DESIGN TO PAINT

DESIGNING TO PAINT


I draw ... I rarely "correct" ..so things are not the same on each side....
See I can overlay a copied product...& there is lopsided bit...it leaves a trace ..as it is my signature.


When I design it is within me, 
I have something to articulate ... I collect images as I walk, drive , observe & touch....


Then a few sheets of clean white paper and a sharp soft lead pencil begin....the process.
Things arrive...like hypnosis in a way,it's auto pilot time.... 
The only other time I may sketch & I use a biro & notebook is when I wait for appointments. In Bless Them Stitchers book and the A Christmas Journey books were begun as full blown scenes as I did waited for my sessions with a peridontist . Petrified or bored I take myself off !!!

****

After a drawing session, I usually choose quite a few designs to be sent to my wonderful machinist, who has a great skill.... to align all the drawings with my instructions to cut away, to etch, to size ....onto another computer language to speak to the laser...
Without that fine tuned skill... things would look even wonkier !


I am so confident most times I rarely have any designs readjusted.. I don't tweak... I paint...
At the stage when 10 or so copies of the new designs arrive back....( this can be a fair gap depending  on the machinist's work commitments )
I can hardly contain myself... TO PAINT THEM............


I love bringing them to life with colour & there are times when I adore them in the nude colour... that is another chapter.....


I need great natural daylight to see the fine painting I have set myself to do by the way I designed the piece..and my customers have grown to adore.. ( excuse me for being so vain here ! )
Artificial light produces ever so slight shadows... & the contrast is wrong for any globes..So this is only a daytime activity.
The seasons alter the intensity of light... and the heat dries the paint quicker & etc etc..
So there are seasonal conditions also... When paint dries quicker the pigment alters a little....


I have my pots & tubes of preferred paints..... my loved brushes ( a company has just closed & the brushes I used for years are not available now & it is always tricky..consistency of texture ... so I have to relearn some things ... )
I have several sized brushes & a huge supply of replacements.
When a brush begins to wear, it starts to separate a bit or the edge isn't as sharp or a point is not a point anymore ...that has to be chucked in the bin..as the product quality is shot !

I have a cleanish palette & clean water in my ceramic mug...

my erganomic chair...

& I wear a very speckled apron.... it doubles as a brush wiper !

Squeeze paint onto palette ... I use 2 shades of paint always...for me it gives movement
Load the brush with the colours & with steady hand the pieces  is happening.

***

If this is a santa button for example...

A white & contrast colour & different sized brushes are called into play..the cap fur, the pompom... the beard... any other trims...

The red & my colour of blending choice.... cap, coat or shirt, stockings...

All the while I can be changing brushes, which means wash these & wipe into shape.... pick up new size etc etc..

Some black for the shoes, mitts ...etc.... maybe a brown shoe..& black pants...

Dot the shoes perhaps.....stripes with a very fine pointed brush to finish off the cap & the coat & the stockings...

Dots for buttons... & eyes.  Stroke for each eyebrow...

Dry enough to do any pen work..tack tack ------ there...

Allow to dry, spray seal outside ...wear a mask..

Package.....which has just been reduced .. as that too was a very unglamourous pastime at night,labour intensive and messy!

Then for the order to reach a shop or a person ..it is invoiced... checked...all items to go..bagged again in brown bags....( better for post travel )

sealed... 

boxed in Aust POst boxes... bubbled 

hastily add a note ( if we are lucky !!! )

Repeat for how many for a day to post...

Drive to PO etc etc..fill out custom labels ( takes ages )

Pay & back to paint !

Love Barbara

of Theodora Cleave..

*****

Painting

It's a mix.... is it not of the things I design & paint...

I was talking on www.theodoracleave.blogspot.com

of the studio under some renovations

and 

that entails looking at what I am doing

how...what else do I want to do...

what lights me up ( so to speak ! ) 

****

PAINTING

Painting is a very intense work occupation.

I , most times, do not even think I am holding my hand ever so steady to apply paint in a delicate place between 2 fine lines..that if I have too much paint on my brush, the wrong size brush or my hand wobbles..

the piece  is damaged...

Wiping off the paint has to be FAST and there is a very short correction time,

then the paint leaves a mark,a line....

other times I spend many an hour dotting the edges of things....

to lift to bring to life a 2 dimensional thing....

One cannot get a sharp pointed stylus & just keep going..

The stylus HAS to be the right size... too thick & urk another mess !

The paint has to be just so on the end of that point... and maybe 2  or 3 dots & wipe end of stylus & back into paint & dot some more

On the  topic of dots...

dots can be overdone... too many & it ruins a look

too few 

& it looks silly.

Each step is a considered balance.

But that is towards the finish of the buttons & decorations I produce...

I will discuss the steps next blog..

Finished Conversations for a time....

So What is Next ????????

I have some ideas of talking about some design aspects...

as more people step inside this arena......

and my opinion....

maybe some tips

Finishing My Conversation with Lorraine

"Lorraine you go to an Quilting weekend in Cohuna ...?"

Country Quilters Weekend being held 1st to 3rd June this year 

and I am doing 

Gloria Loughmans class 

"Light up your Landscape"

 which will involve fusing 

small squares, rectangles or diamonds of fabric, 

to build up a landscape 

background that is dramatic. 

Then we design our own wall hanging working 

from a photo or picture. 

Fusing, invisible machine applique, free motion 

stitching and quilting techniques will be included. 

"That will be a fantastic class....

I know there are several tutors that will be coming to this weekend  which is all but booked up.."

Previous tutors include 

Deb Layt, Kerry Gillespie, Lil Blokes, Whiskers & Wings, Woodcutters Daughter, Lisa Speigal, Brenda Ryan. Susan Smith & lots more ... 

I enjoyed a two day workshop with Textile Artist Alice Gove. 

Pam Carmody 

conducted a workshop called "points without pain' but there was some pain 

involved in getting good points!

 My Cohuna Patchwork Group have a 4 day Retreat, 

usually held at the 4 Post Camp 

Deniliquin.

 It was in late May. 

I took my sewing machine to sew 

some shapes together.

I am working on a Little Blokes quilt and did some blanket stitch on blocks I have made. 

We have a take two fat 

quarters to match a fat quarter supplied, 

this is used for a sewing 

challenge. 

We bring along one item for a Silent Auction in aid of the Cuppa 

for Cancer. 

Sat night is dress up and the theme is Tarts, Tantrums 

and Tiaras.

 And this is Fergus... a dog who knows what a good quilt should feel like for that perfect afternoon snooze...while I sew !

Thanks Lorraine for sharing your journey from sewing teddy bears to making quilts... quite a nice stroll !

Love Barb

Some activities Lorraine

"Lorraine tell me the process of the Round Robin Quilt that you did with the Cohuna Quilter's group ?"

Round Robin wall hanging. 

7people  in a group.

We each supply a 6 inch by 6 inch centre, 

then placed in brown paper bag with all names on.

 Each month it was 

passed to the next name on the list 

and 

we were given requirements for next round,

 i.e. to include hand sewing; 

curves; 

bring in another colour; 

squares or blocks. 

You blacked out your name, down the list.

 You could show to 

other members but not the owner of the first block.

It finishes looking very together &  lovely !

****

This picture is of your quilt design French Frolic

with that very tall girl, I added lots of lovely borders ...!

"You attend the Cohuna Quilter's Weekends 

I have been on the other side a few times & they were fabulous weekends....

What class are you doing this year 

& when does this take place ??"

Country Quilters has been involved withWeekend being held 1st to 3rd June this year 

and I am doing 

Gloria Loughman's class "Light up your Landscape" 

which will involve fusing 

small squares, 

rectangles

or

 diamonds of fabric,

 to build up a landscape 

background that is dramatic.

 Then we design our own wall hanging working 

from a photo or picture.

 Fusing, 

invisible machine applique, 

free motion 

stitching and quilting techniques will be included. 

Previous tutors include 

Deb Layt, Kerry Gillespie, Lyn Hyland ( Lil Blokes), You Barb,( Woodcutter's Daughter)

Lisa  Speigal, Philippa Morris ( Whisker's & Wings ), Susan Smith ( Patchwork on Stoneleigh)  and Brenda Ryan. Michelle from Boort and many more.

Marvelleous array of classes & there is a sit & sew part as well and some trading tables.

********

I enjoyed a two day workshop with Textile Artist Alice Gove. 

Pam Carmody 

conducted a workshop called "points without pain' but there was some pain 

involved in getting good points!

when I met Lorraine she made bears

When I first met  Lorraine she was a bear maker 

Cute bears huh ?

 Today she whips up quilts for the grandchildren....

...

and bears dot the house ....

but now have their quilts...

Lorraine 's Christmas Quilt

Lorraine I met  when I lived in Cohuna.. the first time.

I think we went to view & photograph a flock of pelicans on Kow Swamp

Over the years I have seen Lorraine take to stitching & quilting like one of those pelicans took to the water, with ease & grace & enthusiasm.

I actually lived in her unit in Melbourne ....

When I returned to Cohuna, Lorraine lived just down the lane from me & 

we'd see each other ..doorstop chats as she walked her 2 small fluffy white dogs..

She would also mind  my Millie cat when I'd go away..

and I got to do the same for her 2 dogs....

It was a lovely village country lifestyle .

Of course we remain friends & see each other on a semi regular basis....

I try to give her some of my painted wood things for Christmas or a forgotten birthday..

I realised the last birthday I missed it is the same date as my mother's...

Just look what some stitchery designs from ???, 

 I am not sure...

maybe Hugs & Kisses

and a fair load of 

Theodora Cleave's Christmas collections 

wood decorations 

and a creative layout

has made this into a gorgeous quilt ....!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Lorraine ... it gives fantastic ideas of what can be done ..

Marg Low's Designs at the quilt show

Marg Low Designs who we had a recent conversation with on this blog

has just come home from the 

AUSTRALIAN QUILT CONVENTION

MELBOURNE

She has send me through a photo of her stand to share with us all

It is just BEAUTIFUL..

Now I am going to do an extra plug here..

You will see some of my wood designs worked into her designs..

They always look so great.

Thanks Marg for making my work look very nice !!!!!

www.marglowdesigns.typepad.com 

Jenny has such a creative life thus far !!

You asked me about my ‘’history’’

"Yes I did Jenny!!! I find it gives other courage & inspiration to try their dreams and to alter the course when they feel it is ok to do so.... In fact I love it & identify with that.... so please tell us ".....................

 ... if someone said to me 16 years ago

 that I would no longer be working as a solicitor 

in a small rural town in Australia

 and 

I would be running a B & B in Dunedin, NZ,

 I probably would have laughed and said, ‘’unlikely’’.  

****

In between I’ve set up a small children’s clothing business 

 initially I designed and sewed everything in the range,

 but later as it grew I had the most fabulous seamstress doing the sewing ..

 Heather was and still is an absolute genius on a sewing machine,

 and one of life’s very special women that I feel privileged to have met and become friends with.  

***

Then I decided to take the plunge and open a sewing shop in Geraldine NZ

 Needle ‘n Thread was born

I  started  as a sewing and haberdashery shop,

 but another amazing woman I met through the shop, 

Naomi, was a patchworker and quilter extraordinaire

 she used to come into the shop very very frequently, and every time she would ask when I was going to start and stock patchwork fabrics.  

It makes me smile, now, to think of her visits ...

I can see her smiling face as she would walk through the door and I knew that she was going to gently suggest the addition of patchwork fabrics would be the best thing .

 In the end I heeded her need, and over the course of the next 5 or 6 years,

 the sewing shop became a patchwork shop.  

That takes me to the point that I first met you, Barb

I still have the first catalogue that you sent me ...when you were the Woodcutters Daughter.  

I couldn’t wait to order your buttons – they were, and still are, fabulous!!  

******

 Isn’t it amazing, though, how fabric and threads become such an important part of my life 

... it’s something I can’t imagine living without.  

***

 So, then I sold Needle ‘n Thread, and moved to Dunedin. 

 I decided that I wanted to do it all again, so once again opened another patchwork shop, this time called The Stitchery.  

This is where I first started to run my annual Stitchery Retreats from – they were such fun.  

We did classes by the dozen ... and a stitching group met in the shop every Friday afternoon. 

 Shelves of fabric lined the walls, 

baskets of patterns filled the tables,

 racks of threads .... 

quilts hanging from the walls,

 gorgeous fabric dolls 

and 

bags galore. 

 I loved my little shop....

but 

when I found my cottage at the top of the stairs, 

I knew in my heart that the time was right for a change of lifestyle. 

****

 When I’m not running the B & B,

 looking after guests, or pottering in the garden, 

you’ll often find me traipsing around the country, 

climbing up and down hills either by foot or by car, 

being the support crew,

 taxi driver, 

cook,

 nurse aid, 

and fanatical supporter of the child, 

who is a passionate downhill mountainbiker.  

It’s a nutty sport, really – quite dangerous, but thrilling at the same time...

and from a spectators point of view, the hill-climbing is definitely good for the fitness.  

He is every bit as passionate about his racing, as I am about my stitching 

Thank you Jenny for sharing such an interesting journey thus far...

A true creative spirit....

one who not only stitches stories but lives her own..

Bravo Jenny !!!!!

Thank you so much, Barb, for asking me to chat with you ..

I have so enjoyed reading your interviews with Marg and MarieClaude.  

Now who might be coming next ???

*****

"I have not thought any further ahead but give me a moment..

I have many interesting people where our lives pass as we roam the world or a little piece of a place we dwell in..

Each of us has a story...

and they are all interesting.

*****

I hope people have been inspired as 

A Bird Sings On a Branch...

and not only dare to dream but push through to see what that dream feels like !!!!

The women I have been in conversation know this & that also includes moi

So go forward.... hold tight to dreams, be happy to take a uturn if need be...or travel a long straight & narrow road..

whatever it is for you 

it is yours..."

Jenny Gathers her Studio together for winter

Yes, I’ve had a few retreats here since leaving the shop ,

 they are so much fun

 and could you possibly imagine a nicer way to spend the day or the weekend,

 stitching in the company of other fabulous stitching ladies .

  And 

there is more to come, this year.  

I’m excited to tell you, Barb, that the StitcheryRoom will be re-opening in May,

 for the winter months. 

 I missed not having it open last winter, so can’t wait to set it up again this year. 

(www.stitcheryroom.blogspot.com) 

 At the end of April

 the front guest bedroom will be transformed into my little studio/shop. 

 It will look a little different to the first year, with more emphasis on it being a creative place

a big table set up in the middle perhaps, 

with room to sit and ‘’play’’ 

 with fabrics and threads, 

yarn,

 some crochet,

 ribbons and laces,

 buttons, 

 stamps. 

 I have been ordering some gorgeous new bits of fabric 

 I know, I said there would be less fabric, 

but that doesn’t mean to say there wont be any.

Beautiful linens,

 ribbons, 

laces and new threads,

 and it’s always fun and inspiring to play with your buttons, Barb 

  I want to run little ‘’makings’’ during the day, and maybe some at night

 where you can come along and make something sweet, for a gift maybe, or just to keep for yourself. 

 And Christmas things – I love to make Christmas things. 

 What do you think, Barb?  

Sounds like fun?  Want to pop over and join me 

" Yes Jenny, it all sounds wonderfully exciting.....

and  these projects 

are gorgeous !!!"