I’ve been continuing to work on the canvases. I’ve decided that instead of printing the shape on the second one, I will collage a print – printing directly could be quite tricky and so I decided not to take any risks which might involve having to source another canvas and to reprint the gold, which takes quite a while to dry. I’m not sure yet whether I’ll use a single shape or one that’s been overprinted, which could represent my paradoxical nature or make me different to the other two – whilst making them I’ve decided that the second canvas somehow represents me. I made some prints overlaying the lino:

The konnyaku powder has made a world of difference to the paper lace making. It seems much more flexible and less prone to breaking, but time will tell. I’m currently thinking that I will create some form with it over the canvas – pushing it up in places and holding it in place with some stitching. This way hopefully it will add the extra dimension of creating shadows.

I’ve stitched the outline of the shape onto the third canvas. I used a graduated blue thread, but this turned out to be too subtle so I went round it with a darker blue – I really like the effect of the combination.

I managed to use a narrow syringe to make some paper lace which I’m thinking about using in the layered piece. I’m going to use the line drawing of the silhouette of my father with the gold as the base layer and then have the paper lace plus a couple of other layers. Whilst experimenting it occurred to me that I could have the actual image as the base layer. It stands out too much in the photo so I’m going to try putting some sheer fabric over the top to knock it back a bit. The layers are also just lying on top of each other. Once I’ve decided how I’m going to layer them I plan to use some wooden spacers used for framing to create the gaps in between.

I like how the top layer is the border from the print and together with the use of the paper lace creates a connection with the canvases, making everything more cohesive. I’m now thinking that I might try creating lace with the shape of the silhouette and see how that looks, rather than the current pattern that could be said to be a bit random. As I’m thinking that I might put the red thread on the top layer as I have done previously, it would mean that it would be less busy.

In the meantime, I’ve discovered that it’s the deadline for the Trinity Buoy Drawing Prize tomorrow, so I thought that I would take advantage of the student discounted entry fee and enter some work. I chose the pencil and pastel drawing from Do I Have to Look?, the map I drew in Late Night Ramblings and my latest drawing experimenting with organic non-straight lines. I’m not holding my breath.