Saturday, September 08, 2007

They know my name cause I told it to them


These three bowls went to Campbell High School this week for a silent art auction (an annual event), part of their 'Boarshead Banquet'. A friend from work was involved and asked if I would help out. If they sell I will only receive the reserve price - $20 each, $25 for the larger one - but I am curious to see what they might go for.


These photos are not as sharp as I would like. But I wanted to show truer colours and I'm still not satisfied with the lighting for the light box.

Something I realised recently with the bowl for my aunt, is that they take a better shape if I turn them inside out after felting and drying. After felting there is really no wrong or right side, except lumps for a few of the woven-in ends - even most of those disappear and any remaining can just be trimmed off.



I think the 'school uniform' colour scheme is more successful than I expected. I quite like the shading from purple, to burgundy and brown, and the light blue contrast. I embroidered on a few wandering spots of the blue (hard to see in this picture, sorry) before felting, to get away from just a simple stripe.

If you want your own light box, it is surprisingly easy. There are many instructions online, such as these. It's just a cardboard box, with large windows cut out of the sides, and covered with tracing paper. Then a piece of white cardboard inside, sloping gently from where it is fixed the top of the back 'wall', to the front of the 'floor'.

The tricky part is getting enough light, and of the right colour. I have a Daylight lamp which gives bright white light. Some of my photos are taken with just this shining on one side. The colours seem quite good, but the other side of the object is a bit dark. I've also taken photos (like the one in the last post) with the Daylamp on one side and a more yellow type of lamp on the other side. This creates some weird effects. I'm thinking about two options: buy another white lamp (halogen maybe? I don't want to invest in another Daylight lamp, much as I love it); or cut another window in the roof of my light box and see if I can make do with the one lamp.

For those who are interested: stunt lemon measures about 8cm in length and 6.5 cm width.

8 comments:

Donna Lee said...

The little blue embroidered bits really glow in the middle of the burgundy. I'll bet they sell for a good bit. They are unique and beautiful.

Anonymous said...

So proud of you Liv. They are really lovely. What a funny thing - to find they take a better shape inside out! And I love the blue too, and think I can see where you've embroidered the extra on. Ma

Bells said...

nice use of a stunt lemon again Olivia!

Anonymous said...

i am, of course, interested in any further adventures of stunt lemon!

Denise said...

Good luck with the sale - always exciting when your work is on offer! They look - as ever - very beautiful.

Thanks for the light box instructions.. must look into that. A Daylight lamp is such a good idea, pity they're so expensive. I keep longing for one... very good if you're a painter, too.

Anonymous said...

I just can't help but wonder what has happened to that stunt lemon? Did it just go mouldy? If so did it get composted? Did it get eaten? If so, how? Squeezed on pancakes? Lemon meringue? Ooh the intrigue. And where was it from in the first place. Not buying food with stickers any more I'm curious as to that piece of fruit's life history. Next post...?

Olivia said...

At present the lemon is still in the fruit bowl. I did experiment with some lemon cooking this evening (with another half-lemon from the fridge) but it wasn't a complete success.

Olivia said...
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