Friday 11 December 2009

Searching for the Rainbow Scale

I've been gone a little while because every spare minute over the past two weeks has been spent doing this... hours and hours of hand stitching.

But I've finished! My final piece for my final assessment for my current module with The Julia Caprara School of Textile Arts. Another self portrait (35 cm x 50 cm), machine and hand stitched on artists' canvas, set in the chaos of my kitchen and inspired by the following:

All my spare time off housekeeping and mothering I spend trying to delve further, to find more. When one is young one is satisfied with a flower petal or a sparkle. Now I want more. I want the rainbow scale of the flower and the reason and the travel of the sparkle and most of all a long quiet time of intense peace and uninterrupted thought, none of which one can get.

Winifred Nicholson in a letter to Jim Ede
(c1948-49)


During the first level of the degree all our work is assessed as only a pass or a fail. This module is my first at level two and consequently will be given a grade so the pressure is on. All the work from the past three months is now packed up and labelled ready to take for moderation tomorrow. Despite initial difficulties I have found my tutor to be helpful and encouraging and she has really helped me challenge myself further than I ever imagined I could be. It has been hard work, at times frustrating and difficult but ultimately very enjoyable and satisfying. So thank you Kate.

I've now got three months worth of housework, cleaning, ironing and "To Do" lists to catch up with... before the next module starts on January 4th! And I believe Christmas happens sometime soon too!

39 comments:

  1. What amazing work It is absolutely lovely! Will it be shown anywhere?
    have a good Christmas
    Sharon

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  2. This is LOVELY and so typical of craft people in general - the kitchen around with things that will always need to be done but sitting in the middle stitching - fabulous ...

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  3. Just a thimbleful....

    I wondered where you had got to!

    Delicious piece of work - and set in the kitchen, the heart of the home, it really encapsulates your personality. A fine piece of work.

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  4. As ever, I'm in awe at your fantastic work. You continue to be an inspiration to us all.

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  5. Gina this is brilliant,I love the shading on the face,one more to bring with you next year.
    Have a wonderful Christmas.
    Judith

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  6. That is such a perfect picture of my idea of domestic bliss - totally absorbed in making beautiful things while ignoring the housework!
    Good luck with the grades, Gina - I think your work for this module has been amazing.

    xxx

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  7. Oh, it's fabulous! Sending you lots of luck for tomorrow.

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  8. A+ I reckon- if you can grade a piece of work that so perfectly represents the black and white nature of domestic 'toil' and the contrast with the soft warm richness of creating. I hope you enjoy your 'break' and the festive season. xx

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  9. This piece is wonderful Gina - and Winifred Nicholson should be far better known - my studio door is covered with post cards of her paintings.

    Have fun getting festive!!!! (I haven't started yet either!)

    Celia

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  10. Loving the contrasting imagery. Are you including the letter extract as well?

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  11. A gorgeous piece of work. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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  12. I have just loved seeing your work for this module and these last pieces are just fantastic - I hope you feel pleased with them!

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  13. That is simply fabulous. I'm really proud to know such a talented artist!

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  14. Good luck Gina,I'm sure you will do well,great piece.x

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  15. B..... the housework Gina! When you have handed in the last module and are waiting for your results you can spend every minute doing housework. This piece of work is stunning and I am sure it will gain you the grades you want - it's wonderful.

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  16. Love it! Have a good day tomorrow, hope everything goes well!

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  17. This is gorgeous. I'm already in love with embroidery however, your work inspires me to push it a little bit more.

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  18. Good luck Gina. it cant fail to do well, it's remarkable. When do you hear your mark?
    Thank you for your very kind message.

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  19. Excellent Gina, no wonder you've been quiet! Good luck with the assessment.

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  20. Hell Gina, You just freak me out !
    I love how my brain has to creak and stretch a little bit more everytime I see your work....

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  21. Wow. That is a stunning piece of work. No need to worry about your grade. I can't wait to see this piece of work.

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  22. Wow - fabulous - Have a lovely Christmas

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  23. Gina, that is breathtaking. I LOVE the contrast between the cross hatching stitchery in the foreground images and the line drawings in the background. The housework can wait, it really, really can when you have such an "eye"! :O)

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  24. All I can say is... Wow! Fantastic work, I hope it gets the recognition it deserves... Amazing!

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  25. Magnificent in every way, it's sure to get a rave review in your assessment - good luck with that.
    But I know what you mean about the housework ... and I haven't even got the excuse of having been making beautiful art!

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  26. Brilliant,just brilliant
    Hope it goes / has gone well in assesment.

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  27. Fabulous piece, and so worth the hard work. I'm sure every women who sees it will resonate with the thoughts behind it.

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  28. oh Gina, this is so beautiful

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  29. Gina, your work amazes me,it is wonderful and I hope your results are good.
    I have caught up with my housework now after exams so am meant to be relaxing!

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  30. Wow Gina! That is INCREDIBLE! Lucy xxx

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  31. I wish I could have seen this on Saturday, it looks so good, it was good to see you all.

    have a good Christmas.

    jenny

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  32. What a wonderful picture... well done!

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  33. This piece is even better than you described it Gina. It is such amazing work. If you made a series of these they would sell like hot cakes. This on its own would sell like one very very hot cake.

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  34. Absolutely stunning. Well done, all your hard work has been worth it.

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  35. wow, this is amazing. A real work of art. I can imagine seeing it in an exhibition.
    I have no idea where you find the time for this alongside everything else you do. Do you sleep? :o)

    Monda
    x

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  36. Wow..... this is pretty impressive.....

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