Where to now?....

Now that the exhibition is done (well you know what I mean) and the course is over (again, all barring that damned resubmit) it's time to think about what's next.  I've been asked so many times that I decided I should actually give it some thought so that the next time I might be able to answer the question.  This is a bit like New Year Resolutions - lets see how we go this (next) year??

I guess that for the most part things will won't change a great deal.

I do know that I will definitely keep creating - cause that's what I love!!  I think that for the next year at least I'll continue to work on.  I'm thinking that I might do some research into places that could display and sell my work (cafés, library's, shops etc). That could allow some sales and possibly even some commissions.

I'd also like to set up a web-site (a bit more comprehensive than my blog) where I could show and sell my pieces, and hopefully get some commissions that way. B and I have talked about businesses and he's keen to start something that encompasses my textile arts, but I don't really think that we are in a position to make that work just yet, so the web-site might be a god start. 

As for work, I'm not too sure about that either. Things are a bit funny (unusual, not haha) at the moment.  They want me to go full time but they're having trouble paying me each week as it is and I'm only casual at the moment.  B and I have decided that we are going to relocate, so I'm using that as an excuse for looking for another job.  Hopefully I'll be able to get something that is part-time but enough hours to keep me.  Ideally I'd like to work part time and be a textile artist part time and build things up that way (am I dreaming?...)

Pics of the gallery after it was set up.

gallery2

gallery

gallery3

Still Blazing

Still Blazing

$3000

Materials:
Silk fibres, machine sewing threads, soluble vylene, wool

Techniques:
Silk paper, Machine stitching onto soluble vylene and dissolved

I am mesmerised by the beauty of bushfires. Despite the devastating effects they can have, they also play a vital role in the continued growth of Australian ecosystems.

This piece is an image that has been burnt into my mind from my experiences with bushfires. The silhouettes of burnt trees with the fire still burning in the background, shows the strength of the bush to remain standing despite the raging fire that has just moved through it.

Stand Sew Tall

Stand Sew Tall


$3000

Materials:
Silk fibres, machine sewing threads, soluble vylene, wool

Techniques:
Silk paper, Machine stitching onto soluble vylene and dissolved

Quite simply this piece of work combines my two passions, the environment and textile arts. It is constructed entirely of stitching onto soluble vylene, which is then dissolved, leaving a mesh of threads. This enables you to look through to the underlying layers as though looking into a forest. The layered effect also allows lights to cast shadows that move as you walks past, enhancing the visual experience.

Fiery Figures

Fiery Figures

$300

Materials:
Cotton and silk fabrics, wool and cotton threads, wire, wadding

Techniques:
Wrapped dolls using threads and fabrics that were hand dyed with procion dyes

This piece highlights the importance of fire in Australian ecosystems. Just as the Phoenix burnt then rose from the ashes, so does the bush rise and regenerate from the ashes. Fire is an important part of the lifecycle of our bush, not necessarily a devastating end.

The three figures each represent a different element of the fire cycle - fire (red), ashes (grey/brown), and regrowth (green). I have intertwined the figures to emphasise the links between the stages of a fire, and to show that our bush is reliant on each of these elements to grow and to rise in brilliance

Footsteps

Footsteps


$700

Materials:
Cotton flannelette, Embroidery cottons, machine embroidery threads, Chiffon scarf, procion dyes, bleach

Techniques:
Piecing fabrics, hand embroidery, machine embroidery, reverse appliqué, hand dyed fabrics (procion dyeing), bleach dyeing

Like others, my life is a journey. Each element of this piece has been carefully selected to represent specific aspects of my journey up until now. My choice of colours, use of the footstep motif, selection of stitches, even the size and angles of the pieces in the background fabric, all depict different aspects of me and how I was feeling throughout my journey so far.

The story takes you from the safety and structure of school life, through the indecisive and often difficult times of my working life, and onto the creative and more focused period where I am today. These features are shown through the changes in colour, changes in the size and shape of the background strips and the actual stitches used to embellish each footstep.

Bush... Fire... Regeneration..

$600

Materials:
Cotton flannelette, machine embroidery threads, soluble vylene, procion dyes

Techniques:
Piecing fabrics, fabric dying with procion dyes, machine embroidery

This piece shows how fire is part of the lifecycle of the Australian bush, and not the end. As the title indicates, our bush depends on the fire for regeneration.

The base of the strip starts off showing the dark greens of established bush. Fire then begins to take hold, with the emergence of the reds and yellows. As the fire dies down the ashes settle and the bush begins to regrow, with bright greens and deep maroons starting to show through. Finally the greens become darker as the bush is re-established and old-growth returns.

SUCCESS!!!!!

We had our exhibition opening tonight!! It was great. There was such a big turnout that there were as many people on the street as there were in the gallery!!!

No purchases yet, but it's only day one. Off to bed now - too much to drink and really tired after a few very stressful weeks. A bit of retail therapy is on the cards for tomorrow. night!...

Ready and Waiting!!

I delivered my work to the gallery yesterday, along with the 8 others in the group.  Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) I had to go to work at lunch time, so when I left all of our work was layed out on the floor, waiting for decisions to be made, hooks to be put in and the time when they could take their place on the wall/plynth/floor.

Apparently it was a very long day - we arrived at 10 (the last person at 11.30), and when I called at 6pm they'd just been kicked out (all finished).  And at that point one person was still working on 3 of her pieces!!

Anyway, I dropped in after work to have a squiz and was amazed!!  They had done a magnificent job and the work looks absolutely stunning!!  As I stood there admiring it, another couple came past and ohhed and ahhed, and turned to me and commented on how good it looked.  I couldn't resist - "some of it's my work - it's from a group I belong to!"  I know, boasting, but I had to!!

And another thing... I've been told that as they were working, a guy walked past and spotted one of my pieces and fell in love with it.  He was promptly given an invitation and told he should come to the opening - apparently he was very keen.  Perhaps I could have my first sale!!!

I'm working this morning, to make up for the time I took off yesterday morning.  I've had the office to myself, so I've printed off a bundle of business cards and cut them all up (with the bosses permission of course!! - there's a first time for everything!).  Now I'm trying to get through to 12.30 when I'm leaving!! (need to make myself beautiful for tonight).

I MADE IT!!!!!!!!

Everything is finished, frames, mounted and ready, waiting to go to the gallery this morning to be hung (sounds dreadfull - but that has been the driving force all the way along).

I'm very happy with what I've done and will be proud to have my work on show. Will post pics of all my work, and of the gallery after opening night (Thursday).

Thanks for your support!!

Getting closer...

Footsteps is almost finished!! The last foot, the one that steps off the fabric and onto the wall, is done and is now drying. All that's left there is to attach it, put a rod pocket in the back, and press it.

Bush... Fire... Regeneration... (strip #2) is finished, except for a rod pocket in the top!!

Now it's time to focus on the Phoenix. Still no idea what to do there!! A 20cm square piece and it's causing me the most problem (probably because the idea is to do Phoenix the bird and I don't want to but can't come up with an alternative). Off to start sketching and hope that what I come up with can be achieved tonight!!

Pics later - I promise!!!

Stand Sew Tall

I couldn't wait - got both works back from the framer and they look fantastic (even if I do say so myself!!) This one is titled: Still burning

Progress report

I had another pamper seesion today. Got my hair cut and a long overdue colour and feel all pretty again. After taking B to work I ended up crashing for 2 hours, waking just in time to pick him up again (it was a short shift). Can't wait for this flu or whatever it is to pass, cause I really need to get my work done.

Anyway, have managed to get stuck into it tonight. I've mapped out all the leaves for strip #2 (now titled Bush... Fire... Regeneration...) and have completed 4 (not all tonight). According to my plan, I've got 4 leaves to go - well actually it's a bit more, cause the upper two are groups, but you get the gist. I'm also going to do a few straight onto the solvy and attach them later, to give the piece another dimension.

I've also drawn up the last foot for the first strip (it too has a title now - "footsteps") and will stitch that as soon as I've done my leaves.

That leaves the dreaded phoenix and then I'm done! Well almost... still need to put my folio together showing the design of each of my pieces (good thing I wrote this journal - it'll help with that), and put the finishing touches on another folio that I need to resubmit. But all of that is the last thing I'll do. The work is more important ATM.

Ok - off to sew again. Machine should have cooled down by now (using the Janome - quicte successfully, but am wary of overheating it, cause I'm stuffed if it stops too!!)

Exhibition website

Just taking a quick break from my last minute dash to the finish line (what else are last minutes for?...) to give you the link to our exhibition website. Drop in and have a look at our gallery and profiles. After the exhibition, there will also be some pics of out work for those of you who can't get there.

Phoenix: to rise in brilliance

Back to it now...

Almost there!!!

I spoke to the framer today to check in and see when my 2 framed works will be ready. She says that the smaller one should be done this afternoon, and the other, by Friday afternoon. As much as it's killing me to wait, I've decided to leave it til Friday to pick them both up at once (wouldn't have got there today and she's not in tomorrow so it's not really like I made the choice)

A close-up - ignore the white, it's soluble vylene that will be washed out. It gives strength to the fabric whilst stitching, and gives you something to draw the pattern onto without drawing on the fabric.

A sneak peak at the leaves for the last strip project.

Wouldn't you know it!!!

Just over a week to go till exhibition date and the sewing machine decides to throw a wobbly. Now it's not like it's my only machine, currently there are 6 machines in my house, one of which is borrowed, and it's the borrowed one that plays up. But of course, even with 5 other machines on hand... none will do what I need!!!!!!! Will try one last resort, then it's on the phone to the sewing machine repair man to see if it can be serviced in one day. Most need you to leave it there for a fortnight. Fingers crossed that the Janome will work.

11 days and couting... 11..10..9..... Ahh!!!

It's just occured to me that there is less than 2 weeks till the exhibition. I've had the week off sick (not off work, I've been there all week except monday), so now it's time to knuckle down and get some work finished.

It's not all that bad. I've got 3 peices finished, and if I put me head down, I may get the other two done this weekend. I also have yet to do the phoenix peice (keep forgetting that one), and need to get my descriptions and prices off to R today.

Good thing I called in sick today and now have the day to myself. We decided that it's not a god idea for me to be working in a kitchen and around elderly people while I'm sick, so I've go the shift covered and will see how I go for Sunday.

Back to it now!!

Silhouetted trees, all dried, ironed, backed and ready for framing. I'm heading over there soon. Got the day off with strep throat - not sure what that is but god it hurts.

The base layer of silhouetted trees #2 - finally dry and backed with vliesofix. I will need to stitch the two layers together on this one as they don't seem to have stuck as well as the last one I did.

It looks a bit odd at the moment with so much foliage at the top, but I assure you, when the top two layers go on, they will overlap this very well.

The other layers have now replaced this piece on the kitchen floor drying with the little fan heater speeding things up.

This is the fiery figures - I'm not all that sure about them at the moment. (see Mum I agree with you). I like them, but I'm not sure about putting them in the exhibtion. If I get everything else done on time and I've got time to do something else, then I'll replace them. If not, they're going in.

The reverse of my last piece (bunched up to get an idea of the colours). It has this really great texture which I really love.

Pleeeease can I have some sun???

Of course we need the rain, I know that, but can I have just one day of sun so that my silk paper will dry!!!!! I neeeeed it to dry so that I can get it to the framers so that it'll be done on time - the days are disappearing far too quickly.

Between what's left of today and tomorrow (in between shifts), I'm going to attempt to finish the footsteps. That'll leave me with the leaves strip and then I'm done! Oh and the phoenix - I keep forgetting that one ( a small 20cmx20cm peice that we are all doing - our interpretation of the phoenix)

I'm off to do some work - and maybe some laundry so that I can get the dryer going and use that to dry my silk paper (the air blows over it and dries it - not putting it into the dryer)

silhouetted trees - nearing completion

I'm nearly there!!!

I finished stitching the last of the 3 layers of trees last night and added their fabric borders. This morning I've made the silk paper background and attached the bottom layer (after dissolving the solvy with my fingers crossed and breath held, hoping that it would stay together - it did!)

Now I just need to wait for it to dry and dissolve the other 2 layers (no room to stretch them out just yet as the background is stretched out in the kitchen drying and that's my only non-carpeted space - except the bathroom, which I contemplated this morning but decided against it).

So that's 3 pieces finished (close enough).

Now I need to get moving on the 2nd strip and finish off strip #1 - and I still have 19 days. Actually it's a good thing that things are going so well as I've said yes to some extra work for the next 2 saturdays - hopefully that will pay my framing costs.

Last day of school today. I've got my morning tea (carrot cake) cooling for the shared morning tea that we are putting on for all year levels (to thank them for supporting us and for a last ditch effort to sell raffle tickets and wine). Also going out for lunch today with the tutors so its a good thing that I got paid today.

I think I can, I think I can...

Tuesday's day off allowed me to make some great progress on the exhibition pieces - see what deadlines can do for you...

I've managed to:

• finish and mount the fiery figures (now I need to give them a title and write up my description)
  
• finish joining the fabrics for my strip #2 - now its all stitching and embellishing
  
• complete 2 layers for silhouetted trees #2, with the 3rd (and final) layer about 1/3 done
  
• dyed the silk for the silk paper for silhouetted trees #2
  

2 pieces finished!!!, 1 very close to being finished, and 2 well underway - perhaps I will make it after all.

Strip #2 - all peices joined and now ready for stitching and embellishment

Weekend Review

I had a very productive weekend.

• I managed to get 1/2way through the second silhouetted trees project. That leaves the bottom layer to be stitched, 1/4 of the leaves of the second layer to be done, the silk to by dyed and the silk paper to be made. I'm gonna try and finish the stitching tonight and dye the silk, so that it'll be dry by the morning so I can make the silk paper. Then once the paper is layed out and ready, I can dissolve the solvy from the base layer and mount it on the paper. I can also dissolve the solvy on the top layers and lay it out to dry - that way it should be dry and ready for delivery to the framers on Thursday.
  
• I'm about 1/4 of the way through joining fabrics for strip #2 - will aim to work on getting the rest of it joined on Thursday
  

Tuesday is going to be another busy day, as on top of the silhouetted trees tasks, I also need to:

• mount the fiery figures onto a base (which I'll purchase on my way home today) - and put the finishing touches on them
  
• finish the footprints stip and hang (will also purchase a rod for this on my way home)
  

If all goes well, by Friday I should have 4 peices finished (2 at the framers and 2 ready to go), and will only have strip #2 to complete. This I'll be able to work on at school on Friday (Must remember morning tea on Friday)

It does mean that I'll only have 2 peices to take for the photographer on Wednesday, but that can't be helped. If the second silhouetted trees is done (and dry) I might be able to take it as well.

My lists are getting shorter - but then, so is the time remaining. As of today I now have 22 days (not counting today or the hanging day)....