Seal mask experiements

Here is a slump of the seal head I made last year. I sandblasted the inside and masked the eyes so they remained clear. About to try another test.

Setting up for experiments

This morning I got out of the kiln a few tree blocks I made to start testing my fire polishing schedules. I ended up coldworking the lumps and edges with an 80 belt linisher sanblasting the whole thing at 150 grit and then masking the sides and sandblasting the fronts at 320 grit.

'The Tree' opening

Piccies of my work "New stories from the old wood" at the opening tonight of 'The Tree' at the Canberra Glassworks.

Loot!

Wonderful glass cutoffs from March Canberra Glassworks artist in residence Debra Jurss. Gorgeous coastal panels.

Debra Jurss

Thanks Deb!

New stories from the old wood

Finally finished, 'New stories from the old wood' just before packing up, hence the luxurious location of the mould room. This work will be included in the group exhibition detailed below.

The Tree

19 March to 8 May 2014

Curated by Clare Belfrage
Exhibition Design & Coordination by Ruth White

The Tree, an elongated stem or trunk that supports leaves or branches. The theme is interpreted in a myriad of ways; with humour, metaphor and studies of nature.
This is an exhibition of many parts, with works by Matt Curtis, Kirstie Rea, Melinda Willis, Emilie Patteson, Tom Moore, Yusuké Takemura, Mel George, Nudibranch, Ben Sewell, Bridget Thomas, Harriet Schwarzrock, Sui Jackson, Belinda Toll, Holly Grace, Jacqueline Gropp, Suzanne Peck, Tim Edwards, Alana Corr, Erin Conron, Lisa Cahill, Luna Ryan, Christine Atkins, Alexandra Frasersmith, Spike Deane and Clare Belfrage.
Guest speaker: Adam Burgess, Curator of the National Arboretum Canberra
Exhibition Opening: Wednesday, 26 March at 6pm
Gallery Talk: Saturday, 29 March at 10.30am

Gold leafing

Gold leafing is quite fiddly, well where I was trying to do it anyways. Adhered with gelatin and sealed with a mat finish.

Felting (fulling) knitting

I am undecided on how to proceed with the 'selkie coat'. As soon as I bought some linen, as gorgeous as it is my brain goes, no wool would be better. I had been thinking how good felt would look, that is hand felted and shaped, but i'm a bit daunted about making such a large project. So I though about maybe knitting something then felting or 'fulling' it. Fulling shrinks the knitted or woven fabric and matts the fibres together to create a more even surface. This first test is: Undyed 8 ply merino knitted up in stockinette on 5.5 size needles. I did a little scrubbing in between washes (with other clothes). Some advice I had read on the internet suggested to knit up the yarn on larger needles (which I did) because the fulling works better with some room for the fibres to mesh. After the first wash though, it looks as though I made it too big. So the next test, I think I will use larger needles with a few strands of yarn.

Knitted h20 x w18cm

First wash h15 x w17cm

Through washing machine a second time h12 x w15cm

Through washing machine a third time h12 x w14 cm

Antler preferences

I posted an array of antler / tree options on facebook earlier this week and got lots of feedback! Drawing almost done, just a bit more tweaking...

Snap 100 work finished

Snap 100, piece packed and signed...