In the book

The framework/scaffold of this residency already begins to sit comfortably with me.

Working in my notebooks has always been a vital part of my creative life. Since childhood keeping a notebook has been my way of making the physical world and my responses to it more vivid. There is both discipline and liberation in this commitment to documenting on a regular basis a moment or experience.  My notebooks have increasingly become sensory delights containing expressive studies and inventions, objects in themselves. Now, inspired by my notebook practice, my work is moving in new directions.

Sandra Brownlee

The book offers a forgiving entry and exit point, I am able to work in fractured moments

as duty calls

as child calls

as the washing calls

as the stove calls

as 

idleness 

calls 

 

To Begin

To begin, to simply show up and begin. 

Sandra Brownlee suggests just that. 

A timely reminder for me and sage advice I took from her workshop 'Tactile Notebooks' but haven't quite implemented yet.

Here is my beginning:

In common with all new parents, the birth of my first child in March 2015 changed many things in my life. My identity and perception of time became blurred and fractured by the overwhelming and relentless needs of care and domesticity. As I surface from this I begin to see ironically that motherhood offers me time and a framework to work within.

I will undergo this 3 month self-imposed artist residency in order to fully experience and explore the fragmented focus, nap-length studio time, limited movement and resources and general upheaval that parenthood brings and allow it to shape the direction of my work, rather than try to work “despite” it.

I do this publicly because I struggle with procrastination, commitment and accountability. 

We shall see.

Cult of Doll

Something to blow out the doll cobwebs.

I think it will be a story of  intrigue, adventure and secrecy involving many great doll makers and dolls of course. 

Culminating in the publishing of an almanac!!

Here is a teaser.

Somnambulist

The Very Slow Doll Maker

This one has been on the go for a very long time! I blame teaching full time and whilst I know that is a significant factor - time management, procrastination and lack of organisation also feature highly. A common enough pattern of behaviour but one I am yet to master.
Anyway this one is paper clay over cloth - my first attempt and clothes made from my very own dyed material, silk and wool. Lovely backdrop! The light box having fallen victim to previous stated patterns of behaviour. Tee hee!!
Oh and not even finished!

Unwrapping

The unwrapping this morning revealed a delight of colour!

Afternoon Play

Loving the long weekend. Enough of a break to unshackle my mind from the 23 other minds that are my usual concern.
Today, however I have played!
The bag of treasures ready to be dyed that have been sitting for some months were hauled out.




The fire was started and stoked, a pot set upon to boil.




Leaves were gathered and some railway treasures, our farm luckily has an old rail track next door.
Cloth was bundled.




And placed to stew and wait!




The waiting will be my undoing, I can manage the next morning but no more as yet.