The Joy of being Green

The Joy of being Green is my latest quilt from the Viewpoints 9 monochromatic challenge set by Kate Themel. The reveal from all the artists is happening now so hop over to the V9 blog [link above] to see the wonderful quilts.

 

Surface design students- Seoul

It was very rewarding for me as the teacher to see the wonderful fabric designs produced by the hard working students at the Sookmyung Women's University in Seoul. This university encourages women to study traditional crafts and textiles is a 2 year course. The photo above is of a student new to textile work. I love the kangaroo and the printing and the smile says it all!

Combination of techniques with the rubbing and using Pentel Dye Pastels.
How gorgeous is this rose!

Stencil work

Students had fabric and paints supplied in their kit assembled from locally sourced products.

 

Workshop day

Had a great surface design workshop with these lovely students in Seoul.

Thanks to these lovely young volunteers, Kim and Lee who were my interpreters for the day- couldn't have done it without your help.

Concentration in the classroom.

Wattle

Make wattle quilts while the wattle flowers has been my mantra of late. There is a seemingly short window of opportunity as the different species burst forth with beautiful yellow blossom.

Yellow background dye and then the print of the flowering wattle. Stitching to come.

Underfoot- Firenze

This is a new quilt coming together, the first in my Underfoot series.

Underfoot- Firenze detail. The printing from our Italian trip last year is making an appearance on my design wall and quilts are being completed, which is a wonderful feeling!

 

Rubbing

We did have some time to get out the oil paint sticks and rub a few of friend Kathryn's collection of old metal caps used to wax designs onto the cloth for batik. L-R Sue, Maria, Anne and Kathryn enjoy getting messy with the oil paint sticks on our 'pat' quarters.

Printing

I have started to print a couple of sun dyed pieces. Not sure if I am totally happy with the results yet so will assess and see if adding more will satisfy the design.

On my design wall

An assortment of my printed fabrics and a couple of commercial pieces are pinned to my design wall. As I pass by my ideas bubble away and a design is formulating. I have enjoyed looking into my stash and pulling these out. They were printed perhaps with another project in mind, but that was some time ago and my ideas and skill levels have moved on.

Printing

In my local area are a couple of bench seats covered with ceramic organic shapes that have been imprinted with native foliage. I have been passing them for a few years thinking about the possibilities. It was time to do something about it! Above are my supplies.

Aren't they inspiring?

I'm using green silk with blue and gold Jacquard paints.

Just the subtle effect I was after.

 

 

Wattle printing

This variety of wattle is lovely to print as it gives the imprint of the balled flowers.

And some further experiments on bigger pieces. 

If you are interested in learning this technique and other surface design practises, I shall be teaching A Sense of Place for Queensland Quilters at the end of October 24-25 in Brisbane. Please check the 2Q website for specifics, thanks.

 

 

Bubble Tea

The Viewpoints 9 challenge reveal is underway. My quilt Bubble Tea was made in response to the neon/sparkly challenge by Hsin-Chen. Detail above.

One Tree Point Textile Art Retreat in NZ

For anyone interested in workshops in mixed media and surface design, Kerry Glen of Tulis Textiles in New Zealand has a retreat organised for August 21-23 in Northland at One Tree Point. Sounds interesting, with details online.

Rubbing

There are so many plaques in public areas that I have been spoilt for choice at times. Walking around Stanley Park we came to several at a viewing point. Here the white sails of Canada Place can be seen in the distance above my hat and the plaque is about the cruise terminal. A hot day makes the rubbing go very fast.

Most of the park benches have a dedication plaque also.

 

 

Meanwhile

I couldn't pass up the opportunity to rub the door mat at the FibreWorks yurts! We have been fortunate with the weather on the Sunshine Coast, BC. And the days have slowly been getting warmer in this Northern Hemisphere Spring.

Ah, I knew it would look good.

 

Playing with trees

Just having some fun wrapping my fabric around tree trunks near our Oyster Shack. Two applications of paint here.

Then a transfer to a slightly different bark texture for some oil paint stick.

Don't know what this fabric might become, but I'm happy and content. Missing getting work underway.

 

 

Printing

Jennifer Love allowed me to use her studio for some printing. She has packed it up in readiness for a move to a new home. I loved the luxury of some space and spent a few happy hours absorbed in textile ink and cloth.

I don't know how I will be using the finished fabric but will put it on the design wall at home for further consideration.

I had pictured Canada as very green with the multitude of trees, so instead chose to bring 2 blues for the sky, sea and lakes.

A few leaf prints

Just had to do a leaf print or two before leaving Portland. I had to pass great rubbing opportunities as the busy conference schedule just didn't allow for practical art making time but these Maple leaves collected in Alberta district now live on.

The odd shape is the seed pod which is feather light and propels down from the tree.