Blog 51

I am helping out at the campsite where we live at the moment repairing all the large 2.5 x 3 meters inner walls / fabric partitions that are in the Shieling tents. There are twenty eight of them to do,  removing all the mould, ingrain dirt, traces of insect marks. It is quite physical work dragging the voluminous heavy material across the floor and pushing it through the sewing machine. I am working on my hands and knees a lot of the time because of their size, and the industrial sewing machine I use is a bit of a beast.

It is a shame I am not making art at the moment but at least I am 'making'. And it is about process. Measuring, cutting out, pinning (piercing), stitching, straight lines etc etc. I have written a twenty one step specification for the person who will continue this role in my absence. An instruction manual of what to do.

As well as this, my partner Shawn and I are in the throws of updating the interior of our van in readiness for our departure next year and I have a growing list of mini projects to complete before we go, mostly involving fabric.

I would like to make my first patchwork throw. Again whilst this is not about making 'art' per se, it is about being creative and the act of 'making'. Patterns, geometry, design, abstraction, measuring, cutting out, pinning (piercing), stitching etc. etc.

I have discovered the work of quilt maker Lindsay Stead who creates geometric, minimalist style quilts, using a very limited palette of colours, shape and design. I like her ideas very much.

I have applied for a couple of shows, unfortunately a rejection by one, and awaiting news from the other. I do have some work being presented in a group show in London next spring, dates to be finalised.

There was a good article in our local magazine this last month titled 'The importance of lying fallow', and I quote the opening paragraph describing the definition of Fallow:

- adj. 1. (of land) left unseeded after being ploughed and harrowed to regain fertility for a crop.
- 2. (of an idea, state of mind, etc) undeveloped or inactive, but potentially useful.

Within the text the author describes how the fields on her farm were left fallow for a year so that the ground could 'heal', nutrients be revived, with no requirements made in the interim.

I think that's how I feel at the moment as an artist, undeveloped but knowingly useful, or is it harassed (rather than harrowed), wanting to be creative within a fine art context but having to work on other projects ha ha!

With the emphasis on these other activities for a while, will these deviations feedback into my artwork? There are similarities. I do hope so.

Sizing up a new patch for one of the inner walls of the Shieling tent.