PF 2013

Snowflake/Vločka

Still in charge

I captured this drop hanging off a branch one morning and remember how cold it was. It was so chilly that I could not keep the camera still. At that point it dawned on me that it is winter, the time to dress up. Since then, I got myself a hat as shared with you in my last week post. And since then, I wrap myself in a scarf, gloves and much warmer clothes.

As much as I love the cold (when dressed up and feeling warm of course), wearing gloves can be annoying. Who wants to take them off whenever there is a photo opportunity? Well, I do.

Both of these were taken when I was wearing my hat deep, deep into my eyes. Which is why I looked in the lower sections...

One can discover various interesting things there, wouldn't you say?


Have a lovely week, try not to panic since we are approaching Christmas and if you have sorted at least one present you are better than me. I am still thinking what to produce. After visiting all the craft fairs over the past few weeks and getting myself the hat, my creative self is still in some sort of a charge. K-)

If I can't see you, you can't see me.

I am not going to trouble you with another craft fair today even though the last one I went to was special. This was the open studios at Cockpit Arts in Holborn. What I could see there were not only the products but also the spaces with all the necessary tools where all the beauty is created. And that is, from a designer point of view, so invaluable. For a moment, I transferred myself into one of the many studios and was wondering what it would feel like to actually be one of the designer-makers in such environment...

Well, at the moment I couldn't be further from this dream and so all I can do is to continue creating for myself and my family and friends and have as much enjoyment as I have always had.

Apart from this realisation, I actually gained something else out of this visit. I bought myself a hat. You might think - 'Not a big deal, a hat'. What you might not know is how hard it is to get a hat for a small head. I personally have always had problems finding one and here it all happened. I found myself a stylish non-woolen hat. I wonder who, whether my mum or sister, has won the bet of what hat (if any) I will ever get for myself.

This is the creation of the milliner and designer 'Keren Henriksen' who's designs caught my eye. It was especially her 'Windswept' collection with its asymmetrical design that I found so intriguing and appealing.

When put on you realise how nicely deep it sits on your head (as demonstrated by my trusted model Elena above). And this creates the effect of 'If I can't see you, you can't see me'; the aspect I have experienced for the past two days and am loving it.

Cockpit Arts has two locations. I visited the one in Holborn this weekend and am planning to go to Deptford location next weekend. I think it must be the studios that tempt my creative strings even more than ever. And of course, the curiosity is hard to keep under control. I simply have to go to Deptford next weekend. K-)

Puzzled

For the past week, I have been more than puzzled. Every morning I look around when walking to my work which takes me some 30min through the park. I am not sure what happened this year but somehow I seem to have missed the lovely colours autumn should have brought to us...

I remember the same time last year, I could not keep my camera in its bag; it was constantly out helping me to capture the progress of the season. This year? Nothing. I simply could not spot anything as exciting as the colours on the picture on the left from last year. On the right is a branch from the same tree taken this year. Can you see the pastel shade of the red? This year seems to be more subtle.

It all just looked the same. I had the feeling that the trees had similarly green foliage when, suddenly, one day there was nothing. All was gone and now, all we have are the absolutely perfect structures of trees. Not that there is anything wrong with that. I love observing silhouettes of trees. I just would not mind to see the step in-between; the beautiful strong autumn colours we were presented with last year.

And so I decided to take a different approach. This time why not let the camera take over allowing challenging situations. If the mountain will not come to Muhammad, then Muhammad must go to the mountain. I took pictures of leaves and plants in the evening, with only street light and without a tripod. The plan was to later use a computer and see what will come out of the blurry images. If nothing else, there are some strong colours. But I will let you judge for yourselves...

...Oh well, at least this makes me look for something else. For new challenges... K-)

Handmade in Britain

Another week, another fair. This time I went to 'Handmade in Britain' fair in 'Chelsea Old Town Hall'. And what a venue to host this fair. For those of you who are curious click on the Hall's link to see the splendour of the place. I was taken by surprise when I entered this place. And I had not even started with the actual fair...

As it goes with any fair, there is always so much to see and admire. From jewellery to textiles to ceramics to glass, even this event did not disappoint.

'Janet Cross Ceramics' is one name I have to mention. As seen on her business card, her ceramic pieces have somewhat laid-back look. The finish suggests a bandaged up vase and since the shape is rather slouch you could easily think it a textile piece. How wrong you would be though. These pieces are indeed ceramic.

Glazed inside I can imagine a bunch of flowers proudly taking its place in one of these.

Another ceramist with a completely different look also caught my eye. 'Jane White Ceramics' had these beautifully coloured pieces on her stand. What I also found interesting were four large photographs showing the process of achieving this look.

As Jane White explained (when she saw me staring at them), she uses 'pit-firing' process that the photographs described so well. Just visit her website to discover more on this technique.

This just shows the dedication and love given to each piece and its production. This is exactly why I enjoy visiting craft fairs. I get more out of it. I get the insight into processes that would make me appreciate each piece much more than bought from hight street.

'Swithbert & Louis' proved the notion of something 'as simple as that being so effective'. How many times have you found yourself arranging a scarf ever so beautifully only to get out and have it all blown away by the wind?

The answer to such frustration is in Swithbert & Louis design. Just fasten it with a button and decorative button hole. Simple...and effective...

Showing the strength in simplicity is the best way to describe design. At least in my view. Therefore, every time I come across this attitude I like to soak up everything about it. Such an indulgence...

Not a single fair would be complete without jewellery. Of course there were plenty stands dedicated to this craft at this fair as well. One name that stood out for me was 'Sarah Herriot Design'.

The play of silver with black in jewellery have always captured me and the craftsmanship shows the standard of work involved in each piece. The focus is on lines and curves and the combination of both makes me believe that one can create almost anything with just simple geometry. Again, this is a simple idea that has no limits.

As the name suggests, Handmade in Britain brings together designers based in Britain to celebrate the label - 'Made in Britain'. How nice to see that local craft can deliver and is still sought after by many. I mentioned it in my last post and am saying it again. I pride myself supporting craft in any form. I think craft as such and designers who dedicate hours of their time to production deserve it. K-)

Craft fairs

It is the time of a year when the weather turns cold, days turn to night too soon and wherever you turn you are exposed to the commercial side of Christmas. Yes, the 'C' word. I must say though, the older I get, the less patience I have to participate in this madness. Which is why this year I decided not to bother with any high street 'temptations' and visit craft fairs instead. I started with 'Wizardry in Wood' few weeks back, visited 'Made London' two weeks ago and conquered 'Selvedge Winter Fair' today.

This colourful facade smiled at me on my way to the 'Selvedge Winter Fair'. I am not sure what this building is all about, people were coming in and out all the time, I just had to stop for a little while and take this picture. The colours brought me closer to the spirit of the festive season.

Returning to the spirit of fairs, I have to say, I am impressed with the sheer variety of produce. So many designer-makers under one roof offering textile pieces, jewellery, wooden or woven pieces, all being ideas for gifts. I love going to these events. They are all filled with good natured individuals who are presenting their skill and that I have to admire. These are places that I find so inspiring. Inspiring enough that I have not purchased anything yet (even though I would like to support all the lovely people who exhibit at fairs). Instead, I remembered the three projects I have put on hold. I wonder if there is a gift idea hidden somewhere there... K-)

Fun Fur

What you are looking at is my latest project; rather time consuming but definitely fun to produce, hence the title. As the name also suggests, this blanket is rather furry, therefore soft and cuddly. All of a sudden, a title is born.

'Soft' and 'joyful' is exactly what I wanted to achieve here. The size and colour has it also written all over. This blanket is suitable for children; from babies onwards. Till it is too short to cover.

The front already says "Touch me. Run your fingers down my colourful face and enjoy me. I will keep you warm." And I have to admit, I have done so on many occasions. It was too hard to resist...

The back has also its charm. Suddenly, you can see clearly each shape. Such sharp distinction of each colour section adds it a form and reveals the structure of the design. Many times, I found myself placing a new colour based on the shapes already in place, relying on the reverse side. From a design point of view, this was the key to the process.

Just to give you a taster of the process itself, below are few pictures.

Starting with the base, I knotted two strings of yarn (in a given colour) to each chain.

Honestly, there was quite a few chains in each row and a considerate number of rows.


Below is the continuous progress. What you can see on the left is the original size (the middle coloured section that is). This to me looked rather small and so purposely, I made the base bigger. By doing so, I ended up filling the margins; slowly but gradually. This is when the reverse side became helpful.

 

And finally, here we have one little baby named Aisling in her smart pyjamas, the winner who will enjoy this blanket till the end...

Laying on top or being covered, Aisling can enjoy its softness and warmth. Wouldn't you be tempted? ;-)

From Pre-Raphaelites to Paintography

Extract from 'Pre-Raphaelites to Paintography' (posted 30.09.2012):

'Somehow, I could not help but think of my own photographs and the treatment they receive after I upload them onto my computer. What is more, everywhere I looked I would make a connection to something called 'Paintography' - a technique I have wanted to try for a while now. After this exhibition I have finally touched on the technique...

 ...to the left is my usual treatment (bringing up the colour and contrast). The left picture of wispy grass has addition of further Photoshop tools that I actually forgot I can use (that happens when there is not much need for them in one's work).


Suddenly, from an attractive picture there is something else, something new. This is a cross between a photograph and a painterly approach to a photograph. I know, I might be applauding myself here a bit. The point is that if it was not for the 'Pre-Raphaelites' exhibition I would still only think about paintography, I would not start on something so interesting, so creative. And so, I am embarking on a new adventure. K-)'

Since this post, I have had more time to investigate further. Not only have I brushed up on Photoshop tools but also got my hands on an extension to Photoshop, the right plug-in for paintography. The picture on top reveals its benefits. In few words, the image is made soft, brushed, more defined.

When I took this picture, picture of a rose bud, I had the treatment of paintography at the back of my mind. I knew that my usual adjustments would not enhance this image enough.

And so, cautiously, I started experimenting (right). As I stated already, the image becomes softer, brushed and more defined. Not to overtake the rose was my aim. I wanted to add not to take away. However, I must say when playing with various paintography features it became clear that there is much more to this tool...

Take this picture. I took this photograph last week in Richmond Park. There was a whole herd and these two stags looked so magnificent in the light...

After a cautious approach, I ended up with this variation (left); softened a little, made painterly and the colours becoming more vivid.


This is when my connection to 'Pre-Raphaelites to Paintography' comes in.


'The Girlhood of Mary Virgin' by Dante Gabriel Rossetti reveals similar treatment. Defined by contrast, bright colours and flat surfaces, just focus on the folds of Mary's dress and the muscle seen on the back leg of the seated deer. Similarly, the deer's antlers in the light stand out so strongly, adding to the painterly aim. The play of light and shadow helps giving it such contrast, I simply cannot but relate digital painting to Pre-Raphaelites.

Taking the same image, I decided to push it further with paintography...

All of a sudden, I was looking at a still from Disney's Bambi. More brushed, more softened, more defined.

The colours become more vivid and again, I made a connection to another of Dante Gabriel Rossetti's oils 'The Beloved' ('The Bride'). However, in my opinion this treatment was taking it too far.

I did not want to go this way. Therefore, I desaturated on both images and ended up here.

My conclusion so far stands here: Up to now I have focused on keeping the images for what they are. I did not want paintography to overtake the image. By doing so, I have seen where else paintography can take you. However, this is an area I still need to investigate. So far this has been quite an exercise enough...

Yes, paintography certainly is a powerful tool and I cannot stress enough that if it was not for my visit to Tate Britain last month I would cheat myself out of this exciting journey. K-)

Wizardry in Wood

Wizardry in Wood is the title of a fair I visited today. I must say, I have not seen anything so beautiful, skillful and spine-tingling in a long time. Wood-turning is the base of all the works on display.

Rosemary Wright takes the process of wood-turning into a new dimension by turning, cutting the pieces and creating these wall panels that caught my eye. What I like about this is the approach. The fact the she takes what one would expect and takes it further. From a design point of view, I like such approach and, dare to say, can relate to it.

All of this is described in Rosemary's own words - 'I find this liberating'. I can definitely believe that.

Below are just few artists that caught my eye though I must say one did not know where to look and what to admire first.

Mark Hancock

Beautiful and decorative pieces.

My first thought here was that this flower was made out of leather. How wrong was I.

The finish might look leathery but this flower by Gabor Lacko and Patricia Spero is made out of thin slices of wood. I actually had to touch it to believe it.






Margaret Garrard's stand revealed delicate finish and earthy colour to her pieces.

The picture on top brings one of her pieces closer. The shape and the refined work shows the skill with which the wood is treated. This is simply stunning.




I started this post by praising a liberating work approach of Rosemary Wright. I would like to finish by showing some pieces by Joey Richardson.

Again, as a designer, I could not leave unnoticed this block of wood revealing beautiful craft. Here one can actually see the vision of an artist; the fact that the design is seen even before the artist starts manipulating the wood.

Joey Richardson also combines wood with glass. What makes this more interesting is that these glass pieces are a spitting image of what had been turned in wood earlier. Sometimes they make a part of a piece, someimes they stand alone. Her work is so eye-catching.

Wizardry in Wood was definitely worth visiting and I am putting a note in my diary for next year. What a show. K-)