Art Portfolio - Textiles
Unique Tea Cosies,Original Cloth Figures, Miniature Antique Reproduction
Hats
mixed media :: paintings
:: illustration
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Textiles have always held a fascination with me since childhood. An avid sewer and dressmaker for several years, this skill, along with the 2 and 3-D figurative works, provided the foundation for these interesting textile explorations .
The first images are samples of highly decorative tea cosies, all individually designed, often to compliment fine china patterns. Made of natural fibres, each was treated and embellished with traditional embroidery techniques and decorative silk ribbon work. Each unique tea cosy was meant to be used, not merely admired as an art piece, and had removable, washable inserts and matching heat pads, suitable for even the fussiest table settings.
The 'maid' cosy was developed out of an idea to make something for that person who has everything. (Drawing from my extensive portraiture and figurative work, and historical research, the maidcosy series began. A fascination with historical costume took this tea cosy to the "elegant doll cosy series- using costuming derived from historical manuscripts and museums. Details were maticulously recreated in "miniature'.
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The full figure (21"-22") evolved from the tea cosy concept. The pattern that I'd developed for the tea cosies had been a stable foundation on which to develop the lower limbs. While there were no armitures , a doll stand was used as support for standing figures. Found objects, like miniature books and purses were a treat to find. All characters were developed in detail, first in sketch form, and all materials, laces, ribbon & embellishments chosen before beginning the project. It was important to create a story with each, revealing a moment in time. All the wigs were designed and constructed by me, with mohair. Faces were all embroidered, not painted, and costuming details faithful to historical documentation, including all footwear and hats. Of course, that led to creating these wonderful miniature antique hats, which stand on their own merit. Hope you have as much fun looking at these as I did creating them. |
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