Abstract Art

As part of my OCA Textile degree course I had to study modern art in Understanding Western Art.  I've never really liked it but as I've learnt more I have started to appreciate some of it more.  I still think some of it is a case of the 'Emperors new clothes' you know what I mean ........ we are told it is art by the experts so it must be???

Anyway I thought I'd have a go at some Abstract art and here are a few of my attempts at it

Acrylic on Watercolour

and my favourite Oil on Canvas.

 I think I've inadvertently painted an abstract impression of ‘reflections’ in oil.  I can see it being a basis for a textile piece using my embellisher.

Hillsborough .......

.... it is 24 years since Liverpool fans went to watch their football team in the FA cup semi-final and 96 didn't return.  At long last the families are nearing the end of their long journey for the Truth.

Justice for the 96

Catalyst wedges....Gelli Plate

I'm debating whether to buy some of these to use in my art work.

Coeliac disease???

I've not bee very well since before Christmas with stomach problems

My symptoms have included

• Weight loss - 2 1/2 stones since November 
• Lack of appetite - I've always enjoyed my food but some days I have to force myself to eat
• Loose bowel movements
• Bloating abdomen - I looked as if I was pregnant which is impossible
• Stomach pains and cramps
• Itchy red scalp
• Tiredness - some days I could sleep for England
• Foggy brain
• Dizziness

so my GP sent me to see a Gastroenterologist at my local hospital for tests.  Coeliac disease runs in my family, my brother was diagnosed with it a number of years ago and I have a lot of the symptoms of it.  The blood test came back negative so I was supposed to have an endoscopy/biopsy but my brother said have a sedative because it was one of the worst things he'd had done.  I couldn't have a sedative because I live alone so I chickened out of having it done. I saw the consultant last Monday and he fully understood why I couldn't go through with it and although the blood test is negative he thinks because of the family history that I do have Coeliac disease so I've got to go on a Gluten Free diet for 3 months then go back to see him. 

Goodbye 2012........Hello 2013

Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy and Creative New Year.

I gave up making resolutions years ago but this year I plan on completing Understanding Western Art my 3rd level one module towards my Textiles degree and make a start on level two which will be 'Developing Creative Textiles'.  I forgot to post on here my result from assessment for Exploring Ideas -  I was a bit disappointed when I got the result at the beginning of December,  I got 57% I thought I would have done better than that considering all the work I put in to it.  I wonder if they are tougher at marking now that they have changed the accrediting University?  I am going to have to really work hard on this next module if I want to get a higher mark.  You don't get a lot of feedback either on how you can improve your work :(

55 years

It would have been my Mum and Dad's 55th Wedding Anniversary if they had still been with us.

They were a handsome couple weren't they.  My Mum made her wedding dress and I still have it and it is still in good condition considering it is 55 years old. My brother looks very much like our Dad.

I still can't believe that it is 2 years (26th October 2010) since my Mum was reunited with Dad.

Degree update....

... the 2nd of my level one Textiles modules is at OCA headquarters in Barnsley awaiting assessment next month.  I should know how I have done by the end of the month.

I started Understanding Western Art at the end of September and so far it is very interesting.  It involves a lot of reading you should see the size of the book that is included it weighs a ton :).  I'm up to Rome at the moment. 

I'm supposed to have my first assignment in by the end of November.  I was hoping to do this module quickly but I may have to put the date back a bit as I had another health scare last Friday.  I've been feeling out of sorts for a few weeks now but I woke up with my heart beating so fast I thought that I was having a heart attack.  Thanks goodness after a load of test at my local A & E they've taken me off one of the BP meds I've been on for years.  I found this site with all the side effects and as I went through them I was slowly ticking them off.  I feel a lot better since I stopped taking it but I really think it was slowly poisoning me I woke up this morning with jaundice.  It is going to take a while to get it out of my system though.