How did that happen?

 I missed the date yesterday! 22/1/22. I'd better be more on the ball next month! 

I suppose it is part of the Covid discombobulation, summer holidays thing - time loses meaning. 

Anyway, I have finished my tapestry. It hasn't turned out all that well, I used colours that were too similar for the background and foreground. But I did experiment with soumak weaving, with some success. That is the area of the tapestry that has the bulge, I'll have to think about that in future - if I do that sort of weaving again. 

I think this image would work on a bigger scale. There was too much detail for such a small piece. It was going to be A5 but has turned out a little wider as I had a bit of trouble getting the edge even. I kept putting in more till it worked. 

And I'm relatively happy with my dog and human figures in the bottom right corner - they were hard to do so small. They are also hard to see in this image. Oh well. 

Doing it sideways was also a challenge.

If I decide I really don't like it, there is plenty of time to try another. The challenge doesn't close till the end of April. 

Now to tidy up - I really can't be bothered with that. I'm quite pleased with myself for having cut off the tapestry and done the sewing up! I will admit to steaming it also, to try to get rid of the bulge - and to try to get the bit that is more than 20cm down to the correct size. It was the edge under the soumak, so I will have to take that into account in the future also. 

Sunflowers for 2022

 I was given some sunflower seeds again last year and planted them a little bit late - a week or so after Melbourne Cup Day. We have had success in past years with them in a particular garden bed, that used to be a fish pond on the wall. Recent years have not been so successful though due to the fruit trees growing and throwing shade. However, the nectarine tree was heavily pruned last year so the garden bed was in full sun for a lot of the day. (Not so great at present, in the hot summery days.)

The garden bed had other plants in it - asparagus, celery, parsley, e.g. They did well but were throwing shade over a lot of the space and, maybe, outcompeting the sunflowers seeds. 

Anyway, there are 4 that survived. Two are giant russians, one is a giant (but less gigantic) bronze and I can't remember what the other one is. That one is yet to flower. 

I don't think I will be doing any artwork based on them, I am all out of oomph for new designs. But I have taken some photos, just in case. 

Suffering in the heat. 

Propped up and recovering.

                                  

Making it up as I go - as usual

 I have started a new small tapestry. It is for the online group challenge that I have entered for several years now. It used to be the AusNZ group but New Zealand has its own group now and our organisers are (understandably) tired. So they have said that it will be the last challenge - unless someone steps up and takes on the job. It is a huge job, so I am not holding my breath that someone will take it on. 

I am very grateful to the organisers for the many years they have put in. It has given me a theme to work towards, something that I seem to need. 

The theme this year is Sense of Place - I have had trouble coming up with an image. I ended up using a photo I took on the Aqueduct Trail above Warburton - I actually have a LOT of photos from there. 

The size of the tapestry is no larger than 20cm square. The photo I am using would work on a much bigger scale. To make it easier, I tried drawing the image using water colour pencils. I left out quite a bit of detail but it is still fiddly. 

'Based on' the photo is being kind. And I have added a person and dog that were in another photo, just to give the perspective. Not sure how I'll go weaving them, especially so small. 

Initially, I was only going to do the ferns but then I decided that what really appeals to me is the sheer size of the trees and the ferns. I am going to insert a person (probably) to give an indication of the scale. The main fern is very large.   I am doing the weaving from the side, so I can decide about the human figure towards the end. As I said, I am making it up as I go, to some extent. 

To get started, I thought I would work on one section first. This has left me with a large area that will need to be attached. As I am not sure how I am going to do the ferns, I am not sewing the slit up as I go, which is what I usually do. I am leaving myself the opportunity to pull out my ferns if I don't like how they are going. I have decided to try some Soumak. It will be interesting to see how it goes. 

I accidentally did one bit with only three strands of wool and that seems less bulky so I will persevere with that. But the first bit was done with four strands and I am not going to go back and pull it out - I have pulled so much our already that I am over it.  And it might not matter - I hope. 

Unhappy Bananas.

 Maybe they knew they were going to have to stay home on Christmas Day! 

Another interesting set of numbers.

 Today is 21/12/21 ... 211221 (in case you hadn't noticed).

Probably my last blog for 2021 - unless something wonderfully interesting occurs. (I was going to say last post but that sounded a bit ominous.)

I went to the NGV today and had a look at the Rosalie Gascoigne and Lorraine Connelly-Northey  exhibition. It was amazing - some very large pieces all made of detritus left on the land. You'll have to look it up to get a better explanation than that! Some of the pieces were huge, others were smaller but still large. 

I had found my membership card and managed to put it in the rather limited collection I now carry around with me - no need for cash, lots of cards are useless these days and I haven't been going anywhere much. But I didn't need it, the exhibition is free, as are most of the NGV exhibitions. It is a truly wonderful place. 

I only took a couple of photos - ones that spoke to me for various reasons.

                                        

I'm hoping you can read the text as it was interesting. 

Most of the reasons they spoke to me are to do with possible ideas for tapestry challenges that are upcoming. Our online group that I have participated in for about 10 years is now Australia only and this next one is likely to be the last one. The wonderful people who have put in all the effort over the years have decided to stop doing it. But there is one more to go, one more incentive for me to do some weaving. 

I have actually warped up my tapestry loom. It took me twice as long as usual (and I am slow!!) because, once again, I put double the warp. Not sure what is happening to my mind, I'm blaming Covid. Anyway, now I just have to finalise the image, choose the colours, get the cartoon onto the warps and START. That will be a few days, probably not before Christmas - but I'll keep my fingers crossed. 

Then I wandered off into some of the other rooms in the gallery. It was all a bit much at once, especially as I have been a bit housebound in the last two years. But I have been reminded that I used to do an Artist's Date (from The Artists Way by Julia Cameron). So I might try to reinstitute that practice. 

Arthur Boyd - The Wheatfield.

Howard Taylor

Landscape Unfolding

Out and About

 I have been to a couple of exhibitions in the last few days - trying to get some creative interest going but also to see some wonderful work! 

Yesterday I went to the Australian Tapestry Workshop to see the Kate Derum and Irene Davies awards for small tapestries. I had seen the online exhibition and opening but it was SO much better to see it in person. 

I thought the voting for the public's awards was shut but found this on Facebook just now: it is a link to the event and then the voting button is further down. 

Having seen them in person, I was able to go back and see them and know which ones resonated with me when I could almost touch them. So I have voted. 

I actually know a few of the people who have put works into the exhibition but I didn't let that influence me, I went with the one that had the most to say to me. (No, I am not going to say what I voted for.) 

I saw one piece by K Spoering and thought, I know that name! Then I realised that is it someone whose blog I have followed for years! 

I took some photos but didn't get the names of the artists, so I won't post here. You will just have to go the site to see them. 

However, I did get the names of some artists at the AQIPP exhibition that I visited the day before. I have posted already about the wonderful online recording that is available but, as usual, there is nothing quite like being there in person. 

The exhibition has been extended till February, so take the chance to visit, if you can.

There was a great variety of interpretations and techniques. I found it very inspiring. A lot of the artists were affected by the lockdowns caused by Covid 19. Some were sadder than others. But they were all very interesting. 

I really liked the piece of dyed silk that wafted over the background. 

This one was interesting to me, especially, as I have recently done the Cas Holmes online course and there was quite a focus on using paper collage as the background. 

I found the artist statement 'spoke' to me. And the combination of machine and hand sewing was lovely. 

The Miracle of Water

 I am pretty sure that I usually put up a picture of the hydrangea at our front door closer to Christmas. But this year the plant has flowered early.  (Maybe not, I have checked past posts and some are early December - it just seems early this year.)

Each year I am amazed by the difference water makes to the plant. I took a picture of the flowers starting to wilt - it has been warm the last few days (we seem to be getting summery weather later than usual) and then another today after having watered the pot. The pot plants need regular water, more than the ones in the ground. We have had some rain too, giving us more humid weather than we are used to - at least, historically (in my memory). I think we had a more humid summer than usual last year too. 

I also had to post because of the date - 2/12/21. I meant to post yesterday, 1/12/21. Such is life.