Archive for November, 2007

I’ve lots of handwoven fabrics lying around waiting to be re-incarnated into something useful. A new ultra compact camera initiated a little bag project which I’m very happy with.

I had a small piece of fabric with some nice pick up design on it. I was unhappy with the cloth when I wove it, but now looking at it..it’s quite beautiful. The fabric has rya knotted ikat dyed thrums within it, which became a lovely long fringe for the bag.

It really was worth the effort in making this little bag – It’s just a delight to carry around and handle.

I love to photograph my own textiles and here is the method I have devised afer years of trial and error. It’s another good excuse to deeply look at textiles.

I like low, natural lighting so I always photograph on a bright but cloudy day. This is more for Australian conditions as the light here is very bright and throws strong, deep shadows.

I just set up near a window, which sometimes has to have greaseproof paper taped to it to soften the light. I use another light source to counteract with the window light if necessary or use a large sheet of white cardboard. This lights up the shadows of the draped textile to varying degrees.

I use a good digital SLR camera with a tripod and remote shutter release. These accessories are important because my photos require a long exposure. Too long to hold the camera still.

I use a manual setting on the camera with the aperture set at F16. This is not negotiable, as I want the entire depth of field to be clear – no blurriness. I then set the shutter speed to achieve an appropriate exposure. This may be quite long.

To make sure the exposure is good I take a photo either side of the chosen setting (called bracketing). With digital photography I don’t have to wait for the photos to develop and can enjoy them immediately. How great is that!

During the past year I’ve been preparing for a group exhibition at my local regional gallery.
I don’t find this easy at all. Beyond my employed work and family commitments I’ve had to think about design deadlines all the time. In one way this is very motivating – in another it’s a constant pressure and I’ve never quite worked out the right balance! Also for over a year I’ve been unable to sell or gift any of my work due to the coming exhibition. This has also been difficult. Even though I appreciate this opportunity it may well be my last exhibition of this type.

To exhibit is such a strong ‘out there’ word and I’ve never really felt comfortable with the concept although I’ve always believed it was a proper way for an artist to show creative work and possibly gain commissions or other work. However, after watching the series "Not Quite Art" I’ve changed my perspective entirely.

Art and design are an essential, everyday focus of our lives. To create or to just to see – its everywhere in some form. According to Not Quite Art art is raging on the laneway walls of Melbourne and in derelict Glasgow warehouses despite and without ‘proper’ gallery space. It is of the people – art from the ground.

How my work could fit in these venues it’s hard to say, but I felt really excited and encouraged about what is happening in some streets.

Anyway I’d like to share some photos of my completed textiles, as the Internet also allows a public exhibition forum for anyone.