Here's another fabulous wrap doll that I found... Meika's album - Photobucket.com
I really do need to get some pics up of my work.... and soon....
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Time for another update...
I've been slack in writing again, and again it's avoidance because I haven't actually achieved anything lately (and if I write I might actually have to admit that fact, so avoid the blog, to avoid the fact that I haven't done anything - make sense??)
Actually it's not really that bad (me trying to convice myself here!!). No really, I have been doing things, just not finishing anything.
The wrap dolls (figures) are coming along nicely. They now all have heads and boobs (after consulation with my TAFE group as to whether or not they were necessary - they all said "absolutely necessary! They are female aren't they?!!"). Still need to do bit of surgery on one.. her boobs are a DD (or more) and she thinks that they are a bit much, especially since she is to be bending down she reckons that the weight may become a bit of a strain. I had to agree with her as they got in the way when I tried to pose her so I've scheduled her surgery for tonight. That done I will take some pics and upload - I promise this time!
Once the basic figures are finished I'm going to work on a way of transferring a small bit of colour from the previous figure (as they stand in line) onto the next one, to unify them a bit. I know that doesn't make much sense but trust me. I only want a touch of colour, for example the back foot of the black figure (ashes) might have a touch of red wrapped around it as though it were still burning, and the green (regrowth) figure might have a touch of black somewhere, and the red will have a touch of green (around the top). I'll have to test this out as I'm not sure if I'll do it with the fine threads, or with some wrapped wire (stumpwork style embroidery). I'll give that a go.
I still haven't figured out the base - might try painted/dyed fabric as I've been experimenting with that lately.
I also haven't resolved anything with the ball of trees yet either. I think that felting might be a goer but I still need to do some sampling and it will still take a fair bit of time. I'm thinking that if I wrap some wool around lengths of wire and felt them, joining to create branches as I go, that I might get the look that I want. The thing is that I'll loose some of the colour that I had with the sheer fabrics in the original plan.
My other thought is to step a bit further away and do something a little less 'real' and a bit more 'abstract'. why do the trees have to look exactly like trees?? Why can't I create a cobweb type felt around a spherical object (ball) that has a fairly full base, with elongated holes (as though looking between trunks) around the lower half and lots of smaller holes (creating a branching effect) over the upper and top apex of the sphere??
There are 2 problems that I see with this...
1) I tried felting over a ball on the weekend. To make it strong enough I will need to put a lot more layers of fibre onto it to get it to stand up (we ahd a talk from a felter at school last week who had made a few vessels - one had fabric stiffener which is an option, and the other had 20 layers of wool to make it thick enough) The question that I haven't got the answer for yet is, can I felt 20 layers onto the ball without having access to the inside??
2) How do I get the ball out - this isn't really a problem I guess. The ball only cost about $6 so I could probably just cut it away (given that I want holes in the felt and would have direct access to it anyway). The catch is, I need to get it right (and be sure that it will be strong enough to hold) before I cut the ball away... otherwise it's back to square one.
Not being an experienced felter, I really am not sure about this idea - I may just be wasting my time...
I have also moved onto another project, or at least am in the planning stages of it. I'm thinking of an art quilt/walhanging. I have drawn up one sketch that I like, but am still searching for ideas. I'd like to dye the fabrics, and perhaps paint onto them as well as stitch. So far I seem to have stuck to one or two methods and usually steer clear of painting/stamping/etc onto the fabric, instead using the machine to do the job. So I'd like to get my hands dirty and paint - just don't really know how. I did some watercolour/acrylic samples on paper yesterday, and feel that I have some ideas brewing - just need to sit down and capture them. Again the theme is the trees and the silhouette style of image, and have done some dye samples to try out some dark colours (black/brown/olive/greys) and might get something from that.
I also feel that I'd like to do a piece on the journey that this course has been for me, considering that for me this was a big change in my life - don't really have any ideas for that yet, but it's in the back of my mind...
I'd also like to do something that reflects where I am from (perhaps this thought can be integrated into one or more of the other project), specifically, Queensland, rural areas, the bush, an environmental background, etc... - again I don't really know how this will be achieved but I'll keep it in the back of my mind when planning out my projects.
One last concept that I would like to bring into my peices is the artist book, using fabric... I'm thinking that this may be a good medium for the journey idea, but really won't know until I sit down and plan it (the journey would also be a good one for an art quilt too)
I know I sound ambitious... and I really do need to knuckle down and get something finished... but it's coming along.
Gees, I've just looked at how long this is - it's a marathon!!
Actually it's not really that bad (me trying to convice myself here!!). No really, I have been doing things, just not finishing anything.
The wrap dolls (figures) are coming along nicely. They now all have heads and boobs (after consulation with my TAFE group as to whether or not they were necessary - they all said "absolutely necessary! They are female aren't they?!!"). Still need to do bit of surgery on one.. her boobs are a DD (or more) and she thinks that they are a bit much, especially since she is to be bending down she reckons that the weight may become a bit of a strain. I had to agree with her as they got in the way when I tried to pose her so I've scheduled her surgery for tonight. That done I will take some pics and upload - I promise this time!
Once the basic figures are finished I'm going to work on a way of transferring a small bit of colour from the previous figure (as they stand in line) onto the next one, to unify them a bit. I know that doesn't make much sense but trust me. I only want a touch of colour, for example the back foot of the black figure (ashes) might have a touch of red wrapped around it as though it were still burning, and the green (regrowth) figure might have a touch of black somewhere, and the red will have a touch of green (around the top). I'll have to test this out as I'm not sure if I'll do it with the fine threads, or with some wrapped wire (stumpwork style embroidery). I'll give that a go.
I still haven't figured out the base - might try painted/dyed fabric as I've been experimenting with that lately.
I also haven't resolved anything with the ball of trees yet either. I think that felting might be a goer but I still need to do some sampling and it will still take a fair bit of time. I'm thinking that if I wrap some wool around lengths of wire and felt them, joining to create branches as I go, that I might get the look that I want. The thing is that I'll loose some of the colour that I had with the sheer fabrics in the original plan.
My other thought is to step a bit further away and do something a little less 'real' and a bit more 'abstract'. why do the trees have to look exactly like trees?? Why can't I create a cobweb type felt around a spherical object (ball) that has a fairly full base, with elongated holes (as though looking between trunks) around the lower half and lots of smaller holes (creating a branching effect) over the upper and top apex of the sphere??
There are 2 problems that I see with this...
1) I tried felting over a ball on the weekend. To make it strong enough I will need to put a lot more layers of fibre onto it to get it to stand up (we ahd a talk from a felter at school last week who had made a few vessels - one had fabric stiffener which is an option, and the other had 20 layers of wool to make it thick enough) The question that I haven't got the answer for yet is, can I felt 20 layers onto the ball without having access to the inside??
2) How do I get the ball out - this isn't really a problem I guess. The ball only cost about $6 so I could probably just cut it away (given that I want holes in the felt and would have direct access to it anyway). The catch is, I need to get it right (and be sure that it will be strong enough to hold) before I cut the ball away... otherwise it's back to square one.
Not being an experienced felter, I really am not sure about this idea - I may just be wasting my time...
I have also moved onto another project, or at least am in the planning stages of it. I'm thinking of an art quilt/walhanging. I have drawn up one sketch that I like, but am still searching for ideas. I'd like to dye the fabrics, and perhaps paint onto them as well as stitch. So far I seem to have stuck to one or two methods and usually steer clear of painting/stamping/etc onto the fabric, instead using the machine to do the job. So I'd like to get my hands dirty and paint - just don't really know how. I did some watercolour/acrylic samples on paper yesterday, and feel that I have some ideas brewing - just need to sit down and capture them. Again the theme is the trees and the silhouette style of image, and have done some dye samples to try out some dark colours (black/brown/olive/greys) and might get something from that.
I also feel that I'd like to do a piece on the journey that this course has been for me, considering that for me this was a big change in my life - don't really have any ideas for that yet, but it's in the back of my mind...
I'd also like to do something that reflects where I am from (perhaps this thought can be integrated into one or more of the other project), specifically, Queensland, rural areas, the bush, an environmental background, etc... - again I don't really know how this will be achieved but I'll keep it in the back of my mind when planning out my projects.
One last concept that I would like to bring into my peices is the artist book, using fabric... I'm thinking that this may be a good medium for the journey idea, but really won't know until I sit down and plan it (the journey would also be a good one for an art quilt too)
I know I sound ambitious... and I really do need to knuckle down and get something finished... but it's coming along.
Gees, I've just looked at how long this is - it's a marathon!!
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Another place I have to try and find...
Apparently there is a button shop in the city that I didin't know about. Corner of Swanston St and Flinders lane, first floor of the building that Subway's in... Another place to check out.
Another place I have to try and find...
Apparently there is a button shop in the city that I didin't know about. Corner of Swanston St and Flinders lane, first floor of the building that Subway's in... Another place to check out.
Have been looking for this addy for some time - might try to check it out this weekend
DEA YARNS 10 Dawson St Coburg Victoria Ph/fax 03 9350 3343
(Adam)
OPEN THURSDAY & FRIDAY 9AM -3PM
SATURDAY 9.30AM - 1PM"
(Adam)
OPEN THURSDAY & FRIDAY 9AM -3PM
SATURDAY 9.30AM - 1PM"
Colourful Cap Workshop
B is working this weekend (and I should be) but perhaps this workshop might be fun!
Touch boxes
Imagine having your art inside an enclosed box and people had to 'touch' rather than 'view' it?...
Sounds interesting!!
Sounds interesting!!
Monday, August 16, 2004
Catch up
Long time no post!! But I have been working!!
The visual diary has halted for now but once my brother leaves I promise to get back into it. I am going to make myself do a page a night. That will at least get it done, and perhaps I'll even get into a routine and be able to continue on with one once I've handed the one for school in.
As for the exhibition projects... I have an end in sight for one project Yeah!!!!!!!! My wrap dolls are coming along nicely. I took them along to school on Friday and showed my tutor. He seemed quite pleased with them and gave me some ideas about how I could assemble them, which really was my stumbling block - I was happy with the figures and their shapes, I'd even sorted the head/face thing out, just wasn't sure how to present them. It turns out that the poses that I have them in flows really well when you line them up in a certain order. So all I have to do now is finish them. I have one doll finished and have started wrapping the other two with fabric and threads. I'm going to put them onto a timber base which I'll cover in some way (another thing to add to the to-do list), and whilst I have some ideas on how to actually attach them to the base, getting them to stay and stand properly will probably be a whole other challenge. I image metal rods, glue, drilled holes, more glue and more wrapping to cover the whole mess up!!
I'm going to try to get the figures (I prefer to call them that than dolls 'cause I've watched people's eyes glaze over when I've mentioned that I was making dolls - they lit up again when I showed the exactly what I meant!) finished by Friday, so that I can start to play with the assembly on the base over the weekend. I'd love ot have it finished by Friday , but lets be realistic here!!
My ball of trees which I talked about a long time ago and which has also been on hold until now, is my next cahllenge. I need to get moving on it otherwise all the time I've spent on it already is lost! I'm still not sure about it. Part of me likes it, the other part thinks that it's just taking far too long and perhaps I need to move on and do something else. I'm still toying with the idea of doing it in wool felted over wire or mesh, and think that I really need to give that a try before I get too bogged down. We'll see...
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
I've been working
Shock! Horror! This week I have actually had to work!! Whilst at work!!..
Not that it involves any real brain effort. I have spent the past 3 days (and I'm still here and it's 6pm) punching stupid holes in stupid pages!!!!!!!!
If I knew of anyone getting married I could provide them with ample confetti as I have become the confetti queen!!
Anyway onto my work. I have begun a second wrap doll after sitting down at the scketch book and making some marks (somebody made this comment in an email recently - 'making marks is often easier than sketching') and came up with a few ideas for poses/stances for my spirits. Having done this gave them purpose and am now much happier with the result. I've made this one much skinnier with long legs but she bends into some good poses. I think I still want to do some more wrapping, and need to find a way to embellish her a bit more, and of course there's still the issue of the head, but I must say she's coming along!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)