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.

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

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. 

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

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.