This is a collage of my photographs for February (some taken by my husband, Rob). I tried to take one of a piece of art that I was working on, or a place I had visited, or something I had noticed on that day, to act as a visual journal.
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
February 2018 Photo Journal - A Photograph Per Day
This is a collage of my photographs for February (some taken by my husband, Rob). I tried to take one of a piece of art that I was working on, or a place I had visited, or something I had noticed on that day, to act as a visual journal.
Monday, February 26, 2018
A Walk in St John's in The Vale, near Keswick
Rob, Brock and I went on a walk in The Lake District last Thursday. We visited a new-to-us area near Keswick called St John's in the Vale, and used the rough map on this website as a guide. There are quite a lot of areas over the fellsides where dogs must be on a lead, as there are sheep about. The going underfoot is muddy where you pass over small streams, so waterproof footwear is recommended. Well worth enduring the mud for the beautiful views, though.
St John's Church
Tewet Tarn
Lichen on a dry stone wall
After that refreshing walk, we went into Keswick for lunch at Abraham's Cafe (now revamped to be larger, but has sadly reverted to being dog free, which means we won't be able to go there during the warmer months). A very pleasant day out!
After that refreshing walk, we went into Keswick for lunch at Abraham's Cafe (now revamped to be larger, but has sadly reverted to being dog free, which means we won't be able to go there during the warmer months). A very pleasant day out!
Monday, February 19, 2018
Work in Progress - Abstract Landscape
I visited Mungrisdale in the Lake District on a bright December day and took photographs and made subsequent drawings. I loved the colour palette and contrasting textures of the hillside covered in shale, bracken, grass and other plants, set against a bluebell blue sky.
I made a few drawings in different media, trying different colour variations and simplifying the composition into blocks of colour.
I cut 3/4" x 2" tabs from re-purposed clothing and prodded them through a background fabric of hessian.
As usual my finished piece is much brighter than the original, relying on the colours I can source, and on the colours I choose to use together.
Now to find a deep box frame to take the deep pile of the work...
Now to find a deep box frame to take the deep pile of the work...
Monday, February 12, 2018
Quilt Journal 2018 - A Year In Colour
I finished my quilt journal, made for the Solway Quilters group. We were to aim to make one panel per month, although mine mostly got sewn in the last six months.
My idea was to abstract colour palettes from photographs that I had for each month (some of the photos were mine, some from our friend, Neil), and use the colours to make an abstract pattern that would all join together when finished. Each panel would evoke a month and a place.
I began with a small drawing of what I imagined, then scaled that up to 12 sheets of A4 paper, which I had taped into a 3 x 4 grid. The curved parts were drawn freehand with a Sharpie pen, and the straight lines with a large ruler.
It was then a case of cutting the A4 sheets apart again and using each one as a template. Each A4 page was photocopied, then stuck to thin card before being cut apart into the separate shapes formed by the lines in the drawing.
I gathered the fabrics that I thought would represent the chosen photograph for that month, giving preference to pieces from my scrap boxes. A layout that would give some tonal contrasts was worked out, before using the template pieces to cut out the fabric. I hand-pieced the shapes, as I am not very good at sewing curves on a sewing machine, and I prefer it.
The completed top was layered with a backing fabric and wadding before being sewn together by machine with a 1/4 inch hem, but leaving a gap for turning. It was then trimmed, turned and ironed before the gap was hand-stitched closed and hand quilting could begin. I aimed for a very simple running stitch, usually in an embroidery thread or quilt thread that matched the fabric, so that the emphasis remains on the colour. Each panel also has two areas embellished with buttons or beads.
It's the first time I've made a multi-part piece, and it is an enjoyable way to work, as you don't end up with a huge, heavy quilt to work on, until the very end.
The individual panels...
If you are in Dumfries in April or May, please drop by the Gracefield Arts Centre, where I will hopefully have a few pieces of work on display, along with those of hundreds of other exhibitors.
My idea was to abstract colour palettes from photographs that I had for each month (some of the photos were mine, some from our friend, Neil), and use the colours to make an abstract pattern that would all join together when finished. Each panel would evoke a month and a place.
I began with a small drawing of what I imagined, then scaled that up to 12 sheets of A4 paper, which I had taped into a 3 x 4 grid. The curved parts were drawn freehand with a Sharpie pen, and the straight lines with a large ruler.
It was then a case of cutting the A4 sheets apart again and using each one as a template. Each A4 page was photocopied, then stuck to thin card before being cut apart into the separate shapes formed by the lines in the drawing.
I gathered the fabrics that I thought would represent the chosen photograph for that month, giving preference to pieces from my scrap boxes. A layout that would give some tonal contrasts was worked out, before using the template pieces to cut out the fabric. I hand-pieced the shapes, as I am not very good at sewing curves on a sewing machine, and I prefer it.
The completed top was layered with a backing fabric and wadding before being sewn together by machine with a 1/4 inch hem, but leaving a gap for turning. It was then trimmed, turned and ironed before the gap was hand-stitched closed and hand quilting could begin. I aimed for a very simple running stitch, usually in an embroidery thread or quilt thread that matched the fabric, so that the emphasis remains on the colour. Each panel also has two areas embellished with buttons or beads.
It's the first time I've made a multi-part piece, and it is an enjoyable way to work, as you don't end up with a huge, heavy quilt to work on, until the very end.
The individual panels...
January
Sunrise, nr
Bargrennan
February
* Neil's River Photo*
March
Cherry Blossom, nr Kirtlebridge
April
Selkirk Arms Garden, Kirkcudbright
May
Rhododendrons and Bluebells, Carlisle
June
*Neil's Beach Photo*
July
Tobermory Harbour
August
Samye Ling Café
September
Castle Maol at
Sunset, Isle of Skye
October
Beech Leaves, nr
Kirtlebridge
November
Frosty Morning, Sprinkell Estate, Eaglesfield
December
Tyre Tracks in the Snow, Kirkpatrick Flemming
If you are in Dumfries in April or May, please drop by the Gracefield Arts Centre, where I will hopefully have a few pieces of work on display, along with those of hundreds of other exhibitors.
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