Fierce

I’ve never been especially good at protecting myself.
My borders tend to be undefined. I have made some very bad deals in my time for attention. I tend to sell myself (artistically speaking) cheaply. I act from a needy place.
Two weeks ago I was faced with some decisions.
In one weekend I was asked to put my work in two different venues and I had to decide if it was a good idea.

A gallery expressed interest in having my work there (Yay! Attention!)
They said I could rent a spot on the wall about 5’ by 5’ for 75.00 a month (wha?)
Right smack dab against someone else’s 5’ by 5’ space (umm…)
Who is in the gallery because they paid not because their work is special (…)

A shop expressed interest in having some of my dyes (Yay! Attention!)
For a 50% cut of the sales (50? Wha?)
I would have to come in and set up the displays myself (huh?)
The shop was sort of dim and dusty looking (uhhh…)
And would I be willing to develop some new things exclusive to the shop based on the owner’s specs? (…)

Y’know the most amazing thing was that it took me two days thinking long and hard before I decided that these were not the offers for me, I deserve better and I won’t settle for less.
I got fierce

Two days later I got a new (fierce) haircut. I’ve gotten more compliments in the first 3 days of my new look than I’ve gotten in a year. I guess I do deserve better.
I’ve begun to base my decisions based on the question “What would the woman with this hair do?”
Christine Kane has a great take on resolutions. Simply put choose just one word to embody the changes you want to make in the coming year, what you really want to be.
Fall has always been a time of new beginnings in my life.
I’m choosing Fierce

Gestation

Aren’t these pretty fabrics?

I bought them ohh…probably 2 years ago on a whim. I loved the woven texture and the subtle colors. They have many different threads in the weft and a single color on the warp. 2 years, and there they sat.
Sometime last winter I finally tried to make something with them. I was trying for a folder cover. Good idea poor execution the design didn’t work out but I did discover that the fabric looks terrific with this vat dyed fabric.

The weave provides a nice contrast to the bold shapes and suede-like texture of the vat dyes. Since the project didn’t function I put it aside and there it sat…for 3 months.

Then I thought hmm how about table runners? That would look nice. I broke out the woven and edged it with some plain denim twill for stabilization and to stretch the supply. It looked good, time for the pattern, I fiddled with it poked at it and was unhappy with my designs. So there it sat… for 4 more months.

Finally last week I woke up thinking Aha! Hawaiian quilt patterns! I can modify the designs from them! That’ll be awesome!
Tonight I got the first prototype done, there will be tweaks in the pattern and execution but I actually like the way it turned out quite well. Measures approx 12” by 52”

Vat dyed cotton knit fused and stitched to the woven ground. I did the top stitching with a contrasting thread.

Only 8 more to go... I hope I can get them done a little faster than this one!

RI PBS Donation

I grew up watching PBS, in fact my folks had me fooled into believing we didn't get any other stations until I was 5 (how embarrassing!). My mom always supported the Boston affiliate as a member and as soon as I began earning enough I became a member too. I remember that as a kid I wasn't too fond of the auctions as they supplanted some of my favorite programming.

This year I will be donating 2 pieces to the 25th Anniversary Rhode Island PBS Arts Auction. I figure its a way to support a cause I really feel enriches my life and a way to get my work out there as well. It was a bit of a step to even consider doing this, my long standing lack-o-confidence made me hesitate (am I good enough?) but finally I decided that I was and I chose the two floral pieces I made last January for the Flower Show. I did make one change to them I stretched them as paintings are. I think it really raises the perceived quality of the work. Suddenly they seem more substantial to me. Something to remember...

Foamy

OK not really sure where this one is going, so I will just describe the process. Decided to elaborate on this stitch resist (#3)

with the addendum of trying some heat set as well as the color

so, two layers one of a poly sheer one of cotton, laid one on top of the other, stitched and pulled, dyed with a pale turquoise color and an aqua (both thickened to try to preserve some of the texture), after dyeing they were heat set (microwave method)

all color came out of the white poly (of course)

and I expect most texture will eventually come out of the cotton.

I really like the play between them when kept on top of one another.

Finally I tried attaching a jingle shell to the two layers using (yup) metallic thread and this method. I love a bunch of stuff about this but I will have to work on how to connect the two layers and more shells... I think it may become a fragment of Aphrodite's armor.

3 Seeds

I will eventually get a picture of the entire piece up someday, maybe I will get lucky and have a chance this weekend to get a decent picture.

This is a detail of the last additions to Persephone's Path. Three little seeds made of the discharge fabric attached to the ground cloth with buttonhole stitch. I left the frayed edges, I just liked the way they looked.

One of the aspects of the Persephone myth I find myself drawn to is the moment she chooses to eat the three pomegranate seeds. Prior to this action she is always acted upon by others. Either as the daughter or the unwilling wife of someone she has never been the mistress of her own fate. At the time she is being released from Hades she chooses to eat three seeds he offers her. In that moment she transforms into a woman who has made a choice for herself (although she may not really be savvy to the ramifications of that act). That choice in turn leads her to spend a part of each year in the underworld as its Queen and Guide. She is still someones daughter and wife but she comes into her own independent identity. The detail that she lies to her rather overbearing mother saying that she was forced to eat the seeds is a funny little detail, so human... so many of us find ourselves being untruthful to our parents as we establish our first real independence.

A Fun Opening

Just a really quick post to crow over my friend Brian Fox's opening at The Narrows in Fall River MA. I'm really proud of him. He has followed his bliss and it has led him to some wonderful experiences. The opening was busy and a terrific chance to see some friends. (Yes I am in one of these pictures but since it is mostly my butt I won't point it out)

Accompaniment

Today I dyed some fabrics to use as I develop the rest of the discharge panels. I expect to adjust these colors with over dyes or discharge work as I develop the pieces. (hopefully they will look a bit less 70s decor when I'm done).

As I have worked on the first panel it has suggested a number of other ideas to me on how to introduce stitching and color into them as a group.

These started as a fun little experiment with no particular goal attached, but as I work on them they are becoming something else, still an experiment but also an exploration of ideas.

Archaeological digs, textile traditions, universal archetypes, excavation, exhumation, and going deeper into the psyche.

I feel reticence about too much sharing as of yet so bear with me, the story is still being formed and I want to give it the space required to emerge. I am also a bit fearful that what I find in them may not transmit to others and I will sound a little crazy...