Hug a Hoodie

Haven't done a lot on the earth piece today as we snuck out and went for a walk which took in an exhibition by Hilary Bower. Interesting work, but I am grieving, as I loved her previous work so much. However, we all have to move on and it is very difficult leaving a successful working method behind. I so admire Yvonne Morton as her cut-back applique style found a ready market - she sold really well. Then she turned it around completely with her large pieces based on African tribal dress - mainly dance skirts. She still sells well, but how brave to take the plunge.

Had a lovely experience today while stuck at the three-way traffic lights near our house. They take ages to change and I happened to look into the car alongside (OK, so I'm nosey). It was a beat-up old banger containing a very scruffy looking oik - dirty, fag stuck to lower lip, uncombed hair - you know what I mean. There was also a dog of uncertain breed and the dog grinned at me so I grinned back. Our lurchette used to grin - the lips drawn back, a proper smile, not a snarl.

The boy signalled for me to wind down the window and I did expecting to hear a 'What you lookin' at' comment. Instead he started telling me about the dog - how she was the best dog he'd ever had, what she did, how he looked after her. His face lit up - it was lovely. As we drove off he said 'Thanks for talking', although I hadn't said a word. Note to self: don't be judgemental.

I have done a little work on my background - zapped the felt and painted it with gesso. Then some light ochre paint. I felt it needed a bit of contrast.

There are some interesting textures in there now and the contrast between the embellished tissue and the zapped felt are OK. Here is a close up. I might make some smaller pieces based on this effect. Unframed work often sells well at exhibitions so I could just pop them on mount-board.

I also produced a better design and decided to have two areas of fossils so I did a Markal rubbing of some 'old snails'. A better guide for the background.

Had two bits of lovely news, one thanks to Arti - I am going to exhibit two pieces of work in the Cyber Fyber Exhibition www.cyberfyberexhibition.blogspot.com/ next January. Exciting eh? I hope to produce new work on the subject of communication as it is all about blogging. As a fairly new blogger, I am very flattered to be asked, so thanks Susan Lenz and Arti for finding it.

The second news is that Wessex Textile Artists are going to exhibit at the 2010 Knitting & Stitching show. A long way off but it will soon go. A pretty good week, all in all.