Spring Inspiration in Winter

I am in love…. with this painting of the Roman Goddess of Spring, flowers and fertility, "Flora-Meretrix", by Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1526-1593).  This is the more sensual version of his Flora paintings and I love the way he softened the flowers to create a sense of flesh (almost as if she were wearing a lacey body stocking) and in contrast, he gave the other flowers, which create her hair and garment, a sense of hyper-reality.  What a challenge it would be to reinterpret even a detail of this glorious painting, in reclaimed embroidery.

When I was in Paris in 2010 I walked through miles of galleries in the Louvre to see the Arcimboldo paintings, only to learn that they were all on loan to Madrid.  I was quite disappointed.  

This particular painting has always been held in private collections and has only been exhibited to the public once in four hundred years - in Vienna in 2014.  What I wouldn't have given to have seen her in the flesh!

(http://musea.today/2014/10/20/exhibition-giuseppe-arcimboldo-khm-vienna/)

Winter warmer

Greetings from the studio above the discount shop, on the High street in East Kew, Victoria, Australia!

I've been in this lovely space, with north facing windows which is wonderful in winter, for nine years now. The shop downstairs has changed hands recently and while I miss my previous "land-lady" the new owner is happy for a low-rent paying artist to scratch away in her 'bower' upstairs.  

Posting a few photos of the studio filled with the materials I use for my artwork and other objects I also collect in the local charity shops, which inspire and "embower" my creative space.

View to the fireplace and the "collection" 

of inspirational objects and materials

A window ledge holding a fraction of the 

"mad Haberdasher's" collection and Australiana 

View to one corner of the studio, with

experimental wall pieces and a growing

collection of porcelain flowers

Vintage needlepoint firescreen, with

vintage tea-towels found in Boston USA

and a bundle of my needlework finds,

the raw materials for my assemblages

A close up view of the window ledge

and various 'treasures' from bygone eras