Ikat Time Lapse - Large 540p Video Sharing.mov (+playlist)

Recently, I have been exploring and experimenting regards painted warps. This video in fast forward is an Ikat technique. The girl is hand painting the yarn in sections using dyes. The overall pattern comes out slightly blurred and not as bright, so I'm hoping that my own experimentation of this technique will come out brighter plus my pattern is less complicated then this one! I'm making mine slightly different, so much that I have 2 x 4 metre skein lengths of a warp to paint and the width is smaller. My warp threads are a mix of linen and cotton so the colour will appear lighter on one yarn and dark on the other. I have no idea how it's going to turn out or even when I start to weave it but it will be fun finding out. Wish me luck!




Video shared via Youtube.

Welcome 2014

Welcome 2014!

Okay so it's a brand new year and I'm rather excited about this one.
2013 was the year that I began clearing out the studio, to which I finally completed in July.
See below before and after photos.

 

Before: Photo showing inner studio space with ugly looking back wall as it was crying out to be used!

 

After: How above Image (see far left of this Image) of how it looks now. (Has changed again since photo was taken)

 

 

                              Before: How section of outer studio space looked before makeover.

        After: Same space as above....notice how much fresher it looks! Gone are the drab curtains and pink walls and oh the exercise bike!!

                               After: Same Image as above only with my work shown in it.
                                            (Stock changed on wall since Photo was taken)

                                     After: Inner studio space is now my work area, table fits perfectly!

                                   Before: Getting ready to start paint rolling the walls.

                                             Before: Area of studio during painting stage

      After: Image showing outer studio area...notice how nice and white the ceiling and walls are now.

                                                                          Signage

                                                            Signage (follow blue arrow)

                   And another sign which points upwards to indicate that I'm upstairs.(Separate access)

I'm thrilled with my new improved space, it's lovely to work in and I have plenty of natural light.
So yes, I finally completed the studio on the 31st July. It was a long time coming but worth it.
I'm a member of 'Wexford Craft Trail & Network' and this was part reason as to why I made over the studio and opened it up.
The year had it's ups and it's Downs but mostly it's ups so I'm not complaining.....a lot of time was spent on the studio if I have to admit that but besides that I enjoyed many things especially the Opera festival last October where I exhibited with members of the group mentioned above and I look forward to future exhibitions together. In a way I'm glad 2013 is over and I look forward to this year for various reasons. I'm learning things the whole time and finding out what works and what does not so it's all a learning experience no matter what business your in.
I'm still finding myself moving things around the studio though....I'm always doing that!
I am now closed for January 2014 but I shall re-open later in the spring. I'm busily working on some new ideas and new stock.
Matching lampshades and cushions are on the list for early 2014 plus some entirely new designs with and without the woven braids on my shades. Some will be stitched originals of my own designs with surprise, surprise inspired by the coast. While I'll still continue the woven lampshades too.
Apart from lampshades there shall be cushions, matching cushions for both including the coastal collection to which I haven't fully christened yet so it's staying named as the coastal collection for the moment. New mini mixed media pictures inspired by my previous larger pieces and some new designs from the new collection will appear around the same time. Weaving will feature heavily this year too with a coastal collection of table linen. Colours will be stripped back a bit and I'm not going to mention much more as I don't want to give everything away too early so keep watch! It's going to be a busy time. However, it is  a new year, new change and new start, start as in I've finally worked out where I'm heading with it all, it just took me some time to figure it out. Anyway, wish me luck!
Happy new year.

Gráinne

Autumn News

Hello, golly I can't believe my last post was in July...oops!
I'm not one of these constant weekly or even daily bloggers, as I would not get much work done.

So to bring you up to date.... I opened up the studio, it's become a really nice space to work in and I love it. Everything has a place which is typical of me, as I like to see everything and colour co-ordinate yarns and fabrics as I find it easier to find what your looking for.
The walls and the ceiling are white, it was goodbye to the girly pink soft hue but I kept a bit.
A few weeks ago I had a photographer in to take photos of my work, the photos are actually for the trail booklet that is being organised at the moment. So he was going around to everybody.
I am closing now for the month of October and will re-open in November.
I am doing the Wexford Opera Fringe Festival where there are eleven of us exhibiting together from the 26th - 31st of October at Whites Hotel in Wexford town.
So I decided to shut to get ready for that and get myself prepared for the Christmas season that will soon be upon us. I'm not counting the days.....I know some people are (Crazy People!!)
I know I will when it gets to December perhaps, but I think everybody does but they don't admit it!

I was asked to appear in 'House and Home' magazine again, they gave those who appeared in the article last year first preference for this year, which was very nice by the way. I got the call in August. I'm actually declined this year for reasons of my own. Some people might think I'm crazy but that's my decision. I appeared in it last year so I've done it once, so not this year and anyway it gives someone else the opportunity which I'm sure has already been filled as they start their Christmas Issue early. It was very nice to get asked again and I will remain in contact and maybe during 2014 something just might pop up in one of their Issues. Keep watch!
I did however, place a small add in the local Gorey Echo newspaper recently to highlight the studio.
But do keep an eye out between the remainder of 2013 and certainly during 2014.

To keep up with what I'm making, doing etc please visit my facebook page, see homepage for link.
Or visit http://www.grainnekennydesign.com for more Information.

Shall post Images soon.

Grainne :)

**Recent New Lampshades**

100% Cotton in Grey with multi-coloured felt flowers with button detail.

 

 

100% Linen in Stone with Turquoise and Lime felt flowers with button detail.

 

 

Inner view.

 

 

100% Muslin in Turquoise with Coral and Orange felt flowers with button detail.

 

 

The Collection (love the grey one if I must say so myself !)

 

 

These can be used either way up for use as a table lamp or ceiling pendant shade.

 

More coming soon ... new designs!

 

G :)

Midsummer Madness.

Hello there, so it's been a while since I last posted on this blog of mine that I have been half thinking of closing down for the 2nd time as I rarely blog much and I'm wondering if it's for me or not?
But , I'll push on with it for another while anyway and then make up my mind who knows I might just stay.

I'm quite wrecked as in tired as have been very busy organising my studio for the past few weeks and not complete yet, although I am back in working again.
I finally have an outlet for my work.. yay... where the public can come and see me at work and purchase directly from me.
It's for part of this new Craft Trail for Co.Wexford and I'm planning on opening the studio (a little later then planned) but once my signs are done then I shall throw open my studio. (Early July) These will be going on the curved lower wall at the entrance to where I live/work, then on the side of the house will be an arrow with studio on it to direct where to go. I want to go for something colourful in terms lettering that attracts the eye rather then black even though black stands out. But any colour will and I've chosen Blue. No surprise there, it's my favourite colour, it also appears on the lettering on my business cards so it makes sense to stay with the same colour.

I love the studio now, it's bright and airy, the soft pink walls are now coated white and it's nice to put your own stamp on your own workplace. The ugly studded partition wall has been disguised also.
It's a start for me anyway and sure I shall see how things go.
Location wise I don't live in the town, I'm approx. 3km from Gorey in a small neighbouring area called Mount Alexander that links to Kiltennel which leads on to Ballymoney on one side, Ballycomclone on the other that also leads onto Ballymoney or Kiltennel and the main Courtown Road off the other two roads. Slightly off the beaten track but easy to find. There was a slight review over my location a few months back which I clearly could not understand seeing as I live very close to many beaches, woodland walks, golf clubs, a mini farm and other activities in the Gorey area for people to see and do.
The studio at the time is not a patch on how it looks now. Trust me some of the before photos compared to now, there is a huge difference. White paint just brightens everything up as there is plenty of colour around.
For anyone looking for a nice bite to eat I'm literally 3 minutes in the car just around the corner  down the road is the Cowhouse Cafe, which only opens during the summer season but I would recommend a visit to here...being so close can be very tempting plus they have a farm shop and sell Wexford locally grown Strawberries, Raspberries other fruit/veg including lovely Spuds!
So plenty to see and do after/before you pop in and see me in the studio when I open which won't be long!! :) Must get back to the work.

Talk soon will post finished piccy's too when all is complete.

Gráinne x

Hello again.

Hello again, so lately I took part in a group exhibition of Craft, in my home town of Gorey, in Co.Wexford.
You may have seen the link in a previous post about this, as I've already mentioned it.
It went well, we had many people each day coming in to take a look and we took down our work there about a week ago as it finished up then. But it was good and also good exposure for us all at the same time.

Here are a few photos from the exhibition of work that I had on show.

Mixed Media Textile - From the Sea Series - 'Seaweed Study'

 

Mixed Media Textile - From the Sea Series - 'Seaweed Study'

 

Closer Angle of the Purple one.

I made two of these in Purple and two in Blue/Green.

These can be sold separately or as a twin set.

 

Three of the 'Seaweed Studies' - I also had one in the window.

 

Mixed Media Textile Painting - 'Copper Wave'

 

Small Lampshade - each is hand made from start to finish by me.

The shade fabric is a woven green wool with a hand woven purple/pink and cream trim.

 

 

Medium Lampshade in Purple (Linen./Cotton mix) with hand woven green/cream and gold fleck trim. The wooden base is by a local wood turner called Robert O'Connor.

 

Medium Lampshade in Blue (100% Cotton) with hand woven multicoloured trim

Lamp base is by local wood turner Robert O'Connor.

 

Purple Shade (Close Up)

 

Blue Shade (Close Up)

 

The quality of this Image is not great but it's of a Mixed Media Textile piece with peacock feathers and copper circles amongst other materials.

 

'My Work'

 

Closer Image of 'My Work'

 

I also had on show two other Mixed Media Textile Paintings which you can see in the Image.

 

Since then, I have been busy with the studio...still!

As of the week of the 6th of May I am hoping to get the walls finished at least and then start to re-hang work back up on the wall and then it's just a matter of getting a few shelves and a few bits of display furniture to sit things on. I'll also be setting up a table in the centre of the floor in the main studio with a few chairs (if I can find a few nice chairs, even if I have to do them up!) as I hope to when I'm up and running for the Wexford Craft Trail (that I've mentioned before) I've been thinking of running a few Adult Only workshops from about mid July until the end of September and perhaps then again around Christmas. I've never done classes before let alone taught anyone.

Opening up the studio is going to be a bit daunting as well, but good I hope! I'm very much a private person and like my privacy however, I can't really hide away for ever either. It is a trail there will be people visiting the various studios and it's an opportunity to boost the craft in the county, let it be seen, meet the maker behind the work, connect with people and work alongside those others that are on this trail with me and hopefully the trail will also help boost sales.

When I first got word about this I slightly hesitated, as I was a bit unsure whether I wanted to... I suppose the thought of opening up the studio to the public and seeing their reaction to your work in your own private surroundings if you understand me?!

I just have this one large room/space (not on ground level) where people will be able to see me at work and view work on display at the same time. But it's bright and spacious and when I've completed the studio it's going to be nice. If you like colour expect a lot.

 

Apart from that I've been doing a bit of research for a project, this year I'm starting early.....(No Not for Christmas!!) but for the GANS Textile Project for this years Knitting & Stitching Show. Let's just say I'm in love with the brief! It's all about 'Pattern' this year and for any weaver/print maker out there is bound to love this project. I have a few Ideas but I'm not revealing anything until before the time I send it off which is August. Knowing me I'll probably drop a hint or two along the way.

 

Having trouble trying to upload to pickit.ie where I have a profile on this, I'm trying to upload a few Images but the little orange loading square is taking ages to load the Image that I just got fed up with it waiting so I will try again later. Anyway I better get back and carry on.

 

Will keep you posted about any up-coming fairs/exhibitions.

 

Until then  :) g

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Textile Journey. (A Review)

I started typing this a while ago and I'm only getting round to posting this now, it's just a detailed review of how I've got to where I am today. I often have people asking in regards to the below, but it's such a long story because I've studied in various places so I decided to put it out there so you can read it for yourselves.
So what you do know is that I am a Textile Designer who specialises in Woven and Mixed Media Textiles.
I spent the bulk of my twenties away at college,finishing up aged 27, in 2007..
I always knew that I was going to be an artist or a designer, I've always been artistic and I love Art, it was like my other subjects didn't exist at school, I knew what I wanted to do and nothing was going to change my mind. If I hadn't of chosen art I would have gone down the Drama/Film or Music road.

After the big LC in 1998, I went and did a 1 year Craft Course at Grennan Mill Craft School, which is in Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny. I chose here after first hearing about it from an old art teacher Miss Molloy, while I was at boarding school and then again by a Mr.Carter whom I had as my art teacher in Transition year when I switched to the community school in Gorey. They both had recommended here and I think that it's hard at 18 years old trying to choose what college you want to spend your next 3/4 years at and that determines the rest of your life , so I went along with Grennan Mill and I'm so glad now that I went there. It was a really great experience and I loved it here. The college is set in an old mill by the river nore and the scenery around the area and thomastown itself is a little gem.

My home from home was The Bridgebrook Arms with Mrs O'Reilly where I lived with seven equestrian students, let's just say I came away knowing more about horses then I ever did before. It was at Grennan Mill that I first got introduced to Weaving. My tutor at the time was a lady called Lorna Donlon, (I think that's her surname anyway?!) ... I remember I used to have Weaving every Tuesday, Ceramics was on a Monday, Drawing on a Wednesday, Textile Printing on Thursdays and Metalwork on Fridays. That's going back a long time now!
Yes so, back to weaving...honestly I dreaded Tuesday's and did not enjoy weaving that much...who knew that a few years later I would change my mind!

After Grennan Mill, that summer of 1999, I did the Jewellery/Silversmith skills course with the Crafts Council at their headquarters in Kilkenny near the castle. It was taught by an American lady called Jane I think her surname was Hewson, who I remember as being so nice and the reason why I did this, was because my favourite craft was metalwork and I had made a few pieces of jewellery while at Grennan Mill. And back then I really wanted to do Jewellery and I had considered going for the two year jewellery skills course where back then they took on 12 students, but I had heard that it was very difficult to get on to. Honestly, from my experience of the summer course you need a very well trained eye and still being a bit young at the time I really wanted to go to college to study art and design with the thoughts of maybe one day returning to this. They do still run this course at Kilkenny...so who knows?!

After leaving Kilkenny, the following year I did a Post Leaving Certificate Course in Art & Design (Portfolio Year) from 99-2000 at Gorey Community School with Mr.Eamon Carter.
From here, I went on to study at Galway/Mayo Institute of Technology at the Cluain Mhuire Campus where I did my Diploma in Art & Design finishing in 2003, specialising in Mixed Media Textiles. I loved Galway and made some amazing friendships here.
It was between Textiles and Painting, which was my second choice that I wanted to study in years 2 and 3. I got Textiles and again weaving was not my strongest area, I did like print but so I chose Mixed Media/Embroidery. My end of year show in year three was a series of 8 muted coloured works based on the seashore that combined manipulated fabrics, stitch and tufting each piece all very different to the next and sold out all eight including a few mounted studies from my portfolio.

At 24, I ended up at University College Falmouth which is in Cornwall, South West England. It was October of 2003.
I did not want to go to London or be in a city environment and had heard about Falmouth and I loved that it was a coastal location, by the sea, small town but with this amazing college on it's doorstep.
I applied, they were still accepting late applicants and I had a choice of year one or year two, I choose year one. It was a three year degree which meant another three years but I did not mind that. I did not  have to travel for an Interview,as my CD I had sent with my work for them to view thinking I'd be called for a Interview guaranteed my place.
It was a bit daunting leaving home behind, knowing that I would not be able to get the bus home at the weekend...more like travelling by air! There was one other Irish student on the same course.
Again the choice was Mixed Media/Embroidery, Print or Weave.
I started with Mixed Media, but god knows if I got a knock on the head or what but I fell in love with Weaving.
I think a lot can be said also for the tutor, I had an excellent Tutor her name was Sally-Ann Gill. Later when Sally went on maternity leave I had a tutor called Makeba Lewis and also Ismini Samanidou all were trained in Textiles at the Royal College of Art and Ismini taught me Jacquard weaving.
I somehow really ended up loving weaving, I love pattern and texture so I think it was the right choice for me. I did bounce between the two for a while but later had to just choose one so I went with Weave. Although I still used elements of Mixed Media in Weaving....there was no escaping it! There is still no escaping it and I still love both.
For my degree show in June 2006,  I had four natural silk, linen and wool cream woven lengths focusing on woven textures with woven in crystal beads and sheer ribbons.
I also studied a Master of Arts at Falmouth between September 2006 to September 2007.
Here I focused on developing my skills in Woven Textiles and Jacquard weaving.
I designed, made and covered a chair, also some cushions, a few woven lengths and a table runner Idea for my end of year show. I was really Interested in objects that could turn into other objects in furnishings. I was only home for a maximum of three weeks throughout that year, that was hard but again you just get used to it.
I do miss Jacquard weaving, I don't have the use of a Jacquard loom now but I do own a loom, it's a small table/floor loom it has legs. I was used to using Louet Megado Floor Looms at Falmouth and will one day own one as they cost quite a bit! A Jacquard loom would set you back even more, loads more in fact! I think I'd have to look down other avenues there if I needed to do Jacquard in the future.

In my work I really love to use ribbons, feathers, beads and embellishments of any sort and I especially love Trimmings. I hate checks, chunky yarns, black and monochrome. I don't use the colour black and never have except for a frame.
I love neutrals/calm colours and Brights. My favourite colour is blue....all shades of blue especially turquoise. Closely followed by Purple, Navy or Peacock Green.
I'm inspired by the Sea, it's been a recurring theme with me since I left School, there are just endless possibilities with the theme. I also love Nature and capturing up- close marks and patterns whether it's on rocks, trees, butterfly wings with my camera. I'm also a huge fan and have a love for photography. I work a lot from my own photographs and drawings that I make into designs for my work and I love Colour.
I love mixed media textiles as it gives me freedom to explore various techniques and I love manipulating fibres and also interested in sculpted works. I think there is a little bit of everything in me to be quite honest because I love all Craft. I always had imagined myself of becoming a potter but that didn't happen. I love what I do and don't think I'll be breaking away from Textiles any time soon.

My textiles have moved on very much since leaving college. In 2007, I moved back to Ireland. And in 2012 decided to make a go of it on my own.
I'm not your traditional hand weaver, so if you come knocking on my door for checks or aran tweeds... don't!
I do admire traditional hand weaving, techniques and patterns but my work is more contemporary. I think I see myself more as a textile artist to that of a designer or perhaps I'm both.
I'm a sucker for detail and always have been, I see things others don't notice sometimes and I put a lot of time and dedication into my work, no mater what it is.
I love the balance between weaving and my mixed media textile artwork, I believe it's good to have variety and the two often work well together, depending on the work.
I have done many exhibitions along the way from end of year college shows, group shows, craft fairs and so on and continue to do so.

I don't think I'd ever tire of doing what I do, not for quite some time anyway.
Any form of Art/Design is not an easy career, but if you really believe in something no matter what it is, go for it! Just work hard and aim high. There are always going to be people/students coming up behind you, trying to re-create what you do and also admire and follow your work. But I just try to remain a step ahead and just keep going. To date, so far so good, anyway! :)