Sunday, March 13, 2016

The Red Boat

This past Wednesday I had an idea, a grand what if involving my favorite photo of the red boat that was on the River Tay in Newburgh, Scotland back in 2013.


I use this particular photo all the time when working with the tea bags - partly because of the beauty of the place and partly for the memories and profound effect that week in Scotland had on my art and life...and continues to have.

What if I printed that photo large? Not 10 inches x 12 inches or even 24 x 36 large, but L A R G E. Six feet wide type large. Could I? How? What would it look like printed on multiple sheets of tea bags? Did I actually have enough tea bags? There was only one way to find out - just do it.

Thursday found me sitting at the computer and figuring out how to do all the technical work in Photoshop. Friday I cut freezer paper to 11" x 17" and attached it to the same size printer paper to help add stability to the page when feeding it through my printer. Yesterday morning, I lightly ironed tea bags to the pages and began printing.


And printing.


And printing.



Between 35 and 40 pages. So far. 


Multiples of the same area to allow for depth, and possibly movement, when all is done.


There were minor blips, a few tea bags became wrinkled a bit going through the printer. 

The Red Boat, in progress
still attached to freezer paper
71 inches x 54 inches

The fun begins tomorrow when I start sewing...

38 comments:

  1. OMG you are so onto some magic here! wow wow wow!

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    1. Am I allowed to admit that once all the pages were hung yesterday and I stepped back to look, my first thought was "Holy sh!t. Now what?" Ha!

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  2. This is a really good idea and a great experiment. Whish you luck tomorrow with the sewing!

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  3. I've got lots more tea bags for you. Good luck with the ambitious project.

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    1. Yay! I know there are some of your tea bags in this piece now as well as one or two from Nancy and at least two other friends...and a few of mine thrown in. I'm happy to receive all the tea bags you care to save for me. Thank you!!!

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  4. Oh my goodness. You give me food for thought ... as always!
    I also envy you that large area of white board for hanging / viewing work in progress. I'll have to badger (again) he who, when the spirit moves him, does such things.

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    1. When a man says he'll do something, there's no need to remind him about it ... every six months. :-)

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    2. I'm always happy to provide food for thought! And as for my big display board...it's 2 pieces of foam insulation covered in white felt with white cotton over it. Big, yet light and easy to handle for anyone handy with a drill. No "he" required. Ha! Enjoy!

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  5. Can't wait to see where you go with this ...

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    1. Stay tuned. I promise to post about the progress. Enjoy!

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  6. What an awesome undertaking. Can't wait to see the finished product.

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    1. Thanks Lorraine! I'm eager to begin stitching tomorrow and promise to give updates. Enjoy!

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  7. Fantastic, I rather like it as it is but am looking forward to seeing how it progresses. Cant believe its two years since you wrote about your experiences at Newburgh, I am still hoping to go sometime or try and persuade India to do another course in the South.

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    1. I like the way it looks now too Debbie and am fearful that I'll screw it up once the stitching begins. If I can view it as one huge experiment, all will be well.

      India is teaching at Big Cat Textiles in Newburgh again this summer if you can manage to get there. India + Newburgh is a magical combination. Enjoy!

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    2. The great thing about the progress so far is you can re-print the pieces. Sure, they won't come out exactly the same, but you can re-print them. So sew away, with that in mind. Wonderful Jennifer! Excited to see where you take this...errrr, scratch that...where this journey takes YOU! :-) Enjoy!

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  8. Looking really good Jennifer. Go big!
    x

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    1. Thank you Judy! It's a bit daunting, yet thrilling to walk into the studio and be greeted by the photo. I admire that you work big as often as you do. How do you do it?

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  9. What an interesting idea, Jennifer. It's going to be beautiful ... and possibly this technique will foster a series in the same genre. Awesome!

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    1. If this works, Morna, there will definitely be more to come. You'll have to come over sometime and see it in person.

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  10. Wow, fantastic Jennifer. The photoshop work alone would have killed me, you make it look easy. xox

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    1. You can handle photoshop Corrine. It wasn't difficult, just time consuming. Enjoy!

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  11. This is fabulous, Jennifer. I have an amazing eye-opening adventure every time I visit your blog. Thank you for each and every post.

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    1. Goodness...I'm honored Stephanie for you words. Thank you!

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  12. Congratulations! I wish you well as you begin to sew it all together. May all (or any) challenges be solvable.

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    1. This will be day 4 of sewing and it's coming together. Since this is the first, I'm also realizing the kinks and thinking of ways to work them out...for the next time. Enjoy!

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  13. Interesting, I love that you post as you try things!. What printer/ink?

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    1. Thanks Selena! I have an Epson Stylus Photo 2200 ink jet printer that I've had for...oh...12 years or so. Just using the normal ink. Key is to use the regular paper setting. Enjoy!

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  14. Wow! Great idea! I'm put used tea bag papers through a printer but not on this scale. I'm looking forward to seeing the sewing part.

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    1. You know how much fun (and aggrevating) it can be to print on used tea bags. What did you print? This is the first time I've printed something that will end in being one large piece. Usually my tea bags are incorporated in small pieces. It's been quite an adventure so far. Enjoy!

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    2. I printed a photo of my dad at his drawing table. I ended up with 6 images that I incorporated into a diptych. It was definitely a trial and error process. I, too, mostly use tea bags on a smaller scale. You're project is inspiring me to go big again!

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  15. Wow!!! A great concept and love your fearlessness and going for it!

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    1. Ha! I seem to remember someone who created the most amazing fabrics for Caos and those were LARGE. Care to join me in a challenge where we both work very large? Wouldn't that be fun?

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  16. Hi J - nothing to add to the comments already made really - just want to say that now and then an exceptional idea and piece comes along; and you have one in the making. Now no pressure - the stitching will add the link and layers and lines to the piece. So looking forward to the completed work. Brilliant. B

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    1. No pressure, huh? I'll keep that in mind. Ha!

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