Creating Coordinates Part 2

To continue the project…
Using the same group of colors/ densities I’ve created patterns that are more complex.
These are what I’ve come up with intermixed with the solids and the stripes from the first group

18 new patterns that (hope fully) I can use in conjunction with the first group of patterns
This is the fun part of the project, I get to use a bunch of different fold patterns and multiple colors on the same piece with these. I didn’t keep track just played around and hoped they would come out.
Not a bad selection I’m not quite settled on what they will be used for...
Possibly a typography project
Next step is to color correct the scans and save them at different resolutions so when I do have a design I can just grab and go.

Creating Coordinates - Part 1

I had a nice group of dyes mixed for another project but they are a bit too old to be predictable anymore so I really can't use them on fabric.

Waste not want not right? I am using them to create a set of coordinates for virtual piecework.

To do virtual piece work I dye rice paper using itajime folding methods then scan it in and manipulate it virtually. I suppose I could do this with any fabric or paper but since I want to market my work I would eventually run into problems with copyright... not my scene, I'd much rather use something I made myself.

The rice paper dyes just like fabric but I haven't figured out how to set it so it is unstable and therefore it has limits as to what it can be used for. However once it is virtual I no longer have to worry about that technical stuff. Very sweet!

In this case I am working with a large palette of colors

(9 colors in 2 densities, light and dark = 18 all together).

I've done design groups like this before, and it is easy to get carried away with making multicolored pieces (they are fun!) and then find them very difficult to use together. If I use the patterns with solids it doesn't get too visually crazy, so this time I'm starting with solids then I will make the multicolored ones.

I decided to create a stripe of each color using the 2 densities and then something more solid with all the whites blown out

To make the stripe:

I started with by pleating the paper, then folding it into thirds and clamped it.

Then I dyed it using this dipping pattern to create a stripe with a slightly more dynamic quality to it I was hoping that I would lose the white but as it turned out the clamps created enough resist that I did end up with some white after all

To create a more solid design:

I folded it up diagonally then dipped it 1/2 and 1/2 into the dark and light dyes. In this case I didn't use clamps so I wouldn't get any white.

Here are the results.

Next up multicolored patterns

Choice

Until one is committed,
there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back,
always ineffectiveness.

Concerning acts of initiative (and creativity)
there is one elementary truth
the ignorance of which kills countless ideas
and splendid plans:

That the moment one definitely commits oneself
then Providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help one
that would never have occurred.

A whole stream of events issues from the decision
raising in ones favor all manner
of unforeseen incidents and meetings
and material assistance
which no man could have dreamt
would come his way.

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.
Begin it now.

Goethe

I love that quote, I believe that quote... for others, for myself... mmm... not so much.

So choosing just one thing to pursue is a real act of faith on my part, not easy at all. Declaring a direction to the world is really hard to do. However it is time for me to quit dithering about and just pick something and do it.
The direction is chosen...

I will try to get some of my work licensed. Ive decided I'm going to stick to this goal for one year. (that is long enough to give it one hell of an effort) At the end of that time if it feels like a huge mistake I will pick something else.

I've been talking about licensing for an embarressingly long time without really doing much about it (in fact I'm pretty sure that I can hear the rolling of some of my friends eyes right now).

I'm not sure why this gives me the frights, I suspect that I am afraid I will choose"wrong" (like that is possible) and then there is the very real loss of having to put some things aside that in a perfect world (the one with 48 hour long days, no work and no distractions) I would be able to do.

I've got groups of designs finished as well as half done and reams of ideas that can be worked on and many thoughts on how to use shibori for this type of work so I will be continuing many of my experiments. I want to reduce the amount of time I spend on product, but as I will be keeping the ETSY store and doing a few select shows so I will have to do some. I think I can handle this as long as it doesn't consume me.

The pic above is of my studio wall, I got out all the sketches and notes as well as the half finished work that will be a part of my first design package and hung 'em up where I can see them. I've even started some new coordinating patterns on rice paper, but that is for another night, for now I think I will curl up with a book for the rest of the evening.

Runners

Phew! I finally finished up all of the runners just in time for the Christmas in the Valley craft show. I did a couple more of the blue design and added two other designs in cranberry and green.

I like the way they look, in fact I named them...

Lar remarked that the green one bears a remarkable resemblance to the demon who is Samuri Jack's nemisis so it has been designated Aku.

The cranberry is more plantlike and is now named Lei

The blue one has an edged weapon look to it (pointy) and is called Shuriken.

Whatever... it amused me.

For all of you who haven't enjoyed the awesomness of the Samuri Jack cartoon here is a little glimpse (note the Aku resemblance)

Shifting Gears

For the next few weeks I will be focusing on the holidays. Production, events, celebration, and visiting will effectively consume my time so there will be less of it for experiments and development than usual. Its just the nature of the beast.

I've been thinking a great deal about what I want to focus on after all that is done. In the last couple of years I have been exploring (in a very tentative way) some of the options that I can follow. I have watched as others around me have committed to new paths and zoomed off in pursuit of their goals while I dither about uncommitted unsure and unfocused.

I get that if I want something different I will have to really focus with laser-like intensity on a single goal and really follow through on it.

Even when it gets tough.

Even when I don't see much hope or I feel unsure of myself

Even when it looks like a great deal more fun to do something else

Even when I feel or am rejected

I have been looking at the stuff I like doing (designing, creating one special piece,experimenting)The stuff I don't like (production runs that are too big, being tied to a product line)

My special skill set (shibori, design, conceptualization, sewing/ embroidery, drawing...)

What inspires me (nature, textiles, myths, stories, psychology, dreams, pattern...)

And my personal vision of what success consists of

I have an idea of the direction I want to pursue, it will be a great deal of work and there are a number of aspects to it that I am more than a little unsure of. In fact in some ways it scares me, however I also think that it could be more than a bit rewarding and that it capitalizes on my weird skill set. I'd like to give it a try and see what happens when I settle in for the long haul, commit and really apply myself to a goal. It might be fun...

The pic has nothing to do with any of this , I just like to put a picture with my posts and the purple attracted me!

Chihuly at RISD

Gallery night in Providence

took the opportunity to check out the Chihuly exhibit

Insane

Gorgeous

Inspired

Light made of glass... sigh

Pics taken with my phone, sorry not the best

Returning

I got back from vacation to find that somehow the X-mas season is upon me already.
As is usual I'm not ready, I don't ever remember being ready for this season. How does it go directly from Halloween to X-mas? Where does November go? Why am I already being assaulted by Little Drummer Boy, Jingle Bell Rock and Felice Navidad? I enjoy the carols during the week before the big day not ad nauseum for 2 months. Probably because I sang in chorus for so many years, Little Drummer Boy is permanently ruined for me now.
So I hit the ground running, a production run of scarves, shirts, and socks was first up. That consumed most of my first week back. Now I am trying to get some more of the runners done, as well as a couple of new items all for my first seasonal show the weekend after Thanksgiving. Hope I can do it.
I was inspired by the Caribbean to try a new coloway on the scarves a soft buff/sand color and turquoise/aqua.
Here they are all dyed up

Here they are all ironed out

I like the results but I will probably adjust the recipes to get a bit more contrast next time...