Making Zen is Back and Kate Ward over at Zen Stitching is holding another Making Zen Online Retreat this November, and I’m going to be a presenting artist!
If you haven’t taken part in Making Zen before, this is a textile-arts-focused retreat gathers 20 talented artists to host one workshop each over the course of five days, and those 20 workshops are totally free for anyone to watch. It’s an incredible opportunity to get inspired, connect with new friends and artists, and improve your craft!
With all these artists, you can be sure that a wide range of topics will be covered - I’m particularly excited for Kiala Givehand and Agy Lees session . My own workshop will be about creating stitched words for your wall hangings, art journals or other creative projects.
If you’d like to learn more about the retreat (and save your free seat!), check out the Making Zen website HERE. You’ll be able to get all the schedule details there and find out more about all the other artists in the retreat.
As you build your own fabric collect of painted fabrics and textiles while they can be the start of some beautiful creative projects you have to also think about how you store and maintain your collection. When things are all over the place it can become overwhelming and a barrier to spending time in your creative space, so I have three simple tips to help you keep on top of your growing fabric collection and make them readily accessible:
Embrace Categorization:
The first step is to create a system that separates your fabrics based on type of fabric and color. Group similar fabrics together, like all your cotton fabrics in one section, silks in another, etc. Within each type category, further subdivide them by color. This way, you can easily locate a specific fabric..
Clear Containers:
I found with the space I have that having clear plastic bins or storage boxes allows you to easily see the contents without needing to rummage through each container. I have two different sizes for the larger fabric and then smaller ones. Choose containers in various sizes to accommodate different fabrics. Think about the space you have and what would use the space more effectively.
Labelling:
Label each container clearly and you can go further to add the colors or type of fabric. You can use a label maker for a clean and professional look, or handwrite labels on sturdy cardstock and secure them with tape.
By implementing these simple tips, you'll transform your fabric collection from a jumbled mess to a well-organized haven of inspiration. Remember, a little planning goes a long way in ensuring your creative flow remains uninterrupted as you delve into your next creative adventure!
Declutter/swap:
Regular Decluttering and Donation: By regularly reviewing what you have you can think about ways to reduce, or you can do a swap with another artist and brings new and interesting fabrics into your stash. I find it difficult to part ways with my fabric but I guess it gets easier the more you do it.
Come and join me in Material Mondays this week, I start a new project working on a fabric that I have created a series of patterns on using a wax resist technique.
The fabric was then dyed, and I am excited to work on this textile meditation cloth. I am going to be using a straight stitch and spending time quietly contemplating and reflecting.
If you missed last week's Material Mondays the previous piece came to an end, there was quite a bit of detail, but I think the end result was worth it! In the video below I also share a course that I took called Zen Stitching. It was filled with some useful information, and I came away with techniques that I could transfer in my own work.
The Finished Project
Close up detail
Check out the Video
Before you go
Come and join us on Wednesday 18th October at 10am EST
We are connecting through creativity, and invite you to an International Art Meetup this Wednesday on Zoom!
I was kindly asked by my friend Wendy Solganik (@willa.wanders) to join forces with the following other artists for this special time.
In a world filled with diverse experiences, we believe in the power of art to unite us. Join us for a few hours of collective creativity, transcending borders, cultures, and backgrounds.
What to Expect:
Art in Unison: Grab your favorite art supplies and immerse yourself in the connection of creating alongside fellow artists from around the globe.
Welcome to Material Mondays, In this video I share some of the projects that I am working on and how I would take some of them forward.
I always find getting started on a new piece is an exciting, and I am inspired by the fabric, threads and embellishments. I take a stitched piece to a particular point, then are drawn to other pieces. As artists, we often find ourselves surrounded by numerous incomplete projects at different stages. I find that there are quite a few benefits of having several projects on the go and will share some of them below.
Variety is the spice of life: Having a range of incomplete projects allows us to explore different techniques, themes, and ideas. Each project represents a unique creative journey, providing us with opportunities to experiment, learn, and grow as creatives. With multiple projects in progress, we can switch between them based on our mood, inspiration, or specific skills we wish to enhance.
Inspiration from Different Stages: Projects at various stages offer inspiration and new perspectives. When we review our incomplete projects, we gain new insights and ideas for their completion. The early stages of a project may spark our creativity, while those nearing completion motivate us to add the finishing touches - some of mine include extra slow stitching or beading. We are then able to discover unexpected connections between ideas.
Stitched projects at their final stages
The Therapeutic Power of Slow Stitching: I love slow stitching on projects, it provides a tranquil and meditative experience. Engaging in slow stitching allows us to immerse ourselves in the process, savoring each stitch, and enjoying the journey. This mindful activity promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and enhances overall mental wellbeing. What better way to look after yourself!
Health Benefits of Creative Activities: Participating in creative activities has been shown to have numerous health benefits. These activities promoting feelings of joy and accomplishment, and boosts self-esteem. Art also serves as a powerful tool for self-expression, enabling us to express our emotions and thoughts.
Check out the work that I share in the video, I eventually choose to work on a dragon fly design that has been wax resisted on cotton, and I will be adding stitching.
If you find you have multiple projects to complete, go easy on yourself and don't become overwhelmed. Allow your intuition and creative spark to guide you and know that as you are mindful about your activities you are impacting your mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
So, whether you're exploring new projects, revisiting incomplete ones, or immersing yourself in slow stitching, embrace the joy of textile art.
You can check out some of the other Material Monday posts on my YouTube playlist - HERE You can also check out some of the videos below.
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Check out my Patreon, you will find over 90 different projects, videos, digital downloads and more for your to have fun with. Let me know how you get on.
Welcome to Material Mondays, this week we are working on a lovely art piece that I had started a while back and it was calling to be complete. I managed to get it a bit further along. You can check out the video below.
I had got the piece to this stage and checking what kind of beading that I want to have attached to the piece.
I added some seed beads and will see how I feel about them as to whether I will add some more. It is great to be able to use the supplies, some of the beads have come from clothing, charity or thrift store and other I have brought over time.
I was contemplating whether to turn it into a journal cover
Check out the video below to see how it went.
Let me know if you are working on any textile pieces or would like to incorporate it into your mixed media work.
Join me for Material Mondays, a weekly look at stitched project, painted and dyed fabric and more
Check out the video below
What kind of fabric or textile projects are you working on at the moment? leave a comment and let me know. I like having at least a few on the go at the same time or have them at different stages, adding variety.
A couple of years ago I was asked by the previous curator of The Queens Park Gallery - Janice Whittle to take part in an exhibition - my first exhibiting some of my new textile work. She also mentioned Boro Shashiko which I was not familiar with at the time and gave me two challenges to explore Boro and to go much larger in size with my work than I had previously gone.
You can check out the video below of the exhibition
What is Boro?
Derived from the Japanese Boro, meaning something tattered or repaired, boro refers to the practice of reworking and repairing textiles (often clothes or bedding) through piecing, patching and stitching, in order to extend their use.
At first I couldn't imagine how I would tackle such a large piece and also learn a new technique and create a piece for an exhibition but Janice encouraged and I became excited at how I would execute the challenge.
It took me months to get started - just as well she had given me 10 months notice! I decided to create a series of small pieces, the size that I was used to and then join them all together.
This made the world of difference, I could just focus on that piece and then move on. I found the stitches to be also relaxing, Boro is also known as 'The Mending Stitch'
I gathered my jeans fabric and set about creating stitches on them
I also added elements such as painted fabric, laying and using alternative colors on the fabric.
This is the finished piece. The wood is Moringa and Cotton Tree wood harvested from my garden
Art by Amanda Trought - Wall Hanging
My challenge for this piece was to learn something new and go much bigger in size than I normally do. What have you challenged yourself with this month that has stretched you?
Over the years I have been combining a lot of slow stitch and working with fabric within my work and have really enjoyed the process. It started getting serious at the beginning of lockdown when the whole world seem to changed overnight and we had to come to terms with a new normal.
As I looked at the creative activities that I was doing none of them seem to still my mind until I remembered the work that I had done the previous year for a textile exhibition in Barbados at the Queens Park Gallery called Celebrating Textiles ( I will share about the exhibition tomorrow).
I realized that I liked the detail that you could get with stitch, fabric and paint - I was keen to experiment, learn new stitches and it set me on an amazing adventure of embroidery, fabric and textile art.
I had done a few fabric projects and made things from fabric as you can see in some of my 'Material Monday projects' which mostly included crochet pieces. The stitching, painting, dyeing started to grow.
I combined my love for painting with stitching and haven't looked back. I start out painting my backgrounds, adding the figure and then the stitching process continues until the piece feels done, learning new embroidery stitches and being comfortable with the supplies.
I am still learning about fabrics and how to work with all the different supplies to create the look and feel that I am after. I have been enjoying the process and continue to allow my imagination to come up with different characters and scenes.
I immersed myself into all the fabric, threads, beads and more that I had collected over the years. It was all there waiting for me to recognize their importance in my creative journey, and so I set about stitching, dyeing, embellishing and bringing together an array of techniques that I had developed over the years into a needle, my sewing machine and all the supplies that welcomed me with open arms, and I have not looked back.
What creative activities have you immersed yourself in over the past 2 years that has helped with your health and well-being?
One to keep an eye on in the world of African Fabric is Lisa Shepard who sells a very wide selection of African fabrics in her store front in 1417 Main Street in the Arts District of downtown Rahway, NJ , online and you can book to have a virtual tour of her studio HERE
I came across Lisa when she did the Live Event, which had a great selection of artists talks sharing their work, it was great to be among so many others who were passionate about fabric.
Check out her video below: She has written several books which has a lot of hints and tips for ideas that you can make - click on the images to find out more!
The Exhibition has been curated by Janice Whittle and her team at the Queens Park Gallery, bringing together a group of artists who love working with fabric and textiles in one form or another.
Check out the video
Mixed Media Art - Amanda Trought
Here is one of my pieces for the exhibition with was inspired by the Boro Japanese style of stitching and I have incorporated hand painted fabric, wood from the Moringa and Cotton tree, which makes use of plants that I grow in my garden.
With Artist Katrina Braithwaite (Middle) and another talented young artist beside her
It was great to meet up with the other artists who had work on display and family and friends who had come to the opening to appreciate the work
Two of the 6 pieces in the Celebrating Textiles Exhibition
The other piece that I have on display is one that has elements of fabric slashing and incorporates beads, wood and painted fabric, it was great to be able to use all the materials and elements I like using in my work.
with artist Heather Dawn Scott
As artist you can spend so much time focusing on your work and completing, that it is always a pleasure meeting up with fellow artists and talking about what inspires and motivates us.
Artists Exhibiting: Irene Banfield, Heidi Berger, Katrina Brathwaite, Ayissa Burnett, Nefertari Caddle, Sylvester Clarke, Lois Crawford, Joyce Daniel, Maria Elias, Margaret Herbert, Zhane Padmore, Ann Rudder, Wolette Selassie, Heather-Dawn Scott, Margaret Trotman, Amanda Trought, Roslyn Watson, Deborah Younglao,
We all appreciate the opportunity to showcase our work in the Queens Park Gallery, which is such a lovely space to exhibit in.
With Curator Janice Whittle
With Curator Janice Whittle and Artist Ann Rudder
The exhibition continues until 18th January at the Queens Park Gallery, Barbados, we hope you can make it and see some of the amazing techniques used in the artwork on display.
Realityarts - Creativity Book Shop - Some really great titles for you to dive in
Creative Resources
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