Browsing On Pinterest

I just read a wonderful interview with Hazel Bruce on TextileArtist.org headed Hazel Bruce: ‘Make do and mend’ pieced fabrics connected by repeated stitched pattern blocks” under which is a pic of richly textured hand stitched straight-stitch patterns that really struck a chord with me. Further reading of Heidi Ingram’s interview article, I found more key words and phrases that rang my bell:

  • make do and mend – tick – life mantra & recent banner on https://www.liftthesky.com
  • repeat patterns – tick – these underpin most of my art
  • sampling – tick – I frequently make samples for several reasons, including fabric/thread auditions, learning a material’s handling characteristics, or trying a new technique or stitch.
  • repeat lines – tick – seams, stitch lines, applied shapes
  • mark making tick – every stitch is a mark and is placed purposefully
  • Hazel said “I revisit my work quite a lot” – tick – and often see things I didn’t ‘see’ before
  • Hazel sometimes cuts a piece up when it returns from an exhibition – tick though I haven’t yet… but am thinking about it
  • re-working it and integrating it into another piece – tick just thinking about it …
  • “I’m not very precious about my work” – I’ve certainly been feeling less so. A few years ago I did cut up set of pieces that formed one work; and might another couple soon: but earlier this year I sold a couple of older works to an important buyer, so it’s something to think about carefully !

When I found this sample today, I was surprised how old it was and how much it has influenced my work since I doodled with these ideas in 2013 …

One Response to “Browsing On Pinterest”

  1. Alison says:

    In my next post I will include pics of exames of developments in my work since I made that little red sample.

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