“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” ....Oscar Wilde

Thursday 14 April 2016

Silks and seeds... PPF

We'd been looking through a box of old photographs during my daughters visit last weekend, when I came across the old photograph below. 
I thought you might like to see it.
It's from my Brunei days, where I was luck enough to be invited to exhibit my silk paintings. 
In fact, it's possibly the only photograph that I have from this particular exhibition.
It's a pity that the photograph is so bad, but it was taken a few years ago. 
In fact, I've just gone into shock because looking at the date on the paintings... it says '1995' which means that it was 21 years ago!
No wonder the photos are so bad!
Not only is it probably the camera that I was using at the time, but it's also probably due to the fact that I've just had this photo among many other's... all loose in a box.
You'd have thought that I'd have placed it lovingly in an album.
To savor the moment, but no. 
I can only think that I was probably preoccupied with my three year old at the time, who was rather challenging to say the least. 
My mind wasn't my own for a good few years back then.
In fact, these few paintings possibly saved my sanity.
But that's a whole other story.
If you can use your imagination here please, because they were actually extremely vibrant colours. 
That's one of the reasons why I loved to paint with silk paints.
This chap was one of my hubby's favourites.
Nee...deep... nee...deep!
Unfortunately, I haven't had much free time this week for being creative.
When I did have some free time, I chose to go out into the garden and plant seeds.
I'm hopeful of great things to come. 
I don't think we'll be self sufficient, not by a long way, but I love to pick our own produce.
What are you up to this week?
I hope it's creative in some way and that it's fun.
As usual I'm joining in with Paint Party Friday
Click above on the PPF link if you'd like to see more art. 
Thanks Eva and Kristin for hosting once again.
I'm also linking into Alexandra's Sunday Sketches
Thanks Alexandra for hosting the Sunday link and providing so much inspiration.
Thanks for visiting. 
Hope to see you again soon.

40 comments:

  1. oh I love your silk work,, it is amazing,, I'm so glad you showed them to us today,, enjoy the garden and hopefully beautiful weather!

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    1. I wish I had new work to show, but then I suppose many from the PPF group may not have seen these paintings.
      There's snow forecast for parts of Scotland today Laurie... what's going on???!?!

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  2. Beautiful silk paintings, I used to do a lot of that with the kids at school back in the 80s and 90s, ancient history! Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie

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    1. I keep thinking I'll start again... who knows it might start the trend all over again.

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  3. beautiful paintings and enjoy the sun in your garden before it rains again. I havent planted my seeds out yet in case they get washed away

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    1. Lorraine, today we have rain coming in sideways and there's snow forecast! I can safely say I don't think we are going to see the sun anytime soon.
      Thankfully my seeds are in bags so can't get washed away... or so I hope!

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  4. Wow these are such beautiful pieces of work :) I especially love the toucan!

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    1. It's been quite fun seeing them once again. All those memories of life living in Brunei.
      The toucan reminds me of the Hornbills that used to come to visit our garden every afternoon... along with the monkeys!
      It all seems like a lifetime ago now.

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  5. Thank you for sharing your lovely Art.
    Happy weekend ♥

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    1. It's my pleasure Sirkkis,
      Happy PPF and weekend to you too.

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  6. Wow, your silk paintings are gorgeous, not familiar with this medium.

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    1. Thanks Christine, silk painting is a little like batik art. A solution of gutta (a resist) is applied to restict the paints from spreading and mixing when applied to the silk. Anywhere that isn't restricted will spread and flow mixing beautiful colours (if you're lucky).
      It has to be fixed by steam or another substance to enable it to be rinsed to take any excess paint away ie if it was a silk scarf it needs to be fixed otherwise it wouldn't be able to wash or would leave paint on the skin. Not the best look.
      It's fun to do.

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  7. Your works have yet so much color, so to see them live must have been a thrill!

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    1. Silk paints are vibrant and exciting to use Susu. After writing this post I'm beginning to think that I should start painting with again.

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  8. wow these are quite gorgeous Neesie!!! I have never worked with silk. Are you considering revisiting this form of painting? I bet you'd do more brilliant work!

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    1. Oh thanks Linda, I'm glad you like them. I've often thought about revisiting but just haven't got my act together (yet).
      It's quite a technique and I might have to reorder equipment.
      Not making excuses because at some stage I'm sure I'll have another dabble. The silk scarves were very popular.

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  9. How striking! Love all the vibrant colors. Funny how fast a couple decades can go by. ;)

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    1. It's scary how fast the decades disappear Rita, we just need to cram more in the make sure we maximize the time.
      Hopefully spring is with you and Karma is enjoying sitting in the sun!

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    1. Thank you Clare, it's always good to hear positive reinforcement.

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  11. Fabulous silk paintings with great vibrant colours. Happy Friday!

    Love and hugs
    Maarit

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    1. Thanks Maarit, the colours aren't the same here on this old photograph, but silk paints certainly pop with vibrancy.
      Happy Tuesday to you... (sorry for delay)

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  12. I love the brilliance of the colors in those silk paintings, Neesie. The colors are so vibrant and beautiful.

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    1. I just wish I could share the original paintings because their colours really do pop. I think that's why I loved painting with them so much.

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  13. now see you had to go and ask what I'm up to... LOL. For the first time in about 10-15 years mom and I are DIYing our house! Haven't done this in so long it feels weird. We bought spray paint, all the lamps are now silver, new black barrel shades, new HUGE clock, (30"diameter). All picture frames have been painted either silver or distressed white, all my new art is in them, it looks like a produce store here! hehehe. We still have to paint the canvasses. Mom is going to do a 30"x40" for above the fireplace and I'm doing a dyptic (two) for over the couch, 24x30". Still have to re-cover the coffee table that's actually a bench, make a long 30" tray for said coffee table. Have to paint the kitchen table and chairs, buy new bedding and spray paint all my frames in my bedroom and make new art for in them too. Oh and we reframed a watercolor done by the brother of John Lithgo (the comedian/actor). Whew, I'm tired! (and covered in paint, hehehe).
    LOVE your silk art, it must be weird to move mediums, that's what I'll be doing in the coming months, the two for above the sofa will be acrylics. There'll be a little learning before tackling them! Hugs to you and Muffy!

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    1. My goodness Jenn, I'll have to have a lie-down and a cuppa now after reading all about your DIY projects. It sounds like your painting on a huge canvas.... the house!!!
      It'll look fabulous and will be a perfect spring lift... you might even think you've moved house.
      Thanks for stopping to nip in here and if you could just put a dab of paint over on the wall whilst you're here I'd appreciate it!
      Have fun (it sounds like you are even though it's hard work) and Muffy sends you lots of encouraging gruffs!
      Hugs back to you and your Mum

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  14. Gorgeous Neesie, do you still have the paintings, they would be so cheery? I love the frog, it all looks so exotic, of a life far away...Mind you knowing you and the way you feed & attract birds of the world, you probably have parrots swinging from your bird feeders in Scotland?!
    Wren x

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    1. I've actually found a few up in the attic Wren, although they are a few different ones. I didn't even realise they were there until my daughter went rooting for something on her last weekend stay.
      Not quite parrots visiting at the moment, it's way too cold for them at the moment, but we are seeing lots of different birds and the numbers keep going up and up!
      I need to win the lottery to keep feeding them... their food bill is going up and up!

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  15. possibly safer in a box actually, depending on the type of album if its one that has adhesive to hold the photos in place, it can damage the photos after time has past

    very nice paintings! love the style :D

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  16. Stunning paintings Neesie. How you did them with a three year old is a miracle...lol Love how vibrant they are. If you even need to brighten an old photo try pixlr express... it's so good for that! Thanks for sharing...what a delight to see these old pieces of your art..So talented!!

    Hugs Giggles

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  17. Those are beautiful pieces. I can imagine how beautiful those colors actually were- because they are still gorgeous in the old photo colors now. Have a wonderful weekend. :) Erika

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  18. Beautiful silk paintings. I am glad you put the photo out for us to see them Do you still have those paintings? I have never done silk paintings though I love to paint on fabrics.

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  19. Lovely silkpaintings. My favourites are the one to the right and the frog. He´s so cute!

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  20. I love your froggy piece, he looks so sure of himself, a cocky cute chap!

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  21. OOhhh these are absolutely amazing! I can imagine the vibrant colors. It is a wonderful theme too.

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  22. Well now I am in a state of shock - I thought 1995 was yesterday!
    Congratulations on gorgeous art work Denise. Such beautiful colors.
    Sandy xx

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  23. They are all beautiful and look great framed! Happy PPF!

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  24. Beautiful works!!! Colors are so bright...looks like photos - so different from normal painting on papaer/canvas.
    Have a good week ahead!

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  25. WOW! I never knew you did silk painting....beautiful work, Neesie! I can't pick a favourite. They are all so lovely in their own right. I'm with Jennifer, your photos are probably better in a box unless the albums are acid-free...a lot aren't. I've had photos ruined over time because of photo albums.

    Enjoy your garden! :)

    Well, gardening among nature's creativity is close enough. It does wonders for the soul too.

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  26. WOW! I love the crispness of your color palette. Blessings, my friend!

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