I was looking through some lace books earlier this week and was inspired by some lace collar patterns. I decided to play some more with the Colorpoint paints.
click on the images for close-ups...
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| the background is a manipulated amaryllis image...lace pattern done with Colorpoint paints |
A few days later I was inspired by something
Karen Ruane posted and did some free motion embroidery on the image and divided it into sections.
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| free motion embroidery, torn edges and bits of lace |
This will eventually find its way into my ledger.
The daily stitching project continues. I find myself not doing it every day but doing 2 or 3 at a time, every couple of days. The blocks are adding up.
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| daily stitching project |
During the second week of my class
Studying Under the Masters, we studied Antoni Gaudi. I am so taken with his architecture and mosaic work. I'm preparing to do a mosaic of one of the stained glass windows in the
Segrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain. There was a wonderful segment on the Segrada Familia on 60 minutes back in early 2013. You can watch it
here. It's really fascinating.
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| Gaudi architecture |
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| preparing to do a mosaic |
The idea behind copying the Masters is not to plagiarize and make it your own but to practice and to try and learn the thinking that was going on in the mind of the artist as he created. It is said through continued practice, you will find your own voice.
The American Film Director, Francis Ford Coppola said, "We want you to take from us. We want you, at first, to steal from us, because you can't steal. You will take what we give you and you will put it in your own voice. And that's how you begin. And then, one day, someone will steal from you." There are many more quotes like this one from artists, musicians, writers, and other creators, in the book
Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon. He uses the word
Steal in his title but he is just reiterating what artists have said through the ages. I'm enjoying this book that is a fast read but has a very interesting point of view.
I started a new journal for this class that I'm taking and have been experimenting with some pattern sketches.
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| decorated the cover of a new journal and played with some new patterns |
So it's been a productive and interesting week. We had a day of frozen precipitation that created havoc on the roads but yesterday the temperature hit 80F and will be close to that again today before another freeze hits us tonight.
oh...and I ordered this beautiful yarn that I am so anxious to receive. There is a scarf I want to knit that is a bit complicated. I signed up for a knitting class that will meet right after the lace class I attend on Tuesdays and I'll be able to get help with it there.
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| ordered from Blue Moon Fiber Arts |
Have a great weekend.
22 comments:
A productive week indeed.
And yes, the more you "play", and the more you "steal", and the more you do, the more swiftly you will find a voice of your own, a unique and individual style.
Oh yes - and you'll have fun along the way!
oh what a fun and busy week you've had...love all the things you are doing and i'm sure one and all inform one another. since there are so few original ideas these days - after all these millennia it really has been done before - the idea of stealing in the context of art is rather a missed-concept...influence is such a nicer word - the coppola quote is perfect...it's a little like a riddle isn't it...who came first. can't claim first too often these days.
the Coppola quote sums it up perfectly, nothing is new we merely interpret. The yarn for the scarf is beautiful Deanna, have many more freezing temperatures and you will get a lot of use out of it.
This sounds fascinating will watch eagerly to see what you do with it.
LOVE that colour combo yarn, its yummy lol
Hi Deanna-----
I feel in love with Gaudi during my college days. When I hit an unmentionable age milestone, my husband asked me where I wanted to spend it. Barcelona, of course. That was in 2006. Sagrada Familia was very much under construction at that point, but the beauty of its forms was very apparent--and brought me to tears. As did the 60 minutes video you provided. Thanks for that. Go if you can. All of Gaudi's architecture is very moving.
Looks like a lovely, productive and fun week :)
A busy bee, indeed! I always see faces and masks in Gaudi's work and it is a little unsettling. My imagination gets a little carried away sometimes. LOL! I love Blue Moon Fiber yarns. They are so beautiful. Your lace/ledger work is gorgeous. As are your daily blocks which just make me plain happy. Have a wonderful weekend.
You are creative, so creative. Many wonderful projects. The wool is of fascinating colours.
We swelter ...while you freeze. ...Your work for the week looks amazing. I really like what your doing with the colour prints and embroidering over them. Beautiful work.
you have certainly had a very creative week with lots of interesting things going on. Look forward to seeing the mosaic and love the architecture full of ideas for design there
I love what you've done with the paper and stitch, they'll be perfect additions to your ledger. That wool looks gorgeous, have fun using it
Wow Deanna, you've been a busy bee playing with all sorts of wonderful things!
I love Gaudi too. We had hoped to make it to Barcelona a few years ago, but then our plans got changed. I really do want to go visit his masterpieces!!
I love your new yarn. Hope you have lots of fun and learn lots in your knitting class!
xxoo
You have had a beautiful creative week .lovely yarn ! Do you use a stabilizer for free motion stitching on paper and cheese cloth?
I just love Francis Ford Coppola's quote ,it sums up a persons creative life.
Oh Deanna, so much beautiful hand work going on here. I love your daily stitching you are working on. I regret not sign up for Studying under the masters, too busy this year! I have been to Barcelona twice and loved everything about Antoni Gaudi. I hope when we go there next time the Segrada Familia would be finished!
Love that colorful yarns - Hugs Nat
Oh how fun, all your projects! That building is incredible. Looking forward to seeing your mosaic.
Interesting thoughts on "Stealing". I will checkout the book. The lacework with Colorpoint paints, a nice use for old paints I have. Like the new art journal. The sock yarn you bought is beautiful and will make up into an equally pretty scarf.
Thanks for the book suggestion.
You are a woman after my own heart. I always seem to love whatever you're making or working on. The embroidered squares are so pretty. And a mosaic! With cloth, right? So cool. The yarn is amazing -- that's all one skein? x
oh deanna! it is always a joy to catch up with your doings! so many creative and innovative processes and manifestations of your vision. it is such a pleasure and an inspiration!
EVerything we do is copied to a certain extent isn't it, even if its copied from nature, but if you've made it yourself it has your stamp on it. I would love to see the Gaudi mosaics, my youngest son has and gave me lots of leaflets and photos. I have had a go at mosaic and somewhere in my posts there is a picture of one in my kitchen but messy is not me. lol
I love the multi colour yarn, its gorgeous.
Briony
x
I'm wondering what pattern the knitting will be? I love that companies yarn for socks…wearing some right now. I hope to get to Spain to see some of Gaudi's creations someday.
I always enjoy visiting your blog Deanna - you have so many wonderful interests and such refreshing points of view - add in a healthy dose of enthusiasm and there you are - always inspiring me to look into something else!
I love that yarn, and adore the scarf you intend to make... I think you are never bored....
I signed up for that too - mostly because I wanted to see what Katie K's block would be like. But I ended up not following any of it. It sort of overwhelmed me and my "solution" was to just hide from it. Bummer.
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