By Jenny Gibson
The Colne Valley Museum has published a beautiful colouring book celebrating the history of weaving in the area.
Artist and illustrator Jane Horton has created an amazing collection of line drawings showing Victorian families working with wool, as well as domestic scenes and museum artefacts, all accompanied by key facts about life in those times.
The high-quality 32-page A4 publication is aimed at children and adults alike. Priced just £5, and available now at the museum shop, it is an ideal Christmas gift for history lovers – and is already flying off the shelves.
Jane approached Colne Valley Museum in Golcar with the idea for the book and spent a year gathering images and turning them into drawings.
The title, starring some of the museum’s volunteers immortalised in delicate line drawings, is Jane’s second colouring book. Her first was for Sheffield’s General Cemetery Trust, and she is now working on a third about flowers.
Jane, who goes by @artyjaneh on Instagram, is also having a printmaking exhibition at the museum from January 24 until mid-February, featuring Colne Valley views and one showing the history of weaving.
Jane lives with her partner in Slaithwaite and recently took part in Huddersfield BID’s first urban sketching competition. She is looking forward to seeing her work auctioned at the Lawrence Batley theatre in a couple of weeks’ time, when she will find out who won the contest too!
The former arts education worker, said: “It is only since retiring that I have been able to concentrate exclusively on art, which makes me truly happy.
“I graduated with a first-class illustration degree aged 65. I feel so pleased that I have a skill with which I can help community groups and charities, as well as create gifts for friends and family. But I also make paintings and prints just for the joy of it.”
Jane continues: “Colouring books appeal directly to adults as well as children. Many adults have discovered the joy of colouring in, to help anxiety and to relax. I hope my book will appeal to people of all ages and help to raise money for the museum.”
The museum is open 12pm to 4pm Saturdays and Sundays. Its last opening day before Christmas is Sunday December 15.
