Ali George Artist

  More experimentation related to next year's exhibition. I used Maria Shell's template . I wanted to find something that captured my response to Karim Demirbay's sexist comment to a referee after being red-carded. To his credit, he is reported to have apologised (and why should that be something to celebrate). In exploring our exhibition title / theme I was drawn to the mitt as something that portrays the idea of  'knowing one's place'. Lots to think about, explore and many expiriments ahead. 

My favourite part of the post-dyeing process is when I get to make marks. I most always use block printing inks (oil based) which are messy and take days to 'dry' but give amazing results on paper and cloth. Sometimes I leave the pieces whole, while other times I love the way slices and snippets take on a different life as part of an overall composition. I also love how the fabric picks up the 'noise' from the inked base ( I use a Skvallra desk pad from Ikea , about $10  for a 60cm x 80 cm size ). 

  I have been dyeing quite a few metres of fabric, trnsitioning from clear orange through to muted blue. The muted blue ever so slightly dulls the intensity and it works better for me. These past days were spen+t at retreat with the tribe - and these log cabin blocks will most likely be part of an art quilt, destined I hope, for my exhibition with Rebecca Staunton Coffey in late 2024. These blocks have been  made from free cut strips and will blend with the next lot of fabrics, some light and medium values in the same colourway. The focus will be around deconstruction and I'm looking forward to seeing hwo it progresses.

  I made a king sized quilt many decades ago for a friend and after many winters she returned it because of wear and tear. Instead of faithful service, stories and history, she saw something that no longer held value. There were tears and wear points, and the only other option if I couldn't repair it, was to throw it away. I suggested she give it back and I'd turn it into bags. Fifteen so far, and that used one of the side panels. Two side panels and the top of the quilt to go. I'll try to find some other ways of giving the quilt a second or third life, ever so glad it stayed out of landfill.

The excavator's words have stuck in my head, rent free. ' I have to make one hell of a mess before it can become beautiful. There is no beautiful end without the mess '. Or words to that effect. The retaining walls at the back of the house have to be finished before anything else can happen in the yard - and in between downpours, a few expletives and more rain, it has beena testing time for all involved in the construction.  I thought about his words - and the effort of making a quilt from scratch. The planning, drawing, testing, dyeing, playing, creating, starting again, creating and the final 'ah ha'. There is so much 'mess' before a quilt is resolved becomes a thing of meaning and beautiful in its own way. Blessed are the excavators.

  We've waited months, the new norm, for the access to the back yard and our shed to be put in.  The dog seems able to scale the cliff in two bounds - but I'm no longer able or willing to go over the edge. Two big retaining walls are being built across the back of the property and somehow they'll carve in a sloping access to the shed so I can finally get the pottery wheel unpacked and back into service. I've so missed working with clay and can't wait to see how much muscle memory there is left in my arms. Looking forward to some slab and hand built work, and progressing my Parliament of Owls.

I adore my Elna Press acquired about 10 years ago from a market for $20. I use it to press fabrics  and dyed textiles and very occasionally a pillow slip or two.  The only drawback was the cover on the pressing plate had seen better years. An eyesore in the new laundry - but where else to put it? I used to cover the lower plate with an old sheet when in use. So this morning's "job" (one task each day since we moved) was to make a new cover for the Elna Press. She deserved it. So I measured carefully, made a template and cut two from thick muslin. There'd be a master pattern ready for another time. Next, to source new foam underlay.  The IKEA mini ironing board. It's useless for ironing but hangs neatly in the wardrobe. What do you expect for $7? The underlay was a perfect fit.  Quite impressed, I commenced stitching the new cover Then the Morgan Freeman thing happened.  " It was at that moment,  Ali knew she had missed something big. "  Here I was, sta...