Tuesday 18 August 2009

Gran - KC Collage

This is a really special piece of work for me that I want to share with you. My wonderful friend Kaz signed me up for the KC Willis Collage camp some months back, and it was the most amazing gift. I've been tentatively buying fabrics for a while, looking at some of the amazing artwork Carrie creates, but didn't know where to start myself - but the KC camp really got me moving.

The image I chose to use for my first piece is a picture of my Gran when she was young, she's 87 now and I've included a photograph of her I took a couple of years ago. Any of you that know me well will know just how special this lady is to me. She was a huge presence in my childhood, she cooked my lunch every day from school, and babysat us every Saturday night until we were old enough to go out, by then my friends and I would go round hers for a few drinks and a sing-song ~ she is better known as Gran to many people in Cork, than as Maureen or Mrs Bruton ;-)

Today she is still one of my best friends and she has always encouraged me to be who I want to be, and still praises my artwork like she did when I was a little girl, and I guess her approval is more important to me than any would be art critic. I took the finished work down to Cork to show her before I blogged it, and she loved it, and poured over all the little details.

The finished work evolved over many months, I really don't rush things ;-) But it was worth the time and effort. I love this piece, and as I am usually my own worst critic, this makes it pretty special for me. My craft studio is undergoing some serious refitting at the moment, and this piece is ear marked for pride of place once the work is complete.











15 comments:

Emma said...

This is just stunning Auds.. love everything about it and the photo of your gran you've used is perfect, she was a very beautiful woman... I can see why you love it so much x :o)

Kazkrafts said...

OMG moo I'm welling up here....this piece is just so emotional and perfect and gorgeous. I love all of the details, the material and colours you chose, and that picture is stunning, your gran is very beautiful.
the quote is fantastic too....makes you think eh!! (I'm definately 12)
really glad you enjoyed the course, and if you only ever make this one piece from it then it was well worth it.
just perfect Audrey xxx

Chris said...

Audrey this is just stunning! Your Gran was, and still is, a beautiful woman. I keep going back to see what I may have missed, there is so much detail but it doesn't look cluttered. You are right to be proud of this piece.

joanne wardle said...

beautiful and a lovely story too. it's lovely to hear how close you are to your gran

Karin said...

OMG Audrey this is such a stunning piece of artwork. I love everything about it, from your story of what a great friend your Gran is, to the beautiful images of her. I love the fabrics and embellishments and how you've placed them, the quote and just about everything really!
Well done moo. xx

Scrappelise said...

They have already said it; it is wonderful! This is a masterpiece. I don`t know how to say it,what I mean, but: you are a great artist! Your Gran was so lovely as a young woman and she still have that same beauty now.

Elisa said...

Amazing work, Audrey!
Each bit is put together with love and I think we can see it. Love the muted colours against the bits of silver in the top & button. Your gran was gorgeous as a young woman and is gorgeous now too.

Kathy said...

a stunning piece of work

penibear said...

Just beautiful Audrey, I love it all, especially the dangly chains

Lainey said...

I love it Audrey - it's just beautiful. What a great tribute to s a special lady XX

Karva said...

Audrey this is amazing, WOW well done girl :) it's so special. You are one talented lady. ((((HUGS)))) to you and Joe
Karva

Caroline Moore said...

What a fabulous piece of work Audrey - no wonder your gran loved it, you should be very proud of it. I cant believe that not long ago you could barely do a stitch. Keep it coming :0))

Annamarie said...

Wow Audrey. This piece is just perfect. The amount of detail in it is just stunning. Your Gran sounds like a truly wonderful woman, you're very lucky to have each other :-)

Carol Q said...

fab piece of artwork Audrey, it obviously suits your creative style. so much work has gone into it. it's just beautiful.

Jan said...

Beautiful Audrey. really vintage. Love it