New work in progress....at long last!

It's been a strange old week or so...the weather has decided to grace us with some snow, kids love it ...but I, like most, I hate it when it goes all slushy!

Walking to work every morning has been a challenge... I have found myself following in the footsteps of the local wildlife...however my tracks were neither as delicate or as interesting!

on Monday we went to the Ferens Art Gallery in Hull to see Ten Drawings by Leonardo Da Vinci. In the foyer was a fantastic replica of his famous flying machine, beautifully crafted and great to see up close. 

Armed with magnifying glasses we went round the drawings, his anatomy sketches where to me my favourites. The use of simple inks on paper, beautiful, effective and timeless.

And at long last I have started to feel the urge to create some art!....yay, whoop and phew!

few slight problems tho'...studio at the gallery is Baltic and its been hard to keep warm and sew and draw in the arctic conditions! but things are starting to take shape. I wanted to do a piece to compliment one I did a while ago....using embroidery and laser cut pebbles I wanted to somehow catalogue them whilst reflecting there journey, so...along with a selection of buff Luggage/label tags, maps, text and a variety of materials I have set to work.

silk & denim laser cut

Oh how leather smells when burnt!

       

I'm sewing all the pebbles onto the tags and then further embroidering and embellishing them.  While deciding on a layout, I've also decided I want to use my old typewriter to add labels and descriptions about the types of pebbles, you know how they do in museums?

Anyway, it seems to be coming on, think I might have to grubby up the tags a bit tho' as they all look a bit too pristine! But the main thing is I'm itching to crack on and develop further.

I've also been given the opportunity to display/promote my art in a restaurant just near the gallery The Green Room has just been re-decorated and my pebbles pieces look great. The food served is amazing, fine dining, great atmosphere and well worth a visit.

I'll post again soon as its getting near to Coastival and thats our next exhibition...

happy reading, keep warm and safe!

back soon!

Art@41: ....embroidery & the likes

Art@41: ....embroidery & the likes: I've been looking at various artists who incorporate textiles and paper within their work, especially old/vintage remnants entwined within ...

....embroidery & the likes

I've been looking at various artists who incorporate textiles and paper within their work, especially old/vintage remnants entwined within machine embroidery. I remember helping a student who was studying her GCSE's and we found this group of artists, we looked in particular at Anita Hutchinson and I explained how great it must be to be part of a group like edge - textile artists scotland 

I'm not sure if there's anything like it in North Yorkshire, I can't seem to find anything like it....Group 62 is another really good group I often look at and try to see their work if exhibiting, I love what these groups represent both in terms of group unity, content and commitment too. 

Jane Sullivan - Sledmere exhibition

Yvonne Sanders- Sledmere Exhibition

As part of a group of artists in Scarborough and surrounding areas we meet once a month, Carmen Mills wanted to keep in touch with other like minded artists when she finished her degree and "Art talk" was formed. There are bout 12 active members and a handful of associate members. We have had one exhibition together in 2012 and the group seems to be growing in confidence both in terms of our art and as a group. I love catching up with everyone and finding out what they've been doing and what they are all working on or towards. I find their support as a group so valuable. We met the other day and as a group decided that the name was misleading....yes we meet up and talk, but as a group we feel it's misleading when we are exhibiting!...so over the next few months we will see what new name evolves. We have also decided to try and exhibit again as a group, so watch this space for more details...

 

These are some of the samples I have been trying out using machine embroidery and bits of vintage lace and even a bit of old sou'wester I found!

some will have bits of old maps behind them along with other bits of found text.

I've also got some other ideas to try out too.... I'm looking forward to developing these further so I'll keep posting pictures and the likes to keep you up to date.

Anyway, thats my Sunday ramblings for this week and now it's time for a lovely cup of tea and an early night before a new working week begins! back again soon, happy reading.

Art@41: .....2012 the best bits!

Art@41: .....2012 the best bits!: I was thinking about how quickly we forget some of the great things we have achieved!.... 2012 has had its fill of challenges and as al...

.....2012 the best bits!

I was thinking about how quickly we forget some of the great things we have achieved!....

2012 has had its fill of challenges and as always our household has aimed high and taken the bull by the horns! 

Never one to turn down opportunities I have tried my hand at a variety of things....so in a quick re-cap this last year has been quite a busy one!

'Pebble 1"

This was the starting point for the direction my final degree year was going to take....Pebbles...their beautiful, intricate, individual and amazing marks. I had to really fight to prove I was a fine artist and that cloth and materials can be a part of "fine art".... I have nothing against craft and embrace it whole heartily but when it is murmured as if it is a dirty word, I find it offensive and this made me work all the harder to prove my art was of a level worthy of a degree.....

My influences - (I may have repeatedly mentioned them!)... are artists such as Louise Bourgious, Annette Messager, Cornelia Parker, Joseph Cornell....their clever and ingenious use of objects that have had a previous life, often mundane...like those artists I love that gutsy, special feeling I get when I can  breath new life into something salvaged, rescued or saved....creating and articulating a new and different future infused with memories and possible past associations....

So I am happy to admit that craft along with many other techniques is used within my work!.....I strongly admire traditional techniques handed down from generation to generation....time spent together learning and sharing skills...flair and expertise... working maticulously for hours, dexterity and care to attention and detail....often using and re-using garments and belongings full of memories and distant times. When I found a book by 

by Mildred Constantine and Laurel Reutor, "Whole Cloth" I thought all my Sundays had arrived at once...this not only helped me tremendously but made me realise that I had to stay true to myself if my work was to stand up on its own...

....so highlights of the first 6 months, finding a book, realising my direction within my art....and getting a Fine Art (BA) first class Hons Degree....

....then....

Jogging, nee sprinting! alongside my degree work we decide to try our hand at running a pop-up gallery for a year, why not we thought, if you don't try you'll never know! Its been an experience, some good some not so good!....offering artists like myself the opportunity to exhibit a body of work has been just fantastic, one artist managed to sell 50% of her work in 3 weeks....in out economic climate it just shows you that people still and always will seek out art. Being tied to the gallery though has made me realise how hard it is to get my work out to other galleries, to promote myself elsewhere. I haven't done very much work either....I need to really get my head down and start to produce some new stuff....the opportunity to get out and about has been a 'tad lacking what with opening hours and the horrid weather we have had...but what I have done has been well received so thats a bonus!

Sharing the experience with my husband and family has been really, really good. Hubby has been such a power of strength and support and his boundless love and zest for life is priceless......the kids I am sure think we are crackers, but they knew that before! 

...highlights for the second six months....running a gallery and being able to exhibit my work alongside my husband and other new and emerging artists....

So I have to confess, 2012 has been a really good year, lifes been good, we have our happiness, our health and our achievements....and it's the start of another year, who know's what it has in store for us....but as always I'll ramble on and keep you up to speed as and when I can...

Hope 2012 has  been good to you all?  thanks for  reading my blogs and following my progress...

back again soon, bye

Art@41: bbbrrrr!....bring out the woolies!

Art@41: bbbrrrr!....bring out the woolies!: ....so the festive season is now upon us....I have to admit I have refused to play christmas music in the gallery....enough's enough...anyon...

bbbrrrr!....bring out the woolies!

....so the festive season is now upon us....I have to admit I have refused to play christmas music in the gallery....enough's enough...anyone who is working in retail shops have been listening to it since mid October!...Hubby reckons I'll be providing a bowl of humbugs for those who call into the gallery....cheeky!

I've still not really got on with any productive art ....but have definitely got the opportunity to do another commission for the hospital.....last one and I am definitely going to use fabric and thread....I'd like to have some materials laser cut and work them alongside some machine embroidery pebbles....in my head they work well but in reality...well only time will tell!....when I've got some samples I'll maybe blog about them.

I have finished making  small bespoke gifts to sell alongside art in the gallery I wont be making anymore, they take loads of time and again its another thing to stop me concentrating on my main focus!....I sold out of the rag rugging kits and most of the small ceramic hearts with embossed vintage lace have also been a hit too! I've love it that people have bought some of the art in the gallery as surprise gifts or that some have come with money they have been given as christmas presents to treat themselves.....

designing process...

making up process....continued!

My daughter was my work experience student for the week commencing 10th December...after choosing between art or bespoke gifts I gave her a project to do and the results were a success, she enjoyed making and also selling too!

...or...Florence, Helena & Henny

The project :
to research bespoke rag dolls and then design one her self, concentrating on a one off original piece. From design, materials, costs and final price and then sales. Her working out was quite interesting and also her realisation that quality and care and attention to detail all too time which in turn adds to the cost!


 Helena the hippy was designed and created by Paige and I loved working with her,  from Helena came Florence who is now sold and also "Henny the little horror!"(short for Henrietta!) who is also sold! I loved the way Paige quickly told everyone she was a "pro" at making "Our little horrors!" and how she loved sourcing the vintage buttons and fabrics to compliment or clash to get the desired end effect!

Helena, Florence and Henny

Making the "Horrors" together showed her (and reminded me!) the importance of communication and team work. And also how sometimes drawing on each others best qualities new ideas and skills can be learnt and built on.
Along with Arthur and Fleur - (who's almost finished) the rag dolls are the product of one weeks work and although it is something I would not have considered making I have been pleasantly surprised by the interest they have attracted, as is Paige. As work experience goes I think it was a success and Paige said she enjoyed herself too!

Arthur!

Arthur...the Dormy blue seal bum!

Some of our little horrors!

I think I'll put the rest of the dolls in the gallery or maybe list them on my website & Folksy account....I just have to get round to it!.

So sorry its been a while since I've blogged, I also had some issues trying to put pictures on my blog, but its all good now!

The gallery's closed for the Christmas week, time for me to spend some quality time with my family and re-charge my batteries, hopefully get out - if the rain stops! and maybe relax and find new inspirations to work with....

I wish you all a lovely festive season and thanks for sharing my experiences over the last year and I look forward to blogging and sharing my experiences with you over the next year.

Happy reading, back soon, bye