A THOUSAND PAPER CRANES

This week, everyone had a go at tie-dying various natural fabric articles.
We had a collection of white fabric squares, t-shirts, and bags.
Also the silk scarves from last week.

Same of the fabric was rinsed in warm water to dampen it. Some was kept dry to see if there would be a difference.

The fabric was then folded, pleated, or scrunched and tied tightly with string or elastic bands. Some pebbles and other small objects were wrapped in the fabric, and tied, to give yet another different effect.

 Three bowls were prepared with warm water and salt solution. The dye was added so that we had each of the primary colours; one bowl of yellow, one of red and one of blue.

The fabric bundles were placed in the bowls, some stretched over several bowls to get mixed colour, and left to soak.

 



 One t-shirt was dip dyed in the yellow, and then half of it dipped in the red, before being tied. Another was dipped in the yellow, and half of it submerged in the blue and left un-tied. This will be printed on to next week.

The scarf had been silk-painted, and ironed to fix it. It was then dip dyed, with a lively deep blue result.

A THOUSAND PAPER CRANES

We continued or began the silk painting; again, drawing a design on paper, tracing it with gutta (to form a barrier or resist) and adding colour by painting with silk paints.

The new participants began on sample pieces and instantly demonstrated their artistic skills, with strong designs and steadily applied gutta.

“I find this so relaxing.”

“I don’t like art.

I’m more scientific. But I’ve changed my mind. I really enjoyed this.”

“You’ve got to keep going with it even when you think it isn’t working. I didn’t like the flowers last week. I was going to go over them, but I thought I’d try this, and I really like it now”.

“The time goes so fast! I found it very relaxing and it allowed me to enter a new world for a few hours”.

“I really like everyone’s different interpretations. That’s something I’m really enjoying (with this project).”

Hidden Places - Week 2

Ward 2 was a little quieter this week. But Milena and I managed to get people on board who created some beautiful pieces.

Milena on the women's ward did some block printing - colourful stylised natural forms on fabric. One participant really enjoyed using watercolour crayons... she'd never used them before so it was a bit of an adventure! There was also bit of T-shirt printing going on too.

Milena also gave me some printed pieces that her group had produced - so the men can work on them... it'll be great to see how they develop.

The men did some work on the mono prints from last week. Some of the pieces were washed over with Brusho inks to bring out the textures and enhance the colour. A great version of Edvard Munch's 'The Scream' was started on a small canvas ... interested to see how that develops. Sorry but no pics of that piece just yet!

We've decided the final piece will be at least two 1m square canvases for the entrance area...one for the boys and one for the girls. I'm fascinated by what the final compositions might look like. Can't wait!

Quotes of note....

Women - It turned out really well

Men - I'm rubbish at art...but it looks cool

           You’ll never get me to have a go…but I might try next time! 

           Can I put that in my room?

Staff - I'm going to try that at home 

Hidden Places - Week 1

Well it's all go on Ward 2 at the Newsam Centre working on the Hidden Places project. The ward needs something upbeat and eye catching in the entrance; so Milena is being all creative on the women's ward and I'm working with the ward 2 guys.

After a brief introduction to the project, we got off to a great start with some colourful monoprinting...

Milena and I are both very pleased with how enthusiastic and productive the participants were - especially considering it was the first session and the first time most of the participants had ever used monoprinting.

Milena's group were really into natural forms and quickly produced some bright and striking designs. The women are really excited about developing the technique and will be printing on fabric in the next session.

The men's group were into their landscapes and abstract colour compositions. We also spent a lot of time mixing an interesting and original palette instead of using what came out of the paint tube.
I was asked to bring in some bright flourescent paints so I can't wait to see what happens with them.  

Quotes of note....

Women -

I really enjoyed this.

Can’t wait to print on the material, can I make a cushion cover?

Men -

It’s a shame I am leaving the ward this week… I would have liked to do more.

Can we do wild psychedelic/day glow stuff?

Staff -
This looks amazing, can I have a go.

I'm not here next week so I shall miss out. 

It's all go... so watch this space!

A THOUSAND PAPER CRANES

This week we introduced the next new technique – silk painting!

The designs were drawn up onto paper.
The silk was taped tight across the paper to hold it still.
The design could then be traced onto the silk using the gutta.
The gutta forms a stop barrier, preventing the silk paint from spreading any further along the fibres of the fabric. This allows the paint to be restricted to certain areas, and allows the formation of designs and patterns.

Participants painted onto silk squares to test the technique, before translating designs onto the scarves.

HIDDEN PLACES

Today begins a nine-week project at The Forensic Unit at the Newsam Centre in Seacroft Hospital.

This programme of work is in partnership with Arts and Minds and Pyramid of Arts and is called 'Hidden Places'.  An intriguing name, chosen because we wanted to reflect how our work is often in 'hidden places', places in which most people cannot go, environments which are challenging.  Often we are working with the most vulnerable people, a lot of the time their stories aren't heard.

Artlink's project seeks to work with male and female patients within locked wards on the unit.  This is a secure unit - individuals are here because they have committed a crime and are held under the Mental Health Act.

As we begin today, we are not sure how the project will unfold, who will take up the challenge and the impact on those who choose to get involved.  What we do know is we'll be introducing patients to an array of artistic techniques, led by two of our experienced artists - open to all patients, regardless of whether they're a Picasso or someone who thinks they 'can't do art'. Over the forthcoming weeks, the project will be documented on here with photos, quotes from participants and the thoughts of the artists involved; Milena Dragic and Kevin Hickson.

Finally, we are working towards an event in early October where the work of both projects will be showcased and shared with those who work in this area or want to know a bit more about it.

Follow us on here over the next nine weeks to see how the project unfolds.

A THOUSAND PAPER CRANES

The stenciled bags that were begun last session were completed.
Second colours overlaid, and second sides begun.
Those that had missed the last session were able to choose a simple design and complete the bag in one session.

“This was easier then I expected.”

“You see more is more!“