something to keep me motivated.....some images of my first large scale painting since I don't know how long ! I did this for Stephanie for Christmas as I wanted to give her a special present that a) I created myself b) had personal meaning to her and c) was something that she could use( in this case look at) in her everyday life .This painting was the result.....
These images shows close ups of the detail....
I am a textiles designer. Actually I am a textiles designer who has just made the momentous, soul searching decision to give up the freelance- from - home- design work and take a creative sabbatical.
It was the scotty dogs that did it....you know those awful two piece anti pill fleece tracksuits with scotty dogs appliqued on the front? Well, I'm sorry to admit that I am responsible for a good number of those little beauties wandering around our suburban shopping malls.
I've done a scotty dog with a bow, a scotty dog without a bow,two scotty dogs facing each other with and without bows (after all important to give people a choice) and three scotty dogs in a row , which actually looked like they were sniffing each others bottoms as doggies tend to do but the buyer and the people buying them didn't seem to pick up on that one! Still the number seller for Mother's Day . What on earth are you people thinking!
Stern note to husband : NEVER, NEVER, NEVER even consider buying me a two piece anti pill fleece tracksuit with cutesy applique for Mother's day or any day for that matter. I know that you wouldn't but I'm just making extra, extra certain.
Sure enough at the end of last year ( due to the production lead up it all happens well ahead of time) I get another request for a scotty dog applique - however this time the buyer wants something " a bit different...". As you may have gathered,I was a little bit over scotty dogs by this point and unable to take it very seriously. I mean, what can you do with the old scotty dog that's a " bit different".It's a scotty dog , done to death and not even very interesting to begin with.
Admittedly I was being a little tongue in cheek when I sent back a design featuring three scotty dogs ( black with bows, nothing too alarming ) doing little tumble turns all across the sweat shirt front. Not too bad at all , different even. Buyer's comment - "great, lots of fun but I just don't think that our customers will get it." Excuse me, but just what is there to get? Its three scotty dogs on a sweat shirt not haute couture ( I still don't quite get that a lot of the time).
Back to the design board.... next up a totally tartan scotty dog. Quirky , I thought .
Buyer's comment - " I like this, its different certainly but I think it's just a little too out there....." And that was it - game over , end of story. When a scotty dog becomes a little too out there , its time to take a good long look at what you are doing.
My conclusion - time to do something a little more creatively satisfying and challenging ( although those scotty dogs were a challenge and don't even get me started on teddy bear appliques. )I'm not sure just where I I'm heading just yet but I've started painting again, doing a few illustrations and headed back to the sewing machine.
End note: The final design that was approved and will go into store,featured two lovely
scotty dogs, facing each other, with bows and sniffing a flower( easy to understand ,non- challenging daisy, clever, yes? ). It will no doubt prove to be the best seller for the season in both the navy and the banana ( pale yellow for all the non fashion industry people) colourways but be warned: although I am not given to violent outbursts , if I happen to come across anyone wearing this particular ensemble , I will be very very tempted to give them a good solid slap!
Scotty dog, R.I.P
This little bird was a holiday project made from the 70"s placemat that I found in the local thrift shop up at South West Rocks , during our annual summer pilgramage north. No sewing machine so I had to do him all by hand (I forget how much longer it takes ).
I unpicked the binding from around the placemat edge and used it for his wing then highlighted a few clovers with embroidery.On being asked for his opinion, Damian said that he thought that it was a great looking fish but wasn't his fin on the wrong way.... actually he does look a bit fish like ( the bird not my husband) but I was quite happy at my first birdy attempt.
These three catlings began as Easter rabbits for my girls but I decided midway that I would prefer them a little more feline. The black and white wool I picked up at Vinnie's , the blue tapestry is another South West Rocks find ( oh, and they have beautiful beaches and divine oysters as well as two op shops) and the red/ green/ white is from my barkcloth stash ( more on this later....)
where to start...?
here goes - why a weblog and why now?
Late one night whilst looking up some info on a japanese craft book I was in desperate want of, I stumbled upon the blog moopy & me . After reading the entire postings, including archives, I jumped from link to link to link. Before I knew it, I had a new folder and a stack of new bookmarks to fill it. I had no idea that there was an entire subculture out there dedicated to the very same things that I am intrigued & inspired, compelled & obsessed by.There were other people out there who actually made more stuffed /knitted/embroidered/crocheted/constructed things than they had people to give them to.
Who spent late nights looking ( ok,ok buying) books in a language they can't read from a website that they mostly can't understand...except of course for the little button that means "add to cart"! Who can't resist the lure of the local ( or any) op shop- never know what you might find. Two seveties floral placemats ? They'll be great for....for ....something. ( see clover bird a little later on when I tackle the photo bit ).
Admittedly, I have yet to come across anyone who seems remotely keen on working out how to knit during those long Sunday morning/evening runs ( do knit bags even come in Lycra ?). However , I can't believe how often I have been reading one of my favourite blogs and thought, oh my god thats me, except of course it isn't ,just someone I've never met who seems to be thinking/experiencing/doing the same thing as me. Quite reassuring actually to know that I'm not the only person who buys fabric that they can't quite bring themselves to cut up ....
Time to stop being just an onlooker and start contributing to all that creative stuff happening out there - after all, I am constantly being inspired by the work I come across and thought perhaps I might have something to offer as well .You never know and it always helps to get some sort of response to what you do.Any excuse to make another stuffed thing or buy that new book.
And even if no one is ever inspired by my scribbles , at least it will be something for my mum to look at !
