Rebel, judge and stalwart

Woman with a moon on her shoulder

Ink drawing

REBEL

Every now and then I find myself returning to (and embracing) my art therapy roots, which is to say that I get stuck into spontaneous image making using whatever media is on hand. It's usually a response to an urge to do something without any planning, conscious thought or (and especially) purpose. Often it occurs while in the midst of doing something very serious, such as drafting a pattern for a garment, and although I know it's not good practice, I can't help but slide the serious work down to the end of the table, grab a piece of paper, ink, brush and off I go, trying not to spatter the ink too far.

JUDGE

Since the images are not planned, they manage to escape the process of judgement that might ordinarily occur should I have decided "today I want to paint ... what shall it be?", which would typically result in nothing because I would have analysed, criticised and finalised the whole process before even beginning.


STALWART

After a long time spent acting as go between for the rebel and the judge, trying to decide who is right and who needs to go back to their corner, I see I have begun to adopt a new position, that of the stalwart (as in firm and resolute). I am not going to get involved in their arguments, rather give each one space and accept both equally. I find it easy now to give in to the urge to do spontaneous creative things because it actually  helps with the more 'serious' side of my work and the same is true the other way around. One needs to be able both to play and work and I would hate to be the one responsible for curtailing either one.


FOOTNOTE ON WOMAN WITH A MOON ON HER SHOULDER

Reference to the inner world, femininity, intuition and growth. The woman, pregnant and contemplative. The moon, poised on her shoulder, a reference to intuitive ways of knowing

A New Page

Over on the right you will notice a new entry under PAGES .... New Work from the Studio.
I am starting with a few pieces of jewellery made for the weekend markets (see previous post).
Although I have always made cloth jewellery to complement my clothing, I decided recently (on a whim driven perhaps by a desire to step out of the textile comfort zone) to visit a local jewellery supplier and pick up some silver supplies. 
A productive visit indeed including a chat with one of the girls who works there, picking up tips and techniques. Thanks Carmel! Carmel also offers classes in Silver Jewellery at Heathcote so give her a call if you are interested!

Diary Entry

May 6-7 2012

This weekend tried out two new markets. 
1.Farmers Market at Subiaco Primary School Mothers Day market
2.Growers Market South Fremantle High School
What #1: a wonderful variety of local produce and delicious food and drinks to go (weekly), with handmade artisan work (occasionally) 
Who: Me and Susie Marwick (artist and original market partner)
What #2: Clothes, textiles, collage (me); found object sculptures, miniature paintings, leatherwork (Susie)
Why: explore, expand, meet new people, connect with friends and colleagues, collect new things
Why not: try new things, test the weather, get up earlier than usual, interact more, go where you've never been before, get feedback!

 Mannequins purchased from my market neighbour

Anna looking

Susie Marwick's Found Object sculptures

Yuniko Studio Silver earrings

Colour inspiration

Yesterday I left the flat plains and coastal breezes momentarily to wander up amongst the tall trees at Araluen. I can usually find a good excuse to stay home and keep working in the studio, avoiding at all costs a wander in the wild which is not something I have ever been drawn to (the Australian bush is an acquired taste I think). Though there is always an exception so there I was with bush-loving Sandro following paths down towards gushing streams and up hills to pick limes from an ancient (relatively speaking) tree. Paused for a moment to gather leaves and an old peg at the base of three huge gum trees - an inspiring palette of muted pink, green, brown, mustard, grey to bring back to the studio where I am practising the mixing of dyes and making of new fabrics.

Hokkan Pun

Hokkan Pun is a Hong Kong based artist whose work I recently discovered via blogworld. We have been in communication with each other and agreed we could share each other's work on our respective blogs. Her blog is here and the link to her collage work is here

Support for makers and travellers

A brief posting to promote Amy Eaton's project to Nepal.

Amy is a fellow maker at Perth Upmarket and is looking to establish links with Nepal to grow her business. I am looking forward to hearing about the project ... hoping Amy reaches her target.

Perhaps you would like to support this project .... click on the box to the right for info about the project or to see what it's about in more general terms have a look on Pozible

Good Luck Amy!

Paper cut-outs and a parcel from France

I started the day playing with paper and scissors
cutting out stencils 
to print onto fabric
with young ones in mind

So far a cat ....

and a

of sorts

.

Later on a loud knock at the door and there was Clive (our regular postman who delivers parcels to the door). My box from France has arrived! The joy of it having taken much longer than I expected is in the unpacking and rediscovering the bits and pieces I had forgotten having put in ... a small yellow Matisse cut-outs book among other things. How odd that it should arrive today when I have been making my own.


How lovely to see Matisse in his studio surrounded by all sorts of shapes and colours