Weekly Sample Project - History

Yes, I’ve been and gone and done it – started my NINTH year of weekly samples!

Before I tell you about the new one, here’s the rundown of my past projects.

It’s still January, maybe you’d like to start your own?

 

2007 Rothko

 

I bought the only image-per-week diary left in the discount book shop, Rothko paintings.

Each week the sample was inspired by the image and stuck in opposite with notes. The broad bands of colour became textural, patterned, anything! And I became familiar with an artist I knew very little about.     

 

2008 Van Gogh

 

The only other suitable diary in the same series. This one was much more varied and fun. Samples ranged from the pattern of a chair seat in slashed silk to a row of olive trees stitched on soluble.

 

2009 Earth From the Air

 

A photographic diary – tougher than paintings where the artist has already simplified the subject. Great fun when I got the hang of it.

 

2010 Earth From the Air   

 

Another set of wonderful photos to work with.

 

2011 The Guardian

 

I couldn’t find a suitable diary, so decided to pick an image from the newspaper each week. I used news, reviews and even ads. This one was about a flu virus!

Blogged here. 

2012 Underwater Eden, 365 Days

 

Chose one of the seven glorious sea life photos for each week. Excellent subjects for embroidery, including this anemone.

Blogged here. 

2013 John Muir Trust Wild Nature Diary

 

Lovely photos, but more limited subject material.  A bit of a struggle.

Blogged here.

  

2014 Random 5cm squares

See just below! This didn’t really grab me, not challenging enough, but it was a chance to play with some new stitches and old favourites. I mostly kept away from the Bernina.

 

So, I think I understand what I want from this exercise now:

• use the full range of textile techniques I’ve learned over the years
• take inspiration from the images without trying to reproduce them
• be challenged by subjects I wouldn’t normally pick
• practise making a quick response then moving on without trying to perfect it
• just a sample, not a fully realised work of art!

And what I’ve definitely got, is a collection of incredibly varied samples that are fantastic to browse through. Over FOUR HUNDRED and counting.

 

Go on, try it… but I warn you, it’s addictive!