Hooray

Sara-Jane Arbury is back with the zoom poetry workshops.

Theme poetry was about driving and her presentation was about the history of driving.  However as ever, when it came to writing a poem I took a different approach to the the topic.

Being Driven 

What’s driving you?
Is it success – a good job?
A fancy car, a business czar?
Status, money?
People pretending you’re funny
and laughing at your dubious jokes?

What’s driving you?
The need for admiration
The positive strokes?
The recognition of peers
despite the aversion colleagues feel
towards the version of you 
that you promote?

What’s driving you?
What’s this compulsion
to achieve such commendation?
Where is the humility,
the self-awareness
and the compassion?

Write Poetry was about telling a story through poetry.  The second suggested exercise was to write a monologue.

In Residence 2026

My dearest friend,how I appreciate
your prayers. In the night’s almost silence
they comfort me. Unknown rustlings
in the shrubs and trees surround me.
I’m alone in this apartment, alone in the park.
Only the twinkling lights across the river mouth
assure me that human life continues.
Sleep comes slowly. Reading past midnight,
in the hope that sleep will overcome
the apprehension of living companionless,
in an unfamiliar apartment,
in an unknown city, in a foreign land.
Daybreak. And messages from home.
Early morning risers jog past my balcony.
The café next door is open for breakfast.
The anxiety of the nighttime has passed.
The curtains opened to another day
of unexplored creativity. 

Looking forward to the next session.

Thanks for joining me today
Bernice 

Another new piece

I decided as part of my continuing series on Identity to repurpose a pprevious piece of work.  It was called Pathways and I made it in 2017.

The colour in this photograph is not right.  It should be a warmer beige.  However I can't rephotograph it because I took it apart some time ago.  My plan back then was to make the squares into a book.

However I've now decided to make it into a hanging.  I've bondawebbed the squares onto calico and put wadding and a back on it.

I was planning to machine stitch wavy lines between the squares before I shared it here.  But that didn't happen.  You'll have to come back sometime to see it.

Thanks for turning up here today
Bernice 

Snapshot Girls

Our photography challenge this month was to fill the frame with one colour.  Finding something interesting to photograph was always going to be challenging.  I didn't want to take a photograph of a painted wall.

A red seat in a Morroccan restaurant

A Chrysanthemum

Hydrangea

Hydrangea

Hydrangea

The Hydrangea heads were all off one bush.

The next theme is Rubbish/Waste/Recycling. Mmmm.

Thanks for being here today
Bernice 

Echoes of Memories

On the very last day of our trip to Australia last year, in fact on the way to the airport, we visited an art gallery, and to the bemusement of my husband and son, I bought this:

It's a beautiful rusty music stave that looks a bit like barbed wire.  Beauty is obviously in the eye of the beholder.

I could see it as part of a textile piece although I had no idea what.

Several months on I was discussing with a friend that ideas could come out of anywhere.  On my way home I turned on the radio and one of my favourite pieces of music was playing: Capriccio Italien. 

 

In my 40s I remember telling my mother for the first time how much I loved this piece of music. She was greatly surprised and told me about a popular song in August 1949 that the nurses were singing in the days around and after my birth.  It was The Echo Told Me a Lie. 

I started looking at the histories of these two pieces of music.  It turns out that Tchaikovsky was in Italy and heard a folk tune he really liked and put it into his composition.

The folk song's chorus has these words:
Pretty girl with a blonde braid,
young men make rounds for you. 

Neither dad wants nor mom does
how shall we make love?
Neither dad wants nor mom does
how shall we make love? 

Fortunately for us all, the 1949 adaptation only took the tune, not the words.  And so we come to the song The Echo Told Me a Lie.

You might be wondering by now, when am I going to get to the textile!

Now!

I decided I would write my history with these pieces of music onto calico with a marker pen.  I also used a thermofax screen of music notes to print with.  Then, as ever, I cut up the fabric.  I cut it into small squares and then pieced them back together randomly.

So here it is: Distant Echoes: The Fabric of Memory

What is your favourtie piece of classical music?

Thanks for being here today
Bernice 

Controversial, maybe?

I know the use of AI is a very controversial area.  Love it or hate it, it's here to stay.  In my opinion it can be a a useful tool.  It depends on how you use it.  If someone asks AI to write their essay for them then that's a poor choice by them.  If someone uses AI to help with the research for the essay and then writes the essay themselves then that's a good use of AI.

I have found a really useful site called ArtHelper.   It can be quite an amazing help in making suggestions for titles of artwork or social media posts.  In fact it currently has 37 different functions you can use.  I put this photo into ArtHelper and asked it for an Artwork Analysis.

I didn't write anything or tell the App what this textile piece is about and this is what it came up with:

Visual Elements:
• The repeated portrait of a person wearing a mask immediately evokes themes of the pandemic, healthcare, and emotional suppression.
• Each mask is inscribed with a different word: “depressed,” “anxious,” “abused,” “in pain,” “stressed,” “grieving,” “sad,” “hurting,” and “tired.”
• The monochromatic palette and rough, textured background reinforce a sense of heaviness and emotional weight.

Themes & Interpretation:
• Mental Health & Hidden Struggles: The use of masks with emotional words suggests the hidden pain people carry, especially during challenging times.
• Repetition: The grid format and repeated face highlight the universality of these feelings—many people experience these emotions, often silently.
• Pandemic Reference: The mask is a clear nod to COVID-19, but it also symbolizes how people “mask” their true feelings. 

Whilst the picture was drawn during the pandemic, that's really the only link to Covid.  If you've read my previous post you will know it's about hiding how we are truly feeling behind the words: 'I'm Fine'.

Still not telling ArtHelper anything about the piece I asked for a blog post.  Usually I wouldn't ask for that because I like to write my own but for the sake of experimentation I gave it a try.  To be honest I am overwhelmed by what the AI saw.  It's one thing for AI to trawl the internet to find facts and references for a research topic and something quite different when it comes up with this: 

At first glance, the monochromatic palette evokes a sense of sombreness, setting the stage for the raw emotions depicted. Each face, adorned with a mask, serves as a powerful metaphor for the ways we often conceal our true feelings from the world. The masks symbolize not just physical protection but also the emotional barriers we erect to shield ourselves from vulnerability.

The words inscribed on each mask -“depressed,” “anxious,” “in pain,” “stressed,” “abused,” “grieving,” “sad,” “hurting,” and “tired” - speak volumes. They are not just labels; they are cries for understanding and connection. In a society that often stigmatizes mental health struggles, this artwork invites viewers to confront these emotions head-on, fostering a dialogue about the importance of acknowledging and expressing our inner turmoil.

The repetition of the faces creates a rhythm that mirrors the cyclical nature of these feelings. It reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles; many share similar experiences, often hidden beneath the surface. This collective acknowledgment can be a powerful catalyst for healing, encouraging us to reach out, share our stories, and support one another.

This is only a part of what was written, but can you see why I am overwhelmed.  AI saw in the piece everything I wanted to say but probably wouldn't have been able to write myself.

Thanks for joining me today.
'Stunned of Solihull'
aka Bernice

I'm fine

When you are asked how you are, what do you answer?  Most people I think answer - I'm fine - whether they are or not.  We might be feeling all sorts of different things but cover it up with 'I'm fine'.

My latest textile hanging is based on this.  During lockdown a friend of mine drew a picture of me wearing a mask.  I don't usually put people in my work whether it's art journaling, textiles or photography, so it's been quite challenging to use this picture.

I had a Thermofax screen made of it and inspired by Andy Warhol, I printed the image 9 times through organza onto calico.

 This week I brushed dye over the images leaving the masks undyed.

 

 

I sorted out 9 words that people might be feeling not fine behind the 'I'm fine'. 

 

 

And now I am hand stitching each of the words, having hand written the words on the masks.  I'm thinking of putting a layer of organza over the mask in each image - see the top left of the above image.  Cut to the shape of the mask obviously!

Recently on Instagram I saw this:
'In Norway 'up & not crying' is a standard response to 'how are you' - and I think that's a very reasonable standard to hold oneself to these days.'

More than this though, I think we need to be more honest about ourselves.  And okay, don't pour out emtions on passing acquaintances, but it's important to have a few around us who we trust and we can be honest with.

In return, we need to be good listeners and readers of body language.  When we ask the question are we prepared for an answer that isn't I'm fine.

Why do we need to read body language?  Because we need to hear what isn't being said.   And we need to be willing to give the time to listen.

Thanks for being here today.  I hope you are more than just 'fine'.
Bernice

Two colours

Well, so much for me saying I'm back!  It was my plan to be back to at least one post a week if not two.  Sadly that didn't happen but at least the gap hasn't been too big this time.

In our photographic group we decided that this month's theme was two colours.  Here are my offerings!

Orange and Black (or it might be blue or grey)

Mustard & Red

Brown & Mustard

Black & White

Orange & White

This coming month's challenge is to fill the whole image with one colour.  The challenge will be to make that interesting!

Thanks for being here today
Bernice

 

A couple of finished pieces

While I’ve not been blogging I have been working on various different ideas.

I will be part of the Midlands Textile Forum’s ‘On the Threshold’ exhibition in September and I have finished this piece:

It’s called 1771. I chose the date as being somewhere around where historians think the Industrial Revolution may have started.  The piece is a whole cloth I printed using breakdown printing at Leah Higgin’s studio in 2019.  It’s taken until now to work out what to do with it.

I used running stitch around some of the shapes in the background.  I’ve also used running stitch to outline 10 cogs of differing sizes.  They are not too obvious until you get up close.

And just you know there are stitches, here is the rather ruckled back which now has another backing on it. 

In addition, I've been continuing with my Captivity, Freedom & Identity theme.  I looked to see what image is used to represent depression and found that one of the images is a teardrop.

 

I made three wire teardrops which I wound wadding around and a layer of fabric.  The first is called Tears of Oppression.  It doesn't photograph well because there's black on black. It is tightly bound and has chains and closed padlocks.

 

The second is Tears of Transition which is grey.  It has bits of knotted fabric and chains falling off and open padlocks.   And lastly there's Tears of Joy which is shades of gold with beads.

I've got lots of ideas that I'm mulling over.

 

Watch this space for new work.

 

Thanks for joining me today.
Bernice 

I'm back

I'm back! I think! I hope so!

My last post was in the middle of May and I've not done much on Instagram either.  However, from last Thursday to Sunday I was talking about my fabric books in the Creative Textiles Studio at the Festival of Quilts.

 

 

In total I talked about fabric books for around 15 hours over the 4 days.   That's about a month's worth of talking in my normal life!  I had a good time though and really positive responses to all my work.

 

In addition, for the first time ever I entered the Quilt Competition in the Quilt Creations category.  This is for 3D and items of clothing.  There were some superb pieces of work in this category including a beautiful small book using rusting techniques by Gilly Meeks.

 

Guess what I might make for next year's competition!

 

My entry was the kimono that I had shown you before on the blog.  Here it is at the show.

 

front

back

It looks enormous but it is an adult size full length kimono.

 

I had some encouraging feedback form the two judges although I feel one of them missed the message of the piece.

I have been exploring the themes of Captivity, Freedom and Identity and integrating my own creative writing into the textile pieces I have made. Whilst working through these themes I became interested in the Japanese repair technique: Kintsugi. I believe that everyone, however damaged by life they may be, has gold within them which can be called out. I made this asymmetric kimono from linen blend fabrics. The stitching represents kintsugi style repairs to symbolise the beauty of broken people as they are made whole through counselling, prayer or other means. The gold lining represents the beauty that lies within us all.

Sadly on the entry form the information supplied could only be 300 characters so this is what it said, which was printed in the catalogue:

Working on the theme of Identity and inspired by the Japanese repair technique of Kintsugi, the stitching on this kimono symbolises the beauty of broken people as they are made whole through counselling, prayer or other means. The gold lining represents the beauty that lies within us all.

Talking about my books at the show has excited me about books once more and I've already had ideas for a set of 3 books.  I'm also inspired to return to the blog as I do love sharing my work, techniques and processes with people.

See you soon
Bernice 

Change

I've been missing for a while!

Lots of stuff going on but sadly no inclination to blog or journal or keep up to date with things.

However I'm here today with some fun stuff.  The challenge in the ladies photography group for this month was to change a photo.  These were the instructions:

For the Change activity take one photograph.  It can be a still life, a landscape etc – whatever you choose.  Then edit it so that the image is very different.  It has to be major change or even distortion – not just cropping or turning it to black & white.

This is the photo I started with:

I played with it in Snapseed.  I can't remember all the things I did (sorry).  I definitely used the double exposure tool twice but had done some things before that.

 

Then I used Lunapic online.  It has an immense variety of tools and effects.

 

 

Explode - in the effects menu

 

 

3D Cube in the effects menu

 

 

Implode in the Effects menu

Fairy in the Art menu

I really love the finished image.  It reminds me of the pouring paint effects you can get - without getting paint all over yourself!

Thanks for being here today
Bernice

How it's going

You may remember my Changing my Mind blog post.  If you don't or if this is your first visit to my blog, click on the link to read what I'm talking about.

On to the update.  I changed my mind about using the torn squares and wondered about stitching gold lines to represent the Kintsugi style repairs.  I took a photo of the kimono, printed it out and drew on it.

 

Then I tried assembling the lining, the felt wadding layer and the outside layer.

Nightmare!  The three layers together were quite unwieldly and I couldn't get the seams to match up particularly under the arms.  Plus, I was pretty sure I would not be able to manhandle it through the machine.

(Are we allowed to still say 'manhandle'?  Person-handle doesn't sound right.  Apparently jostle, hustle and shove are all synonyms I could have used.)

Back to the point of this blog post!

First I drew lines with a Frixion pen to represent the broken shards on the outer layer.  I machined with a straight stitch so I would know where to stitch later.

I sewed the lining to the front and turned it inside out (outside in!) so the seams were in between the layers.  You know what I mean!

Then I satin stitched along all the lines sewing the two layers together

The Back

The Front

It hasn't been all plain sailing.  Several times I've had to remove a line of stitching and re-do it.  However I have finished one pass of the whole thing.  It just needs going over again.  And sadly there's something wrong with the left sleeve by the underarm.

Then just the cuffs and the collar.  'Just' she says.  It takes hours to wrangle the kimono through the machine. And I need to have a rest after 40 minutes of machining.

Still there's less left to do than when I started.

Thanks for being here today
Bernice

5 years on

How things have changed!  Roger and I went for a walk on Thursday and as people avoided eye contact and didn't return my hello or smile I thought back to 5 years ago when walking every day was all we were allowed to do, and despite social distancing everyone was friendly.

We walked from Harborne, a suburb of Birmingham, towards the city centre to Edgbaston Reservoir, round the reservoir and back to the start.

Most of the walk was along the Harborne Walkway which apparently was originally a branch railway line built for commuters from Harborne.

There were various bridges and tunnels along the way.

Eventually we came to the reservoir 

We stopped off at the little cafe for hot chocolate and then continued around the reservoir and back the way we came.

On the way back we noticed that one of the tunnels had an unusual construction.  The bricks were laid diagonally.  Not that you can tell from this photo!

Finally we made it back to Harborne where we had lunch at Damascena.  Very nice.

If you're in the Redditch area today, Becca and I will be at Forge Mill Museum for another Meet the Artists event for our exhibition.

Thanks for being here today
Bernice