Winter art and a visit to sculptress Jessie McLennan

Winter has finally arrived to Melbourne, and when I can no longer garden comfortably with the wind, cold and rain, I have been multi-tasking in the studio.  I like working on several things at once.  It not only is more interesting, but each technique seaps into the next, making for more interesting work.

 

I have pulled out some of my dyed cotton fabric, and have been making more goldfish.,  There is a long way to go before they are all embroidered and sealed, but they are coming along.

 

 

I also pulled out some watercolour papers which I had treated with rust and iron and did this portrait using ink, conte, watercolour pencils and watercolours.  I like the effect so much, I am sorting through other old papers and photos for more inspiration

 

 

I used other watercolour paper that I had treated with inks to create this view of a sinister raven, using conte, ink and  watercolour pencils. (I think I have been watching too many episodes of "Vikings"!)

 

 

(I had to ban the kittens while painting as they thought it was fun to add to the patina of the papers.)

 

I am working on another piece of watercolour paper treated with rust and iron, but this time, using hemp, cotton and polyester yarns to embellish it.  Not sure how this will turn out in the end, but I am enjoying the process.  So is Smudge, one of my new Maine Coon kittens.  He loves chewing the thread and tried to chew the paper as I sewed.  Not helping!

 

 

On finer days, I have been dyeing cotton using turmeric, leaves, tea, coffee and leopard tree seeds.  I am preparing for another art quilt.

 

 

 

And, I finally finished my youngest grandson's little fox.  Rather cute, if I do say so myself!  I enjoyed the knitting so much, I am now working on a jumper for myself.  God knows when I'll finish it!  Probably in time for summer!  The new kittens are not making this process any easier either.  They love wool too.

 

 

I also was lucky enought to be invited to a Winter Solstice party at sculptress Jessie McClennan's property.  The weather was miraculously good, so I could wander round and admire the sculptures

 

( this is a portrait of writer, Hal Porter)

We were all agog at the size of this pumpkin she grew from seed and which she has used to cast a mould.

 

This smaller one is also impressive

 

 

All together, life is looking up!