Tinker Toys arrived today

I purchased one of the collages from artist Randel Plowman blog A Collage a Day and it arrived in the mail today. I got "Tinker Toys". Beautifully presented on archival matting and backing board. Also a signed document of authenticity. Very happy, planning to frame and hang it in my studio.

This weeks - weekly Photo Project

One of my favorite traditional techniques is redwork/bluework. 

The embroidery stitch backstitch is used to create the designs.

Coloured Glass heads were the thing to buy from the homeware shops a few years back. Ours have become garden art. The morning light glows through our red lady as she watches over the chickens.

a gathering of moments calendar

a gathering of moments

I've put together a collection of photos into a calender. Three of the photos have been taken on a couple of trips  we have enjoyed throughout Queensland. The other ten photos have been taken as part of my photo a week project - each week I take photos just around our home and yard an exercise of discovering creativity in everyday routine & surrounds. Search through the pages of the calender at mels redbubble gallery

exploring further with acrylics

first layer started here

Since returning from the workshop with Peter Griffin (see blog post re workshop) I have been exploring/playing further. I was quite nervous leading upto the workshop as my experience with acrylic painting has been gained through lots of reading, a willingness to just give it a go and some folkart painting a few years back. I gained so much from the workshop and I've been enjoying the journey since. I'm also enjoying working more intuitively rather than to a plan. Looking forward to exploring/pushing further and also crossing my learnings into art quilts.

currently here may/may not add more

also exploring with transferring text onto the other work in progress

Weekly Photo Project

Each week taking a photo just around the house and yard, it really does make you look at your immediate surrounds with different eyes. I've also found it good to have the allocated time to explore the different functions on the camera and see what works and what needs a little more practice.

collage

collage #1

collage #2

collage #3 

All three collages have been assembled onto 8" x 8" canvas panels. I've used bits and pieces left over from previous projects; antique photo, prints of own photos, magazine images, wrapping paper, decoupage paper, old diary, scrap booking paper, old book pages, acrylic paint, ink and thread. I store these leftovers in plastic snap lock bags so their quick and easy to grab.

I really enjoy playing with the paper/mixed media collages. I also enjoy the smaller sizes periodically its a good way to play and see something finished in the same day. Their enjoyable and a good thing to do when things are a little busy. 

A good place to rest and settle while having some creative fun.

photo a week around the home project

Blue Java (Ice-cream Banana)

In QLD you need permission from the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) to grow bananas in the backyard. We sort permission and purchased the plants from the preferred supplier and they have now been growing happily for around 12 months.

We have the Blue Java and Duccasse varieties growing. The Blue Java apparently tastes like vanilla ice-cream. Looking forward to them fruiting.

I thought the overlapping branches form interesting shape and texture.

writings on the wall #2

current work in progress

Following my return from the McGregor Art School, I've been playing/experimenting further with acrylic paints onto various textile types to see what effects I can achieve, how the handle of the fabric changes and what I can still sew through. 

During the process the above collage piece is evolving - acrylic paint, quilting fabric onto primed canvass.

After the creative barriers I worked through with creating my first piece from the saying the "The Writings on the Wall". I didn't think a second piece would evolve but I'm loving the process and certainly enjoying the journey.  Looking forward to finishing off the piece.