London - According to my blog stats, some of you live in the United Kingdom and it's to you that I am appealing. My husband and I will be in London next month. It's a business trip for him and vacation for me. The little urchins will be at home enjoying art camp and having my parents all to themselves. What fun they are going to have!
Back to London. After having the weekend together, I'll have 2 days to explore on my own while my husband is in meetings. There's plenty to see, yet I'm curious about the galleries, textile shops, cafes, gardens, etc. that only those who live in the area know about. You know what I mean...those little jewels that tourists never find because they aren't in the tourist magazines or on the maps. If you don't mind, would you share some of them with me? Please? It would be lovely and very much appreciated.
Orange - It's almost time for the June installment of Searching for Roy G Biv - next Thursday, the 21st. This month's color is...can you guess?...orange. Feel free to join in the fun!
Dots - Rusty dots. Rusty measle-y sort of dots. And polyps. Rusty polyps. Before going to Oz, a few pieces were wrapped and bundled to rust while I was away. Green tea was used and visions of deep indigo danced in my dreams. The most striking piece is...well...a disaster. And here's why
As I unwrapped what seemed to be a glorious piece, the dots became visible. A groan escaped while the thought of mildew ran through my mind. However, it is not mildew or mold.
The pattern of the dots echo the pattern of the rusty polyps on the gear below. There were, and still are, a bunch of them on this gear that weren't there when it was bundled.
If you're a rust junkie also, I'm wondering if you've come across this before? I plan to clean the gear before using it again, but wonder if the polyps will reappear.
This pattern is just way too striking not to try to replicate...sans the rusty measles, of course.
Any thoughts, insights, suggestions, tips, etc. about London, the color orange and rusty measles/polyps are welcome. Enjoy!
I love the measles! that piece of fabric is intriguing! what will you eventually do with it!
ReplyDeleteReally? You love the measles? I hate them. Truly. If they don't wash out...and I seriously doubt they will...well, it will make a good background for a heavily boro-d piece. Beyond that....all I can see is measles....
DeleteAlthough I'm nowadays in France I did live near London in a previous life…..not exactly off the beaten track or unknown but my advice is you must visit the V&A while you are there!
ReplyDeleteLoving those measles!
The V&A is definitely a must see.
DeleteThe last time I was in London with my husband was the summer of 2008, a few months after we'd adopted our daughters. One morning, I decided we'd visit the V&A. Got a taxi...in which the little urchins had way too much fun. Arrived at the V&A, got out of the taxi, attempted numerous times to get both 1.5 year old girls in their stroller...midst screaming, body stiffening fits because they very strongly did not want to go in the stroller.
I finally gave up, got back in the taxi...furious at having made it to the sidewalk outside the front door of the V&A, but not actually in the V&A...
So...one could say that I've a score of sorts to settle and I will make it inside the front door of the V&A this time around. Maybe even a bit further. Small steps.
Love your fabric. I live in London..Putney. I will think of things for you and send them tomorrow. if you fancy coming to see my studio..you are most welcomexxlynda
ReplyDeleteThank you! Thank you! An insiders list of places to see will be awesome! And thank you for the invitation to meet you and visit your studio. It would be fun to stop in. May I let you know closer to our trip?
DeleteThe 'measles' actually look wonderful! So much texture. I understand it's a matter of personal preference so if you really hate the fabric I've no doubt another fiber artist would be happy to purchase it from you. There's so much potential for embroidery on this piece.
ReplyDeleteJust can't get my brain around the idea that the measles could be...likable. I really do hate the fabric...well, not the whole fabric, but the dots that have infested it and demand attention. Without them, the piece would be stunning. With them... Maybe I will offer it for sale or even as a give away. It still needs to be washed and if I'm lucky, the measles will wash out...but that's very doubtful. They're rusted in too. Hmmm....sale or give away or boro over it?
DeleteHi J - from a paper lovers perspective I can recommend Falkiners Fine Papers/Shepherds Bookbinding at 76 Southampton Row. Is Roy this Thursday (the second) or the third?
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm with you re the spots; they are not at all pleasant and quite distracting from what would be a stunning piece!!
Oh thank goodness that it isn't just me that finds the rusty measles disgusting! For me, they are extremely distracting...can't see beyond them.
DeleteAnd you're totally correct that Roy is next Thursday - the third one. Glanced at the calendar too quickly for my brain to realize that June 1 was a Friday. Phew! Thanks for the heads up!
Fiona, a really good paper store is right up there with a really good art supply store, hardware store or yarn shop. Falkiners will happily be added to my list of must see places. Thank you!
Hello Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteif you google Contemporary Applied Arts London,there is an interesting exhibition coming up which might coincide with your visit. Percy street is very near Habitat and Heals, both of which have beautifully designed things to covet. Cork street behind the Royal academy has a range of interesting galleries also. Enjoy your trip. Ann
Thank you for the suggestions Ann! I'm gathering info right now and at some point need to sit down and figure out where everything is in relation to our hotel. Habitat and Heals do have beautifully designed things on their web sites which makes me want to see what else is in the stores. Always love seeing good design. Enjoy!
DeleteOh, dear - I also love the measles - sorry Jennifer and Fiona - love the fact that it is very wabisabi. - How about some little seed beads to compliment the measles??
ReplyDeleteRe London - Brick Lane markets [Shoreditch] are great - lots of retro and antique stuff, open Sundays only 8 till 2 http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/brick-lane-market.php
Oh Noela! Say it isn't so! I know you love wabisabi, but the measles are more like wabisabi-otage. At this point, I'm truly debating offering part of it as a give away. Maybe to the person who write the best story about what the measles really are...
DeleteThanks for the tip about Brick Lane! I do want to get to one of the markets over the weekend if only to ooh and aah and take photos. Of course, finding a little rusty bit or unique small something would be nice too. Enjoy!
...or some stitching - a bit like 'join the dots', or you can send me a bit and I'll do something with it and send it back to you :):)
ReplyDeleteJoin the dots....got a chuckle from that one. Tempting.
Delete{{ V&A !!!
ReplyDeleteyes
yes
yes
but also love Kew Gardens
{{ more of a day trip really
to Richmond
with tea at Maids of Honour !!! }}
yes
yes
yes
Brick Lane !!!
clearly you NEED to stay longer,
clearly i NEED to go
& show
you
around
If only staying longer were an option...
DeleteJ-wow!!! that was a very weird reaction to get all those polyps forming - like steel cancer leaching out. So many dots bunched don't have the same appeal art a more linear set. B
ReplyDeleteIt's good to know that you think the reaction is weird too. I've seen a few polyps on other rusted gears, but none have left their mark on the fabric like this one did. It was left to rust while I was in Kansas so maybe the extended time effected it...?
DeleteI cleaned the polyps off the gear and it is currently rusting...about to be opened actually because my curiosity is getting the better of me. We'll see if more polyps grew. If so, well...hmmm...not sure what will happen next for that gear. Maybe it will become a garden ornament for a bit.