London Part 2a V&A

Back to memories of London.  I’m not sure where the last week has gone….. its just… erm…. well… gone I guess!

At the V&A I was really excited to visit the new Fashion Galleries. 

Beautifully set out, rather dark, so please excuse the dim and wobbly photography. Here's a small selection of my pictures.

Even photos that aren’t quite sharp are enough to trigger the memory, along with sketches and thoughts its a great inspiration.

Alexander McQueen.  Autumn/ Winter 2010
Part of his last collection, digitally printed with an image from a German altar piece.  (I always photo the information plate before I photo the item too).
This dress was stunning and I must make some of my own clothes using digital imaging.

Christian Dior 1954
I’ve long admired this garment, its in a book which was a present from DH a few years ago.  I have just looked up the reference on Amazon and can’t believe the price.  I know it wasn’t cheap at the time but now there’s an extra “1” in front.
What an investment piece (! – get it? couture?, investment piece, yes I know I’m sad).  I shall tell DH that books are a wonderful way to invest money with a huge % return and we must buy more!
No, I don’t think he’ll run with it either!

Dior by Farid Chenoune (Author),

Price:
£160.00

These are the undergarments.
I really, really could wear this outfit.  Well, not literally of course as I’m a good few dress sizes too large, but its my colour and shape.  I love the shoes too.

Seeing the inside of garments is almost, if not more, exciting than seeing the outside.

Jacket bodice 1886-88.
Ribbed silk and silk satin lined with cotton and whalebone.
Poor whales.

Its also interesting to see how the undergarments played such an important role in the shaping of the outer garment.
Note the sleeve support from 1825-30, cotton filled with feathers.
The chemise is 1835, linen trimmed with cotton.

The clothes were displayed beautifully.
My only complaint is that there were far too FEW on display.  I wish I could get to see the archives sometime.
This is a Day Dress 1795-1900. Block printed cotton.
This is the time when embroidery on cloth was superseded by block printed cotton from Indian.

I’m not sure whether to be sad that embroidery rather died, or to be glad to see the beautiful block printing from India. 
Very much mixed feelings.

This is another garment I’ve long admired.  I stood for a while sketching this item, as its only by sketching that you truly see. I no longer care what people think of me, nor what they think of my sketch book when the look over my shoulder (not hard at my height).

This glorious sumptuous costume is an Evening Coat by Marshall and Snelgrove 1895-1900.
Velvet embroidered with silk thread and wool felt.
Yes, I can see me wearing this too.

I’m often told I should be making things for myself.  So lets see what I can do this winter.  This is sure to be great inspiration.

I also visited the Ballgowns Exhibition where no photography and most annoyingly, no sketching was allowed.  The “no sketching rule” really annoys me.  I won a free ticket to this on Facebook.  It was a great excuse for a London visit.

If you want to see more go and Google “Ballgowns V and A” and click on “Images”, you’ll see the exhibition online.

When I’m at the V&A I always end up in India.
You can see me here in comfortable trainers, sketchbook clasped between my knees.

Again I’ve admired this image in numerous books, but seeing something for real is so, well, special.
If I ever do get to India I think I may be overwhelmed and have a total meltdown not knowing where to look or what to photograph!

Mughal Hanging Late C17th, cotton embroidered with silk.

And jewels of course…Mughal c.1600.

Gold engraved and set with rubies,emeralds and diamonds.

Next instalments – more of India then the British Galleries at the V&A followed by the Natural History museum at night and then onto Tate Britain.

All coming soon to a Blog near you.

The Parallel Universe

Have had a fantastic week at Grasmere. 
It was like being in a wonderful parallel universe.

Great company, lots of laughs, delicious food and fabulous surroundings.

Inspirational friends, motivating DVD’s and a beautiful view from every window kick started the art/design process and resulted in the plans and ideas being formed for two new series of works. 

One full of colour, vibrancy and pattern. The other project more subdued, sketchy and the colour of the Northumbrian moors.

That should keep me busy for the winter.

London part 1

Back to London again.  For so many years I was too ill to travel to exhibitions however this year I’ve been able to visit twice. 
Its been wonderful.

(Please, please – if you are female, feeling shattered and ill, INSIST on an early menopause assessment.  Its quite hard not to be distressed that the medical profession wouldn’t listen to me years ago).

I had a short break of two days, leaving Berwick on the 8.11am train arriving at 11.54am.  I took a taxi to Monmouth Street and headed into this shop.  I’ve waited a long time for this!  I love their clothes but the sizing can be unpredictable so it was wonderful to grab a handful and try them on.

There was also a 20% off for 3 pieces offer, how could a girl resist.

I’m not sure about the tag line “for the most colourful women in the world” as I came out with mostly grey and black pieces!

 

I walked to Leicester Square, headed out again pretty quickly and decided to walk down the Mall.  One of the things I love about being a tourist in London is walking, looking and exploring.

The history hidden down little lanes and behind walls is amazing.

This is St James Palace, built by Henry VIII.  More info here.

I saw a group of tourists taking a picture and I joined in. 
These poor guys must get so fed up!

As I walked down the Mall I loved seeing the flags and I felt proud to be English… British….. English.

More later on the museums and exhibitions – I need to get the pictures processed but just now I need to pack to get to Grasmere for a week of stitching!!!  Yippee!!!!

38,675

 

I have a task for the winter. To be started before it gets too unwieldy.

38,675 photographs to look at, check the filing of, upload to Smugmug (for extra safety) and print about 1/10 into Blurb PhotoBooks.

You have no idea how long its going to take to upload with the crappy internet connection we have out here.  Plus it “uses up” all the Wi-Fi and makes anything else online impossible, so has to be done when no one else is working / surfing.

How many months years will it take?

Oh yes, and there’s that small box of loose photographs that need scanning and sorting – starting with DS’s birth in 2000.

Not to mention the 6 10 files of slides.

Nor the numerous photo albums stretching back to 1985.

Maybe I should have started a few years ago?

All good fun anyway.  Nothing beats looking at photos of a sultry summers day or DS when he was younger.

A HUGE part of the joy is discovering the ones you’d forgotten about.

Mums Shoes

That's my boy at 1.5yrs old. 
Can I have another one now please?

I tried

I didn’t win the C&K challenge.  The winning piece was an intricate illustration/drawing.

I’m not going to Istanbul for three nights in four star luxury. 
 
Am quite sad not to get time out with DH and not to be going to see lots of Islamic art and architecture.

However I do have a lovely piece of art for my house.

For anyone who has ever worked in sales

This cartoon is hilarious, I just had to share it with you, takes me back in time to when I worked as an area sales manager with Life Technologies Inc!  I had tears in my eyes reading this last night

The last picture is my favourite.

http://www.jacobsen.no/anders/blog/archives/images/project.html

Inspired by India revealed

The work will be on display this evening, I thought it was OK to show you all now, a little early. 
Think of it as a private preview.

Size is A2, (42x59.5cm) depth 20cm.

Will let you know if I have won the challenge (its exciting!!!)

Finishing touches

Have you guessed what it is I’m making?

Hint; its a development of a piece I made several years ago which you’ll find on my website.

This afternoon it was finished and mounted and is ready to be packed in copious layers of bubble wrap.

Another day of being Inspired by India

A mix of machine and handwork today.

The highly embellished background now has images sewn into place.    

The machining was a short break from sitting here in my studio working at the frame.  (104 hours to date).  Note the two lamps to give enough light, it feels as if summer has well and truly gone from Northumberland - along with the best light after midday.

Tomorrow is the last push before it all gets framed ready to ship to London on Monday. 

The work will be on display at the Royal Geographical Society on Wednesday night at a special Indian event hosted by Cox & Kings, a travel company who run luxury holidays and escorted tours to wonderfully exotic places. 
You can still buy tickets for the evening from here.

Goldwork Paisleys

Well the last few days, today and tomorrow will be more of this;

Cut and pin.

Tack into place.

Stitch the edging.

Fill with chippings.

Stretch your back (think Waterhouse here).

John William Waterhouse

1916

Or maybe Millais

Sir John Everett Millais

1851

Of course this is how I look when I’m working; young, thin, sexy, wearing a beautiful medieval dress, in a castle, waiting for my Knight.
I was born in the wrong age - I’ve known that since I was about 5yrs old.

With 79 hours of work to date the end is in sight, it should all get put together on Sunday and the courier is booked for Monday to arrive in London on Tuesday morning.

I love a deadline.

Oh and I must tell you that I’ve been listening to the British History Podcast for the last few days. 

Its free, fantastic and informative. 

So far the Romans have been and gone and I’m into the Dark Ages. The podcast is one of the best (if not the best) on history that I’ve listened too. 
This guy can tell a story.

Archaeology Results!

In all the excitement about Inspired by India I forgot to tell you about the course results.

Do you remember I was studying Archaeological Theory as a bridging module towards acceptance on the MA?  Well I found it really hard going at first, so many new concepts and ideas and –isms! 
Totally alien to someone who has never before studied social theory / philosophy / a humanities based subject.

The whole summer seemed to pass in a blur of exhibition work, birthdays, visitors and highlighter pens.

Well, I passed!  With distinction.

Now I could enrol on the MA straight away, except I can’t as I need to save some money first.  Not sure where I’m going to save it from though!
A problem to contemplate.

The University suggested I apply for a bursary which I intend to do and hopefully I’ll soon be a postgraduate student of Archaeology and Heritage.

Reflections

I thought that it would be interesting to blog the journey in more detail than usual and with such a short deadline it will be a fast journey!

Of course it is my fault that I have set myself so much to do. 
I honestly think, that this time, I’ve outpaced / excelled / idiotically challenged myself with ambition!

Yes, this is far above and beyond the necessary artwork required for a blogger challenge.  BUT I realised I really wanted to make an Indian inspired work for myself, and had wanted to do this for a long time.

What better to combine the two?

Hence the concentration of 2 months work into two weeks.  The last few days I’ve been working for five hours in the studio and another two in the evenings.  For the next five days I need to work around 10 hours a day. 

I started at 10.30am this morning, after getting DS off to school, having a shower, sorting the washing and setting the machine off… doing the dishes, having breakfast..sorting some post.  I dare not look at emails on the laptop, so if you have written to me in the last week or so please forgive me, but its going to be Monday before I reply.

I stopped at 4.30pm to cook an early dinner for DS who has football practise, I’m just about to drop him off and then head back to the studio for another hour or so before my own supper.

So this is what I’ve been doing today.

If I tell you that this section below represents somewhere in the region of 1/30 of the goldwork to complete, well, you might understand my ambition.

Golden India

Time for a change of scene from pinks to gold.

By tweaking the top tension I was able to produce a lovely raised texture with a hint of gold.  Madeira gold thread (size 12) in the top and cotton in the bobbin.

How wonderful it is to be back following patterns using FME. 

55 hours to date.

Inspired by India gets started

Finally able to start stitching in silks, all the drafting, tacking and marking out is finished. 
So many things have conspired against me, its almost funny. 
This is the part I’ve been working on today. 
Woven silks in fuchsia (what else for India?) 
Printed using a carved block (also from India).

A sick child at home for three days has seriously rearranged my timetable.
And my place of work.  Back to the kitchen table.

You can just see the beautiful orchid in the background.
It was a lovely present (thanks Paula if you are reading!) and its the most stunning flower I’ve ever seen.
The colours are perfect for being Inspired by India!

In later posts you’ll see how the orchid is even more perfect.  White/cream and copper colours coming soon!

If you are wondering about the deadline and details the piece is being created for a challenge by the luxury travel agents Cox & Kings and will be on display at the Royal Geographical Society, London on 10th October during an Indian themed evening.

Feeling insignificant

View from the garden

Indian Inspiration

Well, did I think September was going to be a restful month?

As well as starting the commissions from the Open Studio a wonderful opportunity has come my way.

I couldn't say no.

The travel company Cox & Kings, who run luxury holidays, invited me to join a small group of artist/bloggers to be “Inspired by India.”  Cox & Kings run group holidays to several destinations, but I am so glad they chose India for this challenge!! 

Its been a while since I’ve created work that’s taken inspiration from India….. but it feels SO good to be back with paisleys, shisha mirrors and glitz!  I’ve missed it.

The deadline for the piece is tight – it needs to be on display in London on the 10th October.  Eek!  The destination is the Royal Geographical Society where it will be displayed during an Indian themed evening, if you are lucky enough to live close by you can get tickets here.

After a while thinking….. 

I set to choosing some threads.

Drafting a pattern…..

And choosing one of the fabrics.

The work is to be A2 sized and, of course, I’ll be making life easy for myself with all machine stitching and just one or two beads.

I can hear you laughing from the depths of Northumberland.

Driving lesson

Took DS out driving Daisy – in a big field with nothing to hit!

He did really well, had the start sorted by the fourth attempt, stopped perfectly without stalling. 
All he needs to do now is stop chatting and look where he’s going!

And what a beautiful view too.  Never fails to inspire me.
”Land of the Far Horizons” indeed.

I know this is out of focus (it was very windy) but I just love the colours. The deep violet/purple with the red/magenta and the limey greens.

Can we replay summer please?  I think I blinked and missed it.

The next exhibition

 

Next week I’m delivering work to Old Gala House in Galashiels for the final exhibition of 2012. 

What a whirlwind year its been, Fashion & Embroidery Show, Loch Lomond Quilt Show, Baliffgate Museum, Open Studio @ the High St and finally Old Gala House.
Also work in the Embroiderers Guild exhibition, Pins & Needles, Festival of Quilts and (next weekend) the Tree of Life at the Scottish Quilt Championships in Edinburgh.

Here is the invite for Gala – I LOVE the graphics don’t you?
(Created by the Scottish Borders Council team).

Please do come along if you can make it.  I’ll be at the preview evening.

And something I’ll tell you more about on Monday – I’ve been invited to create a piece of artwork to be displayed in the Royal Geographical Society, London.  The theme is “India”, tight deadline but impossible to refuse.

Did I think I was going to have a rest during September?

Interview

Hello!  If you came to see me at the Open Studio – a big thank you!

We all had a great three days.

I met so many lovely and interesting people and it was wonderful to have my work appreciated.

This month I have been interviewed by Sewing World Magazine. Lovely to be featured in a magazine again.

Open Studio Pop-up Gallery

 

Photos from the iPhone – keep forgetting to take “proper” pictures (I am nattering too much!).

Having a wonderful time, open tomorrow (Sunday 2nd) from 10am-5pm.

Last chance to see!