Some work.

I have been pootling along with some ideas.A friend saw a piece I had set on one side and swapped me some earrings as long as I would finish it,he's a goldsmith.I did and unknown to me he took it to a gallery his wife supplies.The result is they would like to see more of my pieces .So I have produced three ,based on the harbour at Mousehole.

We also had a very busy North Somerset Arts week despite the weather.I made some jugs for that ,as there was a lovely dresser where they could be displayed.I was lucky enough to sell one set.I made them from silk paper,hand appliqued and embroidered.Then used bondaweb and hand -dyed teabag paper for the insides.I was quite pleased how they turned out.

This afternoon I have been playing in a sketchbook as I have some ideas to do with reflections in swimming pools.

Draw

I went to the RWA exhibition with a friend today.There was an amazing variety of exhibits and a lot to take in .After lunch we walked up to Brandon Hill and climbed Cabot Tower.It was such a glorious day we had superb views around the city.

Working.

I have been quiet but not because I have been idle.I am now a full member of Gordano Textile Artists so have an obligation to produce work for exhibition.As I had done quite a lot with visits to Slimbridge I have used this to carry on and produce some pieces.

This is a little detail of my first piece.I used the embellisher ,some printing and then machine and hand stitch was added.

This is a sketch of my second idea ,using inktense blocks ,which are a joy to use.

This is a third piece in progress.
I also have another piece but the photo is too blurred to use.



We are taking part in the North Somerset Arts week during May,you can find details on -www.gordanotextileartistsblogspot along with what others have been doing.
  I have done some fun pieces for this involving jugs.Come along and you can see what I mean!

Painted Pomp

I have just been to see this exhibition in the Holburne Museum Bath.The portraits are stunning ,but for the depiction of the textiles at the time.I was really interested in the other items accompanying the paintings,examples of "punto in aria " lace ,wonderful embroidered kid gloves and pierced fan.I am always disappointed in the range of postcards available as they never focus on the small things.I took a little sketchbook but it was quite dim and difficult to see detail . I was lent a pencil as my fineliner wasn't allowed!There was a shirt with embroidered blackwork ,so good for anyone doing Module 2.I think it runs until May if you care to visit.

Exhibitions.

February seems to be the month for exhibitions.Our guild has one from 15-17thFebruary  at Stoke Lodge, Shirehampton Bristol .I shall be exhibiting my pieces from Module 4 and 5.

I will also be showing my final piece with Gordano Textile Artist at Nature in Art.

Details are below.

Results.

The snow took a surprisingly long time to melt despite being put next to a radiator.I put the fabrics in a plastic bag overnight then soaked them in salt water for about an hour before rinsing ,drying and ironing.

The photos aren’t that good as the light is awful but they give an idea of the effects.

They were done with silk velvet,silk chiffon,cotton,felt,linen and crinkle cotton.I used procion green,blue and black.I guess that you would need quite a lot of powder to get really deep shades.The silk velvet took the dye well.I put some plastic containers in the bottom of the bucket so that the fabric was held above the melting water.

There is still plenty of snow about so I could try another set of colours,we don’t get it that often!

Fairytale snow.

It is still looking like Narnia here .The wrong kind of snow is clinging to the branches and creating some magical pictures.

These are some of the birches on our drive.I love them.

I have seen lots about snow dyeing but never attempted it ,so with all this snow I have given it a go.

This is my bucket of snow liberally sprinkled with procion dye powder.I soaked some different fabrics in soda before adding to the bucket .It is taking quite a long time to melt.If it works I’ll post some pictures of the results.