The painted Thread project blog
A 12 week collaborative project Result passed
Week 1
This week the plan has been written and this will be followed by a proposal to the groups.
10 m of cotton white cotton fabric has been ordered, this may replace the original plan of calico, however I do have experience of painting on calico and this was partly the inspiration for the project, along side the lobster dress by Elsa Schiaparelli and Salvador Dali Also the 'Nettle dress' a short film documenting the creation of a dress from nettle fibers.
This is also where you will find opportunities to engage with the project and see it grow and develop. It is also where the finished garment and photos an film will be uploaded
Shown to the left is a hand printed sketch book cover one of inspirations
Week 2
propsal created
Painted Threads
A community art project, painted threads will bring people together to hand-paint fabric with vibrant designs inspired by climate change and sustainability.
(AI created image not truly representative)
The fabric will be painted over several weeks, which will allow the inclusion of many participants, discussion on sustainability and painting methods from brushes to printing and mark making.
This fabric is then sewn into a dress, serving as a canvas for environmental messages and artist expression. The dress will be showcased in an exhibition, accompanied by a short film exploring the environmental of textiles and the importance of sustainable practices. The dress will also be worn into the public arena to explore interaction. After the exhibition the dress will be up-cycled into tote bags to extend the sustainability message.
The project will be disseminated through public exhibition featuring the dress, film and up-cycled bags, along with online documentation, public engagement in cafes. This multi facet project aims to engage diverse audiences and aims to promote sustainable practices within the art world and beyond.
Through this project it is hoped to build a sense of community and shared purpose, whilst increasing awareness of environmental issues and participants own practices. Whilst bring empowerment with new skills and opportunities to be seen in the wider community, and inspiring others to engage with sustainable art
Alongside this it is hoped to achieve online engagement, visitor feedback and personal reflection.
Risk involved in this project include, attaining group participation …. Have other groups to approach
Finding an exhibition space ... can be shown in open garden if all else fails
Weather for photo shoot … have more than one date
Material is not cohesive enough to stand well………… over print with geli plate
Week 3
Materials materials Materials
After last week it seems most of the materials are now in-place for the project and we have our first session next Thursday, where hopefully we can have a lively discussion about environment, sustainability and nature and then move to represent this on fabric. More sessions are planned with different participants as well as a session with several single collaborators. There is still room to get on board if you would like too.
Also this week photographic options have been considered and we fell it is worth putting it out there that we would be interested in talking to anyone who wanted to come on board.
So posts will be going out on social media shortly.
Hopefully after next week we see project really taking shape and moving into the practice stage.
Last week we also created our first reel, a chance to explore the video editing software ready for the final presentation.
This is available on the Facebook and Instagram project threads with links below.
Week 4
Exhibition 15th and 16th March Watchet Methodist hall 10 til 4
Week 4
Last week was very busy, not least because Painted threads became a reality with the first fabric painting session on Thursday. A lively an enjoyable session with 5 participants the first meter or so was rapidly painted with mark making and merriment.
Onwards now to next Wednesday’s session with Watchet Art club, which will hopefully be just as much fun.
Another exceptionally good moment was Mr Rupert Kirby coming on board and providing a beautiful piece of music to enhance the project. https://www.facebook.com/MrKirbyMusic will take you to more of this wonderful music.
Another meeting with my collaborator Kerry Martin, saw a decision that she and her friend would paint an image to support the dress in exhibition, which of course is now set for March the 15th and 16th in Watchet Methodist Hall from 10 til 4.
There will hopefully also be supporting works from Watchet art club so well worth a visit.
Looking ahead the advertising board for the exhibition is being worked on and a possible reappearance of the original leaves is looking more likely but in what from we shall see.
The project is bowling along with so many threads at the moment so here’s hoping the come together over the next few weeks
week 5
This week has been busy again, with group 2 enjoying a lively session painting several meters of dress fabric. Most of the discussions were of a positive nature with an air of hope, although some of the painting was a little more apocalyptic in nature. Lots of objects were used for mark making and the feed back was very positive.
Plans for the exhibition are gathering pace, with group 2 hoping to submit a range of artwork to support the main display. Objects used in mark making have also been gathered ready to be displayed.
The signs for the exhibition are under way as is my supporting artwork which is good progress for week 5.
More reels have gone on social media and the Instagram followers are increasing.
A few charcoal portraits were a pleasant break from the project on Friday
Next week sees the final fabric painting with myself and my fellow collaborator Kerry, and the final decision on the dress style will be taken.
All in all the project is moving forward and I have the opportunity to run some work shops after wards which will be good.
Week 6
Half way approaching
This week got off to a great start with Kerry Martin and I bringing the fabric together and discussing the final dress design.
It really felt collaborative and energized the project. On the wednesday the fabric was pressed to seal the paint marks, and the dress was cut. Thursday and Friday saw it fitted, sewn and finished. It is being kept under wraps now until the exhibition on the 15th and 16th of March.
sorry folks ;)
The end of the week saw the tote bags sewn ready for sale at the exhibition and |Monday Kerry adn I are off to Petroc college to sort out the printing for the exhibition, which was also created last week. It wont be long now before I have to start seriously writing this project up for the MA.
But lots to look forward to yet
Week 7
Another busy week
The week kicked off with finally getting feedback on project proposal, an afternoon rewrite and all was well.
Tuesday the printouts were picked up from Petroc college, Barnstaple Devon ready for the exhibition and look great.
Wednesday was lost in water colour but the result will make the exhibition. Thank goodness
Tutorial Thursday and catching up on written work as well as the creation of the cape from the leaves. The leaves were cut from left over fabric and old calico slopers, but they weren't needed on the dress, which is has to be said has surpassed expectations and is lovely to wear. Before the long awaited photo shoot on Friday morning, the weather played ball but not so much the tide, and it was certainly cold in a cotton dress paddling in the sea lol Followed by another paddle in the river but at least it got the salt of the dress, which thankfully dried perfectly. The week ended with a relaxing paddle boarding trip followed by a migraine.
Roll on week 8 but at least the acedemic writing is underway now.
Week 8
week before exhibition
Really not sure where this week has gone, but another photo shoot with tide on our side this time, film made and projector tested. Also used some of the limited left over fabric to make card holders and bookmarks to accompany the tote bags.
Exhibition is on Watchet visitors centre calendar and posters up round the town. so things are gathering pace now and seem to be rolling along reasonably well, had fun playing with resin this morning so we shall see how that turns out later.
Need to tackle some more writing soon but this week I have not felt quite right so fingers crossed for next week.
Time to start sending out invitations to the exhibition and chasing the last loose ends before next Saturday.
swimming this week, a great way to reconnect with nature and water.
Week 9
Exhibtition week
This week saw the two day painted threads exhibition, with the unveiling of the Dress. Lots of running about and final preparations before hand, but all went well with over 100 visitors and quite a crowd for the dress unveiling,.
Another art work completed the trio for display and both Kerry Martin and Kay Baxter showed supporting art works along with the Watchet art club.
The projector behaved and over 6 hors each day were supported by the film and music by the later by Mr Rupert Kirby
This is not the end of the Painted Threads project, in fact is in more of the first launch pad into the diary of the Dress.
So look out for dates and add them to you diary in the near future
3 tote bags remain as well as a few book marks containing the dress fabric details of how to purchase these unique items will follow
The video shows the unveiling and the video shown at the exhibition
Week 10
Dress in the wild
Most of this week has been taken up with sorting feedback and generally putting things back in place after the Exhibition.
Today Sunday March the saw the newly washed dress making its first outing into the wild, being worn into Bideford town (with several layers underneath, it is March lol) we visited the Burton Gallery and walked through town.
Tomorrow the dress can be seen in Barnstaple visiting the Barnstaple Museum , then Tuesday south Moulton where we are visiting the exhibition of a fellow MA student in the George hotel.
After the buzz and excitement of last weekends Exhibition this week has been quite but the washing of the dress provided an interesting interlude with some minor repairs needed.
Don't forget the Painted Threads visitors gallery and if you would like to be
involved please send postcard size
images using the form below, with drawings/ paintings or feedback relating to the project and the brief of
exploring your relationship sustainability in nature and the environment.
Week 11
Dress even more wild
Monday and Tuesday saw thw DRess in both Barnstaple and south molten, where we met up with fellow student Darrelyn at her exhibition.
Wednesday was back in Somerset and catching up with one of the groups of collaborators, Enabling those who had not made the exhibition a chance to
engage with the Dress.
Tuesday I engaged in some geli printing at art group which was a nice change and a breather before the end of the week, when serious typing began and kept
going, and going lol
Back home in Devon and the final bits seem to have fallen into place so proof reading round 2 looms next week. With the final submission date looming the project should be winding up, but the dress has other ideas and more outing are planned
Week 12
Typing lots, and more Dress outings
Entering the final week of the 12 week collaborative project, assignment all 3300 words submitted a tad early... can always adjust before the deadline, but at least its in.
This weekend the Dress visited the Future folklore show in deepest Somerset (otherwise known as HATCH) Where we found another Daliesc inspired creation, this time standing against animal cruelty. followed by a picnic at Barrow Mump, some of the most far reaching views of the county and a haven for Bats if you stay late enough.
The Dress also went to visit Rosie and Red at their studio in Bideford
More trips out this week, the Dress will be at the Cre8tive group in Pollyfields Tuesday
With the film being shown too.
Then in the Panier café for Friday morning.
Pigment making course on Friday, but will leave the Dress behind just in case. But the aim is to learn to create pigment that can be used as the project develops into the future.
More Geli printing fun too, workshops coming soon.
Even squeezed in a peaceful paddle
Week 13 or 0
Assignment in, 12 weeks
officially finished but the art and the painted threads dress have not
Well that's it, all that is left now is to wait for the marks to be given on my paper lol
But the Painted thread dress has been out again this week with a trip to Pollyfields Cre8tives on Tuesday with lots of feed back and conversation then the pannier Café on Friday for an art session.
The new AI craze also sucked the Dress in and maybe an idea to take forward but with a white dress, paint your own dress lol
Saturday saw a very enjoyable paint
making course at the Burton, lots of hints and tips picked up and some lovely people; still need to work out how to
create the volume and fixability to take natural
pigment further with a new dress. using dye will make the painting side difficult by its more fluid nature. All things to explore. Video of process and Dress
reveal below
Easter week
This week has been more lambs and bottles than art and expolortaion
The week kicked of with a lamb making its way to Devon for some TLC and a visit to the Pollyfields art group as lots of
children were on Easter Break. Managed to fit it some sketching but lamb 1 was joined by lamb 2 and things got very busy.
Night feeds are very tiring but worth it so see the little animals flourish.
The Dress has not moved from its
traveling bag but I am sure it will be out again soon, although we missed the entry for the local wheelbarrow race lol
The hand made paint of last week is drying nicely but the raw umber has shrunk extremely low sadly. It will be interesting to see if everyone ahss the same results. Life drawing was cancelled, which as a certain lamb had learnt to use the dogs steps and get on the sofa was a blessing i disguise. A quite evening sketching made up for the busy week and plans for some resin jewellery next week are a foot.
Week 15
Another week full of lambs and more lambs.
Definitely another week of lambs, but the resin jewellery did appear a few hours of resin and fluffy Dandelion heads resulted in some beautiful Dandelion seed wish jewellery sets. See the home page for remaining sets for sale you can use the contact page if you prefer.
Art group had a pastel workshop on
wednesday working from a collaged
image which was interesting . Back in Devon and hoping to test the paint made in the previous workshop now but a bit of house repair needs to take president at the moment.
Although anything to offer distraction from the result wait is good lol
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