The Red Boat - in progress #3

There's been a whole lot of piecing materials together,

stepping back to look,

noticing little details and, of course,

sewing.

There's even been a curator's visit and selection for an upcoming exhibition so, while the full piece can't be shared yet, The Red Boat is complete. Well, as complete as a work is sans hanging device. Does that count?

My mind is now contemplating what to make of the remnants...

The Red Boat - in progress #2

Last night I dreamed of being back in Newburgh, Scotland and standing by the river's edge, searching for the red boat even though India let me know that as of her last visit, it was no longer anchored midst the Tay.

In my dream, a low, gentle sound could be heard in the background. 

Almost a low rumbling, like very far off thunder, 

but not quite. 

Regardless where I walked along the shore, this sound was present. 

 It wasn't threatening, but was insistent.

Sort of like the friendly growl one receives from a pup who wants to play.

Not an airplane though, nor cars driving through town. I woke from the dream shaking my head and stifling laughter (didn't want to wake the house too early) because my waking mind recognized the sound immediately. Can you guess? 

By Thursday night, I'd printed what felt like hundreds of layers and had sewn 6 panels. This was how the display board looked at quitting time. Good, but too many panels.

Yesterday morning, I decided to see if it would be possible to crop the photo so that the whole boat fit on one page. To achieve this, the paper needed to be 13 inches x 11 inches rather than 11 inches x 17 inches as the rest of piece is. 

It worked great - one panel replaces two, giving a less cluttered look and feel. As this is all one humongous learning curve, I've been sewing the photo in strips - or panels - as cropped in Photoshop. While I like the look of the uneven panels as well as the movement they afford, I still wonder at my original intention to sew it all together into one big piece, rather than it being one large piece comprised of smaller components. The jury is still out on that one.

The extras stack is growing, providing ideas for additional works.

My one complaint about my printer (Epson Photo Stylus 2200) is that it gives no warning when ink runs low. That lovely yellow in the middle should have been red. Seems I'd worn out the light magenta.

So, have you guessed the sound that was present in my dream yet? Yes. My sewing machine. Time for a break today, wouldn't you say? Enjoy!

The Red Boat - in progress #1

I've practically been glued to my sewing machine so far this week.

Once I overcame my fear

of totally screwing up when the sewing began, that is.  

At some point yesterday, after panel 2 was hung (left side of photo), I stepped back to look...and breathe...and admire. Is it proper to admit that? Yes. After all, if I don't like my work, how can I expect anyone else to? Still, there's something special at play here. Perhaps it has to do with place, people, memories.

As the stitching continued throughout Monday and Tuesday, my mantra was keep it simple, just keep it simple, let the photo be the focus, keep it simple, simple, simple.

After feeling stagnant all winter, the energy in the studio is welcome and wanted. The ideas are flowing, some so fast that they are only snippets or shadows moving across my mind. There, but not. Or there, but not yet fully formed...or formed enough to be cohesive yet.

Midst the whirlwind that is presently my creative mind, panel 3 was begun, bringing with it the first glimpse of the red boat.

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...

In the studio

Dreaming of the red boat that I first saw here 

 and soon after gazed upon here.

Being (t)here

Grab a cup or glass of your favorite beverage. Sit back. Relax. And be transported to Newburgh, Scotland and the whirled that is India Flint.



Being (t)here
from Tracey McConnell-Wood on Vimeo.

Christine and I had the pleasure of being at the river, happily mud painting in our notebooks when India and Tracey arrived to re-record water playing on the drum for the video. India was kind enough to grant me permission to photograph her and I shared a few of those photos here.

As India's video shows, Newburgh is truly a magical place. And India...well, she is magic personified.

Edinburgh - Gifted . Poetree

I've been home for nearly 2 weeks now, but still have more to write about the experience of being in Scotland. My first week back is a bit of a haze - took me all week to adjust to the backwards time difference. India, how do you do it with all your traveling back and forth and inbetween Australia and the US and Great Britain, et al? Do you ever wonder just where you are today or what time it truly is?

This past week has been spent doing fall cleaning and readying our guest room to be a combination guest room/little urchin playroom.  Alas, no art-type work yet. 

Now, here's what I was doing 2 weeks ago today....
 

 *********

Saturday morning found my housemates at Weavers Hall - Brenda Parsons, Christine Mauersberger and Kelly McKaig - and I scrambling to finish packing, say quick goodbyes and begin the next part of our journey.

 
For some, that meant going home while others were to enjoy another week in Newburgh at Big Cat Textiles. 

I was off to Edinburgh, courtesy of Alison of Big Cat Textiles. She was kind enough to give Sandra (Brownlee, that is) and myself a ride. This little fellow greeted me from his perch on the corner of the bathtub in my room at the Apex City Hotel. 

The view out my window. Edinburgh Castle up on the hill.

The window at the end of the hall afforded the best view of Edinburgh Castle above the Grassmarket market.

I strolled among the market vendors, taking in the colors, smells, sounds and energy of the day. And yes, a little something did find its way into my bag - 2 little somethings, in fact. Solid moisturiser bars by The Edinburgh Natural Skincare Company.

Then it was time to explore the streets,

view the art,

take in the colors,

patterns, textures

and architecture of Edinburgh as I made my way

to the Scottish Poetry Library.

Alas, not to read the poetry found there,

but to view

the Poetree.

In all, I saw 7 of the original mysteriously gifted book sculptures as well as a new one that Saturday.  The sculptures are magnificent as is the artist - now known to be a woman - who had the vision to create them. I'll post more along the way. Stay tuned!