Art Work: Grounded

Grounded

I have worked on "Grounded'  On and off for quite a period of time.  This beautiful tree is a Cabbage tree or Ti Kouka tree, a native of New Zealand.  It is found all over New Zealand.  It produces a small blueish white flower that attracts birds, moths, bees, flies and wasps.  

The roots of the cabbage tree are very strong and help stop soil erosion. They are quite resilient to wind,  wet feet and drier conditions.

I chose this tree to depict us standing straight and tall no matter what the conditions.  We can be grounded an firm no matter what is going on around us.  We can be who we are no matter how others treat us and we can still stand firm and strong.

In all parts of our lives we need to stand up for what we believe,  to stand up for our values and beliefs no matter what others believe in.  We need to chose the right and stand for the truth. 

Be grounded in what is important and what is truth and what is good.  Stand for the greater cause.

Grounded

Art quilt

30cm x 65cm

By Catherine Parkinson

In private collection

Cotton whole cloth quilt

Painted and printed

Machine quilted

Self Binding

Photography this week: reflections

Reflections

The shadows and reflections on water at this time of the year are wonderful inspiration for design and lines.

New art work: In his image

In his image

'In his image' is a piece of work in my new series 'The family'. It explore the image of Adam and Eve the first Man and Woman on the earth.  I am painting a whole cloth quilt and them quilting it.   In this piece of work I want to look at more texture and detail in the clothing for the viewers eye to come back to look at more of the quilt. 

The ideas I am considering to add more texture are

• Adding small quantities of text
• Using layers of transparent materials 
• Painting texture by printing and stamping
• Adding different layers of colour

When I start painting a whole cloth quilt it is important to iron the material as flat as possible and then to stretch it flat so it won't move or crinkle as it is being painted.   I do this one of 2 ways.  Either by using masking tape on the edges or as in this case small bull dog clips around the edge of a thin wooden board.

I like using bull dog clips as they are so great to reposition as needed,  they don't leave any sticky residue and they hold the fabric quite flat and taut.  It doesn't work as well for quilts that I don't have the right size board for.

If the bull dog clips are evenly spread along the edge of the fabric the fabric will sit flat all ready for painting. Once the fabric is flat I take a mechanical pencil (below)  And draw the basic out lines of the quilt.  In this case I have drawn the border lines,  the head, eye, nose and mouth out lines and the outlines of the body. Only the basic out lines are needed as my original sketch is my most important guide. 

Once the guide lines are sketched in it is time to paint.  :)

Art inspiration: Jill Ricci

I am so inspired by the world I live and other in our world who create beautiful works of art. Artist Jill Ricci is truly inspiring. Her work has wonderful feel and rhythm to it.  Her art has so many layers to it and so much to look at.  It has me coming back for more and seeing more each time I view it.

Jill explains her work this way: "One of the most arresting visuals for me is an old wall layered with papers, graffiti, and text- our modern hieroglyphics. I try to re-create this beauty in my work, the layers of time and decay are what interest me. I hope that the person viewing my work will linger, trying to discover hidden imagery and text and depending on their life experience, find their own meaning or interpretation." 

Here is more about her work.

Her work reminds me of old fragments of quilts re purposed and made into new works of art.  It speaks to me of times gone by and time to come all beautifully integrated together to make something whole and new. 

By looking at others work our own art work can evolve into something new.  One part of Jill's work that I want to incorporate into my work is the layers of textures which add a wealth of interest and somewhere for the eye to rest and explore.  To see more of her work visit her gallery here

You could ask these questions as you view other work. 

• What inspires you from their work?
• What idea from their work could you use in your work? maybe it is the layering,  textures.  the use of colour or the great use of text.
• What do you feel when you look at the person's work?  

By asking questions like these when exploring other artist work not only do we appreciate the work more but we also find ways to add more in the work we create. 

Photography this week: Using a direct light source

Photos by candlelight

Taking photos with a direct light source is lots of fun and really effective.  These photos only had a candle as a light source and were taken at my youngest boys birthday.

Give each person a candle turn off the flash and start snapping the photos.  Make sure your subjects know that they need to hold quite still as it will be a fairly long shutter length. Try and lean on something to keep the camera still or alternately use a tri-pod.

Other fun light sources to try are

• Lamps
• Sparklers
• Fire
• Torches
• Light from a computer/ I pad screen
• Setting/rising sun

Change..Good or bad : The journey of an art quilt

I'm sitting with my foot after a spider bite to my little toe area.  I went to bed with a slightly sore foot and awoke with a foot that looked like it was badly bruised and quite tender.  I thought I had kicked my foot against something and just not remembered doing it.(I have a habit of forgetting things)  But try as I might I could not remember doing that. As the day progressed the bruising and swelling increased and I began to wonder if it could be something else.  Sure enough after a trip to the doctors I have been bitten by an insect probably a white tailed spider.  Although it's not too painful this morning the swelling and bruising has increased quite a bit so it looks like a quiet day at home.  That's not a bad thing though, maybe I can get some drawing done after a 2 weeks of sick kids, broken appliances and to top it off a pole fuse blowing and having no lights or power to the garage for 24 hours.

Life can change our plans sometimes.  One small thing can lead to a change in direction, focus and energy. Change can seem like a negative thing but I think it is so good to look at things differently or view from another angle.  It helps to see through fresh eyes. So many good things have happened in my life due to an unforeseen event or through someone else's choices. 


Being an artist can be like that too.  I often start with an idea that metamorphosis' into something I hadn't planned or sketched.
When I started art quilting this would frustrate me and I would try to fight against the process.  Now I love the freedom, creativity and self expression that comes through just letting the process happen.

This piece of work started as a full portrait with lots of swirly hair...

And ended up with the tummy prominent with the baby taking the lime light.  As I work on a art quilt it often takes on a process of it's own.  The creative flow takes over and changes are made. 

This piece of work started with only 2 colours in the scheme and it was quite flat .......

I added a lot more value of colour than in the sketch and green was added a complementary colour.  It made it become more alive and have a lot more of interest to look at.

This sketch started with very smooth lines...

When I had painted the face I realised it needed more of my signature in it...patterning.  So the book became full of flowers and more  colours and value of colour to add more depth and interest.  

Changing small or larger details can make a significant difference and depending on how you look at it, it is a wonderful  and exciting journey. 

Arty blogs I love

I love reading other art blogs and web pages.  We are so blessed to be able to have the internet to be able to access wonderful ideas, opinions and information.  We are surrounded by a wealth of information that can true change our lives,  motivate and help us reach our goals

These are some I love and keep going back too

   

• Alyson at the Art biz blog is one amazing blog.  She is generous with all ideas of business know how for artists Well worth a read and to sign up to her newsletter.  She also offers business coaching, products and programmes
• Strathmore on-line workshops are free workshops for drawing and painting.  They are a great resource for any type of artist.  The workshops are available for a long time (although the tutors are only available to support for 4 weeks after the opening of the course)
• PHLEARN has some great learning tools for photographers.  Whether photography is your art form or you are learning to photograph your own work there are some great tutorials on this website.
• The free motion quilting project has wonderful ideas and support on your free motion quilting journey. Leah Day produces excellent resources to help the beginning, intermediate and advanced machine quilters.  Her instructions are clear and informative. Well worth a visit to this blog.
• Alisa Burke  is one amazing lady.  Her creativity and joy for life holds no bounds.  He blog is creative, energising and inspirational.  Look out for her on-line classes, books, many wonderful ideas all captured with amazing photography. 
• Another blog a really love is Maria Elkins original art work Maria is an figurative and abstract artist who is so inspiring.  Her figurative work is beautiful.  She also has produced a fantastic DVD on making faces that is a wonderful resource.