Monday, June 27, 2011

Empty lots

Chad Gerth
Chicago, IL
Chicago & Kedvale
Armitage & Kenneth
Armitage & Kilpatrick
Chad created this series of photographs mounted each image on plexi. 
(each is approximately 16" x 20").
all images copyright, Chad Gerth

Chad photographed empty lots in Chicago in 2008. 

His images capture the state of the urban environment as they transition from their recent occupied past to an unknown and uncertain future.

See more here.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Embroidery in New York City


If you are in New York City sometime between now and July 2, 2011, there's a terrific show of embroidery artwork  at the Heskin Contemporary

Two artists from 2 countries using embroidery and stitching techniques in 2 different contexts.


Jazmin Berakha
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Images, permission of the artist 
I appreciate Jazmin's use of pattern to create the positive spaces in her compositions. 
These glimpses into daily life of girls are fun and thoughtful.
I don't know the titles or sizes of her work. 
Jazmin, if you read this, please comment!

and
Nicola Ginzel 
Monochromatic Fragment, No. 2
2009
cardboard matchbox, thread
2.25" x 3.75"



Nicola's work contains the anthropological cast-offs and detritus of life that  many of us are attracted to and incorporate in our own artwork via collage work and other mixed media techniques.

Please take time to browse both of their websites. 
Jazmin Here and Nicola Here.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Fresh work from a recent college grad

Dena Haden
Massachusetts, USA


Together2010
wax, thread and ink
50" x 62" x .5"
image via Dena Haden

Holding a Hole, 2010
wax, paper, ink
18" x 8"
image via Dena Haden

Dena Hadden received her B.F.A. from the University of Massachusetts Darthmouth in 2004 and her M.F.A. from the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts in 2008. 
No doubt, she is on the road to a long career exploring and manipulating various media.

See more of her innovative mixed media artworks here.


Thursday, June 16, 2011

Farewell FiberArts Magazine



It is with sadness and dismay that I remove the link to FiberArts Magazine from my blog.


Interweave Press is discontinuing it's publication.


No doubt, many of you received the email notification yesterday in which they state, 


"...The support for Fiberarts has not been strong enough over the past several years to keep it in circulation. As a result, the Summer 2011 issue of Fiberarts will be the last one Interweave will publish...".



I have read FiberArts Magazine since the late 1970's when I was first introduced to Textile Art by my wonderful high school art teacher, Ms. Sandy Stemen. 

These are changing times for publications including newspapers and printed books. I wrote a note to the editor of FiberArts asking to consider retaining the magazine as an e-zine. Perhaps others feel similarly. 
Perhaps you'll write to the editior.


Where else are we going to see new and unexpected textile artwork? 


I find much of my information by pleasant happenstance. Using the internet, I dig, and click, and click onto to links embedded within blogs to find new and exciting textile art. 


Where do you go to find interesting fiber art to discover?

It is my hope that we continue to support other noteworthy publications, such as Hand/Eye Magazine, Selvedge, American Craft, to name a few.

What publications do you like to read for Textile Art information?

Please share!

Search Amazon.com for fiberarts magazine


Friday, June 10, 2011

Power Gridlock

Recent photos
Marks of the natural growth (climbing vines) and of  and of the man-made (power stations). 
found on my travels around my hometown.


Power Station (Left)   vs. Metropolitan School Administration Building (Right)












I wish the public school system were as strong as the smallest roots and tendrils of the vines that attach themselves to the facade of the stone building. Ironically, the Cleveland Public School system is in dire straits these days. 

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Creation and Destruction for the Sake of Discovery

Katheryn Norris
Cleveland, OH USA
Photo via  Annalemma
Click here to read more about Kate


Kate is my niece, her first piece of nonfiction that has just been published on Annalemma
She has taken a real experience in her life and made art. 
I wish I could do that with my work.
It's a quick read that has long lingering thoughts for me about how I observed these events.


Read here
Natural Mechanics

Thursday, June 2, 2011

WIP

Stitching on hand dyed fabric
Work in progress, the finish piece will be approximately 20" wide, 27" long




For a small change of pace, I pieced some hand-dyed fabric together and decided to stitch on it. After I composed the colored ground, stitching ensued...


The cotton fabric was dyed by my friend, Diana Angus, who is a generous soul and lovely woman, let me borrow her stash when I went to Crow barn in April this year.


I love connections. I met Diana at the same time I met India Flint here. Both Diana and I as well as many others (I'm sure!) want India to visit Ohio. Perhaps she will one day.


BTW (slightly incongruous to this post)...India's new book, Second Skin, will be released on July 1, 2011. You may want to pre-order a copy.