Di Ellis Sanctorium

Swap print

2012-03-03T12:15:00.002-08:00

This piece is another oldie. Nothing is getting finished at present I'm ashamed to say. Lots of false starts. The end of the ?? relationship has put me in a new head space and I don't know what I want to talk about anymore. Looking back at this I can see how angry I was. I've used my hand as the model to make an embossing, lino is used for the back of the handcuffs (which when photographed better would allow you to see a pink reflection of themselves back onto the print) with photo etching for the front. I think there were about 20 people in the swap. It has a teardrop hole in the wrist so it can be pinned to the wall . The handcuff unfolds a little.

Alarming Art Works

2012-02-19T18:12:00.000-08:00

These beauties were made by some of the clients at Alarming Art , we drew our chosen animal shapes, cut them out and painted them and then added stick on's for a little 3D. We have a beautiful cat, a very interesting pigeon who has swallowed a swan and a seal , a doggie , an old glouster spot pig and a 4 headed snail that I should have rotated. The class was inspired by the beautiful work of Karen Nicol . This week its self portraiture. Should be fun !

Happy Valentines Day

2012-02-13T07:33:00.000-08:00

I made cards over the weekend to give out at my art class today. Its an old tattoo image of friendship printed and helped along with a little water colour. Have a happy one

Mortality

2012-02-04T18:31:00.000-08:00

An old print 2007, part of an RMIT print swap the back is solid red there is a solvent transfer and stitching with machine thread. Quite simple really

Jelly Wrestlers

2012-02-03T19:00:00.000-08:00

Though I don't think hair pulling is actually allowed in the rules. Suprisingly this image is from an old tattoo Ive transfered it to paper and sewn into it. I love sewing on paper, not doing it just the results

In a War Someone has to Die

2012-02-01T02:36:00.000-08:00

Mr X Stitch posted this site the other day, as a solidarity with other women thing I thought I should add a hankie. This was my Mums hankie , I suppose its about 50 years old and it had a yellow rose on it. The rose was clearer before I embroidered over it. Just the thing for commenting on wars I thought. It seemed a nice thing to leave in the folds my mother had carefully ironed into it, its the first time we have collaborated on an arts project. So all I have to do now is post it. Its not too late to do one yourself you have till April . Go to In a War Someone has to Die on facebook

Skelly

2012-01-31T12:15:00.000-08:00

The older girls and I made dolls on Monday as a school holiday project. They chose their own colour's and did the cutting out. I was in charge of the sewing machine.

Princess Blocks

2012-01-31T12:11:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I think I like the blocks better than the prints. Its something to do I think, with the woods patina that comes with multiple printing. It talks to me of drift wood. Anyhow a small portion of the printed works is much further back in this blog if you wish to see the finished project. The girls were a major part of my honors year at RMIT.

Beads

2012-01-28T16:08:00.000-08:00

I've acquired a love of beads. Unfortunately this new passion didn't come to me before I sent to the op shop all sorts of lovely beads my Mum had worn. I have to credit those two English dress nazi's with this development as they taught me if you've a a short neck you can't wear a short necklace. So here I am, restringing most of the beads I own. These ones are killing me the beads are so tiny and as you can see from the second photo I have thousands to go. But I think it will be beautiful in the end I love the combination of the tiny woody beads with the abalone style shell.

The Girls

2011-12-25T14:06:00.000-08:00

It's coming

2011-10-29T18:47:00.000-07:00

This fabulous vintage tree decoration was given to me last Xmas by the ever resourceful Ms Askew. Although a bit creepy I think its too good not to share . Watch this space for the results, hi ho hi ho its off to the studio I go

Freak Of Nature

2011-09-24T16:56:00.000-07:00

Here is my little relief piece for Rona's Freak of Nature show. She was a real lassie, a Texan with a double bottom half to her bod. One large and one withered, made up the two sets of legs . From two wombs she delivered five babies. Amazing huh? When I found documentation of her I felt she has no time to be sitting around with idle hands so I put her to work knitting. Makes sense with all those legs. I named her the Sock Knitter in homage to the wonderful Grace Cossington Smith's Sock Knitter one of my all time favorite paintings . The show is on at Switchback gallery Monash Uni Gippsland Campus if that's too far for you, go to Rona Greens website and click on the link to see the whole show on line.

Dragon Costume

2011-09-23T16:53:00.000-07:00

Not exactly art but it was just as( if not more )challenging making this yesterday without a pattern. I had been getting a little cocky about sewing now I have been put well and truely put back in my place insetting the sleeves took 3 goes and I wont tell you how many times I redid the nose . Anyhow 1 very happy dragon and 1 terrified cat.

Last words on Muffs

2011-09-15T23:32:00.000-07:00

I was horrified to read in the Handbook of English Costume in the 19th Century by C Willet and Phillis Cunnington, Faber ,1959 that between 1880 and 90 Muffs in favour would be either, large and made of seal, skunk, racoon or marten and they would conceal a card case . Or the smaller alternatives may be feather and thus decorated with a small bird with outstretched wings . Velvet on the other hand might be trimmed with an attractive owls head, a squirrel or Mmmm the entire body of ...... a kitten. I guess they weren't too popular with vegetarians

Annekata

2011-09-15T16:38:00.000-07:00

I just discovered this most beautiful inspiring blog. She has finished writing, but has left the stories and images for us all to enjoy. Well worth a look if you like to sew

More Muff

2011-09-10T17:25:00.000-07:00

Nether Regions opened yesterday with a print fair hundreds of people wandered through . A great afternoon of meeting artists and art fanciers all thanks to the wonderful Rona Green. All up I have three pieces in the show . The muff itself enclosed in a fabulously thick bespoke perspex box handmade by the talented Mr Scott , the embroidery already featured and the multiple, solvent transfer print hand embroidered with sewing machine thread which Ive yet to post.

Muff

2011-08-09T15:08:00.000-07:00

Muff is a piece I've recently sewn to solvent transfer from. It's crewl and french knots using the colours from the constructed muff which , along with the print will be on show at the Abbottsford Convent come September.

Now showing

2011-07-06T04:17:00.000-07:00

Here is some work I have on show at RMIT in the Art Link cabinets (between the cafe and the Hub.) It was interesting hanging work from 3 different series together. Getting it up was also a challenge as you can see the strange perspex walls well they are unable to be damaged in any way so no using nails or pins.

Tattoo Sleeve

2011-05-11T14:29:00.000-07:00

This piece is solvent transfer,hand embroidery and quilting on calico cut to a pattern by Janet Arnold of fifteenth century clothing. First I put it with a corset and a friend modeled it for me, then I was given a wedding dress from circa 1940 so I set it into that to show at Port Jackson Press

Font

2011-04-23T23:03:00.000-07:00

Ms Askew again kindly brought treasures, this china font she thought would be perfect for my Agnes of Rome calling cards. I think she was right.

"Play"

2011-04-10T15:31:00.000-07:00

Last week I heard I was accepted into curator Joetta Maue's (Little Yellow Birds ) upcoming exhibition Play which is to be held at the Textile Arts Center, 505 Carroll St, Brooklyn from the 13th of May to June 24 2011. Its very exciting and I wish I could be there. The artist list is awesome. Here is a sneak preview of the house model in one of the garments of Rough Play that I will be showing.

Because it makes me smile

2011-03-31T22:19:00.000-07:00

An action shot of my favorite flower princess doing her stuff at a recent wedding. She's throwing rose petals into the wind. I love it

More Body Armour

2011-03-29T22:04:00.000-07:00

These vests are from the Body Armour series . The detailed one is commenting on Colonial antics that we European types got up to in the bad old days. I have used authentic African fabric on the inside. Isn't it weird how the fabric is fully embraced by African people but it is made in and by the Dutch but called African. I've put a (Mexican) cross in the pocket because those who trespass often think god is on their side. Out of sight is a set of keys a symbol of authority. When I showed then it was possible to try them on . It was interesting to see peoples choices.

Costumes for the More Mature Figure

2011-03-22T15:15:00.000-07:00

This work is quite old (Tafe days) an experimentation within the "Costumes for the More Mature Figure" series. I relief printed (3 colours) onto polyester voile and with the help of a Butterick pattern turned the fabric into a very impractical and I imagine uncomfortable bathing suit. Never having be able to get a photo of it and its matching bathing cap I decided to give it a little antique treatment. Hopefully it gives the feeling of a photogram

Sam I am ( with apologies to Dr Suess)

2011-03-22T15:05:00.000-07:00

I thought I should in all fairness show Sammies current door plate as well. She can choose a birdie or whatever when she is older. This is machine sewed felt on printmakers paper simple but effective

Rough Play

2011-03-15T18:27:00.000-07:00

Well this piece was made to fill a hole at my first Convent show. Its a set of 3 size one faux bullet proof vests hanging on cute vintage hangers (sourced as usual from the wonderful Ms Askew) . They drove me crazy for a while working out how to decorate them. I thought they would have vintage embroidered motifs on them but which ever way I went formal or backwards it looked crap so in the end I added the bibs after all a baby needs a bib.

Bespoke Birdy

2011-03-09T13:40:00.000-08:00

Sasha was 2 when she requested a pink bluebird. It lives on her bedroom door. I drew the bird in pink and orange texta then printed , embroidered stiffened it and added a jewel eye

Embroidered Shield

2011-03-09T13:39:00.000-08:00

I'm quite taken by this hand embroidered shield. Its a lend from Ms Askew to inspire. On this is couching , french knots and stem stitch.

Robin

2011-02-23T02:11:00.000-08:00

This is Heidi's robin . Just a quickie I made as part of her Xmas gift. Its tiny smaller than a finch printed ,embroidered and machine edged. Now I'm working on a thrush hopefully I can show her soon

Quote

2011-02-20T14:30:00.000-08:00

Thought I would share this beautiful quote by Sarah Ellis ( no relation) in 1839
When speaking of embroidery, I would write in characters of gold the indisputable fact that the habits of industry and personal exertion thus acquired, give a strength and dignity of character, a power of usefulness and a capability of doing good which (lol) the higher theories of modern education fail to impart.

Bluebird Sleeve

2011-01-28T15:05:00.000-08:00

This piece was an experimental side piece made when I was working on the tattoo sleeve. I printed the calico off a lino block I'd carved the year before. Taking a weekend to carve I couldn't not use it again sometime. So printed the calico and then over layed it with a classic tattoo flash design. Embroidered the bird heart and scroll in Perle floss S and sewed it up using the Janet Arnold medieval sleeve pattern

Muff

2011-01-24T16:26:00.000-08:00

A different tactic this time a work in progress. Rona Green is curating a show at the Abbottsford Convent in September and I'm lucky enough to have been included. The brief is Nether Regions and so I thought I would make a muff. I looked at an anatomy book for inspiration took artistic license and here we are . 18 days of crewel sewing and soon I should be able to quilt it and then turn it into a muff inspired by one at the V&A C17.The blue line will come out in water and then I shall hand paint the pale seedy bits . When its finished I shall photograph it and make a set of prints from it Wish me luck

More Poultice

2011-01-21T11:55:00.000-08:00

Here is the stitched piece that I used to make the print for 52 from. Its quite tactile, made from the softest old sheet embroidered and quilted with machine thread.

details from Tenet

2011-01-14T12:37:00.000-08:00

I thought I would share a couple of my protective saints today. St Catherine of sienna, she is the patron saint of many things including keeping maidens from acting in a lewd way(no wonder the nuns had her as the patron of Siena College. And Saint Roche who was into body ills, wounds and the leg. Both were used in the Tenet show at the Abbottsford Convent .They are Solvent transfer on vintage sheeting, hand embroidered. While I was making these all the Mary McKillop beautification was happening and people were (pulling out for the cameras )very similar handmade icons of which they believed held great power to protect.

Poultice

2011-01-13T13:27:00.000-08:00

Poultice (plaster for a broken heart) is a piece that was stitched mainly with the intention of printing from it. It does however belongs in a suite of work , still under construction that deal with medical and religious intervention. This is the print and it is part of a portfolio 52, organised by Rona Green and showing in Wagga at Charles Stuart Uni later this year

Swallow

2011-01-08T14:14:00.000-08:00

This bird is inspired by swallows on a 1907 post card. I printed on calico, hand embroidered birdy them machined around the edges and added a rhinestone eye. I liked it enough to think it would become my next project, a mixed flock of flying birds .Thanks to dear Caroline I have enough birds to keep me sewing on the train till the end of the next school year

Thread Drawing

2011-01-08T13:48:00.000-08:00

These are from a series I created in Summer School. Fully intending to paint I was distracted by a girl stenciling found objects with texta pens. I wanted to re create her line marks with black thread.I had already made woodblock prints of these women as part of my exploration of tattoos and thought it would be interesting to portray them in a different way. I think I produced 5 in the 10 day class run by Rhett Da Costa and I was pleased with the end result. They were hung in a corridor space, regally higher than eye level , out from the wall on long window dressers pins.Light coming from the nearby window produced delicate tracery on the wall behind ,the gentle breeze alluding to the action of breathing. I've included the prints for interests sake and a crappy image of part of the finished work which was 7 sheets wide. I was aiming to talk about how it all remains the same using images of medieval princesses and photographing young women from my studio and using their silhouettes

"Soft" Body Armour

2011-01-04T02:21:00.000-08:00

This series explores the protective nature of the Soft body armour vest. Through construction I ponder would the vest be protective, isolating or the proverbial hair shirt when worn to deflect the physical, verbal and emotional challenges of modern life

stomacher

2011-01-04T02:12:00.000-08:00

This is my peacock stomacher . A garment worn between the 17th and 19th centuries ,like a scarf today they accessorized your outfit and were often made specially to commemorate an important event. Mine is printed embroidered and hand quilted. It was inspired by a piece of Victorian jewelery. The peacock was a symbol of protection in many countries

Sanctorium

2011-01-04T02:07:00.000-08:00

Sanctorium is a hand quilted cover made for Rebecca Mayo's Dolls House last year The house is further fortified with priinted and embroidered amulets to protect the occupants from the rigors of the post 9/11 world

Needle ,Shuttle and Spinning Wheel

2011-01-04T01:12:00.000-08:00

Talking about the wedding frock ,the dress belongs to a dear friend who married in it during world war 2. Its perhaps a self patterned satin . Made by Frankie Stuart of Melbourne (complete) with the addition of a hand embroidered,quilted and printed sleeve cut from a medieval sleeve pattern . The tattoos are of the tattoo flash style.

Blue birds

2011-01-04T01:02:00.000-08:00

These I created when there seemed to be a hole in my installation at Port Jackson Press. Since the work focused on the tattoo I decided to use the "something blue" for inspiration and what better than the (over the equator tattoo) blue bird of happiness. Like flying ducks I felt 3 to be most appropriate

Tenet

2010-12-31T00:31:00.000-08:00

Tenet is work Ive made this year that explores the theme of personal safety and belief in contemporary society. Through protective or restrictive garments and currently icons and amulets I examine patriarchal order as imposed on women. Tenet is a range of hand quilted undergarments further fortified with hand embroidered icons to protect the wearer from the rigors of the post 9/11 world