Wishing You Courage in the New Year

by Mike Monteiro Prints available at 20x200 here

There is a an unabashed realism to this sentiment and yet, I wouldn't advise living one's life this way. 

I try not to burn bridges and rather hold relationships as carefully balanced with mutual respect. 

Of course, that doesn't mean I haven't wished to burn a bridge or two. 

At the dawn of a new year, it's a time to reflect on the past and move forward with the new. 

May you each move ahead with bright ideas and the courage to act on your dreams and desires.

Courage

c.1300, from O.Fr. corage (12c., Mod.Fr. courage) "heart, innermost feelings; temper," from V.L. *coraticum (cf. It. coraggio, Sp. coraje), from L. cor "heart," which remains a common metaphor for inner strength. In M.E., used broadly for "what is in one's mind or thoughts," hence "bravery," but also "wrath, pride, confidence, lustiness," or any sort of inclination. Replaced O.E. ellen, which also meant "zeal, strength."

Happy Christmas with a Gingerbread house on top

Miniature Gingerbread house 2010

May your Christmas celebrations be filled with warmth and cheer. 

Sending warm thoughts to each of you! 

Christy's houses are larger than mine. We used the same instructions with different results.

Last year, my friend, Christy and I made these wonderfully simple little houses see here.
This morning, we made them again. A new tradition is born.
Yum!

Lapsed Time

Beili Liu
Assistant Professor, College of Fine Arts, University of Texas, Austin

Bound #2

Thread, needle, red oak (reclaimed shipping crates), 6'x10'x18"

2009

Detail

Detail

 2D Work I Wish Gold, Chinese Spirit Money (Yellow Paper), incense, set of 9, 4.5"x8"x1" each

 Detail

Beili Liu works with a wide variety of materials from needles and thread to digitally processed images.  She allows the materials evolve over time. She begins a project and manipulates them over time, sometimes over a period of months before the final work reveals itself. Often her experiments with one project lead to another new project. 

See more here.

Monothon Part II

Monothon 2010

Here's some pic's from the Monothon Show at Zygote Press.

the show is up through Dec. 31, 2010.

All sales benefit Zygote Press, a non-profit printmaking co-operative in Cleveland, Ohio.

 

 Carpets I, 2010, monoprint, Christine Mauersberger

  Carpets II, 2010, monoprint, Christine Mauersberger

Picture of the studio where I've been working this past month. 

Liz Maugans got me re-hooked on printmaking. 

Monothon Month

Zygote Press
Cleveland, Ohio
It's been 20 years since I've used a printing press.
Liz Maugans at Zygote Press invited me to participate in a month-long event making monoprints for the annual Monothon* event.
Here's some of what I did 

I found two small cotton tea towels and affixed fabric circles to the surface of them

and mixed up inks to my own color liking.

and ran them through the press and printed them on Rives BFK 100% cotton rag paper.

this photo: Mary Ann Tipple

This picture is a print. 

Not the actual towels.

Here's a detail

Same two towels using a olive green ink

Same 2 towels using a mix of a sick pink.  I cut them out after they were printed, and have done a little stitching, these are paper, not fabric.

I'll take pictures of the final two prints I created for the Holiday Show opening on Dec. 4th and post them.
Cheers!

*Monothon is an annual event at Zygote Press that encourages regional artists to come to Zygote and try their hand at making prints. This year, we welcome artists: Mark Yasenchak,Chris Mauersberger, Dante Rodriguez, Kristin Bly, MarkKeffer, Stephen Yusko, Gadi Zamir, Darius Steward, and Hilary Aurand. A selection of their prints will be exhibited at our OFF THEWALL Holiday show, and sales will benefit Zygote Press.

The HoneyBee/Zerolandfill and Pepsi Refresh Project

Zerolandfill
Cleveland, Ohio, usa

A few of my close friends started a project called Zerolandfill in Cleveland, Ohio.
I've posted about them here.

ZeroLandfill is a community project that collects expired samples from interior designers and distributes these creative materials to under-resourced arts educators. Inspired by honeybee behavior, ZeroLandfill follows a principle found in nature…a lot of waste is created but nothing is wasted.

And they give everything away for FREE. 
So...
They need money in order to continue to do good works. 

Pepsi is giving away $1,300,000 each month to fund great ideas through a project called Pepsi Refresh Project.

I think that Zerolandfill is a great idea and we can help them win $25,000.00.
Vote for them on the Pepsi refresh project HERE
You may vote once a day  from today, Dec. 1, 2010 through Dec. 31, 2010.
I hope you agree with what my friends are doing and feel compelled to vote. 

embroidery on found photographs

Stacey Page
Athens, GA, USA

This is a vintage photograph with hand sewn embroidery by artist, Stacey Page. 

The frame measures approximately 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches with the photo itself slightly smaller.

Stacey's stitching on found photographs make me chuckle a bit. I love the idea of stitching on found materials. 

See more of her work here. 

I am currently stitching on paper and found clothing,   I find that the more I work in my studio, the less time I have for posting on my blog. 

I'll post some of my newer work soon. 

Call for Entries: Textiles in a Tube

Textiles in a Tube

is a competitive exhibition challenging artists to "redefine" what textiles and textile materials and work can be.

My friend and fabulous textile artist, Terry Jarrard-Dimond is the juror for the exhibit. 

If your work is accepted, it must fit into a 3"diameter x 36" long tube.

The gallery is operated by  Greenville Technical College and is a nice, new, professional space in a redeveloped area of Greenville.

For prospectus, please visit  Terrys blog here, where you may find the link to the show prospectus. 

or click here 

 then click on the link in the right hand corner 

for the Textiles In A Tube prospectus and entry form.

Enter, Enter Enter!

I've posted about Terry on my blog here.

Abecedaria Project

Morgan Conservatory
Cleveland, Ohio USA


For the third year in row, the Morgan Conservatory presented a book arts exhibit by members of Art Books Cleveland called the Abecedaria Project.
I was intrigued with this alphabet book.
Artist, Anne Weissman hand-stitched each page. 
It's a delightful piece, wish I had stitched it!

If you're in the neighborhood, it's a must see.

The show is up through November 26, 2010.

Morgan Art of Papermaking 

Conservatory & Educational Foundation

1754 E. 47th Street

Cleveland, OH 44103

Gallery Hours: Tuesday. - Saturday. 10:00 to 4:00

The Kindness of Strangers

Banksy cat

image copyright artofthestate

I haven't touched my knitting needles in several years. 
And hardly a crochet hook.


Today, I was required to wait 30 minutes before I was allowed to leave the waiting room at my allergists' office after having injections. 


With bright blue crochet hook and warm orange wool in hand, I attempted to crochet a bit during my wait.


A kind woman saw me struggling. 


Whatcha makin'?


Oh...I don't know how to crochet, but I want to make a little bow.


Do you want to single crochet?


Yes!


She cast on stitches and showed me how to do a thing or two. 
The nurse called her into the honeycomb rooms behind the door for her appointment.
Said the nurse, Whatcha doing?  Spreadin' joy?


We both smiled.


I watched her disappear behind the door and sat and crocheted a little bit of orange heaven. 

Sometimes a stranger has a thing or two to teach you.

Uplifting Wallworks

Julia Barello
Associate Professor
Metalsmithing & Jewelry
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA

Eddy
2008
dyed x-ray film, nylon, steel
6' x 6' x 5" 

Swoop

The Rubin Center for the Visual Arts,
University of Texas, El Paso
(atrium view)
2007
MRI film, steel
Size variable, 2 story atrium space 30' x 25' 

Julia Barello uses both dyed xray film and MRI film to create silhouettes that seem to float on the wall using long metal pins to hold the shapes in place. 


Her designs create an uplifting and effortless feeling to me.


I'd love to wear one of her necklaces. I think I'd be happy all day long, wouldn't you?

Echinacea

2008 

dyed medical imaging films 

21" x 21" 

Ethopoia
2007
dyed x-ray film, monofilament
23" x 23
All images © Julia Barello 

She has many more lovely works on her website here.

Velvet, why yes!

As the leaves begin to turn colors here in Northeast Ohio, I find myself wanting to add color to my work.

Here's a peak a what I'm working on now. 

I plan to fill the back of this shirt with stitches and perhaps the front. 

I found this cotton shirt at the thrift store a few months ago. And I found a few bits of silk velvet from a project long abandoned and thought velvet, how delicious!

Anna Torma

Anna Torma 

Born in Tarnaors, Hungary 

Now lives in Baie Verte, New Brunswick.  

 FLORA, 2008
Hand embroidery on silk, appliqué and reverse appliqué with silk threads, 80 x 80 cm

Playground III 2008 

Hand Embroidery , 84 x 84 cm

Draw Me a Rose II 2006 

Hand Embroidery on linen, silk threads , 150 x 135 cm

Anna uses bits and pieces of found cloth, silk, old scraps of fabric, and personal ephemera including the childhood drawings of her two sons to stitch a 'story' together. 

Anna Torma writes "I feel I am a storyteller, using my private diary pages with drawings, text and paintings form both my early experiences in Hungary and my recent life in Canada."

I long to see these works in person and I imagine you would too. 

I hasten to say that I feel a strong sense of awe and wonder at her intriguing style and numerous works please visit her website here.