The found object as a starting point

I thought some of you might be interested in the journey between my finding objects and a finished piece of work.  Sometimes I pick up an item immediately knowing how I can use it, but, more often than not, the idea develops over time.

On each of my last two walks at Church Norton, I found a small plastic square inscribed “P.W.C” – 6 days apart and on different ends of the beach.  I believe P.W.C stands for Portsmouth Water Company.

I had no definite idea when I found the first, but when I found the second, I immediately knew how I was going to use these rigid plastic squares.  The uniform shape and size and the rigidity brought to mind covers for a small book!  Next, I started to think about what form the book would take, how I would hold the pages in place and how I would secure the finished article – it seemed an obvious choice to try and use the drilled holes.

After some experimentation, I decided that rather than have conventional flat pages, I would consider some sort of Origami form.  Using the squares as inspiration, I created the inside pages and found a format that I liked and that suited the “covers”.  Here is the outcome:

I have a few mobile phone parts with which I may be able to construct something similar   so I’m off now to have a play!

Going Loopy

At the weekend, I spent time with the lovely Mary Crabb at the Oxmarket Gallery in Chichcester together with other like minded ladies learning the basics of “looping.” Working with a variety of fine flexible materials, Mary weaves using adapted traditional basketry techniques to form a range of beautiful objects.

The purpose of the workshop was to explore the process of stitching to create a fabric. Mary had brought a huge range of flexible textile materials for us to play with, from fishing wire to rope, from rubber tubing to yarn made from nettles.  We experimented with working flat, working in 3D, in the round and from side to side, comparing stitch variations, materials and tension.   The aim was to play and to start developing individual items as to how we might use this technique in our own way.

Samples using a variety of materials

I am particularly interested in combining this technique with my found materials.  I may use the looping with actual found “yarns” such as fishing line, rope, electrical wire and so on but also combine the found with other yarns using them as a holder or as a mould. More play required!  For the time being, I thoroughly enjoyed just exploring what one can do with a length of yarn!

 

Landscapes in the environment

I’m sure I’m not the only one who sees landscape all around them – but concealed within objects rather than the obvious views around us.  My eyes are just drawn to these beautiful miniatures.

As I live near the coast, these are often captured on boats, but also on buildings, traffic bollards, windows, washed up beach strandings and elsewhere – why not get your eye in while you are walking around – you’ll see so much more!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERADell Quay Dec 16 landscape