Inspired by Nature

One of the on-line courses I am doing is called Inspired by Nature. It is through Fibre Arts Australia and is run by Tara Axford. There are mostly Australians doing the course but there are also participants from other parts of the world.

This is an all-consuming course with notes and lots of videos and demonstrations for every step. We also have a private Facebook group where people post their photos and ask questions.
This course came at the perfect time for me, I was ready for something different to experiment with and focus on in these trying Covid 19 times.

I started the course a month ago when we were still having sunny days and beautiful autumn leaves. I go on a walk every morning and collect leaves, seed pods and anything that attracts me.

My walk collection

We photograph them and arrange in pleasing shapes and generally try to look at them.

We have to paint papers and gelli plate textures inspired by our finds and landscape.

I couldn't find my artist acrylic paints anywhere and thought that they must have dried out and I got rid of them. So, I went on-line and bought some Jo Sonja paints in landscape colours. I didn't want to spend big money on the more expensive paints in case I don't use them much. I am much more of a fabric than paper person. I also treated myself to some water-soluble crayons.

Jo Sonja paints

Of course, you can guess that I finally found my Golden acrylic paints when I was having a clean up in my specially organised drawers!!

I have taken so many inspirational photos of trees and plants in my area and have found a new love for them.

We have to print some out to make a mood board.

My Mood Board

I have since taken the photos off this board and pasted them into a book that I am making about this course.

I didn't take any photos of my gelli prints; I have done this sort of printing before but in other brighter colours. It was new and interesting to make landscape inspired prints. It seemed like I had more of a purpose than just randomly printing papers.

This led me to think about how I would use the gelli prints on landscape inspired fabrics.

So instead of just trying it out, I got out my only fabric paints, my Sun Dyes and decided to make samples of all the colours.

I painted each colour on its own and then I added a colour on top to see all the combinations I had. I enjoy doing these experiments. It must suit the organised type of person that I am.

Now I am thinking about landscapes, I decided I needed a few more browns etc, so went on line and ordered a few more. We are having some sunny weather this week so I'll make up some more paint samples with the new colours.

We have to make some little postcards inspired by our photos and here is the first one I made.

Gum-nut postcard

I used painted papers and gelli prints to make it. It's only 6" square.

I am still working through the course and we have a lifetime access to it, so I can do it again after I am finished. I might be better when everything is not so new to me.

We are doing some watercolour in the next section. I did find my old watercolour paints, thank goodness.

I don't know if anything will come of this course for my quilts. I am trying not to plan ahead, just do the course and go with the flow. I do feel very inspired by it though.

On a sadder note, three people that I know have passed away in the last month, two from cancer and one was an accident. Two were in their 60's and one in her early 70's, far too young.

One of the women was my very first patchwork teacher, Di Ford. I did a 10-week beginner class with Di in 1997. I was hooked from the beginning and was always impressed when she remembered my name in the years afterwards.

Here is a photo of a quarter of the first quilt that I made

My first Quilt.

Bye for now,
Linda