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www.atasda.org.au
ISSUE 149 SEPTEMBER 2012
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Flowers of Friendship
―I invited my friends to create a flower on a square of
calico, to be joined with strips of lettering to create a
hanging. I sent out 900 packs, hoping to get about
50 back, and I was amazed and delighted to get
back more than 450!‖
Tricia is ATASDA Qld Branch committee member, teacher and practicing calligrapher and multi-media artist. Her
artwork has been exhibited in galleries, published in journals, and purchased by collectors in Australia and overseas.
―I have the privilege of being the 2012 Artist-in-Residence
at Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha. I have chosen ―THE LANGUAGE OF NATURE‖ as my theme for the
year, because I am passionate about calligraphy and lettering … I use letters, words and symbols as inspiration
to create hangings, artist books, sculptures and wearable
art. I work with all types of textiles (fibres, paper, yarns
and fabrics).‖
I’d love all ATASDA members to join two of my projects (and spread
the word to all your friends all over the world). The deadline is 30th
September.
* The “A-I-R MAIL ENVELOPE” project (mailing a decorated envelope)
* The “FOCUS ON NATURE” project (emailing a photo)
Full details are on my blog. (refer page 8)
“Swishy Swathes”
Shelter sheds at the gardens are being progressively
decked out in garlands of flowers and leaves to illustrate
some of the materials and techniques involved in my projects.Some gorgeous flowers and leaves were contributed
by ATASDA members Joanne Jayne and Felicity Clarke,
as well as by my cousin Gay McEwan, who also helped
me create a tabard and head-piece for display in the
Botanique Fashion Parade at the Gardens in July.
June Exhibition
In June, in the heritage-listed Richard Randall Art Studio
at the Gardens, I was able to display the progress of my
residency to date, and also showcase some of my previous work. I really enjoyed talking to all my visitors ... telling everyone about what I've done so far, and what I still
hope to achieve.
(continued page 8)
Tricia Smout’s Mt Coot-tha Gardens Residency
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Nature's Way
by Linda Baranov
Artist and surface designer Linda Baranov
has always had a fascination for colour,
nature, and the beauty of the Australian
landscape. Trees, plants and earth feature
in her varied works.
Linda enjoys the challenges and techniques of traditional painting in the fine
arts. However, now a member of ATASDA
NSW Branch she is exploring many more
mediums and is focussing on surface design. With a passion for texture, structure,
form and line, her works are traversing the
boundaries of art and craft and blending
them to create Linda's unique style.
A graduate of the International School of Colour
and Design at North Sydney, Linda's qualifications include a Cert IV in Design, Diploma in Creative Visual Arts, and a Diploma of Surface Design.
Having worked in education for over 30 years she
knows the benefits of continuing professional development. Working with fellow artists of many
disciplines is particularly rewarding. Last year with
a group of 18 artists she spent 12 days at Ruby
Gap, 140kms east of Alice Springs. The experience was so inspiring this September she's returning to Illara Waterhole 250kms SW of The Alice, NT.
www.lindabaranov.com
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Using Copper Tissue in Textile Art
Copper Tissue is a very fine copper sheet suitable
for all manner of textile work.
Here are some suggestions for use:
Heat -
to achieve a riot of colours over an open flame (gas
cooker/bbq/tea candle etc) taking care not to burn
your fingers.
Treat -
with balsamic vinegar by placing the tissue in a
transparent plastic food bag and drizzling in the vinegar to partially cover. Leave for 2-3 days – remove
and rinse in water and pat slightly dry.
Leave in tomato chutney for a good colour
with Oxidising Patina.
Soak in bleach for 2 days.
Place in a plastic food bag sprinkled with salt.
Put through a crimper to make a pleated piece.
Punch shapes with a craft punch.
(Tricia Smout—continued from page 2)
Colour -
Activities for public participation
Lumiere metallic paint
Opulence (made in OZ) Paints
Black Xpandaprint then rubbed with gilding wax
Glass Inks
Nail Varnish
Sprinkle glitter onto wet metallic paint
Black Acrylic paint then wipe off the surplus
Spirit dyes (eg Pinata)
Gilding Wax
Glace Pens
I have been organising activities for adults and children throughout the year. Some of these were:
* April school holidays (origami butterflies, ladybugs, paper windmills, fruit printing)
* World Environment Day (a ―Tree of Hope‖ with
environmental messages)
* Winter Solstice celebrations (wreaths and decorative candle-holders)
* July School holidays (wearable art from natural
materials)
* Arachnid Artistry (webs in the trees)
* Japan Week celebrations (paper cranes and Tanabata stars)
Foiling Use Plexi Glue or Supermend to apply foils.
… and my exciting journey continues….
Stitching Copper Tissue is very easy to stitch into.
Work on different fabric surfaces including Romeo
cold water soluble or Vanishing Muslin.
These are just some ideas for you to try.
Have fun experimenting with copper tissue and I am
sure you will come up with many other uses.
© Dale Rollerson 2012
Other projects are still being planned. I just wish
I had 24 hours more in every day!
The culmination of my Year of Residency will be
another exhibition in the Richard Randall Art Studio
(6 - 14 November) and then in the Auditorium (16 18 November).
It would be great if you could visit then, but if
not, please follow my progress via my blog.
Phone: (07) 3379 1406
email: [email protected]
http://downunderdale.blogspot.com
www.thethreadstudio.com
https://www.facebook.com/thethreadstudio
website: www triciasmout.com.au
https://www.facebook.com/anartfuljourneydownunderdale
blog: www.triciasmout.blogspot.com.au
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Catherine O’Leary
- at a Queensland Workshop
Written and photographed by Lyn Baxter
Catherine‘s gentle and patient approach endears her to her students, and nothing seems to be
too much trouble. As with most wet felting, it is invaluable to have an experienced and hands on expert to guide the initial exploration of this new technique. The students in the workshop produced a
diverse range of garments from full length wraps,
scarves to a wraparound skirt.
We were all delighted with what we managed
to learn in two days, from experienced felters to
beginners.
We were delighted to have Catherine O‘Leary
conduct a workshop for ATASDA Qld in Brisbane recently. Catherine‘s visit to Textile Art Academy last
year proved very popular, and for those who missed
out, we invited her to visit Queensland again. Catherine‘s classes and garments have been a very popular attraction at TAFTA forums over the years.
Catherine is well known for using prefelts in her
nuno felting techniques. She has developed a style
of nuno-felting where the wool fibre is manipulated
through the weave of the fabric just enough so that it
is partially felted. These nuno prefelts, as Catherine
calls them, allows the felt maker to create a collection
of colours and patterns to use as design elements in
the final lightweight nuno felt finished article. The pre
felts are only partially felted and then cut, layered and
manipulated onto other prefelt for the final piece.
Catherine‘s latest book: ―from felt to fabric
New
Techniques In Nuno Felting‖ a Lark Crafts Publication, explains this process more fully.
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Catherine may be contacted at:[email protected]
and her Website at
www.catherineoleary.com.au
is a delight to view.