Mandala LXXXVIII and Mandala LXXXIX

(Above:  Mandala LXXXVIII. Custom framed: 29" x 29". Found objects hand-stitched to a section of a vintage quilt. Found objects include:  a table lamp's glass base under which is a clock gear; brass screw eyes; wooden textile mill perns; dairy product pull tabs; silver, wavy hair curlers; coffee K-pods; silver, metal picture frame hangers; ViewMaster reels; four, inlaid wood backgammon game pieces, and buttons. Click on any image to enlarge.)

This piece is NOT going to the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, (Nov. 5 - 7).  Neither is the other, smaller piece featured in this blog post.  For the most part, everything needed for my booth (#102) is in boxes or crates, sitting near our back door, and waiting to be loaded into our cargo van.  The "grand pack" happens tomorrow.  How it will all fit into the van is a scary mystery!  Sure, I've been part of this prestigious show for the past six years, but this is the first time I'm bringing this, new artwork.  Everything feels brand new again.  Plus, the sheer size of the waiting boxes, Pro Panel booth sections, light fixtures; electrical cords; display racks; etc. is a clear indication that I really don't need to bring more stuff!

(Above:  Mandala LXXXIX. Custom framed: 18 1/2" x 18 1/2". Found objects hand-stitched to a block of a vintage quilt. Found objects include: a lid to a vintage typewriter ribbon can; brass screw eyes; lots of individual key pads from a vintage typewriter; dominoes; blue brushes from a local ceramic paint studio (most without any bristles due to over use!); stag charms; keys; beer bottle caps; laminated Tampa Nugget cigar bands and vintage grocery store stamps; cafe curtain hangers; wheat pennies; two sizes of vintage capacitors; and buttons.)

At this point, I know that people like these found object mandalas.  I just don't know if people attending the PMA show will be in a mood to part with money!  If they do ... THANK GOD!  If they don't ... well ... I'll have more than enough work for the invitational exhibit at The Vendue in Charleston and for my solo show next spring at Artisans on the Square in Greenville, Georgia.  Of course, if I sell lots of artwork at the PMA show, there could be a potential problem: Will I have enough work for the upcoming opportunities?  There's no way to know in advance.  My only good option is to continue making more ... which ... I would do one way or the other!  I love making these pieces!  I love both the search for unique found objects and the stitching.

(Above: Detail of Mandala LXXXVIII.)

Plus ... there's the fact that hand-stitching is my way to relax.  I'm rightfully nervous about the PMA show.  Therefore, I am stitching ... a lot!  Framing all this new artwork doesn't make a lot of sense ... especially since I have so many older pieces still around.  So,  Mandala LXXXVIII was created specifically to go into the large, off-white, distressed floater frame.  I've had that frame for years (admittedly ... for more than a decade.)  At first it held a mixed media, gallery wrapped canvas featuring a xylene photo transfer of a cemetery angel image (July 2011 ... blogged HERE).  Later, it was used for a piece inspired by sand patterns on Key West beaches (June 2012 ... blogged HERE.)

 

(Above: Detail of Mandala LXXXVIII.)   

 

There are two of these floater frames.  I'm already working on the next, complimentary piece.  It has been a fun challenge to design a found object mandala that works with this more obvious framing.               

 

 

(Above: Detail of Mandala LXXXIX.) 

Mandala LXXXIX is the first one stitched on the surface of this bright red, Dresden plate quilt. Whoever stitched the original quilt must not have liked applique (or was getting up in years or not seeing particularly well).  It isn't well done and it isn't in great shape, but I'm very pleased with the result.  (Please know that I have a layer of netting over the entire quilt's surface.  This helps stabilize the more fragile fabrics and original stitching.)                                                                                                  

 

(Above: Detail of Mandala LXXXIX.)

I was especially pleased to figure out how to remove the individual key pads from an old, manual typewriter, removing them from their metal stems.  I used laminated grocery store savings stamps given to me by my friend Jenny Cherry, laminated Tampa Nugget cigar bands from my friend Dolly Patton, nearly bristle-less paint brushes from my friend Margart Neville who owns a local ceramic paint studio called The Mad Platter, vintage capacitors from my friend Ellen Kochansky, and deer/stag shaped charms from a new, cyber friend Maggie Hugie.  Each one of these pieces remind me of a wonderfully supportive community!