Jacqueline Ford Fine Art (Look What Jacq Made)
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2013: A weekend at Waddesdon and meeting the 'Biggest Friend'

26/1/2014

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2013 in review - October

In October I had the pleasure to be invited to take part at an event run by Sally Evans in the Plant Centre at Waddesdon Manor.  

One of my crafty chums, Nicky Bibby of Bee Bee Crafts was also taking part and we were lucky enough to get our request for tables next to each other granted. The Plant Centre is a huge glass house and, with the sun shining, was surprisingly warm inside. In fact I had to take my shoes and socks off to set up - and re-think my wardrobe for the weekend!

On the Saturday afternoon I was joined by my crafty chum Stephanie Moffat who helped me man the stand - and gave me the chance to go and see all the lovely arts and crafts on offer (as well as being able to sit and eat cake without the fear of having to speak to someone as soon as I took a mouthful!)

Nicky making the finishing touches to her lovely stand:
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Part of my stand:
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Nicky and my chum Steph:
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On the Sunday Cath Friend from Emerald Frames popped in with her Dad Michael Friend.  It was great to meet Michael as Cath had commissioned me to produce a picture of her Dad on his beloved recumbent trike last Xmas. Michael is a 'local icon', well known for riding up and down the prom on the Wirral.

This picture was a fun commission to work on and the brief included the following items:
  • Michael on his recumbent trike
  • Tug boat
  • Chocolate
  • Reference to the 'Biggest Friend'
  • Reference to 'Meols'
  • Reference to 'The Wirral Way'
  • Reference to the 'The Wirral Community Canal Boat Trust'

Michael Friend and a small version of his picture from my portfolio book - followed by some more detailed shots of the original work:
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A great bonus of doing events like these is that you get to meet new people and see work and techniques that fire up the imagination.  To finish this post I would like to mention just two:

Displayed on one of the stalls opposite me was a fabulous silver necklace that had silver bird shapes, chain, silver rings and shells and a blue 'element' with a bird on that from my stand  was difficult to work out what it was.  On closer inspection the 'blue' was a dolls ear that had been flocked and set in silver - and represented the 'sound of the sea'.  It was a stunning and original piece produced by a recently graduated artist called Robyn Golding

Robyn likes to repurpose and recycle old silver and broken doll parts - into truly original jewellery - and I just adore my seagull earrings!

You can see more examples of Robyn's unique work on her website:

http://www.robyngoldingjewellery.co.uk

Robyn and a couple of flocked dolls feet:
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I also found a kindred spirit in Jo Atherton who repurposes flotsam into magical woven designs.  I thought I was the only person who filled my pockets with such 'treasure' when at the seaside - but Jo had a stash of flotsam to die for!

Jo kindly sorted me out a small bag of mixed flotsam - including some amazing (and rare) fluorescent plastic threads that I have certainly not found to date, to incorporate in my work. I  have used some in my most recent Aldeburgh pictures - along with flotsam from Suffolk too.

Jo - I have not forgotten that I am due to send you a bag of flotsam in the post in return  . . .  watch out for the postie!

You can learn more about Jo's environmentally friendly work and see examples of completed weavings on her website:

http://flotsamweaving.com


Jo weaving with flotsam - she is also a talented potter:
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My bag of TREASURE . . . 
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2013: A fun commission

4/1/2014

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July

At the start of July I was contacted by Nick Brookman who had seen my Bucks Open Studios work at Emerald and was keen to discuss a commission to celebrate an upcoming 'significant' birthday.  Nick knew that he wanted the picture to include images of him and his wife Freya dancing and, as we chatted, I explained to Nick that the way that I work lends itself to incorporating other personal imagery too - giving Nick some food for thought. 

I like to work from my photographs and also to visit the location for the artwork so that I can get a feel for the place and sketch out composition ideas to complement the photos.  On a sunny Saturday I drove over to the Brookman's and the fun began!

Nick and Freya had thought long and hard about the picture that they wanted and had come up with a really interesting list that we discussed over a cup of tea:

  • three images of them dancing
  • canalside location
  • willow trees
  • map of Regents Park Open Air Theatre
  • map of Spittlefields Market
  • map of the Everyman Cinema in Hampstead
  • lyrics from songs by Pink Martini
  • words from a poem read out at their wedding
  • two corduroy dogs
  • colourful quilt handmade by Freya
  • 'happiness' tube sign
  • images of the Brookman's home

A well thought out imagery list really helps to define the brief and enables a truly personal story to be told in the finished work - and this list was an absolute treat to work to!

We headed out down to the canal and I took lots of photos and did some sketches. I provided the Brookman's with six composition ideas and once the favourite was chosen I got busy playing with my paper, scissors and glue.  

Some of the elements on the picture were very fiddly to produce - such as the railings, but by the end I was really happy with the result and that I managed to incorporate all bar the last element on the list.

And the best news - Nick was just delighted with the finished work too!

An 'action shot' under the willows by the canal:
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The chosen composition:
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Nick and Freya dancing on my studio (kitchen) table:
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Constructing the extremely fiddly railings - the willow branches in the background are the colours of Freya's handmade quilt rather than the natural green:
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The corduroy dogs waiting to find a home on the picture:
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Starting to put all the elements together:
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Nick and his finished picture ready to mount and frame.
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Thankyou Nick and Freya for giving me such a GREAT brief to work from - I loved making this picture for you and hope that you enjoy this for many years' to come!

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2013: Clearing clutter and a Maidenhead commission

25/12/2013

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After berating myself in February for not writing a blog entry since November - I managed to go one better and not write ANY this year at all!

So in the spirit of being kind to myself - rather than beating myself up further, I'm going to write a few 'year in review' entries to finish off 2013.  A bite size task - more manageable and there is not one for every month either . . . surely that's achievable?!



January

Any artists New Years' resolution list has to include one about tidying up your materials and work area for the coming year.  

I lovingly refer to the cupboard space under my stairs as the 'hell hole'.  If you ever need anything it is always at the back - and when you take stuff out, it's volume expands making it a real challenge to fit back in!

Below are the 'before' and 'after' shots. I'm too ashamed to show the 'in progress' ones with  my front room carpet, sofa and all other available surfaces fully covered . . . and me looking on thinking why on earth did I start this.

I'm happy to report that this space has been maintained through 2013 and although I have to move boxes to get to the back everything is neatly stored, labelled and has a home making it so much easier to find what you need quickly!


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February

I first met Jo at the end of 2012.  Jo's son rows for Claires Court School and after seeing my work at Emerald she was keen to explore a commission featuring her son and his friends.

The weather was bad in February and trying to get a photo shoot in the diary was a challenge.  The river ran too high for the boys to safely row from Maidenhead Rowing Club so this was a true 'collage' of images to make a final composition.

On maybe the only sunny Saturday in February we managed to meet and get some photos at the Rowing Club - including some shots of Jo and the family dog Russ to incorporate. From these I developed a series of sketched compositions for Jo to choose from.

The image of Jo's hubby was taken in their garden and emailed to me - as was a picture of their son and his chums rowing.   

The finished result was revealed at a fund raising event at Maidenhead Rowing Club in March and got a lot of positive comments.


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    My name's Jacqueline and I invite you to join me on my adventure in mixed media 'arting and crafting'.

    I craft from my kitchen table at my home in Marlow-on-Thames in Buckinghamshire in England and want to use this blog to share my latest ideas and work.

    If something you have seen inspires you to have a go please do share the result with me.

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