Boro Inspired

I am working on a project for an exhibition next year with a new art group of mixed media artists.  The theme for this exhibition is Storm and I have a few pieces started.  'Calm' is the first piece- still a work in progress but will show more when its complete.
This piece is indigo dyed, woven, screenprinted and lots of hand stitch.

Some recent works

I have been away from this blog for quite some time now but have been fairly busy in creating many works for different exhibitions. This one below will be exhibited in Wexford Arts Centre and the Blue Egg Gallery over the coming weeks.  Some more works on the way.

 These others are works in progress.

Two for Joy

This textured piece of work will be exhibited at the Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast from next Wednesday until mid January.  Sorry about the glare but it was hard to get a decent piccie.

Pojagi, Boro and Kantha inspired

Some sampling to pass away the dark nights by the fire. 

Off Beat

I delivered this piece of work to Cork on Saturday and attended the Cork Textiles Network AGM.  An exciting conference is being planned for March 2013 with some great tutors coming along - keep an eye on their website for more info - definitely worth a visit. 

This work was made for the Feel the Beat exhibition which will take place at the Cork School of Music in December. 

New Beginings

This work was inspired by the Monarch Butterfly - it has the most beautiful rich dark colours of orange, black and white.  I wanted to demonstrate how the butterfly with its wings emerging from a cocoon represents a new begining - a new start in life. 

Sorrow and Joy

This piece of work can be seen at the Cork Textiles Network Exhibition at the Knit and Stitch show at the RDS from 1-4th November.

Printed Module

I have finally finished all 4 modules in Visual Art Practices with the last being Print - I wondered how I could create a print that would be relevant to what I like and came up with a combination of technique and process and of course a little stitch with this paper patchwork which was then waxed and moulded into shape.

Cork Textiles Network Exhibition

Hi folks - please see above details for the exhibition which my work below was created for. Looking forward to seeing all the work together.

Also, see 'here' for information on their annual conference being held next month. I'm lucky to be attending the Matthew Harris workshop.

Cork Textiles Network Exhibition - Mixed Media Textiles

The next exhibition being held by Cork Textiles Network in Bishopstown Library this month is based on the theme of 'The Craft of Honan Chapel'. This exhibition will run alongside their annual conference being held at the begining of March which should be a great event with some excellent artists teaching and presenting. This piece of work is being posted to them today - its made with rusted satin which has been seared, woven, machine and hand stitched. Some copper pieces have been patinated, drilled and stitched to it.

Monoprint Collage

This is another piece of work from my notebook - its a collage of monoprints creating layers using the theme of exploring the past. The colours in this seem to work well together.

The Sketchbook Project 2012

I finally completed my sketchbook for The Sketchbook Project 2012 and it will be going in the post this week to Brooklyn, and will be on tour in London and Europe later this year - how cool is that.
Here is the link for more info as Im sure another will be starting later this year if you would like to take part......

http://www.arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject2012

I chose the theme 'Nothing New' for the book as I like all things old rusty and decaying and tried to reflect this in the book through various methods of mixed media collage and painting. I've missed a few pages while photographing it but you get the idea from the many below. Would love to know of anyone else taking part and who have completed their project too.

Metal Works

These are some samples from my modules prior to making the final piece below. They are made with foil from wine bottles and bits and pieces of scrap metals and copper.

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.