Fibre-Reaction

Wheeeeeee!!!

2012-02-10T16:07:00.000Z

I am a happy bunny - I've managed to get the tabs at the top of the blog to work. It was simple really, when you bother to engage the brain. But if you see any typos, you will let me know, please.

So the above tabs, click on them to what they call "stand alone pages" with a brief summary about each topic. My idea is that its informal and a bit of background to the how, what, why about me - a compliment to the formality of my own website, and perhaps a little added insight to what I write in my blog pages.

Snow and Stitching

2012-02-08T09:11:00.000Z

I came back home Saturday evening, wary of the weather forecast saying snow would start at dusk. Had to collect him indoors, had the car engine running, he leaps in and we do the 100+ mile dash home before the snow came. We made it a couple of hours before it hit here. No more since, but they do say today we might get another 4"/5" worth.

This is my furry beastie.... he's not impressed. Lots of - "you expect me to go out in THAT" - he has to inspect from each doorway to see if its different from one side of the house to another, but really he'd rather stay on the duvet thank you very much.
Well did I uncover some dark family secrets rummaging through possessions - no. I did find my Grandfather's leather baby shoes - he was born in 1904. However, I came across some things I'd stitched and given as gifts.... sadly never ever used. A CHiN bag.... Children in Need charity bag pattern - I've made a couple of them.

Also there was a handmade book - I looked at both of them and thought, gosh, these are really very well made, I know I made them, but even so, the stitching and construction on both is very crisp and neat - and yes I'm surprised I did it!!!
I have lots to do art wise - an opportunity came through this past week which I'd like to try for, if I've time, but I've an application to get in for something else in the meantime, and a little matter of finishing stitching a piece... and I want to turn these tabs at the top of the blog, into proper pages - bit of brain failure last time I tried.

Trying to create - honest!!!

2012-02-01T15:59:00.000Z

Slightly blurry photo, but adds to the mystery - because this is all to do with my 3d piece for The Material Girls forthcoming exhibition. Doesn't look like this now, not quite finished, but plodding on. Trying to do as much as I can when I can - but personal life is intruding still more than I want. Not helped by things going wrong in this house at the same time, as other stuff. Like the iron gave up, the washing machine has a distinct coloured patch emerging from underneath and the bathroom sink decided to leak. And now the new patio doors are squeaking..... and this morning the printer says its not connected. Does everything have to all go wrong at the same time, and when you've no brain space for it? I have shut the door on a couple of problems because its just been a case of no ability to deal with them properly. At least the plumber has been today, hooray!!!
I'm going away for a couple of days, not holiday, more house sorting elsewhere. But it has occurred to me, I'm going to have to take photos of my home town, record it as my history. I've not lived there for over 20 years... my brother for longer, my niece and nephew don't live in the same county, they have no connection to the place, unless we give them one. This is from my hometown.... its HUGE, can be seen for miles.

Perhaps it should become an art project.... before time evaporates and there's yet another collection of photos, this time on the computer, with just a digital number and no explanation of the who and the what....

Magazines

2012-01-25T17:26:00.000Z

I would love this posting to have something pretty on it.... but alas nothing to show to you.

I might finally be getting some time back for creating, and yes, today at our EG meeting I did take out a needle, whoah, almost needed a lesson it what it was used for!.

I have been spending money... renewed my subs via the EG for Embroidery magazine. I've been taking it since 1992, sometimes there are issues not so good, but I can't for the moment imagine not having it. I also decided to renew my sub for Quilting Arts. Hesitant, but also feeling the need to keep something going, and I get it via digital sub, so not so much money. I've decided not to renew the sister magazine, Cloth Paper Scissors, although I've had that since Issue 1. I went online to discover that the last issue of The Bonefolder has just been issued. Its a free online magazine for the book arts. So downloaded that to complete my collection. Alas bit disappointed with my other book arts magazine. Dogeared it stopped publication a while back, but with the promise that all subs would be honoured. Well I am still owed FOUR magazines. As I wrote recently discovered that another issue has been published, available as an e-mag. Well I've done as requested, sent in my info to get my copy..... nothing. Chased it up via another direction...... nothing. I won't quite write this off, dealing with the wrong person, if I'm owed something I won't let go without a big fight, and I've barely started on this one. Someone hold my coat!!!
Oh oh oh, we have a new laptop, hooray. Went into that well known, usually out of town computer shop, to buy, from the usual 12 year old staff member. Him indoors asked about a particular model and got the ever helpful duh response!! Well what about this one, sorry can't sell you that one.... oh OK then in the words of Pretty Woman, 'big mistake, huge' - no sale for you then. 4pm ordered a laptop online from a large none electrical store - next day arrived 1.30pm and via FREE delivery! Obviously in these dire financial times, some people want your money!!!

Forthcoming Exhibition

2012-01-11T15:49:00.000Z

Make a Note - this is the first of many Exciting Exhibitions to come this year with The Material Girls. As you can see its a collaborative project between The Material Girls here in the UK and Articulation in Canada.
I am still working on a piece for the Exhibition, not saying what it is, but it will be colourful and has involved a huge amount of scissor wielding!!
I expect there will be a flurry of activity soon in terms of opportunities dropping through the ether. Another reason for keeping my little year book, you get to see the timings of when people send out information, how far in advance etc.
It is my intention to take each opportunity I come across and assess it on its merits, and more importantly me on my timescale, and ability to fully embrace, as things have radically changed, at least for a few months. It will all even out in the end, just might be a bit full on at times.
But 2012, you've lots to view in Essex from The Material Girls. so do come along and see us.

Getting Organised

2012-01-04T15:30:00.000Z

Oh, first, Happy New Year. Its a bit later than I'd intended but I'm getting myself up to date with things, printing off mini calendars to stick in notebooks etc. I used to have one notebook for everything, but actually it does get rather heavy and also confusing, searching through pages to find what belongs to what organisation, and over time I've found some places I go, I only ever write half a page, so pointless to heave a heavy tome about. So these days I have a notebook for each, much easier to just grab the red one on this day and the green one on that. I've also made myself another year book. You can read all about the how, what, why in this posting I did hesitate about making another, number 7, but it does prove to be very useful.

It just has to be patterned paper - and this is Tim Holtz. Vintage Shabby - which I love. The cover is a textured paper which I bought at one of those 'fill a wallet' stands. It will have the year added on the front at some point. It will also have bells on!!! Yes really. I have a couple of bells on a split ring which will attach to the spine - so useful to then be able to find the book!!! Wobble the table, smack the shelf, and it will ring to say I'm here!

In the back of the book I also keep a list of forums etc I belong to and my sign in details.... I thought I ought to check out and upgrade the info. Dogeared Magazine which is a publication about book arts has a forum do dah.. Publication of the magazine itself has disappeared and lots of us are still owed issues. But the promise has been that they will appear, Well checking the forum, thinking perhaps I ought to ditch it, been such a long time... and what do I find, next issue of the mag is available for download for those who were subscribers. So I hope to get access to it. But odd... I have the blog in Google Reader and there's been no notification on there, so its only pure chance I discovered, and I don't know when notification was put up on the forum site.

In the meantime I'm toying with the idea of continuing with Quilting Arts for another year..... change of editor, may bring about changes, as such things often do.... so thinking about it.

How about something pretty

This is Rico PomPom yarn. I'm using Tunisian Crochet to make..... well its a thing! I tend to call these pieces Therapy work. Its an itch to scratch, either in terms of the need to get back in touch with crochet, or to play with a ball of yarn. I can't knit - well its more like pushing a snowball uphill - but lots of these lovely fancy yarns don't show how you can crochet with them. I've chosen Tunisian Crochet, because I can push the pom poms onto one side. It may turn into something, perhaps another cat blanket which the cat sniffs looks at and declares "you expect me to sit on that". But its bright and cheerful for these dull grey days of Winter.

Personal Post

2011-12-28T15:39:00.000Z

I don't really like personal posts on my blog - because I feel everyone has enough issues of their own without reading about mine!!
However, my Mother died on 27th December, not something expected or on the radar a week ago. Unfortunately this is not the first family bereavement at holiday time, and we have other family members who are no longer here who have birthdays at or around Christmas.
So, I am now moving into a new life phase - and somehow it seems appropriate with the New Year around the corner. My brother and I now become the senior family at least on my Mother's side. My husband's niece has moved in with her boyfriend, so its all life moving on, the next generation on exciting ventures, the cycle continues.
Throughout my whole life my stitching has sustained me. It may get put aside at times, but it has always been the one constant, since... forever. So I have no reason to abandon my plans already in hand, just they may need adjustment to achieve, as long as the brain fog is kept in order, things will work out OK.

Tis the Season....(for plans to change)

2011-12-21T11:34:00.000Z

Well, not a lot is happening on the art front... and I had such plans this week, as I've done all my Xmas things. That's not me being super efficient, its more we live away from family so things have to be delivered. Each day this week I was going to do something... well here we are at Wednesday, and not begun, and doesn't look like it will at all.
More paperwork for our Canadian element of the Material Girls Bridging Waters Exhibition, tick. Also received an Art Trail application form, so need to note deadline in the 2012 diary!!!
Saw the ERTF Essex ladies on Friday and had a good time.
The laptop went to be checked, and it will cost too much to repair... but lovely people that they are, waived the fee to look at it. The shop is a little independent, and has a big (about 6') metal man/robot standing outside - he, cos I'm sure its a he, is dressed for Xmas, with his hat, waistcoat and a tie. Not really sure about 'him' because in the summer he had a sun hat, pink scarf and a handbag!
About 4 miles away we have a cycle shop which did have two mannequins outside, but obviously there's been a divorce cos only the lady is there now - in her high vis police jacket!!!
And now I'm off to make Lists.....
Personal family issue has arisen, which at the moment means everything is hovering. I'm guessing I'm spending Xmas 100 miles away, and himself gets to stay at home with the cat and share the Xmas dinner!! Its not my decision to make, just got to await advice of others.

Wishing Everyone a Happy Christmas

Catching Up with Textile Friends

2011-12-15T11:59:00.000Z

Busy this week....it was my Embroiderers' Guild meeting past Saturday. We made a little bookmark.

Really enjoyable as we all made it in the afternoon - well I ran out of thread about 2" from the end so had to reverse stitch at home (pull it out) - but I did that straight away. Got in, got a cuppa and completed it. Lots of fun, laughter, a real teaser of a quiz. So glad I put off seeing relatives that day!
Tuesday it was The Material Girls meeting, including munchies. Can't believe how fast my time with them has gone by. I've not yet started my 3d piece based on water... sigh believe me this has been a struggle. Not short of ideas at all, just nothing seemed to gel with me. I've spent hours pouring over poetry, quotations, sayings, but still none of it shouted "this is THE thing to make" - spent hours on the sewing machine only to abandon that idea too. However, thanks to my friend, Anne's, casual remark - I thought that's it, go back to what's you. This is the problem you are trying to be what you are not, square peg, round hole. I have to take hold of this, because this trying to force myself into a niche, practically crippled me during CandG studies. I do like what others do... I love to see it, and on Tuesday I saw some truly beautiful things, skills I so admire - but for me to do that, its just not the right fit and it truly makes me anxious. A challenge is good, and that's part of why I joined MG, but I don't need to have anxiety over it and I do need to hold on to what is me - after all that's why they accepted me in the first place, seeing my work as it is.... It's MY mind set that is taking me back to these conventions, apart from subject matter and 3d, we've not have strict rules about it. Its odd when you think you've mastered and sent away these nagging gremlins, and they come back to sit on the shoulder and nag in the ear!! I think the lime green post-its will have to come out - big reminder "stay true to the art that makes you... you"
I did see the rellies yesterday - 250 miles round trip, gosh the roads are busy - huge amount of lorries on the move.
Tomorrow its back out for the ERTF Essex meeting - more munchies... a different group of people to meet and catch up with, so that will be nice. Then tomorrow night I intend to crash out in a heap - my Xmas is done and dusted. Cards gone, presents gone, collected ours, people seen. I get a whole week to do nothing Xmassy at all, no other outings in the diary, bliss. I've been loaned a paperarts book, and the latest Crafts magazine - so me, some relaxing stitching, nice read, oh... and poss opening the choccies early, and I can be smug and watch everyone else go mad. Sounds like a good plan!

2011-12-07T17:22:00.000Z

Remember I said I needed a paper fix. Well this is what I made. Its called a Kusudama flower. Do as I did, and Google for the instructions for it - I followed a video. The paper is a new purchase, which I love love love. Its by Tim Holtz, Tissue Wrap. Comes on a roll just like cling film or tinfoil - this is Terminology, and has dictionary type meanings on it, so very me!!

I've still not worked out what I need arty wise for Xmas.... but I have bought choccies, for me!! Him indoors tells me the shops have sold out - so he won't want any of mine then, will he?

But now a question…. Jan/Feb time my magazines come up for renewals on their subs. So, should I renew or not? I will renew Embroidery, no question of that. I’ve been taking it since 1992. It was the magazine which led me to the Guild itself, it used to publish lists of all the Branches and contacts. It came at a pivotal moment in my arty life. Bought the magazine, attended my first Guild meeting and started C&G studies all within weeks of each other. Its now the only magazine (since Fiberarts demise) that gives me a wider viewpoint on textile art. Some issues are better than others, or rather some of course hit what resonates with me, but I can’t imagine giving it up because what I don’t like or am not drawn to gives me cause to think. I am the sad person who reads everything in my magazines and I mean everything, all the ads, the lot.

I also take Quilting Arts and Cloth Paper Scissors – via digital copy as that way I can afford them both. I’ve taken CPS since issue one. Honestly, I’ve never made a project in it…. and I don’t like twee – things like pages and pages of Halloween novelties, Xmas decorations also leave me cold. QA I’ve taken for a while now – but I don’t quilt!!! In fact I don’t really know where to start with quilting. However, QA merges the edges between embroidery and quilting, and I’ve come across several artists I like, and now follow their blogs. So if I don’t take these two magazines any more, what do I put in their place? I don't tend to stitch in the evenings very often - I use that time for my reading.
Btw we have a calamity, I can't function.... the laptop has died. Would have been nice if it hadn't failed 3 weeks after a new battery. Looked it up, was bought on Boxing Day in the sales four years ago. Guess where we are going this year? It has had a huge amount of use. We have a netbook, which I'm not keen on, keys in different places and I always type the wrong stuff, too small to see, and.... I can't play Mahjong Tiles on it - see calamity. I mentioned the i-pad word.... and judging by the response, no mini flat do dah thingy is coming in this house!!

The Dyed Pretty

2011-12-05T15:11:00.000Z

Here's a couple of pics of the pretty after its been dyed. It did start off with turquoise, but the colour was too pale, so then I plunged it into one called hyacinth. Its come out a blue/purple - like a bluebell!!! or may be a hyacinth.
Tomorrow it will go out with me to my stitchy meeting and have more coloured stitching added by hand, pinks, oranges, yellows....

Pretties.....

2011-12-01T11:26:00.000Z

I'm going to have a blitz on some things today - well that's the plan - who knows, days seem to evaporate somehow.
People for some reason, often say to me, you don't do handstitching do you? I beg to differ... I see myself as a bit of a butterfly, because I like all sorts of techniques. Quite often I end up with layers of both hand and machine stitches - and certainly to the couple of stitch groups I go to, I always of course by necessity take hand work with me. So what am I stitching by hand at the moment (of course they might also get put under the machine at some point, who knows).

The fabric has history.... belonged to my gran. It had a huge dirty splodge on it and without thinking I threw into the washer - stain came out and the fabric lost all its dressing and came out beautifully soft. This is coloured with acrylic paint. I've stitched it in white because its about to go into the dye. Hopefully the bits of white base fabric will colour along with the white stitching - we will see... might be turquoise, might be hot pink. Anyway I want to move it on to the next element to take it with me on Tuesday.

This is the very fine weight lutradur painted again with acrylic, in hot pink, red and a bit of white. This is for an EG project which has to be pink!!! This will likely follow another hand technique, lots of beads, bits of metal chain....over the top.
I don't have a dedicated space all of my own to work in - so I tend to like to paint fabrics rather than dye - I find it easier, more controllable to get the exact colour I want and where I want, plus I don't end up with yards and yards of fabric in a colour which I likely may never use again. Been there, done that. I use acrylic paints because I'm all for one product which does many tasks - and I don't find it an issue to stitch through it by hand as you can see from both above, or via the machine.
Btw, I call these pieces of work Pretties. Because that's what they are to me, using the pretty colours and techniques and being a bit choke girly. They are also free spirited, conscience reactions if you want to be posh - but if not, I just sit and play and stitch where and with what the mood suggests. I have had and recorded here, great trouble with working this way. Because I do enjoy it a lot, but because there's no 'design' no paperwork to support it, it didn't seem like proper art. Add in one or two people accused me of as much.... and I doubted severely the worth of doing this. However, wonderful Jae Maries book, listing the types of artist and one of them : Materials Lead. And this is it, letting the fabric and thread in your hands tell you what to do with it. Such a freedom to me to know its legitimate to work like this. I also think it has elements of something Jean Littlejohn said to me once on a class. Asked about how long it took her to make a piece, she said "oh, about 30 hours plus 25 years". And that's what's in these Pretties, all the knowledge about design and colour and contrast and texture that you absorb, making such decisions almost without thinking as you work.
I should be doing something else rather than the above, but despite hours of research its not happening... and I have a huge need for a paper fix - so I'm off now to make a paper flower....

All I Need for Xmas Is ?????

2011-11-27T17:52:00.000Z

So, the C word is hovering around us... no not Cake - Christmas. So what do I absolutely, imperatively, cannot possibly live without, need to buy, arty wise?
I have stitched all my life, and I mean all my life, cannot remember not doing it. I had some idyllic situations as a young child - tiny country primary school (only 4 of us the same age!!!) taking our sewing outside in the Summer to work on it in the playground instead of in class... ahhhh. I still have the embroidered Radio Times (tv guide) cover I made - in our house we only bought the RT at Xmas!!!
Every Christmas I had something creative - and it became a ritual that after lunch on Boxing Day I would start work on whatever it was - the embroidery kit of a kitten.... playing with my pink paisley knitting bag - although I can't knit - I've crocheted since I was 7, I still have my wallet of crochet hooks, bought as a present. A couple of years back I bought myself a flower loom, as I remember having one of those as a child - was it K-Tel who made everything naff!!! Rediscovering I made my flowers in wire....
These days I spend part of the public holidays alone - which doesn't worry me, actually I rather like it - box of posh chocs, "It's a Wonderful Life" to watch, quite content, and its even better with something creative, preferably fun and relaxing rather than making to an agenda. But of course I've now lost the childish excitement over the stitch kit, but I still long for the ritual, and for something new to lovingly look at, stroke and coo over.
So.... what should I have to keep me company? And no.... a Readicut rug won't do - did every family make those, we did, Gran did - more than one.

Avoidance techniques

2011-11-24T12:06:00.001Z

Well for the past few days I've been consumed in paperwork, sent off to Canada for Material Girls and then had other things to look at. I've had to take a deep breath and get on with it, purely because just soooo not in the mood to even look at it. Managed to move the pile of paper around the table, on the floor, even almost got ready to look at, and then husband took over the table so again it got moved.... and I didn't object!!! But I self-lectured and did the come on "one bite at a time". Its not that its onerous, just it simply doesn't match my mood and that of itself makes it a hard slog.
Anyway forgetting that I had a play... this is it - no idea what it actually is, or even what its for... but its a mix of gesso, writing ink and Craftynotions colour sprays.

Ooooh the smell, yeuk. I bought a pot of Gesso from one of these discount stores. Deciding at the time that was a good idea rather than the more expensive branded. I do use gesso quite a lot, and this is fine, except the smell of it, its really horrible. And as for the writing ink... well I did have two bottles of Quink, but found one ages ago had evaporated... couldn't find the other one, but did know I'd seen some ink cartridges only last week....somewhere. Found those, and oops think they must be over 20 years old. So to use this involved taking scissors to them and cutting off the tops, not much ink in those pesky tubes, and of course who never wears her latex gloves or thinks about them until after. The coloursprays are excellent for dyeing hands too, actually I figured as they did that so well, they'd be OK on my experiment!

I've got another "one bite at a time" thing to do - Xmas cards and/or decorations. I don't do this for myself, its just absolutely not me at all... so this is really going to be one of those - you must sit here and do something, no cuppa, no walking away until you've achieved something. I know it will invovle severe irritation, can feel it already and haven't started - well I bought some tartan ribbon, now I need to lay down to recover!!!

Tea Making for the Flustered!!

2011-11-16T13:47:00.000Z

Well its all doom and gloom – and that’s just today’s weather. I hate this, constant grey, we have heavy mist this morning – its like the colour gets sucked out of the world, even the lovely autumnal shades lose their zing against this backdrop.
Saturday at EG, had the most wonderful talk from Lynda Monk. She is a very very generous lady in terms of sharing both her actual pieces to look at and the information on how its done. She did give me permission to take photos, but I didn’t ask for permission to put on my blog – so go to Lynda’s and see for yourself, I can tell you in the real they were stunning.
I’m feeling sad….. PaperWEIGHT of which I’ve been a Member for many years is struggling. Actually it’s a sign of the times, so many organisations are struggling for volunteers to run them, and also with finances being what they are at the moment, people have to make more considered choices as to where they spend their money. I don't think anywhere is safe.
There was a time when loads of people volunteered, when all sorts of things, not just art, sprung into life and were realised by people with strong conviction and a willing attitude. Times have changed, we don't live the same way as we did, time is precious. Plus these days we can be overburdened by officialdom - I know several things have disappeared because of Health and Safety or insurance premiums - I do wonder what's wrong sometimes with common sense and being responsible for you and yours. This brings about another problem because someone will say: "when I did it back in..... we did it like this" and they can't understand why it now has to be so complicated, thinking its now excessive in the minute detail. But we've seemingly progressed this way, "risk assessment" everything has to be thought of and covered from every direction. No wonder what was a pleasure to join in, help, organise and participate in the end result - by necessity has become lots of box ticking and headaches. But it has to be like that, so everyone knows what's what, there's no bending and manipulating because once one does it, others follow and soon everything is more of a muddle, tasks get duplicated or not done at all, and lots of precious volunteer time is wasted chasing things up, checking on things, and volunteers end up thinking - never again. So sorry but we do need some rules, just to make sure we all know we're talking about the same thing at any given time. When people get on and do the tasks they're allocated, the end result is so often brilliant But still I think we ought to volunteer, we ought to try - because belonging to things is a joy, and if we want to take away, we ought to contribute, in whatever way we can - even if its just tea making for the flustered!!! I don't know what I can offer to PaperWEIGHT, but ideas and thoughts have been requested, so, as someone who has taken - the very least I can do is to answer that request - to ignore would be very rude and insulting to all those who have put efforts in...

Terre Verte went to its new home at the weekend.

Let's Catch Up

2011-11-11T15:20:00.000Z

Gosh where do I start.... a few days have gone by. Found out my charity postcard via the Rochford Art Trail was sold - and the new owner likes it and is known to me. Enjoy, Helen.
Saturday I went off to Herts for the ERTF Conference on Colour. So nice to have Juliet with me - as she is excellent at navigating (sat nav in the car is for shouting at!) Ran into thick fog, and where did we go wrong? Missed the turning for the car park!!!
Brilliant day - so much new to learn about colour, for a start that there are zillions of different colour wheels. Joyce Honeysett was the guest speaker, very informative and kept us using our brains with various paper exercises. Mhmmm what colours are these..... I greyscaled them at home.

Any ideas? We used the same 3 shapes in different colours and arranged them differently each time to see what affect one colour has on another - right, this one was......

Our Vice Chair, Janet Cook also gave a talk. Beautiful quilts and art dolls, a very funny entertaining talk.

It was a lovely day, if a long one, so Sunday it was collapse in a heap.

Tuesday off to The Material Girls for the monthly meeting. A full on day, lots to go through, and yipee I've completed my hanging. Wish it wasn't so dull as I need a photo of it to send on to Canada.

I've also been out in my capacity as ERTF Website Manager, to discuss ways of taking that forward. Thank you Sally/Lorraine, and thanks to Sally for the excellent Lemon Drizzle cake to help discussions!!!

I've been in touch with someone who wants a small Art Works commission, and transacted my first ever PayPal income!!! And I have a second commission of this ilk to make. I wasn't sure about asking, you kow how it is when someone mentions, and you're not quite sure, is this a done deal or being polite? Same as a sale I've made. Wasn't terribly sure about it - but that was confirmed this morning. Actually I joke with the person that they are my Saatchi sponsors, as the family now have a few of my pieces.

And tomorrow, off to the Embroiderers' Guild for a talk by Lynda Monk.

Splash of Pink

2011-11-02T12:15:00.000Z

This is a photo of the book cover I made last week. Sorry if it looks grainy - problems with the operator of the camera (ie moi). The very bright pink is something like a vilene, or tissue paper - and we each were given a piece and someone said... why don't we make something with it by next meeting. Hence the above, and it being done at speed, and not measured etc properly. Anyway two of us were good girls and did the task.....
I removed my work from Rochford Art Trail on Monday... and they said "see you next year" - remains to be seen of course if I would get allocated there again - but I'm very happy with it all, now worked out how to manage putting work into glass cubes, and they are glass, not acrylic!!!
Remember I said there's always the "can you just" - and I'd had some pre-warning of that - well last week the proper request came through, so I've to consider what I can do for that within a couple of weeks.
I am making my hanging for the Material Girls exhibition - just painted gesso on calico.
Paperwork and admin wise I've still stuff to do - preparing a questionnaire with someone, researching another idea (must learn to keep mouth shut!) and likely having a meeting soon about managing/changing a group's website.
I've a commission to make - and possibly have another sale of a piece made a while back. So why am I sitting here blogging - I ought to be getting on with it all now, whilst the light is good. Still not found a daylight bulb for my sewing machine - manufacturers please note - huge market place for these I'm sure, don't just make for selected machines, we all want them!!!
And Saturday - off to Hertfordshire, to the ERTF Conference on Colour.

A Whine, Books and some Fun

2011-10-29T12:21:00.000+01:00

Last chance to see ROCHFORD ART TRAIL - charity postcards still available - lots of lovely artwork throughout the town.
And now for a rant...... I went to visit one location yesterday to arrive just as art was being whisked out of the door. I'm sorry but this makes me angry. The Terms and Conditions clearly state how long the work has to be in place for - we all have to sign these - it IS a Contract. So why do some think its OK not to comply? Sure it might be more convenient to take down on this day rather than that - but TOUGH. When you apply this information is known, its not a sudden thing - and if you don't want to follow what's on the schedule then don't apply - simple. And on the off chance it was asked/agreed that work be removed earlier - then why not have a sign to apologise and say so. Does make me mad when the Trail is quite new and its to help the town, the businesses, the artists, the community - hardly of the right spirit.... right growling over.

Finally I made it to the cheapy shop we have out of town, similar to a pound shop but more expensive - sells all sorts of ~~junk~~ must have items and I went to get next year's desk diary - huge expense of £1. Sounds posh that we have a desk diary, but over the years its been invaluable. Having only one car, its important to put down who is where and when, and I also write in all the post we get, that sounds particularly sad... but proving when something arrived has been invaluable in the past. Anyway enough domestic - I stood there looking and decided to also buy a small A6 page a day diary for my textile life!!! Again the grand outlet of £1. I have never ever had a diary for my textile life alone. Seems a bit pretentious - but just this week Chris from Material Girls has sent us the schedule for next year - lots on. As you will have seen in previous postings, Sept/Oct has been mad for me and I had to draw up a timetable, which inc who needed the car when! I do keep a monthly schedule pinned up, can't miss it. That's easy to do because my ISP provides a calendar so I just print it off. Its not quite a to do list, but I do flag up what's on the horizon as weekly or sometimes even couple of days, reminders. Anyway I know I have things to put in my new textile diary as far away as next September.
Oh, and sneaking into view under the scissors above is a book cover I made yesterday. Not that brilliantly as I didn't measure or pin it, or even clear enough space on the table to work properly, but it was a case of I MUST do this now, and I MUST not stop until its finished - otherwise I will struggle. Its made in response to a challenge, to be shown off to the others on Tuesday. And actually its been nice to do. As in yes I have "proper" work to do and deadlines, but this has refreshed things, a bit of fun and helps recharge for the next phase. And its also good to feel the challenge was set and I've achieved it.

Chatting, Tea, and Playing!!!

2011-10-24T13:14:00.000+01:00

Rochford Art Trail is NOW ON. Take a look around, lots to see, including an anonymous postcard sale, for charity.

I went out for my Playday with my friend Mary. Its been absolutely eons since we've done this. We didn't get so much playing done, as by the time we have consumed tea, lunch, I put some bits on Mary's computer for her, and we watched a Jan Beaney/Jean Littlejohn dvd, we only managed the one sample!!!
Having been doing this creative stitchy lark for sometime now - very little seems to be new any more, product wise. Sounds pretentious but it does get a bit, seen that, done that, lots of the new books which come out, I take a look and realise, did that 10-15 years back. Or I know techniques, or products by another name. But as they say there is very little new to be discovered, just probably better ways to design and use, and of course the skills and individuality involved. What keeps every artist of any kind going... the need to keep trying things.... to keep on scratching that creative itch. The "what if...."
So what did we play with, something that is new to us.... Aquabond 2... its the sticky dissolvable fabric - of course both of us have used many different types of dissolvable over the years - but the sticky has been around for a while, but we'd not tried. First problem finding an edge to peel it off its paper, and then to stop it welding itself to everywhere, scissors, table top, fingers. I used the sticky as it was, sprinkling chips of fabric on it. This is the difference between the two of us. As I go for just testing what it will do, so I'm more interested in will it hold, chiffon, net, cotton - but Mary sees design in everything and carefully cut out and placed her fabric shapes. I used pinks, reds, oranges, colours I never use, with a lime green thread, again a combination that I wouldn't normally bother with - whereas Mary considered the tones of her autumn colours, swapping out things until she had a pleasing design. She put her piece into a hoop to free machine, whereas I did it flat with no other support, again I wanted to know if you could move it around without need for a hoop - and yes you can. We've made dissolvable sandwiches before, but there's still an element of things moving during assembly before stitching. So we were pleased with the ability to place a fabric and have it stay. Now I want to play with placing paper - will it disintegrate when the sticky is washed out........ I'll let you know - but actually that idea also sounds appealing!!! Here's my sample - its not about design, or beautiful stitching, just about playing with a product, which, ironically.... you can no longer see!!!

More Work on Display

2011-10-19T15:55:00.000+01:00

As far as I know, I've just put up my last display of work, for the year. But.. as I've said before, there's always the "can you just..." request which pops out of the blue.

So today I've put up Rochford Art Trail work - although the trail doesn't start properly until Saturday. The people in Mendozas, are lovely, and I got a cuppa this morning too!
I've got some rather bad photos of it at the moment - the window is in full sun even at 10am, and we did suffer a bit with operator failure (me) - plus I had another appointment to get to. Will try to take some more on another day.
Monday I was at the ERTF committee meeting in Newmarket - its a long trek there and back, and attempting to use the brain in the gap in the middle!!! (That's the hard bit) I managed to get home with half an hour to spare before going off to the Trail Launch Party.
I am so very tired now, the hustle and bustle of Sept/Oct's diary is almost at an end. Its easy to say, I don't want such a full on schedule again, or things which don't involve physical distance - but that's not how life happens - its has all been achieved. Just need to realise its a balance between the times when nothing happens and everything happens. Make sure the supply of post-it notes, and highlighter pens are in hand, teach the cat how to cook meals, and everything will be fine.
The 2012 schedule is building already. Of course my display at Braintree Hospital continues until the end of March. The Material Girls have 3 venues to display the Articulated Materials Bridging Waters Exhibition. Art Trails of course, hopefully, will exist again next year (and some new ventures on that front are pending) - so I will apply for 2 in my own right - and there's potential to be involved in another 2 via various organisations. I've still to buy the house diary - and now I have things to add already for September!!
But..... at some point this afternoon, I will stop, for tea and cake - sorry I bought a single cake for one - so no, I'm not sharing!!!

Slowing Down and Keeping the Pace!!!

2011-10-12T11:12:00.000+01:00

I am soooooo tired now. The pace is now slowing down art wise, and I’ve time for the exhaustion to hit. I feel like I’ve driven miles too, roads I’ve not been on for 3-4 years and now twice in a little over a week. My suitcase is back now from Norwich, with grateful thanks to Kirsten. Actually it set me thinking – I know as always, after the event. I chose the suitcase because of all the meaning and interpretation of my ideas. And also because it was not like one big panel – which you have to make in its entirety. With a collection of small objects, if life got in the way, there would be fewer, and more, if time permitted. But until the exhibition end I had also not thought of the obvious, especially for another person collecting on my behalf. It was a suitcase, so everything fitted inside it, easy to collect and transport for whomever. Note to self – remember this for any future distance events, lightweight, ease of transportation also a factor.
I am pleased to say that two of my small art works were sold. It is re-assuring to know you make something which another enjoys. Affirms its OK to carry on trying! If anything I make, which can be seen on my website, appeals, do get in touch.
So at the moment I’m down to the one exhibition at Braintree Hospital – but next week set up Rochford Art Trail.
The Sept/Oct immediacy may have slowed, but I’ve still plenty in hand either as a deadline to reach or as a fun task. My Embroiderers’ Guild Branch have an event to make and apply for in January. The Material Girls of course have their exhibition next February, and I’m busy making for that. Already I need to start thinking of Burnham Art Trail, which although not until the end of June, has submission also in February. The Material Girls have further projects simmering for next year – which will be revealed on their blog/website when finalised. Good job I already have my personal diary for 2012 – need the house diary now, to prebook custody of the car!! Added into the immediate diary are the fun tasks of making something with my little stitch group before the next meeting (oops about 2 weeks away)…. and a ‘play day’ with a friend. Its been a very long time since we’ve had one of those. Then it will be the ERTF Conference on Colour.

Rochford Art Trail

2011-10-05T16:12:00.000+01:00

Its still busy busy.... but walking pace now, not headless chicken!!! I've made my postcard for the Art Trail charity sales - will deliver that tomorrow. Can't show this to you as its anonymous - hope someone likes it enough to buy. To be displayed at Venue 15.

You will see from the map I'm at Venue 17 - same place I was at last year. If you are lucky there is on-street parking right outside, but only for an hour, the parking in the square is also free, but only an hour. But there's a tiny (pay and display) car park almost opposite my venue (accessed via a one way system) or the main (pay and display) car park accessed via Locks Hill. Tuesdays its Market Day, so no parking at all in the square. Juliet Bryson is also in the same Venue as last year - 4, and she has her work on the poster which is in the righthand menu. Please click on it to be taken through to the Art Trail website.

Next task is to sort out work and means of display.... well, may be next task is to make a cuppa!!!

ERTF Stewarding

2011-10-03T20:44:00.000+01:00

Today meant an early start. Up to Norwich to steward at the ERTF Concepts and Meanings Exhibition. I now live almost at the bottom of Essex, not far from Southend – but Norfolk is my home county. It turned into a very long day. I was 30 minutes late due to a bus being on fire, on a long bypass, with no turn offs, so wait we did. Coming home was just as bad, passed one accident and then immediately queued to pass another, another 30 minute wait. All the years living down here, rarely encounter such delays, but at both ends of the journey…. exhausted now.
Back to the plot. When I picked out the day for stewarding it was more a case of, I can’t do this day or that, and my Mother goes out on these days – so unless I cancel something then the choice of when I can steward comes down to only around 2 days out of the whole exhibition duration. However, the significance of today’s date didn’t dawn until about a week before the Exhibition opened.
Today would have been my Grandmother’s birthday.
102, although her own Grandmother lived beyond this age, alas she did not. It has significance for me because of what I’m doing on this day… showing off stitched work. My Gran had great influence over my stitch life – we sewed together since before I started school – and I spent almost every Saturday with her until I married, when we would sit and sew after lunch. When I embarked upon City & Guilds studies Gran sent me a letter wishing me well, sadly she died unexpectedly just as I completed Part 1. I think she would have been pleased to see me with work on show. So an exhibition in my home city….
Him indoors (Norwich born) came with me today, so that he could go and fetch my Mother and bring her for a look around. She lives in my home town about 15 miles out of Norwich. Not sure what she thought of it, she didn't say much - don't think she really 'gets' textile art. Although she knits, its for practical purposes.
So here's my piece - thought it could have an outing at last, given the exhibition is part way through. Did you guess what my disguised photo was of - it was actually this, closed. So a real sneak

The piece is called "Secrets from the Attic" - a made up scenario, a case of treasures which meant something to someone... but what do they signify? I was going to add an explanation letter, as if from the owner to another generation, but then I thought not, its for the viewer to look and wonder what - just as many of us have done when we've come across artefacts from our own families. The case belongs to Elspeth - and that's where the first mystery begins......
BTW those 15 tasks? I've still got to make the Trail Postcard, but otherwise that list is done - and yes, I've bought chocolate, but not eaten it yet!!

New Gallery on Website

2011-10-02T14:11:00.000+01:00

At last I've added a new gallery page to my website Under "Gallery" is a new section entitled Small Art Works. I've chosen a slideshow presentation, there are images plus close up details, but no information as such - as that is the nature of this presentation, with so many I thought being able to flick through was better. But I welcome you to ask if you have any questions.
These pieces, so far, are what I generally term as "Postcards" - in no way should this be considered as a casual term. Each piece has hours of work, multiple (hidden) layers, and are stand alone art pieces in their own right. However, I have deliberately made them with a high quality cartridge paper backing. This has my name, series and website details printed on it - just two lines. Each one is approximately 8" x 6" so you can frame if desired. But it means you can add yor own message to the piece - particularly helpful if its a gift. Sending through the post however, is entirely at your own risk.
At the moment, 12 were sent to the ERTF Concepts and Meanings Exhibition and there are 11 on display at Braintree Community Hospital (see previous post).
If you would like any information about these, and other pieces on my website, do please use the Contact on my website, or email me by following the link to be found via my Profile in the righthand menu, here on the blog.

FOUR Exhibitions NOW ON!!!

2011-09-29T17:38:00.001+01:00

Yes that's right... for FOUR days I will have work in FOUR different exhibitions. After the weekend it will reduce, and then I add on another, but come end of October will just have the one long term in place.

How on earth did I manage to do this. I'm almost baffled by it myself. Actually only One of the exhibitions did I apply for, was accepted and that's been in the diary for a few months. The six month display at Braintree Community Hospital. Yes, six months, another gobsmacking occurrence, and a big event for me. I put it up today.

Of course I didn't think this through in a thorough manner, or perhaps I just assumed otherwise. When I checked the boxes for dates to suit, I didn't take on board that it could, and indeed has, meant two Exhibitions going up in the same week - delivery of work 100 miles apart.
Exhibition Two, is of course the ERTF Concepts and Meanings in Norwich, which continues until 9th October. Of course I've known about this a long time, but final submission wasn't until July, way after One had been decided, and being selected, it wasn't a done deal at all... and I truly didn't expect to be chosen. So its on filling in the diary with details for this one that I suddenly panic over the close dates. See
Number Three has been running a little while. Its one of these "it would be nice if". A quick invite/take up for Rochford Art Trail Taster Exhibition. As you can imagine now I'm starting to think what I can I put in this which isn't gong to be needed elsewhere.
Number Four, which finishes on Sunday, is the Primarily Colour Exhibition with The Material Girls. As I'm a new Member to the group, and only formally met them all in June, this wasn't on the agenda at all either. But I was asked if I could supply existing work on the theme to join in with them, so I have. See
Its needed a bit of thinking, editing, planning, not least with work away for six months, it also means the display methods will be tied up, and I do need my display easels etc for the Art Trail. Certainly a challenge. Above all I never expected this to happen in my art life, it could be a one off, who knows, and a few years back I would have talked myself out of just one opportunity, let alone saying yes to all of these. Sales would be nice, but hey we can't expect everything!! Its enough that I'm saying Yes to being out there and trying.
The old learning curve certainly shot up at a fierce angle for all of this.... can I sleep now please?

And another thing....

2011-09-27T11:01:00.001+01:00

So last night I decided I'd better make a List of what's to do this week. A list, is that me, getting old I need a list, and post-its on the puter, yes they are there, and the highlighter pen... and for seriously needing attention its the lime green post-its - really can't miss those.
I came up with 15 things to do this week, so OK number 15 was more "if all else fails eat chocolate" - but still.
Why so much... well some of the things are things I knew were coming up, just the other party involved now needs them sooner than I'd anticipated. Also in this art world of ours I do find a lot of "can you just..." - "it would be nice if..." and usually the task is small or manageable so the answer is "yes of course I can". So why am I delaying and writing a blog post? Well because it shows how suddenly things can turn and change in terms of art work, and also because there is a saying "that which gets recorded gets done". I know only I will know if I do it, I could lie and pretend, but that's not me, also the process of writing it down helps to clarify what there is to do.
Actually its not the doing of I'm finding a challenge, I know if I work through steadily I can get it all done, its not overwhelmingly unmanageable. It is the fear though of missing something vital, or becoming so immersed I fail to see the obvious mistake, either written or what I've done wrong or not done at all. This is a problem when you are working alone, because you can't say to someone else, just skim your eyes over that, have I done everything I'm supposed to. Hence the highlighter pen, to show up every task to do, and another pen to cross them off! Actually a large tick with a flourish is very satisfying!!
I also find its not the doing, its the switching of the mind between one organisation and another. I have found that I have to finish one set of tasks, and then actually walk away from the worktable, get a cuppa, chill for a few minutes just to separate out what's what. Physically I can go straight from one pile of stuff to the next - brainwise its needs the separation, otherwise I find I start to mentally muddle everything up, thinking I've got to do X when it belong to another task. If its actual arty making then I can flit from one stitchy thing to another, but paperwork, admin, computer stuff, I'd rather deal with one thing start to finish before the next, even if that does mean sitting watching the puter whilst it does something.
Yesterday I received more paperwork with a "it would be nice if...." but at least that is giving warning about short notice, as in, the request proper might not happen until November.
I am actually enjoying the challenge of all of this... it is a new strand to my arty life to be so busy with a variety of tasks. (remind me I said that when I'm screaming) I want to put a slideshow of Mini Art Works onto my website - not added one of those, so that might end up last on the list, think it might take the longest and might involve screaming!!
Good news ERTF Concepts & Meanings Exhibition OPENS TODAY - look at the blog for a tease of what's on offer. Hopefully more photos will appear at the event progresses.

Counting down.....

2011-09-22T12:39:00.000+01:00

Tick, tick tick… that’s the clock and also my brain. Its countdown time to delivering my piece for the ERTF Concepts and Meanings Exhibition in Norwich, opening next week. My piece was finished for submission, but I keep looking at it, I added a label to it, rather proud of my efforts actually, how sad it that – but the label is integral to the piece, not just identification of me.

I’m also sorting out the pieces for the ERTF shop. I hesitated over showing you what I’m offering, as you know the actual exhibition piece has only been hinted at here – because I believe visitors should have first look (might add it here part way through event). But I have decided to show you my intended shop pieces, hopefully to:

a) remind to take money with you, lots of opportunities to buy. Exhibition pieces will be for sale – but also in the ERTF shop, an opportunity to get small pieces of affordable art from the Members, also goodies to use in your own creativity.

b) the ERTF needs the sales, commission from the sales helps with funding for the organisation.

c) I NEED the sales, ha ha. Nice to sell something but as well as money received, its also very nice to know that others like what you make, a validation that you are getting something right.

So come along, I’m sure you will find items to suit every budget – early Christmas present buying, and the ERTF Members will be stewarding, so you can chat to the people involved with the Exhibition. I will be there on Monday 3rd October.

And still tick, tick, tick, as I’ve another exhibition to put up next week….

Plus tick, tick tick. The Material Girls need the hanging finished by our October meeting.

Another plus, tick, tick tick. Rochford Art Trail to make a postcard for and to prep for display.

Fresh Air to Recharge the Soul

2011-09-14T19:27:00.000+01:00

Well the madness of last posting continued for a while... the contract I received wasn't right so that had to be checked up on. The car eventually went off on another day, sigh. One or two other little tasks needing to be done for other things when you think its all finished, like him indoors saying your cheque hasn't been cashed from months ago. Huh, no-one has queried it, so that's added into the mix of sort out. Another quick email textile task and the email bounced back, arghhhh, thankfully must have been something in the ether cos it went through OK later. See I'm just convinced September is trying to be awkward. I do feel like some old hag, having to keep track of my life with highlighter pens - actually I think I need staff!
So since last week I've bought more staging to present my work on - the hospital project work is committed for six months, so that also means the presentation equipment is tied up. So lots of research on that, because although I have a record of when I bought the last lot, my notebook doesn't actually say who from!!! (or is it from whom?) Also attended local EG Branch AGM - I'm still the IT Rep!! Went to the monthly meeting of The Material Girls yesterday. Lots of things moving forward with that, and I managed to do the required paper tasks for that one.

Today I went off for a textile exhibition visit. As always time sucks away and its, go today or tomorrow or miss it. The venue was a the RHS Hyde Hall Gardens. Right on the top of a hill, I choose the golf buggy to transport me up and down - great fun.

I just love and spend ages just sitting and looking, its so peaceful. The exhibition itself was by the Chelmsford 93 Textile Group. I started at College in '92 having to do a Foundation Year, so this group was a little ahead of me, as I started City & Guilds properly in '93. So I have known many of the Members for all this time, some are also in other Groups so our paths cross frequently. And indeed today by chance I met some of them and had a lovely chat. The work was really lovely, small woven pieces as in 3" sq to large quilts, silk painting, to machine embroidery. There is something about 'embroidery' and flowers/gardens - they seem to go together. Of course I come home full of ideas... but none of them bearing any relation to what I've actually got to get on and do. But... as you've seen my efforts at textile flowers on this blog, you can rest assured the natural world has nothing to fear from me.

Mad, Mad, Mad

2011-09-07T12:19:00.000+01:00

What's happened? A new month and utter madness has erupted!!! I always knew September/mid October was going to be a trial for me, which is why I had to draw up a timetable to work out what and where and when and who, and custody of the car etc. The latter irritating, because it should be serviced today, not turned up for it, several phone calls later and can't collect it today, will try again Friday. Argghhhh. I had today all planned out and by 9.30am its all awry - only thing to do, put the kettle on!
I can't believe what's come into my inbox in the last 36 hours or so.
As the EG IT Rep I've had to send out things for that, relatively easy, except the puter kept deciding to add in extra addresses to the Group listing, duh - why do I want to send things to an ancestry email.
I've also things to do as the ERTF Web Manager - again not onerous, just switch brain from one organisation to another, and making sure I don't muddle the two!!!
Material Girls also have some paperwork tasks to be completed, asap.
And the Contract has arrived for my exhibition at Braintree Hospital. So I need to read that, look at what's required for that.
I've to label up my pieces for the Rochford Art Trail Taster Exhibition, and deliver those tomorrow - I know a 5 minute task which will turn into some stupidly long time.
Oh and I must find an idea for the Art Trail postcard I need to make...
See before all of this happened, with no car, the plan was to quietly get on finish my things for the ERTF Shop, make my small postcard for RAT, literally clear the table, and then have a fresh start tomorrow on the bigger stuff. Now, I need to look at emails, get out the post-it notes and a highlighter pen, to make sure I don't miss something amongst all this information. If the cat could make me lunch, that would be a good idea, heck if it could make lunch it ought to do the ironing as well....
If all else fails.... there's always chocolate.... and cake.... may be chocolate cake???

Shopping....

2011-09-05T09:05:00.000+01:00

Despite what him indoors thinks, I actually don't buy a lot of art supplies - in fact I can't recall the last time I bought hand embroidery threads.... I've got mine from years back, my gran's and others donated to me, as well as what I was buying when doing C&G - so the biscuit tin of threads has increased to a huge box, and I mean huge. I keep a record of everything I buy - partly cos I'm registered Self Employed and partly so I can properly cost out anything. I do a lot of searching around for the best prices - beware P&P is often prohibitive. I get a bit fixated to track down best prices and what products are really called by manufacturers, not the fancy names given to them by individual shops. Repair Tissue for instance I've been using since mid 90s, and I know it by at least 10 different names. I do however wrestle with my conscience, best use of my money versus taking trade away from small businesses. Unfortunately mail order is often the only way to get what I want - because its not available locally.
But above are two of my latest purchases which came this past week. I always have a little play with everything - would make more sense if I kept all this info in one place, but it usually goes onto the next blank page of my sketchbook.
The paints - wheeee so pleased with those. Golden Fluid Acrylic. I won these on Ebay - a pack of 10 brand new sealed, for just under £25 inc p&p, On their own they are around £5.50 a bottle - and I discovered the bright red is over £8. I have some others of these, so I know how they work,only need a small amount, good job at that price!! I love products which do more than one thing, so acrylics as they will go on paper and fabric suit me fine.
The threads, sigh. I have been thinking about these for months and months. They are King Tut - and what's been drawing me in is that the variegation changes about every inch - whereas other threads 4"-5" or more. But I'm not a quilter, so I wasn't sure if they would meet what I'd want to do with them. They are 100% cotton too, not normally a fibre I go for. Again quite a considered outlay when you don't know what they are like, which is why my hesitiation - and what colour? However Barnyarns offer a Try Me, at the cheapest price I could find for them - max of 5, but they choose the colours. So this is what I got, and I love them. Did my little test, stitched beautifully, on zig-zag the colour change is about every 4 stitches, yipeee!!!
Embroidery magazine came too this week, waving to Gina who has a piece in it. So lots and lots to absorb and play with.... goodies are almost better than a supply of choc (I said almost!)

Primarily Colour: 20thSept/2nd Oct

2011-08-30T15:31:00.000+01:00

Further information: Craft Arena Gallery, Barleylands Craft Village, Barleylands Road, Billericay, Essex. CM11 2UD telephone 01268 523780; Opening Hours 10am-5pm (closed Mondays)

There will be an opportunity to attend a workshop at Craft Arena run by Diane Kelsey, for more details contact Denise Gannon at Craft Arena, 01268 523780

Been Thinking.....

2011-08-28T16:55:00.001+01:00

... always a dangerous pastime.
More spooky muzak stuff. Sometime back some textile friends were chatting, and a person's work came up for discussion, it was remarked upon how good it was and unusual - but then another person piped up "but its a copy of someone else, its not original to her". And I thought... yes there is a familiarity about this work, but I can't quite place it. Then last night reading and there it was, not the same at all, but enough so you'd think they came from the same person, or they'd both attended the same workshop, and gone on to make their own interpretation. Perhaps in this case it was a shared experience, who knows, but equally it could easily be a shared vision. Some people can be really nasty when they see work which they believe you've copied from them. I've heard of threatened legal action and all sorts. And of course its always - who had the idea first?
Back at the April ERTF Conference Stacey, the speaker, commented that we should make notes of our ideas, and date them, so we have a record. But lots of these things grow over time, and a snippet first thought of can take months or years before it emerges into work.
Many years back I bought a stitch book opened it and stared at "my" work. It was obvious that both the artist in the book and myself had used the same source picture. In my case from one of these coffee table books which are nothing but pretty pictures. Of course beyond the source material and colours, the pieces weren't the same, mine was all hand stitch, the one in the book machine. But working back publishing timelines/date the source book came out, I guessed we'd likely both been working on the piece around the same time.
If you look back at textile history you can find textile techniques which are very similar prevalent in countries hundreds of miles apart - the only way to share would be by rowing in primative boats across vast seas. Similar ideas and techniques do develop without reference to others.
Its really difficult when you have an idea for a piece, or a technique and its sitting there on your table and you open a magazine, a website, attend a lecture and ta dah - there it is. Am I on trend and having these brilliant ideas the same time as others.... or don't I possess a single idea of my own? I think we just have to have the courage to continue, to do so with integrity, to work it out for ourself and not study another's version - and come to a piece which is your own. But its not easy to continue, so I've found, when looking at other similar ideas and pieces, because there's a world of difference between knowing 100% you've not seen the other things, you've not met the person, copied their work in any way, and yet with their version in the public eye, it looks exactly like its not original to you. I guess that's why we're Artists, to keep trying, exploring, expanding and to put your own style onto something.
Perhaps after all that thinking, I need to lay down!!

Did You Ever Stop to Think

and Forget to Start Again.

Winnie the Pooh - A. A. Milne

Effort and Return

2011-08-25T18:14:00.000+01:00

Finally I am doing some work... well cough choke, attempting. This is the "before" - various old maps, in the queue. After a bit of processing, part done, we have this:

which will have further surface additions. But I'm struggling. I can do these with my eyes shut, and actually in lots of ways I find it a comfort to make them, there's a rhythm about the process. Its all contradiction because I like doing them because I know how, I have multiple variations of this technique, its soothing and yet repetition irritates - although I like pieces which are the same but different!!! See I give myself a headache just thinking about it all. But the problem at the moment is one of "I've got to make them" - which immediately turns it into a difficulty. Even after a stern self lecture "just get on with it" - I do and I have but it still feels like my fingers are made of lead. See, I should learn... should make when there's no pressure, no deadlines, then I'd race through them. But everything is a struggle, even fetching out the portfolio case where maps are kept is an effort, and incidently its not gone away again, cos that's even more effort!!!
The Rochford Art Trail has added in a Taster Exhibition - aside from actually writing it in my diary and sketchbook, I've not got round to what to submit for it yet. Still take in is only 10 days away - plenty of time - I suspect Emperor's New Clothes might be the idea!!! Its a masterpiece darhlink, what do you mean you can't see anything... except a price tag....
Tomorrow more PL work - Production Line, may be, after a cuppa or three.

ERTF Essex Day at the Seaside

2011-08-22T11:25:00.001+01:00

Bit later than planned, but these are photos from Friday's ERTF Essex Day. I certainly had a wonderful time. I didn't go on the beach, wretched arthritis playing up big time, so I parked myself on a bench on the promenade. The above left was the view when we arrived, tide out. This is Westcliff-on-Sea in Essex, in the distance those buildings are in Kent! By the time we left to go up into the cliff gardens, the tide was coming in, second pic - at quite a speed.

So I sat on my bench did the response type recording, as in not trying to make a beautiful drawing (which for me is a non starter), but rather recording the things which speak to you as an individual, so colours, or shapes, or converting sound into lines or stitches etc. I did a lot of writing to describe things. I found myself sitting in the sun humming away to myself. What a difference a day makes, Thursday has been like Autumn, dull, cold and wet, and here we were in sunshine.

After lunch it was into the Beecroft Gallery to see the Essex Open - remember the one I failed to get in. As usual there are some pieces which are stunning, some which you think, huh, how did that past the grade. And although they accept textiles, its always very few - only three this year. We thought we might bombard them with textiles next year!!
It so nice to meet up with people, and especially those who are new to your acquaintance - there is so much talent around, its nice for it not to be hidden, and to be able to sit with others and chat art/textiles etc I'm not sure I'm continuing with the sea project. We are going to have a follow up meeting to see what's developed. But as this was my first time recording in this way, now I know what I'm aiming for, I think I will be able to choose something more considered and thus take the correct colours or tools with me, most of the stuff stayed in my bag!! So first steps learning.

Fresh Look - New Ideas

2011-08-17T08:48:00.001+01:00

Hello all - have you noticed, we've had a change. I was looking for something else in the Design area, didn't find, but here we are with a fresh look. Of course it has to remain purple... my fave colour... and its all about branding darhlinks!!! Its not just thrown together you know, I've learned bits about branding via names and colours, so my website is also purple/white.
I'm having spooky muzak moments.... remember my posting a couple of weeks back referencing being a Materials driven artist and Jae Maries book - well, duh, lightbulb, the whole reason why this blog is called Fibre-Reaction is because my art is my Reaction to my Fibres (materials) - see I knew that even before Jae wrote her book!!! ggg tut, she only had to ask.....
Sat. at our Embroiderers' Guild, we had a lovely talk by Penny Lynne - illustrating a true event with a series of work. Another shiver down the spine, work made for a story - and my ERTF piece has a story made for the work... not such a daft idea after all.
This coming Friday I'm out with the ERTF Essex Members, we are doing Location Response artwork. Whoah, sounds exciting. Not done this before in the sense that this can be anything, ie drawing or stitching in response to what we see, hear smell. Another spooky moment, quite like the idea of 'recording' sounds via art. Remember the November Conference, and a talk by Debbie Lyddon on her work based on music, this (excuse pun) sounded very exciting. I've done lots of drawing, well mark making to music in art classes but I've never done it otherwise.. why? I've written here before, I also learned to type to music - I know hysterical laughter at the very idea - but we did. So I think I must at least give it a go on Friday, listening and recording. What the point of going if not to challenge and learn something new.
Years back with an art class we were doing location drawing, all of us sitting on a wall, drawing without looking at the paper - so we sat there staring into the middle distance, scribbling, gave much amusement to the coach party which turned up right in front of us and gave us a good look!!!
Oh yes, just heard the 2011 Sketchbook Project has finished its tour... think mine was looked at once, or may be twice - so funny - but at least it was opened! Would love to do it again, but too much to do for this year, so will see if it runs next year.
And now I must get on... need to make work for the ERTF shop, and other things.

Happy Dancing - It's a Yes!

2011-08-10T09:05:00.002+01:00

Yes!!!! Wheeee, Happy Dancing, My piece has been selected for the ERTF Concepts & Meanings Exhibition. (so sorry keeping it secret for the Exhibition viewers to get first look).
I received the news but just thought, Oh OK. I think its because you live with something for so long, it was 8 months back that I had to give in my Intent form, and it was hovering within knowledge before that. And for me that's actually a long time for the one piece to be in mind. So its taken a little while before realisation that I've achieved something. I don't know and I'm not really interested in the who, how, why aspect of the decision making. I gave it a go, it worked, (actually to my surprise - I was making plans of what to do with the rejected work) and that's enough.
I've tried one or two other selected events, where the wording is required too, before realising everyone else had their work professionally photographed, so this is realistically the first juried/selected exhibition where I've been able to feel on a level with everyone else.
I can't help but think back to one of the first things I put myself forward for, just after completing C&G studies. I was sooooo convinced I could comply with the criteria and I was going to immediately achieve greatness, I remember, honest this is truth, barely being able to make my legs move to take my application to the post box, so full of nerves. Of course I was naively confident, and devastated at the obvious mistake of the selectors not to choose me! These days I still travel hopefully, but far more realistically. I enter things and put myself through the angst, I guess because I need the challenge of trying, stretching myself, deadlines. This piece is a totally new Concept for me (pun intended). I've made a piece which I've created a back story for, a whole imagined scenario. I've never done that before. Its not for the viewer to know, but it makes sense for me for the project. I liked the whole idea of this, and may do it again. And... the big news is that the exhibition is in my home city, but already nerves wondering what my friends will think. That may be one of the bigger challenges with this project, trying to explain my art to friends I've known since I was 11.... who have proper jobs!! (See the poster on the right)
PS Since writing the above earlier - I've had my Rochford Art Trail venue confirmed, so all systems go for that one as well.

The Material/Abstract Artist - Moi!!

2011-08-03T11:52:00.000+01:00

Just to prove that I do actually stitch, sometimes.... and to prove that yes I can also stitch by hand!! This was started yeserday at the stitchy meeting I go to once a month. No idea what is is, or where its going, just me, being a Material Artist. Thank you so much Jae Maries for this section in your book, Contrasting Elements. In the past I'd felt such a failure because I often don't have pages of drawings, or artwork, of the gorgeous sketchbook kind. I do get a very clear vision of what I want, but can't express it, except by just getting on and doing it. I also fall into the Abstract Artist category. I had hang ups about not being a 'proper artist' because I don't work in this way so many people coo over. As I've shown you in the past, my sketchbook is wordy, and technical, full of measurements etc. But this one page describing the various types of artist was like a breath of fresh air. No one can help but work the way it feels natural to them - but as I've said before on the blog, I've come across some sniffy attitudes because I don't do realism, or don't have pages of gorgeousness (Its absolutely not that I don't like or admire, but for me its like pushing a snowball uphill). My imagination/vision is almost like a photo, I can see everything, all the detail. I've just spent past few days mentally working out how to hang a piece of work. Its been looked at and examined and revised, all in my head. I'm going to actually make a little physical test sample, but its not stage 1, because of all the thought processes. The above piece is.... of course... all papers, and something else I'm noticing, by chance - lines. Mhmmmm, note to self, 'do you realise how often lines appear in your work'. Do you think I could make my USP (unique selling point) - Lines on Paper? Doesn't sound very exciting does it and reminds of school and the endless, "I must behave in class" shudder....

Nature's Colours

2011-08-01T12:01:00.000+01:00

At the weekend I attended a family gathering and met two new additions. At one household I met a West Highland Terrier puppy, and at the other household I met... Drake.

He's a Bearded Dragon. here he is running about the carpet (that's a shaft of sunlight in the background). When I first glanced I thought its just orangey brown, but actually the more you look the more colours he has. And I became more and more fascinated by not only the colours, but the teeny scales. The changes from one colour to another because of tiny scales - almost like pointilism. As well as lots of different shades of brown/cream., there is a blush of pink, a soft pale peach, different shades of orange. I'm told when he's an adult he gets a red/orange ring around the eyes. I didn't pick him up to inspect closer, not being aware of how to handle him properly or whether any eye contact is threatening, and those eyes look in all directions!!! It is a reminder to look closer to nature, in whatever form, because the colours are stunning, and nature really doesn't get things wrong. He is certainly more intriguing to study a colour family, than looking at colourwheels! I must remember, another autumn project a tiny smidge of blush pink may make all the difference.

I hope to go to a Conference in November, where the theme is colour - I doubt we'll be looking at Bearded Dragons though!!!

I'm a bit sad.... ;-)

2011-07-25T13:24:00.000+01:00

At first it feels like an avoidance technique, especially when I have deadlines to meet - but actually having completed, it is a form of liberation. Iam feeling really really smug - I have tidied out the drawer where I keep my beads. Yes I can open my own shop with the amount I have - but they are almost my drug of choice. I do have to tell myself "step away from the beads" in a shop or at an event. I can watch my hand reaching out for them, swear its not in my control, and before you know it, kerching! I found beads I didn't know I had of course... beads I thought I must have thrown cos I couldn't see them... and the dreaded several packs of the same colour all part used, cos I obviously bought more thinking I didn't have any. Whoops. Wheeee finally got all my Nymo threads in one place, found the reel of pink I knew was somewhere. Embarrassed squirm, I found a pack of self made 'sequins' square ones cut from coloured plastic bottles. I remember spending ages making those, cutting out, squashing under books to get them flat - nice selection in blues and greens - never ever used of course, grin!

I decided how utterly useless the containers I had were, so bought some new. Back in the day we used to visit diy stores and buy all sorts of boxes and things to store our stash in.
And I had 2 of these for my beads... but after day 1, things have never been sorted, its been a case of shove stuff in where it will fit, wedge packs around them in the drawer. Then you can't see what you've got, can't get your fingers in, nor the bead scoop, so let's not bother and only use the beads which are on the top and have easy access.

I have huge quantities of some, from the days when it was a trend to make beaded neckpurses - sigh, we all did them at the time - heck I even taught a class in making them.
So now things are together by colour, so hopefully it will be much easier to pull out a selection, and it will make me actually use the wretched things.

Ssssh we won't mention the bead loom which lives in the bottom of a wardrobe. I have offered the diy boxes to him indoors for the garage... his eyes rolled and he said they could go with the other boxes I've so generously donated to him over the years. Well, as a Textile Artist - there's is nothing quite like a nice storage box!!!
See the one thing they never ever tell you when you embark on an artistic life - is the stash expands to occupy every bit of the house. A bigger house would be good - cough, I suspect that would mean more space to fill with very important must have stuff!!

Done It - Next One!

2011-07-19T11:51:00.000+01:00

Hooray, I've submitted my piece for the ERTF selected exhibition. Here's a piccy of it. Ha!!! Its a smidge and I've tweaked it. You may know what it is. I'm not going to show you photos of the item properly, as that's not fair, for one its still under the selection process, and for two the Exhibition should have first dibs on it. If it doesn't make the grade then I may reveal all.......
Also attended a committee meeting yesterday. A long way from home, but this time I choose the pretty route. Mileage shorter, journey longer - but lots of very pretty villages to pass through, we'll swiftly ignore driving past the Category C prison in the midst of the greenery!! But its a reminder really, ought to get out and explore more of what's around us. Its good to see the decision making processes at work, and just how difficult this can be, and how you have to find an answer which is the best for the circumstances, if not the ideal. Everyone who volunteers to run organistions are faced with this, and I think it would do ordinary members well to take a stint at some point, just to see how much consideration is given to making something suitable for the majority, it really is talked over and considered, and sometimes hotly argued.
I do have other deadlines to work to... paperwork in this morning requiring my approval. But I'm also in need of tackling the age old problem, of stuff everywhere, bags and boxes emptied to get at the one thing, time to force their way back into the cupboard. I'm going to have a couple of days to clear the head of one set of work, before getting on with others started - sometimes I can't make decisions or think straight about work, because there are too many thoughts bouncing around in that empty cavity attached to my neck!!!

Dead fly, anyone?

2011-07-13T09:07:00.000+01:00

I'm aware that I'm not showing off anything exciting - well most of my making is for other purposes, which have first dibs, so I can't. But I am doing stuff, honest. The ERTF selected exhibition for instance - deadline a little over a week away, cough choke.
The above is what we did at our Embroiderers' Guild meeting this past Saturday. We, a rather loose term, this is what I did - everyone else made nice pretties, I got out the paper string to make mine. They want me to make a spider to go on it.... I told them I'd leave it on the windowsill and wait for a dead fly to land!!!
Yesterday I went to my first meeting as a member of The Material Girls. Again I can't say what I'm up to for that because its only the beginning of an idea for one, but also that too is for exhibition next year. Enjoyed the meeting immensely. So nice to be able to sit and chat textiles with others. Whilst of course we do that with the EG and I do value it, its not the same as within an exhibiting group. All of the various organisations or magazines I take give me little bits of what I need to make up the whole - and I like that.
So today I need to crack on with the ERTF piece.... it is an absolute masterpiece - in my head!!! But before we start, as always I need a cuppa - want one? You will have to provide your own choccy biccies I'm afraid.

Sun, Sea (and Wind and Rain)

2011-07-06T15:23:00.000+01:00

I still feel like I'm running to stand still, art wise. Nothing finished, deadlines approaching. The Burnham Art Trail I ended with my two postcard sales. So if you went to the Trail but would like more information you can always contact me, look up my website.

You know how us British always talk about the weather, with good reason, yesterday was stuffily hot - today its chucked it down with rain, but I've been out to the seaside, which is not many miles from me, when the rain stopped. But its blowing a howler of a wind - so obviously the wind surfers were having a good time. Sun was bright so I couldn't actually see what photos I was taking, - not like the photographer in the corner with his super duper camera. Mine was more like a 'lucky dip' sweetie bag, had to wait until I got home to see what I'd captured.The expedition is to do with another project which I can't tell you about - not least cos its got the tiniest smidge of an idea, as in - I think I'd like to base it on.................
But this pic, is literally at the bottom corner of Essex - its open sea to the left, and straight up to London/beyond on the right - this is the Thames Estuary.

Sales, Stewarding and Scrubbing!!!

2011-06-30T19:24:00.000+01:00

I've been over to Burnham Art Trail to steward today. Hooray, found out I've sold a couple of Postcards - this is one of them. I hope whoever has purchased enjoys.
Alas I don't have a photo of the other... I'd sealed it up in its cello bag before I realised and of course photos through plastic aren't so good. But it is one of my map pieces. Must do more of these, as they seem to get comment and be appreciated.
The Trail is on until Sunday, so plenty more time to go out and buy!! I've heard some nice things said about my actual pieces on display, so that's good.
Art wise I am working, but not on things I can show you. My piece for the ERTF selected exhibition is coming along - slowly. Actually its a bit like the days of studying C&G - lots of part bits laying around, trying to plan out when to do, as for instance I'm out at a stitchy meeting on Tues, so makes sense to have something of this I can take with me to do. My fingers bear evidence to working - no, not blisters - rather dye ingrained into the nail bed - cough, it was navy blue, so they look a bit grim. Didn't you wear gloves I hear the cry - errr no. I'm useless with gloves, have a box of them, do wear them, but also manage to get everything inside them anyway. So its a scrubbing brush, followed by a large dollop of hand cream. At least this is better than the bloody massacre of the other week - when I foolishly decided to remove a spray nozzle from some paint, as it wouldn't work. Except once dismantled I pressed it and it squirted all over me, the table, notebooks - and it was red. See its not the creative art stuff that's a problem... its the time it takes to clear up the resulting mess.

Burnham Art Trail OPENS 25th JUNE

2011-06-24T12:51:00.000+01:00

First off, rejection. I didn't get into this year's Essex Open. Surprised, not really, been counting up. I've entered now 7 times, and got in twice. Like everything its subjective, who knows what the judges were looking for. The good news about this event is that its not a fortune gambled on entry fees - and you have to be in it to win it. So having tried, I think that now gives me bragging rights, to walk around the exhibition muttering under my breath "my piece was better than that one" ggg

The good bit - tonight is the launch party of the Burnham Art Trail. There's my work in situ, at Venue 22. And no, they won't mind you walking in for a look. Between us we decided on the back wall only - 5 pieces - as that would cause least disturbance to diners. Work for the art trail has to stay in place for the entire duration (25th June - 3rd July) although it is available to purchase.

However, at the Museum there will be work to purchase and take away there and then. I have put in two small, what I call 'artist enhanced sketchbooks' because I did not make the actual books plus 10 'postcards'. The sketchbooks are £6 each and the postcards £15 each. The postcards are mini artworks, 8" x 6" so not small, they do have high quality cartridge paper on the back, so you could write on them if you wish, or frame them - and of course there has been for years and years various projects sending "naked" art postcards through the post to see if they arrive whole, so you could try that, if you wanted, but no guarantees as to what might happen.

Do go along to the Trail for a visit - most things are displayed to be viewed from outside the premises, those inside expect visitors, so don't be shy. I will be stewarding in the Museum on the afternoon of 30th June, so say hello.

Its All Change....

2011-06-22T16:00:00.000+01:00

Its alright, I've stopped dancing now!!! At the moment I'm on Avoidance Technique number 235 - write a blog post!!!
I'm feeling a bit fed up today... sign of the times, finances being what they are for people at the moment. You will likely know that the Julia Caprara School has ceased to be - check out Chris or Gina's blogs, to read of the upset and difficulty this is causing. I only reaslised at the end of last week, that the Windsor (East Berkshire College) textile courses are also at an end. It was a must on the calendar, and I have travelled over there a few times (though not recently it must be said). I find this such a shame, because when it comes to the likes of textiles and particularly when these courses are aimed at adults - these are people who want to study - and for many (as it was for me with my studies) a long held ambition to do so. City & Guilds has all but disappeared from colleges too, and my local college which always held wonderful summer school projects in textiles, this year is offering only a couple - one on how to knit and one on how to use your sewing machine, sigh.
Last week brought the news that the USA publication Fiberarts has also ceased to be. I've been taking this, I think since the mid 1990s. You would almost assume that with an international readership they could keep going. And now I understand that the UK's Workbox magazine is also either at an end or about to be. I didn't take this one, but in my opinion it was always the best magazine for reviews of textile groups and exhibitions. And we lost Classic Stitches last year I believe.
I wonder, just by blogging, if in my small way I contribute to the demise of these things. Everythng but everything is out there now, the internet gives us information about whatever we want. Techniques, products, direct contact with artists via their own websites or blogs - its all instant, and available to cherry pick. Whilst I still take magazines (two of them are via digital that way I can afford them both) I very much enjoy everything about them. I read everything even the ads!! And I love unwrapping the new magazine, the smell of the ink on the paper... yep sad I know. But still you have to take the articles you don't like alongside the ones which you do - and that makes it a considered purchase, particularly when prices increase and personal budgets get tighter - and if the odds stack the wrong way for you personally - well that's another purchaser lost.
I expect someone will see the gap and want to fill it - either courses or magazine wise - but the question to ask is, if these long established organisations couldn't weather the current economics, beware.
Right that's my Wednesday philosophy over with... and remember this, when life is dire........ there is always CHOCOLATE! If you're nice, you can have a lick!

More Excitement and Anticipation....

2011-06-15T15:35:00.000+01:00

BIG NEWS

A few months back I was approached about an exciting opportunity, but it was only this week that things were finalised and I'm pleased to say I have accepted the offer.

I am one of the latest recruits to the Textile Group:

The Material Girls

The group has been in existence for over 10 years, and I've known of them for most of that time, knowing many of the Members via various other organisations. So I have seen their exhibitions over the years. They meet in what I call Metropolitan Essex, ie inside the M25 - luckily no passport needed to get in!

I am joining the group at an exciting time for them, as they are collaborating with a similar group of Canadian artists on an exhibition to be shown both here in the UK and in Canada. So I will need to plunge in running, as I have several other commitments already in the diary.

I am expecting this opportunity to take me in new directions - in terms of artistic practice, types of work, themes, the challenge of working with others, and the physical new direction of just travelling to an area I'd otherwise visit rarely. Boundaries to be expanded in all ways, much to be gained for me personally I believe - and I hope I make a good contribution to Material Girls.

Thank you for inviting me to be a part of the Group - time for Happy Dancing!!

Excitement and Anticipation....

2011-06-12T15:02:00.000+01:00

It going to be a busy mid June - Friday I went off to a meeting of Essex Members of the ERTF. I had a great afternoon, lots of chatter, laughing and plenty of thoughts for future Essex get togethers. Nothing better in my view that meeting over tea and cake!! Looking forward to getting to know relatively "local" Members more in the future.
Yesterday I was at our Embroiderers' Guild meeting. Guest speaker: Lee Ault. She has been to our branch before, previously as a Victorian Lady - this time she came to speak on Rationed Fashion - dressed in a suit of the period. Once again she gave the most entertaining talk, and we all marvelled at the trunk which seemed bottomless as item after item emerged.
The photo, boring I know, but its next on the list. Pile of work retrieved from storage in the garage to be checked over, make sure strings on the back are still tight etc. Its in readiness for the Burnham Art Trail, and also a couple of other submissions. Well what else would you be doing on a Sunday afternoon in June, when it tipping it down and COLD. Completely at odds as we've had so little rain here, the grass was going brown.
Not sure my mojo is back - but it does a soul good to meet with others who share your interests, and I do feel a tingle of anticipation for future events.

Flowers and the Abstract Artist

2011-06-08T11:17:00.000+01:00

What do we have here then... those of you who know me and my work might well faint with the shock. Its almost something "real". Actually its part of an ongoing project and I'm not saying more. But for me who is an Abstract art person, this is unusual. Over the years I've come across a few negative comments re my abstract art as in.... its just a few squiggles... your work doesn't have an much effort as mine does... (if only they realised the hours I can spend pouring over dictionaries of symbols or background research)... your work isn't worth as much as mine because its abstract. I'm always baffled, I'd never say such a thing about a landscape piece. I admire realism, wish I could stitch a tree that looks like a tree, but its just not me. During my P1 C&G studies we were often told "if you want a piece to look like a photo, take a photo" - not meaning that everyone had to go for abstract, but more its your interpretation, not an exact replica. So when I want the real, I take a photo, because I know I could never match or even get an essence of the reality. If you only knew how many photos I take of skies.....
For years and years I struggled, wanting to be a Constable, before finally realising that I'm more a Picasso. I can't help it, the abstract is just more natural for me - its not even that I see a tree and think pure shapes, there's no deep and meaningful thought in that regard, its just how I am, what flows out of my fingers. I don't understand any of the snobby attitude re any kind of art - to me, you either like something or you don't. Perhaps my thought processes are too simplistic, but surely we all need art in whatever form, whatever taste you have in music or drama, the point is to find pleasure and joy. Thank goodness for choice.
So my flower has to be some exotic species from a faraway land - because its never going to look like the real thing!!

Latest News: Burnham Art Trail - I will be stewarding in the Museum on the afternoon of Thursday 30th June. Come and say hello.

Art Trails - Yes TWO!!!

2011-06-01T12:01:00.001+01:00

I've been to check out my Venue (number 22) for Burnham Art Trail. Click on the poster to enlarge. It looks nice and easy to prepare for this year. We've decided I will have the one wall on view as people walk in, so as to cause least disturbance to restaurant customers. So displaying up to 5 pieces. You can see my space via the restaurant website Please check out the Trail website, for all participants and much more information, there is much more than just the displays to indulge in. Also this weekend received confirmation that I have a place in Rochford Art Trail. A little way off - 22nd/29th October. I don't have my venue as yet, as there is more paperwork to complete in this regard, but as soon as I do I will post it on the righthand side. Juliet also has a place on the Trail.
So I guess I'd better find my mojo with all of these things in the pipeline (and more)

Workshop, Wonderment, Walking

2011-05-25T15:23:00.000+01:00

I've lost my mojo, have you seen it? Got loads of ideas, but when it comes to getting down to it, suddenly they don't seem so exciting.

So I thought this past weekend might do something to wake up the creative spirit.
Saturday, I went on a Lynda Monk workshop. It was full on we worked hard, but we came away with lots of goodies. Not least part of the pleasure of the day was that Lynda had prepared everything we needed, so no hunting around for supplies, and better, no trying to fit stuff back in cupboards when returning home. Lynda provided the best 'kit' I've ever came across, generous with materials, and her knowledge. It was also nice to meet up with friends and new acquaintances for the day, so much what these events are about.
Sunday me and himself went off to London. I'm not a lover of the capital, being a country bumpkin, hate the swarms of people. But we had places/people to see.
First off to the degree show of the Julia Caprara School graduates, and in particular to see and support Chris Spencer. Many congratulations Chris, all that hard work. Do look at her blog to see the journey she's made to get this degree. Some of the other work I really liked, some I simply didn't understand, sigh. But this is what art is about, perhaps it makes you think, assess, look again.
Next and not far away, we went to visit a house. This has been on our wish list for sometime, its only open a few days in the year (again this coming Sunday), so very lucky to coincide with the graduate show. 19 Princelet Street. Although neither of us have any connection to the cultures or people who formed part of the history of this house and the area, we still wanted to see it. Its in a bad state of repair, but for me all the more poignant. I spent a lot of time, just sitting, looking, absorbing and imagining those peoples from the past, which is how I like my history... the ordinary folk, their daily lives, seeing the buildings/streets they might have seen.
As we left, look what we found in the pavement - a drain cover I suppose, but no others in the street like this one.

Speaking the Language of Art.... or not!

2011-05-11T13:43:00.002+01:00

Last week I sent off my Art Trail application... the hardest thing on applications is the words... I do so hate the art speak, feel that really isn't me at all, and yet sometimes I feel like I've drifted into it. Its like being in an art class, whilst there, I understand every word, I can juxtapose, sort dichotomies, know my tertiary from my analogous, with the rest of them, but get home and its, "what on earth do these notes I made actually mean". I don't understand half the words I've written down.

Some applications want to know about the work, others, the artist and work, and others have limited numbers of words, 35, 50. It can get to feel like the tie-breaker question in a competition: I buy purry cat food because.......
The words, especially when you have to write them now for work which may not be displayed for 6 months, 8 months, may be longer, work not even made yet, well I'm learning how to write something interesting, relevant and yet at the same time suitably vague!!! (Could also be politician speak.)
Made the mistake early on of saying my work is... then at the exhibition realising actually it isn't. I try really hard not to speak PCT - Pretentious Claptrap - but unfortunately saying "I made it this way cos I wanted to and I like it, and its got red bits cos I ran out of blue" just isn't the done thing, sigh. So alas I find there are times when in order to be in the game you have to speak the language, or else not play at all.
Interesting programme on tv at the moment, BBC2, 5.15pm each evening "Show Me the Monet" - all about artists of varying experience trying to get their work into a selected exhibition - you may find it contains artspeak :-)

Now, let me see when I have a window in my Filofax so we can set up an interface - see you next time!!!

First - find one's workspace!!!

2011-05-01T15:38:00.003+01:00

This is my workspace - not very big as you can see, and this is it in the process of tidying the room up!!! As if the table isn't big enough things creep onto the windowsill, currently half a quilting ruler, yes I did say half, it slid under the chair leg, I leaned on the chair and snap! Also on the sill a pencil case, which I keep my rotary cutter in. I have a couple of designer, Kipling, pencil cases, having decided sometime back that as an artist darhling I ought to have a better pencil case than the kids versions usually bought. The large mauve one is hiding on the left, and the latest bright pink is on the right, and yes I keep my Kipling monkeys on them. There's paperwork to be filed but I've managed to keep my newly created schedule of what and when, on the top! The hidden can is 404 glue spray, which I love, doesn't clog the sewing machine. The white wallet is full of all sorts, scooped up everything laying around about a week ago and its ended up in here, to be sorted. There's my little A6 sized book where I record everything I've done in the week - here is more info about it. The plastic box is another let's scoop it all up. The green is a rubbing plate (kids version not arty expensive), the rotary cutter is in there, note not in the case on the sill (sigh), there are needles, business cards, cutting knife, pens all sorts to go away. At the front, baby wipes - can't live without those, use them to wipe over the sewing machine, the table, me!!! On top a scissor/knife sharpener, had that out last night to sharpen the purple scissors laying there. I love love love my purple Janome scissors - think they are the Professional range, don't tell him indoors but I've ordered another pair, that will make 3, plus snips, and I have a blue pair which are not the soft handles, which I use for cutting paper. The little white photo sized wallett is actually full of painted cut out lutradur hearts. There's an NI letter, cos I'm registered as self employed Artist (cough choke). And somewhere you might see a cutting mat peeoping through. The whole table is a bit like the proverbial swan, lots more going on which is not immediately visible. I've actually come upstairs to try to find some space... but we all know there is a rule, things which come out of the cupboard, do not fit the same space going back in!!! Wish me luck, I may be gone some time!!!

There was a Wedding Today!!!

2011-04-29T12:59:00.000+01:00

As I write Liz and Phil are in the kitchen heating up the sausage rolls - Harry is being told off for demolishing the cheese and pineapple hedgehogs, the little bridesmaids have fallen asleep. Kate's kicked her shoes off, and William is on the computer buying his Eurolottery ticket!!!
I didn't watch for THE dress or any of that so much as I love that some things are so rooted in history, and I love the pageantry, the Guardsmen and the beautiful horses, in al their splendour.
What a lovely day it is.... we've had such a long horrible Winter and there's been so much bad and unfortunate things happen in the world, and natural disasters giving rise to more sadness. Its actually nice to have a day full of positives, and smiles, lots and lots of smiles, cheering and feeling good. I think we need a big dose of that, whether you are a fan of the Royals or not. So for today, shake off your worries and concerns, relax and smile.

Oh, and I'm thrilled... removed IE9 from the puter and now everything is back working as it should - apparently blogger and 9 aren't that compatible.

Eating the Elephant!!!

2011-04-20T10:57:00.005+01:00

This is a pic of some more PPL in progress. Not a lot of creativity has been done this past week.
I've been submerged in paperwork, and learning my new ERTF role. Every situation using the internet is always different, terminology changes even if the end result is the same, and its a matter of learning the phrasing for that particular environment. Had quite a bit of trouble understanding 'two websites'.... from the Web Master's viewpoint is likely is two entities, but for me, its One website, with Two sections. Got it now!!! But then we have big arguments in this house, because my keyboard doesn't have an Enter key - its has a Carriage Return, but then I am old enough to have learned to type to music, via a record player, sigh, what's one of those!!!

There were so many dates and details and must do items last week, I was beginning to lose track of the when and the what, so ended up spending some time drafting up an at a glance calendar from now to end of October. Much easier. Oh and squirm, I wrote a tick off list for some immediate things! A phrase Stacey reminded me of at the Conference - How Do You Eat an Elephant? : One Bite At a Time.

I was asked last week, why I don't put too much personal stuff on this blog. The answer is, I think my life is full of enough trivia and rubbish to warrant the world knowing about it. Plus I don't really have the need for an outlet for the domestic angst. I write a diary, and have been doing so for years and years. Much as I can write a lot faster via the keyboard, there is something about using a particular notebook and pen to commit my thoughts. So my venting and trivia of life get recorded elsewhere. Do you really want to know that when my husband isn't here my cat gets up at 5.30am and yowls and screams to wake me up - yet when he's here, same animal has a lay-in and we get up before it does!!!
Now, I really really must get on and do some art work - first dust the sewing machine!!! ggg

Networking, Learning, Opportunities

2011-04-12T12:26:00.004+01:00

Wow, wow wow, what an exciting past few days. I am buzzing, so much info in my head. The ERTF Conference in Cambridge on Saturday was brilliant. Stacey had so much information to impart, in fact more than could be fitted into the sessions. Do you ever feel life is nudging you somewhere but without knowing where or what or how? The Business Development workshop was about formal business plans, the why, the who, the money, the grants. Four weeks to the day later...the conference included a section on you yourself what you want from your life/art. Again exercises to specifically make you think, perhaps to realise your dreams. But it struck me, both of these days emphasized the need for doing the exercise on a regular basis, if only for your own benefit. Planning sounds scary... but then drifting along can also be scary... I can now reveal the news I tempted you with in the last posting... I am the the new ERTF Web Manager. As a voluntary organisation, always looking for the Members to step up and help - I felt I could do this task, so would put back into the group. Especially after a good conference like Sat, it feels wrong just to sit back and take - its other efforts which made the day so enjoyable, and I do appreciate that. So yesterday it was back up to Cambridgeshire for a committee meeting. Not been on the M11 in nearly 2 years, and then twice in 3 days!!! And, again what Stacey said, about networking and being in touch with others, opportunities come your way, may be not immediately, but the contact is there, and things can happen. And this is what I've found, an opportunity has come my way, needs more info and serious consideration - but I'm just thrilled to be approached, let alone more!!! It could push me in a totally new direction. This has worked recently too for Juliet, revealed in a conversation we had travelling together on Sat ,hopefully she will share that on her blog. So perhaps its less who you know and what you know - and more of joining in, making an effort, showing an interest.

Big Girl Stuff!!!

2011-04-06T11:23:00.001+01:00

Excitement… once again I have a place on the Burnham Art Trail. Sharp eyed viewers may have spotted the detail on the right already. In addition to the local venue displays, where the work MUST stay in position for the duration, there will be ‘Unframed’ work for sale to take away immediately in the Museum.

This is one of the several reasons for the PPL!
I also have the Rochford Art Trail application form to complete, but a while until the deadline for that one.
This coming Saturday I’m off to the ERTF AGM and Conference in Cambridge. Taking Juliet with me, I will rely on the sat nav and her map reading skills!! There’s something pending which I’m concerned with, but I’ll tell you after its approved. Hopefully lots of information to glean from the guest speaker: Stacey Harvey-Brown with the subject of “Passive Income” – How to Get Published and to Develop a Passive Income from Other Activities. Whoah, big girl stuff – good job I went on the how to develop a Business Plan workshop a month back!!!
Yesterday I went to the little textile group I belong to – it’s social, sharing our artwork not an exhibiting group. But we had a lovely catch up, especially with Kathleen who moved away to Herts almost 18 months back, who got up early and travelled by various buses to come and see us. As she’s in Letchworth I gave her a poster for the ERTF/Owen Jones exhibition.
More news, the Eastern Region of the Embroiderers’ Guild have a new website which is now up and running.
Sorry no piccies today, must get on and try a bit to make a bit more PPL.
PS – look at the last post if you don’t know what PPL is!

PPL

2011-03-30T08:14:00.000+01:00

Last week I paid a visit to Chelmsford Embroiderers' Guild, not been for a while, but went specifically to hear the talk by Jill Flower. See her website. Lovely to catch up with people too, as I know many from that area, from initially studying City & Guilds Embroidery in Chelmsford.
Also watch this space, the Eastern Region of the Embroiderers' Guild is about to get its own website - so I've been busy supplying the information needed for that, as I'm our Branch IT Rep. When it goes live I'll let you know.

The ERTF Owen Jones toruing exhibition has finished at Chelmsford now. Thank you for visiting, I hope you enjoyed it, and it now moves on to Letchworth. Do try to see it, because the accompanying sketchbooks are very informative, to see how everyone has the same subject matter but interprets it differently.

In the meantime I have a new business... well... decided I need to run a PPL (not to be muddled with VPL - visible pantie line, oooo errr) PPL - Postcard Production Line. Ha, did you think it was something else? I am going to need some postcards for many projects and decided I needed some kidology - ie that it feels better to achieve lots of little tasks, than the long struggle with the big ones! So below is a pic of one in production - I have 4 of these, not at all cost effective, as after stitching they will be painted, may be even gilded, a few surface embellishments - this technique usually involves 7 layers of paint or more, so really really a bargain for a purchaser. Oh I can't show you the rest, himself has gone to France for 8 days and taken my best camera only just managed to rescue this pic before he waltzed off!

Oh, excitement ONE person has looked at my Sketchbook in the US - yipeee - I know, one, but hey its a start and I did have visions of it harbouring dust and never being touched. So I count that as meeting the remit of the project - hopefully more will take a look, its very early on into that tour.

Exhibitions, Shopping and Doodling!!

2011-03-18T16:16:00.000Z

I popped along to see the ERTF/Owen Jones exhibition again at Chelmsford Museum. Be quick, you have until 27th March to see if before it moves on to Hertfordshire. See here Lots of lovely comments in the book. I had a chance to have a good look at the artists' sketchbooks which are exhibited alongside the pieces. Its very informative. Of course I'm part of the exhibition, you can see a snippet of my piece in an earlier posting. Following this I popped into Hobbycraft in Chelmsford. It is a much larger store than the one in Basildon, and having sent him indoors on a recce to the one in Norwich, I believe it is also larger than that shop. Of course I went in wanting nothing in particularly, but did ask the cashier to whisper the amount of money spent - cos it doesn't count if you don't say it out loud - does it?
I've also had confirmation of the date I'm at the Braintree Community Hospital - I've put the info up in the righthand menu - from end of September for six months. This is a big thing for me. Never ever have I put work anywhere for such a time period.
Having found that every single black pen in this house was not waterproof, and thanks to Miriam - I bought myself a set of Pitt artist pens. I've had a little play.

I don't know if Zentagles is the proper term for these or just a new invention - I'd call it simply doodling. But the partial stitch version was started some months back, long before the pen came out. I see in the current April/May issue of Quilting Arts magazine, that there is an item on using this technique in fabric. But if you like this sort of thing then keep in mind the Burnham Art Trail - as the artist Peter James makes very detailed drawings.
Its the weekend, and I have Saturday alone - time to look at, stroke, may be even use, my new purchases!

Colourways and Home Rituals

2011-03-07T09:37:00.000Z

And this is what the strips became... Notice no brown, technical fault rather than design. Glue I used for the metal foil decided to firmly weld itself to the foot of the machine and up the needle, so impossible to work.

Next step needs contemplation, so these may sit for a while.

We went "home" on Saturday. Back to Norfolk to see family, it was a case of go now (not been since 1st Jan) or else not another opportunity until late April, when there's a collision of successive Bank Holidays, which means those we need to see may not be at home! Home visits involve a lot of driving across the county to see everyone, but for me, also involve a little ritual. Whenever I go back to my home town, I visit the fabric shop! Its been there years and years, I only remember it as such, though mother recalls otherwise. Its a proper traditional fabric shop, not a craft shop, you won't find much by way of patchwork fabrics - just the type of fabric needed to make clothes, from heavyweight jackets to pretty summer dresses, and proper sewing thread to stitch them, no embroidery threads or anything fancy. Its a rare shop these days, and yet whenever I visit, its always got other customers, so I think still much needed. And what did I buy, its not glamorous... I bought some more felt - its the only place I know where I can buy it by the metre and not in silly little squares. This time I bought in mottled grey, a new colour since my last visit! I use it a lot as a soft suport for my stitched paper, and so I have something to stitch into when adding hand embellishment.

Colourways and Happy Dancing!

2011-03-02T11:27:00.000Z

Busy doing nothing, working the whole day through.... sing along!!!

I've been trying to make some work, but its just not speaking to me, hence let's find a way to avoid it. I think the problem is the original plan, several small pieces from each colourway (above) when really I think I'll like it better as a larger piece in each colour, although the brown version might get binned.

Last week I was allowed inside the M25 to meet Miriam. Sadly the trail of breadcrumbs Miriam suggested I leave were all gone for the return journey, so with the masses of roadworks in this part of the world, I had a little excursion before getting home. But it was lovely to see her and we had a good chat.
On a positive note, if I didn't say, my Sketchbook arrived and was logged in for The Sketchbook Project, which is now on its tour of the USA! My two submissions deadlines for mid/end Feb were duly made. And this morning I've had an email to say I've been accepted on one. It means work up for six months - I will get my time slot shortly, but its possible I'm looking at a time period covering early 2013!!! The other submission I won't hear from for a while as yet. And in the meantime another opportunity has arisen, this time for work to be up for 4 months. So at the moment I'm in the mix of Happy Dancing, and stomach flip panic - I said I'd do WHAT!!!

Stitch & Creative Crafts, Braintree

2011-02-17T15:44:00.000Z

I went along to this Show today, luckily I won 2 tickets to it - my grateful thanks to Sarah of urbanmum.org - pure chance I saw the opportunity and amazed to find I'd won something. So a phone call last night to a friend, do you want to come with me, and we met up (eventually) at the venue.
Its a Show heavily on the cardmaking side of things, but I'd not been to one of these types of Shows in a long time. So what's the first thing bought.... my friend treated me to a beautiful purple crocheted shawl, which I shall treasure. We drooled at the stand of buttons, so tempting, resisted, purely because both of us are trying really hard to be sensible and not buy things, well, just because.... cough, so that's why I've got a pack of paper heart shaped doilies!! We had another drool at the ribbon stand, roll after roll, dragged each other away from the bead stands. Trouble is we love these toooo much, and my friend kept saying, I'm trying to downsize my stash!!! So we were relatively sensible, I bought a little stand for my Mighty Bright light, which gives it more stability, and has a magnet in the base, so I'm hoping it will sit on my sewing machine, its not a whizz bang thing so I don't think the magnet near by is an issue. And the last purchase, but the first thing seen, paper of course. What me? Paper? One of those fill a box with whatever and as much paper as can be crammed in. Very happy bunny.
Of course now the issue is - fitting new purchases into cupboards.... sigh.

Happy Valentines Day

2011-02-14T09:13:00.000Z

Happy Valentines Day! In my home county of Norfolk, UK, Valentines Day presents were for children - knock at the door, open it no-one there but presents on the doorstep. Nothing expensive, a colouring book, a bar of choccy. I don't know if the tradition lives on, certainly it was part of my childhood, but you can read about Jack Valentine here. As you can see the pic is of one of my obsessions - heart shaped buttons. Sometime back I thought I needed a motif, to make decorative items, "pretties" and although I love spirals, and have books about their symbolic meaning and use, I decided to go with hearts, as a more easily recognised and universal symbol. And its so much easier to find heart shaped embellishments, hence the big box of buttons!!! I've made quite a few pieces based on hearts and sold several of them, so it was a good choice. Pop along to my website for a look.
Saturday brought information about a postcard exhibiting opportunity, locally - needed by the end of Feb, so better get on with it! Wonder if there's a resurgence in handmade postcards. Making them and sending 'naked' through the post has been around for a great many years now - however the Embroiderers' Guild have a project making Olympic postcards, and there are other postcard projects around. And yes I have made heart postcards.... I could make some more, after all, I have all these buttons to use up!!!

Paper Playing and Paperwork!

2011-02-10T15:51:00.000Z

This is a piece of play, what I usually refer to as a "pretty" - because it is!!! Another variation of my stitch/cut/stitch using some new papers. This paper has a coloured core - not all papers do, especially the heavier weight, lots give a white edge when torn - which I do like for some projects, but its nice to have colour through. I think I will play some more with this idea.

But for now I will be form filling, assembling photos for submission. I have one deadline next week, and one the following week. Into the second month of the year and opportunities are beginning to emerge. Last week I was approached for something, but the outlay to me would be huge and certainly not worth the return, heck there may not even be a return!!! But then I was given info on a project, which has almost pocket money outlay, so I think I will give that a go. I will tell/show you more if and when I join in - deadline for that one is April. And I've also signed up for a half day Business Development workshop in March, no idea what I've let myself in for! Actually what have they let themselves in for allowing me to join in! I need to crank up a gear - so far managed to 'lose' two days this week, dunno where they are, hiding away with Inspiration and Enthusiasm. And who is this Bad Fairy who comes in covers my work space with loads of stuff, which means several hours wasted putting it away before I can start, only to find next day something else has appeared in the space.

ERTF - Owen Jones Exhibition - NOW ON!!!

2011-01-26T16:01:00.000Z

Friday night I attended the Private View of the ERTF Owen Jones Touring Exhibition, at Chelmsford Museum. As I was there to Meet & Greet, I arrived before time and so was able to get overview photos of the Exhibition, which are here. (I hope it is OK with all contributors to post, as I don't have individual's permission - let me know if not).

Its been a while since I've been to the Museum, and it has a great relatively new extension, with this lovely area to house exhibitions. We have some beautiful work on display, and I will go back again to study the accompanying sketchbooks, as I'm sure there's much to share.

I was there alongside fellow ERTF member Miriam, to welcome people in and we met many new acquaintances and old friends. It was lovely to see everyone, and I hope they all enjoyed themselves. The ERTF embraces a whole range of Textile Art, and you can see that here, from wearable art, 3d construction, to wall art. Its really nice to be amongst people who have different specialisms, but all with a passion for textiles, so much to share and learn about from each other, and to extend this sharing and knowledge out into the wider community via the Exhibition and related Workshops. Yes I said Workshops which you can find here - click on the posters to make them larger to read.

This is the first venue for the project, but it will be touring, so do keep an eye out for it near you - and I will post the dates on the righthand side and/or on my website.

THE SKETCHBOOK PROJECT completed!

2011-01-12T13:00:00.000Z

I have completed THE SKETCHBOOK PROJECT and posted back to the USA, and see logo on the right. This is not to be confused with The Sketchbook Challenge which I am following but not participating in.
My Sketchbook isn't pretty and wonderful... I really don't work that way. I choose the theme Lines & Grids and could have done more with it but for a couple of things. Firstly I did everything twice. I decided not to pay for it to be replicated, and not to photograph it myself, but instead to make it all in duplicate, at least that way I always have a physical copy. Secondly I kept thinking of ideas, such as, I can stitch over wire, I can cut up the wire mesh I have, I could use wooden bbq sticks - but I started to worry, wire, grids, perhaps not sensible to include in a padded envelope subject to scrutiny!! And wood is organic matter is it OK to send across the water... I watch too many of these border control programmes!
So now well and truly I start with the 2011 projects. I did win the Ebay last week, and the item has arrived, and no I'm not telling you what it is, so there!!! Actually, its because writing down the ideas for you all to read is scary, will confirm it all, and make it real. At the moment I have a perfectly constructed masterpiece, which looks absolutely gorgeous, admired by all - in my head. Soon the reality of making and doing, will have other thoughts run through the brain cell - like "who thought of this stupid idea then" - so let's keep the illusion as long as possible!

Computers Arghhhhhh!!!

2011-01-11T10:55:00.000Z

Just venting here. These electronic boxes have taken over my life, indeed they seem to contain my entire life. How did it get like that, when I said Noooo, we aren't going to let this be the centre of the universe, the internet will be handy for occasional use, ha, how many people fell off the chair at that one!
So I'm venting cos these electronic gismos are causing grief.
First the printer, which still hasn't been replaced. Last night the netbook refused to switch on, it done that before, but after much poking prodding and shaking its back woking.
But today the external hard drive which contains ALL my stuff is not working. I don't keep anything on the main computer in case it fails, so everything is on an additional external drive. It appears to be the power cable, which of course is not just a cable comes with a huge box thing in the middle of it - every gismo in the house seems to have one, and none of them are interchangeable, mad! Will You (me) go and see about a new one - err no, the moment there's a technical question I will glaze over. Heck I still use a carriage return, stop shouting hit Enter at me!!
All is not totally lost if the drive is dead cos of lack of power - we are good and do back up everything regularly and it was last done over the Xmas/New Year break, so not that much will be lost - and this is where my little record book comes into its own, cos it will say what it is I've done and when, so I can check for the latest bits. And there's irony here... last week I ordered some disposable fountain pens, perhaps they should have been quills? Sigh

LET'S GET BACK TO IT!!

2011-01-04T11:59:00.000Z

Well, the holidays have passed, and for us ended much as the year began with hospitals. Himself's side of the family, a relative in for the week before Xmas, unexpectedly, and my side, betwen Xmas/New Year an accident at work resulted in a bad fracture and surgery. Cross fingers that having been us, and one on each side we're done with hospitals for 2011.
But I try to keep this blog for arty things, life has enough trivia, I don't want to bore with mine!
Boxing Day I discovered himself dismantling the printer, as you do at this time of year. Hooray it worked. Boo its died again. Shock and horror to find that not every printer will print double sided, let alone multi pages on one, booklet printing, so lots of investigation needed to find a replacement.
I've written out my thoughts and ideas for the ERTF juried exhibition: Concepts & Meanings. I'm hoping to win something on Ebay today, which will help... if not lucky will keep looking, there's time. I feel excited and also very nervous. I feel like I'm in with the "big girls" - proper artists - my "concept" is something I've never tried before, and entering a selected event is also new to me, even writing out all my thoughts, inspriations, ideas so far, feels so very grown up!!! Heck I've even got ideas for work for the accompanying shop - I'll have to have a lie down, its only the 4th Jan - might be peaking too soon!!!

Happy Holidays

2010-12-24T10:51:00.000Z

What is this? Well I don't quite know how to describe the finished version. But these are pages for a book, small 6" x 4". 2011 will be the sixth year I've kept this little book. Its important to me the size, and the pages, always made from multi coloured paper, this time K & Co scrapbook paper. Its one week over two pages, and its a record/diary/accounts book I suppose. First started because whenever people asked me, "what are you making" I'd usually say, oh nothing. Thinking that actually I didn't spend much time doing, I decided to actually record what I did do. So in this book, bullet point type notes, eg "worked on pink panel" - no details, just that. I also list when I done tasks for my EG, things I order or buy, the price and where from, and when magazines arrive. This week I've had Fiberarts, Embroidery and CPS digital came last night. All of this is really useful, especially if you need to check up on when did I make that order, should my magazine have arrived this month - I want more of that product where did I get it. A few years back I came across the phrase "that which is recorded gets done" - so I guess as I work in isolation, this little book helps me focus, and importantly is evidence that I am actually doing!
The pages need shuffling so not all the same colours are together, and its need assembling and the date labels, which are prepped, but the printer died yesterday. So to my reluctance I think over the holidays we will have to go shopping, a new printer will be governed by certain things, price, what will fit in the space and whatever the shops have!!!
Jingle Bells, well that is the last thing which are added to my book. Spiral bound I attach tiny bells (off the cat's toy actually, he doesn't like) - so useful to find the book amongst everything, just have to knock the table to hear a ringing to find it.
Wishing you all the very best for the holidays, thank you so much for dropping by to read, and we will continue with the art journey in 2011.

Commissions, Planning Ahead

2010-12-14T13:02:00.001Z

I have made and delivered my Postcard commissions. P bought the one on the left wanting local places where she has lived, where she lives now, and a blue/green. She also liked the Heart postcard which was on display at the Rochford Art Trail, its Jane Austin's Emma background. C wanted one for her daughter, who lives away, and so that has towns from her home and the brown colourway. I have ideas to make more, and am open to further requests for these.
So that is almost the planned art for 2010 completed. I am currently working on my Lines & Grids Sketchbook for The Sketchbook Project - well two actually. I decided not to pay for it to be copied, and not to photo as I go, instead, to make a duplicate, so that way I have the information.
I have the application form for the Burnham Art Trail - not due in until February, but I intend to enter.
The Eastern Region of the Embroiderers' Guild have an Exhibition planned for the Summer. Having submitted previously, I intend to give that a go, but the details won't be issued for that until January, so I've put dates in the diary for guessed deadlines.
And of course the big one for me, the juried exhibition for the ERTF "Concepts & Meanings" - I've already completed an Intent Form, and more information will follow, again in the New Year. However, the ERTF/Owen Jones project starts touring from January, work was made and delivered for that one early October. Dates for everything I'm involved with will appear on the right.
I don't have any solos planned, but am hoping, as this year, that opportunities arise, certainly one contact finds another, one opportunity gives another. I may arrange solo for 2012, gosh what a long way off - but venues work far ahead, and one at least I've got to wait until the New Year before their diary opens up again.
Oh yes, my PictureTrail Web Album is now no more... please visit my website.

Losing Days...

2010-12-02T15:50:00.000Z

I don't make things for Xmas.... so for me to participate is a big deal. These are the cards I made for the Burnham Xmas Art Sale which is on this week. Not cost effective at all, as I spend so much time fiddling and thinking, making, scrapping.
It turns out to be a good thing that I am not contributing more for this event. I've spent the past 5-6 days with a nasty stomach bug, which refused to go away - missed out on going to an ERTF Essex meeting in the process, which I was really miffed about. And now here we are blanketed in deep snow. So I would have let people down.
Time to be thinking ahead for 2011 art events. Nothing of my own planned for the year, so it will be entering and trying out for whatever comes my way. Ideas/techniques to explore, and perhaps finding niche small sellable items to make.
At the moment I've my small commission postcards to make, but I'm not doing so until I feel 100% better - have a fear of handing over complete with nasty bugs trapped in the stitching!!!
I guess most places in the UK now have snow.... stay warm and safe... take lots of arty photos... and keep the kettle on the go!

Dragons & Dungeons (well cellars...)

2010-11-15T11:30:00.000Z

What do you find at the end of a handrail in Dragon Hall?

Saturday I attended the ERTF conference in Norwich - my third trip "home" in four weeks, but this time purely for my own indulgence.
It was a wonderful day, I enjoyed it immensely. Met up with old friends and new, the more you attend these things the more people you get to know. The subject was "Concepts & Meanings" looking at how other artists facilitate their work, and the subject matter of the ERTF's next exhibition in September 2011. What struck me about all the speakers, was there was no apology for working that way, not that there should be, but often when you have off centre processes there can be an overwhelming need to justify it - but I listened to confidence, this is me, my process, it works for me.... unless they managed to keep that horrid doubting gremlin firmly in place for the talks.

Two people struck chords with me.... Debbie Lyddon, made textile art from listening to music - you can read more here. Having myself done drawing to music in art classes, I understood the process behind this. Dare I say it, back in the day, a lifetime ago, I also learned to type to music... try explaining that to a 12 year old niece! Heck what's a typewriter? Combining the unusual for an end result, not such a leap for me. Les Bicknell, a book artist, also gave us much to consider. A real fun practical exercise, which combined, sound, mark making and words made into a simple book structure. I've done similar exercises, but its a rare and wonderful pleasure to use the written word to inform design ideas... it seems at odds when you favour a visual creative result... but for me, I find words describe my vision far better than any sketch I make.
I had a good wander around Dragon Hall into the cellar/undercroft, found all sorts of hidden gems, as it will be the venue for the Exhibition in September. I've signed up to submit for it - its juried, so a new challenge for me. The day, the place, inspirational, just need to think about making work to live up to it - mhmmm may be the design exercise, I could write a story illustrated by artwork, now that really would be a new Concept for me!!!

Busy Busy - Next Exhibition

2010-11-03T11:32:00.000Z

On Monday I took down my work from the Rochford Art Trail. No sales as such, but didn't expect any. However, I have been commissioned to make some postcards - the above shows those recently made (some were on display at the Trail), Its the first full year of the Trail, so I hope the town and the host venues embrace it... it has the potential for a win win situation all round - more visitors to the town, more sales in the shops/cafes, and opportunities for artists to share their work. Being involved with the Trail at Burnham on Crouch also, I can see just what a boost it can be for a town, but it takes a little while to get established, and for the concept to be understood and made the most of.
Tuesday I was helping to set up an Exhibition. The Embroiderers' Guild South & East Essex Branch, have a display (over 40 pieces I believe) at the Adult Community College in Roche Way, Rochford. All types of textile art. It lasts until 16th December, so do think about visiting. Look at our Branch Programme - I just happen to be the Branch IT Rep!!!
Last week I had the offer to participate in the Burnham Xmas sales event. I would really like to have said Yes... but the year has been full on, with one thing and another, I've nothing suitable and don't want to make pieces in a rush which I will be unhappy with, and think could have been better designed or made. However, I have said that I will make the Xmas cards as requested of each Art Trail participant. So that means I still have 3 commitments to deal with.

ROCHFORD ART TRAIL

2010-10-21T12:28:00.000+01:00

starts this coming weekend: 23rd - 31st October for more information please see the Trail website. My work is in place, at Mendoza Opticians.

Another new learning curve, as my work is displayed in cubes, which I measured carefuly to make sure the work would fit, but forgot about how to actually get the work inside. The side nearest the shop fittings is open, but its not a huge gap to turn things through, being careful of their display, in this case rows of spectacles, plus its one handed because you can't get both hands in, with only the one side open, First time I put up the big piece, all nicely in place and then the label fell off!!! So had to start over. So another lesson learned, check hanging/display mechanisms, check sizes of display, and now....look at surrounding space/how to manipulate pieces into place. Never stop learning about presentation.

Aside from this I've been frantically making postcards, six large ones 8" x 6" to go into the Art Trail, (three actually used) and two smaller ones at 7" x 5" for a commitment to PaperWEIGHT which I've been a member of for many years.

Special Day!

2010-10-10T18:06:00.000+01:00

Today is a special day, being 10-10-10 - for once no confusion between us Brits and Americans on what day it is!!! (I don't like the way blogger insists on archiving with the date the "wrong way" for me, even though the instruction says otherwise). I've been recording these special dates (and others like 1-2-3) with photos, usually around my home, and as I write a diary, there's usually something about what is happening in my life at the time. The intention is to make art... a piece somehow capturing the photos and the snippets of life. Anyway here today, its been bright sunshine, blue sky with the tiniest cloud, breezy but relatively warm. The sun is going down now, so may be more photos to come. I like these quirky dates, probably because my birthday is one of them, and by fluke my wedding day also.

This coming week, DH returns to work full time after his "episode" - 10 months almost of challenges on the domestic front. Not least in the past few weeks he's been working at home which means two computers on the go at the same time, or papers all over tables. So my access for my art has been restricted, almost to non existence, what will I do with an extra day? Oh, well before the end of Oct I've some 7" x 5" pieces to make for PaperWEIGHT, need some small pieces for my Art Trail display, oh and I promised a brand new, made especially for piece, for my Embroiderers' Guild Branch Exhibition. Mhmmmm is one extra day enough... ought to be a doddle, after all I've managed two solos, an art trail, and piece for touring event with domestic pressure. One must always remember in times of difficulty, there's always cake... and chocolate!!! ggg

Busy, busy, busy

2010-10-05T12:14:00.000+01:00

Gosh things have been full on for a while... working hard to meet deadlines, thought I was seeing some daylight, but received another "could you just..." request last week.

This is a teaser of my Tudor Rose made for my Embroiderers' Guild Branch Exhibition, which goes up at the beginning of Nov.

Paper and stitch... of course. And I've been busy out and about. Firstly I went to see OTT's exhibition "Bloomin Marvellous". A riot of colour focussing on the natural world, so apt being an exhibition at an RHS garden. I think I've only missed one of this groups exhibitions since they started.
Also I've been along to see EAST's exhibition "Talking Textiles" - again a group I've seen almost all of the exhibition of. Individually themed quite different from OTT, but that's what's so good, to see such variety in a short space of time. I also managed to get along to the last day of the Map exhibition at the British Library, it was soooo crowded. And then I went along to see Origin, my first ever visit. Enjoyed that and bought myself some beautiful art pieces.

Also I managed to complete and deliver on time my piece for the ERTF Owen Jones touring exhibition. Here's a taster of Pastiche, guess what, more paper and stitch!! Met up with other contributors over a delicious late breakfast hosted by Lorraine. Getting to know more members as I also attended a Tea & Textiles day a couple of weeks back!

I've seen the Rochford Art Trail brochure, quite a shock to find a photo of my work on the front cover.

And my new website, seems to be well received, and in fact I've sold two pieces of work from being seen on the site. Great news and I'm thrilled, but now in a quandary over what to put in the Art Trail to replace them!
So... I just need to make a new piece of work by the end of October... no pressure then!!!

* NEW WEBSITE *

2010-09-16T16:09:00.000+01:00

After a long time with my Picturetrail album, which has served me very well, taught me so much, including a bit of HTML coding. I have now made myself a website, which has the benefit of clickable links and option to add on a shop. A few cross words on the way, mainly because of different terminology for things I actually do know about, as lots of aspects are very similar to using Picturetrail. So drum roll, trrrrrrrrrrrr

http://www.bevfolkard.co.uk/

Photos, Publicity and Lemon Cake!!!

2010-09-02T16:54:00.000+01:00

A couple of days after putting up my Fabrication, I received a phone call, re the Press Release. The local free newspaper wanted a photo of me with my work to run alongside the words. Well if you know me, you will know that this was a very very big ask of me. I am very photo phobic, and just the phone call had me close to tears. But I realise this is the world I'm in, and perhaps the art can't speak for itself, as I always hope, and the face behind it has to emerge. So I went along on Friday. A model I will never ever be. Keep this arm still but move your body, now look here, over there, lift this bit, turn that... needless to say I got a bit hot and bothered. But it was speedy, over in 10 minutes. I retired to the cafe - lemon cake and tea this time... much needed as I was physically shaking, and took a while to calm down. Well the PR and a photo of moi are in this week's Yellow Advertiser. I have looked through my fingers and squinted eyes, but that's it. Another new experience to chalk up.
But good news... the sewing machine is back after its repair and service. Oh how I missed it. In the meantime I've had to try other things, like the above. Playing with Golden Molding Paste, think I'm going to like usng this.
And more good news.... I'm in the throws of making a proper website. I've loved my Picturetrail album because I've been able to do it all myself, and learned so much, but its time for something more professional and interactive. So watch this space.

FABRICATION - open to view

2010-08-17T12:55:00.001+01:00

Wow, was yesterday a busy day. Fabrication my solo exhibition at the Mills Arts & Events Centre, Rayleigh, Essex is now up on display.

This is it, standing facing the entrance to the cafe. None of the pieces have been shown here before, but there are some older items, some show only once before and some totally brand new - unfortunately with home circumstances thrown into disarray, I lost a lot of prep time. Having been here before I thought I knew what's what. Unfortunately since last time there are less hangers available, so it meant a bit of jigging and swapping to get 3 hooks on one wire, and 2 on another, with the kind assistance of venue staff, and a ladder!! Because the Centre is well used and there are often small children/pushchairs around this gallery corridor, pieces have to be out of reach of small hands. Last time people "complained" to me that I'd hung the work too high - but there is a reason for why it is as it is.

After putting the work up, it was time for "breakfast" in the cafe - well toasted tea cake, and tea, very nice too.
Then back home to collect sewing machine and take it to be mended, and serviced. It will be away about 10 days. I have no spare, unless you count my gran's old hand Singer with the long shuttle bobbins. So I will have to get on with design work - no bad thing I suspect.

Its mid afternoon before I get lunch, and I'm very tired, all this work and rush, and then boom, its done. Then the phone rings....local Council, ringing to get information for a Press Release for this exhibition. As the venue comes under the remit of the council, in the Contract it states they will do the Press Release. However, having been promoted in the Rayleigh Arts Festival brochure, I thought that was enough 'exposure' and generous. So I had to answer questions totally out of the blue, and out of brain cells. I've little idea now what I said, but I will get to proof it, before publication. And.... another new experience to chalk up, never done a phone "interview" before! The minute you take your art out of the home, be that in any form, teaching, exhibiting, publishing, entering events - there is so very much to learn, and to continue to learn, as nothing is ever exactly the same from one experience to another, or so I've found.
And now, as they say, I'm going to chillax for a day, but there is the task, of fitting things back into cupboards... may be.

New work, tasters...

2010-08-17T12:49:00.000+01:00

Here are a couple of pics of new pieces I've recently made. Stitching on paper, as I do a lot of.

The brown is a detail from "Strata", and the green from "Terre Verte". This is the compromise I had to make, as my sewing machine broke when I was trying to make free machine 'flowers'.

So these pieces completed the work for Fabrication, my solo.

Next project is to make a piece of work for the ERTF Owen Jones inspired project. After attending a study day on this, I said No to continuing with it, for varying reasons, not least looking back I think I was overwhelmed with all I had plans for plus the enforced difficulties of looking after a sick hubby. But the opportunity came my way again, and after careful thought, life issues resolving, I changed my mind and said Yes. So I will need to barely stop for breath before embarking on the next deadline.

Working hard....

2010-08-11T18:28:00.000+01:00

I'm busy juggling here - its like being back studying City & Guilds Embroidery, bits and pieces everywhere, all 90% done, but nothing quite ready. I will post some pics of the new work, when I actually get around to taking some!!! Naming the last piece has been hard, I spend ages pouring over books and the internet, checking on things. But I've found something which sums it up. Its actually a celebration of green so of course it could have all sorts of natural themes - but the original inspiration was just playing with greens so the name I've chosen is 'Terre Verte' - or earth green - its actually an artist colour,or a range of colours made from green earth pigments. So seemed to fit in with all my thoughts. I've checked, its all go ahead to set up FABRICATION on Monday, I've got my layout plan, so I know what is going where. After which I plan to collapse in a heap, with a large supply of chocolate - or perhaps consume a large slice of cake from the Centre cafe.
But bad news, my workhorse Bernina is sick - in fact bits dropped off it. It does work hard, and I do make it stitch through all sorts. It will have to go for repairs, and of course it would do this when I've only got about an hour's machining to do to finish, still the Plan B alternative might actually be a better mix.

Rayleigh Arts Festival & Fabrication

2010-08-07T17:42:00.000+01:00

This week more paperwork has come my way. I've received the publicity leaflet for the Rayleigh Arts Festival. You can find mention of me in the diary pages... and a photo of my work. Fabrication, my next solo exhibition will be on display over the period of the Festival 18th-24th Setpember. You can find more information here.

In the meantime I'm working frantically to get everything done, as Fabrication set up day is just over a week away. So I'm running to stand still at the moment!.

Meetings, meetings and beautiful views

2010-07-22T11:11:00.000+01:00

Well in less than 24 hours this week, I've been doing arty things with different organisations. The first saw me attending a post Art Trail meeting. This was over at Burnham to discuss how this year's Trail went, ideas for an Xmas event, fundraising etc etc. Whilst I was in the meeting overlooking the River Crouch - himself went off for a walk, armed with his camera, as the sun was setting.

The 2011 Burnham Art Trail will take place from 25th June until 3rd July. But already the second weekend clashes with two other things in my diary. It always happens this way, everything together or nothing!!

Next morning it was off to my EG Branch Meeting - this is a social meeting, bring your stitching and chat. And very pleasant it was too.

In the afternoon, it was off to see my venue for the Rochford Art Trail in October. I had a very constructive and helping meeting with Hazel from Mendoza Opticians. Measured up the space, chatted about things, so hopefully it will all go well. The Trail is new, so its a learning curve for the local businesses, but my small experience being part of the Burnham Art Trail, helps me to know what I can bring to the event.

And here I am, online and there's a message to say booking has opened for the ERTF November Conference: "Concepts & Meanings" in Norwich. I'm so looking forward to this, I've had it pencilled in the diary for a while, just need to sort out the logistics of it all now.

So, its back to finalising all the paperwork that these few meetings have generated.

Which piece of paper first?

2010-07-15T12:01:00.004+01:00

This is my workspace at the moment, trying to sort out , what where, why, when. I have my allocation for the Rochford Art Trail - local opticians, which needs a site visit and more paperwork completed. A form to complete post Burnham Art Trail. A piece of work to be made for my Embroiderers' Guild Branch based on the Tudor Rose. Another opportunity which I need to think about, all the paperwork there to be completed if yes. I've got to check over the EG Branch programme for next year - I've done the actual typing/presentation of, possibly another presentation leaflet to do as well. So glad our main computer is fixed - it came down with "the black screen of death". Luckily I save things to a separate hard drive, so haven't lost anything, but trying to work on a laptop, especially emails which save to there and then can't be re-accessed from the main computer.... sigh. And I was going to do stitching this morning.... may be after lunch now!! No-one tells you, that making the art work is one thing, but time needed for all the paperwork, labels, packaging, artist statements, cv etc - well that's quite another. I need staff!!!

Next... Sketchbooks... and 2011

2010-07-02T10:54:00.005+01:00

My Burnham Art Trail display is all over for now. Items still available and for sale so do ask. And if you missed seeing them, you find pics on my web album - and some items will appear at my next Exhibition - 16th August - 24th September Rayleigh Mill Arts & Events Centre.
I have to make more work for that Exhibition, domestic issues have delayed everything, but then a friend said "what's the fun in actually being prepared in advance, the whole point is to work like crazy to the last minute". Actually last minute does make the mind focus, and force you into decisions.

I'm writing this, with one eye on the street, looking for the delivery van, to bring me a supply of sketchbooks. I've bought from Seawhite, (or Artsaver). Took me a long time to get comfortable with using sketchbooks, but then I discovered the size, form, orientation of the book was a huge factor. I prefer A5 portrait Euro Wire. I wish the content could be beautiful and make people oooh and aaaah, but my sketchbooks tend to look more like architectural records, with lots of measurements etc. But I've learned to relax and accept this is how my working information is recorded, and it suits me.

So why you might ask, is someone who doesn't do beautiful arty sketchbooks, signed up to The Sketchbook Project? Well I was looking to see what art things I had in the diary for 2011, came across the project and decided it was good to have a challenge for the long grey Winter months. I signed up on 18th June ($25 plus $3 p&p) and today (2nd July) my sketchbook has arrived. I've chosen the theme of Lines & Grids, partly because I realised lots of my work involves that at the moment. So to be posted off by mid Jan. Plenty of time... cough!!

Ready for Burnham Art Trail

2010-06-17T11:44:00.006+01:00

Here it is my work set up for the Burnham Art Trail which runs from 19th - 27th June. Work has to stay in place for the entire duration, but it is available to be purchased, so you can either take details when you visit, or email me, click on the link in my profile.

The picture is not to good, as its taken through glass, but it gives a flavour.

I will be stewarding at the Museum in Coronation Road, on Monday 21st June, 1.30- 5.30pm, so if you're around do pop by to say hello.

New pics have been added to the rotating icon on the right. If you want better views (hopefully) then please check out my web album here.

Sneaky Peek

2010-06-07T11:08:00.005+01:00

Here's a little taster of a piece which will be on display at the Burnham Art Trail.

I enjoyed making this, so intend to do more... and yes its all stitching on paper.

Burnham Art Trail Venue

2010-05-27T15:23:00.005+01:00

I've been on a site visit, measured up, surveyed the space, gulped... but here is a photo of my venue for the Burnham Art Trail, 19th/27th June. Its a window in the Tourist Information Office. Bit of thought needed as it has permanent display boards, my textile art is too thick to slide into the frame fittings, so I guess it will be cv/artist statement. As you can see you can literally park a pavement's width away from the window....

Oh, and you will find me stewarding at the Museum on the afternoon of Monday 21st June.

2010-05-10T21:48:00.003+01:00

Apologies a whole month has raced by. Little art work has been done because of the domestic situation, but good news DH starts back to work (restricted hours at first) this week. Unfortunately I've had 3 family bereavements in as many weeks, so time/focus is consumed elsewhere.

The good news however is that I am in the Essex Summer of Art brochure, along with Juliet I'm actually in it twice - well, once and smidge!!! On the Rochford Art Trail page there's a picture of my work, different from the one used on the website. And on the Burnham Art Trail page, the work the children are looking at is mine.

On the 24th April I attended the ERTF Conference - Juliet gave a talk under the Members Spotlight section, which went really well considering she suddenly had to cope with being pushed up the agenda. The Conference was primarily about Fashion, but even as someone who is not a fashionista I thought there were plenty of anecdotes, hints and tips to be universally applied to textile art. I'm looking forward to the next Conference in November, "Concepts and Meanings" - considering my book purchase at this conference was "Signs, Symbols & Ciphers" - I think it will be just what I want. Its in the diary, I've booked the car (we only have the one, so I'm in first!).
Hopfully when I next blog there might be pics of work actually made.... a huge list of ideas waiting to be implemented.

Good News... & Good News!!!

2010-04-01T13:03:00.005+01:00

Collected my work from the Hospice and I've sold FOUR pieces, happy dancing. All four of my Heart Series pieces I put up have found new homes, if you bought them I hope you enjoy, and thank you. I do have two more in the series...

(pink/green) is: Forever Friends. (blue) is: Love Is...

And more news today... I have my allocation for the Burnham Art Trail - I will be in the Tourist Information Centre, end of June.

I'm on the Web!

2010-03-26T12:49:00.004Z

I was thrilled this week when I received news that a pic of my work has been chosen alongside others to illustrate the Rochford Art Trail The Trail takes place the last two weeks of October. This is one page of the Essex Summer of Art, and I will hopefully be participating in the Burnham Art Trail too, if you look at the righthand menu you can see lots of art events.

My work at the Hospice comes down next week, no idea how its all gone, will find out perhaps when I attend. But time will be limited, as I have to drive the 25 miles there, pack up the work and be back home to then take himself to a hospital appointment.

Catch Up

2010-03-14T12:32:00.005Z

Although things have been busy on the home front, I have managed to complete my paperwork for the Burnham Art Trail... and next I need to complete paperwork for Rochford Art Trail, 2/3 weeks to go for that one. I don't like leaving it until the last minute, but it the way it is at the moment. I'd forgotten when only one can drive, how much time it takes up, providing taxi service.

Here are a couple of pictures. The first one is called Amongst the Greenery - it doesn't have a 'design source' except for in my head, this stringing is something which I've done beautifully on a virtual piece since before Xmas!!! The other piece is Heart Mosaic and is rough rectangle shapes with "naive" machine quilting - but its not a quilt!!!

The ERTF/Owen Jones project is now on hold, which on a personal level is good, because life has exploded, but I will make something, as again I've got another virtual masterpiece constructed!!

I know my Etsy shop has nothing in it at the moment... I'm afraid it will have to stay that way because there is only so much I can deal with.

Hospice & Hospitals

2010-02-02T15:45:00.001Z

Sorry for the delay in updating. Well my work is now up in the Hospice, on display until the end of March. For a few days it was touch and go whether I'd actually go ahead with this or not.
Unfortunately my husband collapsed about 10 days ago, nearly died and required emergency heart bypass surgery. So our lives have been turned upsidedown.
Keeping an appointment, yesterday, to set up art work seemed the least of my worries. However, this arrangement had been made over 2 years ago, and I didn't want to abandon it if at all possible, but with DH now safe post surgery in hospital it proved best to go ahead, as once he comes home he will need more care. So its actually also proved a bit of a milestone of its own right, in that this is the first exhibition, albeit a small display, that I have put up entirely by myself. Previously I've been in with friends, or staff at a venue have helped. I hope the staff and visitors will enjoy what's on offer, lots of people made nice comment when passing through as I set up yesterday.
Next I've to prep the paperwork/photos required for entry to an Art Trail.... not really sure how that is going to work out, as DH will be home soon, and I've only got a couple of weeks, but pressure does focus the mind on decisions. May be I can have some pretty pics to put up here soon, especially by my new bridge camera which arrived in the midst of the crisis and has yet to be unpacked!

Natural light

2009-12-22T15:50:00.006Z

Last week, back to hanging out of the window taking pictures - this time the early morning light, about 8am, love the soft peaches, and pinks.

Two days later and around the same time in the morning, this is what we have. As an "artist" seeing nature like this makes me so wish I could capture it myself - but I favour Abstract composition - my realistic attempts don't even look good enough to be described as naive art. But then why compete, when Mother Nature has done a pretty good job by herself. A long time ago my C&G tutor said, if you want a piece of work to look like a photograph - just take a photograph - so I'll continue to hang out of the window, and capture nature with the click of a button.

Looking and Learning

2009-12-10T11:53:00.004Z

I've been to a site visit for my next exhibition, suppose you could also say its a solo. However, its not open to the public. My work will be up in a corridor of a hospice, its to decorate, give a changing environment, for the benefit of staff and users of the centre. My work is going up in February. Lovely modern building and the display area is just off reception.

In the meantime I've been playing. A quilter I am not, far from it. However, I've been playing with continuous line patterns, in an effort not to keep returning the same one I always use.

These may be added in with the white hand stitching mentioned previously.

My poor little Etsy shop is empty... I will get to making and putting up more things, it's on the list.

Chasing Words

2009-11-30T16:03:00.003Z

Anyone who knows me will say that I have a love of words. I spend hours pouring over dictionaries and Thesaurus, hunting out word meanings, to give titles to my work or inspiration. Well in August 2010 I have my second solo exhibition, but it was way back in the Spring that I had to sign the Contract and give an exhibition title. I chose a very obscure word, not in present usage which meant "a kind of fabric". But its so obscure that it doesn't really give even a hint of what the exhibition is about. So decided to change it. Much pouring over the books, the internet, making up my own words combining real ones, trying to find something which sounds enticing, will give the lay person an idea. After all "stitch on paper, or fabric, collage or montage, or everything all at once, also with added twiddlly bits, by hand or machine, abstract, but could be based on realistic images" - isn't exactly catchy!
The word I've chosen, means "the act or process of making, creating, manufacture" and gives a subtle hint towards fibre and textiles. My second solo exhibition is entitled:

FABRICATION

Onwards

2009-11-23T16:47:00.006Z

What on earth is this? Well actually the photo was because a friend wanted to see the close up on my camera - so French Knots in detail. But this is part of my current playings, stitching white thread on paper. Not sure where its going yet, may get painted over and coloured - but it has me down as this mad person, producing little scraps of paper with handstitch on them, but its design development - honest!!

And at this time of the year this is the other thing which occupies me. Hanging out of the window taking pictures of the sky, because it really is that colour - you should see the oranges and deep blues... I'm thinking of making work based on colour - and my sky photos might well provide the answer. Mhmmm I could paint my white stitching in pinks....

Rochford Art Trail....

2009-11-08T12:15:00.004Z

is now up and running. I set up my small display, (3 pieces) in Barclays Bank on Friday. They are on a cabinet at the far end of the Bank as you go in. You can't miss the Bank at the moment as its shrouded in scaffolding. As I'm not in a window you will need to go in to see - so weekdays only. I didn't take any photos - doubtful photography inside a bank is appropriate!!! Attended the Launch yesterday, tried to do some networking, interfacing or whatever its called!!! If you are around this coming week, do visit the Trail - its small, but lots of lovely work from many talented people. Juliet is at Rochford Hospital, where she tells me there is a really nice cafe. Then there are other cafes in the town with art work displayed, shop windows and business premises hosting too. Hopefully if this is well supported it will re-appear next year. A new venture and I think a good time of year, bringing some brightness and interest to grey November days.

In the meantime, I'm going to change the title of the exhibition which I have in August 2010 - when I think of a new name, I'll let you know. Also exhibiting at Farleigh Hospice in February - which is not open to the public - but plans are moving on for that, and I will make a site visit soon.

Next Appearance!!!

2009-10-26T12:13:00.004Z

She's here, there and everywhere. It is very true that one thing leads to another, indeed this weekend I've heard of yet another possible....
My next event has had a very quick timescale, 10 weeks from hearing about it, applying, being accepted and then taking part!!

Rochford Art Trail

7th - 15th November, Rochford, Essex.

My work will be in Barclays Bank, 15 West Street, Rochford, SS4 1BE this is right on the corner of the market square (market day is Tuesday). Unfortunately the Bank is undergoing refurbishment, and I will have a small display, 3 pieces. But actually this suits me, given the time scale and other things. And how cool is this - the Manager said my work would be put away at night!!!

I've decided not to join in the Xmas selling event - far too much going on the week prior and that weekend. Much as I want to particpate and support and show that there is an interest in such events, sense does have to win out sometimes. The event I heard about this weekend, when I see the details, will also need very careful consideration.

Two out of Three Ain't Bad!!!

2009-10-19T15:42:00.003+01:00

Well you wait on opportunities, and suddenly all the relevant emails arrive within 12 hours!!!
The bad news is that the calendar opportunity with a piece of my work is not going ahead - too expensive to do. But still I was on the shortlist of work to be featured, so that is a positive.
The other two events are rapidly approaching. One is a local Art Trail - which is a little over 2 1/2 weeks away!!! Thankfully I'd been sensible in my submission in terms of what I could manage. The other event is an Xmas Art selling exhibition, which is due first weekend in December. I've got to think about this, not because I don't want to do it - but simply because it clashes with other personal things, and we have only one car, so logistics to work out before I say Yes. Where would I be without a desk diary, to book custody of the car!
When I have links, more information etc I'll post back.

Still time to see....

2009-10-12T12:48:00.005+01:00

How quickly time races by - I lost last week somewhere!!! Our Knit One Stitch One exhibition is still on, but only two weeks (plus one day) left to go and see it, last day is Monday 26th October. Do go along, and you can always stop by the college cafe.
I've got paperwork laying on my table to check, for 2010 events, frighteningly, in terms of art work, the time flies by and deadlines get ever closer, with neon signs flashing - and I was going to be so efficient, that is until you lose the odd week or three....