Mojo

N. 

1. Self-confidence, Self-assuredness. As in basis for belief in ones self in a situation.


I felt that I lost my mojo in August. I think I found it again. 

Pushing Paper and Paste

Mary Button Durell
San Francisco, CA

The Piles, 2011

tracing paper, wheat paste and acrylic

17 x 18 x 16 in

60, (detail), 2011

tracing paper, wheat paste and acetate

43 x 29 x 1 1/4 in

Asteroid, 1999

tracing paper and wheat paste

48 x 42 x 108 in

Work in Progress, Studio, 2011

Work in Progress, Studio, 2011

Loving these. 

Tracing paper, wheat paste, some acrylic paint.

Swoon.

See more of her work and learn about her process here.

Flawed and Beautiful World

Alexis Mackenzie

San Francisco, CA

 

     Milk Grass 

    (2011) Hand-cut collage on found paper, 12 x 14 1/2 inche

Short Night of the Glass Dolls  (2010). Hand-cut collage on found paper, 12 x 14 inches Alexis Mackenzie carefully cuts images from her large collection of books and illustrations to compose these lovely and strange collages. She states" My general intent, throughout all my work, is to portray the world as a flawed thing of beauty - a place that shines brightly, but has a dark side to match." See more on her website here.

All images and work copyright ©Alexis Anne Mackenzie.

Printmaking for Barter

Zygote Press
Cleveland, Ohio

Do you want access to printmaking, but don't have the money? 
Do you live in Cleveland or nearby?
You can barter for print facility access at Zygote Press.
See this note from Liz Maugans at Zygote Press in Cleveland!

Hello everyone-

As fall nears, Zygote is currently recruiting volunteers (interns) who would like to help out in the printshop-office for barter access to presses and facilities. We are looking for peoplewho want to utilize the shop in exchange for press-time hours. Incentives like ...taking free classes, participating in group projects and being apart ofa dynamic shop are benefits of this opportunity. We ask for 10 hours in exchange for shop access per month. If interested, please contact: intern coordinator Elizabeth Emery at emeryspeaking@gmail.comThanks,Liz Maugans

FYI


I have used Zygote Press facilities and they are amazing. I would have never been able to use presses or inks if it weren't for Zygote. I learned a great amount of information about printmaking just by showing up!

magic feather for Jude

Light as a feather and magic to behold. 

Here's my stitched feather for Jude Hill's Magic Feather Project

Reclaimed silk from a blouse I picked up at a local thrift store. Kudzu leaves bound and wrapped within the fabric, immersed in the dye bath at Shakerag in 2010. (Not the silk robe shown in this blogpost). I wore this blouse and then decided to share it with Jude. 

I backed the silk with reclaimed wool from a dismantled wool jacket from same thrift storer.

Look at the feather-shape that appeared! 

I knew this was the piece to send to Jude.

Why not send your own?

Curious? Jump over to Jude's blog and find magic in every piece of cloth she stitches.

Humbled and Happy on a Hot day in Cleveland

Arrived at my door today:

In this photo: Book Jacket - Second Skin, Choosing and Caring for Textiles and Clothing, 

mailing package, and the black linen I'm currently stitching with wool/silk thread.

the new book by India Flint, Second Skin.
One of my pieces can be found in the Gallery chapter, on p. 174-75.

286 pages 

Approximately 9" x 11" x 1" deep.

all images by permission ©India Flint, 2011.

But you'll have to order your own copy to behold the deliciously-filled,  gorgeously designed book. It was printed on 100% recycled paper and feels good in your hands. Ah!

I am giggling with delight that Murdoch Books champions India Flint. Furthermore, the book designer, Toyoko Sugiwaka, created a beautiful layout and design to complement India's writing and artwork. 


This book is a masterpiece. 
To read it is to hear India's voice, smooth and strong, dispensing abundant information amid mouth-watering photos about selecting and caring for textiles and clothing while using less of our earths non-renewable resources.


I am humbled to have been included in such an important and timely publication. India has also included the work of other wonderful artists with whom you may be acquainted like Dorothy Caldwell, Jude Hill, Anu Touminen, and several more who work with pre-used materials.


Thank you India. 
Off to read every lovely page...
And if you don't already own a copy, make sure you pick up her first book, 
Eco Colour

Threadlike Marks

Danielle Mysliwiec

Untitled

2010

Oil on wood panel

18 x 18 inches

Untitled
2009
Oil on wood panel
24 x 18 inches

 Fortress

2006

Oil on Wood Panel

24" x 18"

(Detail) Fortress

     All images copyright of Danielle Mysliwiec, 1998-2011

When I saw Danielle's paintings, I thought that these must be stitched marks. 
How can this be a painting?
I wrote to Danielle. 
She graciously wrote back a nice statement about her work.
I remain intrigued and could look at these paintings all day long in amazement.
Please feel free to explore her website here


"In my recent body of work I have been creating oil paintings and works on paper that present themselves as woven abstractions. In order to push the boundaries of the material, I have experimented with creating unfamiliar textures or “brushstrokes” with the paint by extruding it to create a threadlike mark that is repeatedly applied and which slowly builds a three dimensional surface. The paintings present multiple experiences depending on the viewer’s place in the room and the textures respond to the changing light of the day, creating images that are in constant flux as shadows shift and detail is highlighted or hidden."

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.

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.

Fresh work from a recent college grad

Dena Haden

Massachusetts, USA

Together, 2010

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.