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Thursday 16 May 2013

Oh those blues...and a little pink too!

You remember those blues from my last post?? I've been working on some ideas I had for using them. I've also used parts of my Cyanotype prints that I blogged about ages ago, (those are the leaf prints to the left on this photo, they are basically sun prints, a special dye is painted on to watercolour paper and then it's exposed to sunlight, with leaves etc in-between, great to do...just got be careful as it's cyanide in the paint!)






I've worked on 3 images so far, Bluebirds, to the left here. My original intention was to use bleach on the blue surface, to create a washed out effect, but it bleached too much and so I used a white ink to paint on the blue in this case.






Dragonflies came next, I think with both these subjects I had a 'Sympathy' card in mind to design for, the blues just seem to lend themselves to this I felt. They have a lovely calm feel to them?  I have had too many Sympathy cards to buy lately, and some are just so awful?? I've tried to create something tranquil and peaceful, hope you think it works? Dragonflies are used in a book for children to try and explain death. It uses the fact that dragonflies leave one world under the water, they creep up out as larvae and then transform into beautiful winged insects to fly off into another world. Those left behind cannot follow, until it is their time. Quite a lovely way to put it for children. 
My final image below is using the shape of a Dove, I've used my Cyanotypes only as the patterned background here. I'm not sure this one is finished yet? I thought this could be used as a 'Wedding' idea, as Doves are used as subject matter for this, I may create some confetti shapes to go with this one? I've been doing these little creations on the computer whilst waiting on book decisions. Not far to go now on the books, I will soon have finished the 2 religious ones. I'm hoping I get samples eventually, as it's not been mentioned thus far??

 Out in the garden things are definitely growing like crazy now, despite the fact that it's still not too warm here? I took a photo of these little daisies a few weeks back, they have now gone daisy crazy, and I absolutely love them. They make me smile very time I clap eyes on them.
 The flower in my hand is one of some freeby bulbs I got when I bought the tiny daisy plugs, they are very pretty too, the centre looks like it's been dipped in orange paint, love it! These smell gorgeous too, like jasmine almost, I think they are a narcissus, but you can put me right if you know better?

I am hoping we get some warmth soon, I'm still wearing my winter coat, and I had my gloves on the other day whilst walking the dog!! This is May, for goodness sake. There was snow down in the south too.....weird?? Hope it's warm and sunny wherever you are, although I know there has been some strange weather going on around the world?

7 comments:

  1. I am moved by the dragonfly reference. I've always thought they were tenacious little beings and now I will see them in that other-wordly light as well. Love your "Blue Period"!

    I've always called your mystery flower a Poet's Narcissus. Love them. That little eye-line of orange? Too sweet!

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  2. How very strange, my idea for a new blog post was to be about blue, we must be on the same wavelength. I like your new blue designs, they would look beautiful embossed too, on hand made paper.

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  3. these blues are so beautifully worked.
    I love the delicate leaves and branches with the dragonfly.
    And thank you for adding that bit about death and transformation/another life; that is a very strong but touching way to look at the loss of someone special.

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  4. Ah yes, Blue ~ my favorite color! Great designs, simple yet elegant. I've never heard the explanation of the dragon fly and death.... what a great explanation, for anyone....
    Sort of a fun change to work in one color.
    It will warm up there eventually ~ it has to!
    Your daisies are looking happy and abundant!! :)))

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  5. These are really beautiful! I love the movement you've achieved in the card with the doves. Gorgeous. Yes, and Maxalt is a lifesaver. I often need to take only half, if a migraine isn't that bad. It takes a while, and then you learn exactly what works best for you. Good luck! And let me know how it goes.

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  7. The blues do work really well and could be used for many different purposes. I remember hearing the dragonfly story at school, the children did listen and seemed to understand the message, a gentle way to explain.
    Liked your blackbird having a bath, made me smile.

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