Random Stuff

I've finished my work for the forthcoming exhibition at John Clare and no I'm not going to finish the big piece, it would be a pity not to give it the full treatment and my energy levels are very low at the moment. So rather than beat myself up about it my thoughts have turned to Christmas presents.  I don't think the recipient of this one looks at my blog but she will know instantly who it is for if she does. This is all about the dogs and the beach we walk on in Ullapool, we should have been there at the end of October but the appointment with the neurologist clashes and is a priority at the moment.

Printing and dyeing have also been going on.

These are three separate directions I'm going in for some ideas for new work and just because I was enjoying the process. The first two are homemade blocks and the third is a tree stencil that I keep coming back to.

Husband's birthday today (we celebrated on Saturday) that meant our eldest daughter is enjoying a stay with us. We have both been printing and dyeing and today we felt like stitching, so out with the 'omiyage' book

and we have produce four little chrysanthemum bags.

These will hold  gifts of jewelry, silk scarves or chocolate and I usually make a dozen or so so that I can create a last minute prezzie as the need arises. I will use my hand printed papers to make tags to go with them. I think Lucy is now addicted to making them as well - nice to start up a tradition!

Name and Shame

 My workroom this morning at 8.30am. I think I've finally spread my attention too far.

 

So did I start finishing off.......

As I was stripping the inspiration board (always a prelude to clearing up) I just had a notion to see what my samples would look like together, I machined them onto some batting with a simple wavy grid and laid some threads over in a further grid to couch down.

And now I have another piece of work on the go!

I've just remembered, I have a book that has been started for the John Clare exhibit, four sketchbooks I'm working into and a huge canvas to fill with a mosaic of tiny painted squares that I have been preparing for a few weeks. 

I've also remembered that none of it really matters, I'm not going to lose my job over it, the world is not going to come to an end if I take my time to get through these UFO's, it's just what I do to fill my days in the most pleasurable way I know.  

Gelatin and Vermeer

Tuesday was spent with two good friends enjoying our monthly crafting day (an excuse to get very messy really).

I had seen a lot of references to gelatin printing lately and was itching to have a go. The night before I made up three 'plates' using a recipe from Workshop on the Web. They sat in the fridge over night and travelled several miles with no problem the next day.

We tested several mediums - acrylics -fabric paints - printing inks to name a few and discovered that all worked well with a little tweaking such as adding water or or gels or extenders. We used rollers - stencils - and stamps and just played all day.

I did quite a few paper prints as I often work in this medium and knew that it would be a useful addition to my stash.

I moved onto printing on fabric in the afternoon and although the colours were not quite vibrant enough for me, some useful samples were produced. Good company, lots of laughter some excellent cross-over of ideas for future get togethers, all in all a perfect day.

Wednesday was spent at the Vermeer exhibition in The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge with John and another two good friends. I have to say that I generally avoid Cambridge like the plague: too much traffic and people for my liking,however the park and ride system made the whole experience a delight, yes - I know I'm a bit behind the  times but it was my first journey using this bus even though it's been in existance for a few years.

What can I say about the exhibition - sublime, awesome, thought provoking, I could write hundred pages on the experience. A day to savour and remember for a long time. I remember quoting Vermeer as one of my favourite artists when asked the question at college some years ago and remember being made to feel very uncool and unworldly in my taste.

I stand by my answer to this day!

Post christmas blues beater

On New years day John and I like so many other people we know had a low grade virus. For various reasons were feeling low in spirit and energy - sad news and missing faces over the holiday period had eaten away at our normal optimism.

Almost without discussion we knew what we had to do  - DECORATE - and not just a room - the whole house!

So here we are eight days later having completed the ground floor and about to start on the stairs and landing.

No, it hasn't made everything in life wonderful but it has lifted our spirits, built our energy levels back up and made the house sparkle at the same time. It helps that decorating is an enjoyable process for us both and that the whole house is painted in the same shade - Calico White walls and eggshell woodwork in the same shade. We find it allows us to display a lot of art work without looking too busy.

An indulgence was to replace our two Ikea table lamps in the sitting room. My style is 60's/70s retro scandinavian ( Think G-plan, Nathan, Mackintosh teak furniture) so I wanted lamps that hinted at this era. The ones I really wanted were utterly out of my budget (as usual) and I settled for a pair I found in B&Q  that had black lampshades however they cast an unpleasant light because they were lined with white paper. I really wanted black shades that were lined with copper gilding  which cost £80.00 each and upwards. I thought I would settle for a white retro shade instead but when I tried the shade at home it was out of proportion with the base, really dumpy and squat. 

To cut a long story short (wake up at the back there) I've ended up joining the two shades together and gilding the inside of the black one with copper leaf (as in the first image). Not completely there yet that ribbon is a bit wobbly but you get the picture.

I'm just about to make some gelatin plates for printing fabric and paper with my two crafting buddies at our monthly meeting tomorrow. Will post on the success or otherwise.

Looking Back

It's interesting to look back at the things that I have  been involved with this year. As per usual I have shown little self discipline and allowed myself to pursue whatever takes my fancy, from quilt making to bookmaking, drawing, embroidery, collage, crochet and dozens of other things I've already forgotten. Oh well - a lot of fun was had on the way and it all percolates away in my head and informs each subsequent piece of work.

I have also worked on a couple of large projects for a couple of exhibitions next year, I won't show any images of these pieces until the exhibitions are over but the interesting thing about them is that they are almost devoid of colour. Given that I am known amongst my peers for quite vibrant colour combinations I think they will be quite surprised by my sudden show of restraint.