Seeds & Pods

I came back to my car the other day to find the tree I had parked under had deposited this seed pod on the bonnet.

This got me all fired up so on the way home I stopped off at the local to pick up a pack of air dry moulding clay.  The pods are almost the perfect size for my piece so I have something great to work with.  Here are the beginnings of the seeds.

They are almost ready to be painted.  Hopefully today I will get the background painted up and the pods shaped.

Decision!

After much deliberating I have decided to challenge myself, is that not what it is about, to the little red seeds pic. 

My main 'challenge' has been to get my head around those shiny little seeds which my sister also thought would be a headache.  However, thanks to all those hours she spends with her grandchildren having fun with different crafts I think I have the answer.  Now the proof will be in my playing.

The size will be an 8inch square artists canvas and I may only produce 3 seedpods using fabric and an ultra thick water soluble film.  You leave more than the normal amount of 'film' in your piece when washing out , mould into a shape which it holds when dry.  Living in a very humid part of the country does not seem to be a problem so it should not collapse on me.

June - possibilities

Remove the side bits of the mobile and recreate just the Fish?

I am keen to work on a small square canvas and this appeals to me!

Or do I attempt to replicate as machine embroidery the amazing work of Hendrik Stroebel ?

May finished

Well, it was all kept a secret but not intentionally ..... May has been hectic but I have made the deadline. As you will see I opted for the bulrushes and the truth is it all came together over the last 24 hours.... hence not previous postings.

Background dye cloth and the leaves in the top left hand corner added with an ear bud. The foliage is made up of paint straight onto the background; fabric and painted lutradur.  The bulrushes are made out of a bamboo stick covered with batting and then some woolly white 'stuff' I had on a cone that worked perfectly - coloured it with Shiva sticks.  I have added more leaves as the bulrushes are quite chunky and I felt it needed it for balance.  Quite pleased!

May possibilities

........ a simple feather

........ farm signs on a dusty road

......... bullrushes

Posting them here I now have a different take on the one it will be.  I was keen on the farm signs but I think I am now leaning towards the bullrushes ..... as simplistic as it is it has more focus.   Could always do the other another time.  Hmmmmmm!

APRIL - FINAL

Done it!  Finished on time, lets hope I am able to keep this up. 

Mixed feelings about the out come.   I think I should have had less background to the mushroom and brought the tyvek at the top down a bit and had the mushroom overlapping - would have improved my depth.  Truth being I ran out of painted tyvek and was too lazy to make up some more!  Could change later if it continues to bother me.

In place

Stitched and fused in place.  Taking shape!

The bronze paint is a bit strong for my liking so will knock that back a bit.   The rest will be the beads and maybe some loose thread.  The mushrooms sprang up amongst the dropped bird seed so I need a lot more texture behind.  I need some shading on the mushrooms as well.  Tomorrow!