Antarctic Inspiration

Antarctic setting

When  the idea for a winter scape comes to mind for our area, creating a snow scene seemed somewhat alien. However winter does bring snow, frost and ice down south in the higher mountain ranges and also in Antarctica, part of which is Australian Territory. Because this piece was  a commission for a recipient fascinated by snow and penguins the idea of trying to create a scape representing Antarctica seemed feasible at first, even easy.

As it has turned out this has been one of the most difficult projects so far attempted. White and lots of it is flat, dull, uninspiring. The challenge to encapsulate the essence of a continent  covered in snow and permafrost, barren to all appearances yet vast, wild and home to millions of sea creatures was both exhilarating and daunting. Such an extreme and beautiful place had to be reduced to a very small scale with the added restraint of using warm, wool felt to portray this freezing climate. It seemed a crazy and impossible notion.

Using pure white  just did not work, nor did some of my original ideas. Instead of a flat base this piece required sculpting from very hard industrial felt that resulted in bleeding fingers. For some time nothing worked and it was poked away .

The breakthrough came when my friend Mia bought some of her wonderful splotchy felt that she hand dyes to craft. Splotchy felt is perfect to use for water. As I placed a piece down to make the sea it seemed that it could create a cold effect when  used in the scene. This lovely felt was the missing link and helped to give the illusion of shadows and crevices, as well as to introduce the  blue tones  connected with the continent.

Even so the scene was still dull and lifeless, requiring the glisten that snow has as the light dances over it. This came through using a shimmery organza to make an ice sheet with sparing application of  silver glitter.

Iconic Emperor Penguins were used to represent the species that use this incredible area to raise their young.  As the  Emperor penguin is found over the entire continent it seemed the right creature to place in this setting and to also indicate that even in such a harsh environment life can exist.

This environment is fragile and threatened. The ice cap is melting  because air and sea temperatures are rising. As a consequence so will sea levels. This will have a far ranging impact on other continents as well as the potential for many species to face extinction.

Antarctica  is a place that has attracted and fascinated scientists for many years  with considerable research being undertaken. Let us hope this is not in vain and the warning signals will be heeded and, more importantly, that  significant action is taken immediately on a global scale.

Frosticles

Soon, down here in the south, winter will slip in and the days will become shorter, darker and colder. Although we do not get as severe a winter here as in more southerly areas there are times when the frost falls.Evenings are most decidely crisper. Thinking about the chill of the season, and of winters past, these little frosty characters emerged.

Winter duo

The Winter Queen is made from my pattern of the Grass child, from an earlier post. The small winter sprite was designed as a project for our craft group, to be used as story prop or for the seasonal table. They have become very much the like the traditional Waldorf gnome in style, though that was not the original intent.

Glass beads and shimmery threads are used to give an ice or dew effect. To get the right look and scale I did have to recourse to some man-made fibres, sometimes the right effect necessitates a deviation from  using natural fibres. Children love bling and lots of glitter, nature uses it to draw our attention.

I really enjoyed fossicking in the bead box, as I did when I visited my grandmother as a child, so this was indeed a reflective undertaking.

At Last!

For some time many attempts have been made to answer a request for gnomes. Various other characters have introduced themselves but the gnomes have been elusive.

Autumn Trio

As is often the case when you let go, that release seems to open new doors and sure enough this fellow appeared when that happened. Persistence is helpful but sometimes trying too hard and not taking a break is counter productive, as was the case here. The more I tried the results were far from satisfactory. Frustration and stress levels zoomed to an all time high. The joy, however, when a gnome emerged from the fleece, was exhilerating ,briefly.

At last!

He appears to be quite contemplative and sometimes, caught unawares, it seems as if he will come to life and scamper off into the bush to tend to the animals and plants. There is an injured bush turkey presently who could do with some extraordinary comforting and healing.

Wondering?

According to European lore gnomes are good luck in the home and when treated with respect bestow all manner of assistance. Gnomes tend to the forest and  animals. Not sure who the equivalent local nature guardian is, but feel that there must be similar traditions as our myths relate to survival by understanding and working with the cycles of nature with respect and reverance. Their “primitive” teaching acknowledges that resouces are finite, something our “advanced”civilsation has forgotten and that has now led to the disastrous consequences facing the planet.

According to lore gnomes are offended by laziness,disrespect as well as the mistreatment of animals and nature, and would want justice. I wonder how they are feeling now and what they might deem as necessary action to redress the imbalances. Or has it become  too big a problem to salvage?

Sadly here on our very doorstep in the last two days our neighbours have bulldozed acres of bush. The area of bush cleared was a koala corridoor, an area that had feather tail gliders and understorey that was shelter, food and protection for countless insects, small birds, lizards, reptiles and marsupial mice.They see their actions as progress and our concern as lunancy. Our state government is about to introduce legislation to clear thousands of hectares of rainforest and bush at a time when trees are so vital for the well being of the planet.The gnomes and I weep, Brian is heartbroken.

Simply Beautiful.

Simple Beauty

This leaf was lying in the grass. It is in its simplicity beautiful and in its simplicity a powerful symbol. It is about to enter another process, to begin to decay. That process, also, has beauty and the reminder of transformation in order to renew life.

This seemed to me an appropriate image to reflect the season, festivities and rituals of many cultures that seek to understand and explain the enigma of life, death and rebirth.

Really it is all quite simple. From earth we are born and to earth return, as the leaf. Our life is a process of growth. Even though our bodies begin to decline from birth we have the potential to grow in awareness and understanding so that when we return to the earth, as the leaf does,  it has been a process of becoming enriched and enriching.

Later I found another leaf that had progressed further along in the cycle. As it begins to lose the outer layer a  fine lacey network of veins is exposed revealing the inner workings, its life support system, bared and intricate making a new statement.

The lace like pattern of this leaf can be seen in other natural forms, for instance this lovely moth resting on the house wall a tiny creature incredibly lovely.

Lace in nature

Again awed and  inspired a little leaf  sprite emerged, offering  leaves as they turn, for us to contemplate and admire but most of all to realise that life is a continual process of moving to different stages, each one needs a death to reform and to move forward .

Offering

Walking in Beauty

Dream Shoes

Last year I was commissioned to transform a pair of orthopaedic shoes;  to create something that would enhance not only the shoes but the feelings of limitation and lack of style in having to wear them.

The concept that came to mind instantly was that dreams and imagination free us allowing us to travel limitlessly to realms and wonders, to adventures and mysteries, that are totally unencumbered. Dreams also give us powers and the power to take that dream and act upon it, to follow our dreams and colour our lives.

At first I considered creating covers that dabbled into fantasy creating perhaps an underwater realm or mythical character till I laid out the felt. A delve into the box of delights revealed a piece of handmade felt, (my first). It whispered  ”Starry, Starry Night”. Oh my! that song popped up and played and replayed as well as bringing up memories of my grandmother who so loved Vincent .

Starry Night Shoe Cover

At first tried to work from sketches, and in the end just let it all go and allowed the materials on hand to lead, to be the concept and  followed free exploration and expression.

Stars in the night sky

The next “shoe” was still a total enigma. Then another dip into the felt stash turned up a piece of hand painted felt found. It spoke of  day,  ” A Bright, Sunshiney Day”.  Sunshine and Sunflowers.  That strong connection to Vincent eluded at this time and it was only  well into the project that did that awareness come to attention.

Sunshine Shoe

In my imagination I was creating a perfect balance of night and day, of lunar and solar, of emotion and action, of feminine and masculine, of yin and yang, of heaven and earth, as well as  alluding to “as above so below, as within so without”. But I now most excitedly and wondrously am aware that a dominant influence would have to be Vincent, peering over my shoulder whispering love for Nature and Her astounding palette and infinite source of inspiration and beauty.

Nature revealed

When the shoe covers were finished the impact of what had transpired, dawned. In creating them the message of walking joyfully in balance and harmony with nature, with all that is, had become a visual interpretation of a walk in beauty.

Walking in Beauty is the beautiful, Dine (Navaho ) Blessingway Prayer. When I first read it many years ago it impacted deeply, so deeply it inspires and motivates me daily. The original link I do not know, but this version is similar http://silveropossum.homestead.com/Prayers/index25.html

In Beauty may you walk, with Beauty before, behind, above and below you, and as you walk may birds sing beautifully and may your steps grow lighter and stronger .

How to make a Yo Yo Flower (or Suffolk Puff)

As school break is coming up here is a simple, fast and fun project that is great for children and also uses up and recycles scraps. Any fabric can be used such as cotton, felt, satin, or silk.

No tricky implements or calculations are required.  Simply cut a circle remembering that the  circle when gathered will reduce to half its size. For a template use anything on hand such as different size lids, cups, glasses, or plates .

This is how to make a yo yo flower.

First step is to trace around your template and cut out a circle on your fabric of choice. I used a scrap of felt (and yes, it was originally intended to be a magic mushroom).

The pictures reveal all.

Simply  tack close to the edge of your circle, using a double or strong thread; then pull up the stitches and secure.

If using cotton, or a fabric that frays turn the edges under as you tack.

To complete raid the button or bead stash and secure it to the centre of your flower.

Step 1- yo yo flower

Step2-Tack

Step 3

Finished!

These little puff flowers were a rage in the Victorian era, usually made from silk, velvet, and/ or satin, as were the crazy quilts. They were then called called Suffolk Puffs, so I am assuming that  this name indicates that there is an older connection possibly from a  local tradition. The puffs were tacked together and  used to make decorative quilts used as sofa throws or piano covers.

Yo Yo Flowers are very versatile. They can be used for cards, to decorate clothing, as a brooch, in applique on patchwork squares and cushions, or attached to a bobby pin, hair clip or comb as a pretty hair accessory. You could use them to make a pretty tea cosy or potholder, or on scarves, as my daughter has done. Really there is no limit as  there are so many ways to incorporate them and use them to decorate and enhance.

They are a great project for children as they are easy and fast, and so versatile  as they use what is on hand and use up scraps that might otherwise go to waste. They can also be used to give a “zap” to an object that might be getting tired, such as a cushion, tote bag or pillowcase. You can use old sheets, pillowcases, clothing, off cuts- every little bit counts . Aside from thriftiness and being eco friendly this can also be a project that fuels the imagination and creativity as well as assisting in the development of hand-eye and  motor  coordination .

That mushroom

Some time ago, when new to felting, this tiny needle felted Amanita child emerged.  Lately this larger figure was created and had me pondering again about the fly agaric, toadstool houses and tales of yore.

It is now that time of year  when these red and white  fungi appear on the forest floor, in the main where pines grow. They have started to become a feature in our landscape, especially down south and are making their way up along the coast, acclimatising and now beginning to appear in native forest.

It seems that globalisation has not only overtaken culture and finance but also ecology.  As Amantia spreads they could pose a threat to native species. The pine forests that host them, are an introduced species, so there seems to be a situation that we all to often disregard till it is too late. The long term consequences are yet to be fully understood but if our history with cane toads, carp and lantana is considered then perhaps some alarm bells might start to ring.

As an artist the crisp red and white colouring and the long association with myth and fantasy, as well as the ancestral belief that they are a good luck charm, has made it an interesting and often inspiring subject. However this mushroom, or toadstool, is poisonous and has been used as a trance inducing drug  over many centuriesas well as having many layers of complex symbolism connecting it to virtually every religion and culture.

From behind you can see an Amantia muscaria

For me it has served primarily as a pretty symbol of the forest, that calls attention to the cycle of decomposition, transformation and regeneration, which is what fungi have been  created to do when mankind does not interfere.

As an icon that I use frequently its colours speak to me of creativity and life, as well it serves as a wish for luck and happiness.

Colours of the Season

A handmade autumn scene

This  scene was more familiar when I lived in cooler climate of Canberra where the seasons are distinct. Autumn tended to be  misty and crisp, and the trees glowed in their seasonal displays of red burgundy, orange and yellow. Underfoot lay a thick carpet of leaves that delighted children and possums. The street where I had lived had an overhanging avenue of pin oaks, that kept the street degrees cooler in summer and in autumn formed a long, glowing and breathtaking crimson arch.

Here in Queensland autumn is  more of a hint though a short distance away from our property is a mountain where there are introduced cold climate trees such as oak and amber. Their foliage changes colour, shedding  leaves and  giving a sense of a “real ” northern style Autumn.

Down in our valley we get mists, softly weaving around the trees and along the creek banks. Lately there has even been a little crispness and the need for blankets at night. Autumn here  is green and lush, especially this year as we have had so much rain .

a green autumn

The palette  for autumn in our part of the country is very different from the common perception of autumn as a vibrant and rich mix of warm tones. Here  predominantly featured are colours that are in the cool range pale pink, mauve, blue and green . The colours of heart and soul, an interesting contemplation.

autumn blooming

Australian native violets

Our Autumn, this year, is one of rampant growth which is attracting wildlife. The thick undergrowth and seeding grasses are drawing tiny birds, such as wrens and finches ; the filled dams and creeks are resonating with frog calls.  Prolific seeding and fruiting, that seems to be happening so fast lately, has provided home and food  many insects, birds and animals.

autumn harvest

Autumn  is reinforcing the lesson that it is a season wonder, of abundance, harvest and joy;  a season that enriches and instills a sense of awe and reverence.

Autumn Fire

Autumn has made an appearance .

In actuality I was trying to persuade a gnome to emerge from the fleece . It seems the season has permeated and has let it be known that summer has departed and now the Autumn maiden has stepped in to replace the Summer Queen.

Autumn glows with the rich and earthy  colours of the season, the red tones being colours of fire and passion, of awe and wonder that the season offers. This little Autumn maiden holds a changing leaf to remind us that that the leaf has undergone the cycle of birth to maturity  and now  is in the process of dying. Although the leaf will turn brown, shrivel and decay it will rest in the earth, enrich the soil and contribute to the new growth and life that flourishes in Spring.

Brings to mind this quote from John Donne:

“No Spring nor Summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one Autumnal face.”

 

 

Life Lessons

At Home

Again sharing a  felt nature scene,  a hollow tree stump that has been hand stitched, appliquéd and embroidered as well as needle felted. This  hollow stump  tells a story of protection and renewal.

The log hosts various life forms within and without.

Taking a chance

Here you can see different types of fungi, and some vines,grass and moss.The little thread keeps the tiny mouse attached but also if gently pulled moves the mouse along, under and around the hollow branch.

The mouse is taking a risk but it allows an understanding of how nature has a chain of consequences and that nature is, in essence, a chain of who eats who.

Another participant

Such a piece would also make a good story prop as well as being useful for the nature table and for nature study . Depicted are fungi, and other life forms that use the log in its decaying process to recreate life and to give shelter. Other animals could be incorporated such as snake or possum. It is a piece designed  to begin an exploration and to inspire stories and to stimulate curiosity.