('If I can't have love I'll take sunshine'. Art installation by Glenn Ligon)Thursday evening: Honestly, I scoffed a huge mound of pasta, then went back for seconds. Sometimes you just need to carb load, don't you? Now I'm lying on the sofa, listening to the test match commentary of England versus India and wondering what's for pudding. But before eating anything else I'll show you a few photos from Leeds Art Gallery. I was there yesterday for this month's Stitch Art group. Because I was early I'd the chance to wander around an exhibition about the representation of women in art, as well as other collections. Okay, in no particular order -
I love the framing of this. How the girl's portrait is enhanced by the light purple and blue pattern. It's by Skye Davies, and is called 'She's in a world of her own, you see, Ecclesborne Lavender'.
This is by Walter Crane, 'At Home: A Portrait' and shows his wife, Mary Frances Crane, nee Andrews. Cat lovers will enjoy the kitty in the foreground, sat right in front of the fire. Smart cat!
The interior's beautifully painted too, such as the blue and white tiles around the fireplace.
This elegant Society lady was painted by Ambrose McEnvoy, and it's called 'Lamplight Study'.
In total contrast, we have a 'hag'. This ink on paper's simply called 'A Head' and is attributed to John Henry Fuseli. I think she's meant to represent a witch, like the ones from Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.
Of course, every gallery's got its share of naked female flesh, whether painted or sculpted.
This striking image was more to my taste. The electric blue caught my attention from the far side of the room. It's by Lisa Brice, and is called 'Parting at Dusk (After Rotherstein)'. Done in ink, pigment, gouache and water-soluble crayon on linen.
After all that wandering around I was ready to sit down and relax with some stitching. For this month's Stitch Art we were inspired by the Art Gallery & Library's collection of old books. Specifically ones with botanical illustrations of coral.
There were books on display, nestling on cushions, ready for us to leaf through. Our task for the two hour session was to try representing corals through embroidery on to pieces of linen.
As usual I didn't get a massive amount accomplished during the time allotted, but bought my piece home to work on it further.
Friday evening: It's the next day, and I've nearly finished my mini coral reef of sorts. I made three eyelets of differing sizes, used lazy daisies and back stitches, assorted beads and drizzle stitches. Can't remember what the star-like shapes are called. They're kinda wonky, but I don't mind. I cut out a circle of cardboard, added a layer of polyester wadding, then stretched my embroidery over top of it. It's pinned and ready to be sewn into my fabric book. I might add a few more beads too.
I'll finish up with a few photos from yesterday, a walk around St. Aidan's RSPB nature reserve. It was a warm but breezy day, and I loved seeing the caterpillars munching on the Ragwort flowers, while insects buzzed around these Wild Carrot. (At least, that's what I reckon they are.)
There weren't many people about, and it was lovely and peaceful to stroll around.
These dried stalks were a dramatic rust colour.
Many of the Common Knapweed had lost their purple colouring, the thistle-like heads turning into what look like tufts of fur. Soft as bunnies tails. Mind you, I've got this plant in my front garden and it's a dreadful superspreader. It might be pretty and attract wildlife, but once you've got it, you can't truly get rid of it. Never mind, there are worse things than an unruly garden, aren't there?
Here's to a good weekend, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a decent rainfall. Have fun.
P.S. Thank you if you viewed my modest YouTube video of the Ann Wood Stitchbook Challenge. If you haven't yet - and want to be nice to me! - the link's here. Be extra nice and give the video a thumbs up if you like it. Thanks again.
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