Clearing Space

I've got a piece that need design work, and need this pinable wall. But before I start, I need to clear the wall, and I want to remember what was there. My photos will serve as my notepad. It tells me where to start when I want to return to work on this. 
 

Someday It'll Return

I've said so long to "In the Weeds" for now. The Dairy Barn will travel this show for the next two years, and if you count the 7 months it's already been away, it'll be a three year absence. That is difficult to wrap your head around. But, at least I'll welcome the Quilt National 2021 work home later this summer.
 

Reflections of QN

If you want a true reflection of the work juried in to Quilt National '23, you would look at the awards group. 3 of the 12 awards featured works in solid color fabric (none purchase awards, I believe) in the field of 81 works of which 29 are mainly solid color fabric. My figures are estimates. 
 

More Stitches from QN '23

Clockwise from upper left Judy Martin, Dinah Sargeant, Susan Byrnes, and Susan Brubaker Knapp. The stitching decision, how to hold these three layers together, what mark to make, when it is enough, and so forth. All fascinated me at this Quilt National 2023 exhibition this weekend.
 

Stitching at Quilt National

 Ann Smith detailed figures in her work, and this detail shows her hand stitching. She doesn't use a sewing machine, and builds her work with used clothing and fabric. The effect speaks to her plain and serious manner in capturing people. 

Quilt National 2023

Made the drive to Athens, Ohio and the opening of Quilt National 2023. My piece is in great company, and looks swell hanging proud of the perimeter wall. There's lots of fresh new faces, wonderful explorations of fiber work, and of course friends to meet. Many I've met virtually, now in person!
 

Hot Tip Time

Thank you to Betsey for this fabulous tip. I always complain that I'm not going to wash out the spoon just to lid my thickened dyes. And Betsey tipped me off to her husband's clever "just drill a hole" solution. Now that I'm away for a few days, this is just the perfect solution. Dyes last weeks, just do a swatch!
 

Late Night

It's late, the full day is over, and I look back to Rite of Spring, the reinstalled work that was hanging around Studio 301. It was my zoom reunion backdrop (who needs virtual?) and a reminder that you can learn new techniques because it's an everchanging road. You have to.
 

Boring but Reality

I'm taking a printing break, so my hot water tank can go back to low. The dial is painted with white-out so I can see it, and this is about 140 degrees. The washer is steaming on it's hot setting. I believe that some washers regulate that hot water so it doesn't scald. Not mine. 

 

Printing 2023

I've three "away" printing spots, all delightful. July is in Coupeville, Washington. End of August is Madeline Island, Wisconsin; and November is Tahoe, Nevada. Spend a week printing fabric -- you'll never forget it! In person, live. 
 

More Putting and Taking

After a week away, it was high time to get back to the studio. Sundays are almost dead there, so I was happy to get in some solid time. And I left it looking much better then when I walked in. No clue yet what this is saying, but there is a bit of plant adoration going on. Hmmm.
 

Know When to Fold Them

What started as a color demo became this lovely garden. I'm putting aside those that are to be cut-up considerably, those to hold, and those to post for sale. This is one that is hard to figure. It may be too much like one's I've used in my work, so I might keep. But there are others, and they'll be around soon.
 

Before and After

That half-finished demo piece just waited for me to get to it. So, I've added some more work, calming the light borders, and ended with the second. Not my favorite, but definitely usable parts.
 

Ribbons in Order

A generous student tipped me off to using confetti or ribbons behind a screen. I loved the effect, but not the stringy mess. So, latest switch was to make my own from tyvek by slicing the ribbons all the way but leaving it together at the end by a few inches. Now I can print, dunk in water to wash, and use again.
 

Green Screen

Washed out and showing their final colors, it seems they are telling me to go for green. Must be spring! When I've got a set, as this is both botanical and the same palette, then I know I need to A.) use these together, and B.) get something other than this to use against it (like another set!).
 

On a Roll

Two for Tuesday was the assignment (though I just thought up the name) which was make two different compositions using the same starter motif. I got absolutely nutty with a three part motif. I found printing the solid leaf and the outline leaf absolute fun. Class had great images as well. Wash out tomorrow.
 

Start the Day

Thought you'd like to see just what I stare at for my day -- me! But not for long. There's already someone in the waiting room. So, the start of Just Silkscreens. I've got screens ready, dyes ready, table cleared and gathered some loose notes. We'll be at it again tomorrow.
 

The Gloves are On

The very unglamorous, but necessary, task of cleaning screens. I've turned up the hot water to the hottest setting -- around 140 degrees -- and with my sprayer and scrubber have removed the dried dye+thickener coat and the soy wax block out. They'll drip dry on my cement floor, and tomorrow I ready for class!
 

What is On the Wall

I'm not sure what is going on here, but I keep chipping away at the bits and I am starting to see some parts I like. At this point, I'll give it my "what composition is this?" test. Many of you know I have seven, and let's see if I can find which one emerges.
 

Inspiration for Next Time

I'm always looking for pattern and motif, and this Bedouin necklace has that and more. Remind me, should I have another Printing Under the Influence class that this is that influence I used. 
 

It's the Top

I've never gotten the Best in Show until today. The Form Not Function exhibit in New Albany, Indiana at the Carnegie Center for Art and History awarded me for this piece "Oregon Rain". Made after teaching in Sisters, Oregon. I didn't know what it was, then saw it was the landscape I'd just left, and loved.
 

Next Week Soon

I'm starting to gear up for the Just Silkscreen workshop next week. Good thing I've got rolls of pfd cotton ready to soda-soak. And now I've got to scrub up a few screens from the last printing week. And, now that the weather is warmer, the basement level print room is warming up too!
 

A La Carte

You can see the scale of the last work from Studio 301. I'm calling it A La Carte. It's a substantial 80 x 82 and will be part of this autumn's show here in Rochester. I'd like to get one more finished before summer hits. 
 

Pastoral Break

Returning home from visiting family, my route took me up and over the hills of the Finger Lakes and as I started downhill these lovely ladies cam into view. You can just make out a lake far off, that's Canandaigua. We have water, we have green, we have vistas. 
 

Backdrop Reveal

 The very talented Kinloch Nelson is ready to perform backed by my printed curtain wall. You may remember my printing this linen piece. We'll, it was a hit.

Full Moon

From the McMichael Gallery collection is that splendid full moon. I try and try to capture that moon with my camera, but it's not to be. Better to leave it to Caven Atkins and his "Moonlit Landscape Toward Infinity". 

 

Edit

Perhaps it was being in Toronto, all the noise, all the rain, all the talk. But returning to the design wall today became a time to edit. To remove, to calm the rucus. I know, you're saying, this don't look calm to me. Well, the before was wild. This has some clearing in the sky.

 

Last Chance for Virtual Printing

In 10 days is the last virtual print class till the fall (or next year). Just Silkscreens is 11 to 4 Monday through Friday, May 15 - 19. Most of the design wall shows fabric who's chief technique is silkscreen. We'll print other ways too, but this is a deep screen dive. Join me www.patpauly.com/virtualclasses
 

Busman's Holiday

Because Toronto is a bonafide metropolis, it's got a fabric district. And you can sight see the fancy fabrics all you want -- no charge for browsing. These beaded lovelies went up to $450 Canadian now and again. But they were indeed beauties.
 

Meryl McMaster

Another exhibition at the McMichael was Meryl McMaster's compelling work of large scale photographs of her as the subject in the landscape of the Canadian wilderness. Stunning composition, intricate setups and reflections of her heritage. 

 

Sunday's Visit to McMichael

On our returning trip from Toronto to Rochester, we stopped in the McMichael Gallery in Kleinburg, Ontario. Boasting a collection of the Group of Seven, I was pleased to see First Nations works as well. Several Northwest Coast people's works on display, and contemporary works that bridged the centuries.