Tuesday, September 13, 2011

 Recently I was asked to demonstrate Golden products for a group called ATASDA which is Australian Textile and Surface Design Assoc, hope I have that correct.  I looked up their website so I could demonstrate the products that where relevant to their media.  I also decided I would try to make a sample that showed the products in their media style and above is what I created.  I have applied Moulding Paste to the background on calico, I wanted something pliable and this met that criteria.  The image is a skin made from fluid iridescent gold which gave a lovely rich glow.  When the moulding paste had set, over 24 hours, I used moulding paste to glue the image to the background after painting the background in lovely oranges (vat orange) and rich yellow (cadmium yellow) dry brushing iridescent gold on the high peaks, and interference red over the circular peice.  I then used my sewing machine to go around the edges of the image, no problems there, then hand sewn bits of lace, buttons and some ribbon work.  I was quite pleased with the end result.  I will be making more of these, I think they will make great book covers of simply frame them.  I will be teaching this in class next week and carrying it over two weeks to allow drying time.
The past 3 or 4 weeks I have had one drama after another with my new iMac computer, in three months I have had 3 new hard drives, grrrr.  The first was a recall on the hard drive, the operating system I had when I bought the computer was Snow Leopard and they upgraded it to Lion which is only new out, untried enough I think.  Things went along alright for a few days then the keyboard wouldn't work, after many hours on the phone, their advise was to take keyboard into the Apple Store, now we only have one Apple Store in Perth, in the middle of the city on a busy one way street, parking a nightmare, so as the keyboard is not very big I decided to take the bus.  Keyboard worked fine on their computers but on safe side gave me a new one, off home go I, connect up, and guess what does not work, several more hours of try this and try that, decided I should trot back into city with computer to get them to work on it, luckily it didn't work for them either, found it was the operating system again............. so after all these dramas it seems to be working ok now, fingers crossed.  Sorry for the vent but I get so damn frustrated with modern technology.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Birthday wishes

Happy Birthday to these two spring chickens
Sorry I couldn't be there to celebrate with you
I believe it was a good one
I know how you lot like to party....

Friday, August 12, 2011

More from Dwellingup

early morning shadows

ants nest

looking back at banksia springs


colourful birds

kangaroo jaw bone

banksia nut

bush track

just the place to sit and enjoy the view

derelict old vehicles left to rust

has its on beauty

fallen giants of the forest

can you see the kangaroo's in the centre

they are watching us

lichen

last of the autumn leaves

vintage car wing rear lights

rusted decay

curious sheep, I love the natural bush around Dwellingup made for lovely bush walking

Thursday, July 28, 2011

American Womens Craft Fair

this Sunday I am exhibiting at the above fair, this has always been a very good, high quality fair

I have been busy this week making these little dresses

and designing these little journals.

I have designed four different styles,  these 6 x 8 inch journals will make great gifts or just something fun to do.  I have designed this style so it can be pulled apart to create the pages and then reassemble.
soft and flexible.
this is a really fun fair as the American women always seem to organise
taste typical American food etc
stop and say hello, I would love to see you
now back to the sewing machine to make some vintage fabric hearts

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Art Retreat in Dwellingup 2011

A week ago we had our Art Retreat at Dwellingup with American artist Nina Bagley,  all the girls produced some amazing work and where very enthusiastic.

Karen

Keron Lee

 Linda
Lisa

the very enigmatic Mandy H

 Mandy W
 Megan
Sue the quiet achiever

Svetlana the deep thinker
a night photo of the group, a bit dark
and our teacher for three days in a rare moment of relaxation
following is just a peek at the very creative work done by the girls











 Please don't download any photo's of artwork as these belong to the girls they will know which is theirs
at the end of the day a welcome fire was waiting to relax before the evening meal and then for some it was back up to the workroom until all hours of the night

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Dwellingup 2011

The time has finally arrived, for over a year ago we organised another Art Retreat with Nina Bagley at Dwellingup.  A year ago it seemed so far away and now it has crept up on me and is next week.  I am pretty much organised, stock packed, tools and materials for the workshop sorted, accommodation and meals all confirmed, now just last minute things ie pack my bag.
Nina and Mandy from Queensland arrive Saturday afternoon so will have no time once they arrive,  I want to do some baking to take down for Monday, prepare meals for John (bless him).
It is such a shame that Corrine in New Zealand had to cancel, it would have been wonderful in Glenorchie I am sure there would be snow.  It is such a big task to organise an art retreat and made all the more difficult for Corinne with the remoteness (which would have made it magical) of her locality.  I am sure her thoughts will be with us next week.
I will take lots of photo's to share with you the week following the retreat.
take care and I will be back in 2 weeks
Jacky