Showing posts with label Art & Design I love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Art & Design I love. Show all posts

October 02, 2014

Glorious colour in nature and art . . . and a little Kaffe Fassett

As September turns and makes way for October, I am amazed at the glorious weather we are still having. It has been so mild, I can still sit out in the garden and marvel at the sparks of remaining Summer colour showing here and there! The richness of the colours combined with the hues of Autumn weave a rich tapestry indeed.
 All that colour reminded me of the exhibition I saw during our Summer break "Kaffe Fassett: 50 years in colour".  I have long loved Kaffe's work and was lucky enough to fit in a visit to Aberdeen on our way home to see this!
And, wow was it worth the effort.  I have to say the exhibition itself was one of the most inspiring I seen, it made me want to dash right home and experiment with lots of colour and pattern. Below is a video Kaffe made for the launch at the gallery.


As soon as you entered the exhibition you were enveloped by the richness and pattern of Kaffe's work, sumptuous knitted garments for which he never follows a pattern but designs each as he knits, inspired in part by the colours he has chosen.
Fantastic mixtures of colour and shapes in his needlepoint. I very first came across his work when years ago my lovely Mom bought me one of his tapestry books and the materials to stitch one of the cushions.
It is one thing viewing these works in a book, but seeing them in "person",  all grouped together is inspiring indeed. His patchwork kept me mesmerised for ages, the mixing of patterns to create such intricate designs was wonderful.
I came away with a copy of his autobiography, "Dreaming in colour" and couldn't put it down. It is filled with beautiful images of his work and inspirations. I love the way he views the world and sees endless possibilities for his knitting, mosaics, patchwork, ceramics, etc.  You can read more about Kaffe here on his website. As you can see from the top left and middle image below, I love colour and have lots of pattern and colour splashed about our home. 
The crochet throw (shown top left) was made many moons ago by my Grandma. I was recently inspired by one of her patchwork creations to make a quilt for my Grandaughter. My daughter decided the colours: hot pink, turquoise, white and I have been collecting scraps of fabrics for ages (even some snippets of her baby clothes will be added). The trouble was I didn't quite know where to start, it is to be a throw for a single bed, quite a large piece for a first go at patchwork!  Seeing the patchwork at  the exhibition though was perfect timing, and now I am inspired at last and can't wait to see the end result, I'm hoping to have it made by Christmas!Talking of wee rascals, look who's staying with Grannie for a few days. The best kind of distraction! 
Not forgetting of course the winners of my "Blessing Tree" draw.  Thank you to all who took the time to enter, both here and through twitter and Facebook, I loved the replies I got so much I just had to choose two winners in the end: Susan King & Hazel Lightfoot. Congratulations ladies.
As the shadows lengthen and Autumn spreads her amber glow I shall leave you with one of my favourite quotes and some of the words shared by readers of their favourite reasons for loving Autumn ~ Enjoy!



Autumn
The colors, the cool crisp air, the smell of leaves and apples, and I get to bring out my favourite scarves and boots! I could happily in eternal autumn.

Autumn... colours, leaves, berries, low sunshine and stunning sunsets x
the changing colours, the cooling weather, warm cardigans, kicking through crunchy leaves, warm puddings and custard.

Foggy mornings, spider webs looking like necklaces, porridge for breakfast, leaves turning and that lovely 'smell' in the air.

I love the warmth of the Sun and the cool air; I love the colors of the deciduous trees; I love the lighting at this time - it's such a clear light; I love Hallowe'en; my birthday is at the very end of Autumn so you know I must love the season since I was born into it!

The light, the light, the glorious light....

I love all the seasons, but being a person who loves color, Autumn in New England is really beyond astonishing EVERY single year. 

Here in Southern Wisconsin the Autumn leaves and colors are just starting to show...my favorite time of the year.

Autumn; I was born on a Wednesday in October, like a seed cast willy-nilly under the opulent leaves. Potential in waiting. And my mother named me Hazel, as the asplendent Harvest sun lit all the shells of my fruits. Autumn reminds us to let go; a reminder to surrender. As a creative farer, an artist, we carry this emblem to continue yielding to the Divine, allowing its imagery to flow through us, as rain through Autumn moss.

* * * * *
I have recently updated my Etsy shop "Mythweaver" and now accept direct payments from visa, credit cards etc as well as the usual paypal. Do visit for a peep at my work. I am soon going to be uploading lots of new goodies very over the next couple of weeks!

April 06, 2014

Art & Design treasures ~

Loving these images, sunsets reflected in broken glass
by photographer Bing Wright ~ see more here.

They remind me of stunning stained glass windows.

April 11, 2013

Rebecca Vincent landscapes . . .

I do love the work of Northumbrian artist

Such beautiful pattern and earthy, Autumn colours
They have a wonderful patchwork, textile feel to them.


Find her website here and on Facebook here.

January 18, 2013

Jennie Ashmore ~ natural patchwork

There are so many wonderful artists & makers here in Scotland 
and more closer to home in Dumfries & Galloway
So I decided every now & again to share the work of some of my favourites!
*   *    *  
Early last year I had the pleasure of seeing the glowing works
of Dumfries & Galloway based artist Jennie Ashmore.
who's love for texture & pattern shines through her work.
Each piece is a delicate layer upon layer of collage
made entirely from carefully placed leaves, flowers & greenery.
 Jennie collects her treasures from the local woodlands, fields & gardens
in and around her home here in South West Scotland.
 I spend a happy age wandering from piece to piece 
taking in the depth and colour and detail
 each new work like a glorious ancient patchwork quilt.
Do have a peep at her website here

October 04, 2012

A magical silver hare . . .

If you have been readers of my blog for a wee while
you may recall how much of a fan I am of the book "Masquerade"
and the sumptuous golden hare created by artist Kit William
(you can read all about the book & artist on the original post here
 Well, can you possibly imagine my delight & amazement
when I discovered this birthday present (below) awaiting me
from my lovely eldest lass Hannah and her partner Daniel.
My very own stunning silver version of that magical hare,
so beautiful, such attention to detail, even the tiny bells ring!
 Oh, they know me so well, my precious family!
 Dear Dan had spent many long hours here & there
secretly hand crafting every piece of this treasure.
I really am quite simply lost for words!
Dan is hoping to do more silver smithing Im glad to say!

January 25, 2012

Magical happenings in Edinburgh . . .

The tale of magical happenings in Edinburgh,
where tiny intricate sculptures are
left mysteriously about the city.
Nobody knows who puts them there,
but they are certainly causing a stir.
You can see a film clip about them here.

November 09, 2009

fidelma massey . . . treasures

every once in a wee while my eye catches a glimpse
of treasures that make me catch my breath
dancing eve by fidelma massey
and i did gasp when i saw the wonderful sculptures
by irish artist fidelma massey
creatures from her imagination
and yet they have a familiar feel to them
steeped in mythology & otherworldliness
they speak of times long past
or of wonders hidden just beyond our world
her site is so very worth a visit
many more treasure to behold

October 01, 2009

a celebration of creation . . sue symons

we couldn't visit bath & not the abbey
a stunning sight, with ceiling to giddily gaze at
but such an extra treat waited around a cornera mouth watering exhibition of works by sue symons60 glorious illuminated pages, her new book
"a celebration of creation"
hours & hours (7000 in fact) of detailed loveliness
embroidered borders & painting pages


intricate designs & sumptuous colours
beautifully celtic inspirations

depicting plants, animals, insects and
"the beauty and wonder of creation"
each page telling such tales, i could gaze for hours!
to purchase a book of these works
or learn more about sue see here* * *to see many more wonderful images of sue's work
see here on denise's blog and here for
"The Bath Abbey Diptychs"

September 08, 2009

the ice bear project


on 11th December in Trafalgar Square, london
a life-sized polar bear will be carved from ice
"As each Ice Bear melts it will leave a skeleton. . .
. . . . and a powerful environmental message"
folks will be able to reach out and touch
an "inspirational and iconic symbol of the Arctic. "
sculptor Mark Coreth saw the effects of climate change
on his travels to Baffin Island Nov 07 and so the
* * *
bears will be sculpted in other cities worldwide
using art to bring home a message
the fragility of our enviroment
* * *
info 1st found on the blog of someone
who's work i greatly admire

April 10, 2009

Bruno Torfs, heartbreak & hope

these are some of the wonderful sculptures by artist bruno torfs


more of his amazing work here


"Hidden amongst the lush rain forests North East of Melbourne, Victoria, is the rare jewel that is Bruno's art and sculpture garden..........
**
........ until that is, the bushfire that swept through the township on 7th Feb 09,
Bruno & his family survived. sadly many of his friends & neighbours were lost.
Bruno's home & his art gallery were completely destroyed by the fires.
**
such a heartbreaking tale, yet with amazing courage & hope
he and his family begin to rebuild what they lost
here you can read & follow their story.

October 21, 2008

Jessie M King. . .






nestling quietly  in the beautiful Scottish countryside
home, over many years, to assortments of artists & crafting folk 


. . . in days long gone by
after many travels & inspiring adventures
a free spirit, called Jessie M King came to settle there

 a talented illustrator & designer of wonderful things
she loved all that was medieval and fantasy
she created such delicate illustrations  for  faerie tales & books

designed jewelry, fabrics, murals, costumes & so much more 
this  arty girl could not help but call Jessie  a favourite
all work above by Jessie M King