Talented William Morris was truly a king of design. In the 1880's William Morris was trying to furnish and complete "Red House", a home built especially for him. Unable to find what he wanted in the age of mass production and factories, Morris and some friends started Morris and Co. This was the rebirth of the artist-craftsman, who designed and carried out the work. Even when Morris used craftsmen to make his staircases, textiles, etc, he insisted on mastering all the techniques himself.
I am so lucky. 24 years ago I discovered Cape Town and was very fond of St Georges Mall. There, on a table on a sidewalk, I bought the large book: "William Morris Designs and Patterns" by Norah Gillow. I page through it daily and also do my rough copies of the wallpaper and tile patterns to use as backgrounds for my latest series of rabbits Here are two more inspired by the acanthus design:
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| Acanthus Blue Rabbit no 2 The background was painted in gouache and ink and the furry bunny in water-soluble oils SOLD |
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| Acanthus Blue Rabbit no 3 I am an excessive doodler, it is also thinking time, so here I almost could not stop The background was painted in gouache and ink and the furry bunny in water-soluble oils SOLD |
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Really nice, Marie... I recently looked at some contemporary work where it appeared that the wallpaper designs ran all the way through the figures... It was interesting.
ReplyDeleteHope all is well with you.
Thank you, kind Marian. The boat of life is rocking to and fro, but I do find solace in my work. Those designs sound interesting! Can you remember whether it was on the web? Was there a link?
DeleteThese paintings are just so charming. I love the patterned background and who doesn't love bunnies.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barbara. My year has been dominated by bunnies!
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