My journey for February has been an interesting one to say the least, as I set myself a challenge within the ALaW challenge to reduce my plastic consumption with each week upon creating my letters. I have found it extremely hard to avoid the nasty plastic, especially whilst grocery shopping, when asked by the shop assistant "Would you like a bag for that?" Politely, "No, I say... it is already in a bag!" (in reference to the packaging). My frustrations to avoid plastic is condensed by the products packaged in. I ask myself, "Do I stop buying them, will it make a difference? It's not going to stop the production of it." I know I am just one person, but I am sure there are many people out there asking themselves the same questions. And will buying in paper packaging make any difference, is this going to help destroy more trees???? aaarrrr!!! What to do??? Hmmm, I decide first - to become ever conscious every waking moment, second - shop at the local organic oasis store where they have implemented enviromental methods, thirdly avoid all plastics and paper bags where possible and use my tye dyed calico numbers...
BLACK and WHITE with a touch of... ME, RED & my focus on PLASTIC!
E - With a touch of... background spiral pattern is made with a lino-cut print using red printing ink, stitched with my Singer treadle sewing machine. I've had a fetish for spirals of late, one interpertation most relavant for me; journey to the centre where insight and wisdom can be found. E is made with a smaller plastic rim from a multi-vitamin glass bottle seal, these can be extremely deadly strangling smaller birds like finches so I make sure I cut them before disposing of them!
F - With a touch of... background black & red printing inks, black a lino-cut, red is taken with a woodblock cut. Another plastic rim to reinforce and remind me! Stitching with my treadle sewing machiine, wax thread stitched F made with plastic perspex off cuts, discarded from my father's perspex factory some 16 years ago...
INTERMISSION.....all of my letters in this particular alphabet, seem to be transporting an internal message for me in some way or another. Some of the messages are very clear and obvious - out in the open, some playful whimsical, some are more serious subconscious hidden messages, I'm feeling they are an internal healing for me one way or another as this is a personal journey but shared here on-line... To explain them all would make my entry seem like an essay, so I feel will need to be put into the final layout of the piece!
G - With a touch of... G has a playful somewhat naughty message. Falling on St. Valentine's Day, a day for love and lovers alike, here I have G with spots - black candle wax from that romantic candlelit dinner, can you hear its message?? (or should I say 'feel' it's message, hehehe!!) Background red printing ink made with woodblock cut, hearts stamped from a rubber stamp used for card making, sewn borders on the treadle sewing machine. G is made with one of those plastic tie fastners cut from my xmas present. (ha! G-clamps).
H - With a touch of... background
red printing ink from woodblock cut. Stitching on my treadle sewing machine, the frequent plastic jar reminder rim. H is made with a broken plastic peg cut to fit. I was unsure of my personal connection with this letter, I was thinking perhaps it was for my distaste in having to do the washing! (yes, that is part of it) however, upon looking at here I now see two profile faces within, almost reflecting an emotion toward the mundane task! Like hohum....
I - With a touch of... red & black the usual printing ink; black woodblock cut, red half loaded ink roller. Treadle sewn border and five random ''i's" with hole pierced dots. The regular reminder round rim. I is made with plastic tubeing and the dot a toggle eye, reminants from my craftshop assistant and making days.
