Transkei Sunsets

So Maybe you are wondering what the Transkei is. Transkei is where I'm from. Yes I know it's called the Eastern Cape now but I'm from the Transkei. The original if you know what I mean. Some people will know what I mean. The pre-Democracy government formed what they called the "homelands" or the TBVC states made of the former Transkei, Bophutatwana, Venda and Ciskei. That is where I was born and spent many years. I have started to remember what I love about home and all the colours came back. The family holidays at the coast and the sunsets and sunrises at home are like no other. The colours, red, orange, yellows,purples, blues, violets all melt into each other against the green background of the hills.

So I have began my experimenting with enamels to see if I can recreate the sky of the Transkei. This is my first attempt at layering colour. The reds are tough to work on because they burn so easily. And the colours change everytime I fire in the kiln. I'm hoping to add more colours with out over doing it. I don't want that thick look in the enamels. I'm still experimenting so watch this space

Bare Exhibition

I was invited, along with some of my classmates to exhibit at Bare in Morningside Durban. I said yes but didn't know how I was going to manage doing everything(work and exhibition). I think it was a good thing because I had to push myself and came up with some interesting things. Lets not forget that I became a zombi afterwards but that is a story for
another day.

I found paper in my journal that I had stuck in and forgotten about. I drew on the patterns on the embossed paper and found a shape which became the bases for some of my new jewellery. The obvious leaf shape, I found interesting because of it's simplicity and yet organic connetations. The simplified lines of the shape which still have strong reference to a leaf lead me to forging earrings and rings. I also found myself returning to the old mussle like shape that I used last year and using enamel(in the picture above). The multiple finger rings seem to have stuck with me. I would like develope the one in the picture above by adding to it colour by using stones, enamel or other media.

A Spoon full of sugar!!!

So I challenged a friend to taking the plunge and write a poem. I have always wanted to be that type of person who can charm with words. But alas I do not posses the gift. I have decided to take the plunge as long as he does the same. So here is my first attempt. It will hopefully become better with time and practise.

A second counts

it changed my everything

Once I was here now I am there

Will you come for me?

I do not know where there is

It feels so foreign to the touch

I do not belong there

Return me here.

Here, where the seconds are sweet as the sun

And pure as the rain.

They can last a lifetime

So come for me in a second

I'll make it count.

Today I stayed in bed way too long trying to avoid all the things I have to do today. One of them being preparing for an exhibition at Bare in Morningside Durban. Which is on the 2nd of July. But alas the guilt finally got to me and I woke up. So we will have to see what i come up with. Another thing I have to do is try to find tickets(free) to either The MTN Durban Fashion Week or the Durban July. How hard is it to find tickets!!!!!! I have been trying but I'm starting to question my skills. I used to be able to do this!!!! I've lost my MOJO!!

Half Year Display

I had to put up a half year dispaly. Which part of that sentance gives away the fact that I didn't want to do it? But after looking at it I saw somethings that I could work on, like the earrings (now I see I needed a close up). I like the simlpicity of the shape that is formed through forging. The use of line to make a shape is interesting to me. Now I will see if i can actually do some work instead of talking about it.

I did want the display to be a combination of natural, dangerous, harsh and old in the cactus and wood with the delicate lines of the jewellery. But I don't think I achieved that.

Looking for texture

I found this piece of bark from a tree near my house. I liked the irregularity of the pattern but it reminded me of a fabric(lace). I have always been drawn to fabrics because of the intricacy of the treads which forms something bigger, strong and wearable. The pattern is fluid looking. It has flow, suggesting movement without having any actual movement. I will hopefully be able to add colour and use it with the wire rings.

Wax

I wanted a more fluid feel to the flower so I decided to deconstruct it and build what I wanted from the pieces. I ended up with linked pieces that can move and therefore will give a fluid feel on the body. I would like to enamel these links individually then put then together.