Pushing toward a deadline!

(Above:  In Box CXXII, detail.  Click on any image in this post to enlarge.)

It is hard to believe that by this time next week my work for a solo show, I Am Not Invisible, at the Tapps Art Center will be delivered  and my booth at The Washington Craft Show (Nov. 1 - 3) will be set up and on view.  (I am not hanging the show at Tapps!  Must get everything ready, delivered, and hanging instructions onto paper!) 

There's still so much to do, labels to print, lists to compile, and work to be done!  I am happy to report, however, that I am on schedule!  Recently, the pieces shown here were finished, framed and ready to go! 


(Above: In Box CXXII. Unframed:  28" x 16".  Framed:  34" x 22".  Polyester stretch velvets, previously painted heat-activated adhesive, metallic foiling on recycled black acrylic felt with self-guided, free-motion machine embroidery and melting.)

It is sort of funny that I developed these stitching-and-melting techniques a number of years ago (approximately 2006), wrote a free on-line tutorial in 2007, got proper gallery representation at the Grovewood Gallery in 2009, had the work featured in the Oct./Nov. issue of Quilting Arts Magazine in 2011 but it has really taken until this year for the work to attract much more than an occasional sale and important retail opportunities. I'm excited and nervous about the upcoming shows, especially about the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show (Nov. 5 - 8).  My galleries are waiting for work upon my return.  I'm getting email inquiries from out-of-state folks wanting to buy!  Bloggers in foreign countries are posting links to the tutorial.  There's another fiber artist in The Netherlands who I've heard is teaching my technique.  I've been accepted into the American Craft Council Show in Baltimore (Feb. 22 - 24).  It all feels like this work might really "take off".  My fingers and toes are crossed, and I feel like I'm about to embark on an incredible journey.  I hope so ... and next week "the test" begins.  How appropriate to be setting up the booth on Halloween!  There's a very "witching hour" feel to this adventure.
   

(Above: In Box CXXIII.)

My way of coping with anticipation is to pour myself into my art.  Thus, two more, large "In Box" series pieces are done and a couple smaller ones are on the way.  Three more "Window Series" pieces are ready too ... and pictured below!


(Above: Window LXXXIII.)

Over the coming weekend, I'll be finishing up the last three, large pieces for my solo show at Tapps and photographing them plus another installation for the same venue.  So ... please check back.  I also plan on blogging while "on the road"!


(Above: Window LXXXIV.)

I am also linking this post to Nina-Marie's "Off the Wall Fridays", a site for sharing fiber artwork.


(Above: Window LXXXV.)