Cloths of Heaven - W B Yeats in Calligraphy

Commission - Cloths of Heaven - W B Yeats

Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths,

Enwrought with golden and silver light,

The blue and the dim and the dark cloths

Of night and light and the half-light,

I would spread the cloths under your feet:

But I, being poor, have only my dreams;

I have spread my dreams under your feet;

Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

It's always nice to work on a commission, especially when it is for a special occasions. This poem, Cloths of Heaven by W B Yeats must be one of my favourites.

The lettering colour choice was to be Aubergine and Plum to fit in with a particular colour scheme. Plum purple, silver and burgundy red, pastel hearts tumble down the page to compliment the lettering wonderfully.

The whole piece was mounted in a single plum mount which really set the whole piece off.

Commissions come to me for many different occasions. This one was for a 20th Wedding Anniversary from a wife to her husband.

Materials:

Fabriano 5, Gouache, Pastels and Silver paint.

Open Heart Surgery!

I want to dispel some myths here.....I'm sure when you tell people you are an artist they conj our up images of a well organised, tidy and productive workspace, where the creator is more likely to be seen eating humus on freshly baked bread, that she herself has baked that morning and drinking coffee and taking time out to walk through the meadows in long floaty skirts and listen to the songs of the birds and nature all day long, whose house is immaculate and there's not a speck of dust to be seen and the garden is to die for..........

Hmmmm well possibly in fantasy fairy land they might.

Now, here's the real shocker....now are you sitting down and bracing yourself for this?
The truth of the matter is.....
we would rather be making a mess than cleaning it,
housework is a dirty word.....well I suppose there is a limit and we do get round to it eventually,
many of us work with a scatter gun approach....it's where our ideas turn into reality.

Actually....looking at this picture you may just believe the first bit was true....




Errrr....this is actually my drawing board on the left and straight ahead are my many means of colouring paper and canvas. From gouache and watercolour, to pastels and paints....It's surprising I can find anything here!



And from this direction it doesn't look too bad either....except in the foreground is my work bench....which piles high with paper until an avalanche forces me to clear it!

Oh,,,,,and one of2 printer areas.....again piled with paper....

And this doesn't look bad either....providing you don't enlarge the picture.....

Hmmmm.... more pens, paint and ink......

And the middle island work area.....

Second drawing board which my son lovingly refers to as 'The Extra Shelf!'

Ahhhhh how tidy is this? It's my idea and quotation files.....

And here's my scissor and cutting area

Rubber stamps, ink pads, tapes and beads.....Oh yes.....and an iron.....don't even ask me why I have an iron at the studio, I hardly iron anything at home never mind work!

I will admit that the house and garden aren't quite as bad as the studio, the garden especially is looking good.....but that's because it's that time of the year and we creators would rather be out in the garden that cleaning the house :o)

The Gallery part is however organised, but that's only since being joined by Steve Smith and his Jewellery......it honestly didn't look that bad until you show someone else it. I'm sure you know the feeling? You know, the one that doesn't mind showing anyone round the house but for gawd sake, don't let them look under the bed!


All in all, I think we are wonderful, working in chaos can lead to wonderful discoveries. A pile of overlapping papers can draw your eyes and make you see something you never saw before. We forgive ourselves for not having a perfect house, a perfect workspace, or being the perfect housewife or host....at the end of the day, life is just too short....and I and many others would rather leave behind something that we have created rather than a tidy place......and all in all, it's where the 'Magic' happens!


OK....I'm off to have that coffee and humus on freshly baked bread, before I go to listen to the birdsong, and wander the fields in my long floaty skirt.........

Important news!

Inspired by Script are proud to announce that as of this week, I am joined at the studio and gallery by....Ta da da da da daaaaah! (Drum roll please.....

from Steve Simths Jewellery. Kiln fired, dichroic glass jewellery that is just absolutely gorgeous!

The glass is fired at high temperature, using many layers and the results lead to an iridescent light catching finish. From the glass he makes pendants

Drop and Stud earrings.....

Bracelets

If you would like to see more of Steve Smiths Jewellery go to his website at http://stevesmithjewellery.co.uk and follow him on Facebook by clicking here

There is far more items for sale in the gallery than he has listed on his website....as per usual, creators are great at making stuff, but very lax when it comes to listing on their website or etsy shops :o)

Personalised, hand Made Wedding Guest Book - Tanya and David

In mt post....They Chose Mystery I mentioned that the Bride and Groom asked me to also make a matching Guest Book.....well here it is....

The front plate has their names and date of wedding on it and the book is sewn and tied with a wonderful pale blue as well as the plate being glued onto some matching Japanese Tissue Paper to match the Invitations

And....very nice it is too, even if I say so myself! :o)

Promotional Postcards for small businesses

I love making promotional things for small businesses, Here;s some postcards for Steve Smith;s Jewellery. Simple and straight to the point with no bells and whistles.

Hand Made wedding Stationery - They chose Mystery!

Tanya and David came to the studio with no clear idea of which design they wanted. I have 2 wedding portfolios at the studio and not all the designs are on my website (NOTE TO SELF: really MUST get round to this!)

It wasn't long however, before they chose the card 'Mystery' with the only request of 'Can we have it in pale blue?'. Absolutely no problem!

They also asked me to make some RSVP cards.....these save the recipient of having to go out and find an acceptance or refusal card and thus speeding up the response time.

I particularly love the humour and lack of formality on this card.

I've also been asked to make a guest book, serving as a lasting reminder of their special day. That is in the press and awaiting photographs which I will add shortly.

Click here to see my Wedding Website

Witchy Gift

While playing with my vinyl cutter I just had to make this sign...suitable for any Witches Kitchen. It's currently on sale in my Folksy Shop here

Kitchen Witch Sign
£

This wall hanging is perfect for any Witches Kitchen. The plaque measures a generous A4, (21cm x 29.7cm) and is made from 9mm MDF.

The plaque is painted a soft cream and the lettering is turquoise, but I'm happy to do any colour combination you like.

There is a choice of fixings either by a rope drilled into the corners or hooks and eye fixings at the back, the choice is yours and I will do this to order., If you would like a sign of this size with other words on, please get in touch as I can do these for no extra charge. Any questions please email me direct at inspiredbyscript@yahoo.co.uk