Inspirations



I have always loved History, Literature and Art.........................................................................................................
beautiful things, the stuff of dreams..................................................

flowers, butterflies, fairy tales, embroidered fragments, Chinese blues, Botticelli angels, Blake's visions, Burne-Jones pictures............................................................................................

amongst many other hints and wisps of the past..........................

to catch in my net and weave into mydesigns..................

which I hope others might find as beautiful as their inspirations.

Thursday 30 June 2011

Isabelle de Borchgrave competition

Speaking of competition ( in my last post), I have actually entered one! Those who know me will be shocked!. The only other competition I have 'gone in' for was forced on me by my degree and I hated it, as wasn't happy with what I had to submit. Also,I usually hate the thought of anything competitive. However, one of my inspirational paper artists,  Isabelle de Borchgrave, advertised one and the first prize is a weeks experience in her studio.  Anyone who has followed this blog will know that, in the Autumn, I wrote that it would be a dream come true to do work experience with Isabelle (that is my most popular post, coincidentally:-)). Isabelle produces the most amazing paper replicas of fashions from the past.  My personal favourites are the Medici and fortuny collections.  She has just had an extrememly successful exhibition in America-Pulp Fashion.

So, I entered, with the paper copy of my childrens Christening gown.




I constructed the dress, after making a detailed fine liner drawing (I love fine liners!) out of hand mulberry paper and doilies- attached with glue (held together wi,th clips whilst it dried-looks like the poor dress is being tortured).  I then hand painted little emulsion paint flower copies of the original embroidery.( one of the things that fascinates me about Isabelle's work is how painted lace/ brocade/ can be made to look so realistic).




I can honestly say I never thought a competition could be so much fun or so rewarding! Since entering I have been able to view my own and other peoples entries as well as seeing comments from viewers and being sent messages etc by some of the lovely competitiors.  I was advised by one of the competitiors to put a link to my blog and so have also been very pleasantly surprised by the number of people who have visited it since doing so,as well as some very nice comments.

I don't for one minute think I could win, as there are some interesting entries. My favourite is a lovely dragonfly ring, based on old model aeroplane methodology. I also like a pretty blue headdress and a very clever folded paper Tudor influenced dress.

So, if all competitions were as much fun as this one I might consider entering another one....maybe......



5 comments:

  1. What an adorable baby dress! I adore Isabelle de Borchgrave's work. I was fortunate to visit her exhibit in California just two months ago. Her designs were amazing. I think you've done a marvelous work in this sweet little baby gown. Thank you so much for visiting me the other day. I'm sorry about the follower button, I don't have one, but if you would like to follow me, all you have to do is add me to your list or reader.

    Wishing you wonderful luck with your entry.
    Nancy

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  2. Thank you so much for your lovely comments,glad you like my christening gown!!! How lucky to have seen Isabelle's work- I've only been able to read about it on the internet or in her book. I really enjoyed your blog and as I commented think your work is beautiful. Thank you for looking in and I shall now do as you suggest and hopefully can follow your work :-)

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  3. Hello fellow paper-shaper!!
    What an event the competition was..and still is! So much lovely work! It's a gift to discover this vibrant paper community!
    I'm really happy to have 'discovered' you and your work and do hope that we'll meet some day and talk paper!
    My blog with my other paper dreams is finally up, which I wanted to share with you...
    http://papermywishes.blogspot.com/

    Wishing you a lovely summer and lots of 'paperwork'(not the form-filling variety!)

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  4. am so pleased you have 'discovered' competitions!

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  5. I'm pleased you are pleased!!!!:-)

    ....not only competitions (altho not sure what other competiton to try at the moment!???), but also other artists and blogs/bloggers...it's a whole new world !!!!

    Even more pleased with my degree THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:-):-):-)

    Hope you are enjoying a very well earned break and managing some creativity as well as chilliung :-)

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