Sunday, 27 April 2014
Pace, Pace and more Pace
If you are anything like me, dear reader, then patience with yourself isn't your strong point. I can be infinitely patient with other people who need it, but when it comes to myself I want things done yesterday, if not before! It's one of the many things that makes my MS so frustrating. I say "my MS" because it is a disease that affects everyone differently, so other people with MS will have their own pet frustrations. For me the lack of energy and fatigue are the things that most annoy me. I have my wonderful new studio shed; I have a large collection of craft materials acquired over two decades, and I want it all in place ready to use immediately. Instead it takes days of doing a little bit now, and a little bit again, with hours of rest in between. Every hour of activity needs about 2 to 3 hours of inactivity for recovery. Adding insult to injury are those wonderful female hormones. Being 49 means I'm on the brink of the menopause; or to give it the correct medical term I'm peri menopausal. Oh the joys that brings! Hot flushes, mood swings, food cravings and an extra dose of tiredness just to kick a woman when she's down. Yes, I know it could be worse; no, that doesn't help.
Thursday, 24 April 2014
Great to be back
Unlike the return to school following a holiday, I was delighted to get back to college today. We had a number of potential students for next year's course come to find out just what is involved in the City and Guilds' curriculum. I enjoyed having a chance to show my work to them, and discuss how much I love creating things, and learning new techniques. They were all very interested and enthusiastic. The joy of this course is that everyone doing it wants to be there, and so we are all of a similar mind set. I am so pleased to have my studio space to work in during the summer, otherwise I'd have terrible creativity withdraw symptoms! My biggest problem will be pacing myself so that I don't trigger a bad bout of fatigue; and of course any MS symptoms can strike at any time, even if I am "sensible". Ho hum, fingers crossed and hoping for the best.
Tuesday, 22 April 2014
Ready for delivery
It has taken me a while, and now they are completed:
These are my Textile Stories banners about coal mining and South East Northumberland. The only way I could think of to photograph them was to hang them on the clothesline! The first one in the top left hand corner depicts coal mining during the industrial revolution. At that time very young children, including an ancestor of Stephen's, were employed to haul heavy tubs of coal. They wore leather harnesses, with chains attached to the tubs. I dyed
some calico fabric with tea to create an aged appearance, and used leather for the hanging loops as a representation of the harnesses. The second banner, in the top right hand corner, depicts the promise of safety and security by nationalisation. The wording on one of the black and white adverts I have printed on cotton, and quilted, reads: "Miners, the skilled men the nation will always need", now so ironic. The coloured pictures are copies of two works by The Pitmen Painters. I printed them on photo canvas and padded the back. I covered them with chiffon to knock back the brightness of the colour, and give a feeling of the past. The third banner, bottom left, has images of the Miner's Strike of 1984. This is probably the most controversial topic! I used images of: striking miners being manhandled by the police; women protesting in support of the miners; and Margaret Thatcher, blamed by most people for the death of the deep mining industry in the UK. The only bright spot of colour is Maggie's blue rust stained pussy-bow, symbolic of her Iron Lady status that eventually decayed. Lastly, on a bright background fabric, with colour photos, is the Hope in the 21st Century banner, depicting some of the things we have to be proud of. I hope my work will be included in the exhibition, which runs from 2nd to 5th May at Newbiggin Maritime Centre.
These are my Textile Stories banners about coal mining and South East Northumberland. The only way I could think of to photograph them was to hang them on the clothesline! The first one in the top left hand corner depicts coal mining during the industrial revolution. At that time very young children, including an ancestor of Stephen's, were employed to haul heavy tubs of coal. They wore leather harnesses, with chains attached to the tubs. I dyed
some calico fabric with tea to create an aged appearance, and used leather for the hanging loops as a representation of the harnesses. The second banner, in the top right hand corner, depicts the promise of safety and security by nationalisation. The wording on one of the black and white adverts I have printed on cotton, and quilted, reads: "Miners, the skilled men the nation will always need", now so ironic. The coloured pictures are copies of two works by The Pitmen Painters. I printed them on photo canvas and padded the back. I covered them with chiffon to knock back the brightness of the colour, and give a feeling of the past. The third banner, bottom left, has images of the Miner's Strike of 1984. This is probably the most controversial topic! I used images of: striking miners being manhandled by the police; women protesting in support of the miners; and Margaret Thatcher, blamed by most people for the death of the deep mining industry in the UK. The only bright spot of colour is Maggie's blue rust stained pussy-bow, symbolic of her Iron Lady status that eventually decayed. Lastly, on a bright background fabric, with colour photos, is the Hope in the 21st Century banner, depicting some of the things we have to be proud of. I hope my work will be included in the exhibition, which runs from 2nd to 5th May at Newbiggin Maritime Centre.
Hand made paper
This is a photo collage of the pieces of recycled hand made paper I created at my last workshop with the lovely Eve Studd at Cornhill Crafts.
Friday, 18 April 2014
Deborah O'Hare: Now for something completely different...
Deborah O'Hare: Now for something completely different...: This is a first for me. I am taking part in a blog hop! I am presently the head administrator over at The Prayer Flag Project blog ...
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