Late Spring Clean

A couple of days back, I came onto this blog, going through the info to be found on it, updating.  I always change the date at the top of the page when I've done any editing, so viewers can tell if there is anything new.

Today, armed with...

I've shut myself away for two plus hours and played with my website.  The majority of it is cosmetic, adding a fresh look to it.  The images etc could well do with updating and re-organising, but I've run out of tea now, so think that's a sign its enough for one day.
If you would like to, please take a look, by clicking here - and if you find any typos or obvious errors do let me know.
Thank you.

Little Makes

Mhmm, I think I live in a time vortex, blink and lost days, ha weeks.

Domestically I'm not in a routine which is conducive to intentions, and there is a lot of "today I'm going to..." and it gets sidetracked, 5 minute tasks taking hours, and the wretched Data Protection stuff, not only having to answer endless emails for myself, but sorting things for organisations I belong to.

For the first time in years I'm not participating in any Art Trails.  Not all of my making.  Having done so and enjoyed the whole process, I feel a bit lost over it all.  So I've been looking around to see if there are any other opportunities.

I have come across one, which is open to me, because I've enquired, but is also an entirely new process, to me.  One of these display work for a weekend and people buy there and then. Applications aren't open yet, but its on my radar.

I am also making something for a US based project, which I hope to share on the blog later.

I have finished off a couple of little pieces made at my Embroiderers' Guild Branch meetings.

First one, we had an afternoon inspired by Lynn, using scarves found in charity shops.  Lots of variety for end results.  I picked up some pieces and a single A4 piece of Khadi paper and made this:

Tore the paper in half, joined it back together and added some scrunched fabrics to make this little sample book.

Our most recent practical workshop was led by Jo - stitching on paper.  Now that makes my heart sing!
Lots of options, this is my finished piece.

Not how it originally started.I did some stitching on the map, but didn't like so cut it off.  I then cut out the paper flowers from the printed paper and stitched those on.
I've always wanted to paper cut a map, and having seen someone else do it, I decided to do that to remainder of my map.  As luck would have it, it fitted back together with the piece I'd stitched on.  So coloured in the patterned paper and overlaid. Not much by way of stitching, but several techniques.

Most of the group stitched parabolic curves, but I've already done several of those, take a look.

More Alien Hunting

Following on from last post.  This section of the Wanderlust course has been about people/portraits.  Totally alien to me as mentioned. I missed out the lesson on drawing a realistic face, I know its more about observing etc but not for me.

So watched the last lesson in the series and its a SELF PORTRAIT - not really super realistic and involved using some out of the ordinary colour.  I was hesitant, there will be an alien by the end of this one, for sure.

I don't do photos, its a very long standing almost phobia.  To say it makes me feel sick, hot, heart racing, tearful to have my photo taken is an understatement.  I usually get past this by being the one who volunteers to take the photos.  I'm trying to get better about it

I was supposed to take a pic, with eyes closed, turn the photo to black and white to show tones and then paint it.
Now even without the blotchy face from a cold, and the extra large suitcases under the eyes still looked like something from a horror film.

However, I have blue eyes, so decided needed a bit of contrast, so kept eyes open.  Also decided that as there were unusual colours in the painting exercise, using the computer and a paint programme with various effects wouldn't be too far a step away.

So my plan, get on with it, fast.  Take photo, alter it, share it, phew.  Big step but quick like ripping off a sticking plaster, walk towards the thing which scares you.  So here it is, not the painting/drawing exercise as required, but a lesson in grasping the fear, getting on with it and doing.

A n d..... I suspect this is the first ever selfie ever shared.  Not likely to be a habit either.

Looking for the Alien

What a mixture has happened since last writing.   Most of it is general ups and downs of an artistic life, so not very exciting, but better in one hit.

I was due to attend another Mixed Media course.... but it was cancelled because of low turn out.

But whoops I took my refunded class fee and spent it on art goodies.

Good news I won a set of stencils by 'liking' on Facebook. I need to have a play with those, bit of monoprinting I think.

I've gotten behind with the Wanderlust course.  Its not that I've been too busy, quite the contrary, but rather I've been fighting the lessons.  Couple of them are not me, and so I was going to do something 'inspired by'.  No pressure, of course I could... but even that was proving unsettling.

So eventually I decided, what are you learning by avoiding, or doing an alternative?  Why not also learn from actually embracing the thing you find tough?  So soon back on track doing the lessons as asked, or nearly so.

bit of a spooky muzak.....

Saw some images on Facebook, of people who 'can't draw' turning out exquisite images.  Found myself yearning for the same.

The truth is I spent two years in drawing lessons, I can do enough for something to be recognisable

what I still can't do is the recognisable quick sketch. (remember it took 2 years of weekly lesson to get to this!) 

My mind sees things like a detailed photograph, pencil in hand, its like a fly with inky boots walked over the paper.

Drawing also gives me a raging headache, I concentrate so hard, its not a pleasure.  So once again thinking, but I'm an 'abstract artist' is it any wonder realistic work is a struggle.  I am the person who did the 'drawing a day' project which was popular years ago, which soon evaporated into paint splodges and textures.

This is my comfort zone.

Still on catch up, imagine my horror to watch my next Wanderlust lesson and find it involves drawing people.  Yikes.  Last time I constructed anything other than stick people was 20 years ago.  So the lesson reminded me of the 'formula' for drawing faces, a bit more reading and I had a go.

Shocked, I did this, and it doesn't look like an alien.  Now don't ask me to make a face which looks like a known person, but I've stunned myself.  No wonder its being kept and stuck in my sketchbook.  Got to keep the evidence I did it, at least once!

Back to my comfort zone I've signed up for an art project based across the pond, couple of definites as to the what and including, but otherwise free to do as I wish.

I'm going to go back to this kind of thing, but with a layered look.  Our EG Branch is making Travelling Books.  I'm not doing the 'travelling' bit, but am using the book to do my own thing.  Sorted my design inspiration, now to play.

I call these 'pretties' because they have no thinking, no design to them, just play and do.
However, I should make myself feel they have more value by describing them as "intuitive art".
There's a thought to mull over.....