There at last!

Finally the projects are finished, the hooks are hammered in and my final major project is complete! Tonight was the private view for our exhibition, and today was the first time I've seen my installation as I planned it to be. Have a look at some previous posts to find out about my inspiration.
It's called 'Claiming Sanctuary' and consists of 4 parts:
A torn curtain which represents the stresses and pressures of the everyday world
A wall hanging to represent a cathedral, the sense of space and peace.
A memorial plaque, which is a very personal piece, in memory of 3 babies I lost to miscarriage last year.
An icon of St Clare, the patron saint of embroiderers.

I'm so pleased with how it's come together, and that people went in for a look, which I was worried they wouldn't!

Really going to miss my fellow students, but not all the research!

Nearly there!

I spent today getting my installation up for our exhibition. I'm exhausted, and it's not quite finished. Thankfully I've got tomorrow to get the last few things done. Here are a couple of photos of the work in progress. More when it's all done!

Where had I got to?

I have to admit I had to sneak a peek at this blog because I didn't have a clue what my last post was! Now I'm up to speed here's what I've been up to.
Firstly, it's no longer a cloak, I've become a proper art student and I'm making an installation! I've been fighting it because I thought it was too typical and I wanted to be different but this piece needs to be an installation, so there we go. The main piece, formerly the cloak, is well underway. The floor tiles, windows and arches are all stitched on and now it's awaiting embellishing to create a stone effect. The photos show 3 possible fabrics for the altar - a beautiful green blue shot silk, a hideous green that is so awful I'm embarrassed to post it and a pale green jacquard which I like the best. I'll post again to explain my new direction a little more.

Sad Little Cherub

Not sure which cathedral is home to this little fella, but he is so sweet that I had to include him in the research for my Cathedrals and Pilgrimages project. I created my own version in Procreate on the iPad, using layers. I imported the photo first, added a new layer for outline, a new layer for grey tones and finally a new layer for the background. Then I hid the photo layer and re-ordered the other layers so the outline is on the top. I'm really pleased with the end result.

Final Major Project

After strict instructions to spend half term 'project free', I'm now beginning to think about my final major project! I'm so amazed to have got here, and am determined to make the most of this last project. (Part of me is looking forward to sewing something without having to make a sketch book first!)
Anyway, I've picked the theme Cathedrals and Pilgrimages. Feeling inspired by Grayson Perry, and my favourite place on earth, Canterbury cathedral.
No artwork of my own to post yet, so a couple of images which inspire me.
One is the altar in Canterbury cathedral which marks the spot of Thomas Becket's murder. I love this space in the cathedral, still full of impact even now. The other image is St Clare of Assisi, patron saint of needlework. If you're thinking about saints and pilgrimages and intend to create some textile art, she needs to be here!