Trying Not to Fall Apart

I have not wanted to be away from you for this long but my first official week back at work has brought all the stresses associated with working for oneself. Staffing issues, untimely fabric deliveries, frustrating server problems and machinery break downs and waiting for the repair man at 7.00 am are all contributing factors but I certainly won't bore you with the details.

I am excited that my new screens will be ready in the morning (in a few hours really) although with pending orders, we won't be able to print the new fabrics (see previous post) until next week. I am also trying out a new seamstress and have given her two new products to sample so fingers crossed on that one. More exciting still, I am collaborating with another designer on a new product range but alas, I can't reveal anything more at this stage.


Last weekend was my collage workshop and I have to confess that I was a tad disappointed, well more than a tad really. The class was not what I expected and I don't think that I learned anything new. It was very basic and the teacher did not or would not show us any of his work which was quite strange.

It was not a friendly class either as there were no introductions at the beginning. It made me happily realise that the workshops I teach are enjoyable because of the very friendly and social environment.

Day 2 of the workshop was even worse! I'm sorry but weaving strips of paper and creating 3-D pyramids out of cut cardboard seems very Grade 4 to me. Luckily, I found an ally in classmate Narelle Oliver (more about her later) who had the same bad attitude as me. We followed our own agenda after lunch. I can't say that my work here is spectacular as I need time to play around with and evolve my ideas, something I can't do in a class environment.


This is my fish but I like Narelle's fish better (below) so have included a couple of her creations here too.


The picture below is Narelle's Antarctic landscape made of torn strips of magazine paper in gray tones. The beauty of this photo is a little lost in blog translation. The imagery is much clearer if you see it from a distance.

I was so pleased to have met Narelle as she is a brilliant illustrator, author and artist.

The fox is an image from her children's book Fox and Fine Feathers. I am always impressed by the number of talented people we have in our lovely city. Visit Narelle Oliver.

For further inspiration, visit good friend Alarna Zinn and view (and buy) her beautiful Little Jane St. greeting cards designed with gorgeous collage.

Stay tuned as I introduce you to the newest member of the Samios clan and post pictures of my next Screen-Printing workshop on this Saturday.