New experiences in using a computer to create compositions-

Introduced to teaching graphic design in my last teaching position at Holy Spirit College, Mackay, I began to use self-taught skills for home projects.

Using the photographs of my grandchildren and my paintings, I made Christmas cards for the family using Corel Draw and Corel Paint software. This opened up a whole new craft for me. Now, when I have a commissioned painting that is a gift, I use photographs of the finished painting and also the progressive steps of the painting process to create a gift card to accompany the gift. 

In order to create compositions for my oil paintings using photos of my travels and hikes through Australia, I am in the process of learning how to use Corel Paint Shop Pro for tonal values, colour composition and focal points. I am averse to using AI as I want to become immersed in every process of the composition. Painting an AI generated image of a gum tree does not help me explore the colours, textures, values, shadows etc at every step.

Thread sketching-

I have learned the art of creating a painting of one of my photos using Derwent Inktense sticks on fabric and then stitching in the details of the painting with coloured threads. The free motion stitching function on my sewing machine allows for infinite variations in colour, tone, texture and thickness. The highlights of sunlit leaves, grasses, waves etc are given emphasis with coloured threads and look fabulous.

This results in a third dimension to the paint and fabric (usually calico, linen or heavy cotton). The thread-sketching in the painting then becomes the focal point on hand-made items like a wall hanging, bag or table linen.

Raggedy Ann in demand-

After creating Raggedy Ann dolls for my granddaughters, I was swamped with orders to create more and the production line grew!

This enabled me to save for a new quilting sewing machine for thread sketching and applique works.

Every doll came to life as you will find in my gallery.

Each wig was created from 3 balls of a high gauge pure wool all the way from England, as Australian wool would have made the price of the dolls unaffordable. The faces were hand stitched.