Practical class: Silk Painting 101

Here we go with the first practical class from art in action. :DHave you ever wondered how to paint on silk? Have you ever seen those beautiful silk flags fluttering in the breeze or one of those exquisite silk paintings with the puffy backing and wondered about making one for yourself? Well, read on, because now you'll be able to.Painting on silk requires a few special products and a little practice and that's all there is.You'll need special paints. The ones we used were already decanted into the little palette and so I couldn't photograph the actual paint pot, but I know what they are. They are heat set paints and are called Silkcraft Iron Fixed Silk Paint. They blend like a dream, they rinse and thin with water and act a little like watercolours.The special solution you need to stop the paints from bleeding together is called Gutta. It comes in a tube with a very thin nozzle for precise application.The other things you need are:- a piece of silk...obviously...lol- a wooden support to pin the silk to, (I suggest going to your local thrift store, buying a tacky .99 cent painting on a wooden support, and tearing the canvas away.)- and some pins to pin the silk to the wooden support (there are special pins with three sharp prongs that we were using, but I think any thin, sharp pushpin will work.)- something to act like a palette. This paint is very watery so it has to be in little cup forms.- a paintbrush or two, a jar of water, a piece of paper and a couple pieces of masking tape.So, the first thing to do is to pin the silk on the wooden support.Then take your piece of paper and fold it in such a way that it fits inside the wooden support underneath the silk, then take the paper out. Now you have the paper the precise size of drawing surface.Now draw something. :) (I had my robin drawing on my cell phone and so decided to replicate something like that. This class was only 1.5 hours, but you can take as long as you like.)VERY IMPORTANT NOTE!!!You will follow your drawing with the Gutta and, when you finally get to paint the colours on your silk, everywhere that lines do not meet, that is, everywhere where there is a little gap in the Gutta, the paint will bleed and mix together. So draw your design with that firmly in your mind.When you have drawn your design, pour out some of the paints into your palette. A little will do, it goes a long way.Now flip the wooden support with the silk pinned to it upside down and put your drawing underneath your silk. You will be able to see the design thru the silk. Hold the paper there with a couple pieces of masking tape.Now flip the silk right side up and take your Gutta and trace the lines on your silk with the Gutta. You may like to have a little practice on a darker sheet of paper first, (newspaper, paper bag, your kid's construction paper), to get the hang of how the Gutta flows.You can see in my robin design, I intentionally left a space on the right side of the robin's red breast area. I wanted to denote the red part, but wanted the colour to blend and bleed thru.Now you're ready to paint your design.I found that the paint colours were a little sharp for my liking. I mean, fuchsia, turquoise, minty green. lemon yellow...etc..., so I mixed them together to make softer colours and browns and oranges. I had a little practice on my sheet of paper.Now be brave!!!What you need is loads of wet paint and dabs with the brush. For the robin's red breast I used some red and yellow, and, while they were wet, they blended beautifully.For his wings and tail, I mixed up a load of brown and, while it was wet, I added some blue.For the background I mixed up a load of blue, (that wasn't turquoise or midnight blue) and sloshed it on with the biggest brush there was. You can see how the brush wasn't big enough for the blue sky and how it dried patchy.But wait! Here's a trick: SALTI wasn't sure how to describe the feathers on his breast. I wanted a dappled effect of soft brown and white. Our instructor, Julie, suggested I sprinkle salt on the area I want to disturb the paint. I used pickling salt, you know, larger crystals, but you can also use table salt. I presume it would give a bit of a different mottling effect. The best way to add the salt is to dump a generous amount on your work surface and then pick it up in your fingers and place it where you want it. The salt absorbs some of the paint causing a lovely mottled effect.I did the same thing with a second layer of blue on the sky background.You have to wait till the paint dries and then shake the salt off.And, TAH DA! Here is my finished little silk painting. I love it and can't wait to frame it. :D (Also, can't wait to buy some supplies and paint some more.) This is the company I'm likely to order from here in the UK, but I'm sure that very similar products can be found all over the world.Here are a couple of designs Julie had as inspiration:I've added the green arrows to show you how the paints will bleed into each other if the Gutta isn't completely sealing the spaces.However, you can always do a crazy, zany design like this lovely one, and then it doesn't matter so much at all. :DHappy silk painting.

First, Nathan Ford and the most brilliant idea!

As I was rushing thru the Painters marquee to get to the first practical class I booked myself in to. I saw loads of artists busily painting away or chatting to people in the middle of their stalls filled with paintings, postcards and posters, and then, I came to the stall of a young man named Nathan Ford.This stall was empty except for a stool on which sat Nathan, a table with a box of used pencils and a large, toned canvas hanging on a wall.He smiled at me and handed me a pencil.I walked up to the canvas, completely overwhelmed, and drew a little ladybug on a small empty space, above someone's heart.Then I stepped back and looked...and looked some more.And within two seconds of me moving away from the canvas, my position was taken up by more people with pencils, and then their position was taken up with others and so on and so on.And I stood there, took photos and watched, and it occurred to me that this is the most brilliant community project. Reflecting a community of people who share in the arts. Who are we there? We're artists, and craftsmen, and laymen, and philistines, and children, and volunteers, and bored spouses, and ageing dreamers.And here, we're all invited to make our mark.And, you know what? It's irresistible. We all do. We step up to that canvas and mark it in our own way. We leave our own signature, or hand print, like a prehistoric man on the cave wall. It's in our nature. I saw parents holding their children up to the canvas, I saw pensioners rolling up in their wheel chair, I saw strangers nudging each other, holding dog leashes, holding bags sunhats for each other, all for that precious mark on that wonderful canvas...connecting everyone.We're royalty and we're beggars, but we all come together to somehow celebrate art...somehow...in our own way, whether we disdain it and are being dragged along by our insufferable other, or whether we've flow half way around the world to be there. We are there, and we find something beautiful. And I don't know if that something is simply the pretty girl walking past in the sexy sundress, or the amazing artistic expressions on display, we all find something, somehow, to admire.And in that moment, we are all united. That's the power of art.By the way, Nathan won the Best of the Best award, chosen by all the demonstrating artists.

Art in Action 2014 part 1

Hey you!!!It's Art in Action time!!!! :DTime to discover new things, learn new techniques.Have I got your attention?Are you sitting up in anticipation now?Good, then follow me... :DOver the next few days we'll peek into some of the 30 marquees to discover new arts,We'll invite ourselves into free classes,We'll pick up tips for using new tools,We'll learn new arts and new techniques in the practical classes,We'll marvel at new designs and new ideas,We'll see things we never knew could be done,We'll flip thru artist's sketchbooks, try our hands at artist's designs,And find new ways and new products to express our art. :DI know I've posted about this wonderful adventure in years past, and, each year I visit, it's newer and fresher and more inspiring than ever.This year I'll tell you everything I learned about silk painting, sculptural wood carving, mixed media, felting, illuminated manuscript illustration, freedom to draw exercises, woodcarving printing, and much, much more.And, if I can do it, so can you. :DSo grab a cup of tea and join me for this year's extravaganza.

One more from RBG Kew: Glasshouses, plus that lotus keeps showing up

If I lived anywhere near Kew, you'd know just where to find me; right in a glasshouse. Every chance I got.This is the famous Palm House constructed in 1844. Beyond it you can see the Waterlily House 1852.This year the Palm House is fuller and richer than years past because the second giant glasshouse, the Temperate House, is closed for rebuilding and refurbishing for a few years, and, while there's a temporary glasshouse for the Temperate House plants, some have been relocated into the Palm House.I just caught the watering time of the day. Actually, it's more like the misting time. Isn't it fantastic? Loved the humid, green, fragrant air.So many weird and wonderful blooms.Then on to the waterlily house. There's something about this glasshouse that brings about some sort of reverence.It might be the black water, or the reflected light, or it might be the glorious blossoms, but there were at least a dozen people in the glasshouse with me and no one made a sound.And just there, there it was, sighing among the grasses. The lotus! A pink one. How beautiful. I have a thing for lotus these days.You know, I dream of a glasshouse of my own. I dream of a magnificent pavilion as my studio, or a glasshouse to house fifteen massive palm trees, (although in truth I'd settle for a simple little garden variety greenhouse and my own studios are the most wonderful spaces in the world to me, and I feel so lucky to have them. :D ).But still had to show you one of my most favourite galleries in the world. This is the Marianne North Gallery. Marianne North was a Victorian botanist and artist and world traveller, and here, practically from floor to ceiling, is a collection of her paintings from all over the world.Isn't this the most magnificent space?I used to take loads and loads of photos here, but last year someone put up a no photographs sign."Bah", we say, and even, "stuff that for a game of soldiers."And sometimes breaking rules is vital, because, here is Marianne's lotus, and we must have a photograph of that!My week has been incredibly busy and I can't wait to tell you all about visiting Bath, (Wednesday) and Art in Action, (today and tomorrow), taking over the charity book stall on Saturday's village market, and visiting friends on Sunday, and, I'm also looking forward to the days calming a little next week. Big hugs from busy me over here in West Cottage to all of you. Hoping you're having lovely, stress free and creative days.Tell me about your days, leave me links so I can catch up with everyone. :D

Kew Palace

China furniture wholesaleA couple of years ago, Robert and I watched a BBC program about the restoration of this big house. I found it fascinating how a tiny scrap of flocked green and black wallpaper could dictate the whole room scheme and lead to some hand made flocked green and black borders being reproduced exactly the way the Victorians would have made it, and that there was someone in E who actually hand made flocked wallpaper borders!!!Greeters at the entrance are dressed in Victorian costumes, and, although there have been three Kew Palaces, this one and the interior is a time bubble from King George III (1738-1820) and Queen Charlotte and stretches somewhat into the Victorian times.And it's a lovely big house to visit. There is a collection of beautiful and important paintings in each room, lovely furniture, views to the formal gardens outside and, it's easy to imagine living there. I was particularly impressed with the furniture. Upon enquiry, I found that it was imported from a China furniture wholesale factory.The restored parts of the house and the first and second floor. The third floor is still stripped bare and waiting for restoration, but visitors can have a look. The fourth floor is another story though. Temptingly lit staircases and servant's passages abound, but access is restricted and CC cameras are in full view.Darn, I really wanted to sneak around and explore everything, but I think old Queen Charlotte would not have been amused. I did ask about secret passages but was assured there were none. (Do we believe that?...lol...bet I could find one)R said I was being bad and so we walked back down the staircase to the main floor and looked at some of the treasures.And out thru the dining room with its celebratory supper. Apparently, this was the supper King George had when he recovered from his first bout of madness and was allowed to use a fork and knife again. Apparently he spent most of his time in straight jackets being fed with a spoon. Poor man. Who knew arsenic powders in cosmetics were bad for you!?!On to the conservatories next. :DAlso, please excuse the tragic lack of comments on my part. These days are just flying past and I'm just trying to catch up, but read every single comment and am so grateful for your friendship. :D

A beautiful kitchen garden plus royal kitchen

Well, I would say this would be just about PERFECT for me! And yes, I'd move in in a heartbeat and live in the little gardener's shed if someone would let me. (I don't take up too much room) :DOf course, 200 yrs ago, the real kitchen gardens, which served Kew Palace and Mad King George were enormous, but thank goodness the land has been given over to the gardeners. Also, thank goodness this little representation remains.Let's have a look, shall we? Then read this blog.It's a walled garden! Isn't this the absolutely most sensible way to garden in the world?I'm thinking, "where can I get my hands on a few thousand beautiful old bricks to wall in my own garden?"I was also considering to get some professional trimming services. I looked up on the internet to read more about tree services so that I can select the best one in town.The south wall and the north wall.How hard can it be to to make a bunch of these charming cloches? I'm going to try to figure them out. A bit of glass, a bit of leaded strips, a bit of solder...Here's the charming gardener's cottage. The perfect place to have tea.And now, I suppose all the beautiful produce had to be prepared somewhere. Let's have a look at the royal kitchens.The kitchens are somewhat below ground to keep them cool, but still have light and a view to the garden.I really would call this shabby chic to the MAX!Lovely old wood burners, lime washed walls, stone floors, old patina on pipes, rustic wood.These were the food preparation areas......and this was the cooking kitchen.This space is two stories tall to get all the heat to rise and vent out.And what's on the second floor?Accounting offices, chef's offices, and offices where the Kew Palace staff organised meals.Robbie read that the kitchen processed over 300 chickens per month in that ledger.I suppose this is also the place for a glass of something in the evening.(Related: Check this review of wine bottle openers on the website of Kitchenistic)Or a cup of tea.And, further into the kitchens, are larders full of processed seasonal foods stored for the future.Did you enjoy your visit? I did.Do we all want to run out and build a walled kitchen garden and shabby chic the heck out of our kitchens?Yup, I know the feeling. :D Kew Palace next time :D

My birthday and RBG Kew

If you've known me for any length of time, you know I love the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew. And you probably also know that it's my birthday treat is to visit each year.You would probably not be surprised to know that Kew is a riot of flowers and colours, and that, each year, the Kew world changes. One year there was the most beautiful Dale Chihuly installation here. Hundreds and hundreds of colourful glass sculptures stood in gardens, floating on ponds and lakes, were suspended from trees and ceilings. One year the focus was on vegetables and other edibles, and this year the focus was on comfort, protection, healing and medicinal plants from all around the world.Robert and I had a ton of unexpected traffic into London and came to RBG Kew later than we wanted but just in time for lunch.We walked past the palm house, past the brilliant flower beds, to the Orangery cafe.And while the hot reds, purples and yellows were very much on view, exciting and wonderful, what I noticed most were the white flowers. Each time I came on a brilliant white blossom, my heart skipped a beat and I had to stop.It may have been the sunshine, may have been the terrible traffic jam, but I felt that I needed the cool, clear, peaceful white flowers that day, and so, this year, Kew became the year of the white garden for me.We did the usual tour of the gardens between the palm house and the Orangery, but then decided to walk out into the arboretum to see the Thames.We walked and walked and eventually made our way back to the Orangery, and R decided he wanted a rest, so he found a shady tree while I went on to explore the walled gardens.I love Robert, but I loved my alone time.I held hands with the trees...I waved with the grasses...And I captured as much of the peace in my heart as I could.Eventually, I walked out of the walled gardens to the Princess of Wales conservatory and explored the alpines and cacti.And made friends with some gardeners working in the grasses.Found Robbie right where I left him...And we went on to explore some more. :DMore from Kew tomorrow.

What's that? Carole's wonderful drawing challenge

The other day Robert and I were out in the field test driving my Land Rover and our neighbour Polly came to see and ask if we wanted some fresh eggs from her chickens.We were delighted and walked with her to the chicken coop.We looked in on the girls and I said, "what's that?" It looked like a shiny black bead looking directly at me from under the steps of the coop. It blinked and revealed itself to be the eye of a rat!This rat wasn't going to give up his eggs for anyone...oh no!But we had Polly's huge dog with us, (and he wanted an egg), and so eventually the rat saw the game was up and hopped away giving us the middle claw.And me without my camera. :(Today, I took a piece of lino and carved that daemon rat on it to show you exactly what he looked like...to the minutest detail!I printed him on a piece of newspaper with the article, "The Value of Disrespect."It seemed to fit...lol.Also yesterday I took this photo. Any idea what that is?It's the after effects of a huge military jet from a nearby RAF base disturbing a cloud. Cool, isn't it?Sharing with Carole and all the gang. :D Pop over when you have a chance and see other wonderful interpretations of the theme.

The Land Rover restoration catch up

We may have officially tipped the balance of the scale onto the chaos side with four cars on the go, but we're plugging along slowly but surely.My mini, Robert's new black mini, and Robert's Medusa project are a bit on hold for the Land Rover because we'd really like to drive it somewhere this summer. Before I get on with telling you how it's all going and probably boring you with tons of car photos, I'd like to say that Robert is the innovative creator of this project and I'm mostly kind of like the magician's assistant. (But maybe without the cute costume and the rhinestones)Well, let's see, let's start at the beginning of this Land Rover restoration:Soap and water! That's always a good place to start.Once the mud and grime were somewhat subdued, I saw a few problem spots. One was carpet backing glued onto one of the rear panels and also this:The caulked, chalky residue that happens when steel rubs against aluminum.Time to get the angle grinder.Well now, the carpet backing came off really easily, but I was in a hurry and didn't bother with a respirator. Big Mistake!I was finding it really hard to close the boot lid. I mean I had to push with all my might to get the bottom panel flush enough with the car to slip the locks sideways. R deduced that one of the previous owners had dropped the boot lid down without the chain attached and it hit and bent on the tow ball, so R took of the side braces and straightened them out.In the meantime, I had an ugly job ahead of me requiring gasoline, diesel, my hair dryer and toothbrush, and tons of hours. But it had to be done.One of the previous owners, (probably the same one who dropped the boot lid and bent it), had applied a tar based undercoating and glued down thick woollen insulation all over the foot well and under the seats and covered the original labels and made a huge, goopy mess. If I was going to restore this, the tar had to go.You see that one bright spot above with the original paint showing? That was an hour worth of work. See the side of the seat below? Yeah, that took three hours!By day four with tar gunk I was convinced the previous owner should be hunted down and shot! Tools of the trade!On Thursday, we took the day to drive out to the scrap yard to find some missing bits for the Dodo.We found some scrapped Landies and got to work finding and removing the pieces we needed.There's a Landi there with this short roof turning it into a pick up. I'm thinking it might be great fun to get that roof and have the choice. What do you think? R says there's no more room in the garages...lol.One of the things missing was a fan for the heater. A blue Landi had a lovely red one and R took it out for me while I picked wild flowers. (I know, I'm such a help!) Here are some of the things we got from the scrap yard. They include the red fan, a battery bracket plus tie-downs, and bump stops.We also got a spare tire, which sits on the bonnet and makes the Landi look super aggressive. it's slightly smaller than the wheels I have now, but will get me home in a pinch.In the meantime...lol...It's my birthday on Sunday, :D and for my prezzies I asked R for some needed Landi bits. He bought me some wonderful things, like these new rubber gaskets, and they've been arriving over the past couple days.Here are some of my prezzies and the scrap yard finds...and my cup of tea.And can I just tell you how wonderful Robert's been today?He's replaced the fan, replaced the drag link ball joint in the steering and scrubbed it down and painted it yellow, replaced the head lights, replaced the battery for a larger one, put the hold-down strap on the battery, replaced the wing braces under the wheel arches, and helped me with the sanding disk in the angle grinder.While mostly I got on with that horrible tar gunk...upside down...under the steering wheel...between the pedals...with gasoline and a toothbrush. :((I believe there is a "no more tar" light at the end of the tunnel, and it's flickering ever so dimly away in the distance, but it's there!)Also today, we took it into the construction site for a test drive!HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! :D :D :D :D SO MUCH FUN!!!!But then, what's that feeling? Oh no, the clutch is slipping in third gear. That's going to be an undertaking.But, this evening, R ordered me a new clutch plate and tomorrow's a new day. :)

Black and white relic, Wordpress weekly photo challenge, and photo Friday

Black tires, ancient white car, being reclaimed by nature at the scrap yard.Maybe not. Maybe there's someone out there who will rescue it and bring it back to life.Although, to me it looks like it's living a fine life right where it is. :DFor the Wordpress weekly photo challenge, Relic and for Photo Friday, black and white.