Pay attention to what you pay attention to.

"For anyone trying to discern what to do with their life, pay attention too what you pay attention to. That's pretty much all the information you need."

Tweet by children's book author the late Amy Krouse Rosenthal, 2013

If you have read past posts you know I have been banging on about process.  And trying to work out what it means? And, how do you do it?  I have been trying to commit to making a mini collage ( about the size of the palm of my hand or smaller) each day.  When I look back at them I realise many featured birds. 

Earlier this year I was invited to submit works to an online exhibition  called  Listening in the Anthropocene.  I had ideas for both textile works and collage with found papers and was off like a shot trying both.   Then I read a bit about what the Anthropocene is and had a few more ideas.  And then I looked at the title.  It was Listening in the Anthropocene.   In my excitement I had missed the listening bit ☹.  So, it was back to the drawing board to rejig my thoughts and ideas. 

I had been contemplating trying to reflect about climate change/pollution etc.  but it was the word listening which made me think.   How could I talk about sound and the effect on sound in the recent world.   I settled on a subject dear to my heart… the sad fact that both domestic and wild cats have added to the demise of our native fauna.  I focused on birds.  Less birds, less bird song.   And I focused on collaged papers.

I didn’t come across Amy’s words until after the exhibition.  It would have saved me so much grief if I had paid attention to what I had been engaging me.   Nevertheless,  have learnt more about me and process and what it means to me.

It was a wonderfully broad brief and gave scope to artists across so many fields.  Please take time to visit the gallery.

 

How have you coped in the time of COVID?

Well, who would have thought the year would progress as it has.  Cancelled exhibitions.  Restricted travel.  Weddings funerals and baby showers were missed or zoomed.  I live on the border of NSW and Victoria.  I can't cross the river to visit friends or family.  

 But it is  all in a good cause.  One way or another we must try to get on top of  COVID - 19.

My adult kids have returned home and are studying on line.  My partner works  at home on line.

Staying at home and making art is one way of passing time. Why have I struggled with such a wonderful opportunity?   

I've worked out I'm time line driven.  My social and art calendar fell empty.   Two exhibitions have been postponed until next year.  A third was delayed and now will happen at the end of the month on line.   I will put up a post with links when it is open. 

Add to the mix that I was unfortunate to actually catch the virus and it took me out of action for 6 weeks and left me with lingering fatigue.   I had daily medical support isolated at home.   It made me wonder how others, who are not as fortunate, cope.  As you can guess no art happened in this period.    

A saving grace was  the art communities that appeared on Facebook that shared small challenges ( a plug to Together, We Play) and emails that kept me in touch what everyone was up to.  

I have been trying to make daily mini collages.  No overthinking.  Something about the size of the palm of my hand or smaller and using what is to hand on the desk or near by.   When I think about it I have been pushing issues of  my personal art process by undertaking this project.  There are elements in these tiny works  I would like to repeat in larger experimental studies.   

Now I'm recovering and  again focusing on those delayed exhibitions - now scheduled for March and May 2021.  I will post more on that later.

Keep safe every one.

Donna

 I haven’t been in this space for a while.  Its been a bit me, myself and I since March.  The pandemic  closed up my world for a bit. 

I originally started this blog to let  my Mum know what I was up to.   It was her birthday this month and she would have been 90.  

The world is a very strange place at the moment and I wonder what she would have thought of it.   Mum had  COPD (chronic emphysema) and didn’t get out and about. Being in ISO would have been nothing new to her.  She lived it the last few years of her life.  We were separated by distance and communicated by the telephone almost daily towards the end of her life. 

Ironically, I now live in a regional country town only a couple hours from where Mum lived rather than the day trip required when she was alive.  Our house has an epic view,  a garden and we can go on some lovely walks.  Technology means I can talk and see friends and family which is wonderful.  But its not the same.  I need to remind myself to be grateful for what I have and the fact that my environment is safe in this world of pandemic.

A measure about how I am travelling is my art output.  Sadly, it’s been dwindling.  I have recognised  this now and am getting myself back on track.   In the last few months I have been making a daily mini collage with no thought other than to create something with materials to hand.  No over thinking.   Some I have posted in instagram.  I have found new music and new artists who inspire me.

My last creative push was for a local event in March 2020.  I really enjoyed exploring collage and assemblage for the Market of Curious Things and the reaction that my work received.  The Market was curated and showcased local artists and makers.   Photos of my works for this event are scattered through this post.

I am now working on a new body of textile works and exploring metal threads on the way.

Resolutions, my word of the year and whats happening in 2020

Celestial spheres - Once on earth

Inspired by Linda Matthews  I didn’t go through the process of making New Year resolutions but, rather, chose a word to try and use as a pivot for my art practice.  Last year it was process.

This year I am struggling to choose a word. I keep returning to  process .   I mind mapped and came up with a selection of words which are, in reality, synonyms of process.

growth   advance  

action  trial  movement   

routine evolution development

I'm thinking I might put them all on the wall!

  

Toward the end of 2019 I made some decisions about  what I wanted to do more textile work.  I also want to continue to make dolls both traditional (cloth style and art dolls) and  to explore assemblage. I am drawn to and  fascinated by faces and wish to include them in my work.  Factor into this is the desire to be part of the creative community at large, to enter calls for entries and exhibit.

Celestial spheres  - Orbiting in the galaxy WIP

I am mindful that focusing on one medium/technique/style leads to some of the outcomes above.  But I get bored doing just one thing and need to work to several outcomes.  I will try to be a little more controlled this year but suspect I am failing already.    The reality is that I do the work for myself.  I hope someone will like it and buy it but I haven’t really gone down that rabbit hole.  (My etsy shop has been under development a couple of years now. )

However, I have a couple of exciting events happening.   I have been accepted as a stall holder and to run drop in workshops at the Sunday of Curious Things.   This eclectic styled makers fest and market is being held on the banks of the Murray River on Sunday 8 March next.   It has motivated me to play with assemblage and create works.  

I am again contributing to a textile exhibition in May next and have been slowly making things for it. 

I want to enter two juried exhibitions early this year and have the works underway. 

Its going to be a good year.  😊

Wrapping up a creative year

I'm very  proud of my rosette.

Yes, it’s nearly Christmas!  Well it was when I started writing this.  Now its nearly New Year!

Yes, it has been a while since I posted.  Yes I am a tad tired.  It has been a big year.

I thought I would just add some photos to this post and make it a wrap for the year 😊.

Our exhibition  "Off the Beaten Track " wound up in November with selected works showing in my old stamping ground at the City of Canada Bay libraries.  My felted work "Moon Rise" was shown but I was really chuffed with how the installation Grandmothers Garden came off.  

Grandmothers Garden - Shoalhaven Regional Gallery

I had an exhibition in may focusing on bees and their environment in May in Albury Wodonga

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Daisies - stitched and wrapped hanging

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I got to the Contemporary Craft Retreat at Canberra in October and was totally immersed in making.

WIP at Canberra Contemporary Craft Retreat with Jennifer Nieuwenhof

I went right out of my comfort zone and learnt a little about abstract painting … and then discovered that the principles could be applied to fabric.   I played with paint, ink, paper and fabric to make collages.  And then I stitched into it.   I used a geli print plate for the first time. I learnt how to do Coptic stitch and bind a simple handmade book.  I played with mono printing on paper and fabric.    I recommend Gay (Jennifer) Niewenholf as an instructor

I got to visit the NSW Art Gallery  and chose to see two exhibitions from their Asian collection:  Walking with Gods and One Drop of Water.    Both were fascinating and informative.

Modern Sculpture - Walking with the Gods - NSW Gallery

I had a weekend with my sister and played with mosaics with Mosaic Artist Sandy Peeters.  It was a stop the world and get off weekend highlighted by lots of laughter, a rescued joey and two pet sheep.

Four month old Charlie being bottle fed

I continued to play with cyanotype on fabric after a workshop with Paul Temple

Photo taken of WIP in progress - Release

I worked on dolls, collage and assemblage off and on throughout the year.

Belle of the Ball - lotus pod, sticks wire and a skull bead

Collaged  horse with poseable legs

The horse was inspired by crafter Ann Wood.   She has some lovely ideas and a generous number of free patterns on ber blog.

I had a work win best of section (assemblage) at the Albury Wodonga Doll Bear and HobbyShow.     Next year I hope to enter a cloth doll.

Mother & Child - best of section

I'm working on some items for an exhibition in May 2020 with a wool focus.  I finally am using that appletons wool which such a bargain.   Some bargello cushions are starting to happen.   Weird to be stitching with wool when its 30 degrees plus outside.  I have also started to gelt some balls... because I can :-)

Needle and wet felted balls happening here :-)

I planned  a quiet Christmas/New Year period and  to take advantage of the air conditioning.   This has been the case as Albury has been full of smoke from bush fires both to the north and south.   I promised myself I would sit and stitch on a couple of unfinished workshop pieces.  That's yet to happen!

Wishing you all a healthy and wonderfully creative 2020.  Anyone made any resolutions yet?   I am working on my word for the year...

Playing and filling the empty creative well

Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it.   
Andy Warhol

After exhibition exhaustion has crept in.  And a few weekends away haven’t helped.

I have spent way too long trying to tidy my workspace and completing a work for the Margaret Oppen competition (Embroiderers’ Guild NSW)  and now I have began to play.  

I’m not much interested in doing anything too serious.  All the things I put off for the last six months are on the table.  

Polymer clay earrings

I have pulled out my polymer clay and fired up the toaster oven and made some jewellery.

I looked through all that crewel wool and started some simple meditative stitching.   I am a few stitches away from completing a panel.   I think it will become a cushion.

Bargello in browns and greens

I have heaps crewel wool so another is planned.   This one will be a palette of blue greys and planned a little more rather than the serendipity of just grabbing a colour and stitching with it.

And yes, there are projects in the wings.   I am thinking about a small body of work for a joint exhibition with several felters in the middle of next year.  As the primary focus of these textile workers is wool the aforesaid cushions may end up being part of that exhibition.   Or they may end up on my couch.  Time will tell 😊.

I have postponed finishing/starting/making some soft sculpted dolls and have a “Sweet Alice” pattern printed out begging to be made.   The pattern has been shared by doll artist Sharon Mitchell on her Facebook group Cloth Doll Crafters.  I have been a member for quite a while and enjoy seeing what people create.   Now I’m going to indulge myself. 

Cloth over air dry clay

And I have a rabbit head sculpted in air dry clay that has been waiting for a body for 12 months.   His time has come.   I have missed doll making.   Yes some of them are cheesy but so much fun.  Doll making involves practising observational skills, thinking in 3D, painting, sculpting, fabric , found objects and stitching - just about everything that floats my boat.

The balance of this year is going to be play.  But play with a purpose.   Whilst playing I am thinking about future works.   I will use the play as a way to sample/process some ideas.   

Some polymer clay jewellery WIP - just to show I venture past black and white !

There are four local exhibitions and/or competitions I want to enter next year.  And I would like to continue exploring bees in fibre art form with perhaps another exhibition.  But not till mid 2021 .  Lol.    I did learn some lessons about over extending myself this year.

I have been negotiating with a public gallery towards a group exhibition in 2022!  Yes, that’s miles away but galleries plan so far in advance it is absolutely imperative to plan ahead.

And did I mention I am so excited to be going to the Contemporary Craft Retreat at Canberra in October and a mosaic play weekend with my sister at Moulemien in November.  Yep.  Its all happening!  I'm filling those wells of inspiration with activity.  And there will be one last hurrah to Sydney to catch up with fellow artists and collect my Off the Beaten Track works after they bump out of the last exhibition space there.

Reflectiions and ruminations on exhibition, processs and theme

As someone who has no formal art training and plays in different mediums I still struggle with the definition of art and craft.   And whether what I create is art.   And whether what I create is worthy.

I am still coming to terms with what “process” is and wonder whether I have partially confused it with theme.  And the fact that I like to work in several mediums and hop from one to the other and then back again doesn’t help.

This year I have been exploring bees as a subject.   I really enjoyed my research and what I learnt.  I will continue to explore bees (and consequently gardens and the environment) as it has given me so much pleasure.   It also fits with my concern about global warming, climate change and species extinction.  My study of bees and my consequent exhibition gave me a chance to be a voice and raise concerns without preaching.

My exhibition also gave rise to some comments which gave me cause for thought.

By way of context I said tell you that my works were in a number of mediums which included:

·        Works based in textiles and fibre: some classic stumpwork embroidery and some more contemporary installation styled works;

·         Collage involving paint, pastels, paper and stitch;

·         3D works using contemporary mediums such as polymer clays, hardened fabric and various “products” that are available to crafters; and

·        Words which included information about bees, newspaper clippings, identification pamphlets  and snippets about bees over time.

My exhibition was always intended to include mixed works, be informative, be fun and raise awareness about the loss of bees due to habitat change and pesticides.

Neon cuckoo bee - Raised embroidery (stumpwork)

One comment that resonated was that works on display were good explorations of process but, in that person’s view, were unresolved works.   That same person did not like the inclusion of what they considered to be “craft”.  And offered some ideas about how to improve how the exhibition was hung.   Some of them were goods points.  But views as to what was “art”, “resolved works” and what an exhibition should look like caused me some grief.  I looked with fresh eyes and agreed that, yes, some works could be regarded as unresolved.  But I couldn’t agree that the fibre works did not belong in the exhibition.   And we will not meet anywhere in the middle regarding my exploration of bees in 3D.

Launching - contemporary mediums - sculpture

To complicate matters I then actively sought feedback from those who came to visit the exhibition; some of whom I respected as creatives.   Every one had their own views.  Things I thought unresolved they loved.  Fibre people loved the fibre works.   There was mixed reaction to my small bees.   In short, people liked what they liked.  Some works provoked a response. Some didn’t.

Gum Blossoms - detail - textile hanging

So what should I take away from this?   By exhibiting we expose a part of ourselves.   I had to put my big girl panties on and suck up what was said that hurt, accept that some people have set views and that most enjoyed what they saw and took something away with them.   

I hope that my exhibition will encourage people to take up artmaking in any of its many forms, have the pleasure that I have had in exploring and creating and perhaps share what they learnt in an exhibition as well.

I thank the Albury City Council for its grant which helped defray the costs of putting on the exhibition.

And for those that would like a bit more reading on the tangled subject of art, craft and creating – here is a link to an excellent “what is art” discussion