Free as a bird

I've been trying unsuccessfully to get a photo of this bird recently as he is around quite a lot sitting on logs or pouncing on mice in the field but i never manage to get a picture of him. Today I stood for a while - with frozen fingers - determined to capture a picture of him - this was taken quite a distance away but I love the strong features he has.

Mixed Media Textile - Brass and found metal

Well, I finally managed to get this uploaded. This is my final piece of work for my mixed media and drawing module. I seem to have chopped a bit of the left hand side which has more stitching on it. The metals are brass which has been treated in various processes and some rusty found metal which was also treated to some varnish, alcohol inks and a bit of a blow torch session to clean it up a bit. The background is rusted satin with copper mesh and metal mesh .

Mixed Media textiles

Here is another sample prepared for my college course. The base is plywood with painted polyfilla, some cotton duck with plaster and paint and linens woven and machine stitched.

Mixed Media Textiles with Copper and satin

I had made this piece recently for an exhibition but it didn't turn out to be. I quite like it. It measures around 35inches x 26inches and is made from patinated copper sheeting, discharged and rust dyed satin with hand/machine stitch and screen printing.

Mixed Media Paintings

I'm still working away on my new drawing, mixed media and print course every week. These are some of my 'samples' which I have completed as part of my homework this week.

Not what you normally see while having breakfast

I was eating my breakfast this morning when I spotted what I thought was a cow walking on the railway line close by our home. I was delighted to see this beautiful beast toddling along and more than willing to pose for photos for me.

So, after being very excited with the lovely image I had a go at drawing him, I have been trying to draw for some time now and its not a strong point but Im getting there slowly.

The Sketchbook Project

Well, I signed up for this last month as I felt I needed to 'do something creative'. Who knows where or how I can create the time to get this complete but its worth a shot. I have made a good start at it but at the moment it just doesn't seem to have much direction and I think I may have run out of steam on it. however, I will perservere with it and hopefully compelte it on time to be included in the tour. I might even make an excuse to get to London to view it :0)

My theme is 'Nothing New' as it suits me and all things old, decaying, rusty and wrinkly etc....
Here are some of the pages ; ok, just one page as the others are appearing sideways - will upload more soon :

Silk Screen on Bark Fabric

This is a lovely piece of bark fabric which I bought recently at the NEC. It has a beautiful texture to it and even some stitch holding the fabric together. I have silk screened on this and added some stitch. As yet, its unfinished but I am working on it :0)

Inspiration photos taken on holiday this year

Hi folks - summer is now over and normal routine is back with a bang (and woolly socks judging by today's temperature) I have been out the past few weeks on holiday but thought I would share a piccie or two that caught my attention - none of the usual holiday pics but some colours and textures that I loved.

this virginia creeper on the walls of Adare Manor was so rich looking against the grey walled background.

Second is an image of a washed up boat which was one of many being exhibited in Palma at present by artist Fabrizio Plessi and supported by Louis Vuitton - I was never more delighted to see so much peeling paint :0)

Supporting Work

I should probably have posted some pictures from my notebook prior to posting the last 2 images of work from my Printed Textiles course. Here are just a few images from my notebook that inspired the designs for these works.

Rejected

How do you feel when you get a rejection? Me? I had a giggle, well, its probably a lot easier if you dont have expectations for certain situations. This piece along with another was sent back from the Embroiderer's Guild as not suitable for their 'Off the Wall Exhibition' (note the lack of much stitching!).

This started out as white cotton poplin fabric which was then 'rust dyed'. It then went through a series of screen prints, lito coal was added, plaster emulsion, painted bondaweb and finally a little stitching.

On a better note, I had an acceptance from a local gallery to submit work for their forthcoming exhibition so it's not all bad news. More on this to follow soon (i promise)

NCAD CEAD Exhibition - update

well, here I am having a giggle at the opening of the exhibition last night - some lovely work on display and a great evening to catch up with the students.

And then these little wild kitties cuddling and hungry were around this morning to greet me - they are looking like they could be adopted more each day if I can train my dogs not to want them for supper :0)

More Fabric Transfer Painting and Screen Prints

These were some samples I had made during my course. I havn't yet decided what to do with them but I like them both. They both started off being white satin which was then transfer painted, screen printed and some foiling on one.

NCAD CEAD Exhibition

This is one of the wall hangings which will be exhibited at the end of year show at the end of the month. Again, this is Fabric Transfer Paints on white satin, screen print/thermofax prints and dyed silk chiffon which is stitched. It is lined with silk habatoi and is around 2 metres long.

Cork Textiles Network Postcard Donation

oh yes, I am still alive and kicking. Ive been trying to decide whethere to delete this blog or start using it again. I think I will try to start maintaining it. I've been busy studying at NCAD in Dublin and working away at home completing many textile works, I hope to start posting piccies of them very soon. :0)

This is an 8x8 frame which is a donation to the Cork Textiles Network. It is satin which has been painted with fabric transfer paints, screen printed, foiled and stitched.


Thanks for dropping by and keeping an interest here.