July #tweetart WIP images

seemed like such a good idea at the time...

the work will be a multiple, available from Westgate studio during the Wakefield Art Walk

Midsummer Watch Workshop - In the Belly of a Dragon

Yesterday, I had my first full workshop day at the nerve-center of the Midsummer Watch Parade in Chester.  I was introduced to Ron, the other assistant artist working on the project and found Vicky already at work in the studio when I got there.

Russell showed us how to use double-weight tea bag paper and latex to begin fleshing out the basic withy structure of our birds; made at our interview. I eventually got the hang of it, but I hadn't really thought about how I would cover the structure when I was making the frame, so found the wings a little bit awkward to cover.

covered bird

We are going to be constructing three green men, and had all brought bits of research; visual, literary and historical, which were pinned to a board.

My visual research is also available online, I've not had chance to do any sketching. 

I told Russell about my epiphany with center cane, and suggested it might be useful for getting some lovely organic vine-like shapes.

Russell had already made a start on a green man, this head blinks its eyes.

Once the birds were finished, we started work repairing existing puppets. Ron took the red dragon built onto a pram, I took the green-hobby-horse-style-dragon and Vicky took a crow on a stick.

I had to remove the dragon's head and adjust the direction of his neck a little

Using gaffer, i patched up the holes I found and then covered those with latex and tea bag paper

The underside of the dragon hadn't been painted, and so the latex had become brittle and discoloured, it needed re-covering and painting to stop this from happening again.

Some of the internal structure needed strengthening with cable ties, and so I spent a good while inside the belly of a dragon. Once the structure was solid and all of the holes were patched, I set about painting over the patches; bringing to the fore my complete incapacity in mixing paint.

In the end it looked fine

Week in Pictures

a busy week it's been too.

last Sunday I visited MAS camp to help the Nexus Art Cafe crue in building things for their Manchester Day Parade float.

I'm good friends with Hannah Mosley, Nexus's charity manager, and she mentioned the floats they were building used the same withy-frame technique as the ones on Midsummer Watch; she suggested i come and give a hand and after getting completely lost near Granada Studios that is exactly what I did.

this will be a giant teapot

Eilidh, the assistant artist, introduced me to the rats heads that the group were making, and I got stuck in.

centre cane gives really beautiful curvilinear shapes between the withy structure

I left it at this point, but vowed to return to finish later in the week

On Tuesday I was at Manchester Art Gallery; I'm working with Natasha Howes, Exhibitions curator, on the We Face Forward exhibition. This will be a showcase of new work by 33 artists from 11 different West African countries.

I have been putting together welcome packs for the artists who will be visiting over the opening weekend. 

This week I scrapped the #tweetart pieces I had made as they looked pants, and started again. 

this is a poodle doing a shit

more when it's finished....

On Wednesday I went to finish my rat head off

Looks alright doesn't it?

May #tweetart WIP

I'm making a triptych

FREE Tables Available at Three Day Art and Craft Fair in Bolton

I am organising a Craft and art fair in Bolton Over the weekend of 27th 28th and 29th of August at Saint Andrews Court.

WHAT ST ANDREWS COURT USED TO LOOK LIKE

Saint Andrews Court is being regenerated, when finished it is planning to offer low rent to small independent retailers to help them establish and grow their businesses.

The tables will be FREE as this is an event to draw attention to the space and its imminent re-birth as a hub of independent loveliness.

If you would like to sell craft, art, food, anything hand made at all, you are welcome to have a table at the fair on one or all days that it is running. All of your profits will be your own, we are asking only that you come and show off your work.

We will provide a table, but if you have your own then do feel free to bring it.

The fair will be running at the same time as the Bolton Food and Drink Festival, and so the centre is expected to be busy.

More info on Bolton Food and Drinks Festival

We will be adversising with A boards, in local shop windows, locally with posters and online.

We have keys to all the units, so if it were to rain then we can put you inside, and also if you would like a table for the whole 3 days, then you can put your gear away over night.

Artists, we have the ability to open units for you to display work if you would like to have an exhibition, if you fancy putting some work up or doing a mini group show. then let me know, I think this would be a fun thing.

Musicians, if you would like to come and play some music, get in touch with me and we can convene.

E-mail me faz_@hotmail.com subject: August Craft Fair if you are interested in taking part.

Please forward this to anybody you might think would be interested.

Smash your face in, with love.

Green Lantern Felt Brooches

Handmade green and white felt brooch

Available to buy from my Folksy page

Spider-Man Brooches

New Spider-man brooches
Hand stitched
Available to buy from my Folksy page

http://www.folksy.com/items/1832481

Interviewed today about my Crafting

PhD Blog: Interview with Rag Thug Crafts: "Had another great interview today, this time it was with Faye Scott-Farrington, who creates and makes under the name of Rag Thug Crafts. No..."

Rag Thug Crafts Online

I now have an online home for Rag Thug Crafts

http://www.folksy.com/shops/RagThugCrafts

Please take a look around and check out my stuff

Ugly Mugs

new mugs for The Sunday Market at Islington Mill, Salford

"Sunday, April 24 · 12:00pm - 4:00pm sees the first in our weekly Sunday Markets where specialist craft makers, designers and artists from across the UK will unite in showing and selling their wares."




http://thesundaymarket.tumblr.com/

Craft Fair April 9th 2011

Cookie Kits for Fair

Raisin Cinnamon and Oat cookie kits & Chocolate Chip and Oat cookie kits
Fun alternative to Easter eggs
Comes with a recipe to make your own when you have used the contents of the jar

for upcoming FUSE Craft fair
9th April, 11-3pm
Longsight Methodist Church, Harwood, Bolton

Custard Cream Felt Brooches

New Rag Thug brooches for upcoming FUSE Craft fair
9th April, 11-3pm
Longsight Methodist Church, Harwood, Bolton