WORK IN PROGRESS

And so it begins, the steel is cut and the hinges work, the spot welding is done

and the grip coat has been fired on without a hitch. The piece looks pristine, I like the simplicity and at a pinch I would leave it at that. What makes us go on? Often to over work something or create technical problems that more firings will produce. I would like to think that it is the explorer in me?

I came across this saying posted on http://www.artpropelled.blogspot.com/

"Lightly child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly. Even though you're feeling deeply, lightly let things happen, and lightly cope with them on tip toes and with no luggage, completely unencumbered".

Aldous Huxley

I know it's not like me to post deep and meaningful, but this struck a cord and I hope to act upon it with this piece of work... well I will try!

MAKING A START

The work desk of my studio looks very different these days, covered in tools and bits of metal.

I always think it is intriguing to see how projects begin

and this is the start of another concertina book...watch this space!

ENAMEL EXPERIMENTS

I am still trying out different ways of working in enamel using this concertina book form as a vehicle for my experiments.

I have used my own photographs of early entomological collections making them into enamel transfers.

Then I have sand blasted label shapes and beetles into the enamel surface.

Rust will happen!!

ENAMEL EXPERIMENTS

I seem to be getting the year off to a swift start and spent the last few days cutting and enamelling steel to make this concertina book about the

Oxford University Museum of Natural History. My dilemma now is, do I enamel the end boards or leave them in bare steel to let them rust?

STARTING AGAIN!

I love Christmas and the holiday whizzes by so quickly, but the New Year leaves me feeling a bit panicky about starting again.
So December the 31st found me in the shed drawing and planning a big project.

These sketch book doodles are a plan for an enamelled concertina book,

it will be about the Oxford Natural History Museum and will be about 6ins x 9ins.

The plan is to make it in enamelled steel with screen printed transfers and drawing.

I can't wait to get started with the metal cutters.

Happy New Year to you all, lets hope it is a busy one!

A NIGHT OUT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

I thought this would be a Christmas image that would make you all smile. Thanks to my children and their friends.

To all my friends at Blog Spot, a very happy Christmas and a creative New Year.

FAIRY EXCHANGE

A fairy exchange is no robbery. My friend Caroline( http://www.carolinemccatty.blogspot.com/) and I have been exchanging fairies at Christmas for some years now. The enamel fairy is my offering for this year. We have a theme which we choose in January, this year was faded fairy, in the past we have swapped scary fairy, furry fairy, famous fairy the list goes on. But I think this year we have both been so absorbed by the new processes we have been learning that the theme has taken a bit of a back seat. I am thrilled to be the recipient of Caroline's first posted automaton, as usual I feel like I am getting the better end of the fairy deal (not complaining). It does look like we have both upped our game some what, goodness knows what we will do for next year.

Collaborations with friends is a wonderful way to make things, it is always an inspiring and fulfilling process. Thankyou Caroline!