Monday 1 February 2010

Gotcha!

At last I have managed to take a photograph of the moon. It is quite spectacular at the moment and a few evenings ago we were returning home as it was rising and it looked enormous. Sadly, before I could get to the camera and take a picture, it disappeared behind a curtain of cloud. However, the one above was taken from just outside our back door a couple of nights ago. I wondered if the brightness of the moon would allow the tracery of the twigs and branches of the trees to be seen, but you can just see them here.
My 'block' seems to have cleared, and here are the first tentative steps towards a new piece of work. It might become a book based on medieval tile designs. Top left above is my first attempt at using my own homemade stencils. I can see this one being used with puff paint or moulding paste. Top right is printed with a rubber stamp and at the bottom of the page is an eagle design - not very good. Please note the use of a sketchbook here!!!!

The fleur-de-lis is a favourite motif of mine. The bottom left design is not too good but the other one could be useful. I have been collecting one or two different weights of Lutrador and hope to make use of them in this project. Lots of trials and experiments to be done.


I almost like the images here, obtained by using the cut away acetate as a mask, better than the stencilled designs. So far I have only dabbed on colour from an ink pad, but there are many other ways of adding colour to the stencils and masks waiting to be tried out. If it becomes a book, will the pages be fabric or paper? Decisions, decisions. Fabric would be nice as I would like to use stitching too.

More rubber stamped designs here - these are based on designs of actual medieval tiles ...........

............and all because I happened to walk into Waterstones and take advantage of their 3 for 2 offer. It seems I have been reinfected with Medievalitis all over again. I have started reading the Time Traveller's Guide already, but it will be some time before I am able to begin Ken Follett's two hefty tomes. At least he has got me out of that awful state of not knowing what to do next and just fiddling around at anything.





18 comments:

Carol Q said...

medievalitis - what a great word Heather! it makes a great stitching subject too. I think my fave is the third page of images. looking forward to seeing what you do next. glad to hear the block's lifted.

Lyn said...

The full moon in January is called a Wolf Moon! scary!
Love
Lyn
xxx

Maggi said...

I do like your stencil designs. When I went to bed the other night I actually thought that I had left a light on somewhere as the moon was so bright - amazing isn't it? Glad that you have got over your block.

Ann Christy said...

Picture of the moon and the print designs all look really good Heather. Glad your 'block' has come to an end. I thnk we all get those from time to time.

Penny said...

While in the UK last year I was caried away with medievalitis and bought a wonderful book on tiles from somewhere,possibly York and am waiting for better weather before trying to do some lino cuts, you are a great inspiration.

Sara lechner said...

hi heather, i'm so happy you found me once more! i also have lots of medievalitis in my work as you have surely noticed! i hope i will continue to let grow the piece i'm working on!

Jane said...

That's a stunning photo of the moon Heather - it reminded me of this piece by Hillu Liebelt http://www.hilluliebelt.com/reeding/
Good luck with developing your mediaeval theme - and the Ken Follett.

Julie said...

Good to hear your mojo is returning Heather. Enjoy your reading and playing with the stencils and stamps. I keep threatening to get to grips with lino printing, time I tried!

Gina said...

I've read both the Ken Follett books... huge books but great stories.

Heather said...

Thankyou everyone, for all your interesting comments and encouragement. I shall be trying to make steady progress with this project, and not rush into it headlong with enthusiasm then find at the end that I wish I had done things differently. Old habits die hard - I need a curb chain!

Downunderdale said...

good to see you are in action Heather! Wonderful stuff.

Elisabeth said...

The moon through the trees is brilliant, in more ways than one. Thanks.

Val said...

Your sketchbook looks really inspiring Heather - what a brilliant theme. Look forward to seeing some more ......! Snap re the moon - I haven't got a decent pic. yet! (I have painted one recently though)

The Weaver of Grass said...

Pleased you have got over sewers block Heather. I have juse got my materials (acrylic wax and koh i noor dyes) through the post and have this afternoon started painting my first book cover. I thought I would do my first book about the coming of spring to the farm. Thanks for the tips you gave me - I may very well be contacting you again once I get started. I like your idea of medieval tiles - will your pages be paper or material - or haven't you decided yet

Linda Vincent said...

Love all those medieval images Heather....and you always use them so well!
We were out with a few friends the other night and decided to sing songs about the moon...there are quite a few!! (How many can you think of?)
Ok; we'd had a few glasses of wine.....
x
PS I loved your comments about my digi art - thank you!!

Ro Bruhn said...

Your stencils are beautiful Heather, wonderful designs.
It has been very warm here at night, so we left the curtains open to let the breezes in from the open windows, the moon was shining in like a street lamp, beautiful all the same.

BT said...

Oh you are so clever. I love medieval art and designs too, what fun you are having again. I am so pleased for you. Love the moon photo too. Well done.

The Lesser Weevil said...

Ooh! What a LOVELY moon!