A climpse into my days away in Jersey!

Hi everyone,

Sorry l haven't been on here for a while but my wonderful husband took me away for a few days to cheer me up. We went to Jersey in the Channel Islands to a Spa Hotel no less! We used to live  on Jersey 20 years ago and l was so surprised to see how much it had changed and yet still remain quite old fashioned. So l have been doing no Art as such but back to paintbrush and boiling pot tomorrowx

There was an amazing amount of new and wonderful sculptures on the Island, here are a few.

This one is called "Jersey Girl" it rotates in the wind and believe me Jersey is windy all the time!

 This is part of a piece of dead tree trunk that has been carved.

 This image is of a bronze calf and frog, part of a larger group that was created to celebrate the Jersey Cow. To see the rest of this group and loads more of our trip go to http://chocolatelifeandjazz.blogspot.com in a day or two and you can see the whole trip.

 Loads of rusty things but could only bring a few tiny pieces back...weight restrictions on the plane!

 This next image is one a set of 5 paintings that have been done with stones, shells, bits of net and rubbish found on the seashore.

Then there was the seaweed! Loads of different sorts but couldn't bring any home because of the smell! Shame!!

 So pretty!

My new piece of work on Wool/Mohair

New work.  This is the first time l have dyed a large piece of wool/mohair. I am really pleased with the result. I used Eculyptus leaves, rust keys, rusty coke tins and the waste from the garden patch. I have put up a few images of parts of this piece. I have decided to add some of this to a beige cotton/wool jumper that l have. Hopefully l will show the end result...if it works!!!!!Fingers crossed please.

First side......

 

Second side..haven't decided yet which side l will favour.

Love the pinky colours that have appeared in the pattern.

 Love the way there appears to be a heart shape made here from two leaves!

Flowers and thinking about dyeing!

Look ..l found an Eucalyptus tree just down the road from me...l am so excited. No more having to pay for them to use in my Eco-dyeing experiments.

The roses are out early this year. Here are a few l  found on my walk the other day. I will be collecting some petals for dye experimenting when they start to drop.

Then joy of joys l found another Eucalyptus tree, this time down in Putney!!

I wonder why this branch decided to curl like this?

Oh my goodness what colour!

Never seen these seeds this colour before. I normally see them green or brown. This colour makes them look so fragil.

Just checking up on my bundles...looking good. I wonder how much longer l can bear to leave them before l open them?

Wow...l have only seen these as a blue/purple colour before. When it is white it looks magical and more fragil.

Look at the amazing colours of these Pansies....l feel a dye experiment brewing!

I have to find out the name for this shrubt, it is all around in our estate and l love its dark almost black leaves. This is the first year l have ever seen it in flower. I think it is beautiful.

My Exhibition.

This is the start of my 3 day exhibition with Wandsworth Artists Co-operative. They asked me if l would like to be a "Visiting Artist " which l was very pleased to say "Yes" to.

This image shows us waiting for the guys to deliver the frames...stressful time as this was the first time they had used this company. They arrived a bit late but then the hard work started...which person has which screen? 

  

We were allowed to start putting the images up from 8.30pm.....the last person left at 11pm l was told! Sometimes it takes ages to actually get the positioning correct.

My 2 screens ( 1mtr by 2mtrs) were in the inside section of the display and I was pleased with the end result. I was surprised by how good everybodies Art looked on black screens not the usual white.

 Work in progress.

This shows my paper hangings being hung on thread and wood. I was very pleased with tthe framing l did for my Silkpaintings.

This is the glass ceiling above our Exhibition. It looks beautiful but when the sun shone my goodness it was VERY hot!

I have found this exhibition a bit hard because..no sales for me yet. It is depressing but l will cope even though l feel "Why am l doing this"!! The life of an Artist is often stressful! Here is hoping tomorrow  will be better!

My next piece......

After looking at my last post, l realised that l had not shown the pieces as they would be seen on a wall,  I had only shown up to the edge of the paper. So here it is on a blue background of my seatee, "no white wall", l hear you say. Well..as Tony said "try and find a space on our walls" !

 The next images show sections of this piece of work.

I am really enjoying this project and am pleased that l have started to moved on in my Pratice.

Work for two exhibitions this weekend! Eco-dyeing and Silk-painting.

This my first experiment to attached a finished embroidered piece to a large sheet of rough watercolour paper and then attach the two together. I will be then using a stick to hang it from. I am really happy with how it is turning out. 

This is the next one..just started tthe stitching on this one. I find l have to sit and look at the piece very carefully before l start to stitch. The piece seems to talk to me!

I really enjoyed sewing this piece. It is a heavier piece of silk and shiny on one side and matt on other. It took me awhile to decide which side to use. I am not usually keen on shiny silk but this piece won me over.

Just creating some new Silk-painted pieces for next weekend's show. Phew... have two shows running at same time...was not intended to be so but..that's life.
This is a piece of many seperate pieces , this is the way l like to work. Some are for a 3 image frame and another for a 2 image frame..others for cutting up to make into cards and business cards.

This image is of two larger pieces. Just thought l would show you with and without a frame around it. Now off to paint more..l love being an Artist!..on a good day anyway!Ha.