Monthly Archives: September 2011

What About My Art?

     Yes, I have been spending a lot of time looking at art, but what have I been doing this week as far as my work is concerned?

     I spent the week cataloging or organizing each piece I have made in the past two and a half years. I found a program that is super easy to use called Flick. I struggled for about 6 months trying to learn excel on my own. Oh for pete’s sake-sometimes I wonder what I was wasting so much time on. I re-photographed some of the pieces so they have “real” pictures. Everything that is completed is priced and has been photographed. And a pile has been made of those that are unfinished and deemed worth the time to finish. Others have been let go of-trashed or cut up for other things.. What a great thing to let go of unfinished junk! In the end, I had 46 finished pieces. It was an overwhelming task to tackle before the 30$ purchase of this program. I refuse to think about all the valuable time I wasted before trying to do this on my own.

     My inventory list also served as a way to prepare a short presentation for my class next week. (Where I came from and where I am at right now.) I really hate public speaking-really hate it but want to act like a mature adult and do a good job. Let’s hope I don’t cop out as it is optional.  This whole inventory list really helped me to see a chronological history of my work-what works and what doesn’t work.

    Also, spent time machine quilting. Machine is back in working order and did so well I kept going and didn’t realize  I had a huge wrinkle quilted on the back. I’ll sit and remove it tonight while I watch some baseball. ( Love the Tigers for ripping out bad seams and bad quilting.) I really want to get it done before I leave on Sunday but that feels overly ambitious.

     Then, I have been obsessively cutting stamps out of erasers and stamping black on white with Setacolors paint. And monoprinting. Obsessively. For as much as I hated black and white a few weeks ago, I crave it now. Crisp, truth-telling and beautiful. I am just going with this obsession for now. I’ll let you know where it leads me.

Be creative, my friends.

More, More and More Artprize

     In case you are wondering, yes, I am absolutely enjoying Artprize. I went down again and more photos for you to enjoy.

Not very many fiber art pieces (or I forgot to take pictures of one or two of them!). This one was very bright and used lots of different materials.

 Just beautiful and there were thousands of pieces of silver leaf floating . Hard to capture.

 This emerging artist came all the way from Australia. He packed his piece in the base for shipment here. He was so excited to be here .

This sculpture looked like it had always been there.

 Grand Rapids skyline. Not great weather here this week but the crowds still came out. And the voters overwhelmed the voting system-computers down all day on the last day of voting….

 A stunning piece of furniture-this sleek bench by Cameron VanDyke. His wife is also an art teacher for our kids high school.

Close up of Taylor Mazer’s piece

And last but not least the piece made from coffee sticks-at Kendall College of Art and Design.

Tomorrow is a day with my friend Nellie Durand and we will soak up more art and find a place to eat lunch and talk about more art. The weekend will be for packing and traveling to the Barn for a workshop next week. Guess it is another month full of art and inspiration. Back to work next week!

Be inspired, my friends!

( I am having an awful time uploading photos-will try a few more tomorrow)

Day 2 at Artprize

Snuck down for a few hours on Thursday afternoon and I just am having way too much fun. More pictures for you.

A Year Through Our Eyes by Todd and Brad Reed

     On a grey and gloomy afternoon, it was pretty obvious that I was drawn to the bright colors. For the most part,  I have followed each piece with the artist’s name.

      Quite  a few of the artist were still standing by their pieces, so I enjoyed talking with them and have them share a little about their process or their inspiration. But, what I enjoyed the most was the excitement in their eyes when you shared with them how much you appreciated their art and why.
This event has given them a time to shine and dream again. And how absolutely great is that.

Be inspired and creative, my friends.

Opening Night at Artprize

     It was a beautiful fall night. The crowds were larger than last year as the buzz is spreading about what a great event Artprize is. I even convinced my husband and son to go and they were disappointed when the night was over. Enjoy a few peeks at a great first night.

    The lovely Nellie Durand with her piece “Imelda’s Dream II.  I am always amazed at how talented Nellie is and her workmanship flawless. A pretty piece with very detailed shoes. It was wonderful to see her and her husband Lee . The location of her piece will allow many people to view it and vote for her. Go Nellie!

“Grand Rapids Inside and Out” By Alex Myrhodorsky
I missed taking a picture of the inside of the piece. Alex is the husband of one of my fiber arts friends, Gail Myhorodorsky. They are both very talented. Alex explained how these panoramic views took 600 shots to accomplish this piece.  The inside shots on this piece are just as fascinating as the outside views -another definite thumbs up view!

A moving photography exhibit by Ryan Reed Spencer
“Crucifixion” by Mia Tavonatti

This was a 9’x13′ stained glass mosaic. The intricacy of the piecing was stunning.

“The Game” by TAFA

The DeVos Exhibition Hall

     I only made  to two of the buildings and a few along the street as we walked.  I ventured down yesterday afternoon for about 2 hours. More photos coming. I am taking a break from making and just enjoying being inspired.

     I know my  pleasure comes from the making of my art, but many this week are taking pleasure in viewing  the of arts. It isn’t enjoyed this way unless it is out there, is it?  Congrats to all who have entered and good luck on the voting process.

And Let The Fun Begin: Artprize 2011

     Wednesday is the first day of Artprize here in Grand Rapids. I was downtown this weekend and I was having so much fun watching a few of the artists install their pieces.  It was almost as busy as it is during the actual show. I am choosing not to show you the pictures I took as not all the artists names had been put up yet.

     I did register to vote at The Hub on Saturday and was rewarded with my free T-shirt and cider and donuts if I wanted them. The Hub is the old UICA building and they are using it very wisely for this event. There was a slide show running of last year’s entries and I walked in and whose is the first picture on the screen : Nellie Durand! That was huge fun to see it again. I look forward to going to the opening on Wednesday night to see the piece she has for this year!

     Enjoy this retrospective on the event. It is really special.

     I have my walking shoes ready and I am getting my chores done so I can see as much art as I can.

Keep Looking For That Road

     I just finished a few more black and white pieces. I just wanted to push myself to use these small pieces to critically take a look at what I did and didn’t like about a quick improvisational design. (And to get ready for a certain class which you inevitably  start with a black and white piece which I dread). I didn’t spend much time on them but, again, they do bring the design sharply into focus.

    But the saving moment  for these little pieces: they just got me moving and wanting to do more. And gave me time to think about what I want to do the next year and bring in to focus what I really don’t want to do. You may wonder why I would want to finish a “study” piece and the answer is-practice and more practice.

Looking For The Road #2
15×19 – 2011

Looking For The Road #3
14×18 -2011

     I just want to add paint to these. But I won’t. I will just let them be black and white. And not be afraid of it when I have to use it in a few weeks.

    But to add to that- that is not to say I may not try more with paint added. Aren’t I fickle?

    Be creative, my friends.

Support Your Local Farmers

      There really is nothing better than summer farmers markets. We have been spoiled both here and in Vermont at the plentiful fruits, vegetables, meats and cheeses.

Fulton Street Market

     
     Not a great picture but our market is really busy on a Saturday morning.

     
     I love how the vegetables and fruits are displayed.

     Gladiolas are here.

     Looks like some great dinners ahead this week from my market bag. I already ate two of the honeycrisp apples.   Support your local farmers. They work incredibly hard and I am always willing to pay their prices. You can’t beat the freshness.

    Be inspired.

And So It Goes

      The end of the week and nothing to show you. I am really disappointed. For some reason, I feel as if I am swimming against the current.

      Today, I was at the local farmer’s market at 8am and proud to have this done early. I forgot my wallet.

      I was ready and dressed for yoga (the first in 4 months) after my doctor’s appointment at 10. He ran an hour and a half late. I missed yoga . Ok, I will go exercise. Didn’t have my tennis shoes once I got to exercise. Went home and took the dogs for a walk instead which is what I usually do.

      Did my chores and then sat down to sew. Time to pick the kids up from school. College girl comes home and the weekend begins.

    Clearly, my day is best when the time in the studio starts early in the morning. I am working on machine quilting some older projects. I have at least figured out that I will feel better and be freer to move on once these projects are done.

    I am hoping for a more focused week- next week. I can make it happen.

    Be creative, my friends.

On another note-Mom is good and news is positive! Thanks for your concern and prayers.

Like a Squirrel

     Every time I dye fabric, I feel a little like a squirrel. I watched them today as I was outside doing yardwork and they were all scurrying about trying to carry as many nuts as possible back and forth all morning.  I understand their hurry up attitude because I feel as if I need to dye as much fabric as possible before winter.  So, it really is no surprise to you or to me that I dyed another 40-45 yards last week. I really only needed a few yards of red. The mess and fuss is already started so I might as well dye more.  And maybe a few paler shades might be nice too…and so it went. Then came the ironing. So, I have been working.

     Beautiful paler shades. And the red which continues to turn out on the orange side no matter what I do.

    Also, found a larger rack and just put it up by my machine. More beautiful color.

     
     Craving color as I machine stitch two black and white small pieces.

     Just little study pieces to get myself back in action again. At the beginning of the school year, I always take time to think of what my plans will be. A list might be needed here in the sewing room. Just thinking.

    Enjoy the cooler days, my friends. Be creative.

Thread Storage

     Every time I start looking for a specific spool of thread, I am reminded of how out of control my thread management system is

     Some is stored neatly on this little bobbin rack and in the old antique thread drawer.

I arranged the bobbin thread for you otherwise it was a jumbled mess in this plastic bin.

Most of the time it just kind of waits on my sewing machine table waiting patiently to be put away or get tangled up into the next project.

More finds from another drawer.

And then the disappearance into the bottom drawer.  I really would like to be more organized with all this thread. It feels like a hot commodity with the price of it lately and I feel like it should give it more respect. So how do you store all your thread? How should you store it?