WOW!!!
27 November 2014
I think I might just be a little bit in love!
You know me, if I have one of those restless nights and being of a sharing and caring nature, I go wandering around the web to find lovely stuff to share with you, dear reader.
And via a very convoluted route involving fashion and style for the older woman (thank goodness for Helen Mirren and L'Oreal!) I came across the artist Sue Kreitzman.
I won't tell you about Sue because my interpretation of her philosophy will not do it any justice. Instead I suggest you follow these links to find out more about her yourself. I really really urge you to have a look. Her style might not necessarily be to your taste (I couldn't live in her flat - I would be just too creeped out by the dolls heads and mannequins she uses. It's a thing from my childhood. I must have been given a couple of ghastly dolls I think, for ever since then I have struggled with anything doll like, except, of course, the beautiful mixed media figures that Daughter No 1 makes).
But I digress, popover and have a look (look at the videos too. There are a couple of links to videos about Sue where she describes her history as an artist and her philosophy or manifesto).
http://majesticdisorder.com/sue-kreitzman/
Okay, so what did you think?
For me I think what really hit home was the fact that suddenly, and seemingly out of the blue, she found Art. She came to Art relatively late but since then has had an overwhelming drive to create art. And it subsumes everything she does. She lives it (look at her flat) she wears it (look at her clothes) and she seems to breath it with every breath.
I am not as consumed as Sue, but this strikes such a cord.
A very good friend said to me the other day, and he wasn't being cruel or unkind in any way, the world doesn't really need another stitched picture. And my response to him was "yes I know. But I have a drive to get stuff out. It is like it has been locked inside me for so long and now I have found the tap to release it." Sue manages to express that much better than I was able to.
And read her manifesto here
So, if nothing else, I hope you will throw out any beige. For beige will kill you!
I think ( hope) I might be a WOW!!
Beads and Paper are the answer
21 November 2014
So, dear reader, I let the little piece I have been working on rest for a couple of evenings.
It was the paper and the beads that clicked.
Coming together nicely, I think, though this lazy photo, taken with the iPad doesn't really do it justice.
And then two pieces of inspiration hit.
First of all this from Beryl Taylor ( a new one to me but she is clearly well known in the textile arts world).
And then this from the lovely, lovely Angie Hughes.
So I auditioned some beads.
And I found some redundant reading book pages.
Actually, that's not strictly true. The pages were from some freebie publications the Guardian Newspaper gave away a couple of years ago ( I always knew they would come in useful).
These I coloured with some Distress Inks, and cut into tiny tiles.
Stuck down onto the page, and now awaiting the final bead embellishments.
I said I would get the sewing machine out .......
16 November 2014
I said I would get the sewing machine out.
I did not manage to get stitching done on both pieces but here is the first, well on the way.
I have put a mount in front of it to help me gauge the effect.
The stitching was done over polyester organza which I then burnt away with a soldering iron, because that was less fiddly than using scissors and you can get close to the stitching.
It's coming together, but still needs some more work.
I need to let it rest now for a while. It may need a bit of beading, some hand stitching or some more machine stitching. I'm not sure yet.
Watch this space.
Some new work and a little tutorial (not by me I should add)
15 November 2014
Which is a jolly boring title for a blog post, but that's what this is about!
To start with, here's a great idea (and I was doing something similar in my Spanish sketch book)
Making Handmade Books: A Pen and a Water Brush: Pumpkin Tutorial:
This little tutorial explains how to use a simple pen (I used a paper mate) and water to create a bit of depth and character to a sketch - in this case a pumpkin.
I was using a similar technique in the summer. Here is my wall - yes, I used a bit of watercolour, but once I had 'freed up' a bit with a pen and let it bleed into the water it all came together.
Talking of my Spanish wall, I think I told you that I made a print block (bit of cardboard from a cereal box and some soft foam sheet from the kids aisle at Hobby Craft).
It looked like this in my sketchbook/journal.
I feel I may be getting somewhere - so much so that tomorrow I am planning to get the sewing machine out and put a bit of stitch into them.
To start with, here's a great idea (and I was doing something similar in my Spanish sketch book)
Making Handmade Books: A Pen and a Water Brush: Pumpkin Tutorial:
This little tutorial explains how to use a simple pen (I used a paper mate) and water to create a bit of depth and character to a sketch - in this case a pumpkin.
I was using a similar technique in the summer. Here is my wall - yes, I used a bit of watercolour, but once I had 'freed up' a bit with a pen and let it bleed into the water it all came together.
Talking of my Spanish wall, I think I told you that I made a print block (bit of cardboard from a cereal box and some soft foam sheet from the kids aisle at Hobby Craft).
It looked like this in my sketchbook/journal.
And so I then did a bit of mono printing - using a sheet of plastic, acrylic paint with acrylic retarder (to slow it 'down' - I did want to be able to lift the paper up after printing and not be left with a stuck mess!) and tissue paper.
That gave me this (subsequently stuck down onto rag paper with matt medium).
And I have been fiddling about with additional printing, sticking, inking, more sticking etc. And I have been using some gold paint, hence the rather glossy photos.
That gave me this (subsequently stuck down onto rag paper with matt medium).
And I have been fiddling about with additional printing, sticking, inking, more sticking etc. And I have been using some gold paint, hence the rather glossy photos.
And here is another one (or part of it anyway) using the same 'wall' block, printed tissue paper and over printing and sticking. This is real 'mixed media'!)
I feel I may be getting somewhere - so much so that tomorrow I am planning to get the sewing machine out and put a bit of stitch into them.
More web wanderings
7 November 2014
You know me!
If, for whatever reason, I am finding it difficult to be creative there is always the Internet - and I've found these to share with you.
First up is a wonderful technique for laminating paper and then using the papers. Ellen Golla is an American artist who has always worked with paper ( by that I mean collage etc.) and is now into handmade books etc.
This post illustrates the possibilities of sticking papers together with things trapped in between as a foundation for other art.
Now I do lots of sticking paper down onto other things, but don't call it lamination. It's just what I do. But perhaps I should. Anyway, this shows there are lots more ideas to explore.
Next up is a painting tutorial. This is not too full on and gives a good insight into how the artist built up his picture. I though it might make a useful reference.
And finally back to the possibilities with paper, paint and pva.
Have a look at the stunning creation, the Tansu Gothic on Randi Pankhursts site.
So many possibibilities, so little time!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
