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.

April 2015 update

PAINTING/WordART

I got inspired to stamp wording on my koru.

I wanted to write something about GROWING

which the koru represents. I made up a batch of limey-

green paint and though you can read the wording

against the black it's really hard to define on the green.



So I overstamped using a warm yellow

You can read the text much easier now.

MIXED MEDIA Canvas

I also had a bit of fun adding paper, buttons

(heaps of them!) and text to a canvas.

It hangs in my kitchen where I see it often.

It reminds me to Hope, Love and Believe!

"Weaving With Others" WORKSHOP

I have missed the past two weaving workshops

but was pleased to be able to get to the latest one

in March. We had the opportunity to experiment

 with hand-painting tencel with Procion Dyes

We used cut-up plastic supermarket

bags to dye the tencel on. Gladwrap

works as well...



The dyes..we only made up small small

amounts of colour so as not to waste them.

The tencel was measured and tied in lengths and

then soaked in "gunk" to assist with absorption.



I had fun painting the sections and

watching the colours blend together.

On completion we each lay a length of gladwrap

over the dyed tencel and carefully rolled it up to

be stored for 2-3 days in a warm place (like a hot

water cupboard) to the colours would set.

I decided to experiement with some plain white

cotton fabric, painting small pieces with a brush.

Each piece gets sealed with gladwrap...

...and folded up to take home and

be put in the hot water cupboard.

With being away in Auckland for radiation

treatment last week I forgot to check

on the tencel and fabric pieces. I look forward

to seeing how they turn out and having a go

at weaving  with the rainbow-coloured tencel.

I've sold all 5 of my Soap 'n Salve Ketes

so I've picked up a variety of kiwiana fat 1/4's

(and got them wholesale whoop whoop!)

I would very much like to use my

own printed designs eventually. 

RESIST DYING

I experimented with resist dying

using PVA glue and a rubber stamp.

I tried the glue on my woodcut but it didn't

"take" so I tried pulling prints instead.

Above: first print was pulled using dry

paper then with a damp piece of paper.

I like the clarity and definition

in using damp paper.

Fabric, dyed green, and dry (above)

below, the fabric was the over-dyed

resist that didn't work but picked up

 the printing ink nicely when

moistened with water.

FORAGING: for SOAP/SALVES

My neighbour gave me a fallen kauri branch from her tree.

I must be the only person in Whangarei to get

 excited about foraged plants materials!! In between
resting (or attempting to) I've been keeping up with
the soap-making and also made another batch
of paper for labelling. I took another batch into
 Puti Puti Ra over the weekend as they'd all but run out.

INSPIRING THINGS

I've been reading this book,

found at our local library.

I like it so much I have purchased

 my own copy so I can make notes

and highlight relevant information.

Creativity is essential to me being joyful

that I know. Now to work on being

ACTIVELY CONFIDENT in what I do

and who I am as a creative being!



I found this mask while looking for something else.

I would like to explore this idea using my handmade

paper mask made when I was doing The Certificate.

I also am keen to make a body (torso) cast, maybe in

acknowledgement of my cancer journey. I'm looking

froward to being well enough to do these things.

I LOVE these adobe houses too.

(I'll come back with links to the website)

I'm really inspired by the curved shapes

(sort of Hundertwassery!)

I love the natural design, almost like a mushroom.

How awesome is this wall..I would LOVE

something like this in my house.

Love the organic style of this ceramic mirror.

See these has reinspired me to
get back into pottery again!
I want to attempt making leaf
dishes to sell with my soap.

TAPESTRY/WEAVING

The Whangarei Community Tapestry Project is 3/4's

completed. The 10th of April marked it's 2nd Birthday.

I've not had the opportunity to contribute with weaving

recently but still updating the Tapestry Blog and FaceBook

when I was able to for people to check the progress.

Some closer-up photos....

I have registered to attended a few classes at

 The Learning Connexion in June and looking

 forward to having some "me" time away.

I also want to talk about continuing my

art journey when I complete my diploma. 

I'm not sure if I have "what it takes" though....