Being inspired by random things

 I have recently joined a Zentangle group on Facebook. It is interesting to see what is uploaded - a lot of it is very artistic and beautiful. But there is not a lot of just doing it for relaxation, as I tend to do it (I was going to say 'use it' but that is a bit different, I think). 

There are people there who are just beginning and they are trying to make great art almost from the beginning, It is not how I see Zentangle - which I also call doodling. And I see so much indigenous art that uses the same sort of patterns and techniques that I get a bit annoyed about people trying to claim that they are inventing the patterns - not that that is happening on the group I have joined. Although, some people ask what pattern have you used, suggesting that patterns have a name, and that implies, to me, that some people are claiming the invention of particular designs. 

However, that is not what I was going to post about: I was going to say that I am finding inspiration (or even simple enjoyment) from finding possible designs as I am walking around. 

Today I was walking the dog and walked under an oak tree that juts out over the little laneway that I was using. I looked straight up and was inspired by the patterns of the branches. I may never do a design based exactly on the photos I took but it was very relaxing and pleasant to see. 

I have also discovered some sites about neurograhpica drawings - I think they are to help you meditate or deal with issues that are on your mind at the time. I haven't really got into it yet so am not sure. But it is quite interesting to see. Some of it is quite uncontrolled at first - you use a round object and push it around the paper with you pen, thus not being able to completely control it. Then you draw other lines and go from there.That's my very detailed and knowledgable take on it at the moment. It also has colour, which I tend not to use in my doodling (although a lot of the people on the Facebook group do).

Joy Smith's exhibition in Ballarat

 I went with a few friends to see Joy Smith's exhibition today. Here is a link.

It was, as usual for Joy, a wonderful display. She had pieces from her collection plus some new ones based on her new location. She has recently moved to Ballarat. 

I forgot to take photos of most of the pieces so can't post - you'll have to go to the link to see them. I especially loved the swans on Lake Wendoree. It reminded me of my walks around the lake when I have had the time during my attendances at the Fibre Arts workshops at Ballarat Grammar (alas, there are not going to be any more there). 

Joy had one piece on the loom and I was fascinated to see that she was using linen and cotton threads as well as other yarns.  She had her inspiration drawing, a cartoon on cardboard and it looked so easy - wish I could find it so easy, especially at the very fine warp and weft she is using!!

Her drawing and notes. 

The drawing turned in the direction of the weaving. 

The actual piece - not so easy to see with the bright background, sorry. 

The back: much easier to see. You can also see the shaped edge - the cream coloured part is waste weaving and will be pulled out. 

It's the date!!

 I just had to post today, despite thinking I really should go to bed: it is 2/12/24!!

So ... what to say?

I have been walking the dog, despite the heat, the last few days and noticed some more faces (or creatures) in places. I have seen bird art, dog friendly areas, etc. 

The parsnip thought it was about time I cooked it. 

Bird art.

Not sure if it is a dog but I see it regularly as I wander the streets with my dog!

Inspired to post

 It's already 24/11/24!! Where has the time gone?? 

So ... what have I been doing? Not much but some playing. 

I met up with a couple of friends during the week and we tried some cyanotype dyeing. I didn't really do much research before-hand so only took a few types of paper and some flattened flowers. 

We had a bit of fun, exploring what we could come up with. 

This one was done on a small doodle I had done a while ago, just to see if it would work. It did, sort of. 

It was a little bit windy so, after some issues with paper and/or leaves blowing away, I tried using a plastic bag.

I used rice paper for these two - the dye went right through and there was only a faint image. 

When I got home I had a bit of a play with white pen and did some outlining and a tiny bit of doodling. 

I have no idea what I might do with them but I had fun. 

I used a blue pen for this one. 

November and things seem to be rushing in early

 I have found a hollyhock that is not only quite tall but flowering!! 

I'm feeling the pressure to collect the flowers and think about doing some dyeing. 

I was with a couple of friends recently and one had done some sun dyeing - it is definitely getting to the time of year when that will work. 

After the EGV exhibition, I am feeling the need to try something - anything!

I do belong to a paper collage group and have bee experimenting with that. 

I have been doing little doodles every night before I go to bed. I don't complete each one, just do a bit to help me get to sleep. But I have a LOT. So I thought I might play around with them. 

I decided to try some Notan with doodles. Quite liked them. 

I took a couple to the group (melbournecollagemeets) and our leader (Anne Warren) demonstrated a way to take it even further!!

I'll have to try some more - soon. 

Is it art??

 I have been passing a window near the local shopping centre - it has an interesting design. I'm not sure if it is intentional or accidental but it looks like a butterfly to me, it even looks symmetrical. 

It may well be a broken window - but both sides are smooth, no noticeable scratches. 

It is very difficult to get a photo as it is a window! It is beside a walkway to the shops in the arcade, which is at a lower level. I have often walked past it where it is at eye height. 

I asked a worker at nearby and he said he would report it - so I think it is a broken window but is is very interesting. 

    

Notan and collage

 As I was having a go at Black and White as the collage theme, I realised that I have multiple sketch books (of varying sizes, A5 -A4) that I have done over the years. 

I thought some of them might inspire me. And some did!! I came across a few experiments with doodling/Zentangle that I had done in conjunction with some Notan ideas. 

So now I have played around some more! Here are a few attempts - I have yet to conquer a good way to stick the Notan pieces without making a mess - but it is a start. 

I am hoping to produce a few more that will inspire me more. 

Here is a link to a previous post I have done about this sort of thing. I don't seem to be as active on this site as I used to be, but I still find it very useful to look back at what I have been doing - as I say, it is my visual diary. 

Playing around with various techniques

I have been inspired to play!! At last!!!

I go to an informal paper collage group and one of the recent themes was 'black and white'.

It is a group that has a slightly surreal take on collage and that is not really my thing. But I did have a go.

Then I was tidying up a few bits and pieces and came across quite a few books and drawing pads of my doodling/Zentangles. (A lot of my doodling is inspired by quilting patterns also.)

Turns out I have been doing them since, at least, 2012! 

I have been inspired to play around with some images that incorporate some of the doodling, It is very tricky to cut and paste but I have had some fun trying.   

These two are of the same doodle that I found. I turned it around so I could put the two bottom figures over the writing - identifying that it was done in 2020. This piece is only A5, so the people are tiny - and were hard to cut out. 

Embroiderers Guild Victoria Annual Exhibition

 I haven't posted for quite a while - partly because I haven't been all that creative. However, I have done three pieces for the upcoming exhibition.  

The theme was Making Waves and there have been quite interesting interpretations - some about the ocean, waterways, airwaves, sound waves, etc. 

One thing I like about the members' exhibition is that you do not have to do the theme, you can put in any work you have done over the past two years (and they can have been in other exhibitions, just not the EGV one).  There are quite a few beautiful pieces that are not theme-based. 

This week we received entries and have put them up, almost ready for the opening night on Friday. 

It was a great team effort and we are very happy with the look of it. 

The exhibition runs from October 12 -27, 10am till 3 pm daily. Some members have volunteered to demonstrate various techniques each day. I have volunteered but am a bit concerned about what I will demonstrate as my sewing machine has broken down and is in for repairs! I might have to (gasp) do some hand embroidery!!

Experimenting with something slightly new.

 I am finally trying something new. It may not work but I don't really care - at least I am thinking again.

I have a lovely scarf that I bought a few years ago. It was made by Michelle Mischkulnig. I haven't worn scarves much recently but it turned out to be perfect for something I went to recently.

I had a good look at it and I think I know what she did. I have done a workshop with her but this was a totally different technique. 

I think it is made using dyed mulberry silk and sewn heavily to keep it together. 

(I have just looked at my blog and looked at what we did - it may be that I should/could have used silk hankies as that seems to be what I used at the workshop. Oh well.)

I was at the Handweavers and Spinners Guild a couple of weeks ago and just couldn't resist the beautiful colours they had - of the unspun silk. 

I laid a bit out onto some dissolvable fabric and sewed over it rather heavily. 

I didn't really have a good plan, just thought I would see what eventuated. I was influenced by the upcoming Embroiderers Guild of Victoria (Australia) exhibition. The theme is Making Waves. Despite my desire NOT to do the ocean, I have done some experimenting with a variety of blue and white silks and it looks like waves!!

Anyway, I don't know what I will do with the two pieces I have made.

 Tonight I decided to try something different. 

I had a pattern for a hanging Christmas decoration. I've had it for years, have used it to make paper decorations but not fabric. 

I traced the pattern onto the soluble fabric, laid out some silk and sewed over it. 

I could still see the tracing on one so have cut it before dissolving the soluble fabric. I couldn't see the pattern on the other one so have just dissolved it and hope to be able to trace the pattern back on once it has dried.  

I have tried putting a skewer through the piece to see if that helps it to dry in a way that would be helpful. I don't think it will matter if the other one dries flat, I can sew the bits into the shape I want - after I manage to cut it correctly. 

In case you are wondering, I am intending to have the pieces wrapped around a skewer or a piece of warp thread so that they can move freely - air waves making them move, 

Kate Derum and Irene Davies Tapestry weaving award.

 I attended the announcement of the winners of the Kate Derum and Irene Davies tapestry weaving awards tonight at the Australian Tapestry Workshop. 

I am going to have to go again to have a really good look at all the pieces. There was a good crowd and I knew some of them, so we had a good chat. I also met some new (to me) weavers and had some lovely conversations. 

As you can see, it was hard to view all the tapestries and they deserve a better look 

Fortunately, the exhibition is on till mid-October. 

Here is a link: https://www.facebook.com/stories/101683088633828/UzpfSVNDOjQwMDM5MjgzOTY1NTAzMTc=/?bucket_count=9&source=story_tray

Displaying the tapestry

 As we have the travelling tapestry exhibition up at the HWSG, I took along two of the tapestries from the Australian Sheep and Wool show to add to the display. 

When I got there I saw that others from the guild had won prizes in various categories also. So now there is a lovely bright display. 

Thanks to Glenora Weaving and Dyeing to Weave, I have two new lots of warp and weft!! I'll have to think about what to do next. 

The theme for next year is Where the Road Leads Us but that is a year away. Still, I can have it in my mind and let the subconscious do its thing.

Our travelling tapestry theme for next year is The Secret Garden. Also a fair way away, although we need to have them finished by February, so not quite as long. 

As I have done a piece in the past, for the EGV exhibition, I have some ideas somewhere - I do have them in a folder, now to find the folder. The piece that I did for the embroidery exhibition wasn't any good, so if I use it, I'll have to adapt the image a lot! Still, it is something to be thinking about. 

Of course, I still have to come up with some ideas for the upcoming exhibition in October - Making Waves. I have done two small pieces but don't love them. so am hoping to come up with a new idea. 

This one is done by hand, no machine embroidery at all. 

More my usual thing, small fabric collage with free motion machine stitch.