Linda Miller
27 May 2011
And a quick post script to the last upload, I have now added Linda Miller to my links section on the RHS.
If you have time have a look at her lovely, lovely work. I am very privileged because I own a piece that was commissioned especially for me. I will try to photograph that to share with you.
If you have time have a look at her lovely, lovely work. I am very privileged because I own a piece that was commissioned especially for me. I will try to photograph that to share with you.
To Frame or not To Frame
That is an interesting question. I don’t know if this is just my perception, but it seems to me that in textile art, traditional framing is not often used. Textile pieces are often ‘self framing’ (the edging of a quilt usually being both integral to the design and also ‘finishing it’.)
On the other hand my good friend Rob tells me that “a good picture deserves a good frame and a bad one needs a good frame”. This is possibly not his quote – it may in turn have come from a tutor at Camberwell School of Art.
Anyway, Linda Miller (who does lovely whimsical embroideries) almost always uses simple wooden frames for her pieces. And it really sets them off. So lately I too have been putting framing finished pieces.
A couple of blogs ago I presented my latest pieces. Well here they are framed - though I apologise for the quality of the photos - not my best. See what you think (though I must admit, even without the issue of the photo quality, that in my view they are better in the ‘flesh’ than on screen – but don’t you think that is true of a lot of art – up close and personal it sings out to you?)
You can see better photos of the unframed pieces if you go to 11th and 7th April.
More Marbling!
23 May 2011
As mentioned previously, marbling can be addictive!
What makes it such a successful technique for sketchbooks etc. is that it fills a page instantly. A lot of people starting out (and that included me) find a blank white page rather ‘scary’ and intimidating and don’t know where to start.
With marbling you don’t begin with the paper at all – you start with the bath of water where you float the colour - and the paper or cloth is almost incidental. And then, because you float the paper or fabric upside down, the result is rather ‘serendipitous’.
In the bathroom!
In the bedroom!
On the landing!
Here is one crying out for stitch!
Twelve by Twelve - international art quilts
20 May 2011
Twelve by Twelve
The other day a book package appeared on my desk at work. I had not ordered a book so was a bit bemused - and indeed left it for a day before opening it.
But when I got around to it, what a lovely surprise! A present from my friend Ellen – the book of the Twelve by Twelve quilt group.
Twelve by Twelve are an international group of 12 quilt artists who have embarked on an amazing art challenge. Every two months or so, they each make a small quilted art piece -- 12x12 inches -- on a designated theme or Colorplay palette chosen by one of the group They use their blog to share process and progress. The results are showcased on the Quilt Gallery and Artist Gallery pages of their website www.twelveby12.org
What is great is that the participants are from different places throughout the world. From what I can make out they met via their individual blogs but what I cannot tell is if they have actually met in person (possibly because I have not got to that part of the book yet).
They have just published a book, a really well presented and well thought out publication which provides a detailed look at the creative inspirations, processes, techniques, and workspace of each of the group. There are beautiful photographs of all 144 quilts in the Theme series and sidebars offering quilting tips such as "Adapting Commercial Fabrics", "Quilt Finishing Techniques", and one on "Demystifying the Thermofax" (so I now have a hankering for my own Thermofax machine – it seems that they may still be lurking in old school cupboards!).
For any one inspired by the group there is information on how to start your own challenge group and why it's important to blog; and information on what it's like to be part of a virtual craft community.
The Twelve by Twelve quilts are currently on tour in the UK, which is how Ellen discovered them, and will be at the 'Festival of Quilts' from the 11th to the 14th of August.
Marbling workshop
14 May 2011
There is so much fun to be had with a cat litter tray!
Last Monday saw a group of lovely ladies gathered in the large kitchen of a stunningly beautiful house in a lovely part of the country (between Petersfield and Chichester) to have a go at marbling on a range of fabrics and papers.
Thanks to Lesley for hosting the day and for the delicious lunch (salmon en croute), thanks to Lou for organising and thanks to Fiona and Jude for contributing to the fun.
Marbling seems to be a very addictive activity. People get really absorbed and while I also planned a bit of printing (with my favourite ‘printing tools’ – polystyrene pizza bases and 'foam on cardboard') somehow we did not really get round to much of that!
Here are some pictures.
6 May 2011
It has been a hectic week at work and now I am gearing up for an equally hectic weekend. The fruit bushes on the allottment need netting and I am getting ready to run a workshop in Petersfield on Monday.
The workshop is 'Marbling and Mark Making on Fabric and Paper'. It is great fun though it can be a bit messy. I spent this evening getting all the materials together. Heading off for the south coast first thing tomorrow.
The workshop is 'Marbling and Mark Making on Fabric and Paper'. It is great fun though it can be a bit messy. I spent this evening getting all the materials together. Heading off for the south coast first thing tomorrow.
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