So having moved back up to the North East I realised that my usual go to’s for workshops and general art play aren’t that accessible any more so thought I’d check out what is available so a couple of weeks ago I signed up for a half day workshop at The Biscuit Factory. The session was focused on marbling and some basic book binding. The … Continue reading Marbling and Book Binding Workshop
So as I said in yesterdays post on the final day I decided to swap object and try my luck with a big hefty shovel. I wanted to see if I could apply the techniques I’d learnt to a different object. I also wanted to avoid creating dark images so went for more of a representation rather than trying to recreate the actual colours. For … Continue reading Art Summer School Part 2
It’s taken me a week to get round to writing this post but last week (w/c 19th) I attended an art class at Leith School of Art. It was part of their summer school programme where they offer week long courses. I’d booked some time off work but we hadn’t arranged a holiday so thought we’d spend a week in Edinburgh so I could attend … Continue reading Art Summer School
Loved this blog post from Open College of the Arts….. Six ways to find creative spark in a busy world: Do Nothing: Watch and listen. Doodle: Applied visual thinking (doodling without thinking) helps imagination to soar by firing up neurons. Be positive: A positive state of mind is a the trigger for creative flow. Daydream Participate: The notion of participation is not only of working directly … Continue reading How to Find Creative Spark
Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos or sometimes known as Día de los Muertos) is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout the country, but also in other countries around the world, in particular the US. It is a three day celebration of past families and friends, beginning on October 31st, and ending on November 2nd. On All Hallows Eve, children make an altar to invite … Continue reading Day of The Dead
Ray Douglas Bradbury (and the Douglas was used in a lot of stories…) was born on August 22nd, 1920. Bradbury was a science fiction writer…but that’s to categorize him unfairly, and far too narrowly. Even to call him a fantasy, horror or mystery writer, is to do the man injustice. Quite simply he was an artist. Best known for novels like Fahrenheit 451, Something Wicked … Continue reading Ray Bradbury
August 13th sees the 28th annual Left Handers Day aimed at celebrating with pride all things left-handed, and raising awareness for those southpaws who have to make their way in a world designed for right-handers. The website http://www.lefthandersday.com/ provides a range of articles, including advice for parents with left handed children, and a wide range of merchandise available including scissors, knives, pens, and notepads. (and … Continue reading International Left Handers’ Day
The 2018 Festival and Quilts is opened today at the NEC (National Exhibition Centre) Birmingham. It runs until Sunday and if you’re a fan of all things sewing its definitely worth a visit. The event is a great blend of displayed work (from some amazingly talented quilters); workshops and stalls selling everything you might need from books to buttons and fabric to fancy sewing machines. … Continue reading 2018 Festival of Quilts
For my second embroidery project I wanted to try creating a textile image of an architectural structure. I may have been a bit over ambitious for my first but I had a go at creating a representation of the Theatre Royal in Newcastle. I started with a line drawing which I then traced on tissue paper. Because I wanted to create a collage type effect … Continue reading Another Embroidery Project
Building on the techniques I learned on the recent course I completed I thought I’d start experimenting with some freer form creative challenges. The first I wanted to try was creating an abstract image with a strong cohesive feel. To get the cohesion I selected fabric samples of similar colours and tonal values which I extending into the selection of threads using only variations of … Continue reading An Embroidery Project – No.1
