Mandala CXCIV

(Above:  Mandala CXCIV.  Custom-framed: 15" x 15".  Found objects hand-stitched to a block of a vintage quilt.  Objects include:  A vintage sanding disc on a gold, plastic lid; a set of eight, wooden-handled appetizer/cocktail forks; blue poker chips; small, metal candy molds; assorted buttons and orange, stone beads.)

This small Found Object Mandala was the result of several decisions.  First, I received a wonderful donation to my stash from a nice man living in New Jersey.  He sent the most amazing collection of glass and stone beads.  It was itching to use some of them, especially the brown, glass, elongated diamond ones.  They went perfectly with the eight, wooden-handled appetizer/cocktail forks that I've had for over a year!  I just hadn't found anything I really liked with them ... until these beads arrived.  Amazingly, he also sent the pretty orange beads too.  

(Above:  Mandala CXCIV at an angle ... with my studio in the background.)

Second, I wanted to see if I could drill holes in the poker chips that would allow me to use shank buttons.  It worked ... but I really didn't like doing it!  Carefully, I started with my 1/16th-inch drill bit to make the small hole in the center.  Then, I enlarged the holes with the 1/8th-inch drill bit ... and then a bit larger ... and larger ... and larger ... until I had a hole big enough for the shank to fit comfortably inside.  It took "forever" and I broke at least two poker chips in the process.  Although finally successful, I doubt that I'll be doing this again.  Some experiments just aren't worth it!

Finally, I wanted to use some of the buttons that I have too few to outline the perimeter of a larger mandala.  This worked.  Plus, I wanted to see if I liked using a small, traditional frame.  I did!  Best of all, this approach is more affordable!  I will likely stitch more this size because I have more blocks from this old, neglected quilt.  Each one will be just $195 plus the pesky South Carolina sales tax (sadly required even on out-of-state transactions).  I really like how this series is continuing to present new ideas and new ways to put together ordinary things in extraordinary new ways!
 
 

Mandala CXCIII

(Above:  Mandala CXCIII. Custom framed: 22 3/8" x 22 3/8".  Found objects hand-stitched to a section of a vintage quilt.  Objects include:  A outdoor thermometer; assorted PanAm drink swizzler sticks; small binder clips; copper-colored can tabs; vintage poker chips; four pieces of crochet; assorted buttons and beads.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

I've had the PanAm swizzler sticks for quite some time.  They perplexed me.  Why?  Well, I generally need a minimum of four of everything in order to design a mandala.  I had five red ones, five yellow ones; five black ones; but only three blue ones.  Sure ... I could have used four of the red, yellow, and black ones ... but then what to do with the extras and the blue ones?  Sure ... I could have used three of each color in rotation ... but then what to do with the extras?  I really wanted to use ALL OF THEM. 

 

(Above:  Mandala CXCIII detail.)

I have all sorts of memories of PanAm airplanes ... and TWA ... and other airlines that don't exist anymore.  My first trans-Atlantic flight was in a propeller plane in 1966.  (My parents had a summer studies program to Salzburg, Austria ... started in 1964 and lasting into the 1980s). I remember flights that stopped in Bangor, Maine or Shannon, Ireland in order to refuel because that was the only way to get to and from Europe.  I remember the first time I saw a 747 and the first time I flew inside one.  I remember the fleets of PanAm jets and thought there would never be a time when that logo didn't dominate every airport.  To find these swizzler sticks (something that probably only came with drinks served in 1st Class) was special.  It was like a sip from my childhood.  How could I not use ALL OF THEM!

(Above:  Mandala CXCIII, detail.)

Finally, I forced myself just to play with them ... rearranging them around the outdoor thermometer until I liked what I saw.  I think the thermometer helped.  It's high contrast is just perfect to trick the mind into seeing the arrangement that doesn't have the same number of blue swizzler sticks.  After settling on the design, it didn't take long to find other items to stitch down.  I'm really pleased by the way this piece turned out.  Like Mandala CXCII, it isn't in a floater frame.  Instead, I put it in a linen liner and then a frame that has a decidedly "mid-century modern" feel ... something that goes with my memories of PanAm.

(Above:  Mandala CXCIII seen at an angle .. with my studio in the background!)

Mandala CXCII

(Above:  Mandala CXCII.  Custom-framed:  26" x 26" (hung as a square); 36 1/2" x 36 1/2" (hung as a diamond).  Found objects hand-stitched to a section of a vintage quilt.  Found objects include:  A vintage sanding disc on a gold, plastic lid and inside a made-in-China souvenir dish; Teamster buttons dated from 1946 - 82; colorful, wooden bird ornaments; orange men-on-horseback toys; touchless door openers; vintage, silver belt buckles; yellow telephone connectors; bingo pieces; copper-colored Mardi Gras doubloon/coins; empty, gold plastic craft ornaments; assorted buttons and beads. Click on any image to enlarge.)

I wasn't sure I really needed the colorful, wooden bird ornaments when I saw them.  They were "brand new" ... as "still in sealed packing ... four in each one."  Yet, the stack was part of the offerings at the Creative Reuse Marketplace in Springfield, Illinois.  Clearly, these were things donated to the place.  Perhaps they were discontinued merchandise. Each flat box was marked one dollar.  So, I bought them ... ten boxes of them.  I'm glad I did!

 

(Above:  Mandala CXCII, detail.)

When I received the donation of vintage Teamster buttons from my talented friend Patty-Kennedy Zafred, I knew that these colorful bird ornaments would look fantastic with them.  It did not take long for me to design this mandala!  It just "flew" together! LOL!  I did take a far amount of time, however, to drill all the holes I needed in the buttons, the Bingo tiles, and the Mardi Gras doubloons/coins!

(Above: Mandala CXCII, detail.)

Ordinarily, my Found Object Mandalas are framed in a floater styled presentation.  This one, however, was intentionally created to fit under a traditional moulding.  Doing this only requires a bit more attention and careful measurements ... in order to leave extra space at the perimeter which fits under the lip of the frame.  I'm really pleased how it turned out!

(Above:  Mandala CXCII at an angle ... with my studio in the background!)
 

Two commissioned Found Object Mandalas

 (Above:  Stitching one of the two wedding mandalas in my new, sanctuary-sized studio.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

For more than a year, I've known about the possibility of a commission that would incorporate a nice lady's forty-three year old wedding gown, the garland she wore in her head, several cordial stems, and lots of costume jewelry.  She and I corresponded a bit.  She assured me that she was still collecting items to be incorporated.  Then, I announced the opportunity to showcase The Lace Forest and other work at Featherstone Gallery on Martha's Vineyard.  Guess what?  She has a house on Martha's Vineyard!

 

(Above:  In progress image showing one commission mounted and the other ready to be stapled to its stretcher bar.  This is one of several photos taken during the process which were turned into a PDF for the client.)

We met in the Featherstone parking lot.  In the back of my cargo van, we pulled out the lacy, Gunnie Sac styled wedding dress.  It instantly reminded me of the dress I wore to my senior prom. I loved that dress!  As we talked, we realized we were both married within a month of one another and even have the same birthday.  We also talked about our sons.  We both have two.  At that point, we decided that instead of one, big Found Object Wedding Mandala, two smaller ones would be better!  

 

(Above:  Mandala CXC.  Custom framed: 19 1/4" x 19 1/4".  Found objects hand-stitched to a a section of the lacy wedding gown over the back of a vintage quilt.  Objects include:  Rhinestone pendants; a small porcelain dish; a garland of ribbon and artificial white flowers; sea shells; watches; dogwood styled units from a bracelet; round, chandelier crystals; sequins; assorted buttons and beads.)

Because the gown was lacy (and the white slip worn underneath was large enough), I used the backside of an antique, double wedding ring quilt ... a perfect pattern whether showing or not!  Most of the items were the client's ... even most of the beads!

 

(Above: Mandala CXCI.  Custom framed: 19 1/4" x 19 1/4".  Found objects hand-stitched to a a section of the lacy wedding gown over the back of a vintage quilt.  Objects include:  Rhinestone pendants; a small porcelain dish; cordial stems (without their glass inserts ... obviously!); sea shells; keys; binder rings; heart-shaped charms; round chandelier crystals; assorted buttons and beads.)

 As I type this blog post, the two are on their way back to Martha's Vineyard.  It was my honor to transform these very special keepsakes into future family heirlooms!

Mandala CLXXXIX

(Above:  Mandala CLXXXIX and me.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

Little by little, I'm figuring out how best to use my studio space.  Until this morning, I'd been snapping photos of my finished work while each one hung on an exterior door.  I made sure that it was afternoon when sunlight didn't hit that door, but still the lighting was less than ideal.  Today, I decided to use two of my ProPanel booth walls in the sanctuary.  I positioned one so that it didn't face direct sunlight and had no shadows.  Voila!  Better pictures!  Even lighting!  No sharp reflections off the Mardi Gras doubloons/coins!  Why I didn't think to do this weeks ago is anyone's guess!

(Above:  Mandala CLXXXIX.  Custom framed: 32 1/4" x 32 1/4" (hung as a square); 45 1/2" x 45 1/2" (hung as a diamond.  Found objects hand-stitched to a section of a vintage quilt.  Objects include:  A glass floral frog; black, plastic clothespins with bird-shaped tops; orange toy archers; silver Mardi Gras doubloons/coins; UAW buttons; brass hinges; bottle caps; gold colored plastic lids with Tinker Toy connectors; assorted buttons and beads.)

Several things came together for this mandala.  First, I finally found a use for the big, readymade frame that I purchased from Bill Mishoe's auction for less than ten dollars.  I knew it was a perfect square and had the depth necessary for the mounted artwork (stapled to a 3/4" deep stretcher bar) but until now, the mandalas I've designed just couldn't compete with the wide, decorative frame.  Second, the quilt section was donated by Patty Kennedy-Zafred, an art quilting friend from the Pittsburgh area.  She sent me half the quilt; half to another art quilter.  She said that the quilt was vintage and damaged.  Considering the condition of the quilts I ordinarily use, it was almost too perfect.  The blue-and-white contrast was stronger than any other quilt I've used ... but this actually made it better for the frame!  Patty also sent me the UAW buttons.  (Thank, Patty!)

(Above:  Mandala CLXXXIX at an angle.)

Another thing I've recently learned is to snap an image from an angle.  My mandalas are often very dimensional.  The depth sometimes gets lost when seen only from the front.

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CLXXIX.)

Finally, I also learned a thing or two about hinges!  Because I stitch these pieces while they are stapled to a stretcher bar and laying flat between two work horse, it isn't until I've positioned the finished artwork upright that some of the hinge pins fall out!  A drop of super glue was squirted into the ends of every hinge.  I'm really pleased with this piece and especially for the lessons I learned from it.

 

Mandala CLXXXVIII

(Above:  Mandala CLXXXVIII. Custom framed:  25 1/2" x 25 1/2" (hung as a square); 33" x 33" (hung as a diamond).  Found objects hand-stitched to a section of an antique double wedding ring quilt.  Objects include:  A glass floral frog; brioche molds; stainless steel, locking hemostatic pliers; vintage silver belt buckles; small, plastic toy airplanes; plastic craft needles; brass rings; bottle caps; chess pawns; and assorted buttons. Click on any image to enlarge.)

Before going to Illinois to take down my solo show, I finished, framed, and photographed this piece but didn't find time to actually look at the images or enter the work into my inventory book.  Some things just take more time than anticipated.  

(Above and below: Details of Mandala CLXXXVIII.)

The stainless steel, locking hemostatic pliers were found at the Pickens County flea market.  I have no idea why they were there (along with lots more of them!)  I thought they were scissors when I picked out eight of them ... two for a dollar.  It wasn't until writing this blog post that I googled for a proper way to identify them that I learned they weren't scissors at all!  I might have discovered this if I had attempted to cut anything with them! LOL!  If that flea market dealer still has more of them, I might buy eight more .... this time, knowing what they were!

End of the solo show in Springfield and other things

(Above:  Selfie before taking down my solo show. Click on any image to enlarge.)

This past weekend my solo show, Once & Again: Alterations, concluded at the Springfield Arts Association in Illinois.  I drove there on Sunday, stopping for a mere hour at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, KY.  It was hard to limit my time but necessary.  Driving to Springfield is an eleven+ hour commitment through road construction and traffic.  On Monday, I snapped this selfie and then took down the entire exhibit. I was able to connect with a staff person at Creative Reuse Marketplace, a recycle non-profit where I purchased two big tubs of lace when installing my show.  At that time, I was told there might be more lace in their storage unit.  There was!  I am pretty sure I have enough lace to create at least twenty more strands for my Lace Forest Installation!  I'm excited!  Then, I drove back home on Tuesday. 

(Above:  In my sanctuary studio stitching on a Found Object Mandala commission.)

Since returning home, I worked on one of two Found Object Mandala commissions, started another mandala, and went through an intensive orientation to Bay3, a cooperative gallery space inside the building with the Anderson Art Center.  I've never been part of a cooperative art gallery but I'm hoping this will be an excellent way to meet artists in the area.  On average, I'll be working in the gallery twice a month.

 

(Above and below, photos from inside my Lace Forest showing kids from Garden Gate Child Development Center exploring the installation.)

Soon, I'll be working back and forth from my Found Object Mandalas to the expansion of The Lace Forest. I'm eager to do this!  First, I love stitching mandalas, especially two commissions.  Second, I'm totally excited that The Lace Forest is enjoying so much success.  Recently, I received (with parental consent) of kids enrolled in Garden Gate Child Development Center exploring my installation.   The looks on their faces will keep me moving forward.  Such joy!

 

Mandala CLXXXVII

(Above:  Mandala CLXXXVII.  Custom framed: 24 1/4" x 24 1/4". Found objects hand-stitched to a section of a utilitarian wool quilt. Objects include: A circular chess board; silver Mardi Gras doubloons/coins; assorted bottle caps; and beads. Click on any image to enlarge.)

Before going to Martha's Vineyard, I finished stitching this piece but didn't get it mounted and framed.  Until it was framed, I really couldn't hang it properly for photography.  Thankfully, I'm starting to get caught up.

(Above:  Dismantling the broken foosball table.)

This piece resulted from a five dollar mercy purchase at the thrift store in Central, South Carolina.  The foosball table was broken.  Some of the metal rods were bent.  Foreign objects were stuck in the ball returns. There was no playing ball. The thing was about to be hauled to the dump but I "saved" it.  Then, I had a great time taking it apart.  All I wanted was the figures.  Steve and I did haul the rest to the dump but at least parts became ART!

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CLXXXVII.)

Stitching this piece was fast and fun.  It is also the first time I've used bottle caps instead of buttons along the perimeter.  Perhaps I'll do it again because it really is effective!
 

Mandala CLXXXVI

(Above:  Mandala CLXXXVI.  Custom framed:  21" x 21" as shown; 29 3/4" x 29 3/4" if hung as a diamond.  Found objects hand-stitched to a section of a vintage quilt.  Objects include:  A sunflower ornament; six, hand-painted, tin, Mexican Christmas ornaments; circular pieces from a metal belt in which vintage portrait photographs were collaged; small binders; brass number stencils; four Mardi Gras doubloons/coins; assorted beads and buttons. $425 plus tax and shipping. Click on any image to enlarge.)

Before going to Martha's Vineyard, I finished stitching two Found Object Mandalas.  Even though everything was firmly in place, it really wasn't ready for its photo op.  Each piece is stitched while stapled to a stretcher bar that has an opening that is at least the size of the finished artwork.  This larger stretcher bar is necessary in order to stitch the edges ... two inches around the entire perimeter. This area is literally over the smaller stretcher bar that provides the final presentation ... and that's not all.  I first glue a piece of acid-free foam-centered board over the final, smaller stretcher bar.  This supports the work.  I even stitch through the foam-centered board and artwork ... attaching them so that no part of the artwork is supporting more than a two to three inch square area.  Basically, I'm not done when the objects are stitched in place.  There's plenty more work to do.  Often, I get the objects stitched down but end up waiting for days (or in this case ... more than a week!) to mount and frame the artwork.

(Above and below:  Details of Mandala CLXXXVI.)

I used several things from my stash which were donated by various people.  Even the quilt came from a friend. For months, I had the metal belt and the idea to separate the oval units from one another and add vintage photographs, but until this piece, the idea just didn't work out.  I've used multi-colored buttons before but not often.  I'm very pleased with the results and will have to do that again!  Now ... to get the second mandala finished!

 

Martha's Vineyard

(Above:  Steve and I on the ferry to Martha's Vineyard.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

For more than a week, we were away from our new home in the Cateechee mill village church.  We were off on an adventure to Martha's Vineyard.  Our mission was to bring my artwork, including The Lace Forest, to an invitational exhibition at Featherstone Gallery and to help install the entire show.  Of course, this didn't require every minute.  We had plenty of time to explore the island.  It was fabulous!

We were able to visit Long Point Beach.  We went early and had the entire southern island expanse to ourselves before walking through trails in the wildlife refuge.

On another day, we ventured to Great Rock Bight Preserve.  For most of the time, we were totally alone watching seals play in the distance and exploring the seaweed and rocks along the coastline.

Despite the fact that the water didn't look very inviting for a swim, the seaweed was beautiful ...

... and the rocks were amazing in their variety of colors.

For some reason, I never snapped a photo of the cute little cabin in which we were staying ... but I did get this shot of the turkey who visited nearly very morning for breakfast.  She had two chicks with her but they were camera shy (or I was too shy to get near them while Mama turkey was so close!)

Although Steve and I are not "foodies" and rarely take pictures of exotic dishes ordered in restaurants, we were elated with the seafood selections.  Of course we were!  Steve loves to cook too.  We bought bluefish at this Vineyard Haven store.  Bluefish, a colder water species, is almost never available in South Carolina.

We didn't buy a whole lobster  ... but ...

... we did go to Larsen's Fish Market in Chilmark, the southwestern part of the island.

Steve had an excellent lobster roll.  I opted for the best marinated calamari salad ever!

We visited both craft breweries on the island and had pizza at Offshore Brewing in Oak Bluffs.  Mostly, we ate outside our cabin!

On another day, we went to Polly Hill Arboretum.  It was fabulous ... and again ... despite the crowds in the historic towns, there were very few people around.  We felt close to nature and the reasons why Martha's Vineyard was a place of refuge in the 19th century.  It was away from summer heat in the big cities.  It was beautiful and lush with a rolling terrain and sandy beaches. 

The flowering trees were amazing. 

We walked through a blooming Dogwood Alley. 

We were struck by the beauty of magnolia blossoms that were beyond their prime ...

... but also by those just opened.  We have a magnolia tree at the church but it isn't the same species and most of our blossoms are much higher off the ground making photos like these nearly impossible.

Yet the flowers that impressed me most were the hydrangea.  They were EVERYWHERE.  They were beside the art galleries we visited.  They were in front of the shops we went to. They were at the flea market we visited (which was more of an artist market ... where I tried on a sterling and shell bracelet with a $718 price tag! Not the sort of flea market I assumed!)  The hydrangea weren't all deep blue or even the same species.  Some were bright pink. Some purple.  Some brilliant white with lime green.  It was lovely to be on Martha's Vineyard while the hydrangea were blooming.   

The Lace Forest at Featherstone Gallery, Martha's Vineyard

(Above:  The Lace Forest inside the small chapel on the grounds of Featherstone Gallery on Martha's Vineyard Island.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

It all started last October during a two-week art residency at Bethany Arts Community outside Ossining, NY.  Well ... that's not entirely true!  The inspiration came from the Monterey Aquarium, a place our family visited almost three decades ago.  I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the kelp forest.  This seed of inspiration lay dormant for a long time ... until I created The Canopy in 2012.  That's when I dreamed up a way to turn the inspiration into an installation.  But, I didn't do it.  The idea resurfaced in 2022 when I got another chance to show The Canopy.  At that point, I applied for the residency in New York.  (Images can be found on the first blog post I wrote from Bethany Arts.  CLICK HERE.)

(Above:  Provided signage for The Lace Forest.  If you look closely in the background, the little chapel is visible between the trees.)

It was during the final few days of this residency when I got a telephone call from curator Michele Beasley Malone asking if I would bring The Lace Forest to an invitational exhibit at Featherstone Gallery on Martha's Vineyard.  I couldn't say YES fast enough.  At the time, I had fifteen strands completed.  Since moving into our renovated Cateechee mill village church, I stitched another fifteen.  I was also asked for other artwork and agreed to drive it all to Martha's Vineyard and help with the installation of the entire show.  

 

(Above:  The little chapel at Featherstone Gallery.)

I was totally over the moon to be given the Schule Chapel for The Lace Forest.  This tiny space was almost single-handedly constructed by long time Edgartown pastor John Schule as a place for spiritual retreat and family events.  Later, it was moved to Featherstone as an intimate exhibition space.  To me, it was the most perfect setting imaginable.  Each strand of lace was tied to the exposed, white painted wooden beams.  

 (Above:  The entryway into the chapel.)

It took Steve and I less than an hour to install.  Then, I took photos and even THIS VIDEO!  The space had two strings of white twinkle lights which we included ... making me think about the future.  I'm now toying with ideas for unique lighting ... perhaps even a sound installation of babbling water and/or videos of water on exterior walls.  Whether this happens or not, I learned plenty!

I learned that I definitely need more strands of lace.  Yet, this isn't going to be much of a problem (at least for the next fifteen!)  I have already accumulated another two tubs of lace.  I got this new stash at the Urban Recycled back in Springfield, Illinois when installing my solo show at the Springfield Arts Association.  The woman running the place said there might be even more lace in the shop's storage site.  If so, I'll be collecting even more when I return to take down my show!  My goal is to have at least fifty strands! More would be even better!  (If reading this and wanting to donate anything crocheted or lacy, please mail to Mouse House, 320 North Church Street, Central, SC 29630! Thanks!)

Now ... back to the invitational show!  It's called Rising Up! A Multi-Cultural Celebration of Stitched Fine Art.  The exhibit is up through July 21st.  Also included in the gallery space are several of my other artworks.  In fact, the Jeanna Shepard came during the installation to snap some fabulous photographs for the Vineyard Gazette!  This is one of the shot that appeared in print and on-line!

The reception was last Sunday from 4 - 6.  Lots and lots of people attended.  Most wandered out the door to The Lace Forest too!  Scroll down for two more images!