Knitting

I loved playing with the knitting machines as it is not something that I have ever tried before but I liked the idea of being able to use natural materials that I had not really worked with before. There is something quite therapeutic about using a knitting machine. Firstly the precise nature of setting them up and then the back and forth motion. I managed to create quite a few samples and experimented with stripes and different thicknesses of fibres. Although I really enjoyed knitting, I am not sure at this stage how I would move this forward. I think I would need to invest a lot of time in the knitting room in order to be more creative and be able to manipulate the fibres accordingly. Unlike embroidery, which is much more easier for me to develop and do so from my home - which is a bonus with a young family.  

Knitting may be something that I revisit in the future but for now, I will be concentrating on developing my embroidery skills!

Marl Powell - Old Envelopes

I'm not sure why but I just love old envelopes. It's always great to receive a letter especially ones with stamps on - because it usually isn't a bill! There is something about the way the stamps are placed by the an individual that makes them unique. The actual stamp may indicate a particular moment in time as well as the handwriting on the envelope. I like the way Mark has used the envelopes, some opened out, some closed and unused. The creases of the paper become part of the work and they sort of blend in to the older creased faces he often features. The finished/unfinished work that flows off the page, enables you to imagine the rest of the image and fill in the blanks. The biro pen is an interesting medium as it doesn't allow for corrections and every mark made remain and becomes part of the finished piece. Biro is not often a medium I use, as I like to make corrections and find it hard to live with stray lines but I do like the idea of the full process being documented.