Indian Sketchbook: In Praise of Birds

My final sketchbook page for the time being, I gathered so many birds from the walls of the palaces I visited, that I was moved to reconstruct them into an exotic 'wallpaper'.

Norman Ackroyd in Rye

Meandering round Rye last weekend, we came across a beautiful exhibition of etchings by Norman Ackroyd in the Rye Art Gallery. Very simple, I don't so often go for photographic landscapes in black and white, but the intensity of atmosphere in these was unmissable.  It made me love the wild weather of our nation once more!  Although this picture is from Ireland ...

The Eternal Magic of Weaving

Make and Create have been weaving. Our numbers creep up from term to term, but squeezing 17 people into the room remains an entirely relaxed concept when everybody slides in and instantly opens up their project, as if they can't wait a moment longer to get started. And it never ceases to amaze me, the variety of styles that can be found in one group of people trying something new for the first time.

Above, Lourdes at work, and below, Fi's finished piece.

Indian Sketchbook: The Red Fort of Delhi

Sometimes my addiction to drawing with one continuous line seems a little stale and unadventurous, so I spice it up with a selection of drawing media and several continuous lines ...

Indian Sketchbook: Two Lilies

Lilies outside the Mehrangarh Fort, in Jodhpur.

Indian Sketchbook: Waiting for a Train

A delayed train in India triggered me to brave the staring curiosity of the other passengers and take our my pencil and paper ... I noted the colours and later filled in my sketches.

Indian Sketchbook: Taj Mahal

I have recently returned from an inspirational and long-awaited trip to India with my Mum. Over a few blog entries, I'll share some pages from my sketchbook ...

I found that every space in the Taj Mahal and her grounds was filled with a different design of floor tile.  So I collected the tessellations, and continued them later with tissue paper.  I think there's enough material in floor patterns alone to fill a life time of travel and exploration!

The Inspiration of Plastic Bags

My final inspiration from the Knitting and Stitching Show ... Royal Museums Greenwich had a stunning display and participation stall filled with the crocheted bags of Akleriah. Joy! Here at last, people who knit with plastc bags and ambition!

My crochet and knitting has some way to go before I can create pieces like these but this moment reinvigorated both my determination to conquer these traditional techniques, and my inspiration to keep alive my collection of coloured plastic bags. Oh dear, more hoarding.