The World Around Us: Olek

Just a small link to some pretty intense art/crocheting to keep your creative appetites sated, while I slog away at business stuff....

check this out!
Polish crocheter Agata Oleksiak (who now goes by Olek) takes the idea of a "cozy" (think tea cozy here peeps) to an entirely new level!  I've seen yarn-bombing before, but this is pretty intense!
Check out a short but awesome article on her here, and more photos below.
Thanks to Mel & Benita for always putting cool & interesting stuff on your facebooks that I can steal to make my blog look more exciting, and myself more cultured! ; )

Update: I just double checked this on Mel's facebook, and apparently I also appropriated her witicisms (as I hang my head in shame)...
Quote from Mel's facebook heading for this link:
"Taking the tea cozy to another level.  Bizarre."
Just another example of the detriments of business planning for two weeks: not only does it make me cranky, but also artificially witty. oooops.

Image from AutoBlog Canada

Image from Freshness

Image from According to G (also my fav here is the telephone cozy!)

Image from HighSnobiety

My Least Favourite Part of the Process...

HOLY CROW!! So, one of the unfortunately necessary bits involved with wanting to be your own boss, and do art making?  Business planning and proposal/ summary writing... Boooo uurns!
I realize how important it is, but I also realize how cranky sitting in front of a computer for the last two weeks makes me.  And, I think those around me are realizing it too.. (sorry friends!)
So, I've been typing away in front of my computer and finally have my first draft business plan done (check), now today need to put together my first draft summary,  tomorrow's resume, the next day final drafts of both that need to be done for Friday.
Another little tip from me?  Maybe it's NOT the best idea to leave the most important projects of your school year until the last two weeks when you also have to finish up your grad pieces.  Just sayin'.

(Another way ppl can tell I'm doing paperwork type stuff?  My facebook and email responses come within seconds.  Looking for something, ANYTHING else to do much? Yeeeeees.)

Will post some pics of the stuff I've been doing in btwn writing `shortly, but gotta get back at the writing.

Side note: I'm a bit addicted to blogger stats, and have noticed there are a couple readers from across the waters! Hello to you in Singapore, Germany, and Russia who've checked this out. tres cool!

Doilie Making!

One of my favourite new things to do, just for fun or a distraction from my work is to emboss heavy watercolour type paper with doilie patterns.

I have a tendency to collect doilies from flea markets, etc (I honestly don't know when enough will be enough) but there's just something about the patterns, the labour, the texture, feel, look of them.  Everything about them I love, I respect the work that went into them (I mean really - people used TINY threads/yarns for those things!), and there's something nostalgic about them that draws me.  It always seems to be people who're cleaning out their mother or grandmother's estate who have tonnes of them, along with stories about where they came from/ which furniture they were used on, and other memories.  That's what does it for me, as far as textiles go, I think - that strong link between textiles, touch, and memory.

Anyway, without getting too tangent-y here's some quick process shots for embossing.
Essentially, I soak out the paper in water to make it softer, then lay out my doilies in whatever assembledge I want on the paper and sandwhich it all together with newspring, and matte board.
My doilie-matte sandwhich then gets put between two layers of heavy industrial felt which lie on a metal slab that rolls underneath a huge metal roller.  Everything gets tightened up so it just barely squeezes through, and rolled 3-4 times back and forth (dunno how much I need to do it multiple times, but I like the number 4, so I do it 4 times).

When I take everything out, and peel the doilies off my paper has the imprint of all the stitches, and doilies are for the most part unharmed (maybe a bit squished but that come back to life again).

And VOILA! done.  Some I'm making household prints with, some I paint with pastels or ink, some get scanned & used for digital prints, some just live in my drawer.  At any rate, I think it's a nice homage to these ladies little labours of love (also something I love? Alliteration!)

(one more thing - to see some work I've done for these check out my post on the Alberta Printmakers Society Postcard Exhibition right..... here)


A very small sampling of my collection.




Doilies on paper.




Ready to be sammiched on the press.




If you notice the blue ones, they're dyed with indigo, and leave blue imprints on the paper.





You can sort of see the impressions made, in this shot.





The doilie used, and the impression on black paper.



Work in Progress: Menship & Friendship

I have one more grad piece to do for school, and the deadlines are starting to gun toward me at warp speed, it feels like. 

It's a huge relief to have one piece done, but I need to get this second one done in order to feel right about the grad show.  Not only that, but these two pieces are the start of work I need to produce and photograph to apply for the next ArtsNB Creation Grant in October.  Sounds like that's ages away, but considering I need 10 finished pieces to apply, and it's taken me roughly 4 months to get these 2 pieces near completiong... well... let's just say I'm going to be quite committed to my studio.



Speaking of studio, the Fox and I built a bookshelf for it.  The Fritz decided it was his new cat house.



So, I've been having a lot of studio days lately (to keep me sane while writing business plans, and summary proposals, etc etc) and it's quite refreshing.  I spent a few solid days cleaning out the storage room so that it's ACTUALLY a studio, and am reaping my rewards.  I was able to hang my quilt up on my wall, and start cutting for the top overlay.  This included a lot of computer time at school scanning old photos and playing with opacity.  More time was spent at home photochem transferring images to fabric, cutting pattern pieces, sampling with sewing methods, etc etc.

After laying all my white pieces (some with images transferred) on the bottom layer of the quilt, I started to feel like things were falling flat.  The white on white just faded together and lacked a striking quality.  I experimented with tea dying for a bit more of an aged feel.  I was feeling better about it, but still like something was missing. 

Anyway, I had a meeting with my advisor today and it always really instills in me the importance for mentors and getting outside opinions.  She made a lot of suggestions that just REALLY made sense (ie adding more fabrics in, ideas for textural prints, playing with different tints & tones) and really pushed me to make sure the top layer to make it as strong as the bottom, rather than relying on the printed letters to carry the whole piece.  It's so easy for me to get stuck in my own reasons for why I want to use a certain fabric, or colour, or make things uniform and often it takes a second opinion (or two, or three) to help me to consider a new perspective, or to offer a new jumping off point that I can then build on.  Anyway, that's going to be one of the challenges of leaving school - to no longer be in an environment where that input is automatic, and mandatory.  I think it's really important to remain involved in groups where you can bring your work in and get a critique from peers, as well as to put myself to work with mentors who are already at places in their careers where I want to be.  It's so easy to become insular, but so much more rewarding to stay involved with people.  People are where it's at.

There's some Deep Thoughts With Rachel Anne for today.

Below are images of my latest work in progress - menship & friendship.  On the To Do List?  Come up with a real name for it.

These images are from a couple days ago, and alerady with some changes in fabrics & varying colours it's looking a lot better.

Full size quilt (about 10-12 hours worth of just printing here) pinned to my wall for working on.




Overlay samples, with some image transfers.  White on white tended to just fade together though.




White on white looks especially bland from a further viewing distance.




Stitching experiements to see if it added any depth.




First tea dyeing tries.





The difference between the two.



The World Around Us: Space painting incredibleness!

Just "Stumbled Upon" this.
Brandon McConnell's incredible painting skills

Absolutely incredible!  At first I was skeptical but at minute 1:06 I was entralled!
Check it out!

2010-2011 Advanced Diploma Summary

One of the things we need to do for end of school year is meet with outside assessors, show them our work, our progress, and our lifeplan and they can let us know if we have an idea of what's going on or if we're completely deluded. 

As prep, Cragio wants us to visually summarize what we did over the year and attach it to our blog...

So...... here goes! My challenge to myself: to not write a novel here! *deep breath* and GO!!

The semester started with me helping our AVA staff dequill a porcupine (unfortunately hit on the road, poor lil guy)

Next I worked on a submission for the Historica-Dominion Art From Memory Challenge, and created a piece inspired by the testimonials of this amazing gentleman, Fraser Muir, as well as the memory of my Great Uncle Dougal.

 


My submission, "Security Blanket". Photo credit to Jeff Crawford.

 

Detail shot (Jeff Crawford)

After that was all done I was experiencing a bit of a void: What should I do now? So I worked on sampling new techniques.  Featured here is dyeing with oatmeal resists.

 

Maritime Spinner's retreat in PEI.  Learned a valuable lesson on how important it is to take some time off!



100% NB fleece, washed & dyed with natural dyes, all ready to felt into a rug.

Experiment for possible made-to-order product, doubling as my sister's Xmas gift.

Detail shot of finished rug.

At about this time I decided my one of a kind work was getting shallow, I wasn't thinking things through, just making things for the sake of making.  I took a step back and spent a few weeks designing and really thinking out what I thought of as a show of 5 -6 major pieces that worked together.  (Realized later that was a lot to ask of myself, and they weren't as well resolved as I thought.  A LOT of learning happened this year!)

But also (to keep busy) I...

...took part in a bunch of craft shows, in late fall/ early winter with production lines.  Realized it wasn't my thing, and that I just wanted to concentrate on teaching & one of a kind, gallery work.

 In Nov I had work shown at the Owens Art Gallery in Sackville, as part of a reception for award winners from the NBFA.  I was fortunate to be granted a scholarship in memory of Nel Oudemans, a legendary local weaver, and got to meet her lovely husband Jack Oudemans.  He made my night.

More to come after the jump!

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Process: Ghost of a Memory

I'm thinking of working a wee bit backwards today for this post.  I've posted a sneak peek of my new piece "Ghost of a Memory" but I'd like to go back and show some in process pictures.

I may have mentioned this in eariler posts but this was a piece that I started, draped as a dress, and then didn't move on for a couple months.  In retrospect I think that's because I wasn't happy with the idea that I been thinking of as "resolved".  One day, after completely re-evaluating my past student work (more on that in another post) and considering what direction I wanted my practice to go in, I was re-inspired.  Like a strike of lightening I knew exactly what I wanted to do, how it would work together, and immediately got excited about working on it: generally a good sign when I'm heading in the right direction.

So, I got on the computer and prepared some text for transfer, more on this process and my brain in this post.

Once the printing was done, and ready to transfer was the true test of my resolve.  Sometimes, when making I can get so far on an idea and know that if I mess it up, or are unhappy with the results, or change my mind, it's still reversible, or at least something that can be salvaged.  But, there always seems to be this one moment where it's the cliched "point of no return".  Whether it's cutting into fabric that I have limited supply of, laying paint or marker on a half done piece, or any number of other things I just think of now, it's a terrifying, but exhilarating moment.  It's a moment of Faith, where I just have to trust my instincts and hope that things work out.  With this dress it was transferring the first of the text along the hem.  If I didn't like it, the dress (and all the work I had done up until this moment) was done, there would be no way to cut it off, or cover it up.  I'd have to start all over, or scrap it entirely.

Deep breath.

So, to minimize careless muck-ups of my piece, I meticulously laid out all the text, pinned it on the dress, and put it back on my dress form to see how it would fall.  After all the prep I could do, I just had to go for it, and start transferring.

Below are pics of the process which, once I started and was satisfied I was happy with how things were going, I enjoyed every minute of.  Once I started this, it was only about another week until the dress was done.



The dress I draped a couple months ago, then left.





My hem being circular, and my text being rectangular, I had to cut the text up into 2-3 line strips, place, and pin each piece, making sure the direction made sense when the dress was hung.






Text strips, cut and laid over my template to make sure they didn't get mixed up.



My tools for this project: pins, photochemical transfer pen, and a spoon. Yes a spoon (to help transfer the text from paper to fabric, once the transfer pens act as a solvent).





A few hours of fumes? Not the best thing.  And since I don't want holes in my nose, I went for the respirator (and of course, many Darth Vader moments).



More pictures after the jump!

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More posts coming soon, I promise!

I've got some pretty cool new posts coming up, but alas they're all in process - blogger's uploader is giving me some issues and not showing my pictures.
Keep checking in and hopefully I'll have stuff up & running soon.

Coming up... In process: Ghost of a Memory, adventures with an embossing press, a retrospective of my whole school year (in pictures, not words, phew!), and my quilt progress.

When Inspiration Hits...

Ahh yes, inspiration, such an amazing and sometimes fickle thing!  Thankfully though, I've been on the receiving end of artistic inspiration the last almost day. 
Having spent 3 days(ish) sitting in front of my computer working on a business plan (as well as doing any number of things on my computer that were NOT my business plan, just to avoid it) I was feeling pretty drained and, I'll admit a little cranky (I got called out in class quite a bit today for that. Thanks Craiger for keeping me honest!).  Of course, I was starting to doubt this whole art-making thing, feeling no inspiration for new work (even though I'm SO THRILLED with my last piece, this is the up & down life of a creative - I never feel I can revel for too long in one success, I always feel the need to keep going), and wondering if I'm just an imposter (like I said, sitting in front a computer for long periods of time makes me cranky).

To take a break (and to procrastinate) I decided to do some quick, rough work with new pastels I'd gotten in TO.  Outright drawing has never been a real strength of mine, so as much as I'd felt the need to just work with pure colour, to try and get emotions down on paper, it also left me feeling a less than impressed with myself.  I left everything out on my bed and went back to the business plan.

Then - inspiration struck! At about midnight, of course!  I have a lot of doilies I've been thinking back and forth about what to do with, ones that have linen centers, with crochet around the edge.  They seem the perfect natural frame to me, but to put what in?  I can't really draw, so that was out, and I really wanted them to be meaningful, not just done for the sake of being done.  So, as I said at midnight my brain started hamstering (Benita - I still love that word!) on these doilies, while the rest of my brain was business planning (or thinking of a way to avoid businss planning), then one thing took off to another: music notes have been on my mind a lot lately, as well as this colour work, and the doilies, and about 5 new ideas for rough series' came to mind that I am in LOVE with, and that can be really pushed with research  & text.  So I sat back down on my bed, surrounded by my art stuff, scribbling these ideas furiously and then my brain (on a roll at this point) started piecing together how to use my pastel exercises - scanning and more digital printing, with embroidery and overlays is in my very near future.  I probably could have stayed up until 3 or 4 refining these ideas and starting to go forward, but then it was 1:30 and I remember I had class at 9am.  I was so inspired I actually got up at 7:30 am just to get more sketching done (for anyone who knows me, this is big, and another possibly reason for my morning crank. Sorry classmates, but it was totally worth it!).

I just want to acknowledge and thank the Inspiration Gods for looking down on me kindly last night, and getting this grey brain of mine going.  AHHHH-EXCITING!!
The creative life can be such a rollercoaster, but completely worth it! When the creative adrenaline starts flowing, there's no feeling like it!

Below are images of my art explosion, on my studio bed!


My work table's space is filled up with sewing machines, so the spare bed's the next best place to spread out!




One of my old music dictation books, which after photographing I realized the last entry was May 17, 2000.  I quit 11 years of classical piano almost exactly 10 years ago.  Wow.  It's always in the soul though.





Pastels with my favourite mug, by Shanie Stozek.



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Sneak Peak "Ghost of a Memory"

Exciting post (if I do say so myself)!!

After my installation adventure the other day (literally the day before my trip), I had an unbelievable session with my photographer, Jeff Crawford.

In about an hour and a half we set up and shot my installation in studio, and shot after shot that Jeff took just made my skin crawl with how incredible he made my work look!  He is an absolute delight to work with, so professional, so talented, and so much fun (after our shoot we scooted up to our staff bowling party to join the gang for a beer & bowl).  Somehow, with very little helpful input from me, he can make the pictures I see in my head happen as well as some I'd never dream of!  Thank you Jeff! SOO thrilled with these shots!

Here's just a sampler of some of the photos.  This piece is essentially about the innocence of first love; they're just teaser detail shots though.  The grand unveiling will happen Friday, June 17 at the NBCCD gallery in downtown Fredericton when we open our grad show.

(After which I'll post more pics of the whole piece, but you should probably come down and see it in person!)

Blogging Lapse!

So, once again, an almost (or over?) 12 day lapse between posts.  Why the neglect? I was outta town and on vacation!
I just spent a few days in TO for a good friend's wedding (it was gorgeous and super fun!), and then down to the E.O. to spend time on the farm with family.  The whole week was an absolutely amazing time, and coming back to school I feel completely refreshed.  It's so easy to get caught up in everything that Needs To Get Done and to forget that sometimes I just need to be away, having fun, thinking about other stuff and that that time away can be the best thing for my practice.
I came back with a completely renewed perspective on life, new vigor and excitement about being my studio, and incredible inspirations!  It always amazes me how life can dish out monumental experiences in completely unexpected circumstances.
Also exciting, I got new art supplies (YYyyyeee!), started playing piano again at the farm (so good for the soul), spent time with a couple of the coolest kids around (my nephews), and took some pic of amazing texture from the farm for future work.
It surprises me sometimes how easy it can be to get caught up in the day to day of life, and to start compromising on my dreams and forgetting about the things are important to the core of me.  Sometimes I get small nudges of reminders from the world, and sometimes it's a huge slap in the face!  Thank you to all my friends and family for constantly inspiring me, and keeping me honest about life!
Life is just such an incredibly exciting adventure, and I'm pretty stoked aboot it!
Below are just a few photos from the farm.
To come soon: sneak peak of my new work!

LAMB!!!! At my neighbour's farm, playing with the sheep.

Old thistles found in a walk through the fields.

Moss log out by the creek (one of my favourite places to be, as a kid).

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Work in Progress: Installation Adventures

Installation is something I've very newly become interested in.  I'm glad I'm finally getting interested and trying to push myself to come up original ways to show my work.  Generally I've always left those decisions up to others because I felt it overwhelming, or that I had no experience or clue how to do that.  It's also a bad habit I have that's followed me since Fashion School - once the work is done, I'm done with it.  I figured it was out of my hands and that was that (also I usually didn't have time for styling since I was last minute about everything).

However, installation is SO IMPORTANT for art & craft work.  Just as styling and accessorizing can make all the difference on the runway, so does installation in a show.  Some work looks great on a wall, but I feel like the majority of my work needs context - on the wall is an examination of the piece, it's colours, technical skill, what the symbolism that physically exists means, etc.  But there's so much opportunity to add more to the story with an interesting, thoughtful installation.  It makes the viewing not just about the piece, but about it's environment and how everything relates.  It can add a whole other whallop of layers.

Towit, I've started to pay attention to my installation, and am trying to push myself.  It's actually quite exciting.

Last night my good friend Jackie B and I trolloped through this amazing Forest-In-A-City, O'Dell Park, in search of the perfect branch.  I have a photoshoot again today for a silk dress I've been working on (pics of process to come) and rather than show it on a dress form, or hanging on a hanger (which would make no sense to the piece because it's not a commercial dress) I want it to look like it was tossed off  in the woods. 

We had a beautiful evening enjoying the serene woods, found 3 amazing contenders, stumbled upon the most ancient-looking tree ever, and saw ducks bobbing for bugs.  It was a great night, so thanks Jackie!  I can't wait to see how this photoshoot turns out!

Jackie B, positing a query?

Me and my lady, Jackie B who totally saved my butt on this!

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The World Around Us: Oritsunagumono by Takayuki Hori

I know a couple people who do some origami (and by some, I mean lots) so sometimes I steal origami info from them.  This popped up on facebook and holy crow, it blew my mind.
Please check out these two websites.  This work takes an ancient and traditional technique and just COMPLETELY reinvents it, but doesn't disrespect it (if that makes sense to anyone but me).  These works tell stories, and give us a warning (the subjects are endangered animals) but it's a warning that is SO beautiful to look at, and absorbing.
One more statement on this work - I think my favourite part is the installation: it's not just the finished works, it also shows part of the process - a copy of the material before it was finished.  Context, my friends.  I've origamied here and there, but without seeing the unfolded transparencies I never would have thought of how well planned they must have been to have worked.  Great art can make things look easy, but great installation can be an education on the process and, in my opinion, process is the soul of the work.  Corny as this is: like life, art is a journey, not a destination.

Want your mind blown?  Check out Takayuki Hori's work here on Spoon and Tamago's Blog and here Colossal Art & Design.

Images taken from Spoon & Tamago.  Also check out Colossal Art & Design.