Tuesday, July 2, 2013
BAUHAUS
BAUHAUS!
After all these years as a weaver I'm suddenly interested in the history of weaving.
This is inspired by several things. First a new friend, Nan, gave me the book 'Women's Work: The first 20,000 years'. Amazingly I read it cover to cover and enjoyed it. I've also been active on Pinterest and have created a number of textile boards. In gathering images for my boards I discovered weavings that were created by Bauhaus artists and found that I felt a strong connection to their work. Specifically the 'squares'.
I'll be posting more over the next few days and hopefully will be able to upload images as well.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The 'season' is upon me!
Hi Everyone,
Here it is again....the 'season'.
I delivered work to the Unitarian Church in Richmond, Va on Saturday. The show opens tonight and goes through Sunday.
Next up...the Fall Fiber Festival, October 1-2
in Montpelier, Va.
www.fallfiberfestival.org
I'm sharing a booth with some of my pals from the C'Ville Arts cooperative. It should be fun.
I'll post more soon.
Here it is again....the 'season'.
I delivered work to the Unitarian Church in Richmond, Va on Saturday. The show opens tonight and goes through Sunday.
Next up...the Fall Fiber Festival, October 1-2
in Montpelier, Va.
www.fallfiberfestival.org
I'm sharing a booth with some of my pals from the C'Ville Arts cooperative. It should be fun.
I'll post more soon.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Paths
While dressing my loom this morning I did a few things differently. Nothing big or really worth noting but doing them caused me to think about when I taught weaving.
I would tell my students that I was going to teach them my method of putting a warp on the loom. I told them that while there are many approaches to threading the loom it would be best for them to learn one way first.
I emphasized that there was no one 'right' way to dress the loom but suggested learning one way well first and then be open to adapting to suit your own needs and creativity.
So here is another way that weaving can teach. The idea of no one 'right' way cross-pollenates to spiritual searching or cooking or any aspect of life.
You start somewhere. That somewhere is usually what you learned growing up or in class. For some people that satisfies for what they need in this life. I don't want to fault those that find their life recipes and stick with them but for me I love the idea of being open ...to see the path..and the many possibilities along the way.
I would tell my students that I was going to teach them my method of putting a warp on the loom. I told them that while there are many approaches to threading the loom it would be best for them to learn one way first.
I emphasized that there was no one 'right' way to dress the loom but suggested learning one way well first and then be open to adapting to suit your own needs and creativity.
So here is another way that weaving can teach. The idea of no one 'right' way cross-pollenates to spiritual searching or cooking or any aspect of life.
You start somewhere. That somewhere is usually what you learned growing up or in class. For some people that satisfies for what they need in this life. I don't want to fault those that find their life recipes and stick with them but for me I love the idea of being open ...to see the path..and the many possibilities along the way.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
To Judge or Not to Judge?
Why is it so hard for me to approach my work with an attitude of non-judgement?
Julia Cameron ( The Artist's Way Every Day ) writes:
"As artists, we wish we could always work well, but we must settle for working always. The 'always' we can control. The 'well' we cannot control. For this reason, we do well to simply serve, to focus more on the process of doing our work than on the 'product' of work produced."
This is what I'm trying to do and it's hard for me. I want to judge as I go along. Yet...how can I judge the relative merit of what I make? I can't. I can only make it. I block myself from finishing pieces because I fear making a mistake and perhaps ruining a piece. But how can I know and how can I grow if I don't take risks?
Over the past couple of days I've started pushing on finishing a piece that includes weaving and collage. Progress stalled because I feared going forward. Now it is time....to just....DO....IT...and enjoy the process.
Julia is right....the process...that IS what it's all about.
Pictures coming soon!
Oh...and by the way...the piece I'm working on isn't one of the pieces pictured above.
Julia Cameron ( The Artist's Way Every Day ) writes:
"As artists, we wish we could always work well, but we must settle for working always. The 'always' we can control. The 'well' we cannot control. For this reason, we do well to simply serve, to focus more on the process of doing our work than on the 'product' of work produced."
This is what I'm trying to do and it's hard for me. I want to judge as I go along. Yet...how can I judge the relative merit of what I make? I can't. I can only make it. I block myself from finishing pieces because I fear making a mistake and perhaps ruining a piece. But how can I know and how can I grow if I don't take risks?
Over the past couple of days I've started pushing on finishing a piece that includes weaving and collage. Progress stalled because I feared going forward. Now it is time....to just....DO....IT...and enjoy the process.
Julia is right....the process...that IS what it's all about.
Pictures coming soon!
Oh...and by the way...the piece I'm working on isn't one of the pieces pictured above.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
The Artist's Way
a way...a path...start somewhere
Have you ever heard of Julia Cameron's book 'The Artist's Way'?
Over the years I've done every excercise in her book. I wrote the morning pages every morning for a long time. Hmmm...it would be a good thing for me to do again.
Cameron suggests writing three pages every morning. In case this is daunting you could take inspiration from my friend Ann who chose 3"x5" index cards for her morning pages! That got her over the daunting 'how to fill 3 8 1/2" x 11" pages. Soon she was using the full sized paper. :-)
But...it's okay to start with 'post-it' notes...why not?
This morning I opened up 'The Artist's Way Every Day' to February 1st. Camerson says in part...
"So you say you want to make art (snip) but to make it you need to start somewhere, and that is often the sticking point. We all have our fears, and they are as real as the chair you are sitting in. (snip ) Sometimes we need to sit up and ignore the cricks in our back and shoulders and just begin. That's how it is with art. We just need to begin. Begin where you are, with WHO you are. In order to go where you want creatively, you have to start somewhere. And the best place to start is precisely where you are."
So now it's February. January is past. A slow month....a quiet month.
Over the last few days I've been picking up in my studio. I even vacuumed the floor upstairs in my loom room! I finished weaving Risty's scarf! She's been so patient...thanks Risty!
So I'm off....out to the studio. You have to begin anew each day.
Have you ever heard of Julia Cameron's book 'The Artist's Way'?
Over the years I've done every excercise in her book. I wrote the morning pages every morning for a long time. Hmmm...it would be a good thing for me to do again.
Cameron suggests writing three pages every morning. In case this is daunting you could take inspiration from my friend Ann who chose 3"x5" index cards for her morning pages! That got her over the daunting 'how to fill 3 8 1/2" x 11" pages. Soon she was using the full sized paper. :-)
But...it's okay to start with 'post-it' notes...why not?
This morning I opened up 'The Artist's Way Every Day' to February 1st. Camerson says in part...
"So you say you want to make art (snip) but to make it you need to start somewhere, and that is often the sticking point. We all have our fears, and they are as real as the chair you are sitting in. (snip ) Sometimes we need to sit up and ignore the cricks in our back and shoulders and just begin. That's how it is with art. We just need to begin. Begin where you are, with WHO you are. In order to go where you want creatively, you have to start somewhere. And the best place to start is precisely where you are."
So now it's February. January is past. A slow month....a quiet month.
Over the last few days I've been picking up in my studio. I even vacuumed the floor upstairs in my loom room! I finished weaving Risty's scarf! She's been so patient...thanks Risty!
So I'm off....out to the studio. You have to begin anew each day.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Visits to the Void
We are full. We are empty.
For me the fall of the year is always very full. Then comes January and all is quiet.
It has taken years for me to come to terms with this. I've fallen into depression many years after the busy-ness of fall and the holidays.
Our western society has been based on full out production, activity year round. This is not a natural sequence.
Is non-stop productivity what nature shows us? No. There are quiet times. Times of rest. Time to reflect.
I'm in reflection. I'm visiting the void. Floating. Yes....good.
More soon!
For me the fall of the year is always very full. Then comes January and all is quiet.
It has taken years for me to come to terms with this. I've fallen into depression many years after the busy-ness of fall and the holidays.
Our western society has been based on full out production, activity year round. This is not a natural sequence.
Is non-stop productivity what nature shows us? No. There are quiet times. Times of rest. Time to reflect.
I'm in reflection. I'm visiting the void. Floating. Yes....good.
More soon!
Friday, November 5, 2010
FREE UNION CRAFT SHOW
I'm going to be doing the Free Union Craft Show the week-end of Dec. 4 & 5.
Here is the link:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=165659220120100
It's been awhile since I've done a craft fair and I'm excited. Will be fun to show all of you my jewelry and new weaving.
Here is the link:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=165659220120100
It's been awhile since I've done a craft fair and I'm excited. Will be fun to show all of you my jewelry and new weaving.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
FIBER ALERT!
Delivered a batch of scarves to Lynne Goldman Studios today.
Exciting!
Check out their website. I'm delighted to have my work in Lynne and Steve's lovely gallery. Thank you!!
http://www.lynnegoldmanstudio.com/
Exciting!
Check out their website. I'm delighted to have my work in Lynne and Steve's lovely gallery. Thank you!!
http://www.lynnegoldmanstudio.com/
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
YAY!
I'm excited!
New opportunities abound!
The Virginia Museum Gift shop has decided to buy some of my pieces. The newly renovated VMFA is wonderful. The new shop gorgeous! I'm honored to have my work there. Thank you Jacky! I'll be delivering the new work soon.
http://www.vmfa.museum/Default.aspx
Also am excited that 'Living on Grove' is taking some pieces. Hi and thank you to Martee and Mallory.
http://www.livingongrove.com/
Each place will have different scarf styles and colors. What fun!
Thank you!
New opportunities abound!
The Virginia Museum Gift shop has decided to buy some of my pieces. The newly renovated VMFA is wonderful. The new shop gorgeous! I'm honored to have my work there. Thank you Jacky! I'll be delivering the new work soon.
http://www.vmfa.museum/Default.aspx
Also am excited that 'Living on Grove' is taking some pieces. Hi and thank you to Martee and Mallory.
http://www.livingongrove.com/
Each place will have different scarf styles and colors. What fun!
Thank you!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Opportunity
Suddenly lots of opportunities! It's exciting and scary too.
Over time I've worked on a new approach to opportunities. They come along and it's easy to want them too much. To think that getting in the gallery or show will 'save' me in some way. So I find it better to be more even about them. If I get in the new gallery...or the show...wonderful. If I don't get in...okay...yes, some disappointement but another opportunity will come along. I can try again another time.
The other fear is an inventory...or how am I going to get that much work together fear.
In the past I've had a tendency to think I needed to give a gallery a huge collection but I realize that often 6 pieces can be enough to get started. Therefore I've managed to talk myself down from my fear about that.
Another thing is that I no longer want to feel pressure or pushed. I don't seem to handle anxiety well anymore and I like a gentle pace to my day. So I've decided that I can have that gentle pace and I will just do the best I can and I can still take on new opportunities.
So let me tell you a little about some of the recent excitement! It all makes me feel that the economy must be turning around.
My first recent opportunity was the Blue Ridge Fiber Show in Asheville NC at the North Carolina Arboretum. To get in the show I just needed to send in my application along with $30. to show two pieces. Nice. Easy, I like! So I submitted my two pieces to the show and then found out that I could send items for one of the Arboretum gift shops if I wanted. Yes, I did! http://www.wncfhg.org/brfs10/brfs.html
Next up was a chance to get my work into a gallery sales space at the new art center in Arlington, VA called Artisphere. For this one I had to send in an application along with a CD of images of my work. Luckily My work was accepted! YAY! Artisphere sounds like a fantastic space and I'm excited that my work is in the ACV Gallery there.
http://www.rosslynva.org/play/artisphere-cultural-center
Finally I have two possible opportunities to place my work in Richmond VA.
This is where suddenly I felt overwhelmed and scared. Things almost happening too fast. Most of my inventory is out and what I'm working on is for Lynne Goldman Studios. Which, by the way, is another wonderful space that I'm excited about.
Over time I've worked on a new approach to opportunities. They come along and it's easy to want them too much. To think that getting in the gallery or show will 'save' me in some way. So I find it better to be more even about them. If I get in the new gallery...or the show...wonderful. If I don't get in...okay...yes, some disappointement but another opportunity will come along. I can try again another time.
The other fear is an inventory...or how am I going to get that much work together fear.
In the past I've had a tendency to think I needed to give a gallery a huge collection but I realize that often 6 pieces can be enough to get started. Therefore I've managed to talk myself down from my fear about that.
Another thing is that I no longer want to feel pressure or pushed. I don't seem to handle anxiety well anymore and I like a gentle pace to my day. So I've decided that I can have that gentle pace and I will just do the best I can and I can still take on new opportunities.
So let me tell you a little about some of the recent excitement! It all makes me feel that the economy must be turning around.
My first recent opportunity was the Blue Ridge Fiber Show in Asheville NC at the North Carolina Arboretum. To get in the show I just needed to send in my application along with $30. to show two pieces. Nice. Easy, I like! So I submitted my two pieces to the show and then found out that I could send items for one of the Arboretum gift shops if I wanted. Yes, I did! http://www.wncfhg.org/brfs10/brfs.html
Next up was a chance to get my work into a gallery sales space at the new art center in Arlington, VA called Artisphere. For this one I had to send in an application along with a CD of images of my work. Luckily My work was accepted! YAY! Artisphere sounds like a fantastic space and I'm excited that my work is in the ACV Gallery there.
http://www.rosslynva.org/play/artisphere-cultural-center
Finally I have two possible opportunities to place my work in Richmond VA.
This is where suddenly I felt overwhelmed and scared. Things almost happening too fast. Most of my inventory is out and what I'm working on is for Lynne Goldman Studios. Which, by the way, is another wonderful space that I'm excited about.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Georgia's Backyard
Back from Albuquerque!
My visit to the Ghost Ranch and Georgia O'Keefe's Landscape was inspiring.
O'Keefe has been one of my muses for years. It was wonderful getting to see what she considered to be her front yard and her backyard. I can see why anyone would be inspired out there. The light constantly changes and creates an ever moving show of color and form.
It was amazing.
My visit to the Ghost Ranch and Georgia O'Keefe's Landscape was inspiring.
O'Keefe has been one of my muses for years. It was wonderful getting to see what she considered to be her front yard and her backyard. I can see why anyone would be inspired out there. The light constantly changes and creates an ever moving show of color and form.
It was amazing.
Friday, July 2, 2010
No money, honey!
I decided to delete the adsense monetizing of my blog. It was fun to do but distracting. Plus I hate that the 'ads' pick up on conversation. Just mentioning bathrooms caused ads to pop up for bathroom fixtures. Good Grief!
Originally I thought it would be fun to link to amazon or other commercial sites.
So anyway...that's it!
It was easy to start and easy to stop. A good experiment.
Originally I thought it would be fun to link to amazon or other commercial sites.
So anyway...that's it!
It was easy to start and easy to stop. A good experiment.
Growth
My small tapestry is almost finished. Slow growth but that's the way it goes sometimes. I've been in a work drought. Not an idea drought so am sure productivity will kick in soon!
I've been distracted by home improvement research. We are updating our only full bathroom. We sprung a leak which is pushing us into a much needed upgrade. It's amazing how many decisions are needed. Mostly it's a fun process but then I get overwhelmed. All the decisions are almost made. Hopefully complete within a few days.
Soon it will be time to prepare for Convergence!!!! Albuqueque!!! Woo Hoo!!
For conference info go to the Handweaver's Guild of America at:
http://www.weavespindye.org/
I've been distracted by home improvement research. We are updating our only full bathroom. We sprung a leak which is pushing us into a much needed upgrade. It's amazing how many decisions are needed. Mostly it's a fun process but then I get overwhelmed. All the decisions are almost made. Hopefully complete within a few days.
Soon it will be time to prepare for Convergence!!!! Albuqueque!!! Woo Hoo!!
For conference info go to the Handweaver's Guild of America at:
http://www.weavespindye.org/
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
A new loom
I'm waving at Cheri! Thanks for your encouragement. I've been dragging my feet about adding to this blog.
In May I traveled to Florida to visit my Mom for Mother's Day and while I had a very good trip going away disrupted the flow here.
So it's time to get going again.
That brings me to my new loom! A few months ago I bought a portable tapestry loom made out of copper pipe. This past week I finally put a narrow ( 3" ) warp on the loom and started weaving a small piece that I intend to attach to a larger piece of weaving that I have on my big Glimakra loom out in the studio.
The loom is an Archie Brennan design but it was Jesse Brennan, Archie's son, that built the loom and shipped it to me. Archie Brennan weaves wonderful tapestries. I also hear via Joan Griffin that he is an excellent teacher. Joan is a wonderful tapestry artist as well. Check out her web site at http://www.joangriffintapestry.com/
Here is the url if you'd like to see the loom. From this you can navigate around the Brennan-Maffei site and see pics of their excellent tapestries.
http://brennan-maffei.com/Loom.htm
In May I traveled to Florida to visit my Mom for Mother's Day and while I had a very good trip going away disrupted the flow here.
So it's time to get going again.
That brings me to my new loom! A few months ago I bought a portable tapestry loom made out of copper pipe. This past week I finally put a narrow ( 3" ) warp on the loom and started weaving a small piece that I intend to attach to a larger piece of weaving that I have on my big Glimakra loom out in the studio.
The loom is an Archie Brennan design but it was Jesse Brennan, Archie's son, that built the loom and shipped it to me. Archie Brennan weaves wonderful tapestries. I also hear via Joan Griffin that he is an excellent teacher. Joan is a wonderful tapestry artist as well. Check out her web site at http://www.joangriffintapestry.com/
Here is the url if you'd like to see the loom. From this you can navigate around the Brennan-Maffei site and see pics of their excellent tapestries.
http://brennan-maffei.com/Loom.htm
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Another 'Guardian'
Handwoven fabric mounted on collaged foam core. This is attached to a another piece of foam core which is wrapped with fabric.
In progress
One of the pieces I'm working on.I've attached a piece of weaving onto a foam core board wrapped with fabric. The face is ceramic.
This is part of my 'Guardian' series.
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