Sorry about missing a blog post. Frantic week.
This week a very productive day with 4 art friends. They came bringing chocolate biscuits, cake and their art work. We are working towards the same exhibition 2017. Cup of tea then down to chat about where we are in our thinking, we are trying to resolve vague ideas into 2 pieces of work each. A2.Listening to each others take on the subject ( A jute museum ) was really interesting and helpful. All very supportive and sharing. A very good day. The creative energy is now swirling around the studio. It is no longer a sterile space with stuff in it.
Cogs, weaving and spools of threads. Playing and hoping it is going to come together. Thinking how I include the story of the women workers. Lots more work to do.
Postcards, discovered when I unpacked into The Studio.
These were fun to stitch. At the time I was using up buttons and beads and little scraps of fabric.
I managed to photograph the supermoon, only just
It was very overcast and I was not hopeful. 6.30 and the clouds parted.
6.35 completely overcast again.
At last a bird other than sparrows ( nothing against sparrows ) but no other species have appeared in this garden.
Please look in next week to view if I can move on the vague ideas.
BYE BYE
Spent a few hours in The Studio.
These cogs were a present from a friend, who was unaware, I am working ( just beginning ) towards an exhibition in January. It is site specific. The Verdant Works, a jute mill museum, so lots of machinery. Not at all sure how I will use them, for now I am printing and taking rubbings.
Heard a talk by Bridgit Collins, describing her ideas and work practise. Really interesting. Cure for a creative block. Tidy your studio, rearrange things, read a poem, go a walk and just do something. We all know this but good to be reminded.
Seagull has been given another outing. Submitted him into the Meffan Gallery Christmas Exhibition. This exhibition attracts entries from across Scotland so fingers and toes crossed he gets in. Always a bit nervous when my work is being juried, never gets any easier. Fear of failure deep rooted.
Play with a purpose, thinking about layers. Machinery, Fabric, Womens Lives, Times Past.
Tracing paper on top of printed cartridge.
No idea where this is going but its a start.
No sign of the owners on my walk today. A jolt of colour among the bronze, red and yellow leaves.
Please look in next week, I may have thought of more ideas to use the cogs.
BYE BYE
Studio shelves are up and filled.
Joiner made units to hold bits and pieces. One at each end.
I didn't take time to paint then just filled them up.
The table is in so studio is almost completed ( for now ) I am sure there will be lots of tweeking over the next months but it is up and ready to go. Friends have been suggesting names but it is going to be "The Studio" very happy, happy person.
Had my monthly meeting with art friends yesterday. We had a tutor this session. This is the result of 4 hour work.
Not impressed are you. It was very intense- using black and white - any art material - to draw a still life of angular paper shapes. Every 30 minutes a part of the drawing was painted out, turned 90 degrees and same part drawn again. Really good exercise for looking carefully and only drawing what is there.
I gave a talk this week about my working practise.
It is some time since I did this. I really enjoyed it and hope the audience did too.
I always take along lots of work books for people to look at.
The weather has been so good and the leaves are now turning. This has become my favourite walk.
No one on the bench today. Taken from the other side of the stream.
These are the haws from the hawthorn tree. The birds have not started eating them yet.
The rowan tree in my garden has pale yellow berries. I think they will last longer as the birds only eat them when everything else is finished.
This is the view, from my window, of my neighbours apple tree. Wish it was mine.
This fuchsia I grew from a cutting, and trained into a standard, is 11 years old. Still plenty of flowers on it. Without a greenhouse it will spend the Winter in the Studio.
Spotted this in the village. Very American. In Scotland it is Guising. Tomorrow the ghouls will be out and about as well as kids, dressed up, chapping at doors.
This has been a bit of a nature blog but the seasonal colours will not last long and should be enjoyed.
Last week did contact friends
Did not finish Hoop.
Look in next week to see what I am up to.
BYE BYE
This pretty beaded purse was a present from a dear friend. I have hung it in the Studio window ( I am still thrilled with the idea I have a studio) to remind me of her many kindnesses. I have been busy coming and going but need to remind myself it is important to make time for friends.
I have been given a set of lino cutting tools. I have never tried this technique.
It takes a bit of thought to work out what to cut away and what to leave.
Preferred the black print. Making sure the printing ink is really smooth is important. Needs more practice.
This is the beginning of my piece connected to the Scottish Embroiderers Guild Regional day. " On the Tay " Hoop project.
Painted with dyes onto Bond a Web and when dry ironed onto fabric.
Set inside a hoop. Thinking about Dundee`s history of whaling. I need a bit more action and less thinking just now.
Some samples from a workshop lead by a Guild member. Interesting ideas for this project from the members who attended.
Had a working day with friends, exhibiting group, Kalamkari. We were revisiting Verdant Works. I am trying to get my head round ideas for our next exhibition, based on this jute museum. I lost the momentum when art work was stored in a shed. Hoping the visit will start the creative juices flowing.
So many interesting machine shapes.
I am drawn to the rolls of string the women wore round their waists. Thinking a long book which will roll up. Just at the very early thinking stage but hey its a beginning.
More ground dug to make borders in the garden.
The fabric birds have a new home.
The wind blew the other arrangement over and the branch broke. I think they will be happy in the ivy hedge. They have been outside since July and are wearing well.
Rediscovered this piece of work when unpacking.
This was started at a James Hunting workshop quite a few years ago. Didn't think I ever used this method of working again but looking at this piece I realise I do patch fabric together with hand stitching. I thought I had started working this way when my husband was ill and I could do little pieces sitting in waiting rooms and join them when I was at home. Subconscious at work. What goes in is mixed around in that soup we call creativity and years later pops up.
Look in next week to see how the thinking is going
1st Phone friends
2 Finish the Hoop ( it is a small piece )
3 Get some paper work started for Verdant Works
BYE BYE
