Now this isn't going to be a particularly impressive post, but I thought it was about time I joined in. I have juggled with a few ideas for some work and abandoned them and this is a possibility at least.
I like these little 'Wooden' books and bought this one entitled 'Li' some time ago. It's an ancient Chinese term applied to the universal and inherent pattern of things. I think this will serve as a theme as I have wanted to explore animal markings and the connectedness of patterns in nature for some time. So I may have to acquire a book or two as well, there's one called 'The Self-made Tapestry ' which may be relevant. It all sounds a bit worthy so far; I think I just want fun with pattern, with some Oriental twists worked in too. I'm also pondering on minimal pieces based on Japanese gardens, you know, some gravel, a tree and two rocks. You could spend ages moving those elements around looking for the perfect composition.
I will most likely use my precious few scraps of 100 year old Chinese newspaper I found in a Chinese screen I bought about 30 years ago. In the screen were disintegrating beautiful embroideries and two paintings, and the screen itself is beautifully carved. It's also in the loft which is sad, I feel guilty now so I may have to retrieve it.
Here's the cover.
Some pages.
Some more pages.
These are the scraps of old newspaper I have left. I used some in a recycling project, unfortunately, although the newsprint does make the work look interesting.
Your loft sounds a fun place to visit! All I've got in mine are old lampshades, doors and wasps nests. Wish I had a Chinese screen with paintings and embroidery in it- and what a fabulous find the newspaper bits are. Can't wait to see what you do with them.
ReplyDeleteI read your bit about minimalism with interest too. It's very hard to leave wide open spaces in things (well, for me anyway!) and just have the essentials beautifully placed. I know I have a tendency to be over decorative, and put too much into a piece. You've inspired me to see how minimal I can be - now there's a challenge!
We think we may have bats in the loft too. The poor old screen shouldn't be up there really, but we bought it when we were in our old house, which had taller walls[we put it on the wall]. There was no room in our current house for all of it, as it has 5 large and 2 small sections, and takes some dusting, which I am against to much of these days...
ReplyDeleteWe should have a minimalist challenge, each making a small calm piece to go between the more active work.
Gosh the screen sounds very big. Still, I'm sure the bats are enjoying the decorative addition to roof tiles. I'd quite like your bats as well as your screen Steph - perhaps I ought to move in with you! My eldest DD has a bat detector, and its enormous fun (yes, it is, really it is) to go out at dusk and track them down. Mind you the bottle of wine we took with us helped the evening just fly by! AND maybe I'll take you up on that challenge!
ReplyDeleteGosh the screen sounds very big. Still, I'm sure the bats are enjoying the decorative addition to roof tiles. I'd quite like your bats as well as your screen Steph - perhaps I ought to move in with you! My eldest DD has a bat detector, and its enormous fun (yes, it is, really it is) to go out at dusk and track them down. Mind you the bottle of wine we took with us helped the evening just fly by! AND maybe I'll take you up on that challenge!
ReplyDeleteThose pieces of Chinese paper are so precious -just beautiful. Ever thought about using the screen itself to mount your work?
ReplyDeleteAnnabel, I would love a bat detector! I shall look them up immediately.
ReplyDeleteI am thinking of making a very quiet piece; I do over active generally so it would be a challenge. Do one too and let's see what happens.
Hi Jacqui, it had crossed my mind, it has my work in at the moment, some painted vegetables [don't ask]on silk. The more precious Chinese work is in a folder, but it was never that healthy to start with, being so old, and silk too, which doesn't last.But I'm not sure what to do with the pieces when it's all done and back home; I have too much stuff already!
ReplyDeleteRight Steph I'll have a go. The next piece I do for the exhibition - after the Life piece I need to do for the Leamington Art Gallery exhibition, will be "quiet" It might not happen for a couple of months, but I'll let it stew in my mind over Christmas. Get the best bat detector you can afford but you don't need the professional one - about £60 to £100 should do! Once you've tuned in and can hear them clicking away, you begin to see them too and can trace where they're roosting. Under railway bridges seem a good place if you've got any nearby.
ReplyDeleteNow there's an interesting challenge, but I will give it a go. Anyone else is free to join in too...
ReplyDeleteAll this talk of bats may have nothing to do with our work but it is fascinating. We've got bats in our loft too. They don't bother us and we leave them well alone but we do enjoy watching them loop the loop around the garden at twilight on a summer's evening. Did you know you need a licence to handle them? Laura found a dead one earlier this year and discovered on the bat protection website that she had to report the incident. A licence duly arrived together with a small plastic cylinder for the body. We were told that we would only be notified of the cause of death if the bat was rabid! Luckily, it was not!
ReplyDeleteAll this talk of bats may have nothing to do with our work but it is fascinating. We've got bats in our loft too. They don't bother us and we leave them well alone but we do enjoy watching them loop the loop around the garden at twilight on a summer's evening. Did you know you need a licence to handle them? Laura found a dead one earlier this year and discovered on the bat protection website that she had to report the incident. A licence duly arrived together with a small plastic cylinder for the body. We were told that we would only be notified of the cause of death if the bat was rabid! Luckily, it was not!
ReplyDeleteLooks as if we need to apply for a bat licence asap. But, we may check first just in case...there has been flitting though.Once they're there that's that I think, by law they get to stay.I do like bats; hope the dog doesn't get rabies though.
ReplyDeleteYou two are so lucky - wish I had bats! On the other hand, they could be a nuisance if they were in your belfry and you needed to get at your Chinese screens! I had to smile - for which I apologise - at the thought of a little plastic cylinder arriving to take the body away. What on earth did Laura do with it whilst she was waiting for the tube to arrive? Would I have had the courage to put the anti-rabies gloves on and photocopy it.....yes, I probably would!
ReplyDeleteWe, too, have had bats but the colony seems no longer to be around, only the odd one now and then. I even saw one coming out of our dormer in the daylight.Our Greek friend would never go out of doors in the twilight as bats seem to be an ill omen in his culture.....Bats are a symbol of good fortune and luck in Chinese lore, you can see them in the costumes of emperors and their followers so not unrelated to our theme.
ReplyDeleteYes, I may include a bat or two, you see them on Chinese ceramics too.
ReplyDeleteSeems if you dig deep enough you can find a reason to include any of your favourite things doesn't it? After watching Antiques Roadshow last night where I saw a Chinese plate depicting a blue dragon holding the pearl of wisdom in his jaws and then Wendy kindly posting a link to the intelligence of crows on our Facebook page it seemed to me I could justify painting a crow with pearls of wisdom in his beak and feel it had an oriental inspiration. Especially if I include a bit of gold leaf and some cherry blossom!
ReplyDelete