” Within this land, a story sleeps. The world you see is a dream. This story, the ancient Keepers keep and always has it been.”
“Here All is One” is a line from the story of The Keepers, ethereal beings soon to be found in Bryngarw Country Park (http://www.bryngarwhouse.co.uk/en/). Their message is one of how each form of life connects to each other and to the earth itself.
Each of The Keepers will have a Coblynes as a companion. As I am starting with Coblynes yr Afon, it has been important for me to create a doll which reflects the waterscapes of the park. This image (by Rock Bottom Photography) is on a postcard available from the Visitors’ Centre at Bryngarw. I wanted the river doll to look highly textured but also quite watery: as if she had risen from the river bed itself.
With the amount of rain we’ve been having in South Wales, it hasn’t been difficult to find inspiring settings but with the River Garw flowing deep and fast, I’ve looked to other parts of the park.
When I see a photograph like this, I want to stretch out my hands and get them into the leaf litter in the foreground. For me, inspiration doesn’t just come from images; it’s not all about drawing and sketching. It’s about the sound of water rushing past, of the smells of sodden earth along the footpaths and of the touch of wet leaves on my hands. I take all of these experiences and let them bubble around in my mind before I start making a doll or any other piece of Textile Art. In next week’s blog, I’m going to explain how to make the simplest of Art Dolls and will include a pattern so that you can experiment yourself. In the meantime, here is the finished Coblynes yr Afon , soon to be joining her Keeper.
Rydw i wedi cwblhau’r dol gyntaf, sef Coblynes yr Afon. Fel y gweler, dydy hi ddim yn edrych fel tegan! O’r wythnos nesaf, byddaf i’n esbonio sut y gwneud dol celf. Bydd croeso i chi cysylltu â fi os rydych chi eisiau gwybod mwy am gelf tecstilau.