Continuing my exploration with nails.

I was trying to explain my use of nails today to a none arty friend so I thought I would try and explain it here while it’s fresh in my mind.
While working with nails and fabric I’m fascinated by the brutal appearance of some of the pieces and it made me consider brutal as a term. Within plants, animals and people many have spikes and thorns designed to keep the item safe and protected. People are often described as spiky, thorny or sharp. I feel this is also a protection against harm to themselves. I’m not thinking of people who commit brutal acts against others but I always try to see the best in people and often wonder about the circumstances that lead people to act the way they do or prevent people from get closer to them. The textile part is the softer part of our nature that I believe everyone will have if we take time to discover it. 
I’m not sure if this explanation will make sense to anyone but I’ve always been interested in the ‘human condition’ so hopefully by putting my thoughts out there in the ether I will be able to explain myself with the retelling when I make sense of it.

What I do know is these are the type of thoughts I have when stitching with them. I collected these nails for many years because they fascinated me and I’m still fascinated by them. I feel they have a lot to tell me about life, nature and art. They also make a lovely clinking sound when they knock together. Something else I will consider when making to include sound into my work. It’s certainly not brutal.
This last image shows the effect of wrapping the nails in the fabric, soaking in a vinegar and water solution then allowing it to sit in the sunshine. 

I made a decision recently to just focus on making and exploring with no outcome in mind although I do like to share it, I’m also aware that this is very early in my exploration process and some say we shouldn’t share our early progress because it’s precious. I do however feel that I’m not doing it for other people to like so I don’t feel vulnerable from criticism and I’ve never felt like that before so perhaps I’m doing exactly what I should be doing 
 

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This piece started out as an experiment with paper. The final piece after being rusted in the garden , painted with dirty paint water then fabric stiffener.  Another possibility is painting with plaster of Paris? It spent the night in the garden after being sprayed with vinegar and left in the rain. I expected more colour, perhaps it wasn’t left there long enough. I quite like the heads of the pins showing through. Perhaps something to consider for future reference  I’m considering creating a pot for a cactus plant. For ease of handling I will add less nails but could add wire and see how that rusts.   
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