Feather prints.

A long strip of fabric printed with the same feather. It is a duck feather and I started with silver and grey paint and gradually darkened the colour. The same feather but all the prints are slightly different. Like feathers themselves. Infinite variety. I think that is what my work is always about- observing the infinite variety in nature and celebrating it. ( Perhaps rather a long title for this piece!)

Feather connections 2.

More prints and drawings, thoughts on feathers.

Feather connections.

Feather prints ( small duck feather) with all the meanings I associate with feathers written between. So many symbols, inferences, sayings etc. are connected with feathers. Many are opposites like found and loss, new life and death. Seems appropriate to be studying feathers now at Easter time when the birds are nest building and coming into their most colourful plumage. 

Peacock at Newark Park

Just to prove the peacocks do go into the peacock house at Newark Park and gaze at their own reflections. He must think he has a rival.

The third book cover,

 This is the peacock front door knocker at Newark Park and my front cover for my third concertina sketchbook. The blue bird from the jug is the back cover.

Feather Book cover.

Working on the concertina book covers at the moment.

This is the cover for the large feather book. Well when I say large it is 22cm square.I used an ink gel pen and just blurred the outline because they are water soluble. I like the simplicity and the stark black and white.

Blue and white bird.

I am making the end covers for the new concertina book- birds at Newark Park. This is a thrush on a blue and white jug in the china cabinet that I am rather fond of. He, or she, seems to be feeding on grapes from a vine.

This is my original piece from 2 years ago showing the whole jug ( which is actually very small) and a shard of pottery found in the garden, plus other shapes and textures from the house. It is rather good to revisit this work, I prefer the new bird. Blue and white is so crisp and clean. I suppose the theme is the same as the strawberry thief - human  lovingly tends fruit, bird gets to prized fruit before human.

Hand stitching to quieten the mind.

 Arrowhead stitch.

 Fly stitch.

Feather stitch.
 Three bird inspired stitches ( the first 2 remind me of bird foot prints)  for my long, thin strip hanging. This is a piece I can pick up and work on at any time. The hand stitching is quiet and meditative. It is a good way to start the day. It quietens the mind.

Birds at Newark Park.

I have started a new concertina sketchbook documenting the birds at Newark Park. Real ones in the grounds and images in the decor inside. It will be bird spotting inside and out! On these pages, stone eagle gate posts, Indian peacock door knocker and china swans in the swan bedroom.

Drawing feathers, making feathers.

 Still working on the feather books- adding labels to record finds.

Making some more feathers for a larger piece.

Feather in stitch

A stitched feather without any drawing on the fabric first

And some feather stitch...............