This is one of a series of mixed-media collages I've been making over the last couple of weeks in preparation for my class at the
Beetroot Tree on Monday. I've used images transferred onto fabric, lace, text, organza, dyed silk, pressed flowers, background papers, beads, silk paper, sari silks, machine and hand-stitching.
I'm looking forward to this class; it should be fun......
I've also been scanning all my inky backgrounds into my PC so that I can use them as layers in Photoshop. Here are just a few......I've got dozens! The great thing is you can enhance the colours and improve the look of them in PSE.
I used this one.......
with this photo I took in the gardens at Hardwick Hall....
to created this.......
I think I'm going to print it onto silk fabric.
We visited the beautiful
Hardwick Hall last weekend.....it's about 25 miles north of us near Chesterfield. The house was built for Elizabeth Shrewsbury (hence the ES on the roof) but she was better known as '
Bess of Hardwick' - quite a formidable lady and the richest woman in England in the 1500s after Queen Elizabeth. She had 4 husbands and her wealth increased with each marriage. She left behind the legacy of a 400 year-old collection, known as the Hardwick Hall textiles; the largest collection of tapestry, embroidery, canvaswork and other textiles to have been preserved by a single private family. I did a special study of these for my A-levels many years ago.
There are some fabulous paintings in the house; I love this one of Bess.......
Here's her wonderful Elizabethan house.... (she also owned Chatsworth)
and the typically English pub at the edge of the estate where we had our lunch.
We looked after Peachy whilst my daughter was in Zante last week. He was quite a handful and LOVED rummaging around in my studio. He soon found the felt bird I'd made (and pretended it was real :-) and after causing mayhem fell asleep in my box of silk papers every day........
Liz collected him on Monday; its very quiet here..........
30 comments:
So many wonderful creations to look at..full of yummy texture!!What a joy to visit Hardwick Hall..wow..that house is heavenly!!Warmest Regards,Cat
Hi just to say - love your work - great colour choices & very skilled how you build up the layers - thanks for sharing !
Must try to get to Harwick Hall - looks a lovely day out !
Kitten looks full of mischief !
What a fun post...loved looking at all your artwork,,,the beautiful surroundings,,,ahhhh the to die for beautiful papers....made me weak in the knees for a second and I am sitting down:) and of course, the sweet dose of cuteness...the kit-kat....ahhhhhh adorable. I´d want to keep him:)
Linda, I want to sign up for your class and fly all the way over there to England. Your work is always amazing but WOW, these collages are even more amazing if that is possible :)
Love your digi work too, I used one of your textures today:)
Thanks for sharing your trip out and photos of Peachy Pop!
I loved the undulating floors in Hardwick Hall. it was like walking on a ship.
Have you noticed how many Hardwicks there are in England - there's two near me! I've seen signs on the motorway to your Hardwick Hall, looks definitely worth a visit. Old Betty sounded quite a gal!
I love the work you do digitally - look at all those magical colours... wonderful!
all your work is gorgeous and always interesting. That kitten is darling although I gasped when I saw it had a bird in it's little paws. glad it turned out to be a felt bird! That is the best kind for little kitties to have! Thanks for sharing.
fantastic colours and textures..like all this digi layering you are doing
Your collages and papers are gorgeous and I'd love to do that class. Bess of Hardwick was quite a woman wasn't she? Peachy looks as if he knows what birds are for!!
I enjoy seeing what you create with PhotoShop, Linda! Aren't you glad we don't have to wear collars like Bess's? Love your kitty photos; he's a cute little fellow.
I love the collage with the hydrangea and inky background. Gorgeous! Will you post when you print it on silk? Would like to see how that takes on fabric.
Also, I would love to see Hardwick Hall -- thanks for posting photos. I've read about Bess in some historical fiction and she is so intriguing - a liberated woman for her time. And of course, I have to comment on Peachy -- He's a pretty kitten and I bet he will be a beautiful cat when he grows up. His colors are outstanding!
Oh wow Linda whta for great new work.
Fabulous designs and wonderful play with different material. Love them all.
Love your work - the idea of mixing your photos with those backgrounds and then embellishing them really appeals to me. Having checked out the Beetroot Tree I do so wish I lived near enough to attend some of those courses! That kitty is so cute - I bet you missed him/her when she went home.
Jane
Its like you have become an 'artistic apothecary' in incorporating all the amazing techniques you have mastered with your own unique blend of 'magic' and sparkle! These new mixed-media pieces are truly awe-inspiring and sooo beautiful, Linda. I am in no doubt that they encourage so much wonder and excitement for your students at your next class.
Thank you too for introducing us to Bess - definitely worth a visit to atleast one of her houses, so off to consult my National Trust brochure now!!!
Aww Peachy is such a darling.... no wonder you miss him!
Hugs xxx
Your class samples are lush! And the digital play is wonderful, that should look perfect for a hand stitch on silk, yum. Peachy is just the cutest thing ever...I bet you do miss that kitty...xox Corrine
Love your inky backgrounds and photoshop work - really beautiful. As was the rest of your post - little Peachy (Ahhh!), Hardwick Hall and your mixed media collages - sounds a wonderful class.
Barbara
Taking a class with you ... getting to play together would be a dream dear Linda!
The closeups of your creations are WOW! Lovely post ... there would be lots to see and do in your neck of the woods ... meow!
oxo
Your work is gorgeous, love it all. x
Gorgeous, gorgeous backgrounds!!
There would be no other place that I would like to visit. I love going through old grand estates.
The mixed media samples for your class are lovely. I really like the combination of colours that you have used for the finished work and the ink background sheets.
It's decades since I went to Hardwick Hall> it was good to see your pictures. Maybe I will get to go again one day.
A gorgeous post. I really should go to Hardwick Hall, it is so close to me. If you keep on posting photos of Peaches like these I might be tempted to come over and catnap him.
Linda...your talent blows me away! Since you've been a teacher for so many years....I don't know where you found the time to practice your art...your craft....very talented. I don't work with fabric but certainly appreciate artists like you who really are amazing!! AND you have the technical know-how with the photo workshop, etc. Your work is beautiful!!!
What can one say, but georgeous....beautiful and amazing....Love all your work...
I wish I was close enough to take the class....
Stunning pieces linda , they colours are beautiful.
Hardwick House sounds lovely, I love visiting places like that . Bet you found it a huge inspiration .
Peachy looks delightful so sweet with that little bird and they way hes squeezed into that box is so funny.
I wish I could come to your classes....boo hoo x
this work is just stunning _ I can't wait until monday - ooohhhh
Linda, these are so beautiful! I know I say it every time, but I just love your use of color and texture! And seeing how you used the background with your photo really inspires me to look through my computer. Just beautiful!
:) Michelle
gorgeous art work, every one...and that grand kitten is just the sweetest!!
Oh your class samples are so beautiful! *sigh*, I would love to take a class with you...
I am coming to England this fall/winter...maybe...
I will have to keep an eye out at the Beetroot. I just checked there and I did not see your class mentioned or any later this year. Do you classes sell out fast?
Hardwick Hall looks like a place I would love to see too. I love looking at textiles.
Hugs,
Terri
Methinks you may ' need' another kitty Linda:). Sounds like the little prince has won your heart. I love, love what you have done with the hydrangea photo and as always your post has left me drooling. And very inspired. Big kisses from me and the kitties. Dot xx
STUNNING collage - wish I could attend a class.
Great pics and LOVE the kitten ones - so cute!
xxxxxxxx
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