Foston studio day

This blog is still very erratic with it's postings,  I will try to get back to posting once a week.

I went to the Foston Studio Day today, to work with Rachel and Joan in the village hall.  It's a nice arrangement as we get to chat about our work and actually do some work as well.

I didn't get very much done today (as usual) and don't feel any nearer to finding my way.  I do feel that I have to keep going and hope that I can find 'my thing'.  I feel that I need to do a lot more work than I am doing at the moment, I do keep saying that but still haven't got into just making samples and not worrying about results.

These are the two samples I did today, trying to capture the semi abstract landscapes I have done in paint.  Neither works as I wanted, but I can see what NOT to do.  I think I will try using mostly paper next time.

Stitched landscape 1

 This was patched with raw seams, then some white gouache painted over to key it together, then the Abaca tissue and charcoal pencil added.  It's too fragmented, too many shapes, too many colours.

Stitched landscape 2

This is the second piece, less pieces, less colours, and it works more.  I don't like the light piece half way down the left-hand side, so will alter this.  I used Madeira Lana thread to stitch it and I really like the effect.  I need to get a black or very dark grey thread to imitate charcoal pencil, or perhaps just use charcoal?

Machine embroidery on water-soluble.

I did this piece last week (should have blogged about it then)  It's a long time since I worked with water-soluble and it's not quite right but I am quite pleased with it.  The trees need to be taller, and I need to get some scale (size and tone) into the middle ground to show recession.

I need to think about how it would be mounted.  I did think about enlarging the original photograph, fading it and printing it onto water-colour paper as a background, or just on a plain white background?  I will have to try several out.  I need to work lots more samples before I get what I want.

Sunday instead of Saturday

Even though my shoulder has been very painful, or perhaps because if it, I have managed to get a lot of work done on 'Coast', it being easier to sit at the sewing machine than paint.

I am going, with Rachel, to a mentoring weekend with Hilary Bower this coming weekend, and that has also concentrated my efforts, as otherwise there would be no point in actually going if I am not working on my chosen subject.

I have been working with stitched paper.  A few weeks ago I made a lot monoprints on large sheets of heavy cartridge, which I then worked into with charcoal, pastel and acrylic medium.  I have been experimenting with these, and other papers and fabrics.  I have also included some of my coastal photographs in some work.

three pieces stitched onto canvas

three pieces, various papers, overlapping, stitched to cotton fabric

book signature, mark making outside, stitched collage  inside

more book signatures

book signature showing inside, and possible binding material

book signature showing stitched patchwork inside

another book signature

I had intended to stitch these signatures together, into a book form.  On reflection, I realise that  I want both the outside and inside to show.  I am now thinking of other methods, perhaps simply hanging over a line, or stitched to a narrow tape or cord, dependant upon whether I want them to hang horizontal or vertical.  I could join them together and make an accordion book, but this doesn't feel right.

a double page from my 'Coast' workbook

I have realised this week how important the horizon is in my 'Coast' work.  I have always put stress on the 'edge' where land meets sea, and that is all important, but the horizon is not only infinite and far away, but also the 'above and below' of the two worlds.

I am looking forward to working on these pieces more this week.  I want to explore line, both the ridged horizon line and the wavering line of the tide.

Saturday already.

The time seems to fly by.  

I managed to get the two felted bowls finished this week, and I also brought my Coast workbook up to date, but that's about it.

Felted bowl, approx 7 inch across, 3 inch high

I went to the first meeting of the Foston Studio Art group on Wednesday.  Organised by Rachel, it was a very enjoyable day, the first of many I hope.

I have started on a new technique, but based on Still Life rather than 'coast', although some pieces include coastal views.  I have talked a little about it on my other blog lynneporterartmatters.blogspot.co.uk.  It involves painting and collage on thin canvas, which I will then machine stitch, and add mark making with pencils and charcoal.  

Trying out a new technique is by it's nature, a slow process, with many rejects.  So I may not have anything to show by next Saturday, but we can but hope.  The reason for these blogs is to encourage experimentation, without judgement, and I need to grab new ideas and go with them, even if it means leaving 'coast' for a while.

Experimenting with monoprints

I'm trying to find the essence of the subject,  and making several monoprints help to loosen me up, the mark making becomes less about realism and more about form.

I use either oil paint or acrylic with retarder.  Oil paint gives a better result but does mean that I need to leave them for at least 24 hours before I can work on them again.

I roll out the paint onto a glass plate then place my paper on top and draw with a pencil or my finger on the back of the paper, making sure that I don't rest my hand on it.  I have an image in my mind, but I don't work with either photographs or drawings.

first print in the coast series

For the coast series I had in mind a painting I did some time ago of boats in Bridlington Harbour.

coast series, print 5

About half way through there is less detail.  I like the way that the marks from previous prints show on later ones.

Coast series, print 11

Less and less detail, I have added the net, inspired by the previous print marks.

Coast series, print 12

When the oil paint was dry, I added some collage and gesso.  It's still not quite what I want, but I'll do some more monoprints onto fabric next time.