Glass

A workshop by Patty Gray - Wow is the most frequent word that came to mind. Wow because Patty showed and shared how to make glass into works of art in ones own way. To explore and gain confidence in opening a kiln, then to be given the chance to move my molten glass into new ideas. This workshop happened nearly a month ago in Melbourne at Axess glass, and ran over three very full fun filled days. I was able to try out a lot and here is the results - bowl, bas relief, reactive glass, combing, boxing platter, and skills glore. I thank Sue and Tammy (Axess glass) along with all that were there as they made it so enjoyable.

bowl - Mine and the green a friend who also attend workshop, with much looking forward to next year when Patti is back to teach us more wonderful skills.

Combing process from kiln to cooling

Bas relief front and back views

Joint project for workshop ( we three made)

Platter - using vitrgraph and differnet glass's

Sushi platter - copper mesh, vitograph, boxed method and much cutting of glass into small pieces to fill form.

I thank my friend Carole for her images as some of the above are her photos from the workshop, my camera is hiding at present.

Sun Dyes and Discharging Colour



        I have been making marks onto silk scarves  (3 different types- pongee, chiffon & habuti) and taking colour out of others. There was rust impressions on a few also, but what made myself look into sun dyes was that they have lovely base colours(Vibrant) and the sun is used, which means it gives myself a reason to go out doors to create. I have been trying to organise to weave and felt outside -as it is dark inside the house during the day, I am closer to having a loom that is movable to a flat outdoor space. It also gave me the chance to use the plant matter that is in abundance here in my back yard. Lovely large gum leaves and wattle, with others I don't know their name- plants. So I set up on the table with cover and away I go. mixing or merging colours on the scarves or saturating them and using the long grass to make natural impressions is what keeps me seeing the outside as part of my work area.

 

      The discharging started on black chiffon scarves that gave much more colour and pattern than I had thought. Most probably because others works that I have seen resulted in a more clear defined print pattern usually as it has been screened on and has given a more whiten pattern . I have used leaves then using this to make the pattern or a paint brush. Then I wrapped, knotted and tied flat sticks to resist the discharge paste thus leaving plenty of the base fabric to be discharged. I am amazed at the colour that came out and what I am left with.

Thank you

Opening of Carole's Studio

 The opening of Carole's studio was a delightful event on a perfect day, just the right amount of sun and heat. Myself along with the many other friends all went to wish Carole, all the best for the future of this very talented person who welcomes people into her life, while being so creative.

Glass, metal, paper are but a few of the areas of exploration and desire for Carole.



These two felted ones enjoying the chance to meet people.




This shows how Carole balances and moves from metal to felt also glass and the sneak peaks of the digital images.



Metal objects which are aluminum to which some are coloured, what vibrancy in colour choice which is why I admire here work and friendship.
Thank you Carole for a wonderful day..



Tapestry - Texture



I am meant to hang length ways with red at the top, but not able to at present.



Red wool and knitting plastic clear / sparkly are what I used in this hanging.

The blending from red to clear was part of my idea and if it had been rectangle

that would be the result. But shape is part of the piece. 





The two differing textures is interesting for me.


This is a piece that seemed to just come about when I put on a warp. I decided to do different lengths, angles for the edges in three sections. I used the method of four selvages method which I find I'm getting better at finishing edges. The act of tapestry weaving gives myself time to explore shape and texture along with experimenting on ideas (some seem strange, but always what about this or could I use that) on many levels. It also brings out enjoyment of making by the way Tapestry is a longer process.

Saori

White bubbles

This saori was fun to make, while exploring more of my white 'n' white idea. the clasp weaving with inlaying of a thick and thin yarn white is supposed to felt, but having used before does not very much. I wonder if it was because of being used more for knitting which would allow for more shrinkage.

The Square

While weaving this one I was wondering how the Alpaca that I had dyed would look like together. there is something very touchable and compelling about this piece. The squareness is what I call freeform with constrained as a harmony comes to me while I was making.

Red

To plan for three weaving from the one warp, which gave me a freeing from just patterning by the lifting of shafts to how or what yarns I use will give individual looks to of a different nature is fantastic.

Bamboo

Bamboo and wool what happens well a very soft drapable length of material with the greens giving another element to this piece.

This is another of the three which goes with the red saori which I think of as motion with the two yarns. The way a variegated yarn shows up both as a stripe and balancing the pink side and the demin together.

The making of these saori pieces by myself had given a passion in how many more ways can I create colour, texture, patterns and excitement.