Preparing for New Projects

So the endless hot days here are making it so anything is hard work.  We are not used to such here in the UK.  I even questioned if the radiators were on, as they felt warm to the touch.
The room where my stuff pending creativeness stash is kept is South facing, so its mega hot.
Anyway thinking the best way to get myself in a better creative thought process is to sort and tidy a cupboard not touched in years.  So here it is - boxes have been done, but all of this has to go back in its place, but way too hot to do that.  Today we've got rain predicted all day.

So I need to get ready, as I think there will be updates to the creative diary, as in new things and new deadlines.

One of these came about this past weekend.  Something which I had thought wasn't taking place this year, suddenly there's an email, a deadline 10 days away and an event a month away.
But, but but.... of course, it clashes with something else...
There must be something about certain weeks in a year, as I often find there is nothing for weeks or even months on end, and then suddenly two or more things crop up for the same date.

Its my local Embroiderers' Guild meeting this coming Saturday - I volunteered to help with any stitches people struggle with.  One which often crops up is French Knots.  I've stitched one or two....

#artchain Challenge

If you are not on Facebook, then you won't know that there are times when sharing something takes hold.  This time its a means to share and get your art known to others.  There are a few variations currently on Facebook, but this is what I was nominated for, #artchain

1 piece of artwork each day for 5 days

and nominate another person each day.

Here's the opportunity to share more detail:

Day 1

This sample dates back to around 1994 (or earlier)

so its not quite the beginning of my journey of stitching on paper.

Its my own handmade paper with fleece included.

Dyed with Dylon dye

Woven papers dyed and coloured with acrylic wax

Feathers and machine stitch.

This piece is included in the book "Beginner's Guide to Papermaking" by Heidi Reimer Epp and Mary Reimer.  I actually have two items in this book, but 3 images, one being used as the full page background image for the gallery chapter.

Day 2

Purple Prose
Two books in one.  Pages fan out in one section and revolve in the other
Various samples attached to thick 'plasma' plastic
Fan element fastened with rivet.
Revolving section rings through holes
Inspiration:  to combine book constructions and the colour purple!

Day 3

Heart Mosaic
Looking around I found many artists have a favourite motif/colour.
Deciding I needed something, I chose the heart motif.
I've made many pieces with hearts on, over the years, overall my best sellers.
This piece is purchased handmade paper, with machine and hand stitching. As well as shell and metal heart buttons, you will find hidden outline stitched hearts.

Day 4

Secrets from the Attic
Made for an exhibition this is a suitcase full of things I like.
Two different styles of books, map inspiration, large postcard format, envelopes and small postcard, pretty things such as flowers, bunting and a tassel.
Hand and machine stitch, bookbinding, melting and burning, many techniques, and of course, lots of paper!
I wrote out an entire story purely for myself, on who could have owned the contents and why.
Its an idea I'd like to do more of, and I have the suitcase of course......

Day 5

Tudor Rose
Inspired by my location.  The Boleyn family owned the local Hall.
Oh and look carefully the petals are hearts....
Not the first piece made using this technique
White stitch on white paper, with paint added.
The background has at least seven colours in the process.
Its a technique I enjoy (beach huts a recent result) and am pursuing further.
Future work also involves stitch and paint.

I hope you have enjoyed this little insight into my art pieces, thoughts and processes.  It all connects into the whole, even though it may not look like it.  Please comment, it helps to know you are not talking to yourself!  You can of course check out my work via my website - if you are on Facebook, please visit and Like my page.

Thank you for visiting.

Beverley

The Material/Abstract Artist - Moi!!

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....