Work made in Montana

(Above:  Composite photo of two, hand-stitched In Box Series pieces entirely stitched while enjoying a one-month art residency in Hamilton, Montana.  They are now both framed with outer dimensions of 21 1/2 x 17 1/2" and with a price of $425 each.  Click on any image in this post to enlarge.)

It's been two weeks since I last posted and much has happened since then!  First, my one-month Open AIR art residency came to an end when Steve flew back to Missoula on Halloween.  He'd driven me to Montana and returned to drive me home!  I am indeed one lucky artist.  It took three-and-a-half days to travel back across this giant sized country.  Sure, we could have shortened the trip by about a day ... but we are now retired and no longer need to rush, rush, rush ... which might be one of the reasons it's taken so long for me to update my blog!  Yet, writing a blog post really couldn't be a priority after being away for a month!

 

(Above:  Three of nine Relic Series pieces entirely created during the art residency.)

 

Putting everything away took time! Catching up with various correspondence was necessary. Going to the Pickens County Flea market was great ... and resulted in plenty of new "found objects" for future mandalas.  There was sweeping and laundry to do and our van needed a new windshield due to a nasty rock that flew off a semi somewhere in Illinois.  Petting Ernie and Minnie was a "cat requirement" too!  But most importantly, I had framing to do!  After all, ten Relics were made while I was away.  One immediately was used for the annual World Affairs Council Award (a commission that was waiting for me!)  I didn't even snap a photo of that one!  Yet, the other nine needed to be matted and one needed to be framed for a potential sale.  

 

(Above:  A composite photo of three more Relic Series pieces.)

 

Each one was created on a scrap of antique Chinese silk using layers of polyester stretch velvet.  Then came the free-motion machine embroidered outlines and details before lots of hand stitching and plenty of decorative beads.  My inspiration is almost always architecture with a little ornate, medieval-like embellishments.

 

(Above:  Three more Relic Series pieces.)

 

The average size of the artwork is 9" x 6" though some are a bit taller and others a bit wider.  Each one is matted to a standard 20" x 16" with a price of $250.  The one that is framed is $325.

 

(Above:  The one that got framed!  Sorry about the reflection from the glass!)

 

I have no photos for the five strands stitched during the first week of the art residency but I'm proud to announce that there are now fifty-one total strands for The Lace Forest!  My initial goal was fifty.  When first shown at Featherstone Gallery on Martha's Vineyard Island, there were thirty.  (Click here to see that show!)  When part of Fiberart International in Pittsburgh, there were forty-six.  Now I've exceeded my original goal and can say that there will be more in the future because I still have plenty of lace!

 

(Above:  Montana Plantlife I.  Natural dyeing with free-motion machine embroidery and hand stitching.)
 

I also matted the two test piece from the natural dyeing workshop and am currently working on the bandanna-sized piece of fabric made in that workshop.  (I'll post when it's finished!  I ordered a photo of a raven taken at Yellowstone National Park during the drive to Montana ... printed on fabric to be appliqued to the natural dyed fabric!  So far, it's looking fantastic!)

 

(Above:  Montana Plantlife II.  Natural dyeing and free-motion machine embroidery.)

 Although I got both these pieces matted, they are still waiting on their frames.  There's a good chance that at least one of them will return to Montana for a show being arranged by Open AIR.  I'm also working on a Montana Mandala for that opportunity.  

 

(Above:  Window CCXXIV.  Framed:  19" x 17".  Layers of polyester stretch velvet fused to recycled black industrial felt with free-motion machine embroidery and unique melting techniques.)

All four Window Series pieces made in Montana have been framed!  Keep scrolling down to see them.  Yet, there was more framing for Steve and me to do!  Why?  Well, before I left for this art residency, I finished five Found Object Mandalas but hadn't mounted or framed any of them.  I've been busy finishing them too!  Thus, it won't be long before I post again ... PROMISE!

(Above:  Window CCXXV, framed.)

(Above:  Window CCXXVI.  Below:  Window CCXXVII.)