I'm sorry. What for? For making you jump with the red piece. I've gone subtle today, subdued, quiet. You can relax......having said that I do LOVE the red piece...I do. That is resting for a while, it will be back soon. It's exhausting being so loud and shouty so it's having a lie down in a darkened room.
(pillows and pages girls, there are new videos in class on the detail, demonstrating the completion of this pillow)
This morning I was reading, checking descriptions, intentions, overviews, appraising clarity or otherwise in response to several e mails I have recieved. I have added a paragraph to the Alchemy blurb. Perhaps it's a little vague? Basically.....I start you off, ideas on how to identify a theme, a starting point for creativity. That can be anything, a ledger page, a few ledger pages, a series of small pictures, a series of small pillows, a collection of tiny art pieces, a collection of huge art pieces, a ledger crammed with paper pieces. I then guide you, hold your hand throughout. The group will support you, encourage you, share ideas, make suggestions.......is that clearer?....let me know.
It is hoped that you will be inspired to create a finished piece of textile art OR a collection of samples to inform future work OR a ledger of process and technique OR a notebook of written thoughts and ideas, a record of learning. It is my wish that each person joining this group learns and grows in terms of how their own creative path develops. How starting points are identified, how fabrics are chosen, how colour choices are informed...it's about creating from your very first thought, idea and following that path for as long as you wish.
It's red again....but it's different. There are now tabs, another row of cross stitch, a cross stitch seam and a large applique circle. The biggest news today though is that I am actually here, in the flesh. I'm nowhere near the M6 Motorway which is a true delight in my eyes. I swear my car could find it's own way to various points along that route. It feels like today is the first day of the rest of my life. Well technically it is anyway but the first day of the rest of my M6 free life...until the next time.
The biggest news of last week was the announcement of Alchemy 2014. Friday it was...you may have missed it. I had intended to list that today but impatience got the better of me, excitement took over. I do apologise...note to self, learn how to contain yourself girl!
Another snapshot of my week through the images from my phone. These images give a true sense of my days, my house, this room. Things in progress on the table, some of them on the floor, image editing at the computer, leafing through ledgers and magazines to freshen my brain.
I'm not here again today...more family stuff. From tomorrow you will have my total and complete attention.....I promise.
Alchemy is back...I dithered, I was asked, I dithered some more. Why? I invest so much of myself into all my classes but somehow this one remains the most scary for me....however........I can't wait.
I am very taken with this piece...this red and white piece that almost shouts, almost screams ''look at me''. This one especially is far removed from my usual understated white, lace, off white combo. A change is as good as a rest they say and I have been looking at contrasts a lot lately, I would say we have a measure of that going on here if only with the colour. On this surface are bullion loops, cross stitches, and applique circles with some piping thrown in for good measure.
There are tabs made, at the ready to be added along a seam....tonight I hope.
Alchemy is back. It's almost a whole year since the first run. It has been requested, enquiries were made........
Alchemy 2014
Start date May 5 2014
The medieval forerunner of chemistry, based on the supposed transformation of matter, esp. that of base metals into gold.
***Please note....weeks 8 and 9 are free weeks. I will be away. By that time I think a break will be good for you too. A time for reflection perhaps. Because of this we have a timetable of 14 weeks, not 12.***
Aims and Content
Do you dream of creating that one special piece of embroidery, a piece of textile art, or of finishing a long neglected project, combining your ideas and developing them into that special piece of cloth? If so then Alchemy is the programme for you.
During the course of this 12 week self directed learning package you will produce a unique piece of embroidered art with inspiration, technique, process and final outcomes determined by you, the artist. Your art piece can be created using virtually any media such as cloth or paper. I will serve as mentor, guiding and advising you at each stage. Built into our twelve week timetable are regular visual critiques, using images of work in progress that you upload to our online forum.
(a video detailing the ''upload'' process will be forwarded to you shortly before Alchemy begins)
A knowledge of basic embroidery is required for this class.
Please do not be concerned if you are not comfortable with ledger work, drawing or painting. ''mark making'' is a process which evolves from many media including cloth and thread. Alongside suggestion for drawn and painted work will be alternative process for creating reference to colour and pattern using cloth and thread.
The early stages of this programme will reinforce the importance of drawing or ‘’mark making’’ and visual reference as a precursor to design for embroidery. Following initial investigations within a ledger concerning pattern, shape and colour it is envisaged that you will sample ideas with stitch as a means of identifying preferences regarding technique for use in your final piece.
This process will be critique led with any practical demonstration built into the 12 week programme as and when the need arises.
My Role
I will serve as mentor, guiding and advising you where appropriate, perhaps suggesting artists for you to study where I feel this is relevant to your own investigations. I will appraise your work in progress and advise on surface design and colour choices. This is not an exhaustive list, merely an indication of the commitment I will provide to you and your chosen path.
Ownership
Your personal connection to this project will be its driving force. This process belongs to you, is self driven and all creative investigations and final outcomes should speak of you.
You have a responsibility to source information yourself and to familiarise yourself with new creative technique that you may wish to use.
Demonstrations
Please note......this course is not a ''how to'' process in terms of embroidery technique.
Demonstration will be provided as and when required depending on the needs of the group and the individuals within the group. The requirements regarding the demonstration of specific process and technique will not be known initially but will become evident as the course progresses.
Forum
Video will be hosted on a dedicated, password protected blog. It will not be possible for video to be downloaded. All videos will have to be viewed through the medium of the class blog. This is to ensure my copyright is protected. I hope you understand the importance of that particular aspect of this class.
A dedicated flickr group will be available where it is hoped you will post images allowing me to assess your progress and appraise/advise. Due to the nature of this programme the flickr group will be private, accessible only to those invited to join the group...in essence only those who have paid for the course. I anticipate certain comments will contain content which should only be available to those who have paid to participate in the class. This will provide protection not only for my copyright but for you and the monies you have paid to participate in the group.
You are more than welcome to post images of your work on your own blogs etc without divulging any of the process provided as part of the class.
***to clarify.....Images within the group will remain private, hidden from the wider flickr community. This is to protect the privacy of any comments I may make on your work***
Prior to the commencement of class I will provide video instruction on how to upload images to flickr in private mode for those who are unsure of this process.
Starting Points Prior to the commencement of Alchemy begin to gather starting points for your work. These items could take the form of postcards, images from magazines, colour swatches from paint charts or similar. Collect images relating to the work of other artists who inspire you....textile art, sculpture, oil painting. This is a ''personal'' project, it centres around each individual, their aesthetic and creative preferences. If you are struggling for starting points then I will assist you, guide you. You are very well supported throughout this process and I am available as little or as much as you need me.
Expected Outcomes
It is anticipated that by the end of our 12 week run you will have a greater appreciation of the design process which has led or will lead to the completion of your finished piece. In addition it is hoped that you will have created an informative reference in the form of a working ledger alongside a collection of embroidered samples.
Ledger
Your Ledger will document your progress throughout the course and is a crucial element in the creation of your finished piece. A record of your experience, the ledger may include sketches, thoughts, diagrams, notes, photographs, artist/designer images that inspire and influence you, computer generated imagery, printed fabric, embroidered samples. This is not an exhaustive list, you may add anything of your choosing to your ledger which connects you to the work.
Registration
Upon registration you will receive further information in e mail form containing a brief outline of our weekly plan along with a list of suggested equipment for the course.
Access to all resources is permanent. There are no deadlines. I will remain available to you after the conclusion of our 12 week period in an advisory, appraisal role...however...new video demonstrations will not be provided after the 12 week period has ended
Samples created for ''4'' are wrapping a finished piece from ''3''....that really excites me. Am I a bit too easily excited? I don't know. The fact that they live together, they compliment, they just fit. I suppose I shouldn't really be surprised as most of my work has the same starting point but for a few minutes this morning I was ecstatic that these two processes looked so good together.
The piece from ''3'' is now finished and mounted. The only delay there was the attic work, the dirt, the upheaval at home. The piece from ''4'' is only just beginning....I don't even know yet what it will be. I am enjoying the journey though.....
Small patches of lace cloth have been added to the surface of the piece with Liberty points. I wanted contrast...not crisp as in points or flat as in silk but texture, interest. Each patch of lace cloth has been individually edged with buttonhole lace and tiny open areas within the lace cloth have been strengthened by edging, again with buttonhole lace.
The past couple of days have been a whirlwind and that is set to continue. I have a busy weekend planned, a trip to Scotland. (not a holiday, a family commitment) Meantime I have been making video almost non stop.......not a chore......you know how much I love the sound of my own voice. I have been taking zillions of photographs and embroidering so fast that my fingers are a mere blur. Alongside the creativity, the stitching, the waffling on camera I am compiling blurb for Alchemy....more on that next week. I can't even linger any longer (try saying that at speed...linger any longer...linger any longer.....) today because I have to go out on a Ledger hunt........most definitely not a chore! In view of this I now have a public service announcement.
SS3
SS4
Pillows and Pages
Stand by your computers girls...tomorrow you all get video.
Yesterday I had a new pouch, today I have a new pillow...yay!! This is the first of three I am making with my pillows and pages girls...I love it and yes, this one's for me too. Gingham, pretty, applique, bumps, bullion knots, rouleau loops, prairie points, beaky things.....my sofa is now full of things to look at...no spare seats for things which are human in my house anymore.
I'm running late...it's Tuesday...it's always feet related if I'm late on a Tuesday....
