What's going on in the studio??

Firstly many apologies for not updating weeks ago. Now I have the studio, I am always in there when I have time...so less noodling about on the internet, which, is a very good thing.

I finally finished the big tapestry I started months ago, all my instagram followers are probably sick to death of seeing updates, but it was quite an achievement for me, mainly because it's the biggest thing I've woven since uni.

The tapestry is still on the loom, and that's why it looks a little bit skewd, it's actually pretty straight on the sides.

The studio is starting to look really lived in, which is great for me. I don't seem to get comfy unless there is a bit of muddle about.

I've been trying out a lot of different ways of doing things. It started back when I started putting the warp on differently. That's why the big octopus tapestry is still on the loom...got loads of warp left.

The studio is part of a converted wool factory...so coincidental.

That little red string is reminding me where the middle is.

When I was a bit stuck a couple of weeks ago I started with collages again. An old trick from uni...when in doubt, make a collage. Works a treat for creative block...or brain re-jig.

I just have to say so many thanks to the kind folk on Instagram for all the nice comments and all.

I know from time to time I have been very vocal about my concerns about tapestry as a medium, and especially at the moment, when it's so popular as an activity...rather than an expressive, narrative artform, (as I see it).

If anyone is interested in what those concerns may be, please feel free to email me and I'll tell you all about them!! : D

I guess because of these concerns, I had set myself the task of compiling my  "how to" notes from uni, and making them into a little book (75pages!?!). This plan was going great until I got that dumb bug (cough, temperature, headaches...Blah) a couple of months ago. The plan is still on, but later now, because of all the lead up till Christmas. So, for anyone who's hanging out for it, it's coming.

PS: (Because of the Troll who went berserk at me, I do not air these concerns anymore...I can tell you right now, Texan teacher, I'm glad you don't teach my children! At least I speak it how I think it, and not veil my ideas behind a wall of chic, retro, nicey nice speak...while secretly leaving negative, uninformed opinions on people's personal blogs.) 

It feels good to get that off my chest...I've been seathing about that for months.
That's it, no more bitching about that.

sneer part 2

So, this week, I've been plodding through this tapestry...it's really hard. I'm determined to make this look really interesting. You can see my exploration into "weaving" the weaving, now that's been a thing. Getting back to last week's post, and question...Can you go too far? Well maybe? At this stage, I'm pretty happy. Maybe going too far gets you to a really rad place?

Speaking of rad things...

To old students of Kate's, this here book may look familiar. 

I picked it up at our local book shop for a steal about 6 months ago. I always thought everything in this book was just over the top, crazy old school...now as time has marched on, something has settled in my head, and now I get it, and also I can see why Kate liked it too.

Kate Derum Award for small Tapestries 2013

Monika Beniulyte, With Love.....14x20cm

I love this tapestry so much, and I was very happy when it won the prize for the

 Irene Davies Emerging Artist Award.

I like this tapestry because it embraces new(ish) technologies, of I think, laser or ink jet printing onto a beautifully woven surface. How exciting to see something utterly contemporary in a tapestry show.

Anton Veenstra won the main award with his tapestry Everyman clown. 

Here are some pictures from the exhibition.

I also really liked Tim Gresham's piece Acqua scales, which is hanging above mine.

So sorry it's blurry...I was a bit blurry too, not alchohol, weepy tears...

when people started talking about Kate, I just went all sad....I guess that's ok.

I liked this one too, mainly because of the fabric-y nature of it.

Shubankar Ray, Man in meditation

And how fabulous to meet this lovely artist Kyoko Imazu! She is currently doing a residency at the Australian Tapestry Workshop. Learning to weave too! She is a very good artist, and you can see her work from the link.

There was a lot of build up for me, just getting around to doing my work, now, I just have to get on with making more work...work work

bird

Little bird, 

Pencil Drawing

New work, of a tapestry kind

So, I have started these new tapestries, and they are a bit the same, and a lot different to work I have done in the past. I guess that's what happens when you leave something alone for long enough. I hope you like...any feedback welcome.

I started this with the idea of "just getting back into it" no real purpose but fun really....

Yes, that is silver thread in there.

And, then finished,
6.5 x 12.5 cms

and a close up

and the back, which I always love, it's crazy back there...

And then it all got me thinking about a whole lot of other stuff, which I don't really want to get to into here...and after some drawings, and paintings , and taking a deep breath, I got to here....

19 x 13.5 cm

which in turn, has lead me here...still going

I know it's weird, that's just where I'm at right now.

xx

10 reasons why I love Pinterest

Miro Tapestry, from Paola Moreno

From The Jealous Curator,
Yellena James

Anna Sui at New York 2012 Fall

Kim Kyung Soo

Metropolitan Museum of Art

From this blog

The Merry Blog...tumblr

Mc Queen

All the pictures should either take you to the original source, or if that was not possible, to pinterest.

Tangled up in blue

I just thought I should let you all know of a shop that is stocking some of my wares...It's called Tangled up in Blue and it's just new. It is located on Charles St in Seddon, Victoria. It is a very interesting combination of original art works (david Bromley, David Larwill and Whitely and others), some beautiful home furnishings, and my jewelry. There is not much of an online presence at the moment...but if you go there, and you blog, please put in a good word. Cheers

I love the Jealous curator!

Here are some beautiful collages by Hollie Chastain

Collage Tuesday

When in doubt...do a collage. 

I have been doing major renovations here on this blog.

I will be trying to eventually to combine my other blog, Kitchen table studios, with this one...It's going to take quite a bit of fiddle.

All the links have disappeared, this is true. Thank goodness I checked them...some of them were terrible! Please keep checking in to see the...hopefully...improvements.

Another gorgeous photo from Le Divan Fumoir Bohemien

See more beautiful insights into French style here

Reading an old Interview magazine

From Interview. June 2009

very tame compared with most John Currin's

CURRIN: Yeah, it’s like being alive. It’s not superman that you’re making. Another big realization for me was: Just don’t do things that depress you. I realized if it depresses me, then I just don’t want to get close to it. If it brings me down, I just really can’t get into it. I think a big problem with art school is that it makes people feel like they have to be interested in everything that’s of high quality.
O’BRIEN: Yeah.
CURRIN: Donald Judd’s work is high quality, but it depresses me. And so immediately I could just say, “I don’t have to worry about Donald Judd now.” [laughs] It’s great. And I think a lot of people take a more scholarly approach where they feel like you’re supposed to study things that depress you.
O’BRIEN: Yeah.
CURRIN: But I think there’s not enough time to be interested in those things. And there’s so much that doesn’t depress me. There are aspects of repetition that also depress me. Seriality depresses me. Performance depresses me. Lack of narrative depresses me. All those kinds of cool things bring me down. So that was an important development for me, just realizing that you need to follow your pleasure, at least as a painter. I think any kind of artist needs to, no matter what you’re doing.

This really struck a cord....

also
This site is nice
I saw Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette the other day, I'm very taken with it. I believe it was a bit of a flop, I wonder if that was because it was too pretty? I can see it as an immersion in beauty and girlish -ness, there's nothing wrong with that.

before

after