SAQA Oceania Blog Hop and Oceania My Home

I get to travel a lot, although less often now than in previous years. For a long time I frequented the far north of our State - the Gulf Country, Far North Queensland and the island communities of the Torres Strait. I learned many valuable life lessons about the power of silence, respect through listening and a non-Western literacy derived from sensory experience and observation. I learned about being quiet. Between Mornington Island and the Forsyth Islands lies the Denham Strait (separating Mornington and Denham Islands). I used to watch this narrow body of water of an afternoon, waiting for sunset and longing to cool off in the pristine water.  The idea of becoming dinner for something else in the food chain ensured I never once strolled the water's edge. Ever. Those memories, of brilliant blue water and orange red sunsets set against the swirling, fast running waters of the islands inspired a lino cut that has changed with the ebb and flow of the gulf tides.  I created many prints - on paper, on telephone book pages, on metallic backgrounds, over commercially printed wrapping paper, on tissue, silk and other fabrics.  Encouraged by Ankie King, we made a print of thickened dye onto a silkscreen then proceeded to make a number of breakdown prints. One of those breadown prints became "Oceania - My Home".

Create linocut

The lino cut started as a representation of the swirling waters between Denham island and Mornington Island. the white sand cliffs and water's edge, the myriad of sea life - a place that is ever changing yet timeless.

The original cut morphed - from simple lines and curves to its current and more complex state. I printed on everything I could imagine during the cutting process - tissue paper, silk, commercial wrapping papers. For the purpose of demonstrating the process, I've used a different linocut (below) to show how Gulf Streams, and subsequently Oceania - My Home was created.

Prepare silkscreen (tape then check against size of lino)

The sodium alginate (Manutex) was prepared the night before - instructions come with the product and it needs to thicken for a few hours - the longer the better. I used Procion MX dyes mixed with sufficient Manutex to allow drip free hand painting of the lino cut.

Prepare MX dyes with Manutex

Paint linocut

Think about the empty spaces - when the print is pulled, odd and wonderful things can happen in those so-called "empty" places.

Print to screen, allow to dry

Clean, clear manutex was syringed across the top of the screen print space. I used a ruler (formerly one of those templates where I lost the instructions and inclination) to pull the manutex across the dried print. The wet manutex started the process of the dried print breaking down. After each print I wiped away the manutex and re-syringed fresh for the next print. This was because during the print process, the manutex took up some of the dye colour. I could have left it ...

First print pulling clear manutex over the dried print

Screen after 3 prints completed

There isn't much of the original print left. This was the last print made and (below) the four prints after being left to batch (wrapped in plastic film and left for a few days).

Four prints, post-batch, rinse and wash

Compared to the direct print for gulf streams  - I found the breakdown process a more interesting outcome - the elements of change and decay better portrayed. After the print had dried, I then overlaid the printed fabric on the linocut and used a gold Shiva stick to pick out highlights or areas that were less distinct. The border of "Oceania - My Home" was made from black cotton fabric, pole wrapped and discharged with bleach - it symbolises a loss - of culture, of song men, of elders ... of many things. The pole wrapping of the fabric is based on the five poles beside the arrivals shed at Mornington Island airfield - one pole for each of the five Mornington Island people who died in a 1999 plane crash near Bentink island.

World Quilt 2012 is here



It is that time of the year again when Australian quilters can enter the 2012 World Quilt Competition. Sue Dennis is again coordinating entries and the prospect of showcasing our traditional and innovative quilter's on the world stage is nothing short of exciting.  Entry forms are now available for downloading from Sue’s website.

The first venue for the World Quilt Show is in Manchester, New Hampshire, New England USA. All entered quilts are judged and many cash prizes are awarded, including Best of Country and Best of Show. There is also a separate section for traditional and innovative entries.  Quilts then tour 3 other prestigious quilt festivals in Pennsylvania, California and Florida before being returned to their owners.  Last year was a real learning experience for me - and  my 2011 entry was the recipient of great feedback on how I might improve both technique and overall composition in my art quilts.

The closing date for 2012 entries is May 20.  For more details contact Sue Dennis and best wishes for your entry.

This quilt  is my interpretation of a  Mornington Island Sunset - a pixelated view of the electric reds and oranges that signal the end of the day - and where, in winter,  pythons seek the last of the day's warmth from the edge of the bitumen.  I used cadastral mapping for the quilt lines showing the area around Gununa township and the small strait that separates Mornington from Denham Island.  Mark making on the surface of the land - mark making on the surface of the cloth - I feel such a strong connection to and respect for the land and place that is Mornington Island. (Mornington Island and the Wellesley Islands are located in the base of the Gulf of Carpentaria, Far North Queensland)

Gulf Streams - a new series

The Studio Art Quilt Association (SAQA) is an organisation where you can take as much or as little as you need - quite literally. About the middle of 2010 it felt like I was on a launch pad, engines burbling and ready for lift off. These days I'm in outer space, tethered lovingly to the ground by a few people and organisations whose influence, input and encouragement  have guided my professional development as an artist. SAQA's mentoring and visioning programs have offered me the support and tools to transition from "passionate quilter" to "professional artist". Part of that professional development relates to the creation of bodies of works, and Gulf Streams is a new series that will be my focus over coming weeks... and months. The lino cut was inspired by  my time working with the Mornington Island community in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The cliffs on one part of the island meet the swirling waters of the Gulf and the debris of washed up offerings lies on the upper most tidal mark. Dugong, turtle and crocodile inhabit the fast moving waters. Exquisitely large snakes frequent the warm road shoulders in the late afternoons.  Mornington, Bentink and Sweers Islands are some of the most beautiful and unmolested places on earth and I hope the yet-to-be created series goes some way to doing that beauty justice.

Untouched of sorts

Mornington Island is, in part, an unspoiled wilderness and there are times when you could believe yours are the only footprints ... until you come across this. Even so, the opportunity to be inspired by a pattern or design arises.