Thursday 24 May 2012

Line Drawings

Module 1 - Chapter 1

These are the line drawings I have taken from my ‘crosses’ research.  I have no idea which shapes are going to be the best ones to take forward to the next chapter of the module although I feel I would like to combine a curvy shape and an angular shape as this would provide the best of both worlds.  However, Will that work……………………………don’t know?

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1.  I really like the broken window drawing but I’m not sure how I could develop this into a shape/design for printing.  I feel the angular cross/star design in the centre has a lot more mileage but would probably need to be simplified.  The stained glass window could maybe work ………………….not sure.  The curved cross pendant could be interesting as it only symmetrical in one direction - I can see the possibility of lots of patterns radiating out from the centre using this shape.

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2.  I love the folded paper cross shape in the centre and I would like to use this.  I also find the curvy cross from the distorted reflections interesting but again – not sure how to develop it.  I think the circular cross at the top would make a good string print but could possibly be a bit samey when repeated.
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3.  I love the tangled tree roots but have no idea where to go with it!  The drain cover is also interesting - could look good but I wonder if the unconnected shapes might look bitty in repeat.  I think all the shapes in this page are useable with some adaptation.

Tuesday 22 May 2012

The Colour Wheel

Module 1 - Chapter 1


Here is the colour wheel I painted with Reeves Gouache.  I like precision tasks so I enjoyed this very much.  I think I am going to choose green and red for my pair of complementary colours as it is a favourite combination of mine, often seen in nature – think of holly, red roses or a poppy field and it is wonderful how bright red ‘sings’ against a green backdrop.    I really love the drama of complementary colours so I am looking forward to painting some papers at the weekend when I have a bit more time. 

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Sunday 20 May 2012

My ‘Crosses’ Research

Module One - Chapter One


Here are my research pages for ‘Crosses’.  I enjoyed looking for these images and ended up with so many I found it impossible to reduce them to just two A4 pages.



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1.  I love some of the images on this collage, particularly the window frame around the broken window and the distorted reflections which produce asymmetrical, curvy crosses.  I also find the twisted vine branches really interesting – it’s as if they have been tied in a knot.  The rubbings were taken from a basket weave chair and a drain cover.



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2.  This collage contains photographs of an encaustic tiled floor from a little church just outside Grasmere in the Lake District and a beautiful, contemporary stained glass window from a church in Nazareth.  The intricate metal design at top left is my neighbour’s front door mat – I think this would make a lovely quilting pattern.  The other images were found on the Internet.


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3.  Another collage including more Internet images, another stained glass window from Nazareth, twisted roots against a wall, a metal structure – part of a bridge I think, a needlepoint cushion, a fractal and another rubbing from a drain cover.  Most of these images are symmetrical apart from the roots, bridge and the stained glass window.  I must admit, I found it much more difficult to find asymmetrical items.


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4.  This set of images contains a photograph I took at a quilt show years ago, another fractal which I think looks like an exotic sea creature, some traditional tile patterns and a tattoo design.  I have also included some very interesting folded paper crosses which I found on the Internet.  I love their three-dimensional quality and would like to explore this further at some point in the course.


Tomorrow I will post my line drawings and my colour wheel………………………………….too tired tonight!

Saturday 19 May 2012

I’ve Done It – I’ve Set Up My Blog!

It’s taken a bit of time but at last I’ve managed to set up my blog and I will posting some work very soon.  It’s been fun trying out all the different templates, colours and settings but I finally decided on something quite simple so that the blog design doesn’t compete with the work I want to post.  I’ve looked at lots of Distant Stitch blogs recently and I have been so impressed with the stunning work that is being produced – I only hope I can maintain the high standard.

At the moment I am sorting out my research images for ‘crosses’ and painting a colour wheel.  However, I am really looking forward to getting deeper into the first module and feel very excited at the prospect of painting, cutting, sticking and stamping not to mention stitching, bonding and slashing – sheer heaven!

Watch this space........................