Weaving Workshop 24th - 25th July 2013

This week I did something amazing. I went on a 2 day Saori weaving workshop run by the lovely Cherrie Stevens in Felixstowe. I had a great time; I got up early and grabbed a coffee on the way to the studio. I sat on the beach and stared at the sea before wandering over to Cherrie's studio, it was well lit and beautifully decorated with her own weavings and creations, as well as gorgeous pieces of fabric from other cultures. I received a warm welcome and met the other women on the course. 

My loom was already warped and we were all shown how that was done (we didn't do it ourselves, as it would have taken forever), we were also introduced to the philosophy of Saori (follow the link to find out more about it) and then we got into weaving. The course fee included materials and Cherrie really had some ace materials. The wools, fibres, fabrics, beads and oddments were all fabulous and I felt really well catered for. During the 2 days (2 mornings 9-1pm) we learnt a few techniques to make interesting textures within the weave. 

Have I mentioned how much I loved it? I loved it. I really did. I don't think I have allowed myself to be that relaxed and creative in years. I just played. Just played with materials and techniques. Its not the most perfect piece of art that I have ever made, but it is a excellent piece of evidence. I have evidence that I have relaxed, learnt loads and most importantly that I had a really great time. I simply cannot recommend Cherrie's course enough.

I based my colours and textural ideas on Australian Aboriginal art. I have always loved the earth tones, textures and patterns.

I'm the one in the middle. See how pleased I am?

The whole thing.

A detail. The buttons were bought for me by my lovely friend Emily from Australia.

Another detail. Check out the lovely pieces of fleece.

Todays offerings

Ask, Believe, Receive (Drawn for lovely Julia)

More Ink Spirits

Shaman Face Totem

I'm weirdly enjoying using photoshop to colour/re-colour my drawings. Its fun to be able to play with images without permanently ruining them. Here is todays drawings.

Its too cold to draw anymore, my hands are very numb. Go away snow!

Playing with my drawings

I played with some of my drawings in photoshop. I really like how they turned out. They would work beautifully as big prints, on t-shirts or as covers for notebooks. Hope you like them too. :)

Beautiful Ink

Rob bought me some beautiful chinese ink from our local chinese shop Ming Ming's and I have made some cool drawings with it. Inspired by its pitch blackness and smooth coverage. It was really cheap considering how awesome it it.

Im really inspired by shamanic folk art, ancient depictions of human beings and anthropomorphic images of animals. I bought a pair of crazy earrings from a charity shop a couple of weeks ago which were tiny Peruvian (I'm guessing from the style) leather painted discs with highly decorated faces on them. I guess I should have taken a photo of them so I then I wouldnt need to explain...Anyway, they really inspired me to draw the faces on my last post. Here I have expanded on them a little.

Shaman Spirits: This one is bigger than what I usually do at 30x30cms. Its also painted on wood, the base is acrylic and the image itself is painted in that fab ink.

Mini Shaman Faces; painted with acrylic on a mini 10x10cm linen canvas.

Ink Goddess; She is odd. Im not sure where I am going with her, but I like her style.

Ink Shaman: Small drawing, similar to the painting but more flowing.

More shaman faces.

Mini painted shaman faces; on another 10x10cm linen canvas. Painted with acrylic and that fab ink.

Ink Spirits; while doodling with leftover ink I came up with these little guys. I like 'em. They are the spirits of left-over ink, ink blots and the bits of ink that splatter of your skin.

Another owl. I know, Im a broken record. But I like them 

Handmade and Timeless

This weekend I sat with my very talented friend Bethan Myfanwy Jones while she ran her stall at the Handmade and Timeless fair in Ipswich Town Hall.

I was really inspired by a lot of the work there and had a really lovely little chat with Elizabeth Pawle, who is an awesome artist-maker. I bought a really cute bear brooch from her, it looks great on my new cardigan. I also bought a couple of postcards from Truly Boo of beautifully draw ladies. I also had a brief chat with Mister Millerchip and was a bit of a fan-girl at him. Poor love.

 Anyway, anyway, I was really inspired so I came home and did some drawing. I really think my little doodle images are much better than the work I make when Im really concentrating and thinking about 'concepts'. Maybe I am just an intuitive maker. Maybe thats what works for me.

I really enjoy these images and want to sell the originals and make prints/postcards/objects with the images.

Hoot

Mooli Spirit

Radish Spirit

Shaman

Faces of the Shaman

Spirit faces (they make me think of tree spirits)

Sunshine spirit (probably drawn in the desperate hope we might get some sun soon!)

Twit Twoo to You (I just like owls)

Twit Twoo

Hoot - played with in photoshop to make an image suitable for a card/postcard

Radish Spirit - again, played with in photoshop to create an image that could be used as a card/postcard, or print for a bag?

Mooli Spirit - He is an odd one, but I got rid of the little drawing next to him and made him black and white. I think it looks good.

Twit twoo - Again, nice postcard image.

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Another Vessel

 

The 2nd vessel. I think this one looks a bit like earthenware. It has a green base and varying browns for its upper parts. Its kind of hobbit-y.

 

 

This ones even more sturdy than the 1st one as it has a high wool content, as opposed to acrylic/acrylic-wool mix. It was mostly made from my Grandmas stash of harsh thick wools. It has made a wonderful object.

 

 

I love the texture. It reminds me of the patterning on Anglo Saxon clay pots.

The whole thing looks very ancient and East Anglian to me, which is pretty cool.

 

 

Watch this space for more experimenting.

3d textile experiment

 

Im playing with textiles again. Right now I am making vessels with wool and thread. This one is made from bits of wool nobody wanted anymore and so it is a medley of crazy colours.

 

 

They are really fun to make and I have ideas for taking it further. My lovely Dad reckons they would make good soup bowl cozies, or using this method, make some hats. My lovely friend Anthony reckons that they would make good boob cozies.

 

 

I really enjoy the texture and solidity of these vessels. Im working on another right now that looks like earthen-ware. Its fun.