June Work

So far this month has been quite productive. We have a new puppy and he wakes me up at 5am, so I have been using the morning to sit and do some work. We are still in partial lockdown and it is becoming tiring but I am trying hard to see the blessings in this situation. My son, who is 6 is becoming familiar with my work and my mess and told me the other day that he could really tell that I loved being an artist. 

I have begun to work on one of the larger pieces, having made a few smaller sample pieces. As always the larger piece is already taking on a life of it's own and becoming independent of the pieces that went before it. 

Detail of sample, mixed media embroidery. June 2020. 

This sample is made with cotton rag paper, paint, machine embroidery and black ink. Some of the lines are drawn, the majority are stitched. My favourite area of the work is right hand side where there is more space and the lines look as though they are dancing. 

I am also enjoying the different surface textures in the 3d paint I am using with the stitch and paper. This sample includes puff binder, which is a fascinating material to add in. The sewing machine is not too keen on it and blunts the needle quickly.  

From the small samples made, I have started to work on a larger piece. My aim is to make three large pieces (70x50cm). I had intended to make floor to ceiling pieces but given the lack of time and space due to Covid-19, I have had to scale back slightly. I'm fine with this as I wasn't keen on deferring for a year as I feel I am ready to move on and develop my work with a renewed focus. I have found that although it is tricky fitting in my work around all the other things going on at the moment, the method of little and often is working well. I also find that I am much calmer and more centred when I am making so it wasn't really an option for me to stop. 

Further detail images of sample above. Below is the larger piece in progress.