Busy Times

Well as per usual in my world, everything is quiet, then it all happens, and comes in at the same time.

I had assumed that my local Art Trail was not happening this year, as applications are usually due in during May.  So a surprise in August to get an invite to apply with only around 10 days to deadline.
A change in organisers and the event is much smaller this year, and with short gaps between application, deadline and Trail date.  I settled for using old works.
As always never know where it will be on show until venue is allocated.  So its turn up with work and see what fits.

20th-27th September 2018

Rochford Art Trail

Venue 12 Beehive Tea Rooms

South Street

22nd/23rd September 2018

Art Exhibition and Sale

Village Hall

East Hanningfield

and others and some portfolio pieces

In another week’s time I can judge the benefits of either.  Meanwhile I’ve heard about another Art Trail, which may take a different format next year.... seems many are having a rethink.

Oh and as well as the above, my name was selected to receive and review a book.  I have to put the review on Amazon.

Sunday Share - 31. 5.15

Well that's another week whizzing by....

From the sketchbook, we have this.

This just screams deliciousness at me, for all sorts of reasons.  Really love the green colour palette combo.  But this is all about having played with stitching paper together, why not cut holes in it!

I have made pieces which exploit this.

Strata

made in 2010

close up detail

More recently another technique from this sketchbook page, was put into use for the mini canvas/easel items for the last Material Girls exhibition.

Oh look its hearts, same as sketchbook, wonder why....

Its spooky muzak time again, (or is it really just in the subconscious and that's why I picked first image) - about to stitch some more holes!!!

I will try to be back with a posting during the week - but so much as to remain a secret, I'm going to have to find a way to tease.....

Beverley

Facebook

#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

And next we have...

I don't do much family on here, but I am a very proud auntie.  My niece Vickie, has just been accepted into college to study a BTEC in Art and Design plus Photography.  No doubt she now has to work hard to make sure she gets her grades for her place. I'm just so pleased she gets to follow her dream from the get go, and not like me, had to wait to my 30s... plus it's nice to think arty stuff is in the genes.  I can stop being the weird one not doing a 'proper' job.

In the meantime, I had an email to say my Sketchbook from The Sketchbook Project has been viewed again.  That makes 4 times!!!   True not many, but it's 4 more than I ever expected.... so thank you, whoever you are, whether you enjoyed or not, it's nice to have been considered.

I've been spending money - tsk my friend's fault.  Talking over the phone guiding her through finding a product on a website, and I say... careful make sure it's the best deal, and then I find at half price and, well it's just plain rude not to buy.  So here they are, Superior Rainbow threads, just love the short length colour change:

I've delivered my work to Juliet for onward  delivery to A Taste of Textiles exhibition, which gets set up next week.  As the time covers Valentines, my two pieces of work and shops pieces are all hearts. Not new pieces for the occasion, but more as it implies a Taste of who I am as a textile person.

Details of Heart Icon and Heart Mosaic



Details from the two large stitched postcards for sale

Counting down.....

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.

Happy Valentines Day

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!!!