Southern Lands at Quilters-Insel Atelier

Finally I have some time to share some photos of the Southern Lands exhibition which is presently being exhibited at Quilters-Insel Atelier. You still have time to go and see it but please contact Quilters-Insel first. The atelier is not far from Cologne ( Koln).

 Southern Lands is an exhibition I have curated representing the work of 7 Australian and New Zealand textile artists.The artists are Robina Summers ( who has built the website- thank you), Felicity Hopkins, Sarah Louise Ricketts, Olga Walters, Fiona Wright, Clare Smith and myself . if you go to the website there is biographical information, images and links to each artists' web presence.

This is my Curators Statement for Southern lands:

Southern  Lands

For hundreds of years sailors dreamed of faraway lands in the great ocean on the other side of the world, myths grew up about this strange  place . Cartologists drew strange  maps of the undiscovered southern land which was thought to balance the world. Dirk Hartog set out in his small ship and found some of its shores, other ships foundered on its reefs and rocky shores, Abel Tasman found a southern island and then some more islands even further to the east and south and called these last discoveries after his native homeland Zeeland. However it  was Captain James Cook, adventurer and navigator who put Terra Australis and New Zealand on the map. These masters of the sea found what they considered primitive life in both lands but despite that they  announced terra Australis to be Terra Nullius- uninhabited- ignorant of a rich cultural heritage spanning 10,000’s of years and ignoring the fact that the people defended their land. In New Zealand, the land of the long white cloud, they also encountered tenacious resistance which ended in Waitangi Treaty and the proud cry of the Maori that they were never defeated.

The English deposited their convicts and soldiers on Australian shores- setting up harsh forbidding prisons, then  sent its squatter settlers to race across the land in search of grazing, and Europe sent its displaced people from two world wars to discover new futures. Yet the land maintains its hold on the people. The desert is harsh and forbidding and startlingly beautiful, precarious rivers feed the towns and cities, fires create havoc and destroy communities ,flora and fauna, yet each time the land regenerates .The land cries to be treated gently and with care- the land cries for the insights of the aboriginal people who sang their way for thousands of miles to water and places without maps. The land cries for us to stand back and look, and to slowly absorb the earth, the trees, the hills , the mountains, the rivers  and to treat it with respect, for when we don’t the  elements are fierce and unforgiving.

I have looked for work from Australian and New Zealand artist  to  bring the spirit of our Southern  Lands to you- to speak of its mysteries , its settlement, its nature and the transgressions we as inhabitants make, and the steps we might take to  protect the future of our land our people and our children.

From 15 May 2010 until July 2010 the quilts can be seen at Centre Europeen du Patchwork at Salleles d'Aude in the South of France

And on another note- as my daughter is not enjoying school in France and it is too difficult to get a good exam result to get into a good lycee- we are looking at England as a place to live for awhile- any recommendations of good places would be much appreciated as I am investigating what would make a good place to settle for awhile.

Getting very Little Done

I made this little horizontal piece with one of the linocuts I made for my on-line course. These little trees are proving very popular and these particular ones, I printed onto Lutradur with  Shiva sticks. I then stitched them with Aurifil Lano thread ( wool machine stitching thread)- which i love, and you can even buy wool machine needles to stitch the lano thread with. it is a little hard to see the result on the photo- but the contrast of the shininess of the lutradur and the kind of flatness of the wool create a really nice contrast- plus the thread is thick so it creates a nice line.

If you are interested - we have just started the new lino-cutting on-line course- you can still join if you hurry. Cost is 40 euros ( US $54) for 3 fortnightly lessons, which contain  a lot of exercises to build up your skills.

The Scene this Morning- and some thoughts form Rainer Maria Rilke

When i got up this morning- this was the scene. It is the South of France , not far from the coast for heaven's sake- what is happening???

So, being confined indoors,  without a sewing machine which i desperately need, I have been reading one of my favourite poets, Rainer Maria Rilke- his voice seems right for being kept indoors and watching the snow melt. I am reading his Letters to a Young Poet- finally, after having read most other things written by him. But I wanted to share some of his words, for whether you aspire to poetry or any other art making his words ring true. We all  seek approval and positive critique of our work, or even less than positive critique- but it is ultimately when we draw deep within ourselves that greatest expressive power is reached. I don't pretend to have reached it , but it has reaffirmed what i have been thinking for some time- to see, to really see, to come to grips with  something is to go down to the very depths of yourself, even the mundane and everyday and come back again- with something gained, a new insight, a new way of seeing.

From letter 1

Paris, February 17^th  1903

“ In making contact with a work of art nothing serves so ill as words of criticism: the inavariable result of more or less happy misunderstandings. Things are not all so  comprehensible and utterable as people would mostly have us believe; most events are unutterable, consummating themselves in a sphere where word has never trod, and more unutterable then them all are works of art, whose life endures by the side of our own that passes away.”

“ You ask if your verses are good. You ask me. You have previously asked others. You send them to journals. You  compare them with other poems, and you are troubled when certain editors reject your efforts..... You are looking outwards, and of all things that is what you must now not do. Nobody can advise and help you, nobody. There is only one single means. Go inside yourself. Discover the motive that bids you write; examine whether it sends its roots down to the deepest places of your heart, confess to yourself whether you would have to die if writing were denied to you. This before all: ask yourself in the quietest hour of your night: must  i write? Dig down into yourself for a deep answer. And if this should be in the affirmative, if you may meet this solemn question with a strong and simple “ I must”, then build your life according  to this necessity; your life must, right to its most unimportant and insignificant hour, become a token and a witness of this impulse. Then draw near to Nature. Then try, as if you were one of the first men, to say what you see and experience and love and lose. Do not write love poems; avoid at first those forms which are too familiar and usual; they are the most difficult, for great and  fully matured strength is needed to make an  individual contribution where good and in part brilliant tradition exist in plenty......”

Back in Le Triadou

Le Pont du Gard- a remarkable feat of engineering- still standing  majestically after 2,000 years, and not far from where we are staying. I had been to Nimes before but never to Le Pont du Gard. The mistral was blowing straight down the river valley and it was freezing, which to some extent accounts for the whiteness of the light.

This is the Roman Arena in Nimes- said to be the most complete arena in the world. In a way it is disappointing as there is lots of steel scaffolding and wooden and steel seats and rails ( it seems we need to be more contained from falling these days)- yet on the other hand it is an arean that is still actively used 2,000 years after it was built. I wonder what structures from our times will still be standing and be used 2000 years from now. The stone steps of the arena were so cold today( and yes the snow followed us down south- so the arena looks coldy grey because it was cold)- I wonder if the watchers of the gladiators and later corridas, took their own cushiosn to sit on? Can you see a super big installation with hundreds of beautifully embroidered cushions- wouldn't it look grand!

The Arena is now used for concerts and corridas - and of course there was a small display of the embroidered garb of the torreador- i like that the photos on the oppposite wall of famous torreadors reflected in the glass case protecting the suit.

This is the outside of the Arena- you would think that they could have found a sligtlymore complementary light pole, or perhaps I expect too much?I didn't notice the round shapes in the road until I  saw the photo- they almost look like pomegranates!

The Dom in Aachen

Yesterday we visited the Dom in Aachen( this link allows you to see around the whole Palantine Chapel) which has rich history going back to  the time  of Charlemagne. The cathedral has been classified Unesco world heritage and is worth a visit.The Palanatine Chapel is octagonal and in the only one of its kind in Northern Europe. it is adorned by rich mosaics which were said to have been inspired by those of Ravenna as is the structure of the Chapel. The chandelier in the middle of the Chapel was a crusader conquest of Barbarossa and was carried back to Germany  to adorn the Chapel.

Felting

We did some felting last Sunday in the way that Lizzie Houghton does it and I was quite pleased with

the outcome. i had loads of cream wool so used it as my base and of course less of the other colours. I recommend her book Felting Fashion which is available through her website.This particular piece is about 120 cm long and 30 cm wide and the texture is quite soft. the piece below is much smaller about 30  cm wide by 50 cm long- so I might joint it into the other piece so I can wear it as a wrap. I need something warm with all this continuing snow!

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The last photo is of a hat- I am not sure I shall wear it but it was interesting to make just to learn what not to do!

And my next on-line linocutting class will commence on 8 March- see one of  my previous posts with some of the efforts of  past  and present participants. If you are interested please email me.The cost is 40 euros ( or $54 US) for three fortnightly lessons with  lots of different exercises to extend your skills and design ideas.

Stitching on Boabab Tree Finished

This is an old stone bridge near le Triadou. We drive past it quite often but it was quite a scamper to actually get a photo as there is quite a lot of traffic along the road it sits beside- so pulling up on the road is not an option.

The second image is of my boabab tree finally all stitched. The stitching on the lino-cut printed image really does create a lot more texture. I now wish i had printed it on a different coloured fabric- oh well when I go back to Le triadou. At the moment we are in England staying with my friend Sandy. Taught a workshop yesterday which was a fun relaxed day- we were only six but it was like we had known each other for the longest time ( one or two I had known through various internet connections )- so a very pleasant day.

We are looking around at what options we can find to live here - anyone have a spare 2 bedroom flat or house they want to rent out at a reasonable price??

Downunder Textiles

No Stitching to show you unfortunately- I am having problems with the tension on the Pfaff here- I have tried lots of different things, but it keeps jumping out of tension so I am back to hand stitching.I actually suspect there may be a bur in the bobbin case.

However i did want to share some of my work that is in a new textile magazine produced in Australia . You can see more information on Deborah Seagert's blog. Deborah has been the owner and editor of Downunder Quilts for  a number of years and it is great to see the magazine venturing into textile arts. I wrote two articles for the magazine one on linocutprinting and another on working with lutradur( you can still purchase the Lovely Lutradur cd from me).It is a good discipline writing for magazines because you have to be succinct,informative and hopefully inspiring.

I will be teaching anothe ron-line line cut course starting in early March so if you are interested email me.The cost is 40 euros for three fortnightly lessons - there are  lots of exercises to practice and improve your linocutting and linoblock designing skills in each lesson . You can see some recent work by students on Linda Robertus' blog, Sarah Smiths' blog, Robbie Payne's blog,Linda Bilsborrow's blog,Clare Wasserman's blog,Wietske Kluck's blog, Sally's blog ( I think she got the bug bad!), Magpie's artworks et al.

Boabab Linocut

I went for a drive last Sunday and came across some lovely little vignettes- first the lovely terracotta rooves in a small medieval village called Laroque- it's right on the river Herault and I imagine it to be choc a block full of tourists in summer. I couldn't help but notice the little discordance though- the ugly tin roof amidst all those lovely tterracotta tiles and old stones, and yes the ugly power lines as well. The second image is of a little twelfth century chapel  on quite an isolated road- one wonders what poor folk worshipped there, and what one must have done in rome to be sent to such an isolated place. It looked as if it probaly had a small abbey and enclosed garden once upon a time, now a barely discernable ruin- and the sky was really that blue- no filters or anything- just very cold and clear!

This is a linocut I have made of a boabab tree- I love boabab trees- natural water storage containers.I printed this piece and three others today.it was my birthday present to myself. This linocut is large - 50 cm by about 28 cm. I need to dye some fabrics to take these prints. The river print I posted previously  measured about 23 cm by 20 cm.. I intend to stitch this piece as part of Southern Lands. I also have three of the boabab prints for sale for 22 euros inclusive of postage if you are interested email me

Don't forget i shall be in England next week and I will be giving a workshop in Keddington near Cambridge on the saturday- we will be working with lutradur and stitching. it is defintiely going ahead so if you are interested contact Sandy via her blog.The cost is 40 pounds including materials.

Workshop in England-20 February

I will be in England the week of the 16th of february to the 24th of February. I am staying with my friend Sandy and we  have organised a workshop on Saturday the 20th of February in the Village where Sandy lives ( not far from Haverhill, Suffolk). If you are interested contact either Sandy ro me.
We will be doing Transfer Printing on  Lutradur and Stitching.
Transfer Printing is a method of getting permanent colour onto synthetic materials such as lutradur (a polyester non-woven fibre), polyester and polyester organza. The process allows you to get three prints so that a series can be created. We also explore methods of melting back and free machine stitching to embellish your printed fabric. Using Polyester fabrics such as organza allows you to build layers and play with transparency and overlays and still create your own distinctive fabrics and pieces.

You will need your machine with darning foot


Price will be £40 including materials.

A supply list will be provided on sign up.




The two photos are of the linocuts which i have hadn stitched. I particularly like the red one as the gold textile paint shines through the red stitching which gives a really nice effect. I must admit i liked the lino-cuts as stand alone ( see my previous post) and I really wondered what on earth stitching would add  to the printed image.But i am pleased with  how the stitching transformed the linocut. I have to stitch the edges and then they will be finished!

Linogravure

Another linocut- this time with an idea that i want to explore for Southern Lands. I can see hand stitching on these- but which to chose- the golden one or the more subtle one? Possibly the latter as it lends itself more to stitching.As you can probably tell I am a bit besotted by linocutting at the moment and have set myself the goal to try and make one a week- all of the same size so they can be bound together in book form.I also want to see whether I can develop something thematically in this format ( in the past I have made a linocut in response to a need for some form of pattern or illustration in my work not as a stand alone) and as I have a tendency to do some research doing one  a week allows me to explore and create a vocabulary as i go along.

And those of you waiting to hear more about the KISS project- it is coming!

Pear Shaped

Sometimes the world just goes a little pear shaped, but you have to keep smiling! it was one of those weeks where apart from some lino-cuts not a lot got done and very little sewing.I haven't made any small pieces of late and I must admit they are my bread and butter Anyway these pears jumped at me- the background fabric is printed with circles and machien stitched. It is for sale for 45 Euros inclusive of postage ( the piece measures 22.5 cm square or 9 inches square)

And just a reminder- there are still afew places for the workshops I am teaching at Essen for the Textile Event there called Colours of Africa. The classes will be a bit in the nature of a mastercalss if you enroll for all three days 13-15 April as you will be making all your own fabric with which you will work on the last day.

More Lino-cut Printing and St Martin de Londres

I went and looked at another little town not far from here- St Martin de Londres. This eglise was in the  central part of the old village and the archways must once have formed part of the cloisters for the eglise. Unfortunately the church was not open. I imagine it muct be busy in summer but I saw hardly a soul as I walked around.

I love these giant pans of paella that they have everywhere- this one I passed this morning at the market at St Gely du Fesc. It was very tempting but I only took a photo instead.

This linocut is of the sarimanok- a symbol of good luck in the Southern Phillipines- I printed these panels to be used for my friends project she is working on in the Phillipines- the panels are of a size to make bags.

This bird panel was inspired by a series of cards created by Wiener Werkstatte artist Ugo Zovetti- the form is the same but I have changed detail. I am pleased with both lino-cuts as I seem to be finally able to get finer detail into my lino-cutting- things do improve with practice!. I now have three birds all of the same size- maybe I shall make them into a little book.

Lino-cut Printing

I have been preparing the fabrics for one of my Southern Lands pieces. I have had to create new fabrics because alas i don't have my stash here. I have also been working on making new lino-cuts, as I also left all my lino-cuts behind and am slowly building up a whole new series of lino-cuts. My quilts for southern lands are largely about rivers and trees- the two are very connected in my mind, so I wanted to make a very stylised tree but with a round shape at the same time ( which complements the other work I am doing- rounds shapes and circles is a recurring motif). The first images is of different lino-cuts I made for the round 

shape. I tried various sizes and different designs. I made the middle one first , but it looked too much like an  eye, then I made the bottom  one but it looked like an orange segment of a flower so I ended up using the top one. I am still not  100% happy but can see with stitching it might be interesting. I then printed other

fabrics with circles as well. The dark fabric is an African print that my friend had- you cannot see it from the photos but it has just the right colour of turquoise in it- as my tree shapes are printed in turquoise colour bright  from Trapsuutjies.

And if you ar ein need of some adventure or  a change of scene and pace- don't forget that Creative Arts Safaris is doing a tour of Syria from 15 to 28 May of this year. I will be one of the tour leaders- we almost have enough numbers but could do with one or two more. The idea is to be inspired and to create as well- we will be visiting lots of different textile inspired things as well as stitcihing with some refugee women.And we will creating  your own versionj of a travellers blanket!

Reconsidering Dreams

These are two pieces of Kuba cloth- relatively recent as the raffia is not so finely woven and the embroidered detail is fairly loose. I love Kuba cloth for its simple repeated forms which seems to have a myriad of variations and its very abstract impression. Someone pointed out recently that kuba cloth is always  about right angles- although the bottom cloth seems to have just some dots. The tie dyed raffia on the edge of the bottom piece as lovely!

I may have to give up my desire to live in France- my youngest who is at school here is not likely to cut the grade with her French and is a langauage short as well ( apart from English they also do either Spanish or German in the middle years- it's actually quite a sad refflection on Australian education that we minimise langauages). it has left me in a quandary as to what now?? We will stay until at least June- that way she will have attended school here, picked up some french and not missed too much Australian school. I am also wondering about education in England? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thread Palette

I can't believe it! I only ordered my threads from Aurifil on Monday and today they arrived. I tried to chose a palette of colours that I normally use in my work as i often get asked what colours I use- so it is interesting for myself to see as well, when i have to pare it down and chose a modest array of  colours  . These particular threads are the Mako cotton threads in 28 weight- they have a lovely sheen for cotton and I can't wait to see what they look like stitched.

I have also been finishing some hand stitching projects- the one with the spotted leaf is for  Laura Liebenberg's Colours of Africa project- yes I know I am late, but it is all hand sttiched. The second piece is for my contribution to the southern lands exhibition which will be shown in March in Germany and in May at the Europeen Centre du Patchwork at  Salelles d'Aude. it too is entirley hand stitched on lutradur.

I have been trying to collate all the names for the KISS project- but am struggling- so I ask if you registerd your interest could you please email me.

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Bags

The photos don't really do these little bags justice- they start as a square which is then quilted. the pink one is quilted by hand and the cream one has been quilted with Aurifil Lana thread ( this is pure wool thread- I like it a lot!)- and then you stitch the sides of the square and you sort of create triangular sides- then add straps and voila a bag. I like the shape of them and because my friend will be teaching them to women whose sewing skills vary, it is quite easy to construct and can be hand quilted. I am in the process of making myself one as well!

The other photo is another image of Les Matelles- I love arched doorways and want to make a linocut of one of the images I took ( if you are interested in the lino-cutting course there are still some vacancies before our 25 January start)

Is there any other things that anyone would be interested in learning from me on-line? Just give me some ideas if you are and then I can put on the thinking cap and maybe devise a course!

Time really Does Fly!

I don't know where the last week has gone.I suppose I have been organising bits and pieces. I forgot to bring any batting with me- which is proving a bit of a headache- as I am so used to using Matilda's Own and so happy with the product, that  I am not sure what else to use. I could kick myself for not bringing any! I also came away with only hand stitching  threads and as i have a number of things to make including a coloured version of the 72 MORE Ways Not to Stipple or Meander quilt for my upcoming book with Editions de Saxe I have been wondering what to do- thankfully Aurifil have come to rescue in the way of sponsorship- I am so grateful, as the collection of threads i had back home was at times called "enviable"- threads being an important element in the work I make.

 And I have made one or two bags this week- they are samples  for my friend Liwanag's  project for  the women she is teaching in the Phillipines- hopefully I can show images in my next blog.

And then there is getting familiar with your surroundings. the collage is of a little village about 5 minutes form here called Les Matelles. The centre of the village is medieval and has wonderful stone buildings and lots of stone arches. The day i took the photographs the light wasn't too wonderful but I will go back another day and see if I can't do better.it is very tempting to go out this morning as it is foggy- which would lend a certain atmosphere!

 Ahh the day is beckoning- and today i really must do something in my  paper journal- I had promised myself to  improve my journal habits but that too has flown with time!

Some more Linocuts and le Triadou

The first image is the view from our bedroom window towards some of the rocky mountains/outcrops. You can still see hints of snow that fell yesterday.Sorry about the flywire- I will try and get better photos in the next few days!

The second image is an adinkra symbol on printed cloth that my friend Liwanag had ( she lived in Sengal and Ivory Coast, so has many of the wax printed West African fabris)- the other half is a linocut I made of the symbol shape. Each of the adinkra  symbols have a meaning- this one is called Gye Nyame- except for God and is a Ghanian symbol.

The last image is of a rose lino-cut I made. I am not sure it looks like a rose really- it  seems to also look like a peonie.There are stil places in my on-line linocutting course if you ar einterested- it starts on 25 January.

Fante Cloth and Workshops near Cologne (Keulen)

I still haven't started working though the studio space downstairs is getting cleared! Slowly we are settling into life at Le Triadou!

First things first. Southern lands- and exhibition showcasing the work of  5 Australian and one New Zealand artist will be shown at the Atelier of Juliette Eckel near Cologne in Germany starting in early March of this year. In conjunction with the exhibition I will also be giving workshops on 3-4 march ( a two day workshop exploring Lutradur  and transfer painting/dyeing) and Saturday 6 March also  exploring Lutradur.Juliette has a great space where we can work. If you are interested please contact Juliette via the link Ihave given to her website. please also take time to explore Juliette's website as she makes wonderful work with lots of printing

The above photos are of a reproduction fante cloth denoting the kings of Benin. it was hand made in benin in the traditional fante style. Fante cloths are flags made to commemorate kings and events. They ar ehand appliqued and embroidered.

I also am unable to take any more takers for the Kiss project- it  has tunred into quite a substantial project and if everyone delivers we will have plenty of things to exhibit and realy can't take any more.

I am still taking registrations for my on-lino linocut courses. have just found a fabulours engraver from the eraly sixteenth century, Lucas  de Leyde, in a 1966 catlogue of european engravings ( don't you love othe rpeople's bookshelves for the treasures they contain!) which has me all inspired again.

Lino-Cutting On-Line course

This is the cover of a 1930 book on Textiles given to me by my friend Christine Moulin.I love old textile books and even though the pictures are in black and white it often gives you good clues as to balance in the design of the textile. I am trying to get myself organised to get down to some serious work- the KISS challenge which now numbers over 50 participants and my next on-line Lino Cutting course which will commence on 25 January 2010.

The course consists of 3 lessons with numerous exercises delivered at 2 week intervals with the idea of starting simply and developing more complex designs. The course has been geared for printing on fabric but the designs could equally be printed on paper. it takes you through the proces of creating a lino-cut, creating designs for lino-cut, using your photos to create prints and creating prints of more than one colour . The cost of the course is 40 Euros ( $56US) and I can be paid via paypal just email me!

Happy 2010

I will reply to eveyrone about the KISS project early in the new year and will give you more details. I think there there is a strong possibility that it will turn into an exhibition- so think your best creative thoughts about the project; I love the fact that people from all over the world have responded so it promises to be fun!!!

I love the texture of wizened fruit that ripens on the tree, doesn't get eaten, doesn't get attacked by the insects, doesn't rot and there on the last day of the year, defiantly hangs by its stem in the tree with a texture unlike it's full fruity self, in colours so different to its summer glory and yet it is still beautiful. So Happy New Year everyone!!!!