Happy Holloween

Last weekend I went a burial ceremony. Funny how we deal with Halloween and the frivolity of death, ghouls, ghosts, spirits, transformations, and plain 'ol spookiness. Maybe it's the mindset of current events. Death is unchangeable; allegiants are not always absolute.
 

Lastest Upgrade

Finally finished these heavy muslin curtains. I was gifted them from a professional draper and modified them to fit here. I added a valence of beige canvas duck which is held to an I-beam with small magnets. It is a big help to control the direct sunlight on my design walls for this half of the year in low sun.
 

On the Wall

Nearly finished, just some major seams and a last look to see if that is the final 'answer' to this wall's givings. I've a little lecture to finish, an entry to finish, and some packing to do yet this week. But I know the studio will wait without complaint. Can't decide if I have Friday clear for First Friday at the studio. 
 

Of Course

I voted early, as I'll be at Art Quilt Tahoe for the vote day. Glad that we are able to vote every which way -- early, by mail, on the day. It should be this easy for everyone. I could have voted at the Susan B. Anthony museum, but it doesn't matter where, just that I did. I'll think about her a lot, as we should. 
 

Just Hanging Around

I made a trip over to the Little Theater Cafe where my work is hung with my friend Judy Gohringer's works. It'll be down Tuesday. It's wonderful to see work in different venues -- some are slick, some are dim, some a backdrop for life. I'll  pack three to travel to Art Quilt Tahoe, the rest will wait their turn.

 

Family Wedding

Laura loved "Family Wedding" when she first saw it in my studio. A year has passed since then and she sent me how the quilt was installed. I love it! It seems made for the space, even though it wasn't. And out the window the fall colors are fitting. Thank you, Laura.
 

Linen at Your Service

I've printed a utility weight linen for pillows, chair covers, seats cushions, or practical functional items. Many have taken these and hand stitched, which is a wonderful base for improv stitching. I'll add some to my webstore next week, if there is a chance. 
 

Demur Enough?

Trying this out on my porcelain model. Not showing off the best of the scarf, so it's back to the drawing board. And, does anyone use a drawing board anymore? Like how we say 'dial' the phone. Still.
 

Silk to Make You Feel Dreamy

I've made a handful of printed silk scarves to take to Art Quilt Tahoe. Last time it snowed, so I'll be prepared. My latest twist is that these are square, and the one I'm keeping -- and love -- is so much fun to wear. If only I could keep them all. When I return, I'll make some for the website store. Promise.
 

Hometown Gang

Tonight's lecture was with the Irondequoit Art Club, held in a suburb of Rochester. A treat to have an accepting audience, and also one that knew exactly all the places around! I meant to get the room full of about 60 people, but was so busy talking, didn't. Oh, well, you know it was fun.
 

My Mind is Elsewhere

A devoted follower noted (and notified me) that I had missed my yesterday post. I was finishing a lecture due tonight and hit the off key as soon as I could, forgetting to post. Here is what is clogging y brain -- getting ready to cross the country to teach in Tahoe. This is my list of what is waiting from last year. 
 

Scarf It Up

My newest type of scarf is a simple silk square. I've had so fun wearing it, I've made a handful to bring with me to Art Quit Tahoe. I use the same thickened dye mix to print, then hand washed, then machine washed (on extreme hot) in the washer. They're hanging to dry, tomorrow to iron. Hard to let them go.

Technique and Difference

 

Let's circle back to the Schweinfurth's surface design show that is ending soon. The top is Nancy Crow's monoprints. The bottom, mine (unquilted). The gestural hand is the charm of the mark. I have no intention to copy Nancy's work, but look to vary the technique so that it reads as mine. 

Small Progress

It's not a perfect system, but a definite improvement. I've got some gifted (reduce, reuse!) curtains in place. I've plans to add a valance to the I-beam to stop the sunlight at the 'clearstory' above the curtains. Still work to do on the curtains, but less of it!
 

Time is Now

I've worried for over a year about the direct light that the studio enjoys. Facing directly south, these big windows will allow the sunshine to reach the far opposite wall by December. I'm adding draperies to cancel that. And it's a slow going, difficult job to take care of. Maybe I'll be put right by tomorrow.
 

Hunter's Moon

The clear sky holds that glorious supermoon still can't be captured by my meager camera lens. So, here is a detail of a piece I've printed. Many who have taken my printing class know this is a monoprint because the screen prints is drawn through. 
 

Out and About

Shopping for yarn-thread that will mend a sweater brought me round the corner to this lovely building. I'm certain it is no longer used for lunch, and I'm glad that the coffee cup is still there. The art I make would not withstand the elements, and I'm grateful for other media that can. 
 

Got Them Blues

I've added some blue prints to my web store, and am always conflicted on whether I should keep all of them or not. This one is kinda nice just as it is. But then, there are so many prints that would work against it for contrast. I see so much imagery here. Like cellophane wrappers at the basket bin at holidays.
 

Back at the Wall

The sun is letting me know that year's end is nearer than far. And I do have plans to get curtains to block the direct southern exposure. Meanwhile, I'm plugging away with this latest one. Which I like. So, that's one of the good things that has happened this week. The rest of the week has had lumps.
 

Surface Design Schweifurth

 

Yesterday was Beyond the Surface at Schweinfurth Art Center. Two artists' work; first Krystle Lemonias who portarys domestic work of caregivers for it's content, second Gerri Spilka's work in printed and painted fabric held me for the dynamic shape and color. Both exciting, all worth the trip.

Best End of the Day

I spent hours getting a shipment ready to go only to find the box was 9" too long. Too long to ship. So, I've decided that my absolute least favorite part of my job is packing these works up to deliver. Hours. Lost. So, ending the day with a little music expertly played was a joy. (ps: delivered the package by hand)

 

Back at the Ranch

After a handful of days away, I made a point to get over to the studio. At seven minutes of drive, it's easy, just had other stuff to take care of. There seems to be a dark thing growing on the design wall, and I like it. I even know what it is. I'll clue you in when I get closer.
 

More in Store

I had some days to print and wash, photograph and enter on the website store. But as I put this up just now, it occurs to me that the photo I took on my little walk this week in the Finger Lakes seemed to have the same sparkling quality as the dye print. See if you agree.

 

What Happened to It Next

I've been printing these last days. This is the result of the piece tht I started with rubbings. It's light overall and will work well with the prints I tend to make much darker. Tomorow is more washout. One of these days I've got to get my garden put to bed -- wish I could do it all!

 

New Glue Gun

Before I head to Tahoe next month I wanted to try out a cordless (!!) glue gun and see it it would help there. I figured we wouldn't be tethered to the cord, so who knows what mischief we'd get into. So, here are a few I've tried as well as the rubbings on fabric below.  

 

Good Fun for All

Today opened the exhibit at the Little Theater Cafe. We had David Russell and his autoharp, lots of cookies, nibbles, a few bottles of wine, and of course wonderful friends who joined us on a perfectly sunny day. Thanks to the arts community for their support, for showing up and sharing their time.
 

New and Just Hung Up

The little piece on the left (still needing a name) will go the Schweinfurth's Art Center's auction wall with others included in the Quilts=Art=Quilts show. It is a smaller version of the accepted piece 'Rite of Spring' which carries the same kind of composition. It's always fun to see who wins these. You can, too!
 

First Friday

The view from the farthest corner of my studio after visitors have taken a cookie and gone on to the next studio. It was a nice evening, and lots of people came and did the loop around. A few mentioned that they hadn't seen fiber work in town much. So, this will be my community service -- spreading the fiber cause.
 

Something Learned

I'm adding a facing here, ready to stitch and pivot around the corner. I've never been able to sight this measure of 1/4" from the next edge. I inch along with multiple pivots to check. I suddenly realized that the end of the metal from needle out to inset gap (top of the 'U') was the perfect measure. 
 

On Site Personality

The Little Theater Cafe entrance has a title panel that explains the show's concept. This is not a pristine, white walled gallery, but rather one with personality, with a very different subset of people. It will spark good dialog among people who came for the music, and got visual art in the mix.
 

Entry Signs

 

Many years of designing exhibits taught me that wayfinding and label heirarchy were important. Before reaching the entry to the cafe, where the exhibit is hung, is a 4'x 8' black board that holds one piece of Judy's and one of mine. The title and thematic blurb is there and all the contact info. We hung today.