What's Marion up to?!

Have just received an email from Annette with these interesting links connected to what Marion's doing .....

"I am just having a cuppa and cruising some blogs that India Flint also reads regularly, one is Sophie Munns blog, she has some info on the event that Marion is down south for and also a link to the ghostnet site which is what Marion is doing with the aboriginal people. Thought it might be good for the F&F blog and also makes interesting reading and viewing.. the pictures that Sophie has on her blog are fantastic.. you have to scroll down a bit, but you'll find them I’m sure. (Just click on the coloured words to link to the sites.)

Annette

Getting to Know Arlene White

The fact that you’re a member of Fibres and Fabrics shows you are creative by nature. Define yourself – art/craft wise? My mother was the first person to encourage me to be creative in crafts, she saw it, so I think I'm creative by nature, it just needed encouragement.  I do have trouble sometimes getting started with my creative juices, but they seem to flow ok, once they start.

Are you more comfortable working in one particular medium than most others? I love threads, most sorts but nothing too hairy.... Not so much into paper anymore, it deteriorates too quickly for my liking.

Are there any artists or crafters who, more than any others, have influenced you in your creative life and why? Annemaieke Mein. Her book 'The Art of Annemieke Mein - Wildlife artist in textiles' was my first introduction in embroidery, I loved the way she interprets wildlife in textiles.  Judy Stephenson, a local artist, has had a huge influence on me, especially since my first stumpwork lesson was with her.  Another very talented UK lady, Kate Sinton, tutor at the Royal School of Needlework and my Volunteer Mentor at the St Paul’s Cathedral project, who is just about to publish her first book in Stumpwork, has encouraged me and been a great mentor to me and encouraged me to explore my creative side and expand my embroidery knowledge. As for most recently, some of the wonderfully talented ladies at Fibres have influenced me as well. They are a very creative and talented bunch.

Describe your workspace. I'm a fairly organised person, so my workspace is in two places actually: 95% in my craft room, which is mostly tidy except when I’m working on a project. But I do clear up (most of the time). And the other 5% is in the lounge room, where I like to stitch and watch movies on telly.  Hubby gets a bit upset if I cover too many flat surfaces......

What 3 tools could you not live without? My hands-free hoop, needles, and my laptop (where I do a lot of my research and writing up my projects and lessons).

Do you keep a sketchbook or journal? I have several. Working on number 3 now. I started using a sketchbook when I was in the UK. They are wonderful reference tool.  After I finish a project, I print out some pictures and stick them in my book and add notes. Some of my assessment pieces have taken up a lot of writing etc, but they still make an appearance in my books. Ideas, colours and just some things that I just love the look of. Jewellery store flyers are great for inspiration.

We all share our knowledge at Fibres and Fabrics. Do you extend this in any way by participating in or teaching workshops? Have already, with assistance from Janet Banks. We did the stumpwork dragonfly last year, and this year we have done stumpwork gumnuts for the White exhibition.  I have two offers for doing online classes now, and hope to offer similar classes to Fibres in the near future. I think my expertise in the field of Stumpwork is expanding and improving, and this is a line of embroidery technique that is dying out, and I wish to keep it alive.

How do you inspire your creativity when you’re stuck? Depends on the project - for my stumpwork I make a coffee, and sit down near my bookcase, and browse my library of craft books. For my crazy quilting, I put the block on the floor, and pull out my laces, trims, buttons etc and I sit and play until I'm happy with what I've laid out.

If cost wasn’t an issue, what avenues would you choose to explore to expand your skills? I'd really like to finish my City and Guilds level 3 in Embroidery, and the stumpwork on as well.

How do you balance your life? I have for years used this formula:

Family.

Work.

Hobbies, Scouting and other volunteer jobs.  My family is always first in whatever I do, and that rule will never change.

Have you or do you intend to exhibit any of your work, either collaboratively or alone? If so where and when? Sure have! I had 'My Lady on a Swing' in our Totems exhibition last year, and this year we had the 'Lengths of the Earth' Exhibition. And of course at the craft show last year and at the Townsville Show.

What does your work mean to you? My work, I gather you mean my embroideries? A lot actually.  I see them as a reflection of myself, especially my last two stumpwork peices. I love doing the Crazy Quilt round robins and work with the UK Embroiderers guild Forum group, as it gets my work out and about the world and who knows where a lead might come from, for commissions or paid tutoring.  Adding Stumpwork elements to my crazy quilting blocks is a good way to show the world that stumpwork is not just resigned to embroideries, as for the photo of my work on Karrin’s block, Mrs Bloomers.


Thank you Arlene. 

Marion Gaemers under the Microscope!

1.            The fact that you’re a member of Fibres and Fabrics shows you are creative by nature. Define yourself  as an artist?

I think of myself as a basket maker following the traditions of basket makers. I like that there is a large history of basketry in all cultures. But I also enjoy breaking tradition and using basketry techniques to make forms that are not baskets and finding new and waste materials to use in my work.

2.            Are you more comfortable working in one particular medium than most others?

Yes I love working in 3d. I don’t particularly like to work flat and am a hopeless painter. The other thing I have a problem with is using colour sticking mainly to browns.

3.            Are there any artists or crafters who, more than any others, have influenced you in your creative life and why?
On  a world scale Andy Goldsworthy and Chris Drury – both these artist do amazing landscape art work, Bronwyn Oliver (Australian) her metal sculptural forms are exquisite. On a personal level Robert Burton,( who talked me into exhibiting and doing workshops when I was just beginning)  Rhyl Hindwood (who came to Townsville and taught me coiled basketry with banana fibre) and all the members of fibres and fabrics. And I am sure there are many more in one way or another.

4.            Describe your workspace.

I will work anywhere in the house depending on what I am making. At the dining room table, on the couch in front of the television or in the yard. It depends on what I am making and the time of day.

5.            What 3 tools could you not live without?

Needle, secateurs, pliers.

6.            Do you keep a sketchbook or journal?

Sort of. I am not a regular keeper of a journal but do have a book I will write or sketch ideas in. If I can’t find the book I use bits of paper that are scattered over the house.

7.            We all share our knowledge at Fibres and Fabrics. Do you extend this in any way by participating in or teaching workshops outside of this group?

I have taught basketry for various groups around Australia. I do about 2 workshops for various organisations or galleries a year.  I am currently involved with Carpentaria GhostNets and I have been teaching in Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities. Next month I will be going to floating lands at the Sunshine Coast to continue this.

8.            How do you inspire your creativity when you’re stuck?

I might go back through my journal to look at old ideas I have drawn and not worked through or I play with the materials to see what else they can do. But usually a new idea has come to me while I am working on a piece.

9.            If cost wasn’t an issue, what avenues would you choose to explore to expand your skills?

Larger work.

10.         How do you balance your life?

I don’t do any housework. I don’t have children so my art is a priority in my life.

11.         Have you, or do you intend to, exhibit any of your work, either collaboratively or alone? If so where and when?

I have an active exhibition history exhibiting my work in galleries locally and in Australia since 1988. I will always make work for an exhibition if I am asked or if I like the idea. My favourite gallery is Umbrella Studio in Townsville, which started as an artist run space and is a membership gallery. I have been involved with Umbrella for over 20 years. I have had a few solo exhibitions but my favourite way to exhibit is collaboratively with one or more other artists. I also like outside short exhibitions like Strand Ephemera.

12.         What does your work mean to you?

I just love to make things. Exhibiting enables me to continue to make and to grow my work.

Inspirational!

Creative Arts Day

Exciting things happening at Creative Arts! Roll on Alba Leucos.

Getting to Know Pam

Define yourself – art/craft wise?   Plodder. If only I could 'plod' like you, I'd think I was flying!
Are you more comfortable working in one particular medium than most others? I am comfortable with most mediums...

Are there any artists or crafters who, more than any others, have influenced you in your creative life and why?  No.

Describe your workspace. Clean and tidy when there is no work, untidy and messy when working.

What 3 tools could you not live without?  Sewing machine, camera, paints.

Do you keep a sketchbook or journal? Yes..yes..yes. Some samples of my work, lots of details on how they are put together, notes from workshops.

We all share our knowledge at Fibres and Fabrics. Do you extend this in any way by participating in or teaching workshops?  Yes, by going to as many forums as possible, also local workshops that are available. Pam recently attended a five day photography workshop given by Steve Gonsalves at Fibre Arts in Ballarat. He will be giving another 5 day workshop at Fibre Arts @ Townsville (see the link on the right under FORUM LINKS) in September which will be a very exciting event for Townsville artists.

How do you inspire your creativity when you’re stuck? Wait for ages for the light bulb to come on!

If cost wasn’t an issue, what avenues would you choose to explore to expand your skills?  As many workshops as possible.

How do you balance your life? A lot of off balance, stand back, think about it, write a list of things to do, then cross off as they are done..

Have you or do you intend to exhibit any of your work, either collaboratively or alone? If so where and when?   Always with Fibres. 

What does your work mean to you?  That deep inside there is something that has to come forward.


Thank you Pam. 

Getting to Know Prof Betsy Jackes

The fact that you’re a member of Fibres and Fabrics shows you are creative by nature. Define yourself – art/craft wise? Craft, more a technician than really creative though I like some design.

Are you more comfortable working in one particular medium than most others?Have tried many and have settled to patchwork and appliqué – not rally a hands dirty as my mother said I didn’t really like making mud pies and pottery doesn’t appeal – to do that is – but once I taught fabric printing. I am a fiddler. 

Are there any artists or crafters who, more than any others, have influenced you in your creative life and why? Diane Johnson and Lois French Technique, Robyn Ginn – permission to use imagination.

Describe your workspace. Usually in front of TV.

What 3 tools could you not live without? Scissors, pins and needles, pencil and paper.

Do you keep a sketchbook or journal? In a fashion!!

We all share our knowledge at Fibres and Fabrics. Do you extend this in any way by participating in or teaching workshops? Have done so.

How do you inspire your creativity when you’re stuck? No idea.

If cost wasn’t an issue, what avenues would you choose to explore to expand your skills? Probably go to more workshops in different parts of the country.

How do you balance your life? I just keep going.

Have you, or do you intend to, exhibit any of your work, either collaboratively or alone? If so where and when? No.

What does your work mean to you? Relaxation and chance to be creative and keep fingers occupied.

 Thank you Betsy!

Pink Tie Tea!

Once a year Fibres and Fabrics hold a morning tea to raise funds for our Sewing for Cancer group, run by Jessica, to buy the materials they need. This year Donna and Selena organised the morning and we all enjoyed ourselves immensely. There were some great prizes sponsored by PomPom Rouge and Studio 2. We were asked to dress in black and white and to wear a pink tie. Linda won the prize for the best tie closely followed by Jan and Margaret W.

A goodly amount was raised, thank you Donna and Selena for a wonderful morning.

Getting to Know Janet Banks

1.    How do you categorize yourself – art/craft wise?

Book artist

Everyone will know Janet's work which has featured prominently in many of the Fibres and Fabrics displays and exhibitions.

2.    Is there one artist or crafter who more than any other has influenced you in your creative life and why?

Jean LittleJohn, and Jan Beaney  The concept that embroidery stitches do not have to be perfectly uniform; that a piece of work could be composed entirely of one stitch worked in varying sizes and threads to produce an amazing variety of texture.

3.    Describe your workspace. 

For many years total chaos but becoming more organised and am learning to tidy up after a day’s work.  I am beginning to realise the time saved by not having to go searching for something that may or may not be where you think you used it last.

4.    What 3 tools could you not live without?

Paper, pencil, eraser

5.    Do you keep a sketchbook or journal? 

I keep an art journal, which is a cross between a visual and written diary.  My sketchbook pages usually find their way into my art journal. Project notes are usually scribbled on the back of scrap paper pads which are shredded as I work through or discard ideas.

6.    Do you teach? Where and when?

I teach fibreart at Fibres and Fabrics in Townsville, and embroidery online for www.joggles.com

7.    How do you inspire your creativity when you’re stuck? 

I don’t.  Read a book instead.  The spark will flare by itself in its own time.

8.    If money wasn't an issue, how would you further develop yourself in your         field? 

Art lessons in composition and design

9.    How do you balance your life? 

The family are used to my creative starts and support me with advice and no recriminations if tea is late, inedible or completely forgotten.

10. Have you recently or are you planning to soon exhibit you work? If so where and when? 

I routinely show my work to the world on my blog:  http://loriidae.livejournal.com

Thank you for sharing your art life with us Janet.