Monday in Melbz

And so I return to my normal blog, after using my website blog for the last two weeks for my Police Point Residency and my arrival in Melbourne – visit that here.

After a leisurely start to the day (after all, it has been a very busy couple of weeks!) I caught a tram to Fitzroy to visit Darn CheapFabrics, where I found a few treasures. A wide sequin band - perfect for decorating boots, some crinoline material, and a super gawdjuss double sided silver/gold metallic polyester. I think it is going to pleat and shibori-shape up beautifully, and might be useful in this weeks workshop ‘Metal Cloth to the Max’. The lovely Kim there also gave me some secret-squirrel tips on colouring it.

I’m glad I checked my map when I did – Deans Art was just down the road, and here I found a set of beautiful gem-coloured Japanese metallic water colours – just what I was looking for! I headed back into town and was looking for somewhere to hang out for a while, and I was pleased to stumble across The Joint, where I indulged in their Beer and Bao special. I actually sat outside – there were moments of sun – as it was great to be watching the city and hearing those trams go past – ding ding! One last stop at Seniors Art, where I found some Walnut Ink, and it was homeward bound – believe it or not, that was Monday gone!

Another pack up tomorrow, and I head off to Ballarat, only an hour and a half away.

The Sewing Lair

Yesterday I was in Beenleigh when I stumbled across this glorious creation – an Op Shop of Fabric and Craft items! The stuff of dreams! Inside were all the items I trawl op-shops for – already sorted and neatly arranged.

There were some tantalising items in the window – namely a peachy stretch velvet – I definitely wanted that. On entering, I headed straight to that,  then explored the other neatly folded fabrics on the shelves before moving onto the pieces displayed on hangers.

I then explored the next room, which had yarns and patterns, tapestries, embroidery hoops, and drawers of embellishments.

Next to that is hallway of shelves filled with fill-a-bag fabric pieces, patterns, magazines and books. This leads down towards the workroom, where volunteers were busy making products from donations to return to charities. Here I was warmly welcomed by the charity founder Cass, who explained the whole place to me, and took me on a tour.

To better understand what it’s about, visit the page Sewing for Charity.  For information on the shop and all their activities visit the The Sewing Lair – they’ve also got on-line shopping available! Back in the main shop area again, I went around a few more times, as there is just so much to see, as well as neatly organised drawers to open and look through.

That’s my shopping basket on the floor – it will come as no surprise to learn that I left with a bag full of goodies. The stretch velvet, nearly 7 metres of beautiful purple dupion silk, some funky yarns, and an embroidery hoop - the good old fashioned kind.

And just because it's neat and organised, sorted out and well presented, items do not have the inflated prices we are starting to see more and more at op-shops - everything was very reasonably priced. It's truly a wonderland - you just never know what you might find there.

Photography Practice

This holiday on the Sunshine Coast has been a great opportunity to practice using my camera in readiness for my residency at Police Point next month. My recent basic course showed me how to navigate my camera's settings better - I still don't really know what I'm doing, but at least I know what things to play with. One of the first things I discovered was that I would need a backup battery, as after a couple of hours it had run out. My Camera is a Canon G7X for those who might be interested.

One of the settings I am really liking is the 'miniature' one, which has vivid tones, and blurs the top and bottom of the image - see the different effect below.

Another one is the 'watercolour' setting, just for a bit of fun.

One of my favourite setups though is the AV setting, which is the aperture priority setting, allowing you to change the depth of field so you can have the subject in focus and the background blurred. It's a bit more complicated than that though, so there's a lot more practice to be done. Getting the light balance can be a bit tricky, and although I have a digital screen to see what's happening, the key word there is see, which is not always easy, depending on the light glare and the cleanliness of my glasses.

Then of course there's good old zoom, which I was never using properly - I had no idea how far back from the subject that I had to be, or that my screen was giving me handy hits like suggesting the distance, and letting me know when it was in focus. 

If I get it all right, the image can be high quality enough to withstand a zoom and crop into the details.

Speaking of the screen - I had forgotten that it flips out, which is great when you are working on the ground but don't want to get down there.

I think the absolute highlight though was seeing and capturing these tiny rockpool inhabitants called sea hares. A woman on the rocks had told me about them just the day before, and as I was sitting beside a rockpool, I started to notice how many things were actually moving, and then I saw these - they're so cute!

These were my captures from my final photography walk this morning along the Golden Beach shore and mangrove area. 

It's been a really worthwhile process as far as maximising my ability to make the most of my residency opportunity. Australia Council, if you're there, and considering my grant application for this project - please see that I have done as I said I would, and invested in furthering my skills in photography. Your turn!

Photography Basics

 With my Artist Residency coming up quickly, I decided it was time to finally wrap my head around my camera and learn how to use it better. It's a Canon G7X, and it's great at point and shoot on auto, but with my hopes of photographing bioluminessence and snow and ice formations, I knew I'd need to be able to accommodate some pretty specific requirements. I enrolled in a small group beginners afternoon course held down at the Botanic Gardens at Benowa, and got myself a tripod as well.

Just finding out where the menu was for Program mode was great, as was learning what all the symbols meant and how and why to adjust and use them. In some ways it was a slow process, but there was also a lot to take in. We were also advised on which settings should be set and not moved!

How to zoom in properly was really helpful - it sounds so basic but it's something I mess up frequently, and there are some simple solutions. Then there is the blurring of the background for that special focus on the subject:

Changing the White Balance was another one I think will be very useful - especially if I get to shoot in the snow. It adjusts for colour casts from different types of lighting - shade, full sun, fluoro lights etc. so can can capture it more as it actually looks.

I think the most impressive one for the day for me was learning how to shoot water either moving or fully stopped - this is where the tripod came in to play, as I would never be able to hold the camera for the shutter speed length.

I have since diligently transcribed my notes, and tried to use them - thank goodness I did so straight away, as it was already a struggle! I actually left the workshop a little before it finished as I knew my brain was full and just wouldn't take any more in. I managed a couple of pics in the back garden, but I'd better get onto it again very soon!

Studio Self-love

It seems as though it’s been a long time since I had a full studio day with no major making plans. Today dawned empty of any expectation other than reconnecting with and evaluating my recent work – almost a curatorial kind of day. Time to step back and assess what I’m making and why, think about how it will all sit together as an exhibition in a space, and re-inspire myself. I’ve been feeling a little distant from my next exhibition DistoMorph, as life has been very busy and lots of art time has been spent in the office rather than the studio. I started to feel doubtful and uneasy about everything. Another rejection letter yesterday didn’t help. I don’t get too worried about it these days, but it’s always nice to have that boost, and confirmation.

I walked for a few hours this morning, I napped, I took my time in approaching the task. Rushing in with angst and trying to ‘fix’ things is a surefire way to tie yourself tightly up in knots and spiral out of control.

 I viewed the photos I have of works already made, and found a lot to like about them, but saw that the relationship between them needed to be strengthened. It doesn’t take much to get a spark going, and sure enough, I was soon digging through sketches for Algalrhythms, and opening Photoshop and Illustrator files. DistoMorph is essentially a Part II of Algalrhythms (and a whole lot easier to spell) so it makes sense to return to some of the original source materials and ideas not completed, or even take some already used in a new direction. Briefly in the sewing studio, I played with some bits and piece literally hanging around.

Adding to it all, I leafed through this wonderful book I recently bought, which has some inceredibly creative use of materials and free-motion embroidery in it.

So an afternoon of play developed, with new ideas from old, and a settled feeling that I can see my path again.