Return of the birds!

As i unpacked some of my things at the new studio it felt as though i was discovering old friends. These birds and birdhouses were part of my MA midway show, September 2008 when i showcased an interpretation of my Hawthorn tree in my garden which i love to work under (weather permitting), a constant source of inspiration and entertainment. Birds visit to feed, rest and have the odd natter , each revealing their own character or personality.
The raggety crow that sauntered up and down the fence reminded me of an old rastafarian!
Two doves nested and reared their young chicks, so gentle and very pretty.
Hemp and ramie mix fabric, digitally printed to produce a series of bird cushions.

Finished!

The MA is over, just the graduation in October to look forward to.
I have a new project on the go, a small studio/shop about 100 yds from St.Agnes Beach in and amongst loads of talented Artists/Designers and Makers. Trevaunance Cove Workshops. I move in this week and officially start trading as 'Vicki-Sue Designs' on the 1st October.
These are a few before shots i took today whilst measuring up.


Small but everything i need.

The Private View - 3rd September 2009

Yoga Libra Caravan

I have been largely inspired by a need to create a space for my yoga and meditation practise. Excited by the endless possibilities of modern digital technologies, I have aimed to challenge your perceptions through material applications.

In our current economic climate, more and more Britons are staying at home for their holidays and making the most of our beautiful country and stunning coastlines. Caravanning has been boosted this year by 80% as people try to save money and begin to enjoy getting back to nature and rediscovering simple pleasures.

Part of my aim was to add a little bit of inexpensive luxury to caravanning in an innovative and thought provoking way. The imagery is not what it at first appears to be – look closely.

The interior showcases my digital textiles and digital surface design. I have produced a series of jacquard woven fabrics, digitally printed cushions, and upholstery and lazercut designs.

The interior is designed as a personal meditation space. The altar cloth has been woven white on white with the symbols of Earth, Air, Fire and Water, the four crucial elements essential for an altar. The lotus flower and Om symbols are entwined into the design as an offering to the yogic philosophy.

I have taken my design and shown real versatility through the use of a variety of material processes. The outcome reveals a myriad of possibilities, opportunities and surprises.

Almost finished!

Yoga Libra elements

Yoga mat
Digitally printed imagery onto Hemp/Ramie, organic cotton wadding, natural scrim backing, with fresh local lavender trapped within the layers of fabrics .

Blanket
Digitally printed onto arctic wool and backed with organic cotton/wool fabric, snuggly and warm for Shavasana.

Lovelane caravans

I stumbled across Lovelane Caravans.
Whilst it was the imagery that initially tempted me in I was pleasantly surprised to find it is in Constantine, Cornwall. (Not too far from me). A selction of gorgeous restored caravans available for holidaying in.

Caravan ..... two weeks to go!

The van is back from the sign writers and looks great. Overall it looks fab until you look a little closer and start seeing the mistakes they made. I was a little disappointed with the final outcome but can sort it myself.
My friend Lizzie spent days chatting and picking at the odd shapes and misfits, Thank-You so much. Eric has been amazing helping to silcone seal the edges, fit the carpet and drill and screw various elements on for me, again Thank-you so very much!

Door mirrors:- Me doing Vriksha-Asana pose (TREE), photograph converted to a vector line file, chakras placed on the body image and then laser cut using a Trotec cutter. The idea is the stand in front of the mirror and check your own chakra alignment.

Here are some work in progress / sneak preview images...

Front window blind

Rear window blinds (Jacquard woven design)

Battery candles (For H&S!) in slate holders

Green Tara Goddess etched into acrylic block.

Fire elements on the shrine.

Yoga Libra...A name for my caravan.

My 1971 Astral Scout caravan has a name. Yoga Libra.
Yoga means "Union between mind, body and Soul" and Libra is my star sign, the horoscope symbol is the Scales....balance.

Cool Caravans

Caravans are officially cool! This article in The Guardian explains why.

La Rosa campsite.

La Rosa campsite in Yorkshire is a campsite filled with old gypsy caravans and circus tents. Take a look.

DIY buttons

Having never tried it and unable to the 'Right' buttons for the meditation cushions i have had a go at covering my own. They are incredibly easy and very effective.

Caravan in progress - update

The van has all the 'building' work finished and is completely white now inside. Next weekend the carpet is going to be fitted.
I have made 4 roman blinds for the back windows from my jacquard weave. They look and fit great. The shrine cloth is finished as are the 2 towels and pair of yoga pants which have been digitally embroidered. Next is all the cushions, the front blind and then the awning.
Then I will produce a blanket, yoga mat and 2 stools, one for meditation and the other as a caravan step.

Jacquard Power loom

Taking an MA in Textiles has given me the opportunity to try weaving again. I was taught basic weave in the 1st year of my degree and loved the process up to the point of sitting in front of the loom repetivily pushing a shuttle to and fro.

With Jacquard weaving i am able to work digitally which is my passion, still being fairly mathmatical about the preparation but not doing the weave.

These images show the loom with my fabrics till attached. The fabrics are for the shrine as an altar cloth.

Caravan in progress

Work on the caravan is going really well and i am on target with my time management plan.
The van is booked into Perran Signs to have the exterior done on the 3rd August so the 2nd is my deadline. These photos are of the day i picked the van up from Devon. It is a 1971 Astral Scout, 3 berth. However i feel that you need to be very friendly to get three sleeping comfortably in there!

I love the stable door!

Pictures of the interior before i began work on it. These images show how dark, cramped and beige it was in there!

This is a WIP picture, the inners ripped out and new wood boxings for the shrine/altar, a small seat, and 2 small shelves for speakers have been built with the help of Eric my partner. This shows how i have left the double bed area in which will be transformed into a meditation platform which will be carpeted. Most of the inside has 3 coats of white. The woodwork is going to be covered with upvc (except the shrine). This will hide a multitude of cracks and sins!

Caravan Artists

http://www.thecaravangallery.co.uk/scripts/openExtra.asp?extra=60

Caravan mock-Up

I've had a really productive day today, a meeting with all the MA students who are graduating in September and Katie (Lecturer) to talk logistics of the show. A great catch-up with Andy my course leader to talk about my work and went to see Perran signs and have booked the caravan in for the 3rd of August to have the exterior done.
Paul asked me to do a clear mock-up on Photoshop of what I want the van to look like, placement of the imagery etc. This is the image i've sent.

Research into shrines/altars for the Yogavan

I found this website facinating having stumbled accross it whilst researching meditation shrines.

Yogaroque!

My latest design,'Yogaroque' a contemporary twist on a classic baroque design. Using yoga poses.
Yoga has really changed my life and all of my latest baroque designs illustrate imagery of personal, special things that have influenced my life.

Green Tara Mantra

Green Tara is associated with unobstructed compassion and is the manifestation of enlightenment. Portrayed in lotus position with her right leg slightly outstreached she is ready to leap into action for those who pray for her help. She has vowed to be reborn alway's in a woman's body and is seen as incarnated in all good women. She is also a grantor of wished with a special love of protecting women and children. Ultimately Green Tara has dedicated herself to guiding beings upon the path of enlightenment.

I came across this video whilst researching Goddess Green Tara for my meditation shrine to go in my caravan. This is just so beautiful, sit back and enjoy.
The Green Tara mantra of Tibetan Buddhism is sung by Chinese artist Su Ching-yen.
In Tibet "Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha"