Matins Sunday, Sep 6 2009

This week’s Mixed Media Monday challenge is one that I hosted.  I invited the group to create art using the theme “time of day.” I suggested that the theme could be illustrated through color, imagery or some combination. I hope my colleagues enjoyed the challenge.

The theme illustrates what a series of fiber art pieces I had just created meant to me. Matins uses ideas set forth by Sharon McCartney (who finally has a website–hooray!) in the book Mixed Media Collage. It is my attempt to illustrate the feelings I have at morning, noon, evening, and night.

Matins uses natural images and colors to depict different times of day: The sparrow’s song awakens us in the morning; the drone of the dragonfly can be heard in the heat of a summer noon; the raven welcomes the evening, and the luna moth dances in the night.

Matins

Matins

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I’ve never felt(ed) like this before. Saturday, Sep 5 2009

Fiber art gives you so many options (maybe too many). And, as the red-blooded fiber person that I am, I am willing to try every technique available.

Many months ago, a colleague from Catsclaw Theatre had a studio sale that included roving he had made that used silk, wool and acrylic. I’d never used roving, but the colors were so fun, that I HAD to buy some.

But, what to do with this beautiful varigated fiber?

I finally decided to purchase some felting needles and take a chance.

And, boy, is it fun!

The long fibers of the roving made my first attempt a wee bit fuzzy, but it was a good experience, and one I will try again.

A felted fleur de lis.

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Asian Cloth Sunday, Aug 30 2009

Mixed Media Monday’s latest challenge was “Stitches.” This should be easy enough. I DO sew, after all. But what to sew, what to use?

I have a lot of beautiful Asian cloth. Most too lovely for me to cut (or so I feel). But the poor fabric just pines away on my shelves, waiting to be used–some how, some way, some day. I have made a promise to myself and to this fabric that it will not sit idle on my shelves until it dry rots. It will BECOME. As a part of this promise, I cut into a wonderful idigo and white fabric that I have owned for over 10 years. Then, I bit the bullet, as it were, and cut apart an amazing red fabric with flowers and water running through it. These became my base, which I embelleshed with free motion stitching. 

I decided I needed some fish to swim in my river, so I created a transfer of a koi that I produced in Photoshop by enhancing a photo. I used TAP paper to transfer. TAP is a new transfer product, sort of like T-shirt transfers on steroids. (It can be used to transfer images to wood, canvas, paper, cloth, etc., and it has a really, really soft hand, so when used on fabric, it really seems to become a part of the fabric. I hate to use plain fabric for tansfers, and one of my favorite transfer bases of the moment are fabrics with text on it. I like the way the text can be seen underneath and through the fish.

These koi patches were blanket-stitched to the base. White buttons were added to balance the images, and the end result is one that pleases me.

Asian stitches

 

Detail: Koi transfer

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I just can’t seem to get it together Sunday, Aug 23 2009

Mixed Media Monday’s challenge this week is “Together.” There were many wonderful images and concepts that I could use, but — being a perverse creature — none of them seemed to be working for me. Finally, as I was walking to the store, I berated myself, asking “Why can’t I get it together?” And there you have it. I had a theme. With its deconstructed face and text flurries everywhere, this collage certainly represents how I have felt this past week. Thanks, Diane, for a therapeutic way to come to grips with these feelings.

I just can't get it together

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Before and After Tuesday, Aug 18 2009

Earlier this month, I was lamenting my rather busy attempt at a collage: Too many elements, all vying for the same amount of attention. No focal point. I loved the colors. I loved the images. But they didn’t work together in the design I had created.

After some soul-searching (and collage staring), I decided that 1. the collage needed more color contrast. 2. The collage needed a strong focal point (maybe in the contrast color), and 3. All the images I used couldn’t play together. With these goals in mind, I added a strong black and white image (from an old Christian Dior ad) as the focal point and to add some contrast. Still finding the collage too busy, with too many competing elements, I added a strong contrast color — copper — and let one of my favorite images peak out of the bar of color. I think the collage now works much better. I hope you agree.

Busy, busy, busy

Sense from the chaos.

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Seeing Stars Monday, Aug 17 2009

This week’s Mixed Media Monday challenge is “Stars.” Continuing with my pin-obsession, I created this little pin, 1/2 inch high, 1.5 inches wide. The stars were from my old sewing days, and the young lady looking out into the night sky seemed perfect for the challenge.

Seeing stars

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Information about Churchill Weavers Friday, Aug 14 2009

I just received the following from Churchill Weavers:

Hello, After a brief hiatus, Churchill Weavers will be relaunching a limited production schedule of their famous handmade throws and scarves. After September 1, production will begin again on reissues of some of their older lines as well as some of their new designs for Spring 2010.

There will be a return to the original Churchill Weavers emphasis on upscale but accessible, luxuriously tactile products. Churchill will continue its tradition of weaving on our trademark antique looms, personally designed by David Churchill in the early years of the last Century.

We invite any interested parties to please contact us via email with inquiries and/or orders at  churchillweavers@hughes.net.

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Mini Collages keeping me busy Tuesday, Aug 11 2009

Following a suggestion in Mixed Mania. I am trying (try being the operative word here) to make art every day. To do this, I’ve been working on mini collages (ranging between 1.5×1.5 inches and 2×2 inches). Working in this manner, I’m learning a few interesting things:

I don’t like busy. One key image on a nice background with a little flourish is enough. If I get busy, I can’t locate my anchor image and the piece becomes diffuse. Learning how much I like the limits in a small venue has made me rethink some of my bigger collages and silk paintings, which are sometimes busy. A limited palette and a limited number of design elements works for me. Below are five 2×2 collages I worked on and liked because they are pretty simple. I am also including a picture of a failed 8×8 inch collage that is too busy and diffuse. I may work on it some more to make the current piece into a background for one dominant image and see if I like it better.

Five little collages

Busy, busy, busy

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Blue & Green Sunday, Aug 9 2009

Mixed Media Monay’s August 10 challenge is Blue and Green. Since these are two of my favorite colors, the challenge was a lot of fun. I’ve developed an interest in small collages of late (thanks to the book Mixed Mania, which recommends completing a small collage or other piece of art every day. Uncertain what I could do with these tiny collages, I have decided to begin creating small brooches, or pins with the pieces.

This brooch, my second,  uses text from an old atlas, with clip art cut from a 50s era New Orleans hotel tour book. I have some Metallic Olive Lumiere paint, and used it to add a little swirl and to edge the piece. I’m quite pleased with the outcome.

Blue and green are always in fashion

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A New Studio Space Friday, Aug 7 2009

As my interests have moved more toward textile painting/dyeing, I needed more space, and — more importantly — easier access to a sink. With that in mind, I decided to move from the Mellwood Center to a space that afforded such comforts. With the current economy, I was able to get more space (with a private restroom) within walking distance of my home.

Most importantly, I have a sink of my own. OK. Not really. But I share the utility sink with two other artists whose work schedule is definitely different than mine. Now I can put the dye vats right next to the sink, instead of lugging them about 40 feet to the communal sink when it’s time to rinse. Life is good, dyeing is easier, and less messy.

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