An eclectic approach to art.

 

I've had a very strange time, lately. 

 

 I popped up to Brisbane and caught up with friends  who, as usual, were incredibly inspiring.  For instance, one of them had made this little rabbit using one of Julie Williams' "Little Cotton Rabbits" pattern.  I fell in love, as did the waitress in the cafe we were in at the time.  She received the rabbit as a present, and I now have the pattern from which to make my own little rabbits and foxes.  I intend to make a start on a rabbit at this month's knitting club meeting.

 

 

While I was in Brisbane, I also reacquainting myself with New Farm Park with its relaxing views of the river, the tropical plants, the mix of people.  I'm quite sure that the images in the photos I took will reappear in some form in one of my pieces of work.

 

Back in Victoria, we travelled up to Bairnsdale for a family visit.  Coming back, we found ourselves frighteningly enveloped by the smoke of the Gippsland bushfires.  Although we were never in danger, listening to the advice and current fire warnings on ABC radio, the constant smell of smoke, the ash coating the car, and the blanketing effect of the smoke on our view of the road ahead were terrifying.  We had to stop in Traralgon for the night because Morwell was surrounded by fire and the highway was blocked.  The next day, we found a back route safely to Melbourne, but the whole experience made us only too aware of the dangers of living in the country, and the bravery and nobility of those who volunteer to fight the fires and protect the properties of others.. We really feel for those whose lives, animals, property and businesses have been affected by this natural disaster.  This yearly battle with nature will occur again.  I don't think city people fully realised just how much they are cocooned from the real world in their cities.

Back in Melbourne, I have decided to start experimenting again, and bought a new journal.  This little piece was done using a watercolour charcoal pencil.  I like this technique and might try a few more pieces using the pencils.

 

This piece was an experiment in using inks,masking fluid, permanent pens and watercolour, trying diffferent techniques on the same painting.

And , I am soldiering on with my penny quilt.  It is growing fast and I am quite pleased by the effect.

Being a sort of mixed up person at the best of times, my approach to art is very much one of : try anything that takes your fancy, enjoy, don't worry about creating something perfect, learn, have fun.  Thank goodness I dont have to earn a living from my art.  This "eclectic" approach would not get me far!

Lesson of the week: using textas to dye fabric.

This week, I got to do what I like best.  I experimented on a new technique with a friend and had fun creating.  She had seen a cushion she liked in a shop and I thought we could make one like it ourselves easily, so she challenged me to come up with a method.  I did my research and discovered that Sharpies can be used to dye fabric.  Unfortunately, there were no coloured sharpies in the local art store, so I experimented with another alcohol based texta, GraphicPro Duo which has a great range of colours.  First, i used the broad nib to mark aboout a 1/12 inch circle. 

Then, I applied rubbing alcohol that I bought from the chemist.  I tried lots of methods - rubbing it on the circles , dripping it on the circles , saturating the centre of the circle....... but the best method seemed to be using a dropper to drip  round the edge of the ink so it seeped out into the fabric.  I let it dry complete, not wanting to start a fire in the living room.  Next, I  ironed it a while to set it properly.  

 

It seemed to work, so my friend came over and we set out to buy some linen from Patchwork on Central Park in Malvern (which, by the way has some lovely fabrics including Liberty,  linens and furnishing remnants).  Then we set to work on her fabric and this is what we got!  Beautiful!  Apparently, the pink ran a little when she washed it, but she is very pleased.  Now all she has to do is to make the cushion!  I am inspired to try dyeing some fabric for me now!

 

My other project was creating a rooster for my new chickens.  I drew an outline and my husband cut it out in marine plywood.  Then, I gave it an undercoat with some old acrylic house paint. 

 

 

 When it was dry, I used acrylics to paint the rooster.  I will use some estapol to seal it and then attach it to the chicken coop/ fence to welcome the new hens.  And the best bit about this rooster is that it won't wake me in the morning.

Lastly, my penny rug pieces are increasing steadily!

 

I haven't visited any galleries lately, but visiting my mother in law in Bairnsdale Hospital, I did come across this amazing tapetry:

I wonder what I will be up to next week?