It was only a matter of time before my connection with nature and in particular, the woods and trees, ended up on my silk scarves. I have been watching with mixed interest and with a not sure if it’s for me attitude for quite some time. Continue reading Eco dyeing and printing
We are a bit mushroom mad in our house too, the ones that grow in the woods now, not any other kind! we love hunting for them, identifying them and cooking up the edible ones. With Autumn now upon us, the woods are our favourite place to wander. Last weekend we went to Killarney National Park to hunt for them for reference. You aren’t allowed to pick anything there, only take photos. With all that inspiration I decided to have a go at creating some with wool. A mix of wet felted and needle felted mushroom have started emerging from my studio and I have to say I am rather pleased with them. It also gave me an excuse to random dye a whole pile of Wensleydale curly locks that I got from a local farmer and to card some of Leiko Felts gorgeous dyed merino wool from my stash into mushroom blends. Continue reading Autumn is upon us
Using natures seasonal gifts to make syrups and sorbets… Continue reading Summer hedgerow delights.
Seems like ages since I wrote a post! the weeks are flying by. Being a textile artist I seem to have quite a few projects on the go. Between minding my 4 yr old grandson, minding the garden and the usual daily jobs around the house there are lots of days when little else gets done. However, there are also super productive creative days when new ideas and long term shelved ideas come to fruition. I am super excited about a new fascinator base which is a really elegant shape for the face. Simple colours with silk fabrics, flocks and taffetas. Continue reading Jackets and new hats
All around me textures, colours and forms vibrate in the spring sunlight. Everything sings with vibrant life. If you don’t count the stinky dead crab! There were many empty crab shells and so many tiny shells, empty ray and dog fish egg cases. Life on the shores is rich for those that see beyond the riches in money.
I hope you enjoy my photography, that the images evoke some pleasant memories, feelings or sense of being and belonging. We are all nature. Continue reading An artists life…
It never ceases to amaze me how much life a fallen tree supports and how it is able to continue growing. I notice too the incredible ability of self healing. A wander in the local Garrettstown woods with my eyes scanning the abundance of new spring growth and, despite the apparent lack of edible fungi … Continue reading The secret lives of fallen trees
At this time of the year we are excited to see what is growing that is edible and we are adventurous enough to try something new. Today it was Alexander’s, Hogweed and Crows garlic. Continue reading Foraging for our supper.
I love this time of the year when the hedgerows are coming alive with lush green edibles. On Sunday I collected sorrel, pennywort and nettles. Succulent leaves in fresh greens perfect for giving the body a boost after the winter begging to be picked and made into a meal. Continue reading A taste of spring.
A few weeks back I had a phone call from a lady who had been gifted one of my silk scarves. She was calling to invite me to showcase my work at a charity event in a well known local hotel. A first for me. I jumped at the opportunity as it was a ticketed … Continue reading From little acorns.
Sewing is a fundamental skill for life. In almost every household, the girl learnt from the mother and grandmother how to stitch. In the more affluent homes, girls were taught by the governess the more decorative arts of embroidery, tapestry and lace making for example, as a way to occupy their time. In poorer homes, villages and amongst indigenous peoples, sewing was and still is, how they made their clothes, the very fabric being made from the fleece of their animals and the fibres from plants. Dressmakers and seamstresses were from the so called lower classes. It was their life’s blood, their income and therefore a skill for life. Continue reading Sewing: a skill for life.
Karima Rebecca Powell Artist 