Monday 23 December 2013

experimenting in the studio …..

I have not posted to my blog for over a month - mostly because I have been away, travelling down south and then holidaying at Noosa for a couple of weeks.  I feel renewed really after the heartache of late. Plenty of sunshine, warm sea and explorative kayaking …. delicious.

I cannot believe tomorrow is Christmas Eve.  Gosh it has arrived quickly this year.  I hope you are all going to be celebrating happily with loved ones.  Wishing you all a really safe and happy time and a hugely creative year in 2014. I will look forward to having more time next year to both post to my blog, and visit you all on yours - have missed that this year. The joy of being able to peek into each other's work spaces - a wonderful privilege.

Below are some photographs of work I have been experimenting with in the studio - a continuation of recent work with engravings though trying to find alternative ways of shaping and blocking out shapes from the engraved marks.  Some things are working well, others still need work.  It is fun though - spending time playing with ideas and seeing the play may lead to - if anywhere.  I am enjoying the softness of the watercolours, a soft contrast to the strong images I have been working with of late.

After Christmas I will post on a really special project I have worked on this year - well shared in is more accurate.  The project has come to a close with the end of the year but it has bought enormous pleasure along the way.  Once the New Year begins I will be working on the collaborative book Fiona and I have begun, and then already, there are a number of quite exciting projects lines up for the year ahead.  I am very much looking forward to this coming year ……. feel it is going to be a good one.  Hope you are all feeling that too!

watercolours and graphite with engraved marks



trying to find a suitable white with which to block out - acrylic not quite what I am looking for



using windsor and newton gouache in transparent form - need to try it more thickly

getting some lovely effects with the transparent paint I think




old faithful black and white - working with different inking techniques






not happy with the white here but will keep trying - like the blues



10 comments:

  1. Peeking into your workspace really is a privilege! Thank you and a Happy Christmas to you and yours.
    PS I love the black and white and the swirling - beautiful.

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    1. What a lovely thing to say - thank you Charlton. Have a fabulous 2014 x

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  2. How exciting Susan, to see this new experimental work of yours! I wish I could stop by the studio and have an artist visit. Merry and happy holidays to you.

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    1. What a dream that would be Leslie - to be able to visit each other's studio. A dream, maybe one day a reality but in the meantime, how lucky are we to be able to visit each other through cyber space.

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  3. Yummo....have a Happy Christmas, Trace.

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    1. Thanks Jo. Wishing you are wonderful 2014 - a year of fine work and friendship. Love my nickname! trace x

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  4. Sitting here (here is the lobby of Hard Rock Hotel in Cancun on a rainy Christmas morning) sighing over this latest work. Of course, I tend to do that over all your work. It just effects me that way - takes my breath away, leaves me speechless, speaks to my soul and sets my mind to wandering along a very creative path. So glad you're back in the studio where art and the process can ease your soul. Merry Christmas my friend!

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    1. How gorgeous to have such a response from you on your Christmas morning Jennifer. It feels great to be back in the studio and have thoughts rushing through my mind again - so many, many ideas I want to play with and hopefully this year, will. I wish the same for you, for us all really. I think the last couple of years have been a tad tough and I have a good feeling about 2014. May it be a blessed one for you and yours. x

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  5. I keep falling in love with your work and I feel as silly as people in love can feel. I bet it's not the first time I'm telling you this. I look forward to your posts and your projects. It's really good to know that you are happy again. My very best wishes for the holidays and the new year, Susan. XX

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    1. I keep smiling over this lovely comment Ersi! I know exactly what you mean though - when something just gets inside you in a way you can't really express it is like falling in love. I am delighted to think my work can do that to you :-)
      I have been 'off line' a little of late, but will be following more closely and attentively in the following year. Will write soon. A big year for us both in 2014! xxx

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