It's a big day today. It's the first day of Alchemy 2023 and a return to teaching for me after a break of a few months and boy did I miss it.
The image is of my work from previous Alchemy classes. My work however takes a back seat once we are up and running as going forward demonstration is created to fit with the needs of the group.
Our first videos are posted, our private Facebook and Flickr groups up and running and I have a to do list a mile long.
More has been added to the piece from here and as you will have noticed, the large embroidered panel hasn't been used.
There's no worries on that score as I'm sure it will be useful at some point in this project.
Referencing my latest work, the design sheets, the embroidery, the pieces I have been working on for quite a few weeks leads me nicely into announcing a new online learning class.
If you follow this link there are lots of posts illustrating the work I speak of and that work is going to be my project throughout this new class.
As you will see when reading the class description you can choose your own path, you will not be expected to copy me. (unless of course you want to)
Please scroll to the bottom of this post too as there is a short video explaining more.
Alchemy 2023.
Begins Monday September 18 for 12 weeks. (built in 2 week break meaning 14 week timetable.)
The medieval forerunner of chemistry, based on the supposed transformation of matter, esp. that of base metals into gold.
***Please note....weeks 5 and 6 are free weeks. I will be away. 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 and/or which you choose to bring to our live Zoom sessions.
Zoom. Group Zoom appraisals are built into this programme. Your presence at these is not compulsory. I would however ask you to consider being involved in those get togethers as they provide an invaluable experience, an opportunity to share ideas and learn from your peers. These sessions are always positive experiences with extremely enthusiastic contributions from the group. However, should you feel group Zoom sessions are not for you I will endeavour to connect with you privately via Zoom or email.
Early aims. 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. Presentation of initial investigations is discussed in this video. https://youtu.be/L7DQDP9pFx0 (copy and paste this link into your browser) 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 also 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. 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.
Flickr To compliment the live Zoom sessions a dedicated flickr group will be available where it is hoped you will post images allowing me to assess your progress and appraise/advise. 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. You are also welcome to contact me for advice/questions prior to the start of this course.
Please allow 24 hours from registration to receipt of welcome email.
It's almost three years to the day since I held my last Artist Book class.
I reckon it's time for another, for more exploration, a refresh maybe.
Details below.
***please note, this class is completely seperate from my monthly subscription online learning. This is a 'one off' stand alone class.***
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2023 Artist Books.
Begins Tuesday March 7 2023 for 8 weeks.
Join me in my first artist book gathering for three years.
Always a popular class, this eight week learning programme will hopefully inspire you to new ways with pages, new approaches to artist journals, to the creation of unique books in which to record your thoughts, your stitches, your sampling, your explorations.
Also included, live Zoom discussion, feedback and overview in our final week, times scheduled to cover all time zones.
Think of this as a 'refresh' if you have previously taken an Artist Book class in any setting.
***please note. I have only basic book making skills. I extend these skills by 'testing' various forms of page binding using paper and perhaps cloth too. I am happy for you to be experimental and adventurous with your own books. I encourage the pushing of boundaries, the exploration of idea and thought.***
My role will be to demonstrate the creation of collaged, textured and folded pages of paper and embroidery, to illustrate the creation of stitched scraps for pages and to then share how a page can be adorned in order to enhance the presentation of your sampling before investigating and testing ideas for finished book forms. This in turn will lead to the creation of unique ''artist books'', a library of ideas and inspiration and a valuable resource for the future in terms of design and the extension of embroidery sampling.
In addition to a private class blog where all video and images will be hosted you will have access to a public, invitation only Flickr group for class members only with a private discussion area where you can upload images, view images from other group members and participate in discussion re the course, suppliers, relevant exhibitions, artists etc. You will also be free to begin your own discussion topics.
Images of my own ''Artist Books'' can be seen here. From viewing these images you will gain an appreciation of what can be achieved during this programme and beyond.
A question I am often asked is 'what do you do with the pieces you create'.
I rarely sell my work, the act of making gives me a connection to my pieces which I find hard to sever.
I am able occasionally to part with some pieces if they start life as 'something to sell' but otherwise I keep them.
(something to sell doesn't mean less thought, less time spent, less quality, it just means I am mentally prepared from the start to part with the piece)
That isn't the end of them though, they tend not to languish unnoticed, they are invaluable as resources for my teaching as illustrated here.
These pieces have been laid out, visible to me, for the past few days as instruction and inspiration for 'a sampler's cloth'.
Remember I said here that I was going to put flowers on this sample? Well here they are.
There is also a little applique and some small cut outs, token like pieces which have been embellished with hand stitch.
The base of this piece is a vintage hankie and it has the feel of a vintage nightgown when I am stitching into it, it's beautifully soft.
As I said last time you saw this, the extra edge has been machine basted around the outside to allow for damp stretching. That will be removed when the piece is finished.
This sample is practice for my new class 'a sampler's cloth'which will be all things hand embroidery.
I am going away tomorrow and won't be back for ten days or so.
These are a few of the things I bought whilst I was in London over the past eight days.
I didn't really have much time for shopping and you will hear about that further down in this post, saving the best until last.
Apart from the 'other thing', my new class, 'creative portfolio' is high on my list of things to get excited about. These colours, the ones above will hopefully have a prominent place in my sampling for my personal collection created during those eight weeks.
Class begins in just under two weeks.... you can read more about it and register here.
While I am here, could I ask that you please consider subscribing to this blog using the Feedblitz link on the right hand side of this page (just above the video).
My old subscription feed has closed down and it would really help me and this little blog if you subscribed...thank you!! (it won't cost you anything x)
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Now for the big announcement.
Stanley Edward Gordon arrived on Monday January 17 at 6.55 am weighing a whopping 9lb 14oz. (originally they gave his weight as 9lb 9oz but it was revised upwards).
More stash images today. This helps me, it allows me to take stock and assess. I'm struggling to really concentrate hard at the moment because I am waiting for the phone call..... doing this allows for some clarity.
(for those of you who don't know, my daughter and future daughter in law are due to have babies any day. In the case of my daughter that will mean a quick dash to London....I'm on pins)
First of all though, embroidery.
Why the huge investment in my stash? Why the sampling of stitches and composition?
It's because I will be working outside of my comfort zone in terms of colour and clashing during 'creative portfolio' so not only am I easing myself in gently I am assessing what I can and can't live with.
The first decision in that regard has already been made. I won't be using the mirror trim. It's too much for me. I am however considering removing the mirrors and working with what's left.
The other dilemma I have at this moment, right now is to not get too far ahead before class begins so I am going to knit for a couple of days.
More stash building below.
(if you are registered for 'creative portfolio' you should have received a short video from me this morning. If you haven't received that can you please let me know)
Gathering continues here, collecting and recording pieces to use in 'creative portfolio', to inspire, to use alongside new work, for these pieces to become an integral part of my design work.
There are more little collections here and here, the same theme, cohesive collections, at least I hope so, just as I hope I can do all these gorgeous pieces justice when I begin my work.
(Only the ribbon is new here, the fabric swatches and paper piece have been in my 'stash' for a long time as have most of the pieces in the other collections mentioned above.)
