Yes StudioForty is still here!

2018 has been a hectic year for me with a number of operations and hospital visits that has slowed my work down....next year will not be any different, sigh, but I push on and will strive to make as many lovely things as possible and keep you all informed here on the blog. Since my last post there has been very little to show and tell and I fear I'm neglecting you again ☹️

I'm still currently only operating StudioForty and selling via my Facebook page, Etsy shop is no longer operational as I felt it didn't suit me as a selling platform, but I'm hoping to set up a shop on Folksy next year so if you don't use Facebook then you'll once more have the opportunity and another option to buy my wares! Oh, and I've held off for far too long....methinks it's time to jump aboard the Instagram train. I'll let you know when that's set up...just need to sharpen up my photography skills ;)

So....now, it's catch up time - while I've been on 'Blogger holiday' I've been working on a collection based on Ogham Stones, which includes paintings, cards and jewellery. The first sets have been released and available to buy...and are creating lots of interest and excellent feedback so I'm definitely running with this idea, selling lots for xmas, and more will be added to the line next year....especially where jewellery concerns...so keep your eyes peeled and I'll be letting you all know via the usual FB, Twitter...and here!

I'm a bit obsessed with standing stones, henges, ancient monuments and buildings, always have been - over the years Clive and I have traveled around many parts of the UK to see them, from the obvious famous Stonehenge, and Avebury (my all time favourite place), to many smaller collections dotted around the Midlands and south of the country that many people do not know about, a lot of which are under the care of English Heritage. We've managed to visit some abroad too, like Carnac in Brittany and my bucket list contains the wish to see more stones up in Scotland and the Islands (if that happens I don't know but I live in hope!).

 'LOVE'

Ogham script carved stones have fascinated me for such a long time, actually since I was a teenager when a friend gave me a xmas gift of a book that mentioned them and I was determined to discover more about them. Ever since I have always wanted to do something in my art inspired by both the stones and script...I've studied and looked at ways to interpret into my own designs...hence my collection I'm now revealing with the jewellery, cards...and these paintings!

'FAMILY'

My paintings are all original watercolour and mixed medium. I create a background with a very expressive technique that I feel represents the textures of the stones and lichens that form on them. The paper becomes embedded with elements from that technique and adds texture and character to the painting. These backgrounds are tightened up with detail, which then goes on to determine the shape and character of the stone itself.

'CREATE'

Every single stone, every single background takes on a life and form of it's own, it's very intuitive process and means that every single painting is totally unique. I finish off the stone with it's 'carved' inscription - I use the finest and smallest of pure hair brushes, and a magnifying glass to add the detailing...it takes many hours to complete! and finally a bit of magic is applied by way of some mystic shimmer.

'COMPASSION'

I will not be taking prints off these painting so when you buy one, you know it's unique, original one off and can not be identically repeated.

'HOPE'

Each painting is on quality watercolour paper overall measurement approx 13 x 9 inches (approx 33 x 23 cm), image size approx 11.5 x 7.5 inches, and has a raw torn edge. They come posted to you unmounted and unframed, to keep costs down, and gives you freedom to frame as you wish. Most customers do not apply a mount frame over my work that's presented in this form because they feel the torn paper edging adds to the character of the painting and is often left visible as a feature. Each painting also comes with a description and certificate of originality.

Prices start from £35 plus p&p (I will combine postage costs the more items you buy together). At the moment I only sell and ship within the UK, and payment is via Paypal only.

Please note I have also have two paintings that were my original design with the stone created by applying an overlay of paper which gives a raised effect. This is a technique I'm no longer doing...and so as stock clearance, they have lower prices.

I've also created hand painted Ogham Art Cards.

like the paintings, these are all totally individual and original watercolours, all assembled by hand, by me and will not be reproduced as a print or exact copy.

 'LOVE'

Each card comes with an envelope and description explaining their meaning and is in a cellophane wrap for protection. They are blank inside for your own personal message.

'PEACE'

(for more card examples see my Facebook page)

Not just for sending as a greetings  cards, these have already proved popular to customers who have kept them and framed them as small artworks...I have to say they do look rather nice framed. So maybe treat yourself to a mini painting or send as a card - cum - gift!

For my jewellery range, I'm currently working on getting some more made...I've sold out of what I already had in stock!

There will be a standard stock of phrases available, but as with all my Ogham work, each are individually hand crafted with their own characteristics and unique looks. I cut and shape each 'silver stone' by hand, I engrave/carve the script by hand to keep the old traditional look of the original stone carvings. I'm looking to possibly expand into more personalised pieces such as with names, and so currently working on designs to incorporate that. Here's an example of the pendants range...they will be available in sterling silver antiqued effect and with, or without chains.

Full details and where you can buy Ogham collection items and other art and jewellery are here - STUDIOFORTY FACEBOOK

Please note ALL RIGHTS RESERVED all images and artwork/jewellery designs ©AJLEE & ©STUDIOFORTY and must not be copied or reproduced in any format. Thank you.

XXX Ange XXX

The Evil Scarecrow Hallows Costume Part4

This is the final post on this costume make. I'm showing you how I created an additional accessory that all evil scarecrows need....a rather nasty looking scythe!...plus the final put together of all the elements....

and the big reveal at the Halloween party!

The previous year I had hunted down props in the local Wilkos Halloween stock sell off...and found plastic knives and swords in a variety of shapes, from curved hand scythes to axes...all for 10p each!...yup, that's right 10p each...silly silly price! So, you guessed it, I filled the basket and took all the remaining stock! The cashiers face was quite the picture, especially as the basket also contained their entire remaining stock of plastic spiders, worms and creepy cobweb fabric too...but at those prices can you blame me. I spent about £3 in total and got dozens of  useful pieces. They all go into the stash supplies box for future use....but one piece in particular was to be used for the scarecrow costume.

This is a Grim Reaper scythe...the handle was much longer on purchase, but made up of three sections that could be unscrewed apart...so I removed two lengths to make it more 'hand scythe' sized.

It's pretty naff and plastic looking...durh yeah...it is made of plastic and meant as a childs halloween prop so they obviously can't go selling realistic looking knives. But hey, that's ok because the bones of the piece were there and it just needed sprucing up a bit.

First I set about making the blade look a bit more metal like. I covered it using adhesive backed aluminium tape. This is one of my all time favourite, and much used, materials in my altered art work...you can cover practically anything that it will stick to and get a real metal surface which then takes inks, paints, rusting and distressing treatments really well.

I also added some smaller strips to the top of the handle....all added detailing!

Short lengths of twine were stuck to the top using strong carpet double sided tape, the raw cut edges set in place with wet glue then covered with a length of twine wrapped around the base of the blade.

The rest of the handle was completely wrapped in one length of twine...again using double sided tape to hold it in place.

It was then ready to age and distress. Waterbased inks and paints will not stick readily to the metal tape surface so I opted for Stazon...a solvent based ink that I use in my crafts and cardmaking.

Black ink aged and dulled the metal, Brown added a subtle rust effect, Red was used to make it look bloodied...although it did come out a bit too pink and I went back in at a later date and daubed on thick darker red acrylic paint (which started flaking off so I need to rethink what to use at a later date). For the party it held up long enough for the desired effect.

and so the costume was complete....and here is the reveal! On the night Clive applied black eyeshadow around his eyes and mouth so his own flesh tones didn't stick out too much under the mask.

Trial run of the costume...note: not wearing the gloves or has any straw hair.

The full costume worn at the party

Scarecrow Costume - Time spent over a period of 4 days, Cost approx £15. Suitable for Amateur with basic sewing skills but some artistic capability. Specialist tools/materials required Sewing machine, cotton thread and large sewing needle, plastic mask base, straw, hessian fabric, jute twine, acrylic paints, solvent based inks, strong double sided tape, adhesive backed metal tape, hot glue gun, pva glue, stanley 'type' knife and strong leather scissors, gloves, jumper, trousers, plastic rat and scythe props.

I hope you enjoyed reading about this make...as much as I enjoyed actually making it! Next post will cover the Evil Girl Clown costume you see me wearing in the photos above.

The Evil Scarecrow Hallows Costume Part3

In this post I'm showing you how I made the mask and hood part of the Evil Scarecrow Halloween costume.

The piece was obviously going to be made out of hessian to match the rest of the outfit, and be inkeeping with the look of traditional scarecrows that tend to have hessian/jute sacking for their heads....and on researching for ideas I came across some fabulous scarecrow masks but I had a number of concerns.

Most masks made and for sale on the internet, were full head pieces and the mouths quite restrictive, some closed. Most were professionaly made and contained latex inner skins or other specialist materials. Firstly I was very much the amateur making this and didn't have access to a lot of their materials and tools to make in the same manner,  secondly we were drinking and eating at the Halloween party so I had to make the mask a bit more 'user friendly' for Clive so he could remove part or all of the mask without ruining the overall look of the costume...and also, importantly, he had concerns a full head piece and hat would be too hot to wear, so I had to design with comfort in mind too.

I decided on a three piece...the hat, with a hood (balaclava style with face section exposed) and a separate mask section that could be easily taken off (to eat and drink) and replaced quickly without disturbing the hood and hat...or the hood removed too so he could still wear the hat alone and still somewhat retain the look of the scarecrow.

To start.... I used a corner section cut from a large hessian bag/sack (you could sew two triangles of fabric) the open end rounded off and long enough so when worn over the head, it comes down and covers the shoulders.

The face hole was cut out and the raw edges turned in, and hemmed.

A noose was made from thick jute rope to tie around the neck and bring the hood tighter. That was pretty simple!

Now to the face mask part. A previous trip to the pound shop had resulted in a small purchase of useful halloween props (rats used for this costume...see previous posts) including this rigid plastic skull mask. Perfect to use as a base for my scarecrow mask!

I reshaped the skull, removing the nose and lower mouth part, turning it into a 3/4 mask and a base layer of hessian fabric was glued to the plastic. I used basic pva glue for this...it is a good adhesive to use with hessian, it soaks in, making the fabric pliable and easy to manipulate..and when it dries, makes it semi rigid so it holds more shape. I buy my pva glue in large container sizes from builders merchants/diy stores. I use a lot of it in my art and crafts so it's cheaper to buy this way, plus I personally think it's a slightly more concentrated version than a lot of craft pva glues...so a bit stronger.

The mask already had two holes in the sides, so I re threaded the elastic and tried it on the mannequin along with the hood, for size and best placement.

I then started building up the features of the scarecrow mask. I needed it more exaggerated because the layers of hessian I would be adding would cover and dilute what is already there on the preformed mask. Firstly making the brows more defined and heavier by rolling up remnants of hessian, binding with thread and gluing in place.

I started adding layers of fabric to the lower part of the face so I could start sculpting the nose, mouth and lower jaw.

I glued folded layers of the hessian to form the nose, mouth and lower jaw, but was careful not to apply too much glue...and only on specific areas in order to keep the fabric soft and pliable. I stitched any non glued areas in place with cotton and needle. I also built up a raised wavy scar like line on the head.

Once all the structure was complete I began applying the final top layer of hessian fabric.

An over sized piece of fabric was used so there would be excess to create drapes on the lower neck and creases and folds around the face.

I adhered the top layer to the eye and nose area, using pva glue, keeping the rest free and loose to manipulate and stitch in place.

Here you can see what it looks like from inside...and I started opening up the eye sockets...Clive need to be able to see...obviously!

Using matching coloured cotton, I formed folds and hand stitched the fabric, forming the nose...
then the mouth, and drapes around the face.

Once all the glue was dried and I was happy with the look of the mask, The hessian got the paint treatment...

....accentuating shadows with darker coloured acrylic paints, and highlights with lighter shades, dry brushing it on...going little at a time, building up the layers of paint.

The hessian pieces all got hung out to dry...on my washing line! My neighbours are used to seeing this sort of macabre stuff hanging out to dry...but workers repairing the nextdoors roof were a bit taken aback...then highly amused at the sight. Beats seeing boring undies and clothing drying.... lol 😉

With the paint dry I started adding large stitch work using jute garden twine and a sturdy upholsterers needle. I wanted it to look very obvious...and like crude repair work. Despite the glued sections, there was still enough give in the material to get a needle through it.

Finishing touches added...some straw hair and additional stitchwork to the hat brim...and we are all done!

One more post to go.....an additional accessory....and the big reveal for the Hallows Party!