Monday 27 August 2007

Artist's Muse Chapter 5/Challenge 5

I must admit, I had some problems with the Challenge this month, in that I could not really reconcile the challenges in the book with those Sue B had set, if you didn't want to work in paint. The August Chapter/Challenge in The Artist's Muse Book is actually called Pouring On Creativity, and the challenges are about pouring paint...... Sue suggested we take 6 to 12 fabrics, all sorts, and tear into strips, then weave them. I knew what the end result would be, that was my problem. I could not get them to look anything other than woven strips of fabric (no movement at all, not like runny paint that you slosh all over the place!) I have, in the past, done 'curved weaving' where you cut random curves into two pieces of fabric, then weave them together, but as I say this uses only two large pieces, not many strips.
However, I eventually decided to cut the strips up and stitch them back together, hopefully creating some movement in the lines of weaving.
It worked, to a degree. We also had to make something with the fabric we made - I made these four postcards. The fabrics I used included silk, satin, netting, organza, chiffon, velvet, dyed garden fleece, cheesecloth, cotton, lace and fancy yarns. I should have used a lot of different colours, as well as textures, but I knew it would look a mishmash, and I woulnd't like it, so I controlled the outcome from the start by my colour choice. I therefore missed the point of the Challenge which was(according to the Book) ' to let go and allow yourself to create chaos' and 'give up control' ...... whoops! better luck with the next challenge.


9 comments:

Anonymous said...

well Val I'd say that you did a great job with this challenge. Especially since it was one that didn't particularly inspire you. Those are always the hardest to work through.

dot said...

Hi Val
I have a problem with weaving strips of fabric too and know exactly what you mean when you say you knew what the outcome would look like! I think the postcards you ended up with look great and i think you achieved the desired movement.

Doreen G said...

Well I think the postcards look good Val-- you may not have been inspired in the beginning but you worked your way through it to the end.

Dianne said...

I think the end result looks great! I would've done the same as you and controlled the colour right from the start.

Judy Rys said...

The texture is wonderful Val. Letting go is difficult for most people. I am often surprised at how much I like the outcome when I completely let go.

Purple Missus said...

The postcards turned out really well Val. I admire the fact that you stuck with it - I would have given up long before - so well done on two counts.

Carol said...

Your postcards are great Val. I love the colours you have chosen. Well done.

Alis Clair said...

Great work Val and well done for sticking with it.
The post cards turned out beautifully and with lots of texture.

I am working on my piece now. My problem is ripping instead of cutting. That is chaos to me ;0)

bookwraps by suz.com said...

good job Val!...
there are always some techniques that just don't do it for us!!!!VBG...but than-that's the point of the exercise...