Mark making

I have embraced the first exercise in mark making. Picking words to depict as pencil marks is interesting. How I reacted to the words was interesting: 'Soft' and 'hard' seemed easy ones until I tried them. In the end, I reacted with the most interest to 'delicate' and 'sensuous'. The latter ended with two completely different representations, one using the end of a round stick of compressed charcoal which almost seems to melt into the paper as I roll it around randomly, and the other a  weave of rounded lines. Both completely different, but still made me react in the same way: I wanted to reach into the paper and touch them. So now I am thinking about how that would translate into fibre, and I haven't even got to the mixed media element of the mark making. Oddly, 'Sharp', I found really difficult. In theory this sounds obvious, but trying to take that onto the page was not. I shall have another go at that. I am going to have a go at some other words: rigid, fluid, agitated, opaque, translucent, shimmering, vibrant. I have also started looking at other artists. Franz Marc was a revelation. I had never heard of him and instantly connected with his work. I think I shall have a detailed look at him. I set up a slide show within the Bridgeman Education website, and realised afterwards that the majority of the pictures use really bright, mainly primary colours. I also chose some very 'organised' work, with lots of angles and straight lines, but generally it was all abstract. Generally, when I visit galleries, I like sculpture and all manner of art, so I  think perhaps I have my textile thinking cap on, and I am thinking what is practical in terms of textiles that I could replicate. Anyway, I am gradually building up my stock of supplies now, but am rather lacking on the fabrics (lots of fur fabric from my foray into bear making, but that's about it!). Time to cut up some single bed sheets and see what else I can forrage....

Inspiration

This is not self indulgence, this is my learning log (so apologies). I have yet to receive my course text and workbooks, so I thought it useful to log my inspirations and thoughts before I am set on course. My main inspiration is water...rivers, the sea, rain. I like the noise of the sea in winter, and the calm lapping of summer. I like the smoothness of sand, and then the undulating sand of a tide just past. I like the readiness of sand to record footsteps and marks of animals passing through, small and large, mammal or bird. I like the bark of trees, smooth petals of spring and leather like autumn leaves. I like texture most of all, anything that cries out to be touched. I aim to use smooth angora wool, leather, feathers, felt, cotton, organza. And with the texture comes colour...a rainbow of hues. I am always drawn towards the oranges of autumn, and the colours of summer, but pale, snowflake blues with peaches and greens always interest me. Anyway, we shall see...

Sew what?

...that's the question. I am embarking on the Open College of Arts Textiles 1: A creative Approach course. This is my first foray into textiles since my needlework classes at School back in 1987. Those were not happy days. I remember grappling with the bobbins almost constantly, sitting quietly until the teacher got back round the room to me to help. I am sure she thought I was pretty simple. My confidence in sewing straight lines and making PE bags may not be at its highest, but my creativity has been proven to be not all that rubbish in the last few years. I have made a few hundred pounds for charity selling my jewellery in that time, and can make myself any necklace/bracelet/earrings I want whenever I want, which is always cool.

My mum was a needlework and art teacher. I remember seeing her university sketchbooks as a kid and being really impressed at her work. She made my clothes until I was old enough to object to being dressed in the latest fashions (the Bay City Roller red polyester trouser suit with tartan cuffs was the last straw), but I have always been impressed and in awe of her practical and creative endeavours. This journey for me is a nod to my mum, Joyce Fretwell, and I am looking forward to the journey...