Thursday Thoughts...

“To deliver oneself up, hand oneself over, entrust oneself completely to the silence of a wide landscape of woods and hill, or sea, or desert: to sit still while the sun comes up over the land and fills its silences with light. To pray and work in the morning and to labor in meditation in the evening when night falls upon that land and when the silence fills itself with darkness and with stars. This is a true and special vocation. There are few who are willing to belong completely to such silence, to let it soak into their bones, to breathe nothing but silence, to feed on silence, and to turn the very substance of their life into a living and vigilant silence.” 

Thomas Merton

As B and I walked on Sunday - our platypus walk we call it that loops along the creek and through the Showgrounds and back to the main street to an early morning coffee - we stopped, as is our want, to see if there were any platypus about. We are unbelievably fortunate to live in a place where platypus live, a place where they are readily seen. Not every time we walk, but often enough. They are shy and precious.

They stop us in our tracks. We stop, in silence, we scan the creek, we wait patiently to see if the ripples appear; the air bubbles. We wait. We oftentimes think we could wait a lot longer, and see a lot more, but we are often on a mission so to speak - places to go, people to see.

This quote made me think about what it truly means to stop and be present in nature. To be one with the silence, letting it soak into our bones, to fill our minds, to overflow our thoughts. The simplest, yet hardest, of being.

It is so tempting to follow these words and to see how a life changes if more time is spent with silence.

Some fabulous news

 I was thrilled last week to learn that one of my books "I Hit a Wall..." has been acquired by the State Library of Queensland. They have such a prestigious artists' book collection, I am always so honoured when they choose to purchase one of mine; it feels very very special.

This is a bit of a departure for me; although long term blog readers will recall its inception and some of its journeying way back in 2021 - some moments are here and here and  here and here.

Here is what I have written about it:

I hit a wall 
2024

After the year that was 2020 I regretted not creating any work that spoke of, or to, the pandemic.
In 2021 I thought I would pay attention and just note down key events.
My Dad had gifted me a number of my mother’s handkerchiefs and I thought to embroider a journal of sorts onto them.
I began by writing down events in my own handwriting, transferring them onto a hankie, and then hand embroidering my handwriting.
I had no idea what 2021 would hold and that in fact, it would be busier than 2020 had been.

Each month I would capture events, and start stitching.
It took all my creative time to try and keep up with policy shifts; quarantine; border closures; contact tracing; gatherings; social distancing; access to vaccines; short sharp lockdowns…
It was exhausting.
I persisted.  
But then.

There was too much. I was too tired of it all.  I felt numb and overwhelmed. I felt weary.
I transferred the month of August onto the hankie but couldn’t start stitching. So much happened in that month that I had to do the criss-cross writing so often seen in old correspondence where the written lines went in two directions. I felt it would never end.
And I submitted to a sense of overwhelmedness and simply stopped.  

I hit a wall.

Leaving this artists’ book partially completed represents us all at the tail end of that year. I had thought I might pick it up and complete it, but I haven’t been able to.  Like everybody I probably just want to park those times, not re-visit them in detail.

Reading the handkerchief pages of this book, I am amazed to recall the daily drama we dealt with.

But I hit a wall and have now simply tacked the pages together and it is complete just as it is…

31cm(h) x 31cm(w) x 1cm(d) closed; 31cm(h) x 62cm(w) x 1cm(d) open.

Cotton handkerchiefs and embroidery thread, Pilot Frixion pen

Some images of the 'completed' book follow:

As I pondered these hankies I realised that the story they told in their unfinished way, was a story about our lives during that time with the pandemic and lockdowns and fatigue and in fact, adding to the telling.

I am so happy that the book will have a home where it can be read and viewed, as it tells a social history of a unique time.

Making

 I feel very fortunate to have access to the workshop here where I can make jewellery - as well as having access to lots of tools and knowledge via Barry.

It was hot over there today however; but I do have quite a bit of jewellery to get made, so off we went.

Preparing lengths of different gauge silver wire to create pebble forms.

Excellent tools for 'sanding' and filing.

Pebble forms before soldering.

And after soldering.

Steps still ahead include: polishing, oxidising and adding elements to pendants and earrings.

Christmas stars...

I am helping out with the Christmas party where we live, and am decorating the tables. I have chosen a star theme and have been practising making folded stars. Here are some coloured ones.

And here is what happens when you cut across the wrong folds!

The stars will be more along silver and gold lines, and I think I have folded about 100 so far... 

And this is what I found in a box I bought labelled warm white twinkle lights... laugh!

Thursday Thoughts...

“You don’t take a photograph, you make it.”  

Ansel Adams

I imagine we nearly all know what a remarkable photographer Ansel Adams was; and his iconic black and white nature photographs convey so much. Majesty, serenity, awesomeness. Insignificance. Splendour. Timelessness. And so much more.

I like how he considers a photograph a creative process that is thought about; curated, created, and made. That as you see something unique or special; as you consider how best to frame it or present it; as you wait for the perfect light or grab the magic moment, you are making and creating.

You are not simply taking.

I sometimes wonder how somebody like him would have handled the ubiquitousness of cameras in mobile phones. The ultimate snap! And I wonder if he might have come up with another word for those snapped moments that are in thousands everywhere - somehow different to a photograph like the ones that he made.

I thought about using a photo of my own to illustrate the thought; and then thought for heaven's sake why wouldn't you choose one of his? But hard to choose!

Cathedral Peak and Lake, Yosemite National Park, California. Ansel Adams

Some lovely times...

 We had an amazing weekend at the studio (hence no Sunday post...) with Barry's exhibition of small watercolours, plus the showing of The Shape of Things, and a general happiness around other studio items on sale. We were thrilled, exhausted and exhilarated.

The opening on Friday was a real buzz, and I managed to take ONE photo!  Barry speaking at the opening.

I had lots of lovely conversations about the collaborative exchange with Annwyn called The Shape of Things, and so many people pored over the books and loved the stories behind them. 

In the lead up I had managed to make two pairs of pebble earrings - each earring with one silver and one oxidised silver pebble. They both sold on the night, which was very special.

Hopefully I will get the chance to make some more soon!

In other news I have bundled up some Together cards and whilst some are already in the post; others are waiting for a free moment to be able to address the envelopes -  it has been quite busy but hopefully the next few days will see them on their way. Please let me know your address so I can send you some (if you'd like them).

And I captured this serene moment on a side table in our house. So quiet, so still, so delicate...

Wishing us all some moments of quiet and stillness in the upcoming weeks...

Thursday Thoughts...

"Maybe this is why we read, and why in moments of darkness we return to books: to find words for what we already know." 

 Alberto Manguel

Perhaps this.

So often I seek solace in books, trying to find the words that somebody has managed to think, arrange, and express, that go close to how I am feeling.  There is a form of validation that occurs when you realise somebody else has felt this way and has thought about things from this perspective; that they too have felt bewildered, terrified or hopeless by the turns in events.

I like that way he considers that we return to books, to find words for what we already know.  

Perhaps we know, but we simply can't express; and the gift is that somebody else can and has.

Perfect.

I come to quiet knowings, 2009.

Art Inspiration

 I am back to making, but also to thinking. This time of year feels reflective as I look back and consider what has taken place and what I have achieved; and as I look forward as I begin to plan out next year.

It might seem ridiculous, but there are already several key markers in next year's diary which will mean we travel to different places at different times and do different things...

As a result I need to have a think about what I want to make next year - are there shows I want to submit work to? Is there anywhere I can take some of the work I have done? How do I deal with my feelings about the world? What sort of things could I be making? When do I need to have key works done by and how does the travel interact with that?

I am fortunate to have a variety of modalities to investigate and play with and sometimes my head just gets a bit jammed full of ideas, dates, times and deliverables; so it is always good for me to stop and ponder so I don't get too anxious about things.

Whilst we were in Scotland, I had the notion to write a list of things I love in artworks; things I respond to; things that hit me in the centre of my body and make me go ahhh...

I think the availability of so much imagery on Instagram in particular, has made me stop and think about but what do I REALLY respond to? enjoy? appreciate? How might I include some of those things in my artwork when I am getting stuck or feel like I am doing the same things over? Are there themes?

I added to my list on my phone regularly - whenever a thought popped into my head or I reacted to something and wondered why. I am not sure if I will do mood board as originally indicated or not - seems a bit of overkill and would take too much time I think. Might also make me get focussed on other people's work rather than my own.

Then I transferred the list to the computer so I could print it out and over the past week or so I have picked it up and played with it.

I had given myself permission to double up; to jot down anything and to not worry about it. And so it was a fair jumble of things; and I tried then to see if there were grouping or categories.

I ended up with 8 categories, and I colour coded each of them. Some words ended up in two or three categories. I am not convinced this is at all comprehensive or scientific but it was a good way to sort and settle my brain.

At Biblio this morning, I continued with the grouping and added in extras here and there. And then this afternoon I got on the computer to make a table - colour coded again - and began to enjoy the thoughts and ideas it generated

I laughed at  the name I gave it, but it felt right, not too serious, but kind of what  hope it does!

I am going to go away and have a play with this. I have a book in mind, and will now see if any of these ideas nudge me along a slightly different path than the one I kind of assumed I would follow...

A showing of The Shape of Things

 During 2023 and into January of this year, Annwyn Dean and I undertook a small and beautiful exchange of artists' books. Working with the theme The Shape of Things, we each created six books, in an edition of 2 each time. We kept one book for ourself and sent one book across the globe, so that we each have a set of 12 stunning artists' books along this theme.

I have documented the process on the blog see here for a summary of 4 of them; here and here; and in April this year, Annwyn prepared a catalogue of our work so we have a repository for the stories and the artwork.

During one of the exhibitions at the studio this year I was fortunate enough to be able to show and share the books with a group of interested artists' book makers who were enthralled by the project, and the outcomes. This got me to wondering if I should ensure these lovely books got a little showing of their own?. Not an exhibition; and the works will not be for sale; but just a chance for more folk to see them, to hold them and to enjoy them.

And now they will have!

Barry is having a solo exhibition of his small watercolour paintings in the studio on Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December (opening event is 5pm Friday night and all are welcome!) and I thought this might offer an opportunity for lots of folk to see the books. I am arranging to make a small display of them in the studio space, so that those attending Barry's show can also peruse the books.

In addition all other studio items will be 25% off for the weekend, so it really could be worth a visit!

Here are a couple of compilations of Annwyn's, then my work. They are remarkable complementary (we did share papers with each other).

I am really looking forward to more people seeing them and enjoying them.

And here are just a few of Barry's postcard-sized watercolours that will be on show...

Brushstrokes...buildings, boats, birds and the occasional bovine!

It will be a great way to round off the year.

Thursday Thoughts...

“Introverts, in contrast, may have strong social skills and enjoy parties and business meetings, but after a while wish they were home in their pajamas. They prefer to devote their social energies to close friends, colleagues, and family. They listen more than they talk, think before they speak, and often feel as if they express themselves better in writing than in conversation. They tend to dislike conflict. Many have a horror of small talk, but enjoy deep discussions.” 

 Susan Cain

I read this book years ago... Quiet by Susan Cain and I nodded along as I went, finding myself described, understood, even heard.

As introverts, we know we can do things like socialise, attend gatherings, events, and the like; but we also know it will cost us and we will need down time to re-group and re-gather our strength.

Earlier this year after a rather torrid and busy social and community time, we went away for a few days. I sat and did a 1000 piece jigsaw by myself for almost a full day. Barely lifting my head; barely talking. I just needed to stop engaging with the world and with people (even people I love) and get myself and my strength back. Jigsaws are the perfect wind down and build up again for me.

If I do have to attend and socialise at events I find myself best if I can be doing something - washing up, clearing plates, filling drinks, packing up, setting up, whatever. A chore or a job make sit easier - it's the small talk that kills me.

It's good to be reminded of the skills and strengths of introverts; we oftentimes get a bad rap in a world which often responds to the loudest or the boldest.

Shining quietly...

Together again

 I managed to get some time to print some Together cards and am looking forward to bundling them up and sending them out into the world. Do let me know in comments if you are interested in receiving some; and/or email me: infoATfionadempster.com.

I chose a deep sapphire blue to print with and three different type faces, as discussed in my earlier blog post.  I am working hard to use up supplies and spares in the studio so some were printed on the back of previously printed cards; and others were printed on some cards I have had lying around for quite another purpose which will no longer happen so they were just waiting to be used!

I also used up a few spare sheets of khaki paper that were lurking in a drawer - it felt good to gradually use things up.

I decided to use both variations of together. Together and Together...

So there are A6 postcard sizes; and business card sized cards.

I will wrap them in 3s so folk will receive one of each type face. They will be  random selections of paper types and I will pop them in the post over the next wee while. Just send me your name and address and if you would like Together, Together... or both. I have twenty sets available.

I quite liked the look of this one - proofing Together in duplicate here - well and truly together!

Beyond beginning again

 Well I got back into the groove with the silversmithing the other day and was chuffed with how my large pendant worked out. During the week, my mind kept turning to oxidising and trying to work out if I could oxidise some silver.

So I looked up books, and watched You Tubes and read blog posts and thought I think we could do this, and on Friday we did. We had purchased a couple of glasses bowls at the Op Shop for $5 and they will become our oxidising-only bowls.

I took my pendant apart, separating it into the three components.

And then we set about making up a mixture of Liver of Sulphur - which as one can imagine, smells like rotten eggs. Apparently you can also oxidise silver by leaving it in a plastic bag with some hard boiled eggs, but that is an experiment for another time.

You dip quickly, then drop into cold water, then dip again, and cool, and then dip again .... until you get the required depth of colour.

I was pretty happy with this colour. Then you brush it with a soft brass brush to remove some of it, and start again. This way, the oxidisation layers sort of grow into each other and bond; rather than simply layer themselves and then flake off. Apparently. 

Barry thought it would also be a good opportunity to re-oxidise the ring he made years ago with Lindsey in Thurso, so in it went as well.

And out it came.

And here is where we got to.

And here is the pendant put back together.  I really like the contrast between dark and shiny.

I like where this could be going...