A leap in faith....

Further work on my experimental piece this week. Not quite finished yet but getting close.

Here is the piece after doing the following.....

To add the black background smudges I first cleared an old formica table top (any smooth surface would do) and taped registration marks for the piece. The areas where I did not want the smudges were masked off with freezer paper.

Then black pigment was painted on to the table surface, the piece turned over and rolled down on to the black pigment. The result is as seen in the first photo.

Mirror-imaged text

A few weeks back I tried something new on my experimental piece. I wanted to add some text, and this is how I went about it:

1. Having decided on the text, I chose a size and font, then printed out a copy in reverse. For those not sure how to do this, simply select the following; Print - Properties - Advanced - Page Layout - Mirror Image - Print.



2. I then painted some black textile paint/pigment on to a sheet of glass, the amount of application being relevant to the end result - some testing is important.

3. I then took my experimental art work, masked off the areas to be avoided, and placed it face down without pressure on to the ink spread on the glass.

4. On to the top of this (now the back of the work), I placed the mirror-imaged text. With a pencil I then traced the text with a firm hand. This picked up the black paint/pigment. Some background paint/pigment will also transfer but once again testing should get a satisfactory outcome.

5. Removing the mirror-imaged text and lifting the art work reveals the text the right way round!

Some progress...

Although my blogs have become more 'occasional' lately, I have been quietly working away on my piece when time allows. Scheduled appointments to sort my health eat into time; however, these are all going well which is important.

I have been working on various parts of this experimental piece and consequently have lost the sequence of how things are evolving. However, to follow on from my previous blog, I have done some more work on the garment shape and feel pleased as to where it has arrived. I have also worked on some of the background areas.

Two more photos of the garment shape which I think completes this section although I am contemplating adding some stitching:




Yes, there are some machine stitched lines in the background, joining the dots ....

Scrub and wash

My current experiment is to be achieve solely with textile heat set pigments or paints. I enjoy the unexpected and am aiming for things to appear 'dyed'.

This week I have added some colours which will eventually become a garment shape. After applying the blended colours I decided they were too dense. To correct this I scrubbed and washed the fabric before the pigments had dried. Depending on the weather there is a manageable time lapse to achieve this. The result, when dry, was a much more subtle feel.

The advantage here of course is that I can wash my substrate ie cotton canvas. Such washing would not be achievable if I was working on paper!

The initial application - too dense!

After a scrub and a wash - much better!

I've applied some colour...

Earlier this year, before becoming involved with sorting out my health problem, I made a start on a new experiment. This followed my experimenting with the same design and applications on three separate substrates ie paper, canvas and a silk/linen mix. You might like to revisit the blog on this here.

The outcome was that I preferred the canvas. My next thing was to work another experiment using just the canvas; not to get too serious about the design, but just play and see what happens. I had achieved the following before it was put on hold:



This week I felt ready to start again. I had been thinking about this for quite sometime. In determining what colour to use I sorted and tidied my colours, discarding those that were beyond use. This can be very therapeutic and a good way to get back into things.

And so I did. It may not look much but the process was great!

One of my 'side-lines' is creating knitted charity blankets from wools donated by those wishing to deplete their stashes. This is a win, win, win situation. Firstly I am using the wool; secondly, I enjoy the knitting in quiet moments; and thirdly, someone benefits from the comfort offered by the end product.

This week I completed another blanket; a baby's blanket using some of the softer colours. Marge had included some crochet rosettes in her bag of wools and I have attached them on to this blanket.

During the next week I shall deliver this baby blanket to the local Women's Refuge. It is winter here in New Zealand and hopefully it will help to warm some child, somewhere.

My next adult size blanket is already on the way....

An honour indeed....

Earlier this month New Zealand celebrated the Queen's birthday with a national holiday on June 6th. At this time it is customary to announce the Queen's Honours List to those “who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and the nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions, or other merits”.

And guess what, I have been made a Member of the New Zealand of Merit, MNZM, for services to the textile arts. What an honour! I feel humbled and excited all at the same time. The fact that the arts have been recognised and, in particular, the textile arts is very pleasing. We are all winners!

Looking back I started on this journey in the early 1970's, forty years ago, and it amazes me that I am still as enthusiastic as ever.

My medal will be awarded by our Governor General, at Government House, Wellington, in a few week's time and my boys have been instructed that they must attend! The image here is the man's version of the medal, as I haven't been able to find an image of the woman's medal!



This weekend the Surface Design Association conference is under way in Minneapolis-St.Paul, Minnesota, USA. Having attended the previous three conferences, a little bit of me is there. Here's hoping I might be able to return for the 2013 conference!