Monday, 21 February 2011

Venice



I was fortunate enough to visit the magical city of Venice a few weeks ago and found, as I am more and more so, that all I need for hours of uninterrupted entertainment, is white paper and a black pen. Capture the moment and embellish it later on. Unsure whether or not to touch the original line drawing, I took a good snap and tentatively added some colour. Still not convinced. Going to see if some thread will change my mind.... It's all about experimenting apparently.

New bits of Inspiration


Despite not being a huge lover of fancy bits of technology and the "smart" phones especially, I am grateful to Nokia for having such fab camera aps, so I can capture little bits of nature and accidental beauty whilst on my daily travels. Whilst on a trip to London last weekend, I emerged from the grubby tube station bracing myself for the hustle and bustle of the Capital streets that lay above....instead, as i gazed up towards the sky, I found myself beneath the most magnificent empty tree, branches bending and twirling from all angles, and the clear blue sky beaming through the gaps. Maybe London ain't so bad after all....

Image 2 - the distinctive flowers from Nexus art cafe standing tall on each and every table, I barely notice them any more. Until....they cast a beautiful shadow on the white wall behind them.

Sometimes you just need to to see things from a different angle.

Friday, 28 January 2011

Birthday Present for Becca


Just a little something to celebrate the onset of old age for my dear friend Becca. I re-used some old bits of decorative tissue paper and ribbons, collaged them all together and set the sewing machine on it. Together with a freshly painted frame, it came together quite nicely.

Sunday, 23 January 2011

Moving Images 3


What will become of us riding these lonely midnight trains?
I ask myself each time I take a seat and gaze both longingly and contently out of the large windows. The world beyond moves so fast but I stay completely still, lost in a moment only I can explain.

Sunday, 16 January 2011

Secret Santa Exhibition




The works culminated in a small exhibition at Manchester's Not Part Of exhibition. So effective seeing them all together.

This is also the one I made for my dear friend Bethany.

More Secret Santa





Secret Santa






This year for Christmas I gave each one of my amazing 11 girlfriends a 6x6in canvas, a secret name and some simple instructions. Do something for that person on the canvas, anything you like, using any materials you desire, and send it to them to be opened on Christmas day. Their reactions were mixed; a combination of fear and excitement and how many times did I hear "I'm not very creative!" Unsuprisingly, they all surpased themsleves and created the most fantastic and meaningful work I have seen for a long time, and the results were far better than anything I could ever do singlehandedly. It was amazing hearing how many of them really enjoyed the making process and engaging with an activity which felt quite alien to them. The best part was hearing how proud they all were of themsleves, and happy the canvases made the recipients. I nearly cried when I opened mine. Thankyou Holly. So much joy to be gained from a simple 6x6 inches.