heat

After the horrible heat of the last few days I am enjoying the cool weather. Ironically, now it is cooler I am working on a small quilt based on the theme 'heat'. Didn't have the energy in the last few days as I couldn't sleep... neither it seems , could the dog who is catching up on a few zzz's whilst I work. Quiet company.

the magic pudding

yesterday i used my lunch hour to visit the exhibition gallery at the State Library (NSW). They had an exhibition of huge watercolours painted by Norman Lindsay in 1959 of his characters from his childrens book The Magic Pudding. You could see from the paintings where Lindsay had drawn his outline sketch and none of the changes had been erased.

there were also marionettes and hand puppets created for a puppet show

and a short film on how the puppets were made and about the puppet show itself

i recommend a visit - I have linked the title to the relevant page on the library website - take a look

Cheers

more summer school - canvas

I also did a workshop with Maureen Hazelhurst. The thrust of Maureens workshop was putting curves into a technique that is essentially grid based - and to expand the type of stitch that can be used to acheive this. Any canvas work I have done has basically been in tent stitch. Boring to some but I like the 'flat' look that can be achieved when used with a limited palette.

It inspired me to move on and start working on Daintree Dreaming - I am slowly getting a bit done each other night.

encrusted beading - embellished to the max

I have just done a 2 day workshop with Pearl Red Moon at the Embroiderers' Guild NSW and had heaps much fun. You can find some examples of Pearls work here.


The workshop was entitled Goddess Amulet Pouch. I decided to create a small hanging for my study :



The face was a mold provided by Pearl which she has sourced in the US. I also took up Pearl's generous offer and made a couple more casts of a face which Pearl had made. I look forward to making a couple of more of these little treasures in the future using both stitch and beads. I will start with a postcard size to see how it goes.

just finished reading

Picturesque Pursuits by Carolone Jordon.

A very enjoyable and erudite study of colonial women artists from the time of colonisation of Australia by the British to the late 1800's.

sea shells

Been playing with the shell theme again. Have been lusting after a paint stick or two and finally bought myself a set of fabric crayons which are a good way to start playing. I rubbed a sea shell using the crayons and fabric and got started playing with the marks. In the course of my working I almost obliterated the crayon rubbing and what is visible has sort of crept into the background adding added texture and letting the embroidery prevail. I added beads and a shell to the embroidery. This is my first piece - a postcard. I learn a few colour lessons in the course of doing this and will try a more expanded rubbing/stencil/appliqued thingo. Its on the back burner: I will post when I get to that stage.


I will also post this on the 6 X 4 Lives site.

the snowy mountains in summer

Above - Paddy's River Falls - not far from Tumbarumba.

Below - edge of high meadow in Kosciusko National Park

and
the New Year in Canberra