thrifting, stitching and art research . . . .

It's calmed down a little today. There's been winds of scarily high velocity around here recently. I've been awake in the night listening to howling wind whipping over my roof from my attic room and wondering if trees will blow down. A little peak of the view from my attic room window yesterday morning:

It's probably hard to fathom the gusts that were gale-ing through the back gardens in South London here yesterday - can you spy the movement in the trees? The slipped chimney top, bottom left?

Now I'm sitting here listening to the hum of one computer, whilst I tap away on another, sipping 'Adventure' - a yumchaa tea. There's been lots of warm home-made soup around here. Lentil and carrot, sweet potato and carrot - I can't recommend these combinations enough. And for breakfast: chopped nuts, banana, and plain yoghurt with maple - yum.

I'm entering a period of research. The next art project before my MA assessment toward the end of this month. And feeling a little stuck. Do you ever feel 'stuck', a bit like a syruppy feeling of being weighed down? Maybe I need some fresh inspiration. So I've been thrifting a little, looking for props for another installation idea in the local charity shops. 

I will be heading to Northcote Road today to search some more of them. Yesterday was spent doing the same. And whilst looking for props keeping my eyes peeled for white ceramic cups as I'm keen to do a little making at home, and I'm loving this idea (scroll down a bit). I found a couple and will be adding to my collection. It's all part of the feeling of needing to be at home, downtime, making, crafting, art-ing . . . . . . . so yesterday I ended the day by sitting in my studio listening to music my studio share/mate was playing (brilliant tracks he's made and recorded himself!) finishing this stitched piece (top). An image taken from an Arthur Rackham illustration. I'm playing around with what appears when depictions of female figures in fairy tales are taken out of context. Can you tell what old fairy story this image might be from?

I'm just working through lots of ideas at the moment, and attempting to find my way by doing. Art's not always easy, but it can open up many intriguing portals in life to meander through . . . . . 

Back soon,

Amelia.x

PS. I've a couple of other ideas too and will keep you posted so you can maybe try too, it involves pieces from old board games to give you a clue ;) . . . . .