'Identity'

New works in progress, I am trying to incorporate a 3d effect into the fabric using Clanrye Lace techniques involving cutwork, drawn thread work, embroidery and lace making. 

CTN Comfort

 This 8"x8" piece was made for Cork Textiles Network's call for work to be made during lockdown.  

Linen & Lace Exhibition

 Some older works also exhibited this week 

Linen & Lace Exhibition, Derrymore House

 The Clanrye Lace Group and South Armagh Lace Collective are holding a joint exhibition this weekend at Derrymore House.  These are some works I prepared for the event. 

Stitch Your Brain

I have recently completed my contribution to the Stitch Your Brain Project organised by Monika Auch.  This is such a lovely project and an exhibition of works are to be held in Amsterdam in late November.  Go have a look at her project and completed works :) .

CTN Heads & Tales Exhibition

Currently exhibiting in Alliance Francaise Cork, is this piece of work which is my contribution to the theme of 'Tales' organised by Cork Textiles Network.  Artists were asked to respond to the theme and hopefully be successful in contributing to the Knitting and Stitching show this year in London, Dublin and Harrogate.  My work is entitled 'My Diary, a place to keep secrets.  This work is based around a diary – a place where you can record your thoughts, secrets and often life’s meaning and memories.  It’s a deeply personal space that is never meant to be shared or viewed but something enjoyed by its author.

This work is like my diary – it provides a glimpse of secrets and thoughts – an understanding that we all have a life, the detail of which not everyone will ever see or know but are wrapped up, patched over and stitched into the fabric of my life .  Edited to add this piece is sold.  

The other part of this exhibition is 'Heads' where all members were asked to produce a self portrait to fit to a particular size canvas.  Here I am - 'She's got issues' 

Ecological Methods of Using Natural Dyes with Michel Garcia

I recently attended a workshop at Big Cat Textiles in Newburgh on natural dyeing with Michel Garcia.  It was such an amazing experience, intense learning but very much worth it.  I plan to mordant many metres of linen and cotton this weekend in preparation for dyeing over the coming weeks.  Michel is a passionate tutor and very knowledgeable and I was lucky to be with a great group who were all very keen and eager to learn too.  Here are some images of my dyed samples :

Natural Indigo on Linen and Silk

Natural Dyes on Linen

Natural Dyes on Silk

Michel at work

River Tay

 

Salmon Sculpture in local park

About a book................

Exhibiting in Newry Library with Ceangailte, the group responded to the theme of About a Book... for this exhibition. 

Accordian book on handmade paper rusted and tea stained

Irish Linen and encaustic with stitch

Below are works from other Ceangailte members in a variety of media

Mixed Media Encaustic Textiles

Here are some of my latest pieces, some of which will be exhibited in the coming months.

Mixed Media with Encaustic

These are works created on wooden panels and some scrap wood - fabric with stitch and encaustic :

100 Years of Heritage - Exhibition

An exhibition is taking place at Listoke in Drogheda of work by members of Louth Craftmark - on until 30 September.  These works below are on display there :

This is made from Irish linen dyed with avocado, turmeric, tea and coffee then waxed.

Linen and silk on panel with encaustic

Choice

I'm delighted this piece of work has been chosen to be exhibited in CIT Wandesford Quay Gallery from the 3rd - 27th August with Cork Textiles Network.  The theme of the exhibition is 'Play' and I have used noughts and crosses as my inspiration.  The work is discharged linen and saffron dyed linen with rust which has been stitched pojagi style and waxed.  This is the work before it has been buffed and a further coat of wax added.

Natural Dyeing Follow Up

Here are the results made with the fabrics dyed with avocado, really liking the combination together, more to follow .......

Encaustic Wax

I have just finished a 4 week course with Joanna Kidney at her Outpost Studios in Bray experimenting with encaustic wax.  Lots more to learn and more experimenting with how to work it into my fabric pieces but it was very enjoyable.  Joanna has great patience and was very informative and giving - definitely a worthwhile workshop.  Here are some images :

and this one is avocado and saffron dyed linen with wax - pojagi style - probably my favourite:  

Natural Dyeing

I have been dyeing with avocado, saffron, turmeric, tea and coffee over the past weeks and getting some wonderful results with different fabrics, here are a some of them :