Sunday, March 3, 2013

Seeing spots and dots

The rain has well and truly settled in again it seems, which is always a bit of an issue for an artist who works with paper.  Paper absorbs moisture and does funny thing when damp.  I have a calligraphy commission that I just can't get done because the moisture keeps making the ink bleed and the paper do a little warp. Once things dry out we'll be fine, but in the meantime I get to play with metal.

Living as I do with an artist who works in metal there is plenty of opportunity to avail myself of scraps and off cuts. I usually only want to work with small pieces, so I have permission to go rifling through the various boxes and containers that hold the off-cuts.

I have been busy playing with leftover copper and painstakingly making holes. A little way into the project  I remembered to collect all the dots (I suspect many are still on the floor or under the desk or drawers...).  And as I left this afternoon, I thought I'd photograph them, as you do.

These dots are pretty tiny - about 2mm wide - but there are lots of them.






I am having a lovely explore with my project - awaiting a few more materials which should arrive this week, and then hopefully I can get into it and share it. Hopefully it works out!


20 comments:

  1. At first glance, I thought you were about to get busy with some lentils. How the world can change when you put your glasses on! Hope the rain eases up soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Annie I laughed - they DO look like lentils it's true. Except they are even smaller and have a metallic smell and all. We saw sunshine today - we are all hoping its a sign.

      Delete
  2. Lots of coppery loveliness with shades of verdigris thrown in for good measure. I love the photos in their own right, especially the second one. Looks like another intriguing project to look forward to.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lesley - they have so much individual character don't they? The project is about other things and these are by-products, which of course will now need to be another project!

      Delete
  3. Ohhhh .... what are they? Punched copper? I'm loving the dots! I hope you use them for something soon, Fiona.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are pretty gorgeous aren't they Robyn? I am now pondering how best to involve them in something all their own, rather than as the leftovers from another thing. Talk about never wasting anything!

      Delete
  4. So many possibilities... love that I can feel them in my fingers when I see the piles.

    I was just thinking the other day, while working on a large watercolor, that the experience would be entirely different in the humidity of summer and rain. In my case, working wet on wet, it might be better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Valerianna I think your wet on wet would be perfect in this weather - everything runs into the paper fibres at the moment like they are siphoning it in. Glad you can feel the copper dots running thru your fingers...

      Delete
  5. Ooohh!!! What lovely dots you have there. I'm all a flutter imagining the uses those copper dots could be put to.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi J - It's funny how they are sitting there as the leftovers from what I am doing, yet they are so delightful and encouraging me to think about how to use them as well! Not sure yet, but expect something will happen...

      Delete
  6. Hmmm, I reckon those dots could become something very special.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks jo - I'll be putting my thinking cap on - they are too delightful to lose!

      Delete
  7. I love the dots! I'm wishing you drier days ahead, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jane - thanks for the drier weather wishes it does affect the paper for sure. And the dots are pretty cute aren't they?

      Delete
  8. The dots are sure to become part of something very desirable, Fiona. Don't they look marvellous in all their copperiness in these photos!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Carol - their copperiness is really quite incredible isn't it - such a variety all showing time and wear and stories for sure. Just what to do next...well I'll just have to wait a bit until I know I think.

      Delete
  9. they do accumulate and end up in all kinds of places! and i think i know what tool you used to make them - looking forward to seeing the process evolve...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah yes MJ - the voice of experience! You can visualise them flipping here and there I'm sure - and yes you are totally right about the tool! Thank you - I love that I get to play with it too!

      Delete
  10. It's nice to have another material to 'fall' back on when the whether so dictates - and look where it's led! Amazing how 'big' the personalities of such tiny copper circles can be...what a gorgeous array of colors/patterns. I also have a 'copper dot' project in the works at the moment, and it's interesting to see how very different the same description of shape & material can appear - I'm envying the range of weathered shades (and the sheer number) of yours!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How fascinating Lisa - copper dots can all be so different. Mine are worn and weathered and tough but tiny. I do love them; can only pick them up in my fingernails they are so wee. I look forward to your project as well!

      Delete

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