put on outside in the centre of town where everyone can get involved.
What makes you feel alive?
Performing.
What songs do you carry closest to your heart?
Ella Fitzgerald songs and stuff by my son Rudi and ‘Loving you’ by Minnie Ripperton.
What’s your role within The Stove organisation?
Ordinary member that likes to get involved.
How would you like to be remembered?
Often.
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever got?
Let go.
What’s your dream for the arts in D&G?
That it continues to grow in all directions as it seems to be doing now.