Poppy

My header image which I have now decided is finished, I will probably make it into a little lined bag at some point; I am quite keen on these at the moment and I have been collecting nylon zips in Charity shops.

I have mainly used Cretan Stitch, some of Spirit Cloths' method of backstitch, and some triple seeding stitch, on a backing of thin wadding.

These bags are always useful, and the last one has made a good case for my Kindle; using a piece of indigo dyed on my Access Course and a piece of cyanotype print, which I was into the last time we had a sunny summer; how long ago was that?

One of my books will be in the Sheffield International Artists' Book Prize Exhibition being held at Bank Street Arts in Sheffield, from 11th October to 5th November. Take a look here for details.

I will show you some images if any come on line, as I shall not be able to get up North to see the exhibition myself. There is no selection process, but you are encouraged to donate the book to their growing collection of books. A good thing about the exhibition is that it is an exploration of the way in which to display artists’ books as much as anything else and all books will be there for visitors to look through.
Don't forget the Summer Giveaway - see my side bar.

Brushes

Brushes, a photo by stitchworks-jackie on Flickr.

They are dirty and old, which I suppose proves I use them sometimes.

Bala

We spent a recent long weekend in North Wales centred on Lake Bala for the long distance swimming and boating which I took no part in, despite encouragement to have a go. I did take lots of photos of the beautiful scenery; we were in a house high up overlooking the lake and hills.

I used one of my photos for the sketchbook challenge, July’s theme being ‘Elements’ and I sort of stretched the idea for Earth to use the shapes in the distant fields.

‘Design Matters’ TV has had a recent episode showing how to use water soluble pencils and then InkTense crayons on fabric. I having been using these for some time and my book for ‘We Love Your Books’ made use of them but one useful tips was to iron the fabric onto freezer paper first in order to make it easier to work on the surface.

Drawn with ink, crayoned,' activated' with fabric medium, machine and hand stitched.

Still lots of time to join the Summer Giveaway mentioned in the previous post.To be clear you need to comment on the Giveaway Post to be in the draw.

The cucumber ‘paper’, despite some good tips and advice, was a disaster. We have lots of home grown cucumbers so if we get a glut I may have another go.

Summer Giveaway.

It is time for a summer giveaway. I promise it will not be one or even two of my old tin cans, despite them being part of a valuable collection.

To be in to win one of two prizes you will need to:
1. Leave a comment on this post.


2. Join the Followers List if you are not already on it.

I will make the draw, which will be random, at the end of August.
If you have trouble with Bloggers’ vagaries re commenting you need to sign in and untick the ‘stayed signed in box’, which will then take you back to the comment box.

Again my annual grouch, if you are kind enough to like my images so much that you wish to download them, it would be nice to comment and say ‘hello’. I know these remarks make no difference, because I am regularly aware of downloaded images, without the recipient bothering to comment.  I suppose I should just be flattered.

I want to recommend a book by Julia Manheim called ‘Sustainable Jewellery’ published by A&C Black, London. It was a random find in my local library and is all about jewellery made from ‘found’ materials, including old cans. There are some fascinating images in it and  it is well worth a look.If you follow the link it will take you to the book on Amazon, where you are able to have a look inside.

Bath time

Bath time, a photo by stitchworks-jackie on Flickr.

Paper

I had a go at pulp paper painting at the Hackwood Festival; these things are always so much easier when someone actually shows you how to do it, rather than reading a book which seems to complicate matters. I once tried learning tatting from written instructions and although I mastered it in the end it took me hours(by the way, I have not idea how to do it now, though I still have the lovely little shuttle somewhere).Well painting with pulp is child’s play, at least how I did it. Especially as the tutor had already spent hours pulping the recycled paper and colouring it!

 I was inspired to make some paper, which I haven’t done for a long time, and with the tips given me by Anita Bell the whole process was less messy and more successful. Firstly keep all the equipment damp, including the cloths and deckle, and best tip, use a sponge to take off some of the water before couching the paper, not too much as otherwise the paper will stick on the frame.

The first time I tried this process I remember having pieces of wood and bricks in the kitchen to make a sort of press. Now I layer in between my blankets and there is less water about in general.

 I did get air bubbles, and some pieces not pulped sufficiently, but I like my paper, so much so that it may take some time to actually work with it. The colour came from teabags and turmeric boiled up together. I also have an old liquidizer which works better than the food processor.

If you would like to see some excellent images of work by paper makers take a look at IAPMA..

I am also trying to make some paper from cucumber slices, but I don’t think my little book press is man enough for the job; I suspect it may go mouldy before I have a sheet of ‘paper’.

Shoes,paper, and a Chinook

This display of shoes is part of the permanent display at The Link Gallery, Winchester. I thought that it was a perfect fit with the theme of ‘HerStory’.

Don’t forget that if you are in the area the exhibition continues until July 8th.Scroll down for details if you missed the previous posts.

Today I went to the hackwood art festival which is a biannual event; this year held in a marquee in a lovely setting, and with the chance to stroll enviously around the hosts’ garden. As usual there was a range of workshops led by exhibiting artists. I chose to go to the ‘painting with paper pulp’ workshop run by Anita Bell. I think it says a great deal about the area in which I live that I was the only participant. Lucky for me, but a lost opportunity for others. There were lots of inspiring samples to look at, suggestions for books to read about the subject, and, of course, individual attention for me.The festival continues on 26th June, so if you are in Hampshire check out the website for details.

I have made paper before, but never done any pulp painting or made a bowl, which I had the chance to do today. Needless to say, another creative pursuit that I will not be able to resist. Fortunately I already have all the equipment needed, except for the turkey baster!

When I got home I nearly drove head on into a large tanker coming down the lane leading to my garage, which I did think was strange, and stranger still to see a Chinook in the field behind my house. It had attracted quite a crowd, who were all ushered away as it prepared for take off. I think the pilot may not get any dinner tonight.(Correction,I am informed,by he who knows best, that this was a planned stop to coincide with Armed Forces Day).

Crop 'We Love Your Books'2011

You can see the online exhibition of selected books for this years exhibition on Flickr.http://www.flickr.com/photos/rejectamenta/sets/72157625363065320/with/5709023029/
Mine is an interpretation of crop using an image from my life drawing class where we focused on the body almost as a landscape. I played on the words apples and pears, and used InkTense crayon and fabric medium to work on fabric.

Private View

Here are some photos of the Private View for ‘HerStory’; I was impressed with both the work and the professional way in which it was displayed.

I was especially pleased that the organizers listened to me and took the trouble to construct a wall case so that people can take out my artist’s book and look through it; so much more appropriate than putting it in a display case.

It was good to be able to discuss the work with a few of the artists, and to know more of the back story, which helped the pieces to come to life.

This year there were no constraints on dimensions, and this produced a wider variety of media used, textiles, ceramic, prints, paintings, jewellery and the indefinable!

'HerStory'

I have been to Winchester this morning, up the hill past the prison, to The Link Gallery, part of Winchester University where Women's Work are holding their exhibition entitled 'Herstory'.
I have two pieces in the exhibition. This is a brief view and I will show more of my work, and
hopefully some views of the exhibtion later.
If you are anywhere near do try to go, as I am always impressed by both the work, often many prints, and the way the exhibitions are presented. The Private View is on Friday 10th June from 6-8.30pm and you are cordially invited.

I mention the prison because I once did a placement there and have visited many times; on one memorable occasion showing my library card by mistake for my pass, and getting in with no problem.
Not that one would want to go there by choice!

MadLab Exhibition

Here is a link to photos of the preview of the User Generated Art exhibition which the Flickr Response(VS) Group took part in:

http://www.flickr.com//photos/gazh1/sets/72157626749804857//show/

More photos and information here:
http://usergeneratedcontent.posterous.com/

Stroud Part 1

I feel that I really didn’t do justice to the Stroud Textile Festival as I was only able to get there on the last weekend but here are a few photos of the work I saw.

In the Lansdown Hall and Gallery the work of Corinne Gradis and Elodie Watanabe was on show. Initially inspired by a herring bone motif on an African cloth and basketry motifs their work was both intricate and eye catching. There was also a mouth watering display of textile related books by The Chrome Yellow Bookstall. I resisted, because like many I know I can get books so much cheaper on line; which is a shame but true.

The South West Textile Group was showing in the Subscription Rooms with the theme Talisman. They obviously enjoy their textile work and were extremely welcoming and ready to describe every step and dyed thread used. They reminded me of myself when someone shows some interest in a piece I am trying to sell on a craft stall.

The students from Somerset College shared design briefs to produce their very professional pieces.

 I was interested in the piece below as I am attending a workshop based on fabric manipulation in the summer.

In the Museum in the Park was a collection of work by some well known artists, some of whose work, like that of Tilleke Schwarz, I have only seen before in magazines. Sorry no photos. I particularly liked some of the small pieces of slate and stone held together by stitch, shown by Clyde Olliver.There was a large wall displaying a thread and pin installation by Debbie Smyth whose work I have seen before at Origin. The amount of work and detail is breathtaking.Here is a video of her working.
Also interesting was the work of Jessica Turrell who uses vitreos enamel to make what are decribed as veils of word; I was fascinated by the text and the shadows cast by the pieces.

What I most missed seeing was the open studio of Matthew Harris, whose work I really admire. Here is a link to his website, if you have not seen it before.

The Flickr Response Project (VS) will be exhibiting at MadLab Manchester from 3rd to 16th June;here are details of the exhibition entitiled 'User Generated Content'.
Most importantly Sarah of Guerilla Embroidery would like people to know that this is only the first venture, if you want to take part you may still do so and there will be more exciting projects to follow.
See my links bar.