Take It Further - May

I can't remember whether I have blogged much about the May "Take It Further" Challenge but Sharon had challenged us all to think about what we call ourselves artistically speaking. Sharon says that if you can't define what it is you do, then how can you expect others to understand or respect what you do. I have been thinking about it on and off all month but I was struggling to come up with anything that translated into a fabric, paper or mixed media format and I had just about got to the point where I was going to drop out of the whole thing (especially as the alternative challenge was a pastel coloured palette which didn't grab me at all).

BUT this morning I woke up and knew immediately what the problem was - I hate labels and I don't really feel much inclination or need to really explain just what it is that I do when I disappear into my craft or sewing rooms. So this is my response to this month's challenge - I've painted a piece of canvas, stamped it with flourishes and written out my thoughts using my favourite white gel pen (remind me next time that canvas is not the best surface to write on!). The canvas has been machine stitched to a black backing.

And I feel liberated! May is finished and I didn't compromise on my own thinking just to get something made for the challenge. Now for June, which I think is even harder - this time Sharon has asked us to make our challenge piece on the idea of "stories that are and stories that are possible". She has used the concept of a fabric stash and all the stories and possibilities contained in those fabrics and I for one, may just have to use that as my inspiration...And once again the alternative challenge is a colour palette that doesn't in any way inspire me - or at least not at this stage.

And now for a bit of fun - here is my May piece with alternative hue/saturation effects! I like all of them better than my original!