Artwork in Progress

Do you remember back in October last year I wrote about the delights of treating myself to a little bit of visual loveliness ie buying myself a print from an artist? The artist in question is called Caroline, you can see her card above and get an idea of her style. It's very "me" don't you think?

This was the print I brought from her shop, it's called "Twisty-Twirly Town". Isn't it lovely? I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. Bright and colourful little houses will forever twang at my heart strings, I am powerless to resist them.

Caroline's work is delightful. She works her magic with papers and glue, I think the correct arty term would be "Mixed Media Collage". It's a simplistic medium for sure, I mean a four year old can snip up bits of paper and stick them down, can't they? But do not be fooled. This work is intricate and time consuming and the designs are deceptively sophisticated. I just adore the way that dozens and dozens of weeny bits of paper can all come together to create such magic. It's beautifully clever.

This is how each of Caroline's artworks begins it's journey, with a simple line drawing to scale (roughly the size of an A4 sheet of paper in this case). Coming up with the design in the first place is of course much more of a process, and often ideas brew for a good while before they get to this stage. Take the above design for example, would you like to know the story behind it?

Well when I first discovered Caroline's work, in amongst all the beautiful flowers and birds I discovered a houseboat, and it immediately made me think of my beloved Connievan. So I emailed Caroline and asked in my bestest, most persuasive email voice if she would ever consider working a caravan picture? I described my dream caravan to her, which included most important details such as a cute, roundy-retro shape, blue and white gingham curtains, strings of bunting and pots of flowers. Sweet Caroline, she listened to me go on, but as she was already busy with a new creation (a gypsy caravan), she kindly and politely told me that I would need to wait.

Ok. I can do waiting I said. And wait I did.

That was until the beginning of last week when I had a surprise email from Caroline, telling me that she was about to make a start on the retro caravan picture we had chatted over last year, did I remember? ReMEMber?? Why of course I remember! How ever could I forget? Will it have blue and white gingham curtains? And strings of bunting and flowers and birds? And pretty please could there be a red spotty jug of flowers somewhere??? Oh I was soooooo excited, I cannot tell you. Caroline emailed me the above sketch of her design and I felt like my heart had been grabbed and squeezed hard. Honestly, I couldn't quite believe how exciting it was to see the beginnings of my her new art work.

During the past week, Caroline and I kept up a daily banter by email, back and forth, sharing the journey of this sweet creation. She would send me email updates  ("I'm planting flowers!") and some pictures of her Work in Progress. It was so much fun! Bless her, she even consulted me on various elements ("the curtains are going to be spotty and not checked, I hope this is ok, I would hate you to get upset by the curtains lol")

Some of the pictures she emailed me of work in progress just made me swoon. Look at the spotty jug of flowers, how incredible, how teeny tiny and adorable!

The spotty jug of flowers (which I had excitedly requested) was placed sweetly on the outside table, along with a cup of tea. Sigh.........perfect. Just perfect.

I began to try and imagine Caroline at work, how it must feel to be her, sat at a desk/table creating this work of art. I imagined her contentedly snipping and cutting and placing, surrounded by acres of colourful papers. I began to feel very curious and a little nosey. I wanted to see. So I asked......

......and this is what I discovered. A sweet, light working space.....

.......and a to-die-for stash of papers! Yum yum!!

I have to tell you that seeing these pictures and reading Carolines regular updates ("ughhhh I am completely brain dead - the concentration just exhausts me so much!!") made me remember the way it is when you create in this way. I know what it feels like to be so deeply involved with a piece of work, because I used to work in an almost identical way with fabric and stitch. It's both exhilarating and exhausting, especially towards the end when there seem to be a gazillion little decisions to make in order to pull it all together successfully.

With this piece of work, it was the wee Birds that were the finishing touch and proved hard to get right. Too much detail can sometimes kill a piece of work, as can the wrong colours. But Caroline is an experienced artist, and she chose to sleep on it and come back to the birds "with fresh eyes". Yes, yes, I remember that trick, it works wonders to sleep on it. Good plan.

So I had to wait an extra day to see the finished piece, the suspense was huge! I kind of felt that we'd been on this wonderful journey together, and now we were nearly at the summit and she was making me wait! Bah, how cruel!!!!! And yet of course I understood.

The pictures that arrived on Saturday, were so worth waiting for though.

Take a look..............................................................................

WOW. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! Isn't it just the most delightful image? So much fun and happiness and carefree delight in that picture, it captures the essence of caravan holidays in such a perfect way.

I wrote to Caroline to express my happiness, it was actually quite hard to find the words. I wanted to say what a privilege it had been to be taken along on this creative ride, how very much I had enjoyed the whole process. I wanted to say how it seemed to me that she had managed to look into my heart and capture everything I most love about trips away in Connievan :: experiencing the joy of outdoor living, yet feeling so cosy and at home at the same time. Of stars and birdsong and cups of tea and nature and cosy family times. Of fun and happiness. The picture says it all.

Shall I say a little Ta-dah at this point?

Ta-dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A mixed media collage by Caroline Rose Art, entitled "Settle".

You can buy yourself a print of this fabulous collage in Caroline's shops, either Folksy or Etsy.

I hope you've enjoyed sharing this with me, I felt it was a story worth sharing. I love to celebrate creativity, it makes me so happy. It also makes me want to dash off with Connievan into the countryside, to string her with bunting flags, fill her little jam jar vase with wild flowers and settle down with a cup of tea to wait for the stars to peep out.

Happy Days.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Edit to add :: thank you SO much for all your sweet words, it's been such a pleasure to find you enjoying this as much as I have. In case you missed it, Caroline left you all a message.....

"Thank you all so so so much for your lovely comments, I am so touched by all of your lovely words about my art. I had such a fun week with Lucy while working on this one and hopefully we will do it again soon!! If you don't see the print in my shop - just let me know - I am trying to keep on top of the sales but sometimes I lose track!!! xxxx"

Poor lass, she has been completely floored by the terrific response to her artwork, I really don't think she expected such a deluge of orders (although I did tell her she would be busy this week!) She is the most kind, sweet, modest lady and she asked me to let you know that she is doing her utmost to keep on top of everything and will get orders out as fast as possible. But please accept that there may be a very slight delay as she catches up with it all, I'm sure you understand. Thank you all so much!

x

 

 

 

 

Comments

[domesticlou]

Holy moly that's one of the most lovely things I've ever seen. I would lose so much time if I had that in my home, I wouldn't be able to walk past it without staring for AGEEEES! I LOVE it.

[Kate]

Got it! the most perfect birthday gift for a lovely friend. Well done Lucy and Caroline X

[Odd Sox]

This picture fills me full of happy.
That Caroline Rose is one very talented lady. :)

[devinder]

that is so hippy, funky and bohemian, i love it. Devinder :)

[tinajo]

Wow, this is nothing but wonderful - looove it! :-)

[Kezia]

Oh my goodness, what AMAZING work. So colourful and detailed and just all round gorgeous!

[Truly Myrtle]

It is absolutely gorgeous - what a clever lady! I think my favourite bits are the flower pots on the roof...magic!

[Anastasia]

It's beautiful! so cosy and warm!

[Sarah A]

How fun to see something you love come alive in ART!

[Seaweed & Raine]

Lucky, lucky you! :) Enjoy your new art work. I see hours of precise work in that piece. And it is lovely.
What a great start to the week. :)

[Sinead Mansell]

When I first started designing again, it was Caroline that just by chance I decided to contact for some help as I had seen her work on Etsy & she has been a great help & a source of inspiration ever since. Her work is wonderful & I too bought the twirly town for a friends baby. She is a natural when it comes to colour combinations.
Sinead

[Jacomijn]

It's lovely !!!!!!!

[Lily]

What a lovely post. The picture is really lovely. I love this style of art - its sort of innocent and happy. Lily. xxx

[Bev]

So lovely to see the whole process but even nicer for you to have been a part of it!
Love the way the bunting twists around the tree.

Do you have a particular wall in mind for this jolly creation?

B x

[Alice]

WOW!! I love love love love LOVE her work! How colourful and creative! I would love to have a proper work station like that and time to actually do beautiful artwork too. I know exactly what you mean about that piece perfectly capturing the outdoorsy, caravany feel. How lucky you are! Alice x

[Kalamazoo Sue]

What a visual treat!! It's wonderful. Lucy, thank you so much for making time to take us on the creative journey of the talented Caroline.

[carla]

so long I didn't leave a comment on your blog! but I DO read it! love to look arround and see what you prepare for us, so charming, so cheerful.
How can I ask you about my WIP on crochet? better to write the coment here or in the right place (mean for a granny blanket, that I started and finished following your tutorial, but it seems to have the edge like a flamenca's dress. Do you know what I mean?
And thanks for sharing your trip with Caroline's work. It's true it is like YOU!!
Carla from Spain

[Dinahsoar]

Her work is fabulous. The intricacy and detail makes each piece sweet and delightful. Good job on your collaboration!

[louise]

Hello Lucy, its Fab to see Carolines work featured in your blog. I have been a fan of hers for some time now. She was kind enough to donate a print to the silent auction in the Christmas Family Fun Day that i organised last year in aid of Bliss. Her work is stunning isnt it. So bright and vibrant, simple yet intricate. Thank you for sharing with us xx

[Louise]

A.Dor.Able! Love, love, love it!

[Stephanie]

Lucy, this is absolutely splendid! I am so drawn to detail, ornamentation, whatevery you want to call it. I get the fact that simplicity speaks volumes but details win me over.

I loved the way you presented this post. It is really good to see even the most talented artist has raw beginnings to his/her work. Of course!

Creating brings so much joy. I have just woven in a few details into some spring bunny rabbits I have been stitching up. Such pleasure.

Have a beautiful week. The weather here in Touraine is almost summery.

[Jill]

Oh no! It's gone! Will she print more? I immediately went to her Etsy shop and there was a big SOLD. I love her work so I may just have to settle for something else. I love her houses. Thanks for making me aware of her art, it's wonderful!

[Susanne Tyree]

What she does is what millions of scrapbooking lovers are doing everyday. Her work room resembles my daughter's work spot in her home where she makes greeting cards and other lovely things to sell. Caroline did an excellent job of capturing the idea you had for her.
Susanne :)

[Lemur Lady]

Fantastic! I love Caroline's work and it's fascinating to see a little peek into how a brand new piece comes to be. Lovely :)

[jennie]

Love, love, love this van