Mixed Media || Dandelion Clocks

Yeh, so I basically winged this piece of art, but I love it!! It is so very unique... If you follow me over on Facebook, you will have seen this come together, I hope you enjoy seeing bits of the process :)

This idea started out when I was creating some abstract paintings, and I wondered how it would look if I applied paint in the same way to aida fabric - turns out, it looks great! I also painted an embroidery hoop, and wrapped some appropriate threads around a section of it, secured with double sided sticky tape - just to add some extra interest and texture.

After securing the aida to the embroidery hoop, I started working into it, freestyle, with a needle and thread. I started with some half cross stitches, using scraps of thread I had left over from other projects. I stitched some zigzags over the top - it's a technique I've used in a kit before, and I really like the effect. I also stitched some dandelion clocks on with some feature beads, before applying felt to the back for support, and tying the top with a ribbon. I think the combination of colours and textures is unique and exciting, I really love it!

Art: Freedom

 The latest in my abstract painting series! 

I added some gold ink to this one, which gives it a beautiful shimmer :)

Again, prints are available on deviantArt, and this original is also up for sale, so contact me if you are interested :)

A Peek Inside My Sketchbook VIII

I adore this background! I created it by brushing acrylic paint onto a plastic bag, then printing that paint onto the paper using my heavy weight roller. I built it up in layers, and some of the white paint was also added with my fingers for extra texture.

I created this background using acrylic paint and a sponge roller from my childhood - a lovely quick way to add loads of texture to a page! [If you're trying to get hold of one, they're often marketed for children, and actually come in various designs and sizes!]

Playing with coloured inks, and dabbing them with tissues on a fairly wet background.

If you follow me on Facebook you will already know how I painted this page. If you don't, then I bet you can't guess!! Hint: I used a vegetable.

Yup.

I had a partial head of cauliflower going off in the fridge, and put it to good use in my sketchbook! It crumbled fairly quickly, but it produced such a unique texture.

A piece of wooden dowling and acrylic paints. What I love about this is that each dot it slightly raised, so running your hand over it is super therapeutic!

I had my sketchbook open whilst painting some canvasses the other day. I was using blue paints, and adding brown for depth. I enjoyed using my sketchbook to wipe excess paint from my sponge, and I also experimented with various oddments I had lying around. The little wooden corner pieces from canvsses are great for printing with and making short chunky lines. I also printed with beads, and even rolled them through paint and along the page, before adding final doodles with a bronze gel pen.

Click here to see previous sketchbook posts, and like me on Facebook for sneak peeks and inspiration as they happen!

Inspire: Albert Seveso Ink Photographs

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I think these are some of the most beautiful photos I have seen in a long time. They are just stunning.

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I really need to find an opportunity to create photos like this. To take high speed photographs, and capture beautifully stunning moments. I suppose until that time comes, I can just think about the possibilities of what moment in time to capture!

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I especially love the shapes the ink is forming, and the metallic effect really enhances the photos by catching the light. Mesmerising.

Found via Colossal, see lots more stunning images here.

A Beautiful Impression

Yesterday, I was fortunate to spend an afternoon with my Dad and my Adana printing press!

The main aim of the afternoon? Well, apart from some father-daughter time, I wanted to learn how to use my Adana, and to create some art, especially experimenting with textured paper!

If you read my last post about printing with my Dad, you'll know all about his Arab Platen, and the workshop of type!

[lead cutter]

Well, my Dad refurbished an Adana he had for my personal use! It's a lovely little machine, and I'm already starting to learn it's quirks.

[a beautiful impression]

When thinking about something to set in type, this quote, 'Earth without art is just "Eh"', immediately came to mind.

I chose the typeface Carlton (60 point), and we set the type in the chase.

We initially set it up with a lower case "e" for "eh"...

...but after a couple of prints we decided it would look much better with an uppercase "E"!

Then we decided to add some colour, so whilst the Adana was still inked up in black we did the first print.

A cleaning of the Adana and a mug of tea later, we rolled out the red ink.

And ran a test through!

Thankfully it lined up...

...and printed out beautifully...

...a successful afternoon of printing!

Print available here.