Texture on Textile

I really enjoyed creating these new Collographs, especially those printed on textile. Looking forward to working into some of them with stitch etc

Sutrieu Collographs on textile

Sutrieu Collograph

Sutrieu Collograph

Creating Collograph Plates

Have really enjoyed making these Collograph plates based on my French landscapes. Hope they work when printed. Fingers crossed.

Landscape Collograph Plate

Dunstable Revisited

Whoo hoo – the first in my new series uncovering South Bedfordshire’s hidden and taken for granted delights.

This will be available as cards and limited edition prints during March in the Priory house Shop, Dunstable.

Dunstable Downs

Dunstable Priory Church

Woof Woof – Samples Inspired by my Bark Studies

Knitted Bark

Patchwork Bark

Couched Bark

Discharge Printed Bark

Machine Embroidered Bark

Hello February!

Well so much for New Year’s resolution to focus on planning for the year – January gone and have only managed to gather information about some forthcoming shows/call for artists but have done nothing with them – and have missed some deadlines!

BUT I have completely re-organised my Studio Room and started a new teaching job plus three events now booked for 2014 so maybe not so bad after all.

On the downside no Blogs so far in 2014 – have been a very bad girl – and no new work to show yet. So instead I will continue sharing some of my past projects.

So inspired by my friend Jenny’s fabulous photos of ancient Hornbeams I have decided to share some of my tree studies.

Tree Bark

Bark Close Up

Lovely Twisted Tree

Tree Print

Bark Print

Spirograph for Grown Ups

HAPPY ACCIDENTS

My Foundation Diploma show developed from designs I made using a Spirograph and the wonderful discovery that ‘mistakes’ can be beautiful too.  My Tutor, Lee, was pleased that I had finally broken my Virgo-led tendency towards perfection!

These versions are created using a range of string and twine.

String and Twine Spiral

String and Twine Spirals

String and Twine Spiral Display

Reflecting on Past Projects

I have been so busy with our Pop Up Shop and other recent projects that I have not had time to make any new work.

Now that things are beginning to calm down I am having time to start considering what I want to work on next. I have lots of ideas, lots of started and never finished experiments and and numerous half explored techniques. But how to decide where to start?

As I still do not have time to begin a major new line of work yet I have decided to kick start my preparations by looking back on some of my favourite samples and finished pieces.

This knitted pool combined with beads and stones was inspired by a visit to High Force (a magnificent waterfall in County Durham).

High Force, County Durham

 

Watch the Birdie

Love this little felted bird which I made last week at Jenny’s workshop. Although I have done 2D needle felting before this is my first 3D effort so feeling very pleased with myself. Mind you it was really due to Jenny’s patient teaching skills.

PS I haven’t had time to add his feet yet!

Shirbori Dyeing – Itajime

Itajime uses clamps to form a resist – I used pegs and bulldog type clips but you can also use string; flat pieces of plastic or found objects.

Itajime using pegs

Itajime with pegs

Itajime with bulldog type clips

Itajime with bulldog type clips

This piece has less colour as only a small portion remained on the surface and in direct contact with the dye.

Scrunched and held in place with string

 

 

 

Shibori Dyeing – Folding Resists

When folding it is important to expose as many edges to the dye as possible – so don’t fold the sections back on themselves, enclosing sections in the centre of the bundle. Instead use a concertina method, pleating each section on top of the other so that the edges remain exposed.

Getting some lovely patterns and I really enjoy the fact that I do not have complete control and so there are lots of surprises and no two designs are the same.

These are dyed with Brazilwood or Onion skins.

Concertina Folding

Concertina Folded Resist

Concertina folding

 

Triangular Folds

Triangular folding

 

Triangular Folded Resists