The Bag Project - A Very Authenticate Retelling

Following 5 years of back to back exhibitions, creating one extensive body of work followed immediately by another, I moved into 2025 with a plan to play. The goal, to allow myself time to play in art and time to play with my family. This has been an integral move in realigning my artistic direction.

Upon installing my fourth solo show in May, I felt an immediate sense of relief.

I took a deep breathe, I played painting different subjects, I signed up to a small group show for later this year, threw paint, dug holes in the garden, layed concrete, I spilled paint used pens and pencils again and, finally come September I would dive into something I had been craving to return to for some time.

Lino Printing!

But financially, there was absolutely no way I could take this risk without a plan.

Like many of my projects along the way, the concept had been ticking away in the back of my mind, notes scribbled on lost pieces of paper and messy ideas slipping in and out of my mind as I worked through executing previous ideas. When it comes to creativity production is not always immediate, because like all good things created by hand they take time.

Throughout August I had it set firmly in my mind that September, I would be printing, to do it I needed to have some certainty of income, as it was going to cost money (that I didn’t have) so ‘the bags’ a perfect way for me to create an affordable functional item.

I set up a fold out table, and I can confirm this is not ideal for the project but it was my workspace throughout the project nonetheless.

Day 1, was a disaster! At the last minute I changed my mind, deciding I wanted a fabric ink. So I took an hour round trip just to get this. Not having printed or used textiles for 20 years, I had no recollection of the medium or process. But, I had carvings and committed so I did 3 bags, not successfully, they SUCKED!! But this is the importance of creativity.

Day 2 felt better.

Then hit by some sad news from our dear friends, there 17 year old son, Jai, had chosen to take his own life. I froze on day 3.

Feeling quite helpless, the “Find Love” print is an immediate response to this day and also the reason I very rapidly expanded the project to add paper prints. I just instinctively had to print “Find Love” over and over again. So, this was my way of processing.

If this has raised any concerns for you or someone you love, please reach out to Lifeline 13 11 14

I would also like to share a link for Out Of The Shadows if you would like to make a donation to support The Brooks walk to help those in crisis.

“Keener Than Mustard” and “Music To My Ears” were very intuitive, a self-reflection of sorts. After these bags the SAXA salt and pepper bag seemed a natural progression.

I also got a bit stroppy at the school pet koala called Karen that influenced “Get Stuffed Karen” bag on the following Monday.

I cannot summarise every bag, “and don’t forget the milk” “Feeling a little bit lavender” were just phrases that quite literally came out of my mouth randomly during the month. So, I created a design around them. Creating these sayings lead me into “Whatever Floats Your Goat” something I have said intentionally for I cannot remember how long.

As I got deeper into the month, I began feeling a little washed up creatively. My never give up attitude allowed me the time to sit and scribble until an idea came to me. While doodling during a phone conversation the eggs, felt like a miracle on a day I thought I wouldn’t be able to create.

At the pointy end, exhausted after school drop off and slumped on the couch with the radio on, the patterns in this design were a direct response to the rhythms filling the room and again, this design lead to the next pattern.

The final bag “To Be Continued” has a long story, but in summary I didn’t want to say ‘the end’ because the lino printing journey has just begun, I have started a new instagram account so I can document the progress on printing.

The juicy stuff.

Costings

Materials             $613.88

Post                       $299.82

Time Spent          4-6hours daily (including design, carving, printing, social media, photography)

Gains

Bags SOLD           $675.00

Project Skills And Development

Though these expenses are give or take a couple of dollars and there was certainly no financial gain, I can say with certainty, I am incredibly happy with the outcomes.

The bag project was a huge success.

I genuinely appreciate everyone who got behind the project and to those who grabbed a unique handprinted tote.

If you are interested in grabbing some of the designs from this project, I have released some lino prints on paper. All printed on a mix of quality papers. I will progressively be adding some more to the website. Starting at just $30, these just help to cover some expenses and will allow to expand this side of my practice.