Back Again

Back again 

I have not posted for some time - been so busy but here we go again regularly from now on - I promise!!!!

Just getting over my studio open days for SALA (South Australian Living Artists) on the last two weekends - it was a great success but it does take a bit of work to get organised - cleaning, tidying, hanging work etc. but I love meeting the people that come to visit  - answering all the questions like - How to you get inspiration? Do you draw or plan before you begin? How do you organise your studio  - fabrics, threads etc..?

Just exhibited in the "In Your Backyard" exhibiition at Pepper Street Gallery, Magill Road, Adelaide
I created two small floral pieces for this exhibition - Fabric Collage - raw edged technique (see image below)

I am working on a floral series  - as well as other art works
One from this series is in the USA for the World Quilt Show, another is still travelling with "Beneath the Southern Skies" throughout Australia, an another in the new Australia Wide 3 (Ozquilt Network)  to be launched  at Fairfield Gallery, Sydney in October. These have been selected shows so I am thrilled with my efforts this year so far.

I am still working with our local exhibition group of five, "SAlt" - South Australian Living Textiles
We are creating 8 long panels each over the two years to a theme. We cannot announce where it will be exhibited in 2013 yet so  I will keep you posted. We cannot show any of our works until the launch.
We have all found this very difficult indeed but it will be worth it - 40 stunning panels on show next year.

Suzanne Gummow in front of one of her pieces in the floral series (the red one)

Working in my studio on my red piece on one of  my trusty, well loved, well used Berninas

Carol Wilkes Workshop


This weekend I organised Carol Wilkes to tutor two workshops here in Adelaide.
Carol is a wonderful tutor from Queensland. She is teaching Machine Embroidery techniques.
Everyone enjoyed the weekend workshop. Now for the next two days!!!!

Carol Wilkes and below are here wonderful cords by the miles!!!!

 Below Carol Wilkes discussing machine embroidery techniques with the students. They are listening very intently aren't they???

More in the next few days.

Sri Lanka - Sigiriya


Here are photos of our long walk and climb up the rock of Sigiriya to see the ancient sights of the Buddhist Monastery and Palace including the frescoes posted on the previous post.

I never thought that I could make my way up the rock but I did do it. It was so hot and so far but well worth it especially to see the ancient rock frescoes that I had first seen in a National Geographic Magazine about 20 years ago. They were more impressive in the real. The views from the top the the rock were stunning - I could see why they built on the rock.

Hope that one day some of you may have the opportunity to see the rock for yourself but at least I can share my experiences with you all.

My husband Ken walking towards the rock

A few of the stairs up the rock

The spiral gaged staircase to the frescoes (behind the scaffolding)

Now nearly to the top up another staircase

A view coming down the rock which was a bit daunting

The large loin paws outside the entrance to the top of the rock  - once there was a loins head above the paws but that has disappeared with time

I felt a great achievement climbing the ancient rock of Sigiriya and hope you enjoy the experience.

Sri Lanka - Sigiriya

We travelled to Sri Lanka last April. I had always wanted to visit Sigiriya to visit the frescoes. Sigiriya is a large stone and ancient rock and palace ruin (I think it was really a Buddhist monastery) in the central Matale district of Sri Lanka. It is one of the eight World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka. It was used from  5th Century until the 14th Century.

The ancient paintings (frescoes) would have covered most of the western face of the rock, covering an area of 140 metres long and 40 metres high. But now there are only a few paintings of the ladies (originally 500 ) left and they are very beautifully painted, free and loose in their painting style.

The site itself is HUGE and no-one really told me (expect my son who I thought was exaggerating) how high the climb would be and high it was and how many stairs we would climb to see the frescoes.

My son was amazed that these two oldies could finish the climb so in the next post I will add photos of the rock itself and the climb...And it was so HOT and we started early in the morning but it was well worth it. I am glad I had done loads of walking before to get fit for the trip!!!

Sydney Quilt Show


I have not posted recently as I attended the Sydney Quilt Show last weekend.
It is always worth going to see the whole show - the quilts, the shopping, the other displays etc... and the best bit is meeting up with the people - quilters and others.
What a great weekend!!

Entrance to the show

Lynne Hewett and Judy Hooworth

Julie Haddrick in front of her quilt "The Forever Journey:eat,play, love, stay"

Jenny Bowker in front of her quilt "The Quiltmaker"

The above three (as well as many others) quiltmakers gave Artist talks which
were fabulous.

Circles from my Collage Workshop

Below  are some of the experiments in slicing and dicing using circles
Will be good to see some finished pieces

Arts at Marden


Below are some of the Textiles that are exhibited at Burnside Atrium during this month

The students are from Certificate 111 in Visual Arts and Contemporary Craft
So take the time and visit the exhibition - I am sure you will not be disappointed
There is painting and drawing as well as textiles