Thursday, February 3, 2011

Elaine's beginnings

I am really looking forward to this exciting challenge again, thanks Fiona. I can hardly believe the first month is over already!

For my ‘black and white and a touch of….’ alphabet I wanted the 7cm squares to be transparent. I first worked on tracing paper, but it didn’t give me the transparency that I wanted, so I then tried ‘Mylar’ (a strong polyester film) which was perfect. For the freely written capitals I used one of my favourite tools, a double ruling pen, and FW non-clogging waterproof drawing ink. I was quite surprised to see that Mylar is mentioned as one of the surfaces that the ink can be used on. I don’t have the control I would have on paper because of the slippery surface, but I am enjoying the challenge. I have made the white dots with a fine round-tipped ‘Uni POSCA’ pen which is also waterproof and does not rub off the film..

For the ‘touch of..’ I am tying a coloured thread to one corner, gradating the colours as the alphabet progresses. I plan to put all the squares on a spike, reminiscent of the way we used to save receipts, etc . The hole for the spike will be on the opposite corner from the thread and I will put a bead or something similar on the spike between each square, providing a space between each one so that the letters are not obscured by each other. I imagine the letters spiralling around the spike and hopefully this will work out.





9 comments:

  1. Oh Elaine- simply stunning! I love the simplicity and am intrigued by the possible final piece ideas.

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  2. As Fiona says, the simplicity makes them just beautiful.

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  3. oh, lovely letters, and such a great idea.

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  4. Elaine- very lovely letters, transparency is a great idea.

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  5. I totally agree! A very unique and wonderful idea! Love the color accented thread idea too...I can see it going through the color scale. It's going to be magnificent when all put together! Can't wait to see it!

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  6. Very creative Elaine. Love the idea of the finished piece.

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  7. Ditto, ditto, ditto ... what more can I say!

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  8. As a non-calligrapher/artist I really appreciate the way you describe and explain what you're doing and how you're doing it. And the result you're working towards. With the acknowledgement that you're hoping that it will work as you imagine it.

    I love the way these new letters are all "related" by the shape and the dots.

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  9. Marvelous Elaine, truly marvelous!

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