'Shrine': Inking On the Image

I have surprised myself by how fast this is growing; making / finding time to weave has been easier than expected over the last few days. I spent some time yesterday stripping a power cable to liberate the fine copper wire within. The plan is to weave the (now inked on) image over single warps rather than the doubles and quadruples I have done so far, using a finer weft of spun silk, 18/2 wool and the wire. It should look incised in the final piece (like 'Curvaceous' in 2012). The detail will not be as fine at this maquette size as in the full size version* but should be sufficient. The right hand side of the weaving will become the bottom of the cleft stone, as in the paper maquette below.



*I hope to have news on this front soon.

Location:Cuckoo Fields,Chichester,United Kingdom

'Shrine': Inversion

Third face completed and the inversion line of soumak (to cover the warps when folded over) inserted before starting face 4 which will be inside the final structure. Wishing to weave rather than wind on yesterday, I had to improvise with seating; the ammunition box that I keep my printmaking tools and supplies in proved ideal - once a feather cushion was added. I should be able to delay winding on for a day or so now.



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Location:Cuckoo Fields,Chichester,United Kingdom

'Shrine': The Third Face

I am now about half way 'up' the third face of the standing-stone-to-be. I shall soon reach the inversion line for face four which forms the inner hollow with the image, and is the largest face. It is a most enjoyable weave - I have to remember to stop and stretch (or drink, eat, do housework.....). Thankfully I have Sibelius symphonies as timers and The Lady of Shallott to remind me:-

Location:Cuckoo Fields,Chichester,United Kingdom

Intense Concentration in Boathouse 4

Fingerless gloves and thermals are essential wear.

I met a most interesting man - Jim - who started work as an RN apprentice shipwright in BH4 in 1936 and (with voyages in between, including Atlantic Convoys) worked in the dockyard for the MoD until retirement. At 96 he was full of life, fascinating stories and interest in others. An inspiration! I hope he visits again when I am there.

May 13th is 'Museums at Night', and I shall be telling sea stories to groups of children until 9pm when they head over to Action Stations! for the sleepover. An odd shanty may creep in.......

Location:Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

We Made the New York Times!

This is the tapestry 'Storm' that we were working on in the West Dean Tapestry Studio in 2014. It was confidential for the design studio / client, so I could neither blog nor share images. Now it us published, so I can. I was weaver on the central section, and did much of the dyeing. It was a fantastic experience to work on a team project interpreting a design by someone else.



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