Growing Imaginations

Cork Textiles Network has been asked to decorate the tree in Bishopstown Library (I havn't actually seen this so I dont know if its a painted tree or artificial tree in their foyer)  - this is my contribution - its around 10" in height.  The base fabric is discharged linen which turned out a lovely peach colour, the other snippets of fabric are also discharged linien and 1 small piece of rusted fabric. 

Discharge Dyeing with Bleach

I am currently working on a workshop based on discharge dyeing with bleach.  I have my sampler almost complete now and just need/have/want to add some stitch.  This is all sample based and demonstrates what you can achieve very quickly and simply with limited tools and equipment.  The stitch will be added to show how you can embellish these designs.  I had initially intended to make a fabric book out of the samples but fell back to my own comfortable way of patching and layering. 

Banjara Kantha and Stitch

Its lovely to spend these dark wet wintery evenings just stitching - I find it very therapeutic - hopefully, lots more to come. These first pictures are of a coin purse inspired by Linda Kemshall's recent video on banjara embroidery and I still love making them - total addiction now.

This piece is just simple running stitch which I have been inspired to do since taking a Kantha class with Dorothy Caldwell in London recently - lots more to do on it though.  

Cork Textiles Network

At this year's Knit and Stitch show in Dublin, Cork Textiles Network will have on display a number of 4" deep boxes decorated by its members.  There is an open theme and I am looking forward to seeing these all on display at the show. This is my entry entitled 'Freedom' made from rust dyed cotton with thermofax print and discharged satin with hand stitch.
Hope to see you there :0)

Knit & Stitch, Ally Pally

I am just back from a great show at Ally Pally and inspired by the lovely work and people at the show. I went to the show on the Thursday afternoon and all day Friday, Thursday was the first time the show opened late and this was a great option.  When I arrived, the exhibition spaces had almost cleared of the many people who visited early in the day and I was delighted to be able to speak with Dorothy Caldwell, Leslie Morgan of Committed to Cloth and James Hunting.  All were so helpful, informative and allowed photos of the works on display and talked openly about how they present their work, finish them and any other questions asked were answered in detail.  What a great way to learn from the professionals. I also took a 2 hour workshop on Kantha stitch with Dorothy Caldwell on the Friday, spent most of the time talking and taking many photos of her beautiful Kantha samples so I didn't achieve a whole lot but luckily I am booked again for Dublin for the same class.   Here are some of the photos I took fromm Dorothy's exhibit and also from James Hunting.

And James Hunting's work below - there are so many tiny stitches and detail on these that my camera on my phone barely captured them - they are more beautiful in real life.

Banjara

I have been recently inspired (addicted) to making a Banjara sample.  Having watched Linda Kemshall on Design Matters making her lovely sample I decided to do some research and have a go at a sample myself.  I loved doing this and have plans for many more but be warned, they take a lot of time.  No cowrie shells as yet but managed to buy an old necklace at a market in Angel over the weekend so I just need to drill some holes in them :0) 

White Noise Embroidery

Some work which is now complete - lots and lots of french and bullion knots going on here.  Its off to the framers for a box frame to see how it looks.

Pojagi / Bojagi Style

This piece of work is inspired by the Korean pojagi / bojagi style of stitch used in wrapping cloths.  Loving the effect of the stitch.  Fabric is screen printed with discharge paste and coffee stained. This was chosen to be exhibited with the Craft Council of Ireland's exhibition at the Knit & Stitch show.

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.