Recipe for Carragheen and instructions on how to mount silk pictures.

Here is the recipe for carragheen and instructions on how to mount silk paintings on card.

Carragheen

Add 25gms of carragheen to 1.7 litres of water and bring to the boil. 
Boil for 4-5 mins and then turn of the heat and add 500mls of cold water.
Leave over night and then strain through muslin.

The carragheen can be kept for up to a week in the fridge. I usually purchase it from Homecrafts but if out of stock (as appears to be at the moment) here is a link from Amazon.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/JustIngredients-Essential-Irish-Moss-500/dp/B00I9X7HHE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1437468606&sr=8-1&keywords=carrageen+moss


Marbling Inks

We use these inks from Homecrafts UK

http://www.homecrafts.co.uk/Category?SearchString=marbling+inks&x=0&y=0

Fixing the Silk Paintings

In the class we use Pebeo Setasilk paints from Rainbow Silks. They are water based and require an iron to fix.

To fix your silk pictures, iron on the reverse for 5 mins (the important thing is to cover the gutta because this can stick to the iron) and use a medium setting so as not to damage the silk.

Once ironed the silk can be washed etc. I use bondaweb to fix the silk onto cardboard. Cut a piece just slightly larger than the silk picture and iron onto the reverse. Then peel off the paper backing and iron on to a pice of card and then add strips of your marbling cut to size to make a border. The silk can also be applied to fabric in the same manner and used as appliqué with stitch.

Here is a link to Homecrafts website where you can buy bondaweb

http://www.homecrafts.co.uk/buy-bondaweb-se0i?SID=7766&gclid=CI-Gz6vu68YCFTDLtAodxOIMSQ

Please contact me via email or this blog if you have any further questions. 

Art in Action 2015

I have just got back from Art in Action, 2015: whilst the preparation was quite exhausting because it came hot on the heels of New Designers, as usual, it was truly wonderful. I met  many lovely people who came to my silk painting and marbling practical class and also met up with other artists who are now becoming very good friends. My niece and my sons helped to teach and my lovely sister provided the essential support that got us all there.

The Class

Josh marbling

With my sister, niece, son and friend, Christine Green and her mum.

Some lovely, creative piece were made during the 12 workshops and lots of cups of tea enjoyed courtesy of the wonderful people who look after the demonstrating artists and teachers. I would also like to say thank you to Water Perry gardens who helped us to chose a lovely floral display and to Liz Hewit for the china that provided many inspirational patterns. 

I have a very busy year ahead of me with projects for 'Brunel Broderers' and 'Seam Collective', plus my image of the couple on the tube. But, hopefully I will find time to paint more silk and replenish my store of cards ready for Art in Action, 2016.

4304

It is the last few days of prep for Art in Action 2015 and the last major art event / work until September. Whilst very excited about attending and teaching the work shops, I am  a little worried about my entry for 'Best of the Best'. 

In 2009 my husband took his own life. That year 4304 men had their deaths reported as 'suicide'. It is the biggest killer of men under 50 and the critical time for men is between the years of 40 and 44. Carl was 43.  It has been well documented this year on TV (BBC, 2014) that the biggest cause is the fact that men refuse to talk about their feelings and whilst this continues, the high rate of male suicides will not slow down. I feel passionate about this because I have two sons and I really want to make sure that they always know the importance of talking as they become men.

My dilemma was wether or not I should talk about these facts alongside the garment. However, I have decided that the title may just be enough to make people question what the work is about and maybe read this post. The Japanese Gampi tissue night gown cannot be worn but the possibility that it could creates an absence. Light will be used to help capture this and illuminate the design which depicts the route that Carl may have taken from our house to his place of death. Many painful questions are left unanswered after suicide and this makes the rebuilding of normal life very difficult. However, the beauty of the delicate embroidered repair shows how hope can return and lives can be lived again.  

Click here to read more about the making of the garment

'4304' (2014)

'4304' (2014) Side view

If you have been affected by suicide, you may find the links to these programmes helpful -

BBC, (2014)  Life after Suicide, BBC Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3LTFI7jKMA

BBC, (2015) A Suicide in the Family, BBC Documentary http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05rcrx0

New Designers

I have just spent 5 days in London exhibiting at New Designers. I joined the year three textile group from Bath Spa and exhibited my embroidered drawing 'The Bristol 2 Litre Engine'. Luckily I had had one last module to complete, so with my student status nearing its end I was able to join this great group of students. 

Setting up was relatively easy due to the fab help of Steve our technician and Sue Bradley our tutor. 

Day 1 was rather long as we waited patiently for the judges to walk around the show and view everyone's work. Whilst we didn't win any prizes, we had lots of positive comments from the judges about our work.

Over the 4 days we kept a book for comments and gathered a great collection of names such as Stephan Mahoney, fashion journalist, Diana Springall, textile artist and many tutors from other Art and Design schools. I met Jo Hall editor of 'Embroidery' magazine and a few of us have since had emails from 'Selvage'. I really recommend New Designers to all graduates who are passionate about their work and want to get off to the best start in a challenging, but exciting world of art and design.

Lauren Healy,
loved by Absolute Vodka

Julie Heaton and Emily Caldwell

Sae Murai and Jan Kinsman

I have since had an offer to exhibit at Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, East Wales, for the exhibition 'Portal' running from 8th August - 15th October, 2015.