Glimpses

I’ve had very little to show on here recently, but that doesn’t mean I’ve been totally idle. In fact I’ve made quite a few new pieces, including two finished this week, but they’re intended for exhibitions and I think visitors should get the first proper look.

So here’s a sneaky peek of two recent productions…

  

No, it’s not my lack of photography skills/patience (this time, hehe) or your blurry eyes – they’re deliberately soft focus to keep a bit of mystery! Full pictures and explanations after the Textilia III exhiibition opens at Farfield Mill in May. It’s called Earthly Delights. If you’d like an invitation to the opening on 5th May, just email me.

Sample Project 2012 – February

I do wish you could see the amazing photos that are inspiring this project, from Underwater Eden – 365 Days, by Jeffrey L. Rotman. Call me old-fashioned, but it doesn’t seem right to scan and post someone else’s photos that haven’t been made available by them on the web. So my samples may not make a whole lot of sense – sorry! But I do recommend getting hold of the book if you can, it’s gorgeous – so tricky to choose only one in seven of the photos to work with.      

 

 

Week 5: Spider crab

Embellisher, yarn and Wensleydale curls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week 6: Giant kelp

Bonded applique, machine stitch with built-in pattern.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week 7: Giant Pacific octopus

Background scrim and dyed wool tops Embellshed onto felt. Suckers - sheer fabric applied with satin stitch circles worked using Flower Stitcher, then cut back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week 8: Purple anthias against knotty gorgonian coral

Coral pattern free machined, fish automatic satin stitch.

Winter Wonderland

Time out today, for a trip up Wharfedale while there’s still a bit of snow on the hills but the roads are passable. Glorious.

Sample Project 2012 - January

You wouldn’t believe the number of subjects, sources and formats I’ve dithered over for this year’s weekly sample project. I couldn’t find anything that really grabbed me, and yet wouldn’t be too time consuming. In fact I was close to not bothering at all… but as January went on I realised I missed the little weekly shot of variety and challenge too much. But, it also became clear that I didn’t want to spend too long choosing (or even taking) each week’s source picture.

The bought diaries I used for the first four years were great, but I can’t find another that I like – Earth From the Air is repeating photos I’ve already used, and the remaining Taschen great artists series don’t appeal.

In the end I’ve decided to use a book I already have: Underwater Eden – 365 Days. Each week I’ll have seven photos to choose from. I’ll mount the sample on a postcard size card with a scan of the photo plus notes on the back.

Here we go then… 

 

Week 1: Giant Sea Fan

Free machining.

 

 

 

 

 

Week 2: Garibaldi fish scales

Layers of sheer synthetic fabric, machine stitched with scallop pattern, soldered out.

 

 

Week 3: Crinoid

Free zigzag stitch, layering colours, on patterned cotton fabric.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week 4: Blue spotted ribbontail stingray

Wool tops felted on embellisher.