"Have a Heart" is a happy theme for Tag Tuesday's fortnightly challenge - already some brilliant tags have been posted here. Hope you will go and have a look,
My offering is a very simple tag, - a cut out house from a piece of painted paper ( paper used to take the excess paint off a brayer), a cut out bit of scenery from a magazine, and of course, a cut out heart shape. The background is an old book page, with a little bit of coloured pencil shading. Then I traced around the outlines with black felt tipped pen.
The time taken to make a tag like this is between 15-30 minutes, depending on if you can find the bits and pieces you need quickly or not!
" Home is where the heart is" - a reminder to "have a heart " - be kind to someone today!
Stories about creative experiences, people and places - art tutorials, observations and learning.
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Fish Flower Bird - Textile Art Flags
Fabric printed with the wood block... |
I really enjoyed working with so much colour and like the way they brighten a wall. These flags are currently travelling around Australia as part of the NCEATA ( Newcastle Creative Embroiderers and Textile Artists) Travelling Suitcase Exhibition 2018.
Friday, January 12, 2018
Garden Stories Textile Art
In my most recent series of works, Garden Stories, I drew inspiration from a workshop I did in 2017 with British textile artist Anne Kelly. These new works are a series of folded stitched books in response to the exhibition challenge by NCEATA ( Newcastle Creative Embroiderers and Textile Artists). We were challenged to print from wood blocks created by a local artist, Bob Seal. The blocks were stylised natural elements - a bird, a fish and a flower. When I saw the flower block, I immediately thought of a sunflower, so the plan was born...
I have also recently become a fan of reverse applique so I knew I wanted to incorporate that as well as develop the layering and stitching approach we took in Anne Kelly's workshop. I used only one of the blocks - the flower for this set of books, but added one other feature on each - bees, birds, or butterflies.
The background is an old , recycled cotton table cloth with a stamped, unworked embrodiery pattern), cut into three for each of the books. All books include bits of applique from an old patterned cushion with a sunflower pattern, embroidery, photo transfers on silk and organza, stitched tea bag motifs under a layer of tea dyed silk organza.
More stitching has been applied over the top of the organza to create a softer toning. Each has been finished on the back with eco dyed natural silk wth a wooden button and twisted cord wrap.
Most people who have seen these fabric books have remarked that it so unlike my previous work, and although it has been a "diversion", I really enjoyed using my sewing machine a little more creatively
I have also recently become a fan of reverse applique so I knew I wanted to incorporate that as well as develop the layering and stitching approach we took in Anne Kelly's workshop. I used only one of the blocks - the flower for this set of books, but added one other feature on each - bees, birds, or butterflies.
The background is an old , recycled cotton table cloth with a stamped, unworked embrodiery pattern), cut into three for each of the books. All books include bits of applique from an old patterned cushion with a sunflower pattern, embroidery, photo transfers on silk and organza, stitched tea bag motifs under a layer of tea dyed silk organza.
More stitching has been applied over the top of the organza to create a softer toning. Each has been finished on the back with eco dyed natural silk wth a wooden button and twisted cord wrap.
Most people who have seen these fabric books have remarked that it so unlike my previous work, and although it has been a "diversion", I really enjoyed using my sewing machine a little more creatively
Monday, January 1, 2018
New Year, New Colour
Happy New Year to all! I hope that this year will be a bright, positive, happy and brilliant time for all my family and friends.
To celebrate a new year, this art tag remembers the past with some torn paper and an old broken zip which is opened to reveal a colourful and sparkling future year, in the form of cut paper and glitter stars. I included snippets of a colour which trendsetters are calling this year, "ultraviolet"
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https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/dec/27/ultra-violet-pantones-2018-colour-of-the-year |
Pantone describes ultra violet as a “provocative and thoughtful purple shade” that embodies individuality and spirituality. According to the company, it alludes to the mysteries of the cosmos and the unknown.
Laurie Pressman, vice-president of the Pantone Colour Institute, said: “The Pantone colour of the year has come to mean so much more than ‘what’s trending’ in the world of design; it’s truly a reflection of what’s needed in our world today.” ( The Guardian)
Perhaps this is true when you consider that the classical Chinese associated 'purple' with spiritual awareness, balance and harmony - the world certainly needs a good dose of that! Of course, interpretations vary with culture - in European tradition, purple represented royalty, extravagance and later, it has been recognised as a colour symbolising mourning.
Regardless of the symbolism, I don't think I will be setting any trends this year as I do not have "ultraviolet" in my wardrobe. Perhaps I should have paid more attention this morning when I dressed. I have just read:
In some South American countries wearing colored underwear will determine your fate for the new year. Red underwear means you’ll find love. Gold means wealth, and white signifies peace.( 25 Strangest New year Traditions Around the World)
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https://list25.com/25-strangest-new-years-traditions-from-around-the-world/ |
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