accepted!!!

wow... i am really happy to announce this... and a little shy about it too. funny combination of feelings... "dreams of future" will be in the community exhibition at museum of contemporary craft in portland, or. the museum is committed to supporting the craft guilds in the area and periodically shows work from their members. being a member of columbia art fibers guild, i really appreciate their commitment and the support of the guild.

the process of entering a show, writing a bio, writing an artists statement, preparing the work for delivery... all of it was a learning experience for me since it is the first time i have entered anything, anywhere. that i actually brought myself to do this was long in coming and is what is more important to me than the actual acceptance. though, of course, i am floating on air about the whole thing!!!

the space between the pillars

oh my... it has been awhile since i posted... life has been busy with out of town visitors and a dyeing workshop. and the weather has changed from our last bit of sun to gray rainy days. i'm not complaining mind you... just takes a while to readjust. its time to pay attention to my space. so i have been cleaning up the studio in preparation for getting back to work. nothing makes me want to get back to work more than a nice clean space ... i don't mind the mess when i am solidly in the process of working but its a real downer to come into a messy place to start again. and i have just been dumping things from classes and what have you... so. now workspaces are cleared and the ironing is done and i have new pieces of fabric to shoot when the rain stops and the light is brighter.

i was reminded about this last week when i went to a lecture by gerhardt knodel who is a weaver based in michigan... he showed slides of his work over a 35 years time period. there were some major changes in the art fabric scene that he took part in. in particular i liked what he had to say about space. he compares fiber to architecture where space is integral to the finished project. he says that it the forgotten space between the warp and the weft that plays an important role in determining the use of the fabric.

its an interesting thought, space. something i have always needed ever since i was a child. with three little sisters and a mom that needed a lot of help, it was something i didn't have much of. in my adult life i made it a priority. i created a corner that i called my own and a bit of time to pursue some needle work. now that is so much a part of my life that i don't know what it would be like with out it. the warp and weft of my life has been formed around my space.

dreams of the future

i had a big first today. i entered a juried show at the museum of contemporary crafts here in portland. they are putting on a show entitled text. this is a piece i did last year in a collaborative group. each of us were to do a piece that would then inform a larger piece. the larger piece would then be auctioned off to benefit a land conservancy organization. so this is what i contributed to the group think... i paraphrased m oliver's words and printed them onto hand dyed organza. there is a map of the portland from 1860 showing the main rivers and tributaries, the trillium which is the state flower that i drew on the hand dyed silk, and then a photo of my sweet little friend, rosie. at the top is the title of the piece...dreams of the future. i used some of ann johnston's hand dye for the background. on the left is the back of the piece which i actually signed. that was a first, too. even if it doesn't get selected to be in the show, i learned a lot by preparing this for entry. labeling everything, wrapping in acid free glycine paper, placing it in a folder with ties to secure it, again with my name address and phone and then the paper work. and i believe this is a good piece but if it isn't chosen, it may be that it didn't fit with what the show was to be about... i won't take it personally.

meaning of magic?

well here is what i have been up to... stitching... stitching ...stitching! you have to stitch up and down every little strip. as i am not fast with a needle, this is taking quite some time. the magic it performs on the squares is unbelievable... the stitching transforms the cloth... i wonder if this is why jude calls it magic?

the blue atrocity is the piece i made to learn double weaving... it has shown me the concept but i don't like it ... i will do another piece that will be much simpler. it is a good concept after all.

i have 6 little squares made for rosie's quilt... and going strong. i know she is going to love this little blanket... it has some of the fabric from the clothes i have made her... and it is turning out to be so soft from all the stitching..did i say how amazed i am? well i am!