jennicresswell

[jennicresswell]

The Killing Jar

Living a more rural lifestyle has brought with it things I hadn’t expected.

While I am enjoying the boon of darker skies, lower traffic noise, plentiful and vibrant birdlife, I had not anticipated the downsides:  endless dead flies and other insects piling up in the gap between window and blinds, a crushed beetle caught in the window shade, tricky negotiations with spiders when using the shower, and then this morning – horror of horrors - a pair of drowned mice in the watering can.  I’m usually fastidious (if that’s not an oxymoron) about providing a stick to aid wildlife in climbing out of such treacherous places.  But it being so wet and rainy, I had not anticipated animals using the watering can as a water source, with so many other natural options in plentiful supply. 

I’ve long since had my revelation about this sort of casual death by humans – the unintentional destruction of other living beings whilst going about some mundane human task.  I first came to this conclusion while making a regular monthly trip in my electric vehicle from my home in Sussex to visit my aging folks in Kent.  A bird, flying low and suddenly into the path of my vehicle; no time to avoid the collision – just an awful moment of realisation, a glimpse of feathers, and a subsequent frantic craning into the rear view mirror to see if the bird had escaped.  No bump, no body, but no reassuring retreating flying feathered thing either.

I pined for that bird all the way home and well into the following days; even now, I can feel that dreadful weight of killing a living creature simply by my act of driving through its habitat.  The bird had no option other than to fly across the country lane, and I had no choice (arguably) to drive down that lane. 

I see the remnants of other drivers’ encounters all too frequently littered along the side of roads – startlingly often big mammals such as badgers and foxes.  I ponder how the impact of those creatures could surely not be missed by drivers.  It’s one thing not to be sure of hitting a tiny, weightless bird, another not to have noticed the force from striking a badger.  They look big – medium dog size – I feel sure big enough to notice and stop.  I have a friend who tells me they drive slowly along country lanes at night just to be sure they can stop in time for any wildlife – badgers in particular.

But it seems we are doomed as humans – at least in the time and place I live - to continue crashing indiscriminately through the habitats and lives of other living beings whether we notice or not.  I look back to early naturalists who collected specimens and pinned them to boards or stuffed and displayed them – or worse – hunters collecting every last individual, bringing extinction to countless species.  And I think – ah! Not me!  I am nature’s friend!  Then I receive another reminder: I relish feeding the birds at Wrens Nest – I’ve put up a feeding station by my bedroom patio doors and spend my morning time watching a small smattering of bird varieties visiting.  Mostly tits, blue and great, occasionally long tailed, also greenfinches, chaffinches and goldfinches, plus the resident robin.  I was feeling so good about providing this facility, until I started to hear the soft, dull thumps as birds flew off the feeder and straight into my patio windows.  Close enough that they aren’t harmed, but sickening, nonetheless.  I swiftly put tape on the windows at the internet’s suggestion to help the birds discern the tricky surface and spare their collisions.  No good deed goes unpunished I thought; here I am imagining I’m being helpful when I’ve created another way to impact nature.  In my spare time I do my best to redress the balance: volunteering to restore orchid habitat here, working with communities to plant orchards there.  But in all of this lies the sneaking suspicion that this too is simply another way of unintentionally impacting nature.  If only there was a way to live – if not at one with nature - more harmoniously and less clumsily…. I’m not giving up.

#writing #nature #nature writing #life writing

[jennicresswell]

Creative Project: Dover's History at Night

And it's done! I can't quite believe it all went ahead as planned and turned out much as I'd imagined and hoped for. The whole event seems to have been well turned out and the organisers seem rightfully thrilled and relieved.

The final days of prep were a bit of a scramble in the end. Despite taking time off the most invasive aspect of my work for the 2 weeks prior, and despite promises to myself to spend whole days stitching, ultimately other things rushed in to fill the space. I found I had much less time put aside for stitching in the end, but completed almost all that I had planned to.

It was a good lesson in prioritising what was most critical, so I abandoned further stitching of geological names and focused on the Anthropocene stitch around the yoke of the dress. I was completing that on the day of the event, along with other finishing touches, such as sorting a belt for the dress, completing the mini-dress, digging out sample pieces for people to handle, and gathering tech and materials to set up the venue.

The dress looked so at home in the space, the lights around her feet serving as a barrier and a hint of the borders of a well. A hastily compiled soundscape provided atmospheric water dripping sounds so authentic that visitors assumed there was running water in a well. We have over 170 visitors and I spent the entire time in conversation with people as they engaged with the installation.

There were a couple of things which could be done differently - lighting the information panels, and perhaps better illumination of the dress. The words on the dress both printed and sewn were so subtle as to be illegible. But that was part of the beauty of the piece. Perhaps another test piece showing that in more detail, or a printed list of the words contained in the dress.

#textiles #dresses #embroidery #printing #applique #installation #dover at night

[jennicresswell]

Creative Project: Dover's History at Night

Not much to add this week, except, it takes a LONG time to do the stitching.

I've calculated that if I continue using thread across the whole garment as planned, I will use around 500m of thread. That's half a kilometer!

I have had some false starts - I had settled on pearlised cotton for the System/ Period and Machine Thread for the Epoch/ Series. The former is perfect, but the latter proved to be too fine and sort of crappy looking. So I switched to Embroidery Thread in 2 strands - it's harder to work with, but pleasing on the eye.

I have also found out that:

Epoch are chronological (in order of time) and Series are stratigraphic (in order of deposition of rocks - like a slice through the earth if it were a globe shaped cake) and each have their own names. in some cases they are very different and in some confusingly similar.

For example within the Triassic Period, there are 3 Epochs, including Early Triassic. Rocks from that Epoch are known as the Lower Triassic Series. Early Triassic is further sub-divided in ages and subages.

Going back up the other way, the Early Triassic Period sits within the Mesozoic Era which itself fits within the Phanerozoic Eon.

[jennicresswell]

Creative Project: Dover's History at Night

Well, I thought I'd never get to this point!

The long dreaded and much put-off task of printing only took about 1.5 hours in the end. What a storm in a tea cup. Good to challenge my resistance to getting that done and to take a quick look at what that's about. But before I get to that, an insight into the logic behind my choices.

I created the string printing boards with the Era names and then mixed etching ink in a deeper hue of the dyed fabric. The idea being to match the tones of the appliqued Eon cut out letters but to stand out without being too distracting visually. These were then overlayed onto the Eon applique in linked, scrolling text.

Once again I wanted to make a nod to the length of time each Era spanned within the Eon. I used the initial letter of each Era name to represent their relative ratio, with the body of the words being similar in size. All very rough and ready, but with deep intent and effort behind the choices.

Printing offered me a speedy choice of method with the deadline looming in less than one month's time. I had already eshewed print for the Eon names, chosing a technique which I was much happier with, but was vastly more time consuming: applique. I could have left the piece at that basic stage, but was itching to execute the stitch layer, and with the complex nature of the layering, needed the print to happen before I could do that. (Or, as I mentioned, had time allowed, another type of stitch - maybe couching of thicker threads/ yarn) .

Then - finally - on to the stitch! I had already given this some thought in terms of colour and weight of thread: thicker yarn to represent System / Period names in a colour to match the applique, with the smaller ages of Epoch/ Series in a fine machine thread matching the background colour; essentially, all of these names will be in a cream yarn. What I hadn't cracked was how to introduce the correct nod towards the length of time of each System/ Period within the Era, and then the Epoch/ Series within each System/ Period. If I wasn't careful, the overlayering effect would loose it's interest and become unclear. Then, I had it: instead of metering out the duration in depth like with Eons & Eras, I measured along the width of them. Therefore, each System/ Period and Epoch/ Series is repeated for the correct length representative of its duration as a ratio of the underlying layer. To add further clarity, I've only separated the 2 layers of stitch by placing them slightly above (System/ Period) or below (Epoch/ Series) the relevant Era.

Mind bending stuff. And if that's not complicated enough, it's worth noting that even the Epoch/ Series ages are subdivided again into Stages/ Ages. But I will have to intervene here with my creative interpretation otherwise it will become too muddly and confusing to portray visually. Even some of the Epoch/ Series names will be omitted, as many subdivision there are simply 'Upper, Middle, Lower' and are somewhat uninspiring.

I still hope to have enough time to include a printed offer for engagement at the event AND interpretive words and images available to help viewers decipher the piece:

Some test pieces showing close up stitch/ print/ threads used, plus print blocks

Small version of the dress on a small artists form showcasing the Peplos dress.

Images of saints in wells

Geological timeline with all subdivisions listing some of the key words used in the piece

It's shaping up to be a truely lovely piece and I'm looking forward to seeing how far I get with the stitch before I have to say 'done enough' and focus on how it will look in situ with lighting/ sound/ interpretation.

#dover at night #textiles #dresses #embroidery #printing #applique #installation

[jennicresswell]

Creative Project: Dover's History at Night

Work continues on the dress story for the event now only a month away.

I spent the day getting ready for the printing stage of the project - trying out some colours and methods while dying the final pieces of muslin for the applique. Just a few evenings of stitching away I think!

I also pored over my lists of geological time, checking online that I had the correct subdivisions and corresponding ratio for each Era, Period and Epoch so I can represent them accordingly with size and space within the appliqued Eons.

As I'd already tested most of the Era names and created print boards, rather than remake them with the text at the corresponding size to indicate how long each lasted, I have made the initial letter the correct height, with remaining letters being similar sized. This will also allow more space to stitch within the Period/ System and Epoch/ Series names.

The dress looks stunning on the dress form - even with just the Eon names picked out - but I'm excited to take it to the next level of layered story; and to get stitching!

#textiles #dresses #embroidery #printing #applique #installation #dover at night

[jennicresswell]

Creative Projects: Dover's History At Night

Work has now moved on to the final piece as the time ticks along and the deadline creeps closer.

I've been busy creating dyed grounds for the 4 Eon names which will form the first layer on top of the base fabric. So far I have sewed applique lettering for the the first Eon: Hadean, and part of the second Eon: Archean. The applique letters are cut from muslin died with tea for both of these eons.

The 2 remaining Eons cover the periods when life burgeoned. So for this I have started dyeing fabric with contact dyeing techniques using leaves and other natural items. These will form the letters for the third Eon: Proterozoic and fourth Eon: Phanerozoic.

I will represent the ratio of the timespan for each of these Eons by how much space they take up on the dress. And I'm using an ancient dress style - 'peplos' - which requires almost zero sewing and no cutting to create the final dress. I may love sewing by hand and happily pass hours embroidering endless words but I have zero skill or patience for dressmaking or tailoring.

A word on the base fabric: it is a found piece - my favourite - in this case an old 100% Egyptian Cotton double sheet of my parents which was then used as a dust sheet for multiple painting and DIY work around the house I grew up in. It has since reclined for over 2 decades in the garage and is beautiful in its own way - the marks and spots and drips and rips themselves telling the story of all the years and happenings the sheet has seen.

#textiles #dresses #embroidery #memory #family history #autoethnography #hand dyeing #applique #Dover At Night #Installation #geology #geological time

[jennicresswell]

Creative Project: Dover's History at Night

Test Pieces (Left to Right from Top): Close up of printed Eons, over printed with string print Eras

Full view of whole test piece

Turmeric dyed ground over printed with string print Era names

Close up of first 2 pieces

Close up of hand stitched System names on contact dyed ground.

#textiles #dresses #embroidery #printing #Dover at Night #Installation #Research through Practice

[jennicresswell]

Creative Projects: Dover's History at Night

Introduction: How the project started

Cutting a long story short, following a sudden relocation to Dover - my birthplace - I've been fortunate to find a wonderfully supportive and diverse creative community in the Dover Creative Network. Thanks to this group, I am now working on a project for an installation as part of the one night event on Friday 22 March 2024.

The project is linked to the massive restoration of Dover's Maison Dieu building and will feature an art trail across multiple venues focusing on the stories of Dover and Maison Dieu in particular.

I've been inspired by Ladywell - the street running alongside the building and named for the long standing well now covered over by subsequent ancient building where the current Maison Dieu stands. The well remains under the stone floor in the far North West corner of the building - and would once have been accessible from outside for people to take water - before it became contaminated and was shut to the public.

My installation is inspired by the idea of a water / well guardian. A female figure who has stood watch over the waters for eons: providing healing and balm to all humanity, but now watches those precious waters contaminated and built over as the population of humans rises and grows further away from the natural world and the spirit protectors. Like the Fisher King, the well guardian is powerless until the land is healed, and so few can now hear her pleas...

I wanted to find a way to describe the epic length of time the waters have flowed on the site of the Maison Dieu, and how short a time after humans came to reside here that the waters became polluted. I also wanted to comment on what the future for the ladywell may be. I'd already contemplated a project where a dress embodied the geological passing of time and highlighted the stunningly fleeting time humans have been present out of that vast timeline.

The geological ages are to be represented in dye, stich and applique across the fabric; their differing timescales also measured out through the area of the dress they cover. There are a dizzying array of names and subdivision of geological time - and as ever - humans cannot decide on what they should be named. Here I have used Eon, Era, System (Period) and Series (Epoch). Each of these will be given a textile representative.

This piece is ambitiously large, but provides such a brilliant canvas to tell this story. The dress is to be created from a single piece of fabric: no cutting or shaping is required, only one simple seam and a clever fastening to create a style of dress known as a 'peplos' and which was worn by women for many centuries across many cultures.

There is much more to do and much more thinking and decisions to be made. But I am enjoying hearing her words faintly as I tell her story.

[jennicresswell]

Mr B enjoying a relaxing afternoon listening to the rain, cosy indoors (at Brighton and Hove) https://www.instagram.com/p/CleJpZCjkqz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[jennicresswell]

Yarrow: next in the wildflower series of embroideries based on sketches. This from a walk at cissbury ring in September…back before the RAIN came… (at Brighton and Hove) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkoUWZ0jnNF/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[jennicresswell]

Dog and I had a relaxing time at Ancient Cottage on our hols. Lots of long walks in the beautiful weather (at Mayfield, East Sussex, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjI5tU5jYRH/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[jennicresswell]

Latest wildflower embroidery offering. This time Plantain with its delicate white sepals. Loving choosing stitches and thread to represent. (at Brighton and Hove) https://www.instagram.com/p/CiyTE4ZDjF_/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[jennicresswell]

Calling this finished. Inspired by a photo taken in a walk in January 2019…feels like a long time ago https://www.instagram.com/p/ChxbQNGDXQS/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[jennicresswell]

Re-Wilding Stitched Sketches: Lady’s Bedstraw. July 2022

Latest in the series, still in progress and setting myself the challenge to finish up quick and move on.  It remains too easy to caught in the doodlings of stitch, agonising over the next colour choice, the next stitch placement.  I remind myself that these are sketches, something to catch the mood, the vibe of the original.  Snap it and move on.

#creative procrastination #stitched sketches #sketches #nature #inspiration

[jennicresswell]

Re-Wilding Stitched Sketches: Kidney Vetch.  June 2022

Utterly inspired by a local walk run by Moulsescoomb Forest Garden on wildflowers, I’ve embarked on what I hope to be a series of nature portraits.  I had great enjoyment producing this piece.

Going on the survey walk brought back memories of my degree course decades ago when I could have named every floral species in a 1m square of grassland.  I have forgotten so much more than I have remembered.  But the knowledge is there; buried and dormant below the surface.  Just like the wildflower seeds lying within the vault of the soil waiting for the chance to resurface.

#embroidery #nature #inspiration #seeds #knowledge #memory #sketches

[jennicresswell]

Re-Wilding Stitched Sketches: Dallington View.  April 2022

A short stay at an expansive retreat in the hamlet of Dallington was just the thing I needed to reconnect to my creativity.  This is nothing new - every time I take a break away from home, I seem to find the inspiration to sketch and paint, taking the time to slow down, observe, focus. 

This time was largely no different, with the view from the sofa drawing my eye. The small difference was that I also took up the needle in order to capture the elusitve ‘something’ which inspired me to respond in the first place. I had to be somewhat creative with my materials; whilst I happened to have needle and threads for another project, I didn’t have fabric.  So started the piece on the back of a printed A4 sheet of paper.  You can make out the words and colour bleeding through to the embroidery on the front in the pictures.

I tried to complete as much of the stitch as I could during the time I was at the getaway, but as this as only for a few days, I had to bring home the project unfinished.  This was a risk as I have a tendancy to drag out the ending of pieces; always another embellishment to make: a French knot here, a Fly stitch there.  But I urged myself to focus and finish.  The result is pleasing: a stitched sketch - still much slower than pen & ink, but at least as, if not more, expressive.

#sketches #poster paints #handstitch #embroidery #creativity #inspiration #ad hoc

[jennicresswell]

Test piece for joint project inspired by @jillvigus latest work. Free machine stitch and hand sewing onto net and dissolvable fabric. Rinse with water and presto: filigree fabric https://www.instagram.com/p/CeGK0maDmia/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=