More pieces for The Wall of Ancestors

(Above:  Virgins on Our Wedding Night, The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed:  4 1/8 x 7 3/4"; Framed:  7 1/2" x 11".  Click on any image in this post for an enlargement.)

Coming back from nearly two weeks at Focus on Fibers at the Atlantic Center for the Arts meant unpacking, facing a mountain of custom picture framing that piled up while I was away, and then getting prepared to leave for another teaching engagement.  Yes!  Tomorrow I leave for Legacy Weekend at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee to teach a 3-day experience called "Second Life".  The workshop will focus on making a small, heirloom art quilt using grave rubbings, small family mementos, and vintage materials. 


(Above:  Beloved; Spoiled.  The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed:  4" x 2 1/2"; Framed: 11 1/4" x 9 3/4".)

It was nearly impossible to spend quality time in my studio (except for this past weekend) but it was easy to create lots more pieces for The Wall of Ancestors.  Why?  Well, I collaged all these antique and vintage photos while working at Mouse House ... between cutting mats and doing all the other things at my "day job".  All these pieces were conceived and completed last week.  They will hang with the 30+ others in a group exhibition at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios called Say Something.  This show is the annual one for all the thirteen artists with studio space in the building.  It is part of Artista Vista, the spring art crawl, and will be up from April 24 -  May 6, 2014.  The reception is the evening of Artista Vista, Thursday, April 24th from 5 - 9 PM.  My installation, Threads: Gathering My Thoughts will also be on view that night ... up the street at Studio Cellar.  I, however, will not be attending.  Steve and I scored airline tickets to Barcelona.  We leave on Wednesday, the 23rd!  I will be installing everything on the 22nd!  I'm excited ... because I'm much more into the installing than into the party!


(Above:  A Church Deacon.  The Wall of Ancestor Series.  Unframed:  6" x 4 1/4"; Framed: 11 1/2" x 9 1/2".)

My vision for The Wall of Ancestors is to completely cover the available space ... from top to bottom ... a dense collection of old family photos ... as if on display in a typical house ... as if all of one's own relatives.  Of course, I haven't been told exactly on which wall at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios my work is to hang.  Thus, I'm just making more and more of these pieces in anticipation of a "really big wall".  LOL!  I've now got over 90 pieces.  I hope it will be enough!


(Above:  Clothes Make the Man.  The Wall of Ancestor Series.  Unframed: 6 1/2" x 7 1/4"; Framed 11 1/2" x 12 1/2".)

I really, really love making these pieces ... figuring how just what phrase best suits each anonymous image.  Some seem sadly forgotten.  Some seem stoic. Some seem like a vision of a fairy-tale existence from a beautiful past era.  Then, there are some, like the one above, that just seem hilarious.  Of course, I haven't the faintest idea whether the baby in this sepia photograph is a boy or a girl ... but this phrase made it even funnier! 


(Above:  Early to Bed; Early to Rise; Made Us Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise.  The Wall of Ancestor Series.  Unframed:  11" x 13"; Framed 16" x 18".)

Below are the rest of the pieces made last week.  I have to thank my husband Steve for all this.  Although I make all this work, select the scraps of picture frame moulding for each one, photograph, label, and blog them ... Steve is the one building all the frames!  I don't think there's much "scrap" left in our garage ... but I hope to find a few more pieces because I still have more vintage photos.  Enjoy these!  I hope to blog from Arrowmont!


(Above:  Every Day Was Mother's Day.  The Wall of Ancestors.  Unframed:  6 1/4 x 4 1/2"; Framed:  11 1/2" x 9 1/2".)


(Above:  Fat and Happy All My Life.  The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed: 9" x 6"; Framed: 13 3/4" x 10 1/4".)


(Above:  Favorite Child. The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed: 5 1/4"; Framed: 6 3/4" x 6".)


(Above:  The Head of the Family.  The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed:  4" x 2 1/2"; Framed: 12" x 11".)


(Above:  I Did Not Hesitate But Was Lost. The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed:  5 3/4" x 3 1/4"; Framed: 10 3/4" x 8 1/2".)


(Above:  I Never Fell in Love. The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed:  5 1/4" x 3 1/2"; Framed: 15 3/4" x 13 1/2".)


(Above:  I Spent My Life Waiting For Someone Who Never Came. The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed:  14" x 11"; Framed: 18" x 15".)


(Above:  I Tried to Be the Son My Father Always Wanted. The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed:  6" x 4 1/4"; Framed: 12 3/4" x 10 3/4".)


(Above:  I Was a Rolling Stone; Gather No Moss. The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed:  9" x 6"; Framed: 12 1/4" x 9 1/4".)


(Above:  I Was the Letter Writer in the Family. The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed: 5 1/2" x 3 3/4" ; Framed: 11" x 9 1/4".)


(Above:  I Went Off to Make My Fortune and Never Came Back. The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed:  5 1/2" x 3 3/4"; Framed: 11" x 9 1/4".)


(Above:  Ladies Man. The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed:  6" x 4"; Framed: 9 3/4" x 8".)


(Above:  Life Was Hard. The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed:  4 1/4" x 3 1/4"; Framed: 10" x 9".)


(Above:  My Life Was a Fairy Tale. The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed:  4" x 2 1/2"; Framed: 9 1/2" x 8 3/4".)

(Above:  Never Too Late to Learn. The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed:  9" x 6 1/2"; Framed: 11" x 8 3/8".)


(Above:  I Lived the Adage, Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained. The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed:  7 1/2" x 5 1/4"; Framed: 14" x 12".)


(Above:  Old Maid. The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed:  9" x 6"; Framed: 10 3/4" x 7 3/4".)


(Above:  One Enchanted Evening. The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed:  8 1/4" x 6"; Framed: 10" x 8".)


(Above:  Practice Makes Perfect. The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed:  5" x 6 1/2"; Framed: 8 1/2" x 10 1/4".)


(Above:  Raised By Our Nanny.  The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed: 5 3/4" x 4 1/4"; Framed: 15" x 13".)


(Above:  Sisters, Spinsters.  The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed:  3" x 6 1/2"; Framed: 8" x 12 1/2".)


(Above:  Smart But Narrow Minded. The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed:  5 1/2" x 3 3/4"; Framed: 11" x 9 1/4".)


(Above:  The Best Things in Life Are Free. The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed:  8 1/2" x 5"; Framed: 16 3/4" x 13 1/2".)

 

(Above:  This Was My Last Birthday. The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed:  7" x 5"; Framed: 11" x 8 1/2".)

(Above:  We Lived for Adventure. The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed:  6 1/2" x 4 1/4"; Framed: 10" x 8 1/2".)


(Above:  We Played It Safe and We Were Never Sorry.  The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed:  5 3/4" x 7"; Framed: 12 1/2" x 13 1/2".)


(Above:  We Knew How to Have a Good Time. The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed:  4 1/4" x 5 1/2"; Framed: 8 1/4" x 10".)

(Above: Be Careful What You Wish For . The Wall of Ancestors Series.  Unframed:  9 7/8" x 7 7/8"; Framed: 15" x 13".)
Sorry ... this photo was blurry!
I am linking this post to Nina-Marie's "Off the Wall Fridays", a site for sharing fiber art work ... even though this week my post really doesn't include any "fibers"! LOL! 

In Fusion ... my two articles in Dale Rollerson's e-Magazine.

(Above:  The first page of my feature article Hot and Hair-Brained in Dale Rollerson's IN FUSION, e-magazine.)

Recently I was honored to write both a feature article and an artist profile for Dale and Ian Rollerson's In Fusion, e-magazine.  Dale and Ian are also the owners of The Thread Studio in Perth, Australia, my favorite Internet shop for contemporary embroidery supplies and materials.  I guess that's why I'm listed with my full, legal name ... because that's what my credit card says! 

Dale has given me permission to blog both these articles.  Of course, both are jam packed with images but to read it with these visuals, one needs a subscription.  Get that HERE.  Otherwise, I've posted the feature article Hot and Hair-Brained HERE on another "support blog". 

(Above:  The first page of my artist profile Never Enough ... Art and Hours as it appears in Dale and Ian Rollerson's In Fusion e-magazine.)

I've posted the text for the artist profile HERE.  The feature article covers my melting techniques.  The artist profile is a narrative about making the transition from a wannabe embroiderer to being a full-time, professional studio artist.  Enjoy!  I sure enjoyed writing both these articles.

My work from Focus on Fibers ... and more THREAD donations!

 
(Above"  Eighteen prototypes for brooches made last week during Focus on Fibers.  Click on any image in this blog post for an enlargement.)

For most of the past two weeks I've been at Mary McBride's Focus on Fibers at the Atlantic Center for the Arts in New Smyrna, Florida.  First, I taught a three-day workshop called HOT (which I blogged about here) and then enjoyed a week long retreat (which I blogged about here).

 
 (Above:  In Box CXLIV.  Inventory # 3054. Unframed, 14 " x 10"; framed 18 1/2" x 14 1/2". $225.)

Yet, I didn't really share any of the work personally accomplished during this time.  Thus, I'm showing it off now!


(Above:  Window XCI. Inventory # 3053.  Unframed:  13" x 11"; framed 17 1/2" x 15 1/2". $265.)

In addition to making these two pieces that fall into my normal inventory of work, I finished five workshop pieces.  What does that mean?  Well, I always finish my own demonstration pieces while teaching my HOT workshop.  The workshop focuses on heat-activated processes for contemporary stitch.  I demonstrate how to use previously painted Wonder Under/Bond-a-Web, polyester stretch velvet layers, metallic foiling, and other snippets of materials.  Another demonstration shows how to use the soldering iron and an industrial heat gun.  One of my favorite parts of teaching is my "Four Families of Stitch" demonstration.  Generally, I start two or three pieces before I teach ... so that I can use them on the final day for examples of mounting, matting, and framing fiber arts.  All totaled, there were five pieces from the last workshop.


(Above:  Relic LXXXV. Inventory # 3057.  Unframed, 7 1/2" x 6"; framed, 15 3/4" x 13 3/4". $135.)

I call these workshop demos "relics" ... because they are like precious, jewel encrusted memories from the experience of sharing my favorite techniques with others. 


(Above: Relic LXXXIV.  Inventory # 3056. Unframed, 6 1/2" x 5 1/2"; framed, 16 3/4" x 15 1/4". $135.)

Back at Mouse House, the framing business I have with my husband Steve, I use left over moulding, fillet, and often silk mats to frame them uniquely.  It is a good use of materials and often the framing would cost more than the entire piece ... but, what the heck! If the moulding is just a short, leftover piece collecting dust, it might as well be used on one of my pieces!


(Above: Relic LXXXIII. Inventory # 3055. Unframed, 6" x 5"; framed, 13 1/2" x 12" 1/2". $125.)

Generally, I haven't listed prices on this blog.  Why?  I didn't want this blog to look overly commercial or aimed primarily on sales.  That's not why I blog!  For me, this is a place to SHARE my work, especially with family and friends.  It is also a place to document my output ... posting images, measurements, dates, materials, etc.  Blogging has always been a way to write about work while it is fresh in my mind. 


(Above: Relic LXXXI.  Inventory # 3051.  Sold during Focus on Fibers.)

Yet, I've had Internet sales on two other blogs and people do seem to enjoying purchasing my work! (THANK GOODNESS ... because I can't store all of it forever! LOL!)  In fact, three of my "relics" never made it back home!  Relic LXXXI (above) is such a piece.  It sold during the retreat.  Relic LXXX was donated to the SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates) upcoming 25th Anniversary Spotlight auction (May 1 - 4 during the annual conference) and Relic LXXXII was sold to one of the nice ladies in my workshop.  (I forgot to snap photos of these last two ... but I sent identification labels for all three pieces!)  From now on, I'm going to start listing the prices and inventory numbers on most of my finished work shared on this blog.  I hope this doesn't turn people away. 

(Above:  Old spools and miscellaneous threads from the floor at Focus on Fibers.)

In addition to these pieces, I spent the vast majority of my retreat on eighteen small prototypes for fiber brooches.  These are pictured at the head of the blog spot.  All are polyester stretch velvets on recycled black acrylic packaging felt with soldering, free motion machine stitching, beading, and embroidery.  All but one is completely stitched.  None are finished!  It is now time to turn my attention to the reverse.  I have several ideas for how these brooches will be backed and how a pin will be attached.  My idea includes mounting them on a small piece of framed mat board.  With luck, these miniature fiber artworks will hang as "wall art" when not being worn as "jewelry".  That's the plan!  Everyone at Focus on Fibers seemed to adore these pieces.  They got plenty of attention ... especially when someone dropped by their cut threads!  Yes, of course, I am still collecting old, neglected spools of thread!


(Above:  Donation from Lindsay Hager ... who brought this donation to Focus on Fibers!  Thank you, Lindsay!  This is an incredible stash ... including plenty of vintage buttons for all sorts of other projects!)


(Above:  Donation from Norbeth Ozark.  Thank you, Beth!)

When I got back to Columbia, there was even more thread waiting for me ... including this bag filled by Beth Ozark ....


... and this mailed box filled by Nancy Cook ...


... and this incredibly large bag collected by Nicholl (Nicki) Ransom ...


... and these spools from Vernon and Anita Bowen!

The pile of unraveled thread in the middle of my living room is growing.  The upcoming installation called Threads: Gathering My Thoughts will now have TWO exhibits here in Columbia.  The first will be at Studio Cellar, 912 Lady Street, during the annual spring Artista Vista art crawl (April 22 - May 1) and at Gallery 80808/Vista Studio, 808 Lady Street from September 16 - 30th!  I'm excited.

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

Focus on Fibers 2014 ... the last days.

(Above:  The Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna, Florida.)

The last day of Mary McBride's Focus on Fibers 2014 at the Atlantic Center for the Arts is over.  I'm typing this blog post from my comfortable room, a quiet place with its own bathroom and mini-fridge and without the distraction of a television.  It is just down a wooden boardwalk from the various art buildings:  a dance studio, sculpture space, painting studio, and a music enclosure.  There's also an exhibition space, an auditorium/theater, and a dining facility ... all nestled nicely into the lush Florida vegetation ... a special place of seclusion for focused artistic pursuits.  For the first three days, I taught my "HOT" workshop.  Then came a week retreat ... time for independent fiber art work in the company of other talented artists who came from all over the country (and even Canada) to share inspirations, new ideas, gossip, and know-how knowledge.  It has been a wonderful opportunity ... which come to an end after breakfast in the morning. 

 

Over the past few days I've taken scores of photos.  I'm not going to try identifying all the people and projects in these images.  I'm just posting them as a way to remember, a way to share, and especially a way to showcase the joys of participating in this program.  Next year will likely be even more enchanting because this program continues to grow and touch more an more fiber artists every year.  Thus, enjoy these special moments!

 

Working in the sculpture area ...

...stitching in the music enclosure ...

 

... the famous Pamela Allen surrounded by her unique art quilts ...

... the acclaimed Susan Shie ... painting detailed stories of fascinating figures ...


.... batiking with hot wax ... and embellished with inks ...


... Bonnie from Miami who sat at the table just behind me ...


... the fabulous Mary McBride and her table full of art ...


... hand stitching appliques for thread painted work created on a water soluble base ...


... rinsing and hanging out acid dyed fabric ...


... and the beautiful details of fiber arts like jars of safety pins ...


... the piles of the most vibrantly colors materials ...

 
.... tied up black cotton t-shirts purchased from local thrift shops ...


... being discharged for an exotic "tie dye" like effect ...

 
... and set out to dry in the sunshine ...


.... near various buckets for ice dyeing, a process that creates an entirely different coloration ...


... and yet dyeing isn't the only way to add color!  There's always PAINT ! ...

 

... and plenty of brushes ...

 
..... or simply time to chat/network/gossip/laugh in the "dance studio" ...


.... or in the painting studio ...


... (another photo from the painting studio) ...


... or the sculpture space ...


... (another photo from the sculpture space) ...

.... just look at all these beautiful, hand dyed fabrics!

 

Of course, we did take a few side trips ... like to The Hub in New Smyrna!  What a fantastic space!

 
It was especially nice to see Fran Gardner's solo show in the exhibition area ...

 
... and to see artists working in their individual studios.

 
Plus ... I got to witness two sunrises from Canaveral Beach.  This was just this morning as the sun rose above the ocean ....

 
... dipping behind a bank of opaque clouds before rising again just above them ...

 
... until fully lighting the morning sky ...

 
... and changing darkness into soft yellow light.

 

Here's the waves splashing onto the sea shell encrusted beach ...

... and a few palms in the midst over the dune's vegetation ...


... and the moon before it slipped away ...


... which brought me into today.  Though tomorrow's sunrise will be undoubtedly just as gorgeous, I'll be packing my bags and heading back to South Carolina.  Hopefully next year will bring me back to Focus on Fibers!