Circles

 Having wanted to start the year doing a challenge of some sort I have decided on the stitched circle challenge set by Lisbet @dragenkunst a danish artist . So each week she sets a different circle with fabric or paper and simple stitch. So now we are into week 7 of the year and I am finding this a relatively straightforward task and easily achieved in the week. Lisbet is setting hers into a book but I will stitch together into a wall piece that can be folded into a book. I have seen something similar which leaves ends hanging and gaps/ slits  in the piece. Got a way to go first. 

These are the first 4. They are 6 inches square. 

Facing difficulties with technology and signing in to my account I simply let it slide.  So here now with things working or more like my determination to get going and write here. I have been writing and submitting small articles for the Queensland Quilters newsletter Material Facts. These have mostly been about my travels on textile tours or travel where I seek out textile and art related interesting images or information. 

I am also wanting to start an ongoing daily art practice that is more disciplined than simply stitching everyday, which I certainly did in the time between Christmas and the New Year. During this time I finished several pieces that will be entered into exhibitions this year.

But now its midway through January and I haven't decided on what I will do. But hey who says I have to start on January 1st. 

This tiny talisman quilt was made as I needed to do something so found four scraps and cut and sewed together the smaller pieces. No plan in mind just hand sewing seams. when I had enough I joined together, really in the zone and before I knew it asmall quilt top made. So batting , again using scraps and backing was found. I rolled the backing over to form a bound edge. Then quilted. Notice the tucking as a feature which was really to take out some of the excess and make it all lie flat.  As I like to name my work I pondered over this one. I knew it had to be something to do with roses, meaningful to do with a talisman as a reminder to create each day and kind of mystical/magical. 

I dont think I could commit to making one of these each day? Maybe weekly. 

 

Starting Again

In my arts practice I am compelled towards the process of writing. Writing about my art, what I do and how I do it. Processes and outcomes. The journey and the destination. More than I can put onto Instagram. More than just a rambling of stream of consciousness which I do in writing Morning Pages as prescribed by Julia Cameron of The Artist's Way and others.

I have written articles on my recent travels to Japan , Egypt and Jordan for Queensland Quilter's quarterly magazine 'Material Facts'. The focus is on the textiles I find on these journeys. These are more factual that my thought process on fabric, textiles, creating, inspiration, influences, stitching and resolving pieces. 

Recently having finished my studies with OCA , online through a university in England I feel ready to expand my writing and arts practice. So I return to this wee blog I started in 2016 as a place to simply record my makings. 

I was fairly consistent until 2022 and now I look back to see that 2023 was perhaps my most successful year and nothing is recorded in great depth. There have always been posts on Instagram but mostly just the finished image photographed to the best I can do yet not much information on the concept, process , failings and working through issues that arise in the development. 

I will continue on from here and perhaps occasionally put in some of the special things that occurred in my making in the missing year. 

  

Two images from a workshop with Carol Cooke making Can-Can birds. Very interesting process which is simple yet produces and individaul bird rather than using a pattern. Unfinished as yet.

Year in Review

 I haven’t been here for most of the year. I could use the cliché and say that life got in the way but it really was a choice I made . Who is reading ? Who is watching ? Who is listening ? But does it matter . I use this as a record of what I’ve done . Now coming to write my year in review I had to look back on an activity I did earlier in the year. Sending five pieces of fabric out side in to the elements to see the marks the environment could make. Well I have nearly finished stitching on that piece and need to post it here. To finalise the circle of this creation. 

The white background was as I found it amongst my stash. Joined at the back with vintage lace

Books

 I have just listened to a random Live with Austin Kleon and Sam Anderson . It popped up on Instagram and so I listened in. Fascinating hearing two writers and artists chat. One thing Austin said was , it’s a creative act to buy a book. That puts a lot into perspective. I don’t need to feel guilty about buying books. He didn’t mention anything about reading them. 

Online workshops

 I seem to get carried away with online workshops or the abundance of wonderful artists and techniques. Some finished many not. The thought is that when I retire I will have plenty to keep me busy and learning. But they keep coming and it can’t resist. So I tell myself no more until I finish some or all. But when a free workshop with Ema Shin put on by a gallery in the Dandenongs I couldn’t miss it. I love Ema’s anatomical hearts, her embroidery and the surface design in her pieces. So tonight it was on and I grabbed the material ´s needed and really jumped in. No second guessing no procrastination no self doubt. And I am loving the piece I started on

Still going

 I can’t seem to focus on anything else but getting these scrap pieces made. Finding inspiration everywhere including books and Instagram. 

The last image here of a basket made by adding strips and small pieces to an upturned plastic cup. Then stitching in big visible stitching with 6 strands of embroidery thread. The thread was also not purchased new by me. From others destash or op shops.  This was inspired by Judith Scott a neuro diverse artist who wrapped items known and unknown with whatever threads she could source. She spent many years in an institution and her art may have been a response to that dreadful living environment. I relate to the wrapped and hidden . What lies within ? Is it being kept safe from others, protected so no one can get near , close ? I love hidden secret meanings and even though my basket is not hiding something it may be hiding perfection or removing the need for perfection, flaunting my need to be wonky , imperfect , and wabi sabiness of it. Removing the adherence to straight edges , neat edges. A sign of the hand of the maker.