Six new In Box Series pieces headed to the Grovewood Gallery

(Above:  Detail of In Box CDLI. Layers of polyester stretch velvet fused to recycled, synthetic packing felt with free-motion machine stitching and unique melting techniques.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

This past week included finishing and framing six new In Box Series pieces.  I only photographed the two large ones.  Why?  Well ... they are all headed to the Grovewood Gallery in Asheville tomorrow.  I really don't need images of every one.  They all look great (in my humble opinion ... but Steve agrees! LOL!)

 

(Above:  Six In Box Series pieces ... constructed and ready for free-motion machine stitching.)

I did, however, snap a photo of the six after I constructed them but before free-motion machine stitching.  The hardwood floor in my sanctuary/studio just seems perfect for "in progress" photos.  Ordinarily, I don't like any housework and have rather successfully taught Steve almost every task, but I find that sweeping my giant hardwood floor is a labor of joy.  For years I assumed that if we moved to a "big warehouse so that I could have an enormous studio", I'd be standing on concrete for the rest of my life.  That didn't happen!  Instead, I have this beautiful wood!  I really love it!

 

(Above:  In Box CDL ... as in Roman numerals for 450!!!  Custom framed with UV filtering, anti-reflective glass.  33 1/2" x 21 1/2". $595.)

One of the reasons I didn't bother with individual images of all six pieces has to do with the number in the series ... which started around 2004 ... OMG! ... twenty years ago!  My artistic mentor advised me to "make one hundred related pieces" but to make sure the last was as full of inspiration, energy, and creative juices as the first had been.  At the time, I thought it an impossible task.  

 

(Above:  In Box CDLI. Custom framed with UV filtering, anti-reflective glass.  33 1/2" x 21 1/2". $595.)

Over the years there have been all sorts of variations, sizes, and experiments.  There have been monochromatic arrangements, ones with only leaf motifs, hand-stitched ones, ones over which I poured UV filtering epoxy, and sizes ranging from 4" x 6" to more than 30" x 30".  The In Box Series also morphed into the Fiber Stained Glass pieces too!  There have been plenty of commissions for special sizes or color combinations.  I can honestly say that I still enjoy stitching these pieces and still have other ideas to try!  Tomorrow, while riding in the van to the Grovewood Gallery, I'll be hand-stitching on another one.  Maybe next week I'll finally try a piece of white felt instead of my recycled black felt.  Who knows what might come next!