Sunday, May 12, 2013

Peace, stillness and preparation

Barry and I are fortunate to be preparing for a joint exhibition along the themes of peace and stillness - altho we don't have an actual working title yet.  It will be held in August at Rosebed St. Gallery in Eudlo - which is a truly delightful, vibrant and welcoming place.

I have loads of ideas in my head and lots of jotting of them into journals has occurred, wee sketches here and there, and exclamation marks adorn the pages when I think I have caught a good one.

I have been cutting a lot of paper - and my right hand forefinger's top joint certainly knows about it, and the fingertip itself is still that funny numb, but I am loving where I am headed with this one.

It is still under development, but I just smiled today when Barry and I compared notes on what we had achieved in two hours. He told stories of beating and heatings and many bowls formed. I said I had cut one page and designed another!

So, I am cutting out words and this is what they look like when I stack them.  I am quietly in love with this idea and these types of images so am gaining much pleasure from the play.

In a way I am taking you through one of those re-wind films, where you start in and pan out. The close-up of the cut letters overlaying each other.


Pan out a bit and you can begin to see words forming, but still lots of lovely layering.


Further out and you can see how the letters are fitting on a page, yet the pages are still are on top of each other.


Here I've separated the pages a bit so you can see more of them as individuals.


A bit further back again and you can see I have done 5 pages so far. And if you look closely you'll see the notes to myself and the pencil marks - these are only trial pages


Back where it all begins with lots of 'roughs' - sketching words, using pens,trying to squeeze them into page limits, tracing paper to transfer them to the trial page and so on.



So, there are still more words to write, and a set of final pages to complete and then a book to create from them somehow. I still have a long way to go with this one, but as my artist statement says, I work slowly, often meditatively...

18 comments:

  1. Even in the roughs it looks great. Looking forward to seeing the finished book

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    1. Thanks Jac - some books are a pleasure to be with in the making and this one is so far!

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  2. I love the layering of your message. It's there, right in front of one if one simply focuses. Brilliant!

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    1. Mmmm the layering. I am quite enamoured of it I must say and I like your take on it J - there's so much about being able to really see isn't there?

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  3. You do like complicated...but quiet. Wonderful concept. Pity I'll miss the show...Paris here I come.

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    1. So true Jo - I am often amazed at how complicated it can be to make something look simple! Sorry you won't be able to join us at the show - but yay you for Paris!

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  4. The layered cut letters are beautiful Fiona.

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    1. Thanks Helen, it is nice watching them evolve and emerge...

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  5. (Lucky Jo!) Very beautiful, Fiona, and as in all you do, there is an air of quiet joyfulness. This will be an amazing book. I always love to see the progression of your work and this is a really generous viewing.

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    1. Hi Carol - thanks! I like the notion of an air of quiet joyfulness - a wonderful way to live life! It is coming together well - only one more to design, test and cut I think and hope...

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  6. I love where you're going with this Fiona. Have you and Barry thought about doing a video about the process (as part of the show)? I think it would be very interesting. No talking/explanation but just the sounds of cutting paper and heating and forming metal. Just a thought.-Julie

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    1. Thanks Julie - that's a wonderful idea. In a way both processes are very mindful and mediative despite the noise differences. We could see if we could set up a camera somewhere to capture it, or take turns with each other...hmmmm.

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  7. This is absolutely gorgeous Fiona [and what a lot of work] I don't envy your fingertip one bit, but WOW, so beautiful.

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    1. Thanks so much Liz! There is a lot involved, but it is all enjoyable (at the moment) and my fingertip is given a few days in between sessions to recover! I love the layered white on white.

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  8. this is gorgeous work Fiona. I know that is just what Liz said but I came into 'comment' with exactly those words in mind! I love that your work is so meditative and slowly constructed - it brings with it always, a sense of quiet, peace and the gentle exhaled breath one has when an image works so well.

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  9. Thanks so much Susan - my work is slow and quiet and often meditative and I am pleased it offers that sense as well. I am very happy just sitting there, working my way thru the design challenges and the cutting, off in my own little world. Glad you love it!

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  10. Be still my beating heart! What a beautiful idea.

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    1. Thanks Lesley - it is coming along nicely and I am quite entrance by cutting paper; I want to cut everything and anything now! Laugh.

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