Sunday, March 17, 2013

Of rust and tea and soaking

I recently enjoyed ripping up some cotton, wrapping it around rusty things and popping the lengths into a boiler of green tea and leaving them outside for a few hours.


Funny how the mood just takes you isn't it?  I decided to try three variations - firstly rusty washers which give such lovely circles, secondly row upon row of rusty nails which often give good lines, and thirdly lengths of rusty chain draped and dangled across the fabric as it was rolled.


They each gave me different results, with differing degrees of happiness. Here they are for their first hang and dry outside the studio.




They have since been washed and ironed and two are keepers; one is going back in the pot to try again, to add a little bit more interest.

I loved that the little butcher bird must have thought I was cooking food and came over and perched on the edge waiting to be fed.


14 comments:

  1. some really interesting patterns and textures there…I especially like the last one with the dark spots. What a cute bird!

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    1. Thanks Suzie - they were all quite different and have ended up well. The bird was so friendly...

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  2. Lovely photos, Fiona: I am admiring of your tame Butcher Bird AND your marvelous view!

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    1. Hi Sara - our Butcher birds are very bold/game/friendly - I am amazed! And the view is well, very green at the moment...

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  3. The mood does just take you, doesn't it? Our temps are still to chilly (it snowed a bit yesterday, but nothing stayed) to rust outside just now. Love the blue grey color from the green tea. And especially like your visitor.

    Spoke with Pam on Friday and we'd both viewed Barry's rusty photos. She wondered if you'd ever considered simply throwing a sheet of paper over some of his rusty bits and letting Mother Nature have some creative fun. Just a thought. You could add a splash of tea as well...

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    1. Hi J - rust stashes just call us don't they and get the imagination all fired up. I think it's a great idea to dump some paper on a stash and see what happens - after dribbling with tea here and there of course... I love the purple hues that come thru the green tea; soft yet strong. Two of these ended up with my bestie in Canberra - we have been on the road for a week so I shall resume normal commenting soon!

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  4. I just love inspirations like this - when you do your part to get things in motion & then wait to see what happens. I'd say two out of three 'happies' is wonderful...and surely the third one will only be richer from this first round. Looking forward to seeing how it comes out too!

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    1. Hi lisa - Sometimes I like to direct; sometimes I like to follow and this was wee bit of both but the results are so out of my control that really I just go along for the ride. 2/3 is good and the third has turned out better for its second dunking. Thanks and go well.

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  5. It's a bit like a lucky dip. You never know what is going to happen. Even the Butcher Bird was curious :-)

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    1. The perfect description Robyn - a lucky dip! Or dunk... It's all quite fascinating and I am learning what happens when you forget and leave it in overnight as well!

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  6. Some people would think that you are quite loopy Fiona...not me. Yummo!

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    1. Thanks for the vote of confidence Jo! I think artists get it don't they?

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  7. Great experimentation, Fiona, the colours are lovely. I guess we are all a bit loopy when it comes to paper, metal, cloth, rust, ink etc. All part of the alchemy we are trying for...

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  8. Indeed Carol - I think bringing fabric and rust together is wonderful way to play! There is so much to explore and look forward to isn't there?

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I appreciate your thoughts and comments; thanks for taking the time.