Artistic Explorations: Print, collage and stitch

On the 21st of September it's World Peace Day and the owner of The Creamery, where I run my art workshops, had invited people to contribute to her project "Patchwork Collaborations". Last Sunday was the kick off and next year a huge banner will be presented with all kinds of creations from the community, from drawings, paintings to craft pieces, small and large.

I submitted this mixed media piece called "Freedom". It contains various pieces of materials such as prints on fabric and handmade paper, an inspirational quote from Nelson Mandela, real lichen, bark and lace. I have also used (free) machine stitching to add more texture to some pieces and to connect separate parts. Then it was glued onto A3 cardboard.

"Freedom" ©Fenfolio2014

A music sheet is put under the printed fabric.
Machine stitching and some iridescent oil bars have been
added on top of printed fabric to add more texture.
©Fenfolio2014

Machine stitching and some iridescent oil bars have been
added on top of the printed fabric to create texture.
©Fenfolio2014

Nelson Mandela's quote is printed on my own handmade paper
(made from fibers of an old blouse) and then it was stitched to
the printed fabric. ©Fenfolio2014

A macro photograph of lichen printed on fabric.
Then real lichen was glued on top. This piece was finished with
free machine stitching in various colours of thread to add more texture.
©Fenfolio2014

This peice is decorated with painted lace. ©Fenfolio2014

A piece of paper with ink and impressed cling film
is the background for this design which was freely sewn on the machine in
gold embroidery thread. ©Fenfolio2014

An inverted photograph of a tree printed on handmade paper (purchased).
Then the outlines of the branches were freely sewn with metallic embroidery thread.
®Fenfolio2014

A photograph of a tree trunk printed on paper and decorated with
copper stitches for added texture. Then real bark from our birch tree was
stitched to the paper with gold embroidery thread.
Scraps of green fabric have been glued to finish off this piece.
©Fenfolio2014

I hope many more people will be inspired to create something for this wonderful project. It can be handed in in person or you can send a photo of your creation by email. More details about the project can be found on The Creamery's Facebook page. You can also contact me and I will put you in touch with the organiser. Happy creating!

Artistic Explorations: Mixed Media (5)

For his birthday (last year!) my husband asked me to make a vertical triptych painting of birch trees in mixed media with vibrant colours, to be hung on the tall wall along the staircase . He helped me with the concept, such as pealing off real bark from the birch trees in our garden, and also gave me very useful feedback during the creative process so I won't take sole credit for this piece! Finding and then applying the various layers to create the textures of the trees took me much more time than expected. As soon as we heard when our house renovation was going to start, it was the right push to get the painting finally finished. It's currently in storage but it has already been approved by him and we think it will look great once the renovation works has been completed.

Birch triptych ©Fenfolio2012

Each panel is 61 x 31 cm. Used materials: dried birch bark, Asian paper, modelling paste, acrylics.

Close-up top panel

Close-up middle panel

Close-up bottom panel

Artistic Explorations: Mixed Media (4)

It wasn't long after I published my last article that summer turned suddenly into winter. Last week we had about 15 cm of snowfall! Luckily it didn't take too long to melt but because the snow was so wet and heavy, some flowers had been crushed. Not for the hardy Scottish bluebell, thank goodness. I just love this flower especially when they completely cover the forest floor to create a purple carpet.

Bluebells through beech ©DeviantArt member Alex37

© DeviantArt member Sugar Wride

© DeviantArt member lazlowoodbine2010-d36bevl

© DeviantArt member tommys_media-d47jts5

A while ago I created this mixed media painting inspired by the first photograph. I used special paper to create the tree trunks and combined that with acrylics on a canvas panel, 40 x 15 x 3.5 cm.

Bluebell Forest ©Fenfolio2012

Artistic Explorations: Highland inspiration

 

Last week we enjoyed a wonderful holiday in Poolewe, North-West Scotland, where we stayed in a very cosy and spacious eco-lodge Coille Bheag with stunning views over Loch Ewe. It inspired me to make a few paintings in acrylics.

Loch Ewe ©Fenfolio2012

Loch Ewe in acrylics ©Fenfolio2012

Loch Ewe, abstract version ©Fenfolio2012

The first few days saw quite good and mild weather. We were able to make a sea kayak trip (the last time was in September 2011) from Cove along the North Coast and explore the rocky shoreline and see some otters!

Kayaking on Loch Ewe ©Fenfolio2012

Going through natural arch ©Fenfolio2012

Making tea with a kelly kettle ©Fenfolio2012

Kayaking along the WWII batteries ©Fenfolio2012

Other days we made long walks such as from Melvaig to Rubh Re lighthouse which has an excellent visitors centre, Flowerdale waterfalls and arboretum near Gairloch and Firemore beach close to the lodge.

Horses in shed ©Fenfolio2012

Rubh Re lighthouse ©Fenfolio2012

Walking along rugged coastline ©Fenfolio2012

Firemore beach ©Fenfolio2012

Whereever we went, I saw something that caught my eye; colours, compositions, textures and shapes in nature, derelict buildings and objects. I'm sure these images will be very useful when I start the photography and art sessions with the youngsters in a few weeks time.

Contrasted branches ©Fenfolio2012

Bark texture I ©Fenfolio2012

Bark texture  II ©Fenfolio2012

Bark texture III ©Fenfolio2012

Bark texture IV ©Fenfolio2012

Bark texture V ©Fenfolio2012

Lichen I ©Fenfolio2012

Lichen II ©Fenfolio2012

 

Lichen III ©Fenfolio2012

Dereliction I ©Fenfolio2012

Dereliction II ©Fenfolio2012

Dereliction III ©Fenfolio2012

Dereliction IV ©Fenfolio2012

Dereliction V ©Fenfolio2012

Rock shapes I ©Fenfolio2012

Rock shapes I ©Fenfolio2012

Rock shapes II ©Fenfolio2012

Rock shapes III ©Fenfolio2012

Rock shapes IV ©Fenfolio2012

Curved I ©Fenfolio2012

Curved II ©Fenfolio2012

Curved III ©Fenfolio2012

Patched I ©Fenfolio2012

Patched II ©Fenfolio2012

Tide line I ©Fenfolio2012

Tide line I ©Fenfolio2012

Corroded I ©Fenfolio2012

Corroded II ©Fenfolio2012

The last few days of our holiday we saw a lot of rain. More the reason to stay inside, chill-out in our lovely lodge, read some books and and create more paintings. I'm currently working on a relief project which involves powder filler and sandpaper!