Mixed Media experimentation.

Messing around again with MIXED MEDIA has produced these pieces.  The first piece has had some stitch applied to build more visual texture.  The last two are “naked”, awaiting thread and needle.   More about this process will be posted shortly…  These pieces are preparation for a 2-day workshop I am teaching in November;  more details are on the ATASDA website.

Timeless Textiles – a brand new gallery in Newcastle (N.S.W.)

There is a new gallery called Timeless Textiles opening in Beaumont St, Hamilton, in August. Anne Kempton is the passion behind it and she has also provided workshop space for a group of textile tutors in the Community Arts Centre on Parry St, Newcastle.

A colleague of mine JAN CLARK is  one of the tutors and there are other teachers offering workshops this year.

What appeals to me is that they aim  to make the days as enjoyable as possible and also offer fabric and fibre packs at a small cost so people don’t have to go out and find the right materials for the class, just bring themselves and the equipment needed to have fun.   My workshop with Jan Clark a few months ago (for NCEATA at Newcastle) was a  terrific combo of inspirational instruction and encouragement, and a relaxed pace that didn’t set you into a panic.

If this interests you, contact www.timelesstextiles.com.au

Teaching in 2011

Contemporary Quilting ‐ Abstraction, Paint & Stitch Workshop

for  ATASDA NSW

 Sat/Sun 12/13 November 2011 at Epping (Sydney).

 This workshop will focus on contemporary quilt making using mixed media and showcasing strong visual imagery.

 Students will be guided in the creation of unique, abstract styled fabrics, using textile paints and Shiva oilstiks on paper and fabric.

Each person will create their own sample using varied machine stitching styles, easy‐peasy free‐motion embroidery work, hand stitching, embellishment methods and the creation of visual texture.   Contact ATASDA NSW for further details.   This workshop is open to members and non-members.

  

   Just finished this - and ready to show in its completed form.

Thoughts of outback Australia emerged as I created this art-quilt.  

Made with paper, fabric, stitch and paint.   Jo Sonja paints and textile medium worked well – giving vibrant colour along with ease of application.  Stitching was achieved easily too.

I stitched around the binding to finish it off with a rustic look – to give the feeling of what you see when travelling the outback tracks in outback Australia.  

Not only do I enjoy the adventure of this techniques, I am looking forward to sharing knowledge by teaching a Sydney-based workshop in 2011. 

A little taste of Shibori

Barbara Schey, a Shibori guru, acquainted me with the craft of Shibori at a one-day Taster workshop conducted by ATASDA NSW at Epping.

I left home with very little knowledge of Shibori, knowing it had something to do with string and tying things up in bundles! Well, was I in for a surprize. There are so many techniques involved in Shibori applications, and my day concentrated mainly on discharge techniques.

Look at these, my very first samples, using discharge methods on cotton voile and silk organza fabrics.
This weekend I’m off to local hardware and plumbing stores to acquire “tools of the trade” for Shibori experimenting in my own backyard.

Apologies for the double images – my blogging skills don’t match up to even my new Shibori skills.

Nuno Felting with Wendy Bailye

Time spent at the Sydney Craft Exhibition at Darling Harbour this year, was most rewarding.

After just three hours with Wendy Bailye (from The Felt Studio) I came away with lots of knowledge and this small shoulder bag. Also a few silk scarves and a bag of woollen fibre to put my new skills to practice at home.

For some reason I thought the process would not appeal – but how wrong I was. I really think the unhurried practice of rolling silk and felt together will be good for my impatient soul.

Wendy certainly was very patient with me – calming my enthusiasm so that I learnt the proper techniques to produce good layering of fibres.

I feel very thankful to Wendy and for the opportunity to take time out from the myriad of experiences at the exhibition to learn (or rather begin to learn) nuno felting with an attitude of joy.

You may like to visit wendybailye.com to view her work and register for her monthly newsletter.

An absolutely Fab screen printing workshop!

Screen printing (masking tape method) over procion dyed fabric

Comp[ex cloth, various techniques incl cold wax!

As a complete novice, I was a student of Marie-Therese Wisnowski this weekend.  

Marie-Therese tutored this 2-day workshop on behalf of ATASDA NSW.     It was a time of full-on learning.  All about preparing the silk screen for long-time use, then information about the paints, and of course a few of the many techniques that can be taught.   The weekend went so so quickly.    

 My favourite method of screen printing is when an  improvisation approach is used.  I just loved the images that came from use of cold wax;  also masking tape to create shapes and mood. 

Here are a few samples of work completed during the weekend.    I am hooked on this technique and am eager to get to work, produce more samples, and take on more learning.   The group of ladies who attended – 10 of us in all, really enjoyed the experience.  Our enthusiasm rocked the boat!!!   Best of all, was the approach of our teacher.  Marie-Therese was very willing to share her knowledge and skill – she patiently addressed all our questions, and we were inspired by her approach.  What a wonderful teacher I had.

Teaching assignment for Quilters’ Guild of NSW Inc.

Held in the Guild’s office – Pitt St, Sydney – on 6/2/10 – we all had a very creative day.  Playing with Angelina, Crystalina, Metallic Foils sparked off these creative minds.   

Starting this workshop was all GO GO GO!     

Their enthusiasm to discover what goodies were in the kit that I provided for them nearly overshot the runway!!!   We launched into these intriguing products, learnt how to apply them and the differences between standard, metallic,   hotfix fibres.   They impressed me with how readily they dived into applying these products into either a landscape or abstract piece of art.

The day ended with lots of smiles and a bag full of good work to finish at home.  

This one-day workshop was a great activity and I can’t wait to see where these ladies take their adventures with these fibres and foils.

Once a year…..

Once a year it happens to us all. When we become a year wiser (we live in hope) and a year older!

This birthday has been lovely time because my family, friends, and colleagues recognised how much textiles and fibres mean to me. Look what came my way! Yippee doo.

* Gorgeous books to fuel my imagination and get me going. Look at these two lovelies – World Textiles, and Arts of Asia.

* A stunningly colourful textural postcard from my on-line fibre friend Kaite (and some yummy paper pieces too).

* Sumptuous silk yarn made in Nepal came from my friend Doe.

Colour and movement are in the air, giving good vibes for the year ahead. I feel like I am dancing with the stars.

And lastly, if you click on WORKSHOPS you can get details of the next two workshops that I will be tutoring. I do welcome hearing your thoughts about any workshops and/or techniques you are interested in learning about. Remember -although living in Sydney, I am willing to travel to conduct workshops. It would be great to hear from you.