Friday 14 November 2014

Blog Hop

I’ve been tagged in a round the world blog hop by Rachel of  the excellent VirtuoSew Adventures .
Thank you so much Rachel for giving me the opportunity to  take part, and here's my take on the hop! 

What am you working on?  
I'm developing a way to uniquely link both my art and hand embroidery. I've kept sketchbooks for years, and am revisiting themes and ideas. I've become very interested in documenting life through my sketchbooks, and found a whole new art community, including the Urban Sketchers. Using your sketchbook as a life journal, drawing the world and events around you really appeals to me. For me that's normally something related to the natural world.


How does your work differ from others of its genre? 

 

 I've always had an overactive imagination!   I've always invented characters and writing about them, and this eventually found a way into doll making.  I love detail, (probably too much for someone who longs to loosen and simplify) and I'm interested in the process of how I can make something work. 

I call myself a textile artist,  but I wonder if that's really a misnomer?
 'Jack of all trades - master of none',  is more appropriate I think.
It's only in the last 2 years, since giving up the day job, that I've realised I've never gave much thought to developing my own style. So I'm concentrating on that now and just seeing what happens. There's certainly a simplification in my work of late -  finally I no longer feel I have to  'prove myself' by mastering complex techniques any more.


 The good thing about being a Jack of all trades is that you can revisit media and techniques and apply them in new and different ways, and no longer follow the 'rules', which is so liberating!

     
Why do you create what you do? 
Blimey! I can't imagine not creating. At age 4 I was given a little embroidery kit for Christmas. That was it!  I drew pictures, stitched and designed tiny felt toys.  Creating is like eating and sleeping. If I'm not drawing, embroidering or doing something creative I get tetchy and miserable. Certainly at difficult times in my life, being able to draw and make things has kept me sane.  I'm a great believe in the power of creativity to support and improve our health and well being.  

Making something out of nothing has always had great appeal for me, and even more so our concern for the environment  grows even stronger. I know I have far too many media at my disposal now, and I'm striving to strip back even more, which is not always easy!
 
     
How does your creative process work?
I have far too many ideas and not enough time and resources - or hands! I'm frequently inspired walking in the woods and marshland, and constantly jotting down notes,scribbles and sketches. I also take lots of photographs. Then I go home and do something completely different! 

When I have an idea I often tend to do a rough draft and then start work. If I'm designing a character I usually cut as I go - and then work out the pieces afterwards! This does make life interesting if I then need to create a pattern afterwards!  I  learned to work this way through having very little time when I was working in my career, and creativity was my luxury (or, this could just be my excuse for having a butterfly approach, and being incredibly impatient!)

    
I hope  you haven't got bored  with my ramblings as I'd like to point you on to some wonderfully talented - and extremely lovely, people.  I'm tagging two bloggers across the pond;
Tammie at  Spirithelpers takes the most stunning photographs of the natural world in the stunning State of Montana USA, plus adding beautiful words to go with them. They inspire and delight me! She also has another charming and whimsical art blog,  Beauty Flows

Deb is a self taught folk artist in British Columbia and creates all kinds of wonderful things with paper, fabric and paint at Paxton Valley Folk Arts.  She's ingenious and fun  -and amazes me with how prolific she is! 

14 comments:

Rachel said...

I look forward to seeing "Needle and Pen" fostering all these developments...

margaret said...

so enjoyed reading about what makes you tick Jules and seeing so many lovely creations with both needle and pencils

Anonymous said...

That's fabulous and such an interesting read. I completely agree with your comment about being a jack of all trades - me too!!!

Tammie Lee said...

hello Jules,

so lovely to learn more about you and your relationship with your arts. wanting to simplify and find your own expression.
I think you have a wonderful and unique expression with your dolls, they are so charming! sweet sketches and stitching as well.

thank you for thinking of me. I will attempt to post within a week.

sweet weekend to you.

Shashi Nayagam said...

Dear Jules you are a wonderful artist and I think your sketches are truly beautiful. You may be jack of all trades but you certainly are a master sketching and painting. Will keep following you to see where you go woth your art.

Shashi Nayagam said...

Sorry for the typos

Deb said...

So wonderful to read about your creative process Jules but I'd have to disagree that you think yourself a 'master of none', to me your are a master of it all! I am in awe of all that you do and can't wait to see where your creative muse will take you next. Thanks so much for tagging me, you are going to be a very hard act to follow! {Hugs}, Deb

crazyQstitcher said...

A delightful blogging of your many talents which will inspire many not to be frightened of experimenting. Everything is wonderful but your birds, ..aahhh.. Love the individual designs on the wings.
I can relate to the 'tetchy' feeling you get with nothing to keep your hands busy.
Keep pushing the boundaries and enjoy every minute.

Jo Potter said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jo Potter said...

Hi Jules,
All of your work is special and I would not say at all you are a Jack of all trades and master of none, you are just multi talented!
I think in some ways we are similar with wanting to try quite a few things out and not just focus in one creative area.
Thank you for asking me to join the blog hop, but you have answered all the questions very well and far better than I would have done!
All your works is beautiful with their own individual characters, it was great to stop by to see all your pieces together in one post!
Warm Wishes,
Jo. xx

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Jack of all trades and master of ALL!!! Everything you do is so fabulous Jules. You have not only have one gift, but dozens. Such a delight you work is. I should know. ;) I love the new direction you have headed. Follow your heart. It always knows best.
Love ya to bits!

Tammie Lee said...

hello Jules, my post is up for all to see. wishing you a sweet week!

martinealison said...

Bonjour,

Je découvre avec ravissement votre travail...
Gros bisous ♡

Veronica Roth said...

Hello Jules, lovely to meet you. I love the Jack of all trade approach. I do that too, and don't think too badly about it at all. Why limit? Is what I say. :D