Tag: Australian

Functional Art
Homewares and Crafts

Functional Art

Julique

Aim: To minimise waste materials and create a functional piece of art

My Tree of Light

It began as a way to use leftover grout from a session of grouting mosaic pieces and completing a refresh of the grout in the bathroom.

A Work in Progress

Step 1 – Put the left over grout in a mould (in this case a yoghurt container)

Step 2 – Add some interestingly shaped sticks and wait until set

Step 3 – Paint the sticks (the colours of a gum tree)

Step 4 – Add cord to the base and paint using a complementary colour scheme

Step 5 – Make the leaves and attach to the ‘tree’

Step 6 – Add metallic wax to blend the leaves and add some shimmer to the piece

Black and white images of the work so far

Reflect and Consider….

While I am not ‘in love’ with the piece yet, I am definitely warming to it. I am thinking that I need a few more elements to balance and enhance the design.

Elements yet to come

Step 5 – Add the fairy lights

Step 6 – Embellish the branches with crystals (to catch the light)

Step 7 – Complete the tree base and touch up colouring and add highlights.

Final result and images in colour in my next post.

Uncategorized

Garden and Home: Creativity in the Home

Julique

Staying at home in 2020 has led to a focus on home improvement and a resurgence on home renovation and gardening.

When I decided to take some time away from working in schools, one of the first things I did was improve our garden. I established a kitchen garden and we now have garden beds for vegetables and herbs. I also wished to make the space more wildlife friendly with the aim to attract birds, butterflies and bees.

Recently, I have been working on the personal touches, adding some creative elements that personalise and make a house a home. I wished to put my creativity into the space – and to reuse and upcycle as much as possible.

Welcome Sign

Designed with the motif of gum leaves. The main medium used is polymer clay with mica powders and textures. See this sign in progress on my instagram post.

Kookaburra Wall Hanging

This sculptural piece was designed using polymer clay on an existing wooden hanging.

It unfortunately had a mirror that had broken when the leather strap it was suspended from broke. I decided to cover up the mirror with ‘something’ using the medium of polymer clay. I wanted it to be rustic and decided to use a palette that included bronze and silver.

The border is made from layered textured strips and the kookaburra created using a palette knife style application to give the feeling of feathers.

The result is a stylised kookaburra and with the ubiquitous gum leaves found in our decor.

Next projects … to come

  • Garden ornaments – ladybirds, a cat and herb markers
  • Tile Mosaics: memorial stepping stones