Around The World Blog Hop (Late)

Barbara tagged me in the Around The World Blog Hop several weeks ago, but I was having technical difficulties with my ISP. I'm happy to say we've changed our internet provider, and I'm back up and posting again! Yay!
So, here's my ATWBH post:
 

1. What am I working on? 

I'm always working on several projects. That way, if I get tired or frustrated with one, I have a whole pile of other projects in various stages of completion that I can jump to........For over a year, I've been working on a wrapping cloth, formed from various found and new fabrics, and embellished with hand embroidery, laces, and needle tatting to create a new cloth.

 

Here's a photo of one of the finished pieces. (#5) I'm currently working on piece #12. I'm not sure just how many pieces I'll need to finish my wrapping cloth, or when that might happen. The joy, however, is in the creating.

 

I just completed a series of projects for StitchMAP's year-long HEX LABS challenge, designing, stitching, then writing(with assistance) the project instructions. I finished 4 projects, and had a lot of fun doing them.  

As well, I'm stitching one of the three HEX LABS projects released each month, and learning/improving my stitching skills. Shady Lady was completed for May. The current HEX I'm stitching is a turtle design.

In progress is a project about painting fabrics.

StitchMAP also has Fun Friday Tutorials  regularly, in which the members are challenged to create a project based on a chosen online tutorial.

The latest FFT was to create fabric boxes.

There is my purple Crazy Quilting project in the beginning stages, which may also incorporate the HEX LABS as a border.

I've been working on a project submission to the Embroidery Guild for an original design concept.

As well, a wedding piece is in progress for a couple who were married last summer. The stitching has just begun, so I hope to show photos of my progress soon.

I paint in oils, watercolours and acrylics. It's fun to show paintings in progress with step by step photos. Currently, I'm working on two watercolours: the Autumn Cabin and the Georgian Bay Beach.

Mixed media is fun to do, and I like to create cards and journal pages using lots of texture.  A recent purchase of a gelli plate means I have another fun tool to play with in creating original prints for cards and journal pages.

Tatting, knitting, and beading are other fun pursuits, and I've been teaching myself how to crochet, although I haven't made too much progress yet. ;-)
Writing stories and poetry are also ways in which I express myself, and I like to take photos of my surroundings. Those photos I've taken are often used as reference for my paintings.
  

 2. How does my work differ from others of its genre? 

I believe we each bring something original to our work. We each see differently. I am fascinated by that. When I attended a painting workshop, all the artists were asked to paint the still life on display. Although we all used the same medium, and we painted the same still life, each work was unique. How does that happen?

3. Why do I write/create what I do? 

Creating keeps me grounded. I think it's a wonderful way to express one's emotions and find that absorbing Flow. To me, creating is meditative, and when I'm in that zone, the world falls away with all its troubles and turmoils, and there is only the fabric, the canvas, the paint, the creation evolving. So, I like to visit that place often, and stay for long periods of time!  ;-)

 

4. How does my writing/creating process work?

Music plays a role in my work process. I find it eases me into the state of Flow, where I am absorbed in creating. Sparks of ideas are ignited and I am oblivious to all but the paint brush, the paint, or the needle whispering through cloth. One idea leads to another or many.

I am influenced by the work of other artists in many mediums. Their creativity sparks my own, and I love to learn new techniques and explore different ways of doing. The desire to learn more and to improve my skills keeps me experimenting.

Nature has always played a role, too. Perhaps it's the grandeur of trees in the forest, the burbling flow of water, the sunlight on wildflowers that captures my imagination. The colours of the plants and wildlife entice me to replicate them in my art.

Walking in nature releases ideas I want to explore. Once I get my new knee, I'll be spending more time under the influence of the nature around me. 

 

I tried to find 3 people who wanted to participate in the blog hop, but those I approached had either already done so, or were not interested. Then, I had technical problems which made it difficult to contact people, so I stopped looking. If you'd like to participate in the blog hop, please leave me a message, and I'll send you the information.

Happy creating!

Thanks for visiting.

Hugs from Suz