Paper Ponderings
FIONA DEMPSTER - MAKER WITH WORDS
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Thursday Thoughts...
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
The grief side of Pebbles, Stones & Rocks...
As mentioned, for the show which opens on Saturday, I have explored the connections between grief and stones.
I wrote three small poems about grief and what it can feel like as you travel along with such a confronting companion. They are called Grief is a Stone I, II & II, with hopefully some sense of movement over time.
Sunday, April 14, 2024
Pebbles, Stones & Rocks opens soon...
Our lovely wee showing "Pebbles, Stones & Rocks" opens next Saturday and runs until Sunday 12 May, open Friday-Sunday, 10am - 4pm.
This weekend has been very much about cleaning up and clearing out the studio space to make it lovely for the work as it arrives and as we begin to hang and display it. Once again I am showing with my three friends - Tory Richards, Susan Bowers and Stephanie McLennan. Together we did the Red Thread exhibition back in 2021.
For this showing I pondered pebbles and stones, and explored how grief has so many connections to them. The way grief feels heavy and burden to be carried; how its rough and raw edges can cut nad tear; and how over time the edges are smoothes, and the weight becomes bearable.
I also celebrated the beauty of pebbles and their role as memory holders, part of our collections of travel and place, and the joy that is sparked when we hold them in our hands and remember. My first steps in silver jewellery making have been taken, with the series of pebble-inspired pendants and earrings called "recollections".
Today I will show my jewellery selection and on Tuesday I will show the final grief work. I have been working on this series since returning from Scotland, and learning much and finessing my skills over time.
The silver jewellery comes in lovely boxes with a wrap and a tag which on the underneath side shows the jewellery inside.
The earrings sit nestled in a black insert. All of the shapes are pebble-like, nothing perfect, nothing fully circular, all allowing a little bit of movement and play. I like the layering of the pebbles and the movement; and also the delicacy and lightness.
The pendants come in the same boxes, just larger, and again have layers of pebbles forms and differing finishes.
I also created silver stud earrings for folk and placed them in some lovely old tins, alongside a pebble for memory, and some words on warm beeswax-infused paper. There are 6 pairs of studs, and one single stud - seven tins all up.
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Thursday Thoughts...
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
The Shape of Things - a catalogue
I was thrilled a wee while ago when Annwyn asked if I would mind if she made a catalogue of our collaborative exchange of Artists' books "The Shape of Things", and of course I said 'yes!". It was such a great idea to have something tangible that held a record of our books and a bit of the story and background to it all.
We have both documented the process and the individual outcomes; and I have pulled all the books together for a final gathering post here on the blog, but there is still something wonderful about being able to hold a book about it, in your hands. Rather than simply looking and clicking and linking.
And last week, the catalogue arrived in the mail. I simply love the cover. The muted tones, and the layering our papers in such an elegant and refined manner, accompanied by such fine stitching and detail.
Sunday, April 7, 2024
More exhibition activity printing
I had managed to fit the printing of the first 20 postcards from the 1st week of the exhibition activity back here; and then I had a day where I knew I could have a full run at it, so I did!
I managed to print the second week's question onto 40 pages; then I re-set the type for week 3 and cut the 40 pages and printed, and then re-set for week 4 and cut the final pages and printed, and now they are all dried and ready to head to the exhibition.
Phew!
Week 2's question is: When I think of home, a word I think of is..."
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Thursday Thoughts...
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
A very old book
The book goes on to record the date of visit, their name and occupation. All very innocuous thus far.