News
The Colours of Orains
From March 2020 to June 2022 Pieter has worked on the project The Colours of Orains. A very exciting suite of colours has been developed for the studio and you can view these and read about the development in the project report (pdf)
Creative Zoom Workshops 2022
every last Friday and Saturday of the month - currently scheduled from November 2022 and onwards
During this 4 hour Creative Zoom Workshop you will create textiles in the online company of artist & tutor Pieter van der Werf at the Orains Studio. See for more information here.
Workshop dates for October and November 2021
Creative Immersive Workshop (max. 3 people) Friday 29 & Saturday 30 October / Friday 19 & Saturday 20 November
Focus on the creation of textiles, natural dyes and 3D objects during this 2-day workshop. We will look at different materials and focus on one or two simple processes. There will be time for experimentation.
Click here for more detailed information and booking
August - first Creative Immersive Workshop
2 Day Workshop, at the Orains Studio in National Scenic Area ‘Kyles of Bute’. Friday 13 & Saturday 14 August 2021
We are excited to be able to open the studio doors again.
The workshop is limited to 3 people (with any experience in the arts) and you will have the chance to experiment, design and create with local wool, natural plant dyes, collage making (2D & 3D) and photography.
We’ll take it easy during the days and you’ll sense that the studio is in a truly ‘slow’ environment - our area is known for its thoughtful food producers and restaurateurs; its artisanal feel with galeries and public gardens surrounding us (not to mention Benmore Botanic Garden RBGE on our doorstep) and a broad variety of quality accommodation.
Bolt on a few days of kayaking or walking a bit of the Loch Lomond And Cowal Way and ‘slow’ does become meaningful.
July - Everything Flows
A series of creative workshops by Pieter van der Werf centered around photography and the work of David Gordon. At the Dunoon Burgh Hall, July 2021.
January / February - Online Zoom workshops: Creative Connection Lewis: InspiringTextiles
Creative Connections is a series of free online workshops for adults over the age of 60 in the Western Isles. The weekly workshops offered by Pieter van der Werf from the Orains Studio in Colintraive are focused on textiles in the home. Together with a small group of up to eight other participants, pieces of art for individual's homes are created. For more info travel to An Lanntair in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis.
News 2020
The Colours of Orains
Through @TheColoursOfOrains (Instagram) and this page you can keep track of this research and development project where its main purpose is the creation of a specific set of colours for Orains. The project involves research into natural dyes and historical research into the work of the Scottish colourist Patrick Syme.
News 2019
GRANULARITY
From 11 - 23 April Orains - Fiona Page & Pieter van der Werf - exhibit major new Textile Art and Wall Works, made by hand with Scottish wool and natural dyes, at the Art Space of Cass Art Glasgow.
From the press release (download above):
The leading piece for the exhibition at Cass Art in Glasgow is “Granularity”, a 5 metre square single piece of hand rolled felt. The piece is a composition of distinguishable sections of colour way using natural dyes including heather flower, Scottish thistle (gathered in the fields around the Orains studio) together with natural madder and indigo.
This new work is informed by a sense of place, a sense of owning key elements of the process, our passion for provenance. The exhibition combines the intimacy and influences of where we live and work now, and the diversity of where we have lived and worked.
Opening event Saturday 13 April 2-4 pm.
News 2018
April
"Pieter van der Werf is among a crop of Scottish textile artists who look for local materials to create beautiful, sustainable homewares. Their products create employment opportunities, raise awareness of endangered species, and breathe new life into unwanted materials. Most importantly, in an industry that cultivates a reputation for aesthetics, their designs are as desirable as the very best non-sustainable products."
Read more in the article Scottish Designers go back to their roots by Gabriella Bennett for The Times.
March
The Crafts Council is one of the UK's leading professional bodies for the craft sector. You can find Pieter's listing in the Maker's Directory here.
March
Below you'll find part of an interview by Craft Scotland with Pieter van der Werf:
Question: Why is sustainability important to you as a maker?
Pieter: Sustainability is important for me as a maker but first and foremost it is important for me as a person – a person being part of a wider, global society. The definition of the word ‘sustainability’ should in this instance perhaps be ‘how can I try to make sure that the ones living now and after me have a good life’. This means that my work is connected with the future in this specific sense.
If you'd like to read more of this interview, hop over to the Make It Green blog by Craft Scotland.
March
"This March, we are thrilled to feature Makers from our Craft Directory who are working towards a more sustainable practice...", says Craft Scotland. Click the above picture and have a look at Orains - Pieter van der Werf, Laura Spring, Angus Ross, Eleanor Kerr-Patton, Collingwood-Norris and Karen Westland.
February
Pippa Paton Design recently installed the madder-dyed "Wall Hanging #2" we made for a Cotswold's barn conversion.
January
Craft Scotland is the go-to place for anything... craft! Thus, 'haste ye' and discover makers in its directory including yours truly.
News 2017
August
Pippa Paton Design is a finalist in the SBID International Design Excellence Awards 2017, with its work on a London Townhouse. We designed and created the wall hanging (pictured above) according to the clients' brief. In the design we exclusively used wool from Hebridean sheep grazing in the grounds of Inveraray Castle, Loch Fyne.
News 2016
August
Orains has signed up for the Green Crafts Initiative, the project between Craft Scotland &
Creative Carbon Scotland to reduce and minimize the impact of the Arts & Crafts sectors
on the environment.
Discover artists, crafts people and organizations across Scotland on this Google Map.
Look for Studio Orains in Colintraive, Argyle & Bute.
April
See the updated supporter page at The Campaign for Wool - Orains supports the campaign.
March
We've signed up for the annual Cowal Open Studios, later this year: it's always nice
to be able to have a look 'behind the scenes' and meet the maker.
Also, larger items are now available through the Craft Collective pop-up shop
of the Dunoon Burgh Hall.
News 2015
August
Artist & Designer Pieter van der Werf at The Boathouse, from 14th to 30th August.
Come and visit The Boathouse with Pieter's recent and previous
work. See how the sea & tides inspire the creative process underlying
the making of woolen floor and wall art.
Pieter will be making unique sculptural pieces using wool and other
materials.
Meet him each Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 pm. during the
exhibition period from 14th to 30th August.
Studio works are available for sale, commissions taken.
See www.scottishsculpturepark.com for more details.
The Boathouse - Caol Ruadh Scottish Sculpture Park - Colintraive - PA22 3AR
June
Orains launches a new range of wall and floor art called Talamh.
May
Objects of Desire: our floor art 'Sway' featured in Country Living's special Modern Rustic #3,
available at WH Smith and selected retailers and online via Country Living.
April
Information about our interior design workshops now also available through the Craft Scotland Tourism Blog
February
Pick up a copy of Coast Magazine and read all about making interior design
items with felt. Contact us direct on 07551 912 684 to enquire about availability
and dates of our next felt workshops.
News 2014
October
Visit luxurious Portavadie, Loch Fyne, Scotland on 18th October and try an alternative
approach to designing your home with wool:
Orains will host a felt & interior design day workshop.
The day workshop costs 70.00 p.p. to include refreshments and materials.
And why not stay overnight in Portavadie? Lodge rooms are available from 79.00
per room including continental breakfast. Book direct with Portavadie on +44 1700 811 075
or contact us at Orains about the day itself.
Portavadie Loch Fyne Scotland
August
We've just launched a series of new lights, adding to the existing range of light products.
Read the Press Release for more information; email us for high resolution images of the lights.
July
Wool & Sculpture Day 19th July
Spend the day at the studio & visit the Scottish Sculpture park with
exhibits from Andy Scott amongst others - open until 14th September.
Caol Ruadh Scottish Sculpture Park
June
28th and 29th June
Meet Your Maker, Dunoon Burgh Hall
Orains is part of Craft Scotland's flagship campaign to connect craft makers at work with the public.
From 7th - 29th June 2014 Orains exhibits during "Textile Migration / Textile Leith", Kalopsia Gallery, Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh.
See Kalopsia Collective for more information, or see our entry on Facebook here.
The Colours of Orains
From March 2020 to June 2022 Pieter has worked on the project The Colours of Orains. A very exciting suite of colours has been developed for the studio and you can view these and read about the development in the project report (pdf)
Creative Zoom Workshops 2022
every last Friday and Saturday of the month - currently scheduled from November 2022 and onwards
During this 4 hour Creative Zoom Workshop you will create textiles in the online company of artist & tutor Pieter van der Werf at the Orains Studio. See for more information here.
Workshop dates for October and November 2021
Creative Immersive Workshop (max. 3 people) Friday 29 & Saturday 30 October / Friday 19 & Saturday 20 November
Focus on the creation of textiles, natural dyes and 3D objects during this 2-day workshop. We will look at different materials and focus on one or two simple processes. There will be time for experimentation.
Click here for more detailed information and booking
August - first Creative Immersive Workshop
2 Day Workshop, at the Orains Studio in National Scenic Area ‘Kyles of Bute’. Friday 13 & Saturday 14 August 2021
We are excited to be able to open the studio doors again.
The workshop is limited to 3 people (with any experience in the arts) and you will have the chance to experiment, design and create with local wool, natural plant dyes, collage making (2D & 3D) and photography.
We’ll take it easy during the days and you’ll sense that the studio is in a truly ‘slow’ environment - our area is known for its thoughtful food producers and restaurateurs; its artisanal feel with galeries and public gardens surrounding us (not to mention Benmore Botanic Garden RBGE on our doorstep) and a broad variety of quality accommodation.
Bolt on a few days of kayaking or walking a bit of the Loch Lomond And Cowal Way and ‘slow’ does become meaningful.
July - Everything Flows
A series of creative workshops by Pieter van der Werf centered around photography and the work of David Gordon. At the Dunoon Burgh Hall, July 2021.
January / February - Online Zoom workshops: Creative Connection Lewis: InspiringTextiles
Creative Connections is a series of free online workshops for adults over the age of 60 in the Western Isles. The weekly workshops offered by Pieter van der Werf from the Orains Studio in Colintraive are focused on textiles in the home. Together with a small group of up to eight other participants, pieces of art for individual's homes are created. For more info travel to An Lanntair in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis.
News 2020
The Colours of Orains
Through @TheColoursOfOrains (Instagram) and this page you can keep track of this research and development project where its main purpose is the creation of a specific set of colours for Orains. The project involves research into natural dyes and historical research into the work of the Scottish colourist Patrick Syme.
News 2019
GRANULARITY
From 11 - 23 April Orains - Fiona Page & Pieter van der Werf - exhibit major new Textile Art and Wall Works, made by hand with Scottish wool and natural dyes, at the Art Space of Cass Art Glasgow.
From the press release (download above):
The leading piece for the exhibition at Cass Art in Glasgow is “Granularity”, a 5 metre square single piece of hand rolled felt. The piece is a composition of distinguishable sections of colour way using natural dyes including heather flower, Scottish thistle (gathered in the fields around the Orains studio) together with natural madder and indigo.
This new work is informed by a sense of place, a sense of owning key elements of the process, our passion for provenance. The exhibition combines the intimacy and influences of where we live and work now, and the diversity of where we have lived and worked.
Opening event Saturday 13 April 2-4 pm.
News 2018
April
"Pieter van der Werf is among a crop of Scottish textile artists who look for local materials to create beautiful, sustainable homewares. Their products create employment opportunities, raise awareness of endangered species, and breathe new life into unwanted materials. Most importantly, in an industry that cultivates a reputation for aesthetics, their designs are as desirable as the very best non-sustainable products."
Read more in the article Scottish Designers go back to their roots by Gabriella Bennett for The Times.
March
The Crafts Council is one of the UK's leading professional bodies for the craft sector. You can find Pieter's listing in the Maker's Directory here.
March
Below you'll find part of an interview by Craft Scotland with Pieter van der Werf:
Question: Why is sustainability important to you as a maker?
Pieter: Sustainability is important for me as a maker but first and foremost it is important for me as a person – a person being part of a wider, global society. The definition of the word ‘sustainability’ should in this instance perhaps be ‘how can I try to make sure that the ones living now and after me have a good life’. This means that my work is connected with the future in this specific sense.
If you'd like to read more of this interview, hop over to the Make It Green blog by Craft Scotland.
March
"This March, we are thrilled to feature Makers from our Craft Directory who are working towards a more sustainable practice...", says Craft Scotland. Click the above picture and have a look at Orains - Pieter van der Werf, Laura Spring, Angus Ross, Eleanor Kerr-Patton, Collingwood-Norris and Karen Westland.
February
Pippa Paton Design recently installed the madder-dyed "Wall Hanging #2" we made for a Cotswold's barn conversion.
January
Craft Scotland is the go-to place for anything... craft! Thus, 'haste ye' and discover makers in its directory including yours truly.
News 2017
August
Pippa Paton Design is a finalist in the SBID International Design Excellence Awards 2017, with its work on a London Townhouse. We designed and created the wall hanging (pictured above) according to the clients' brief. In the design we exclusively used wool from Hebridean sheep grazing in the grounds of Inveraray Castle, Loch Fyne.
News 2016
August
Orains has signed up for the Green Crafts Initiative, the project between Craft Scotland &
Creative Carbon Scotland to reduce and minimize the impact of the Arts & Crafts sectors
on the environment.
Discover artists, crafts people and organizations across Scotland on this Google Map.
Look for Studio Orains in Colintraive, Argyle & Bute.
April
See the updated supporter page at The Campaign for Wool - Orains supports the campaign.
March
We've signed up for the annual Cowal Open Studios, later this year: it's always nice
to be able to have a look 'behind the scenes' and meet the maker.
Also, larger items are now available through the Craft Collective pop-up shop
of the Dunoon Burgh Hall.
News 2015
August
Artist & Designer Pieter van der Werf at The Boathouse, from 14th to 30th August.
Come and visit The Boathouse with Pieter's recent and previous
work. See how the sea & tides inspire the creative process underlying
the making of woolen floor and wall art.
Pieter will be making unique sculptural pieces using wool and other
materials.
Meet him each Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 pm. during the
exhibition period from 14th to 30th August.
Studio works are available for sale, commissions taken.
See www.scottishsculpturepark.com for more details.
The Boathouse - Caol Ruadh Scottish Sculpture Park - Colintraive - PA22 3AR
June
Orains launches a new range of wall and floor art called Talamh.
May
Objects of Desire: our floor art 'Sway' featured in Country Living's special Modern Rustic #3,
available at WH Smith and selected retailers and online via Country Living.
April
Information about our interior design workshops now also available through the Craft Scotland Tourism Blog
February
Pick up a copy of Coast Magazine and read all about making interior design
items with felt. Contact us direct on 07551 912 684 to enquire about availability
and dates of our next felt workshops.
News 2014
October
Visit luxurious Portavadie, Loch Fyne, Scotland on 18th October and try an alternative
approach to designing your home with wool:
Orains will host a felt & interior design day workshop.
The day workshop costs 70.00 p.p. to include refreshments and materials.
And why not stay overnight in Portavadie? Lodge rooms are available from 79.00
per room including continental breakfast. Book direct with Portavadie on +44 1700 811 075
or contact us at Orains about the day itself.
Portavadie Loch Fyne Scotland
August
We've just launched a series of new lights, adding to the existing range of light products.
Read the Press Release for more information; email us for high resolution images of the lights.
July
Wool & Sculpture Day 19th July
Spend the day at the studio & visit the Scottish Sculpture park with
exhibits from Andy Scott amongst others - open until 14th September.
Caol Ruadh Scottish Sculpture Park
June
28th and 29th June
Meet Your Maker, Dunoon Burgh Hall
Orains is part of Craft Scotland's flagship campaign to connect craft makers at work with the public.
From 7th - 29th June 2014 Orains exhibits during "Textile Migration / Textile Leith", Kalopsia Gallery, Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh.
See Kalopsia Collective for more information, or see our entry on Facebook here.