Wednesday 30 April 2008

Take it Further April

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I am pleased to say that I have actually managed to complete the April challenge on time! Yay! I kept to the postcard format I had decided on at the beginning of the month and chose to use the brown paper fabric that I had made for the Fibre & Stitch challenge previously.
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All the materials used in the postcard have been changed from their original appearance or purpose :
*The brown paper has been painted in many layers with acrylic paint, inks and metallic paint
*The leaf has been painted with gesso and then copper acrylic paint
* The key has been changed by rusting
* The lace has been changed by dying with inks
* Beneath the lace is a copper garden label which has been rusted and the spiral metal piece is rusted copper wire from the copper tag.
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In keeping with thoughts about change, which can be for good or not so good, I have free-motion embroidered over the surface of the card to suggest the path that change can lead you on in your life. Some of that change, and its effects, may not be obvious initially and I think that's why I wanted the copper label to be partially hidden and only hinted at under the lace.
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Change is a funny thing. Life is full of change. We change as we grow, and we grow as we change. Our outlook changes as we develop and as we meet other people on our journey. Sometimes we are not aware, at the time, that we are changing or that change is affecting us. Other times, change is obvious and overwhelming. During my life I have experienced all kinds of change, some of which I resisted and which made life very difficult for me. Other change has been a joy and has happened without any conscious decision on my part. I have just gone with the flow. Other change has been a definite decision on my part.
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I would never have dreamt a year ago that my art interests would have changed so much and that I would be so involved with experimental and textile art and meeting people all over the world who share my interests. It seems appropriate to say thank you here to everybody I have met over the last year and to everyone who has left comments here. Thank you for sharing my journey of change.

9 comments:

sharon young said...

Hi Julie
You have come up with a beautiful finished PC for this challenge. Love all the different elements,they work so well together to create a harmonious piece.
I have to say that it's been a complete joy to share some of this very special journey with you.

Tanguera said...

Lovely piece. I like the copper leaf. Your thoughts on change are very well put.

Kay said...

This is a lovely piece which fits the theme but stands on its own as a piece of art.

Mrs Moog said...

Lovely post Julie and I love your piece for this challenge. The verdi gris effect you've achieved is great and it has all come together beautifully!

xxx

B.T.Bear (esq.) said...

This very bear coloured. I like it!

Gina said...

I love both your postcard and your reflections on change. Super post Julie!
xx

artisbliss said...

Great postcard, Julie. I really like the palette you've used.

Unknown said...

This is such a strong and beautiful piece - you've handled the different elements with great skill to make everything work together and I just keep on looking at it and seeing more. The commentary is fascinating too.

Becky Mairi Farrell said...

Another beautiful piece. I love the warm colours and your description really rings true. I'm missing your ATCs, do come back and play when you have time :)