Art Journalling

I started back at the Art Journalling Workshop

Jane Cunningham runs at The Quarry Art Centre

on Monday's a few weeks ago but have found it's 

a bit much doing both that and the Printmaking 

workshop on Tuesday, especially if I've worked

 over the weekend at The Bach as well.

 The Prompt for the page above was MYSTERY

and Jane got us all ripping a page or two out of 

an old book (something I was taught NOT to do!)

and we discussed what the term Mystery (Life)

 meant for each one of us. For me it's like a mist

or a veil that makes seeing sometimes hard and 

a bit scary, but sometimes amazing, like an 

autumn morning when the mist is thick and 

though you know the roads there you can't see

 it and you've got to trust that it is.....

The pages I tore out of the book were about 

The Reformation and The Voyage of Discovery

which I thought was interesting given the nature

of life's journey and the events in mine of late.

The previous week's Prompt was Tree of Life

and very much tied in with Mystery for me

as nature and creation is a mysterious thing.

As always, I had a grand visual idea in my head 

but was disappointed by what came out of my

hands. I ended up resorting to using a credit

card to apply the background and my hands 

for the tree. My 'framing" of the page reminds

me of an avenue of trees and the way they 

embrace and encompass...Returning to work

on some text, I'm liking this page more for

what it represents, hence the words BELIEVE

and TRUST. I'm not sure if it's finished yet

but happy to wait upon more if that's to come. 

Art Journing: 10 hours

May 2015 update

May was a a little bit challenging in that even though I'd finished radiotherapy treatment, it still keeps on working. The side effects I noticed were the fatigue and intense tissue irritation/inflammation.  I found it very hard to stay focused as my concentration (which is not the best normally!) seemed to be more of an issue too. I was pleased to get a couple of things completed and have made a list of Briefs.

~PAINTING~

This art journalling page happened as a result of the ever-changing emotional journey I was on before/during and after cancer treatment.

 In keeping with the Whangarei Loves Hundertwasser theme that is currently hot topic here in Whangarei I worked a painted rendition of a wall-hanging I designed/made last year.

 I decided against the orange windows so added a coat of gold over the top to give a bit more "warmth and light" then added varying patterns over the top of the other colours, using stamps and bubblewrap for effect.

 I went round with a vivid marker to define each shape and lastly, added the fun black and white border to finish it off. I'm really pleased with how it turned out too.

~PAPERMAKING/DYEING~

I've been steadily selling my soap over the autumn and managed to, before radiation make a big batch to tide me over until after treatment finished. As a result, I've almost run out of paper so fired the BBQ up on sunny late autumn day in May and cooked up a pot of flax. While that was cooking, my neighbour called over the fence asking if I would like some of their kauri branches as they were doing a bit of pruning. I said, yes please and once the flax was done I cooked up the kauri leaves.

I was in love with the amazing rich colour of the water!

I grabbed a piece of cotton, swirled a bit of glue as a resist, dried it

then "painted on" some of the dye from the leaves.

I also grabbed some carded alpaca and dunked that in an ice-cream container full of dye. I'm sure I'll need to use a mordant but not sure which or what. Must find a book I have on dyeing with plant materials.

I really want to make some felted book covers (one of my planned briefs) and would love if this rich dye could be incorporated some how into something..I'm not sure what yet!

~WORKING & WEAVING~

Work stopped on the Tapestry Project after Beverly's passing and until Naoko returned from Japan After discussion at the monthly Tapestry Committee Meeting (which I'm part of) it was decided that Naoko, as Beverly's Assistant would take up the role of Tapestry Master. The following day Naoko and I met up to work on the tapestry. As I ran my hands the wefts I felt a closeness to Beverly but still had such a deep sadness in her absence.

 I worked on either side the the Letter H

and did some hatching on the mountain.

I returned to working at The BACH Art Gallery in mid-May, starting with just a few hours and building up to full days. As we are in to Winter now, things are quite slow/quiet at the gallery sales-wise. We have just finished hosting the first Hundertwasser Schools Art Competition and had quite a bit of foot-traffic through as a result. It was so lovely seeing all the kids art work and I found myself getting really enthusiastic creatively-speaking. Here's some of their work :-)

There was enteries from kindergartens..

 

This one was one of my favourites!

Up to Year's 7 & 8. Lots of amazing work!

The BACH plans to run an annual art competition

each year to encourage children to be creative.
Next year I hope to be able to be more involved.

Creative Mindfulness and H-Bombing

Two weeks ago yesterday I had surgery to remove a small cancerous tumor which thankfully hadn't spread to the lymph nodes so I won't need chemo but will need radiation treatment for 4-6 weeks in the future. It's been a bit of a stressful journey, one that has shocked me as you hear of stuff happening to others but don't think it'll ever happen to you. So where does that leave me? Thinking about how I'm going to live a more fulfilling and happy future...and be more positive!

Just before going into hospital I made the decision to sign up for the Creative Mindfulness Course through The School of Modern Psychology in Australia. This is an online course and each week there's a prompt with an activity that requires active "mindfulness and creativity"

I am hoping it's alright to do this in conjunction with my TLC programme and think (hope) it will benefit mentally and psychologically, based on what others are saying.

Here's what I've been working on the past couple of days as I've  been recuperating from my surgery. I can sit in bed and relax while, drawing, colouring and cutting which is nice.

 The first exercise was to TIP OUT and get rid of all the negativity and "junk"  that weighs us done and inhibits us from living happy and fulfilling lives. I wish it were that easy to just tip something out of your head! But I guess that's what being "mindful"  is all about. It's about noticing what is in one's head, recognizing it and disposing of anything that's not of use to you.  Of course, after tipping out, you need to FILL UP and replace what's been turfed with positive things. I've used water-colour pencils and a fine black pen.

 This could be a long journey as I tend to "take back"

 all the things that inhibit me without even realising it!

 And the "good" things?

I'm not sure WHY I can't hang on to those.....

Another activity we were asked to do was to ask ourselves how we can be more audacious? Darn..I've spelled AUDACIOUS wrong..... ugh!!!

 Oh well...what's done is done.

How silly of me to not check the spelling before writing it.

I do want to point out that I experimented with water-colour paints for the green background and after several attempts was happy with the results. Shame I couldn't spell though.

Lastly, I have been asked by someone of notoriety to H-Bomb their letterbox. 

They know of my health situation so giving me time to do it but I thought I'd better sharpen up my Hundertwasser skills and did a little doodling. As you can see by the wording I was not having a very positive day that day. But I'll keep on trying..... 

Art Journalling and Spin-In Workshop

I think I've had a bit of a breakthrough with my 

Art Journalling. It's taken me a bit to get my own

handwriting on my pages, which sounds STUPID

but in the past I've always been disappointed and 

thought I'd "messed it up" by writing on my work.

 I had the idea of writing text up the purple 

strokes..like breathing them out as they 

(over time) become an integral part of me.

This time  I'm really liking how it turned out!

Maybe it's the subtly of the wording

 as it's written in white?

This is the page I started on yesterday (29th Sept)

Our word prompt was RESTORE...

Jane asked us to bring a photo/printed picture 

of ourselves. She required us to tear it up, to 

symbolise our brokenness as human beings.

I hadn't planned a second page but the words

HEAL and CLEANSE kept coming to mind.

Hence the blood. 

For the blood cleans and heals

both physically and spiritually.
Remember the days of blood-letting??

On Saturday I attended the SPIN-IN workshop

at the St John's. It was brimming with women, 

spinning wheels and activity when I arrived.

I didn't stay long but I did enjoy my wander

 around and picked up some small hand-dyed 

bags of mohair from the son/DIL of Jackie B, 

who is a member of The BACH. I plan to use 

it for a nano-felted idea I have. By the way...

I have inherited an Ashford Spinning Wheel!

One of the ladies (Jackie C) was having a 

big clean out (of her MANY spinning wheels) 

and has given me one. HOW AWESOME

 IS THAT!! Now to learn to spin!

I'm also excited about my little tapestry.

It's almost finished...woohoo!

Hours: 

2 hours @ Spinning Workshop

6 hours Tapestry 

(3 hours Weaving Workshop 23 September

      3 hours Community Tapestry Project @The Bach)

  7 hours - Art Journalling

Printmaking, Art Journalling, Weaving

PRINT-MAKING:

I finally "plucked up the courage to

 ink up my woodcut. I prepared myself

 for being disappointed and initially, 

I was... I just KNEW the background

 would bother me!

As you can see I couldn't "get in to ink up

the background behind the branches...

..and as I was only using the back of a spoon

to take an impression I've missed bits of the tree.

*sigh*

BUT...I'm actually OK with it, which is a HUGE 

step for me, I think. I'm sure it would print differently

using a proper press (which by the way, I could use

if I go to the Quarry Arts Centre) but sometimes 

you've just got to lower your expectations 

and be happy with what you get!

I took prints for my face sillouette.

I particularly love the tree coming

 out of my mouth!

Going to work some more on that idea.

Then I took a few prints in my 

art journal which I yet to complete.

I've got some text/journalling and more printing

(if I can find what I did my my leaf lino cuts!)

Grrr...things are always disappearing on me...

must be time for a clean up/sort out LOL)

I've also been working on another woodcut.

I really enjoy doing these and find it an easier

to work on medium than linoleum.

I was inspired by this image

and thought it was a knot of a tree

but my mum thinks its a thumb/

finger print which got me thinking

(not sure about what though!)

hmmm....suggestions?

It needs to tie in with

 my tree theme of course.

I just need to vanish this

and then take some prints.

CREATIVE ART JOURNALLING:

I have been really enjoying Jane Cunningham's 

CAJ group on a Monday morning.

It's  a great start to my week!

I'm going to add some handwritten journalling to my pages

.(not all pages are uploaded as they are unfinished)

TAPESTRY/WEAVING:

The Whangarei Community Tapestry Project

 After Art Journalling I go to The Bach 

and spend 3-4 hours in the afternoon hosting 

and working on the tapestry project.

I've been mainly focusing on the mountain area

and have learned how to "hatch" which is the

 method of blending two colours side-by-side.

A closeup of hatching.

As well as my weekly contribution to working on the 

community tapestry I've been working on my own

weaving projects at home.

I have FINALLY almost finished this!!

I'm sure I've UNDONE it 

as much as I've woven lol!

A closeup of the stitching which I've added afterwards.

I just have the gold "knots" to make on the tops of

 the "stamens"  I am SO very very much looking forward

 to seeing this OFF the loom!

 I bought a copy of "Weaving Made Easy" from FishPond.co.nz

 as it has lots of easy projects for the beginner weaver.

It also shows how to warp up a loom.

Regardless of the directions I still needed

 help first time warping my Tabby Loom. 

The ladies at the Weaving Group that meet monthly

at he Kamo Ladies Bowling Club helped me by firstly
showing me how to WIND the WARP using a warping
board and then threading the warp into the loom.

I got as far as threading up the heddle... 

...and tying the warps around one end.

The problem I have with the Tabby Loom

(I found) is it doesn't have the rollers other 

loom have which the warp winds around. 

In the meanwhile Beverley, from work

 (who has over 30 years weaving experience

 and also the Community Tapestry Master)

loaned me her Rigid Heddle Loom to 

practice on 

It's quite tricky getting the edges right and not 

pull the weft too tight after putting the shuttle 

through...but I'm getting the hang of it.

Love THIS WEAVING SITE and plan to
 try out some of the techniques and tutorials.

AND last but not least is the Beach Themed Tapestry"

I'm doing for The Bach. Again, I have done and undone

 this numerous times until I'm happy with it.

 I picked up some more blue yarns on

special from Spotlight. I'm liking the textured

yarns and the effect it gives visually.

CREATIVE HOURS - Aug 2014

20 hours - Printmaking

10 hours - Mixed Media/Art Journalling

25 hours - Tapestry/Weaving
12 hours - Soap-making 

It's been a while...

It's been a while since I've updated this blog and I feel bad about that but have been busy with work and family..and creative stuff in-between. I had my brother and his 4 year old daughter up from Christchurch staying with me and we've been painting the art gallery at work (The Bach) also sickness has meant I've been doing some extra days for others. I've been trying to "fit in" art and creativity as I can but some days I've been too darn tired to do anything but lie on the couch after working all day. And sadly, I've pinched a nerve in my neck due to vigorous cleaning prior to my brothers visit and have had pain in my shoulder blades/numb tingly arms ever since. So I've been shedding a lot of tears lately..and I'm over winter. Just want some warm weather and sunshine so I can get outside and potter in the garden longer than the two minutes I do to collect grass for my new baby bunny thanks to my daughter/s who wanted to do something "nice" for me. 

 I also received back some (surprisingly!) good news

 about my soap that I sent down to the South Island

 last month for the Riversdale Arts 41st Annual

 Mixed Media Exhibition. They sold all but 5 bars!

 So that was a really nice surprise and hopefully
 they'll invite me back for next years exhibition
 and I'll have other things to contribute.

ART JOURNALLING:

I have missed a few creative art workshops this month

with my brother being up and illnesses/appointments etc.

For the first Monday of the month our art journal prompt

 was Intuition. Janes class art 'technique' was to use our 

intuition in choosing one envelope (containing text) and/or

 one picture from a magazine or book to inspire us.

My text was about "Presence" and being present. 

I'd also picked up a magazine and as I flicked though

this image jumped out at me! Something I'm amazed at is 

way the light beams down from the heavens, reminding

me their is a Greater Power...a Great Love above!

 I used a credit card to apply the paints choosing colours

from the magazine image. As I worked, The words 

BELIEVE, TRUST and LISTEN come to me. 

They are three fundamental things in being intuitive.

 This is my page...

 I really enjoyed trusting in my ability to make this

 page "happen"..and really love the colours, 

especially the gold paint I found in Jane's supplies.

 (I must get some for myself)

After being unable to get to the last couple of 

sessions I'm really missing the connection and time

of quiet creativity within a small group setting.

TAPESTRY:

I am now the proud owner of a 4 Shaft Loman

 loom! It was offered to me by one of the women

 who runs a local month weaving group. It belonged 

to a man's mother who passed away 20 years ago

and he was looking for a new home for it. Beverley 

and I took a trip out to his place in Maungatapere

 last week check it out and that afternoon he 

and was wife brought it over on their truck

 as it was too big to fit into my little car.

 It needs some repairs done and I'm so 

fortunate to have Beverley Compter who is a

 weaver/artist at The Bach and 30 years experi-

ence to help me get it up and running again!

 It's currently on my back porch/covered deck area

under a tarpaulins until I can make some space for it.

 Yesterday, I went up to our monthly get-together for a 

few hours and had help from Beverley getting my little

rigid heddle loom warped up. I've also purchased some

how-to-do-it books so hopefully very soon I'll be posting 

photos of my first rigid heddle loom project!