I've had a few bits delivered including these Khadi books. I have loads of loose sheets somewhere but liked the size of the long one, 20 x 8 inches.
I know normally I'm not a sketchbook user, in fact I run a mile to be fair, but I know Khadi can be stitched as well as drawn onto and something just made me go for it! Perhaps it's all the notes I've been taking in my other book about ideas that creep in and will need working on at some point.
I have also noticed that more and more often I am truly seeing the difference between technical ability and artistic expression. I am working very, very hard at seeing if have a 'voice' rather than just flexing my 'I can do that' muscles. It's proving very enlightening! Maybe it's the sort of thing that would have been worked out of me had I managed to do the collage thing before life took a sideways turn.
First thing I did on the paper was colour wash it in landscape tones. Very predictable and I was really rather disappointed with myself so it sat there for a couple of days. I then spotted my Chinese bamboo pens and, after looking out at the fields around the house, dipped them in Iron Gall ink which flows beautifully. I think I achieved an effect I was after. I have added a few more lines since this photo was taken as it was all a bit floaty.
To get over the staid background I used some pastels on the next sheet. (I've cut the sheets out to use and I'm glueing them back in once done).
Just starting with blocks of colour and adding layer upon layer I ended up with quite an in depth piece that I then put under the sewing machine.
I just kept going until it was all covered.
I loved how the texture of the paper went back to its cotton rag heritage!! It feels lovely.
The hanging has been going on at the L'Artishe Gallery in Swanage. Quite a marathon of putting up pieces no more than 100mm x 100mm before framing.
Mine are the three wooden frames above the left print browser. Hung properly!! That opens tomorrow and is on for the whole month should you be in Dorset at all.
A few things in the studio are calling including another page or two in that Khadi book.
Have a great week!
