Saturday, January 06, 2024

Mandala CLXXIV

(Above:  Mandala CLXXIV. Custom framed: 32" x 32".  Found objects hand-stitched to a section of a vintage quilt.  Objects include:  A wheel from a rolling sewing tape measure ruler; four, red vinyl 45 records; four vintage aluminum gelatin molds; eight lobster claw clasps with D-rings; eight Singer sewing machine stitch dials; eight wooden clothespins; dominoes; ViewMaster reels; cabinet pulls; blue casino chips; red plastic lids; clear, plastic candle holders for a Xmas tree or cake (?); colorful tops from injectable medication bottles; vintage, brass belt buckles; buttons and beads.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

It seems like forever since I last wrote a blog post (and it has been since Christmas Eve ... quite a long while for me!)  There is, of course, a good reason!  Steve and I are crazy busy finishing the last of the custom picture framing orders that were dropped off at Mouse House before our final, retirement deadline.  Plus, we are deep into our plans with the Cateechee mill village church that is being renovated into our home and my sanctuary-sized fiber art studio.  Just last week, appliances were delivered!  The sinks, toilets, and other "plumbing" things are on site too.  Tomorrow we are delivering all the lighting units.  These were sent to our home in Columbia in order to assure there would be someone to accept the delivery.  The floors are being done and the custom kitchen cabinets will be installed on January 16th.  Every time we drive to the church, we bring a van load of things ... from bookcases to garment racks to various pieces of furniture.  It is all very exciting.

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CLXXIV.)

One might think that I haven't been creating artwork but one would be wrong!  The only way I can cope with all this is to take time after dinner for hand-stitching.  Basically, I am keeping up with an active studio practice "for my own sanity"!  I was just not getting around to photographing the works ... until yesterday.  I snapped pictures of five new pieces.  This is the first.  With any luck, I'll get a little time late tomorrow afternoon to blog at least one more!

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CLXXIV.)
 

3 comments:

Ann Scott said...

All perfect pieces, colors, and arrangement on this quilt background. I may have missed it in the objects but are those some kind of silver tone molds attached to the red (?) near the four corners?
I'm really excited for you two getting closer to live in your new home and studio!

Susan Lenz said...

Yes, Ann ... I seem to have forgotten the four, red vinyl 45 records and the four, vintage aluminum gelatin molds! Thanks! I've updated the listing! Today we delivered all the lighting fixtures to the church along with plenty of other things. I'm so looking forward to moving and especially to resuming work on my Cascade installation! Susan

Ann Scott said...

Thank you!