A fossicking adventure
18 March 2017
Hello dear reader.
Thought you might like to see the results of my recent couple of hours fossicking around in a few charity shops.
I was on a very focused mission - I was after books - books that offered possibilities for some of my mixed media stitched work - notably the next batch of embroidered lampshades and other little pieces.
The haul was a really mixed bag.
A dictionary - but those pages or words offer so many options and possibilities.
But I found a ridiculously cheap book of birds, and just look at some of those illustrations.
And an old London A-Z. I can see that coming to life on lampshades. I could use the whole pages; I could cut out the parks or patterns within some of the major roads; options, options.
And did you spot that civil engineering book?
Sums!! I can definitely do something with sums!
And, because I was on a roll I was even able to finish this traditional bit of quilting which has been hanging around for too long. All I have to do now is sort out the thread ends then I can say that is done. (A vibrant lap quilt using a simple 9 square design - this must have been started about 5 years ago).
So, all in all a very successful day - and this doesn't include the haul of fabulous paper and an old frame picked up at a studio clearance sale. But that is for another day.
My creative space (but don't get excited!)
12 March 2017
Over on instagram there has been a bit of a meet the maker thing going on.
Well I am not going to start coming out in front of the camera, so don't panic, but one prompt is to share your studio.
So, I thought I would share mine with you.
And it is not very inspiring really is it? ( Unlike the rather charming space belonging to Mrs Bertimus - I've got plastic stag head envy!)
My studio is a conservatory off my bedroom. It is a simple rectangle in shape with a sloping plastic roof - nothing fancy masquerading as a orangery, just a simple conservatory.
The space is somewhat restricted by the fact that there are two double doors. One leads into my bedroom, and the other leads into the garden.
In December, January and February it is pretty in hospitable out there much of the time. But now we are into March it is much more welcoming. (It is pretty inhospitable in high summer too! But I do have swags of IKEA calico over the ceiling to help keep the worst glare of the sun out and consequently keep the temperature down.)
In my last post I explained that I had set up an impromptu photo shoot with an old sheet. Consequently I had tidied up. So this is when it is tidy! I am a mucky pup! A messy worker. I don't intend to be, but it is just as I am.
The first picture was taken with me standing next to the old filing cabinet (which contains fabric, by the way) looking towards the other corner. That wall is looking a bit blank. If the house was mine (it's rented) I would probably have shelves along there, or may be a rack for thread, or maybe a design wall. Just looking at it in the photo it looks a bit of a wasted opportunity.
The other picture is taken from the corner with the white cupboard with the boxes on top. That blue IKEA bag contains some lamps - they were reduced in the sale after Christmas and I pounced. I ought to store them in the garage really but I don't want them to get damp. The boxes contain either finished lampshades or lampshade frames waiting to be made. Pictures are either stored under beds or under the work tables.
And here are my two studio assistants, blending very nicely with the carpet (an eBay purchase that helps keep my feet warm in winter).
Well I am not going to start coming out in front of the camera, so don't panic, but one prompt is to share your studio.
So, I thought I would share mine with you.
And it is not very inspiring really is it? ( Unlike the rather charming space belonging to Mrs Bertimus - I've got plastic stag head envy!)
My studio is a conservatory off my bedroom. It is a simple rectangle in shape with a sloping plastic roof - nothing fancy masquerading as a orangery, just a simple conservatory.
The space is somewhat restricted by the fact that there are two double doors. One leads into my bedroom, and the other leads into the garden.
In December, January and February it is pretty in hospitable out there much of the time. But now we are into March it is much more welcoming. (It is pretty inhospitable in high summer too! But I do have swags of IKEA calico over the ceiling to help keep the worst glare of the sun out and consequently keep the temperature down.)
In my last post I explained that I had set up an impromptu photo shoot with an old sheet. Consequently I had tidied up. So this is when it is tidy! I am a mucky pup! A messy worker. I don't intend to be, but it is just as I am.
The first picture was taken with me standing next to the old filing cabinet (which contains fabric, by the way) looking towards the other corner. That wall is looking a bit blank. If the house was mine (it's rented) I would probably have shelves along there, or may be a rack for thread, or maybe a design wall. Just looking at it in the photo it looks a bit of a wasted opportunity.
The other picture is taken from the corner with the white cupboard with the boxes on top. That blue IKEA bag contains some lamps - they were reduced in the sale after Christmas and I pounced. I ought to store them in the garage really but I don't want them to get damp. The boxes contain either finished lampshades or lampshade frames waiting to be made. Pictures are either stored under beds or under the work tables.
And here are my two studio assistants, blending very nicely with the carpet (an eBay purchase that helps keep my feet warm in winter).
So, this is my happy place, but it is very workaday - not a place for relaxing at all (unless you are a dog!). When I am out there I am on a mission!!
Amateur Photography
8 March 2017
With an old bed sheet!
Which I did iron - promise - but you can still see a few creases.
Which I did iron - promise - but you can still see a few creases.
Photography is the bane of my artistic life. I really struggle to take decent photographs of my work. But I had to take a passable photo of a lampshade for an Open Studio application and so needed to try and crack it.
My current studio is a conservatory off my bedroom. It is a lovely space (although a bit too cold and unwelcoming in the middle of winter to venture in there on a dark evening when the sofa just looks too cosy). It is a lovely size. I might even take a photo for you since it is currently looking reasonably tidy- because I am usually such a messy worker! And one by product of the photo shoot was that I had to tidy up and consequently currently have a tidy space (well, relatively!).
If the sun is not blaring down, the conservatory has good natural daylight and this was what I wanted to capture for my little photo session.
But no blank walls, hence the white sheet rigged up to create a back drop.
Overall, I am quite pleased. Certainly the best photos of lampshades I have ever managed. But I don't think the white sheet really cuts the mustard. I just could not get those creases out. Perhaps I need to invest in some sort of 'white box' or roll of white nylon.
How do other people manage to take decent photos?
More Daily Art Therapy
4 March 2017
What a brilliant and slightly addictive idea this is.
I've tried to keep a regular sketch book before but my ability to keep the practice regular has never quite worked out. So why is this different?
I think it's because I'm keeping the materials simple. Only a little watercolour palette and my pencil case with a few ink tense pencils thrown in for good measure.
And I'm keeping those materials all together in a little grab and go bag, so it's been with me on a recent 'day job' outing.
And I'm also keeping the images simple - flowers and leaves.
A few recent pages for you to enjoy.
This one was very popular on Instagram. The white is simply resist created with torn strips of masking tape. Ok, that wasn't technically in my bag, but it was in the bureau behind me so easy to just reach for in a moment of inspiration.
Another trick I've worked out is to lay down some colour first and then go back later to fill in the detail.
Why have I not succeeded with this before?
Here is my recipe for success (I know it's early days, but let's be positive):
Small sketchbook A5
Simple materials - watercolour palette a few brushes and pencil case
All together in a grab and go bag
Keeping the content simple - in this case just flowers and leaves
Not really thinking about it - just going for it
Laying down a few pages of colour to come back to later
And finally, a little confession. I haven't actually quite managed something every day. A few times life and family etc. have got in the way. So final ingredient for success - don't be too hard on yourself.
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