abundance

white paper dresses

rough edges

produce

abundance
mixed media collage
washi paper and sumi ink on Japanese ho-sho paper

I'm surrounded by many pregnant women and women with small babies. They are everywhere it seems these days. I was interested to see that my choice not to be is shared by Elizabeth Gilbert in her new book Committed. A thoroughly excellent read by the way. I wasn't expecting it to be with a title like that, but just goes to show that titles and covers can sometimes be misleading. She is one switched on, smart cookie.

layer, lamina

I have this thick, white, textural washi paper I purchased a while ago in Japan. It's been staring at me for too long and so this morning I pulled it out. I would really love a shirt or a dress made from this paper. I have always loved full sized paper clothing but I think this is as close as I'll get to having any. There's another here too.

billie julien

Billie Julien
Autumn 2008
from The Seasons series
synthetic polymer paint, linoprint, watercolour
81.0 x 50.2 cm
Presentation College, Windsor

If you want to be inspired by very talented year 12 students have a look at this year's Top Arts exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria (Ian Potter). The lovely thing about this year's show is they seemed to have caught the lino cutting bug :) as there are quite a few very gorgeous prints on display. Like the one pictured here by Billie Julien, who has 2 prints in the exhibition. If in Melbourne it's worth a look. Or just click on the NGV website here to get a taste of the work on display.

threads

This delicate embroidery work by East London artist Susie Cowie takes my breath away. There's a great picture story of her in the studio here. I've never embroidered before but if I could I would need the blessing of angels to produce beauty like this.

succulent flowers in red

Succulent flowers in red block printed by hand on cotton/linen blend fabric.

I had a lot of fun printing this piece. Unfortunately the light in these pics (especially that third one, what's going on there I wonder) makes the base fabric look slightly pink. Rest assured it's not. Instead it's a lovely natural shade. More like ivory. I have a piece printed with the succulent flowers in black ink that I'm tempted to sew into a skirt. I like the idea of using it in one panel at the front and perhaps the rest of the skirt in a dark light-weight denim. Sewers out there - is this idea a bit crazy?

flight

A test run of a dragonfly lino block print on natural cotton/linen blend fabric. I wonder where they're off to?

The hiatus is over - the shop is open again. It might take me a little while to restock.

Harvest Textile Studios has just announced their next round of classes. Sign up here.

repetition

Studio day. Playing with shapes and patterns with my new sumi ink. Brush work can be so relaxing.