Macro v Micro

This has been a very busy week.  I have been working on the printing process I have discussed earlier using the gum arabic transfer method.   But the method is difficult to achieve I have had variable results.  The detailed pictures I had hoped for have not worked.  I have emailed a teacher who taught me the method to see where I am going wrong then I will try again next week.  The results have not been a waste of time because I like the atmospheric texture of the pieces and have been collaging and stitching into them.  The above picture is a collaged experiment.  I like the idea of creating micro and macro landscapes.   Here I have shown a landscape with a textural piece below it.  I've added stitch to various sections.

This is a compilation of various images I collaged together.  I  then tried the printing method which did not work clearly so used the painted over images to stitch into when dry to add texture.  You can't see the stitch on these pictures.  The colour way was very dark blues so I scanned them in and altered the brightness and colour adjustments which gave more definition to the birds and other detail.  I need to experiment more.   The landscape theme is proving to be very interesting.  I feel there is plenty of scope for me to take it further.

Abstract Landscape

It has been half term last week so we took the children away to Ambleside, Lake District and I combined taking photographs of the landscape, and visiting art galleries with the holiday.  It was amazing because the trees had turned various shades of red and orange.  I was interested in the light on the landscape, colour and texture and feel that the atmosphere of the outside is captured more by abstract landscape than realistic.  By that I mean it captures what you are feeling the beauty and essence of nature.   On my return I came across these abstract landscapes by Anne Stahl who lives in San Luis Obispo USA I feel she creates the essence of the landscape.  These paintings are views from bogs.

Bog by Anne Stahl

Winter Oil on Canvas by Anne Stahl

During my visit we visited various galleries and came across one selling large fabric panels.  This is what I have been thinking of creating myself but I want to work on a large scale representative of the landscape.  

I have been working on another type of printing using gum arabic to transfer atmospheric images from photographs.

I was pleased with the atmosphere in this print

I also found the rough sheets I pressed against the images each time had a great abstract texture and collaged these together to create a great background to stitch into.

It's a Rollercoaster

These two photographs are of Hilbre Island

The above photographs were taken at Hilbre Island on the Wirrall and the painting below was inspired by them.  I had my tutorial yesterday and they were very interested in this abstract landscape.  They liked the free form nature of it which I was please about because I personally liked it and want to develop more in this style.  I was surprised because although I liked it, I was unsure whether it had enough content/detail.

landscape detail of rock

I scanned this image in using the "map enhancer" which gave me vibrant colour contrast then adjusted the tonal threshold to create the image below which might be interesting on a screen.

black and white version

I do feel that I'm on a roller coaster one minute I'm happy with what I'm doing the next it's a disaster or its not what I want to achieve.  Nick said during the tutorial that you have to go through pain to get where you want to be.    I know exactly what he means,  its like a marathon you just have to keep running through the pain!  And that means experiment and work till something clicks.  I hope it does!

TEXTURE * LINE * FORM

My theme for my final year is texture, line and form in the landscape and as I have posted previously I have been gathering Secondary research from all over.  Photographs of Ansel Adams, National Geographic showing large panaramic views and also interpretations of landscape such as the European Folk Art with their peasant landscapes which have a definite pattern and rhythm to them using flat large scale images.  But in my primary research my photographs of the English landscape I have taken close up images of lichen, bark, stone etc., which are beautiful in themselves.

Photograph of algae on rock

water colour and inks

I love the subtle colours and beauty of lichen.  I can see the shapes recreated in stitch marks and raised textures.


I've been experimenting with brusho, celephane and salt to help me create the intense colour and lines.

Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair

Visited the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair this week.  Looking for inspiration and loved the new work of Louise Gardiner,  she has developed her own techniques mixing media and drawing with thread.  These designs create movement and explosive, organic designs.

I loved the work of Claire Baker a ceramic artist.  She produces these highly glazed ceramics with transfers and paintings.     Many of the stalls were the same as last year.

Claire Baker Ceramics

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'Crochetdermy' Wild Creatures

Another evening researching and I came across Shauna Richardson's amazing crochet creatures.  According to Katherine Higgins of the Antiques Roadshow her work is one to start collecting.  Made of mohair they are tactile, lifelike and amusing.

Makes you think about knitting and crochet in a different way!

Stag by Shauna Richardson www.shaunarichardson.com

Running Hare by Shauna Richardson www.shaunarichardson.com

Tent London

Couldn't get down to London for the Tent London exhibition, but found this amazing knitted furniture on-line that is exhibiting.  I'm obsessed with form and texture at the moment and just love these organic shapes.

They are designed by Claire-Anne O'Brien, a young Irish born London based designer and recent graduate from the RCA (MA Textiles).  Her big influence is pattern and form combined with research on traditional crafts and materials.

These pieces were inspired by elements of knitted stitch which she has exaggerated to a large scale.  I love them!











This lead me to these amazing felt cushions by  Anne Kyyro Quinn.

Anne Kyyrö Quinn: Pillows

Anne Kyyrö Quinn: Pillows

Anne Kyyrö Quinn: Pillows

Anne Kyyrö Quinn: Pillows

Anne Kyyrö Quinn: Pillows