Maria's Muse

New Blog

2009-07-07T20:11:00.002+01:00

I have not made any entires to this blog for ages as I have set up a new blog which is acting as an online journal for my BA in Creative Practice at MMU.
http://www.virtualandvisual.blogspot.com/

Happy Family

2008-06-26T19:14:00.002+01:00

I always liked this photograph of my nan Evelyn, my Aunty Jean and her second husband, Arthur. Evelyn and Arthur had fallen in love when they were young but hadn't married as arthur was already engaged. Evelyn married another man but it was not a happy marriage. They were both widdowed in their forties and married. They were happily married for many years until sadly Arthur died. In this photograph all three of them look so happy.

Donkey Rides

2008-06-26T19:09:00.002+01:00

My cousin Rowena and I always used to Blackpool for our holidays and we would always go for a ride on the donkeys on the beach. I managed to find some 'old money' which I added to the collaged background which is a racing list from Chester races.

My Fifth Birthday Party

2008-06-26T19:05:00.002+01:00

This altered photograph is based on a photograph taken at my fifth birthday party. I have used icing letters for the text.

Baking Day

2008-06-26T18:57:00.002+01:00

This Altered Photograph is actually a birthday card from the 1960's which my mum bought from a charity shop. I cut and pasted my head and my friends head onto the birthday card and collaged it onto a background of fairycake paper. After I had transferred it on to fabric I stitched the words 'first the oven, then the tin, wash your hands and then begin' which is what our teacher used to tell us when we had baking lessons

Finally Finished Foundation

2008-06-20T17:33:00.004+01:00

I have finally finished doing my FMP and the exhibition is now up. Not got my marks yet. I based my fmp on my childhood memories and have used loads of old photos in my work.

The work definately has an altered art feel about it but I have translated it into textiles.

Marrakesh

2008-03-25T12:33:00.006Z

Since I last got round to updating my blog I have been on my travels. First I went to Marrakesh with DH. This was wonderful as I have always been inspired by Morocco. We stayed in a Riad in the medina which was an experience in itself. Apart from taking hundreds of photographs it has provided me with loads of inspiration for my current project which is' view from a window'. I have been experimenting with working in a variety of media and on different surfaces.

A room with a view

2008-02-20T17:50:00.005Z

I am also doing printing and we had to make a screenprint which linked in with what we were doing in fine art. I tried to design something based on the flowers I had been painting but since the screenprint had to have strong black and white images it didn't really work. Fortunately I went away to Stratford for the weekend and the room we were staying in had a wonderful view of a topiary garden. The light was really strong when I woke up so I dashed out and took a series of high contrast images which I then converted to black and white.
My rationale for this is that rather than concentrating on the flowers in the Winifred Nicholson picture I should explore the concept of views from rooms- so goodbye flowers for the time being.

More tulips

2008-02-20T17:41:00.003Z

I am still on the theme of tulips and have been experimenting painting on textured surfaces. Although I have been enjoying painting these I feel I need to move on and do something more arty,

Rosie

2008-02-03T16:51:00.000Z

Although this isn't art related I thought it was about time I posted a picture of my dog Rosie as she's really cute.

The humans in the picture are my daughter Mel and her boyfriend Chris.

Manchester Art Gallery

2008-02-03T16:19:00.000Z

Last week we visited Manchester Art Gallery to take part in the adult learners art competition. The idea is we pick an art work that inspires us and use that as inspiration to create a piece of artwork of of own.

I was inspired by a piece by Winifred Nicholson called Primulas which shows a pot of primulas on a window sill with a seascape through the window. The light is coming through the window creating strong shadows. I do not normally draw flowers but I have been expreimenting with drawing a vase of tulips we have at home and have taken photographs of the flowers on window sill at my house.

Drawing to music

2008-01-27T18:55:00.000Z

We have been experimenting with different types of drawing and this session was devoted to drawing to music. Here is my effortsbased on some Miles Davis music . I was thinking about my holidays in Spain whilst I did this.

Messing about with photoshop

2008-01-20T19:54:00.000Z

Since the weather is so bad and I cant get to my sewing machine I thought I'd catch up with some homework for college and create a photocollage.

I scanned some fabric and an old black and white photo of mum and dad. I made them into one image with the fabric on the bottom layer and then used the eraser tool to rub out the original photo leaving my mum wearing a bright yellow dress and my dad a matching yellow tie,

even more skirts

2008-01-08T20:23:00.000Z

Here are some more drawings I have been doing of skirts. I have tried taking photos of my feet and the bottom of the skirt and using that to draw from but I prefer the one of my skirt on a hanger.

Skirts, Shirts and washing lines

2008-01-07T11:39:00.000Z

Whilst doing the annual post xmas clear up I found my sketchbook which I had stuffed out of sight and thought I must have left at college. So here are pictures of the sketches I have been doing- they are all A3. These sketches have baan influenced by artist Lizzie Rowe.

New Years Resolution

2008-01-01T20:11:00.000Z

I'm afraid I've not been very good at updating my blog since I started on my Art foundation course in September. I've been spending months of sampling and haven't really got much finished work. Here's a resume of some of the work I've done in visual studies and my new year's resolution for 2008 is to keep this blog updated more regularly.

I've been developing my previous work on clothes and have been drawing on a large scale on a variety of backgrounds. The work came about as a development of a visual journal on the theme of Joureys we had to keep for three days in November. We had to make a visual response in our journal every 20 mins and since I wasn't really going anywhere interesting I looked to the clothes I was wearing for inspiration. Whilst doing some research on the web I came across artist Lizzie Rowe. I found that her work was on a similar theme to the sketches I was drawing in my journal so I decided to use some of her work for inspiration and set up still lifes using myown clothes.

Archways to Abstract

2007-10-25T10:08:00.000+01:00

I was also working in 3D and in the session where we had to use wire to make a structure I made the leap to a more abstract form which was based on my drawings. I then used the wire structure as a basis for my next set of drawings.

Art foundation half term review

2007-10-25T09:49:00.000+01:00

I've been so busy on my art foundation course that I haven't had time to update my blog so apologies if you've been dropping by.
I've been spending the last few weeks sampling a number of specialist stdies and feel slightly uncomfortable as I haven't actually finished anything and everything seems disjointed. Here is a selection of some of the work I've been doing. The theme is structure and I have based my work on a Norman Archway at Norton Priory in Cheshire. These are the first drawings I did. We had to them on large paper and could only use graphite, charcoal and emulsion paint.

sarah's wedding dress

2007-09-12T15:55:00.000+01:00

This is a dress canvas I have recently completed as a wedding present for my friend Sarah. She really liked the ones I did in the summer so I thought I'd do one for her as she was married in the summer. I scanned one of her wedding photos into photoshop so there were about 50 images on an A4 sheet. I then printed it out onto teeshirt transfer paper and ironed it onto some old linen. I designed the shape of the dress from her wedding dress and used photocopies of her wedding certificate on the background.

Chunky Book Page

2007-08-24T17:48:00.000+01:00

I'm afraid I still haven't been doing much art as I seem to be busy with other things. I have however managed to produce a Chunky Book Page for the monthly ANUK swap. The theme was pace but I'm afraid I have ignore that and have made a CBP from a pice of fabric I have 'created' by collaging photocopies and scraps onto calico with PVA glue. The main image in the collage is my husband's grandmother's wedding. I love using our old family photographs as they have a real meaning to me.

Roses and Thorns

2007-08-14T19:35:00.000+01:00

I'm sorry if you've been visiting by blog as I haven't had time to create any art for ages. I have been on holiday and then we had new windows fitted and the house has been in complete turmoil.

I have eventually got my act together and completed the spread for Elizabeth's Lit Inf Altered Book. I chose the chapter entitled 'Roses and Thorns' and have done a spread based on a play on words. The bride in the picture is my Aunt Rose and I think you will agree that my Uncle Charles is definately the 'Thorn' of the couple. I have also created a layered effect using printed tissue paper and serviettes and by letting the original text show through.

I've also been busy setting up a website for Textile21 which is the textile group I am a member of. Have a peek and see what you think. http://www.textile21.co.uk

Truth Journal

2007-07-01T20:21:00.001+01:00

I've managed to clear a space on my desk to do this spread for the Truth Journal. This journal came to me through Kari and originated in the US. Its part of the 'You are the truth' documentary project. You can find out more about it on www.artactivismchange.com
My spread is to do with fashion versus quality and is based round images of my mother as being well-dressed has always been important to her.

Buttons,buttons and more buttons

2007-07-01T20:12:00.000+01:00

I've been up to my eyes in buttons as I have been making these bracelets to sell at our exhibition. You see I bought a job lot of buttons on ebay in May and promise my DH that I would re-sell them at a profit, The trouble is I want to keep all of them so I've been recovering my costs by selling bracelets instead. They've been very popular and I have to keep making them as they are selling quick. I went to a shop last week and they took all my stock on sale or return so I'm having to make more !!!!!!

Ooooops- I nearly forgot the Corset!!!!

2007-06-04T19:27:00.000+01:00

This was the fourth canvas I made for my end of year exhibition. The corset is supposed to represent my all my female ancestors. The corset is based on a drawing I did and is made collaged dress patterns which I drew onto and machine stitched into. I painted it with gesso, dyed it with a tea bag and waxed it to make it more durable. I also added old fabric buttons and lace.

What was in my handbag

2007-06-04T19:21:00.000+01:00

I received a Journal through the post called Daily Detritus (have I spelt that correctly). It came on just the right day as I was having to clear out my handbag as a oen had leaked in it and I needed to wash the lining. I created this page for the journal mainly from the contents of my handbag- I had old tax discs, cards from restaurants, receipts, raffle tickets and even a squashed bottle top. As well as creating this page I now have a handbag which is loads lighter..

Other work I've been doing

2007-06-04T19:07:00.000+01:00

I've not just been doing these dresses though they have sort of crept into some of the other artwork I've been doing lately....

The top two images are the Chunky Book Page I did for the May ANUK Swap, the theme is childhood.

I also picked the story Cinderella in the Grimms Fairy Tale altered book.

I never used to use pink and now I use it all the time .

My Nan's dress

2007-06-04T18:59:00.000+01:00

I have eventually completed the final piece for my series of canvases based on dress. This dress s based on a photograph of my Nan. I created a fabric on which I printed multiple images of the photograph and used it to make the dress. I have also machine embroidered my Nan's name on the background, Evelyn Rose.

My first dress

2007-05-14T14:00:00.000+01:00

This dress was created as a collage of an old children's book. I then painted the image of the dress onto the collage with acryllic paints. I also added lace and painted the canvas with the same design as is on the dress. This dress in significant for me as I was wearing it when I first went to buy an icecream on my own ( see photograph). I am exploring the significance of dress on our personal narratives.

Another dress

2007-05-08T11:01:00.000+01:00

This piece is based on a dress which I am wearing in a number of photographs when I was about 3 years old. I have made the dress from brown paper which I have monoprinted using paper doilies and then waxed and further decorated with wax pastels. I folded the skirt into pleats and added buttons and lace. I made a coathanger from wire.

The background is made from emulsioned fabric with pieces of text from Cinderella. I have machine embroidered my name by tracing some of my writing in the front of a book I had at the time.

Dresses

2007-05-06T16:31:00.000+01:00

I have been working on the theme of dresses for my final major project. After doing loads of research on different types of dresses I was a bit lost. My friend Michele suggested I should make the theme personal to myself and look at the dresses worn in old family photographs. This is my piece which is based on the dresses worn by my mother in the 1950's.

I have been influenced by the workshop I attended Priscilla Jones although I have also used papaer in my work. I have also shown the sketchbook pages I created so you can see where I got my inspiration from.

Strawberries and Cream ( Priscilla Jones workshop)

2007-04-11T16:32:00.000+01:00

I have now finished the piece I started at the workshop although I might still do a bit of handstitching when I am in the mood. I have to say that my sewing machine (Pfaff) still doesn't like stitching through the emulsioned fabric - even though I used a jeans needle. Next time I do it I will use my old machine as I am worried about breaking my Pfaff again.

Priscilla Jones Workshop

2007-04-10T16:17:00.000+01:00

In February I went on a workshop run by Priscilla Jones with my friends Jenny and Michele. The workshop was at the Beetroot Tree in Draycott near Derby. The workshop was called make a hanging in a day and we more or less did that. In the morning we painted fabric with emulsion and acryllic paint. Whilst the paint dried we had lunch and then in the afteroon we assembled our hanging using applique. Unfortunately my machine broke so I did not finish mine and it is still waiting to be finished. Michele and Jenny finished theirs and Jenny has gone on to make several more. Whilst we were there a photographer came from the Derby Evening Telegraph. Since I used to live in Derby I still have friend there and my good friend Laura bought the paper for me and posted it.

Here are the pictures from the paper- even my scissors got their picture taken. I will have to finish my hanging !!!!

Ceramic Fairy cakes

2007-04-04T11:23:00.000+01:00

The fairy cakes finally came out of the kiln. Unfortunately some of the colours burned off in the kiln. The reds burned away so I have ahd to use some red nail varnish to add the colourback to the cherry and strawberries.

Fairy Cakes

2007-03-15T15:52:00.000Z

I've been having a bit of a cake-theme going on wth my recent work- it all started with the Soul Food journal worked in. At college I had to make a ceramic tray-set and all I could think of was cakes !!! I will post a picture of the finished cakes when they're out of the oven ( Kiln).

Happy Memories AB

2007-02-23T18:15:00.000Z

I have just complete a couple of spreads in Elsa's Happy Memories Altered Book. I just love using old photographs and I have recently found out I can print them in sepia on my printer.

needlefelted pieces

2007-02-21T17:40:00.000Z

I got a Janome needle-felting machine for christmas. Here are some of the things I have made with it. Up to now I have been using fleece- its a good was to use up old samples as they can be choppped up and reassembled. The pink vessel was made by putting a piece of fabric which had been appliqued through the needle felter

Haiku Journal

2007-02-01T16:40:00.000Z

I have been working some pages in Maz's Haiku Journal. This has been very instructivefor me had I had previously not heard of Haiku. I have written some of the haiku verses myself and have used some of the old masters.

Colour Me Happy

2007-01-23T18:22:00.000Z

This is the 'Colour Me Happy' Tip-in I have made to send to Shakti from the Travelling Journals group I am a member of. I have collaged hot pink and turquoise fabrics to the card and have machine stitched the paper using some of my fancy stitches. As usual I have used lots of buttons !!!

Chunky book pages

2007-01-23T18:18:00.000Z

Here are the chunky book pages on the theme of friendship which I have done for the ANUK January swap. I have used photos of my childhood ( I'm the one on the right !!!).

More ATCs

2007-01-10T09:44:00.000Z

Here are some more ATCs I have done recently.

New Beginnings ATCs

2007-01-09T10:09:00.000Z

I've only just got round to creating any artwork in 2007 as life is just beginning to return to normal after christmas. I have decided to start small and have been making ATCs on the theme of 'New Beginnings'. Some of them are for the ATC swap beging organised by ANUK and the some are for my friends. Who know you may be getting one soon !!!
I cant resist stitching on my ATCs and adding buttons and ribbons.

even more spreads Xmas AB

2006-12-30T12:20:00.000Z

Here are some more spreads using the wonderful handmade cards I have received this year.

More Spreads -Xmas AB

2006-12-29T19:04:00.000Z

Here are some more spreads I have done in my Xmas Altered book. They include photos I took during our christmas meal of my family ( Rosie the dog is also included). The other spreads include the wonderful handmade cards I recieved from my friends Jenny and Michele.

My Christmas Journal

2006-12-27T18:58:00.000Z

I have decided to capture this christmas in an altered book.
Its a great way to use up all those gorgeous pieces of wrapping paper, serviettes , christmas cards and crackers. Its also a great way to embarass your friends and family!!!

Merry Christmas Collage

2006-12-13T08:01:00.000Z

Here is a collage I have done for Christmas. I have used it to make my christmas cards as I dont have time to make individual ones this year. I have reduced it and printed it off on nice paper.

You cant have too many handbags !!!!

2006-12-12T09:24:00.000Z

I've just completed the textile module of my art course. The brief was to design and make a handbag based on architeture. I used Gaudi as my inspiration but I'm afraid I got a bit carried away.

Steel corset- 3D Design

2006-11-13T14:24:00.000Z

This is a steel corset that I completed last week as part of the 3D Design Module of my Art course. The corset is made of steel and is 50% life sized ( about 10 inches high). I had no idea at the start of the module how to go about creating a corset out of steel so I bought a fashion corset from New Look and traced the pattern shape. (Since the corset was a size 8 and too small for me !!!!! ( try doubling the size at least) I had to take it back.
I cut the twelve pattern pices making up the corset from steel. filed them and drilled 90 holes in to it. I ten polished the steel and hammered some pieces and engraved others. Finally I wired it together and inserted beads and buttons. I bent the steel pieces to give it shape and it didn't fall over. The whole thing took me four weeks- although one week was taken up with wondering what I should do. If I have learnt anything from the experience it why didn't I make a smaller one out of copper ?

Chinese Symbols

2006-11-06T09:52:00.000Z

This is a picture I did for my daughter Melanie to go in her bedroom, she has asked me to add this picture to my blog.
It has been done using reverse applique. The background consists of bonded pieces of purple fabrics and the top layers are silver with green organza. Since it is made of all synthetic fabrics the layers were cut away using a heated stencil cutter.

Work from New Horizons Art course

2006-11-06T09:09:00.000Z

Here are some more images of work I have done as part of the art course I am doing. I have used shoes and garments as my theme for the painting and drawing module , and corsets have been my inspiration for the 3D module.

Mini Collages- seriously addictive!!!!

2006-10-30T10:18:00.000Z

I have been making these 1inch square collages as I signed up for a swap organised by ANUK. However I found that making then is seriously addictive as they're quick to do and are a great way to use up all those unwanted catalogues and old magazines. I've made 55 up to now ( I only needed to make 25 for the swap!!)

More spreads - Anything Goes- Hearts

2006-10-30T09:30:00.000Z

I also did these spreads in Jan's book. I had just received a copy of the magazine Cloth Paper Scissors and I was influenced by the work of Beryl Taylor.

Anything Goes Altered book

2006-10-30T09:20:00.000Z

I did this spread in Jan's book, I made a stamp for the doorway from a piece of polystyrene.

Panting of shoes and fabrics

2006-10-20T10:36:00.000+01:00

I have recently started an artcourse at Mid Cheshire college. This is a painting I did in Acrylics so the final piece of the painting and drawing module.

My Images from Sandra's AB -Domesticity

2006-10-17T17:33:00.000+01:00

These are my spreads which I did in Sandra's book on domesticity. I have used images of two of my aunts' weddings and one of my grandmother using her sewing machine.

Images from Jenny's AB 'The Power of Words'

2006-10-17T17:27:00.000+01:00

Selection of images from recent AB round robin

2006-10-17T16:55:00.000+01:00

These a selection of images of spreads included in a recent AB round robin which we have just completed. 'August 1965' is by me and was done in Chris's book which was called months of the year.

The Lavender spread was by me and is in Jenny's book which is called the'Power of Words' but is an old gardening book which inspired us. The spread 'fragments' and the alphabet label spread and by Jenny and Michelle and are also from that book. The Valentine spread is by chris from her 'months of the year book'

Jan's Pages in Jenny's AB

2006-10-12T17:27:00.000+01:00

Mona Lisa Spread for Quotes Altered Book- Art

2006-10-11T19:10:00.000+01:00

This is based on a quote I found in Cloth paper Scissors ' Do you suppose that anyone ever asked Leonardo if the Mona Lisa matched his couch' and is a comment on the tendency of people, when confronted with Textile Art to ask - what's it for ?

Wild Wicked and Wonderful Women

2006-10-11T19:08:00.000+01:00

Altered Books Round Robin Quotes

2006-10-11T19:06:00.000+01:00

Altered Books Round Robin Quotes

2006-10-11T18:44:00.000+01:00

I collage and especially I like to use vintage images. A lot of the images I use are from my own family .The blue page is called through a Child's Eyes. Both that and the Tiger are my artwork in a book entitled Eyes.

Thesw pages are from a Book called 'Things your mother never told you are are based on the quotes 'Life is uncertain..... Eat Desserts First' and ' Plain Women Cry ........ Beautiful Women go shopping'

This is an image of one of my husband's relatives and was done for a book titled Pearls of Wisdom.

2006-10-11T18:36:00.000+01:00

These textile pieces were done for a exhibition at Norton Priory in Cheshire. They are based on the architecture and the medieval tiles found at Norton Priory.

Footsteps through the ages

2006-10-11T18:31:00.000+01:00

These are based on the victorian tiles which can be found in the Birkenhead Art gallery. Patters from the tiles have been rearranged in to a geometric mandala pattern,

Golden Gates and Secret Place

2006-10-11T18:25:00.000+01:00

These are based on the railings on the building at Hamilton Square in Birkenhead.

Blue and White interior

2006-10-11T18:20:00.000+01:00

This is also done using reverse applique and is based on blue and white pottery and interiors.

Tunisian Interior

2006-10-11T18:14:00.000+01:00

This is one of me favourite pieces and I would never sell it. It was based on a sketch I did of a roomwhich didn't turn out at all well so I ripped it up a reassembled it. I them used this a the design source for this piece which was done by a reverse applique technique of layering organza on a hand made felt background.

Mixed media Hanging

2006-10-11T18:07:00.000+01:00

This mixed media piece measure 3 in by 15in and was made by stitching and assembling hand made paper. It also includes felt copper wire, drftwood, amber, cork and beads. The paper is waxed at the end of the process to achieve a more 'melded' effect.

Morrocan Interior

2006-10-11T18:00:00.000+01:00

This is a textile piece I created using reverse applique. It is based on a picture I found of a morrocan interior

Textile work

2006-10-06T17:05:00.000+01:00

I am a member of a group called Textile 21. We hold exhibitions regularly. Here are some pictures of some of my work. This is a really old piece which I did just after finishing City and Guilds . It is called Celestial Sky and is based on the signs of the zodiac.

2006-10-06T17:00:00.000+01:00

Welcome to Maria Walker's Blogspot. I have set this up to share images of my artwork with my friends. I am into textile art, altered books. ATC's and I have just stared an Art and Design Course