Great news!..I have just heard that I've been selected to show at this years summer exhibition at Craft in the Bay' Cardiff.

LOST & FOUND

This recent work has just been accepted to sell with online retailer  'notonthehighstreet'...

Chapter Arts car boutique!

Stitch and line

Since starting this project I have began to draw comparisons between the aesthetics of lace and the hand written word. The definition of lace as a decorative open work fabric in which pattern of spaces is as important as the solid areas gives a close description of the text that I have been collecting. The various techniques and construction of lace are nearly as diverse as the variety and expression of the hand written word. Some heavy and coarse, others delicately intertwined. The manipulation of line similar to the looping and knotting of the thread. The tension of line and the push and pull of the needle, one to make motif or patterning of  fabric and the other a signature of handwriting.

As the crow flies, brooch.

This printed map design on a pre cut copper bird is one of my experiments using digitally produced transfers from my own images. I have a fascination with old postcards (pre 1940), maps, and hand written text.

The content of the written card allows a glimpse into the thoughts and feelings of an individual from a bygone age, often revealing a small piece of domestic, romantic or personal social history. The postcard was the equalivant of modern email or text but yet seems to carry more meaning, probably from the character of the hand written word and the evidence of it's journey through time, the stamp and franking, all add to its authenticity as a document from the past.

   

Design development-Print and Stitch.

Visit to C.I.R.I.C ..the home of the water jet cutter! and Illustrator training

This process is becoming a little clearer to me now. It has been worth while visiting CIRIC before I start the IllustratorCS5 workshop, as there are certain design perimeters that I need to consider first. This could greatly effect cost of the cutting. If I don't stick to these restrictions I could waste time and money.
As for illustrator...it's practice, practice  all the way hope I can crack the pen tool soon!!

Above are some pics from a previous visit to CIRIC. I was experimenting with laser etching a lace pattern into wood and lino cut. I have also acid etched this image into copper for blind printing.