Embroidery Evaluation

My first textile option was embroidery for this we used machine and hand stitching. First I used machine stitch, this I found to be very quick but isolating as one sits at the machine concentrating on what you are doing. The big mistake I made while working on the machine was over embroidering some of my black and white squares. I felt I must use all the stitches I been shown at once !! Lesson learnt, less is more. Mind you, not all my squares were over embroidered just a few. I did enjoy the machine part of the option and felt, I learnt more about different presser feet and their uses and the stitches they can create. I can see how this knowledge can be developed in future work.

The hand embroidery was very different option from using the sewing machine, as it was far more sociable and  leisurely. I loved doing the insertion stitch and as you can see above I used it in a lot in my work.There were errors in my hand stitching ideas. I used some woven metal fabric to sew into but do not think it was very successful, but it would not stop me from using it again as I can see uses for it in the future. What I really enjoyed was making the sculpture of my wooden lolly sticks tied together using garden twine. I am now in the process of moving this piece of work into a sculpture in it's own right using photography, drawings and moving it away from my journey.
Artiste research in its self is very useful for several reason's Seeing other artist's works helps with the development of ones own idea's, assess ones own work and monitor the progress of the work. 
I like using the studio with other people around me as it creates a good thinking and working atmosphere which I do enjoy. At home I check moodle for any changes or new information.Catch up with my sketchbook. Do my artist research in book form or on-line. Download my photographs from my camera and put them onto the computer and sort into folders for future reference. Last but not lest, update my blog. 

My Journey in Embroidery

My journey is about travelling on trains what I see along the way to MMU. The trains, stations, bridges, platforms, rails, stairways, signs, timetables, maps and tickets. I use photographs

to capture the shapes and objects. I draw these shapes and use collage, fabric, stitch and drawings

to convey my journey.

 

 

The drawing below is from the shape of the posts in this photograph.

Abstract drawing in my sketchbook.

 

This is a map I have drawn into of the Manchester train stations.  



Stitched map of train stations using the embroidery foot. 

 


This is a train map of Manchester stations cut in half and joined
together using the insertion stitch. Then stitched on to the fabric
with a running stitch. The fabric has been cut and joined the same
as above.

 

A fabric collage machined stitched to go with my theme in the
above drawing of wheels. 

Photograph taken at Oxford Road station Manchester.

A drawing of the shapes in the above photograph and other images
taken from other photographs.

A bridge before Bolton stop.

This is my machine stitched square on the same theme as the photographs. 

A bridge over the railway at Bolton.



Using old train tickets and receipts I collaged the image
and drew the train motif. This is in my sketchbook.  

A spiral staircase at Oxford Road.

A abstract drawing of the spiral stairs.

The Origin's sample twisted to suggest a spiral
staircase. 

Modern building as seen from the platform

at Oxford Road Station.

 

My model of the building using my lolly stick
creation. 

 

Signal lights at Oxford Road.

 

Abstract drawing of the signal lights.

 

The train lines.

My interperation of the rails in collage and machine stitch.



Train in Lancaster station full of passengers on their
way to scotland.

 

My machine stitched square of passengers in a train.

 

 

The edge of the train platform in Lancaster.

My collage of the suface above using the embellisher and
tailer tack foot. I think it is a good resemble of the photograph.

 I have tried to show the work I have create from my photographs and collected items. This has been my journey so far.

Insertion Stitch and samples

This is a sample of the insertion stitch joining paper together.

Joining paper to a rough fabric.

This is practising the insertion stitch for joining paper, fabric and fabric
to fabric together. Still a bit untidy ... I will improve with practise.

Origin's Samples

The next task is to buy cheap articles from Pound Land or the equivalent and spend no more than £5.
  I brought some lolly sticks and some twine to tie them together.

 

 

First I did some finger knitting 

Added broken lolly sticks

Tied the sticks together with the twine

Pile them on top of each other 



Pile them again

Split and one end and tie them together 

This time split the sticks at both ends and tie them together

Twist the structure and looks like an interesting shape.
This is what I am going to do with my lolly sticks.

They look so pale and boring. I'm going to baked them in the oven
to see what happens to the shape and colour.



Here they are after 10 minutes at 220c. The colour is changing. 

These are after 13 minutes and they have started to burn and smoke.
The colour is so much better for me to work with.

Put the sticks together so they are graded with the pale in the middle.
Started to play around with the finished sample making shapes and
photographing them.

Close up of them.



Another view.
This is one task I really did enjoy and happy with the result

 

Colour matching pictures in paper and fabric

This is my drawing from the Liverpool journey.

.

This the picture (above)colours matched in fabric,
made and found. The image below is made out of
of paper.
 

Abbott Hall Art Gallery

Abbott Hall was built in 1759 and is the only grade 1 building in Kendal. By the 1950's it was almost derelict and threatened with demolition. A group of local people formed a charitable trust to save the building and eventually turned it into an art gallery. I love going to this art gallery, it's like stepping  back in time. 

This is a view of the dining room. The hall is very beautiful with period furniture and fine portraits

through out.  All the downstairs rooms are all very traditional and stunningly decorated with elaborate plaster work on the ceilings and walls. The exhibition studio's are upstairs and are very surprisingly modern, light and airy. 

Hughie O'Donoghue. Born 1953 in Manchester. England.  

I came to see the artist Hughie O'Donoghue " Vivid Fields".  Some of the canvas were huge and took up a whole wall. Most of the images were of  male and females nudes using the colours of autumn, smudgy oranges, yellows and black/greys. Most of his work has been painted in the last two years some of course were painted a few years ago like his "Liquid Earth" 1984. A skeleton in partly covered the earth, quite a disturbing image .....  for me, that is.

Kurt Schwitters was also had some paintings on display and the one above is of the cottage where he once lived. Also Keith Vaughan had a small exhibition "Figures" unfortunately I do not have a image of his work.