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....

Art Journalling Workshop

This morning was week 2 for the Art Journalling Workshop with Jane Cunningham. We meet at 9.30 am each Monday for 12 weeks in the scallop Room at The Quarry Arts Centre.  Jane's workshop is based on the book "Women Who Run With Wolves" by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes. This weeks theme was EAT, which is a complex topic for most women....I've yet to met someone who is absolutely fine with their relationship to food/body image and emotions! This was a particularly painful subject for me (as I had an eating disorder in my teens/early 20's) and I shared a little about my love/hate relationship with eating/nourishing myself. It's something I'm still working through and probably will be until I die. I've yet to complete my page but will continue to work on it over the coming week. I'm not sure if I'll share it here. I might just show a "bit of it" ....

I work at The BACH this afternoon filling in for Briar as she had an appointment in Auckland. I tried to do a little sketching (as it was quite quiet) but it just wasn't "happening" for me so ended up working on the tapestry for the last 45 mins before shutting up shop.

Art Journalling/Mixed Media

4 hours

Art Journalling Group - Monday's @ The Quarry

This morning I attended the first Art Journalling Workshop 

at the Quarry. It is a weekly workshop which focuses on:

EXPLORING CREATIVITY, 

NOURISHING THE SOUL, 

and FILLING THE SELF.

This workshop is aimed at making a regular practice 

of self expression and exploration in a supportive women 

only group with permission to play, explore and notice. 

The emphasis is on process not product.

Our theme for today was: BEGIN

My "beginning" is freeing up, being there

and making the most of the opportunities 

that come my way each day.

Mixed Media/Art 

Journalling/Collage

3 hours

Paper-making with Flax

I'm really enjoying making paper with flax and experimenting
with adding tea to the next batch (above)

It dries quickly, nice and flat after pressing to remove excess water.

I've also been making lots of soap as it's nearly Christmas 

and the summer tourist season. Sales are up so got to keep on 

top of my production to always have a good variety available.

 I've started on making some mixed media 

as seen here on this video tutorial

postcards re-purposing cereal box cardboard

 Apply a coat of gesso 

 Turn your back for a second and this happens lol!

hmmm....I spy with my little eye....a...

... footprint!

Thanks Tibby.

I'll be back with more soon...

Sorting, shuffling, filing and pasting...

Today, I spent the afternoon sorting, shuffling, and pasting all my bits and bobs and things I've printed out into my Visual Diary. I've found some Clear-file folders for storing information I've printed out from the Internet. Project ideas from Cloth, Paper Scissors and Art Journal inspirational pages, so I'm feeling quite good and organised. One of the things I want to star doing with my visual Diary is start jotting down WHAT ideas I  have or what do I do with the art or pictures that have inspired me. I NEED to start WRITING more. Hence my eagerness to include regular art journalling. What I DON'T do enough of, is write out MY THOUGHTS. I have to admit being a little afraid of that so we shall see if I can commit to it!

Edited to add pics that I was too tired to upload last night

 Some time ago I made this Accordion Book
 with paper I'd marbled using oils paint and turps.
With tidying up I came across it again and also
a print out of some quotes about "Thoughts"
I knew then and there what I was going
to use my accordion book for!

 Here's what it looks like now...

 A Closeup of the Quotes

 

The other side of the accordion pages.

Close up pics on the quotes on this side.

I'm really happy with it now it has a purpose and it is
small enough that I can carry it with mein my bag
or if I go away, to remind me to stay positive.

The other thing I work on last night was this..

All I want to do now is add some wording/
journalling to the wings. I googled quotes on the net
about 'Wings' and 'Flying" and found a number
that I really like so my next challenge is to
trust myself to hand write some of my favourites.

Time: 8 hours (Saturday 17 Aug)
drawing, stamping, mixed media, words, quotes.