In my last post I mentioned the online course I was doing with Suzanne Allard, and that bright florals weren’t really my thing. Figurative painting – as in proper ‘doing a painting’ of an object, like an artist – isn’t really my thing either, for that matter. I’m usually happier with needle and thread and abstract marks.
And then I said to myself, who doesn’t like flowers? I had a go at some flowers with collage, which I find more approachable than painting. What I like about collage is that you can take some shapes and colours and move them around on the page before committing to anything permanent.
Like I said, flowers aren’t my thing, bright colours aren’t my thing, etc etc. And what do you know, I quite like it.
What are sketchbooks for if not to try stuff and have some fun?
I had a little go at painting leaves with a watercolour sword brush. Definitely need more practice with that, but it’s a really lovely brush.
And I really like the way the scrap of paper forming the centre of one of these flowers just happens to have the word ‘blooming’ on it.
My desk is looking a little chaotic, but I am having some serious fun here.
If you’ve ordered threads and/or fabrics (thank you), they’re on their way. Rummaging in the stationery cupboard, walking to the post office, and playing in a sketchbook or three have brought me to a very happy place indeed this week.
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Great sketchbook pages – very inspiring. The flower collages are so effective.
thanks so much, this was a lot of fun 😊
Glad things are feeling better…
Chaotic = inspiration happening 🙂
I’m looking at your watercolors and imagining you stitching these lovely shapes and motifs!
thank you and ha, how true – my desk is hardly ever this untidy but I’m having a lovely time 🙂
Wonderful post, Karin. Really love your sense of play and experimentation!
thanks so much Tracy, just me having some fun really 🙂
Your work is so inspiring!
that’s very kind Laura, thank you so much 😊
Gentle, lovely and inspiring. Thank you!
thanks so much Vicki 😊
It really does look like fun! You’ve given me some ideas . . . 🙂
hope you have as much fun as I did 🙂
I am really liking your collage flowers! They still look like you.
that’s nice to know, Norma, thank you. It can turn people away sometimes when you do something that’s a bit different from your usual work, but it’s good for keeping the creative energy up
Great work ! Enjoyed it so much on my laptop. Inspiring, memorable ! Thank you for sharing.
thanks so much 😊
You can tell when people are loving what they’re doing. It shows!
thanks so much Erica. Making these made me very happy 😊
These are lovely – the colours are bright but not too bright, and the collages sit beautifully. I’ve never played with a swordliner brush, and I’m intrigued..
Thanks so much, it was a lot of fun making these. The sword brush is a fabulous thing but needs practice to get it under control and I’m nowhere near managing it effectively yet. There are lots of expert demonstrations of it on Instagram.
A feast for the eyes. Such beautiful work……just like your sewing.
Glad you’re having fun, which is never possible with a tidy desk! 😁
thanks so much – relatively organised chaos I think is the term 😊