Archive for June, 2015

Patterns from sketch

June 17th, 2015

This is a line drawing I did of a sprig from our garden. Using three different techniques I was interested is seeing where I could go with it.

Origional sketch
Original Sketch

Here is the result

3 patterns from one sketch
3 patterns from one sketch

Daily Sketchbook

June 11th, 2015

Been trying to sketch everyday – why is it so hard to find time for something so fun…?

sketchbook drawings
Ink and watercolor

I’ll give myself some slack this week as I’ve been working on a pattern collection and it’s been giving me a fit… getting there but not quickly enough. And I did attend my life drawing group so that has to count.
Going away for few days and hope to draw then. I used to take a pile of supplies when I went away and bring them all back in the same condition as when I left, but I’ve discovered that all I have to do is draw once and that seems to give me permission to draw on that trip. Sooo, I draw something the first day and all is well, miss that day and…

Shibori

June 8th, 2015

Attended a very fun workshop on Shibori this weekend lead by Elizabeth (Beth) McTear of Honest Alchemy. It was held at Moore College of Art and Design during my yearly reunion—they always have something interesting that is new to me!

We could make two hand dyed scarves and these are mine. I’ve hand dyed wool fibers for hand spinning and the spun yarns but never silk fabric and never using Shibori, a technique where the area not intended to accept the dye is bound tightly before being placed in the dye pot. This is an ancient way of working which can result (via the hands and minds of very experienced artisans) in many sophisticated results. These are my first two goes… Not such experienced hands and mind but still I’m happy with the results and have a glimpse of where this might go…
Beth and a couple of assistants and lots of patience, herded about 18 of us ex-art students through a very exciting afternoon!

Thank You, Beth!

Shibori scarves Shibori scarves

Shibori scarves Shibori scarves
first attempts

Took these quickly, in my back yard when suddenly I heard a gentle noise, grabbed the scarves and ran inside as the heavens opened up and rained like crazy. Sun out now! Will take more later in a more controlled environment to use as a jumping off point for my design work. Soo… more to come!