2023 – My Weekly Project

Week 15 – Drawing from a Distance

This year I have been attending a regular fortnightly life drawing group. We all set up our easels or drawing boards and there is a tendency to work close to our support.

So what happens when we give ourselves a bit more distance?

Setting Up

For this week’s challenge I attached a length of paper to the outside of my studio using a staple gun. A piece of charcoal was bound to the end of a stick with masking tape. It was around 4pm, a little cool but the sun was still shining.

Our garden is surrounded by trees. I just love being in the company of trees and I have two very close to my studio. A natural choice of subject for my distance drawing.

Lines of Enquiry

I began by simply looking at the tree beside me. My first marks on the paper were light as I worked out the balance of the stick and charcoal. A bird sang out loud and clear. I thanked it for it’s encouragement.

The lower part of the trunk of the tree showed quite clearly the ageing process. Further up the “rings” around the trunk softened and it was interesting to note the junction where a branch had grown out and away. Intense growth lines indicated the amount of energy in a short space of time needed to give life and direction to this new offshoot.

Drawing and thinking go hand in hand. The tree exhibited it’s early life and growth through many seasons. The strength and resilience to support and give life to the many branches going off in all directions. There is also the promise of lots of wonderful foliage to look forward to in the coming months. Hopefully to give much needed shade in the warm sunny days.

More Space = More Understanding

Standing further away from the support I was more comfortable than I expected to be. Working outside was also liberating. After the long winter confined to indoor life it is so important to get outside.

During this challenge I have gained a new appreciation and understanding for the need at times for periods of intense working to add a fresh branch to creative thought, skills and knowledge.

The work has been left in situ for the time being. I can see it from the cottage and it will encourage me to extend my studio space out into the garden in the coming weeks.

2023 – My Weekly Project

Week 14 – Go Bird Watching

For my birthday last year I asked for a new pair of binoculars. The winter months are not easy for bird watching, especially if it’s cold and wet. But I do enjoy spotting a bird that is not familiar and finding out what it is.

A Different Location

Our regular garden visitors are quite easy to spot and identify. For this week’s project I ventured to Hayle Estuary. The tide was low, it was early afternoon and I felt a bit dismayed that there was not a lot of activity. However it gave me an opportunity to look closer at the birds I did see. Firstly nine curlews feeding together in a group. These birds are on the RSPB red list. This means they are in most urgent need of help. They were a distance from where I was but with my binoculars I was able to study them and do some characterful drawings.

Other Species

I watched a pair of Sheldrakes or Shelducks sourcing food along the sandbank. They covered quite a distance but always remained close together. These birds are of moderate concern and are on the amber list. They are also protected by The Wildlife Countryside Act 1981 and were found in the Old World.

There were plenty of seagulls, a raven or two, some jackdaws with their distinctive beady eye, Canada Geese and a pair of mallards. But the highlight at the end of the walk was a Little Egret. The breeze was blowing its feathers and head plumes all over the place. It was quite close to the shoreline and with my binoculars I had a fantastic view. It was alone and wading through the mud. I found out later that this bird has yellow feet. Something to look out for next time. And the good news is that this bird is on the green list, which means that it is showing no signs of decline in its numbers.

Spring Season Activity

The spring is a great time to get out and about and take a closer look at our wonderful wildlife. But keep your distance and do not disturb any nesting birds. Only this afternoon the first house sparrow was seen disappearing into our roof space. They nest every year at both ends of the cottage. It’s pure delight to have them so close to us. And it’s also pure delight to sight a bird that is less familiar and to enjoy what they have to offer.

Hayle Estuary – a great place for a spot of bird watching

Conservation List

I found the information on the RSPB’s conservation list very useful. The greater our awareness of the species that are endangered the more we can do to care for the environments they need in order to flourish. It also makes it extra special when you do sight a species that is in decline or of concern.

https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/uk-conservation-status-explained/

2023 – My Weekly Project

Weeks 12 & 13 – A Spirit Cloth

The intention for week 12 was to make a spirit cloth. It seemed appropriate as I had an opportunity to go on a pilgrimage. I duly packed some silks, threads, linen fabric, scissors and a needle. I anticipated time and energy to enjoy some creativity as part of this journey.

The Pilgrimage

The pilgrimage took 23 people from Cornwall to the Holy Land in Israel. It was a long journey and during the course of the week we travelled from North to South, East to West. We sailed on the Sea of Galilee, floated in the Dead Sea, visited many special and holy sites in Bethlehem, Nazareth and Jerusalem. We sang, danced, laughed and cried. Some of the pilgrims were baptised in the River Jordon. We read passages from the bible and considered the context of these readings at the various locations we visited.

Humble Beginnings

I only managed to find a small amount of time to begin my spirit cloth whilst away. I started it after our trip on the Sea of Galilee that first beautiful morning. It was a special time for us all. All twenty three of us.

Reflection

Returning home several of us had caught Covid. So I have spent a week both recovering from the pilgrimage and also getting myself well again. My creative energies have been quite limited and this has become a two week project. Why not.

Final Piece

I continue to work on this. But the essence has been captured. “The Calm After the Storm”. It was a very calm day. I have come home with such peace in my heart.

2023 – My Weekly Project

Week 11 – Make a Textile Vessel

My initial thoughts for this week’s creative endeavour were to use either hand or machine stitching. Layering and building as I went along. But however I made this 3D vessel the pliable nature of fabric would mean that it would inevitably remain “fabric” in its nature.

So how do you change the nature of something? Especially when working with lightweight cotton fabric and even lighter weight silk and chiffon?

The answer lies in a product called “Powertex”. I have had a container of this in my stock cupboard for a while now and have only experimented with it in a limited way. It is environmentally friendly. It is water-based so easy to clean brushes. It’s an alternative to polyester and it’s transparent. When it dries – it dries surprisingly hard – even with these lightweight fabrics.

I made two small bowls using a ceramic bowl as my template. Wrapping it in cling film I proceeded to lay my fabrics over this as a mould. I did have concerns that it would all stick together forever. With hindsight the application of Powertex for my first attempt was probably a bit enthusiastic. I had applied two layers of material. Cotton for the outside and silks for the inside surface. Which is why it took a little longer to completely dry.

I was lighter handed with the second one which took much less time to harden. And I was amazed how rigid they became. The top edges were a little untidy, so I used scissors to remove unsightly corners and threads. It cut so cleanly. I even cut into the second bowl a little more.

There are endless possibilities with this product. It can transform waste materials and produce rigid forms from very soft fabrics and materials. It is easy to use and there is no limit to age or ability. I already have ideas as to how I can use this method going forward with my own work.

https://www.powertex.co.uk/