A day in the Textilemuseum

Why not use the Summer for some inspiration and nice outings? I've spent a day in the Textile Museum in Tilburg, to look at the craft of making blankets, patterns, new weaving-techniques and so on.


These cards are used as patterns for the damask tablecloths. They have holes punched in them, and these holes represent a pattern which is then made by the machine. Often floral patterns and very complicated but beautiful.


We also saw the process of wool to blanket: a process of weaving and felting. The soft touch of the felted blankets was done by pulling the blankets over thistles, so to soften the fibers. Unfortunately, the demand for blankets decreased and many factories in the city Tilburg had to close down. In the museum there is an exhibition about the history of these factories, and another bonus is the library where you could spend hours looking through books to see different techniques, old patterns, new designs and so on.


There is also the Lab, where students are trying out new patterns and new techniques, you can see them at work.
This is the cafe where you can enjoy lunch..., nice and colourful weaving on the benches.
More information you find on the site of Textielmuseum.

Project #6: new illustration

Doodling, scribbling, drawing without thinking, drawing while listening to someone: you read about it more and more. It is a nice way to just let your creativity flow, no boundaries, no thoughts, just let it go. One of my favourite "doodlers" (is this a word...?) is Taro Gomi, I wrote about him before on my blog. I've got one of his books in which he stimulates children to finish drawings, to doodle and he is inspiring.

So, I also doodle, sometimes while sitting on the couch watching some television, but often in church while listening. Last time this polar bear appeared while doodling, I like him, so I drew him again and put him into a nice colourful frame. He inspired me into making this drawing into some varieties, I made them into some postcards which can be seen in my atelier!

Project #5: furniture make-over

As some of you may have discovered, I like to experiment and try my creativity at different projects. These stools were waiting for a make-over, the top ones got a base-coat of red paint, then another layer of this sandy colour, then I sanded it down to give that country-feel, and painted stripes on it (they remind me of a teatowel-pattern) and finally a layer of varnish as protection.


The grey ones were painted white at first, then a grey layer, and then a white layer on top of it. The white didn't stick very well, but became this bubbly effect. I decided to let it dry because I really like this pattern! I finished it with a coat of varnish.


They are for sale for 39 euros each. Anyone?... :-)

project #4: illustrated wild pig, something different...

project #3: finished painting

A new painting, a sort of grouse-bird, inspired by our trip to Scotland. Acrylic paint on cardboard, waiting to be framed...

©by ZIZOlabel, photo: C.A., photo is part of painting

Project #2 Drawing Lab

Project #2 comes from a book I ordered: Drawing Lab, by Carla Sonheim, this book is full of drawing exercises to increase your fantasy and to let go of any restrictions. I sat down for some water colour exercises with a cup of tea and some cookies. I made several paintings but this crazy bird I liked the best... he's a bit punk isn't he?

Project #1

I am working on two acrylic paintings. My startingpoint was to make something quiet and balanced, but then I noticed that the cardboard I was using, was working with me to make nice lines, structure and depth in a subtle way. Because I used the colour white as a base, I could paint several layers on top of each other. Very thin layers so that the structure is still visible.
I left the paintings for a while, not knowing exactly what to do with them. I could not leave the thought that they are actually beaches, so I decided to make some beach tents on them to recall that summery feeling...
At the moment the paintings are waiting for the final touch because I am not satisfied with the black lines,they are too thin and not visible enough when you are standing some meters away.
Would I have thought to make some beach-paintings? no! Am I happy with them? yes!