Cheryl Rezendes

New Classes and Workshops

2012-01-21T20:43:00.000-05:00

Check out my newsletter for upcoming classes and workshops.

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New Studio at Home

2012-01-20T17:16:00.000-05:00

the move from my great studio in town was harder then I had anticipated.

although

working from home again has been lovely.

when I left for town 2 years ago, I gave my home studio space to my husband,

convinced him to move up from the basement.

and gave the unfinished basement to our adolescent boys.

I simply couldn't ask for it back.

so I took over the dinning room.

and if truth be told, I love it.

it is wide open and glorious.

during the day, it is all mine.

in the evening it is still all mine,

but I get to work in the company of my family.

as they walk back and forth between the kitchen and their rooms

they stop to say hi, converse and hug

the sewing area is in the basement with the boys.

they gave me a wall and shelf space.

this is all suppose to be temporary,

until we can build an out building later on in the year.

but if truth be told,

i am loving it just where i am.

Textile Paints

Thread

Unpacking

A project for the book

writing

2011-08-07T19:49:00.004-04:00

5,592 words later and the chapter on water soluble resists is done!

who knew i could talk so much.

been writing at my Dad's house lately

a great retreat with no distractions.

i do believe i can see the finish line now

will be so nice to make art again...
though the writing is lovely too

this is a page from an architectural, graduate student's thesis notebook.
very inspiring

sorry about the bad photography
i couldn't resist posting it

One more college info session to go!

2011-08-04T17:56:00.000-04:00

Brook and Clem needed a little nap.

here are a few photos i took along the way.

good to be home again.

and back to work.

today, again

2011-08-01T18:17:00.001-04:00

major lightening storm here in the woods,

loud, bright, and a crack that sounded like none other.

the smell of cap guns wafting in through the screen door as i write this book

child's play??

everything is okay.

still have power and the sun is shining. what more could i need?

time for a walk.

feeling confident that

i am going to know when to turn around

yesterday i decided to take pictures of leaf shapes as i walked,

a simple visual to calm my bursting brain!

here are a few

herein lies the problem -

my brain is overloaded
with words,

techniques, formulas and recipes,

the amazing work of other artists as i research for the book,

visuals,

my work - its visuals!

in the past, present and future,

ideas about the studio, teaching

and workshop descriptions for other locations,

family, kids and a couple of college tours in the very near future -

like tomorrow.

and boy, do my dogs need a bath!

walking and concentrating on leaf shapes
seems to be the only remedy, for now

how do you/i measure success?

i'd like to know

today

2011-07-31T14:36:00.000-04:00

had a bit of a revelation this morning. even without walking!!

i'll post about it as soon as I finish (get started!) on today's deadline.

in the meantime i share with you Julian,

and the pleasures of being a cat on a sunday afternoon

Studio Closing

2011-07-29T20:04:00.000-04:00

in 2 months - so much change and thought.

to the Maine coast with my guys and back again. many, many walks for reflection and soul searching.

my own personal form of walking meditation. no power walking,

but no strolling either. a good walk - sometimes for an hour or 2 even.

many questions. soul searching as they like to say

wish i could just keep walking, then call someone to come get me when i am done.

i am not always sure when to turn back

i am not always sure when the walking should be over

but it has been good

Dear friends, supporters and students,

After a great deal of thought, personal reflection, and numerous family discussions I have made the difficult decision to close the studio as of September 1 of this year. In all honesty, with most classes canceled due to lack of enrollment, I simply can’t sustain it. For those of you who did take classes with us, thank you! For those of you who had fantasies of taking one in the future, all of our instructors have plans to continue teaching in other locations. And for those of you who simply just loved that we were there, thank you to you as well! Your well wishes and visits were greatly appreciated!

Although I must say goodbye to the dream of a community based fiber studio, I no longer think of it as a loss or an ending, but rather a juncture. I am so grateful for all that has come my way over the past 18 months. So many new and wonderful people have come into my life, and touched me in ways I could not have foreseen when I began this venture. The studio has given me the opportunity to reconnect with people I had not seen or spoken with in years, while providing me with a wonderful and exciting venue to offer up my knowledge, guidance and skills as a teacher. A role I cherish.

For now, I will be returning to my home based studio to continue with my own personal artistic endeavors and to finish my technique book, which will be out by the winter of 2013, curtesy of Storey Publishing in North Adams, MA.

I will be teaching locally at Artspace in Greenfield, MA this coming fall, winter and spring. In CT, I will be teaching at the Creative Arts Workshop in New Haven beginning this winter and possibly the Brookfield Craft Center in Danbury. I am working on other locations as well. If you would like me to come to your area and know of a suitable venue, please be in touch. A custom workshop can be designed for your group’s needs. I hope to be offering on-line classes by the first of the year, as well as very small group workshops in my renovated studio at home, by the spring of 2012.

I plan to continue to keep you posted of my progress and whereabouts. Please keep me posted of yours.

Hugs and love to all of you.

Cher

still walking, asking questions

who am i as an artist?

how do i measure success? - now, today

not 10 years ago, not even 5 years ago

how do you measure success?

i'd like to know.

Right Brain vs Left Brain

2011-05-31T16:37:00.003-04:00

writing this book - definitely left brain. so technical!

sometimes i just have to take a break from that part of my brain.

still have lots of energy to write, but no left brain power left to process. such a weird experience.

i have written before. i used to write a weekly art column for my local newspaper.

500 words every week for close to 4 years.

that was different. not as intense.

plus i had the visuals to write about. now i am writing about visuals that aren't there yet.

a dichotomy for sure. but i'm loving it!

yesterday, sat down at the dinning room table to contemplate my life as an artist.

and found the flowers my step-mom gave me because my son turned 18.

so sweet!

and a beautiful visual when i needed one

i may just have to pick off these long waxy leaves to print with

Hot and steamy in Western MA

2011-05-29T21:03:00.000-04:00

the tractor's been down,

so everything is wonderfully wild and overgrown

the woods are encroaching,

green and lush

summer at long last

where's the ice cream??

please

Spring Rain

2011-05-23T12:36:00.002-04:00

Another Rainy Day

after weeks of rain, and grey mist

cold and damp.

And yet, somehow

through the downpour, miraculously

all the leaves have emerged.

And the maples

my favorite in another season, now canopy over the deck

leaves heavy with rain,

bright green against

soft and somber grey, that

could almost be pink, if you squint your eyes.

The horse in the meadow this morning, caught my eye

But was gone

when I climbed the fence with my camera.

In his wake,

he left me breathless.

He gave me

the gift of the land

the view of the barn, deep red before the mist

and the familiar hills,

almost lost to the gentle, low lying clouds.

One last time

before I headed off to the car

I searched for him.

Such gratitude, I can’t express

for his gift,

of inspiration. And because,

if I squint me eyes...

Two Gifts

2011-05-22T11:42:00.001-04:00

Last week my son Brook and I had 2 gifts from the universe in one day. Both came to us on our own road. On the way to school we were treated to the sighting of a baby red fox. He crossed the road just yards in front of our car. On the way home from school we found this little guy happily eating leaves by the side of the road.

On personal style

2011-05-21T23:40:00.000-04:00

Working on the book so consistently, day after day, and consequently not sewing, designing, painting, screening etc. has given me much time for artistic refection. It has been good.

My collage work, and my distinctive personal style within that work was born over many, many years. In comparison, my textile work is really quite new. The past handful of years have been a whirlwind of growth for me. But I realize now that is has primarily been within the boundaries of technique and new materials.

In the heat of this growth, I am not sure my style has evolved. This time away from creating visual work has caused me to step back. I have a perspective that I didn't have just one month ago. Throughout my youth as an artist, my approach to art making was to just forge ahead. But now, with age on my side, I am not certain that approach has value.

For the first time really, I feel the need to consciously choose my direction - visually. To focus and explore within a certain context. And imagery? Perhaps. Its more visceral than concrete. Somehow more instinctual then discernable. That is not to say that the visual is gone. Its just more fleeting - less defined. And I like that.

The reality is that I am still a painter. A painter who happens to have a passion for textiles and stitching and words. Do I simply just keep forging ahead? Is it the easy way out? Or the truest way out? Or really no way out?

In a group setting the other day, an artist who was new to drawing complained that her drawings always ended up looking like something. It was as if she wanted to know the secret for how to make something abstract. If only it were that easy.

These are 2 paintings by my friend Tracey Physioc Brockett. They are abstract and they make my heart sing.

I think it might be time again for a visual daily journal. Especially during the next several weeks of writing. The freedom of journaling could bring me some definition.

New Web SIte for the Studio

2011-05-15T10:56:00.000-04:00

After a great deal of work that seemed to go on forever, my son and I have launched a new web site for the studio. We've got a great line up of classes. There are photos of classes and student work to share and people can register for classes through the site! Phew! Please have a look see when you get the chance.

CherScapes Downtown Fiber Art Studios

Artist Groups

2011-05-14T16:36:00.004-04:00

I really can't say enough about how important these groups are.

As artists we tend to work alone and isolated. Unfortunately those two words in our society, have a connotation of being negative. But having some time to be alone and isolated is good for all of us, even for those who are not artists. It is a time for reflection and possible serenity or maybe even a time to be angry, if that is what you need.

For artists, that time is when we can best follow our muse. That is when the creative juices flow and most importantly, it is a time when we can safely take creative risks. It is, for me at least, a bit like going to church. I have my routines and small ceremonial tasks (like making tea and lining up my tools and paint) that will lead up to the act of creation. During that time I will ponder. I will converse (with myself). I will cast judgment (on my work), and I will forgive (myself for failing at the task). I will create and celebrate (my succeses), and I will reach out to share them with my congregation of friends, family and the world through my website, Facebook, my blog, galleries, craft shows and fairs.

With all that said, we also need to come together. An artist group can provide valuable feedback without casting judgment, and can sing our praises, so we can find the courage to venture out into the world with our work. In an artsist group we can share technical information, network and learn the important skills of developing a critical eye.

In my studio there are now 2 such groups. One has been meeting once a month for close to a year now, founded by Marcia Young of Valley Fiber Life. The other
group has only just begun. Founded by Jeanne Marklin from the Studio Art Quilt Association, the group met for the second time last Saturday. I came away inspired, refreshed and reassured. Thank you Jeanne! and Fern and Barbara.

If you don't have a group to join in your area, I strongly suggest you start one of your own. Even if you feel that you have such limited time to be creative that you couldn't possibly spare another minute, you should still be part of an artists' group. What you will come away with, will propel you forward in your work at a rate you could never have on your own.

What about you? Do you have an artists' group? How has it helped you in your pursuit of your creative endeavors?

If you need help starting one, contact me. I'll be glad to help. If you need a place to meet with your group and you are in my area, I may be able to accommodate you. So contact me.

In the meantime, happy making!!

2011-05-10T11:55:00.000-04:00

An artist whose blog I follow sheintertwines posted this poem today. I am inclined to do the same.

The Invitation
It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life’s betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain. I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, or if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself; if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul, if you can be faithless and therefore be trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see beauty, even when it’s not pretty, every day, and if you can source your own life from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of a lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, ‘Yes!”

It doesn’t interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up, after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done to feed the children.

It doesn’t interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what you sustains you, from the inside, when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

- Oriah Mountain Dreamer, Indian Elder

2011-05-09T19:49:00.002-04:00

I've been working on the book now pretty consistently all day every day now. It has been an interesting and rewarding process. Doing a demo in person allows for nuance and variation in a serendipitous kind of way. Writing technical information in a step by step process is so very different. You have to find nuance in a totally different way. It isn't like writing poetry or descriptive narratives either. I keep wondering how I can incorporate that into the book. It is so much a part of who I am as an artist. Perhaps they'll let me put bits of poetry and quotes in the margins of the book. That would please me greatly.

With all this writing I still need to visually create as well. So I started this small (at least for now) fiber collage using pieces of fabric I painted with Pebeo Steta Color and Seta Silk. The darker pieces was just a small scrap of fabric I randomly painted. The larger pieces are scraps from my silk organza jackets. In between writing and pacing I allow myself to wander over to this piece. It has been a long time since I worked this way and I am loving it! Sometimes all I do is move a few pieces around, then write again before I head back to the collage to see how it is looking.

This is the jigsaw puzzel I tell buyers about. The kind of puzzel that doesn't come with a picture of the finished piece. All I know is when the pieces fit perfectly together. Although I do have vision now of where I think it may go.

On Sunday a small group of fiber artists met in the studio to show and tell, discuss work and process and progress. They are members of SAQA.

Lovely artists and wonderful conversation that has fueled me and inspired me. Thank you.

Quote of the day

2011-05-03T10:39:00.002-04:00

Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures. ~Henry Ward Beecher

Facelift

2011-05-02T18:21:00.001-04:00

It has been over a month since Craft Boston and I am still trying to catch up. I am working on the book and I am about to launch the new web site for the studio. So stay tuned for that.

I also managed to give the blog a facelift, and spend quality time thinking about this blog and who I am as an artist. I was thinking that I would like to be posting more often and what that would mean. It could and would I think, mean shorter posts, posts that include snippets of conversations, poetry, process and the work of artists that I admire.

During Craft Boston I reconnected with Ann Brauer, a quilt artist who is from my neck of the woods. This is an artist I wrote about when I had my weekly art column at the Greenfield Recorder. I took these photos of her booth at the show and would like to share them now with you. It is a bad shot of Ann (sorry Ann!) but a good shot of her incredible quilts. Enjoy.

This is Ann's web site and her blog.

News from Craft Boston

2011-03-25T10:37:00.003-04:00

Thursday afternoon. Susan arranging the scarves.

Finished Booth

First official day of Craft Boston. Everyone tells me that Saturday is the big day of this show. I can't believe how wonderful it feels to be back in Boston. On my drive in yesterday I had a great tour of the city. And only because I kept missing my exits. I wasn't lost. I was just spending way too much brain power looking and reminiscing. Wish me luck!

Making wrap dolls with Belinda Lyons-Zucker

2011-03-07T09:41:00.002-05:00

Yesterday in the studio, Belinda Lyons-Zucker was teaching about making wrap dolls. It was a great group, and their results were very exciting.

This is a small selection of Belinda's dolls. Click on the image to get a better look.

If you are finding yourself sorry that you missed out on this awesome class, don't dispare.

We'll be offering it again sometime in April.

So stay tuned.

Stenciling

2011-03-04T21:34:00.003-05:00

Working on new pieces again. This is done on the wonderful silk broadcloth that my friend Jeannie Sisson and I just love. I'll have 4 colorways when I'm done. And I'll be sewing them into my short, kimono style jacket.

The purple one is the closest to completion.

More tomorrow.

Easy silk screen Tutorial

2011-03-03T21:16:00.003-05:00

This is the newest piece that has been added to the CherScapes Wearable Art Collection. Tilted Kayla, this long vest is made from a wonderful blended fabric of tencel and silk. It has a coordinated silk chiffon scarf. The more concentrated areas of color were made by using a 6" x 6" ceramic tile as a base for monoprints. The outlined circles were screen printed using EZScreen print emulsion paper.

In the picture above I have set out my paints and the ceramic tile (lower right) has been painted using a 2" foam brush. There is a separate brush for every color.

This is the tile close up with a very basic painting technique. I really had to push myself to paint sloppy. I generally love clean hard edges. But I wanted this step to be loose.

Over it goes onto the fabric. When you are working with a relatively large and hard substrate, your work surface must have some give to it. You need to press the tile down with a kind of rocking motion, but being careful not to actually move it across the fabric.

All printed. The tile is on the right.

Okay. This is what you get if you order a starter kit from EZScreen Print. You can obviously put it together yourself. But I bought the kit to save on aggravation. The kit includes a masonite board that has black felt glued to one side, a piece of plexiglass cut to the same size of the masonite and 4-8 clips,

depending on the overall size of the masonite.

The first step is to prepare your artwork. I drew out the circles with Adobe Illustrator on my computer because I wanted really clean sharp lines, to contrast with the monoprint circles.You can draw free hand too if you like. If you decide to draw freehand, you will need to use a black marker for your finished drawing.The whole process works best if your drawing is then printed on transparency film. This can be easily done on your home, inkjet printer. I printed directly from the computer onto the transparency. If I had drawn freehand, I would have had to either scan my drawing in, or take a digital photo of it and then put it on my computer. In the picture above the circles on the lower right are on the transparency.There is a right and wrong side to the transparency, so be careful. You want to print on the dull side.

The film with the emulsion on it is stored in black plastic so it doesn't inadvertently get exposed to light.

You also need to do the next few stages in a very, dimly lite room, again so you don't expose the film prematurely. But consequently, I don't have pictures of these steps because I was working in the dark!

I use an inexpensive grow light to expose the film. I have had great success using only one fluorescent tube. Also very inexpensive, and it lasts a very long time! You can use the sun too. How cool is that! Pictured below is my grow light with the finished screens.To get to this stage I placed one emulsion sheet on the black, felt side of the masonite, with the emulsion side up. I then placed the transparency onto the film with the blackest side facing down. The plexiglass then goes on top of the transparency. The last step is to put the clips on, making sure to flip the handle part of the clips back over the clip itself, otherwise the handle would get exposed on my film as well as my drawing. I positioned the kit under the grow light with the plexiglass facing towards the light. I left it there for about 25 - 30 minutes. I always use a timer.

Then I take the kit apart and place the emulsion sheet in a wash basin or down flat on the bottom of my sink. I gently sprayed water on it and watched my image appear. You should hold it up to the light to make sure the emulsion has fully disolved. In my case only the outline of the circle itself is the image, so that is the only part that disolved. Let it dry and harden on paper towels. It stays quite wet and gooy for a long time. So I always plan on waiting 24 hours before using it.

The picture above is hard to make out, but essentially the white shape is actually a plastic frame that I taped the finished film to. You can buy these from the EZPhoto people. For a very long time I tried every kind of tape I could think of that would stick to the emulsion side even after it is wet. I finally had to give up. I decided to use painters tape to hold it temporarily. But low and behold it stayed taped through the entire screening process, even after it had been washed and dried!

Above I just pulled some paint across the screen with this cute little squeegee that comes with the kit.

Here's my screened circle.The hardest part of making this fabric and garment was measuring out all the places I wanted the monoprint to go!

That's it. I'm off to bed.

http://ezscreenprint.com/

2011-03-01T23:40:00.000-05:00

Too tired to give you the whole write up. Here is an untouched photo of one of the pieces. The circle images that are only a simple outline were screen printed on using EZPhoto. Tomorrow I will give you a more detail explanation.

2011-02-28T23:28:00.002-05:00

This photo is a little teaser about my latest garment.
The fabric is a silk/tencel blend, that I have not dyed or painted in an all over pattern.
The garment is primarily white. I have embellished it with mono printing and a little silk screening.
In this photo, I am showing you the silk screens I made with Photo EZ. It is an INCREDIBLY EASY
way to make small, silk screens. I believe it compares well with thermofax machines, but all you need is a simple grow light and some Photo EZ film paper. I'll post more about all this tomorrow, as well as a pic. of the garment. Stay tuned...

2011-02-27T17:18:00.001-05:00

Just finished updating my web site. Phew. Take a look.

CherScapes Wearable Art

For now on the CherScapes web site will be for my wearable art collection only.
You'll be able to see my other artwork here on the blog.
Just click on one of the pages listed under the banner at the top of the blog.

Snow, snow, snow and more snow.

2011-02-26T13:27:00.001-05:00

Each and every time,

beauty and magic are cloaked in this extraordinary blanket of

silence, solitude and wonder.

This has been the winter of my childhood memories.

Views from our private road, both coming and going.

Coming

Going

Somewhere in between

Yesterday was a day of rest for me, filled with naps and long hours spent in front of the fire sorting through all the activities, conversations and happenings of the past 2 weeks.

Today and tomorrow I will catch up on family and domestic chores.

In between I will work on the book.

The July deadline looms heavy in my future.

2011-02-23T19:58:00.001-05:00

Home at last! Pulled into town yesterday afternoon, just in time to teach my Tuesday night class.

Here are some photos of my booth in Philly, at the Buyers of American Craft wholesale show.

For my first time with my own booth, I think I did fairly well. Some newbies did much better, still others barely made anything at all. Its just the way it goes. The old timers were saying that things are definitely picking up. Even though many of them only had reorders from existing accounts, they still faired much better than last year.

I got a lot of feedback on my booth design and on my collection. Very helpful. And I had some wonderful booth neighbors that made the 4 days much more pleasant.

2011-02-20T21:31:00.000-05:00

Okay. So once again, no booth picture. But I'll share with you a few pieces of fabric I was working on before I had to leave for Philly. I was hoping to stitch them up to bring with me, but that was not meant to be.

Three pieces dyed once and now laid out with salt and textile paint. The goal is to somehow collage them together when I get back to the studio next week. The fabric is silk broadcloth. It is a great fabric that loves to be dyed. But it is expensive, narrow in width and many people think it is some kind of cotton.

So I am in a quandary as to whether I should use it for garments.

2011-02-19T21:24:00.000-05:00

Hi All,

I am here among the living. Actually in Philadelphia doing the Buyers of American Craft wholesale show.

My first time here with my own booth. Just finished day two. I am very, very tired.

Feet and legs ache. But I think I'm doing fairly well. So very different than doing a retail show!

I drove down with a potter friend of mine who is also doing the show for the first time. Take a look at the van. OMG was it a tight fit!

Here I am out with some artist friends getting a taste of the real Philly cheese steak at

Pat's The King of Steak.

It was amazingly warm last night. We are actually sitting outside.

However tonight it is freezing and very windy!

This is Pat's competition across the street.

I haven't taken a picture of my booth yet. I haven't had time to get a camera pass.

Tomorrow.

Wet Felting Heart Ornaments

2011-02-06T22:50:00.001-05:00

Welt felting heart ornaments with Sue McFarland today in the CherScapes studio.

It was a fun workshop, but I forgot to take pictures!

You'll just have to use your imaginations.

Sunday, Jan 30 11:45pm

2011-01-31T00:00:00.002-05:00

Up late working on the book today.

Saturday Jan. 29

2011-01-29T11:18:00.001-05:00

I was out early this morning with the dogs. Had to be careful though, as the hunters are out. Next on my agenda is the domestic stuff - laundry, vacuum, dust etc. etc. Then I'm off to the studio for a couple of hours. I'll put dinner in the crock pot first.

Yesterday I was home with my youngest son who was fending off the last bits of a bad cold. I felt that I needed the break from the studio anyway, a break from creativity. But what did I do? I picked up my knitting!

Yes it was meditative and calming. But I can't help but wonder about this unquenchable drive to make things. Where does it come from? What is it all about? While knitting I came up with several new ideas to work on and solved a compositional dilemma on one of my new pieces.

The only thing that can really quiet my brain is reading.

Organza Jacket

2011-01-26T21:28:00.006-05:00

This is my latest silk organza jacket. The fabric was stretched then painted using Pebeo setasilk and setacolor textile paints. The ribbons are silk as well. There is little bit of stamping done in green.

The stamp is a series of 4 stamps that I carved from 1" square erasers. I'm not in the studio right now so I can't show you. But I'll take a picture of it tomorrow. It is one of my favorite stamps, I guess because it is the one that most successfully imitates the kind of line I use when I am drawing.

I added the red line free hand.

The double collar has become the signature piece of this jacket.

Please tell me what you think.

Last day with the Kangaroo Dyer

2011-01-24T22:46:00.006-05:00

Yesterday brought our workshop with Gail Callahan, aka the kangaroo Dyer to a close. We had a great time, with wonderful results.

If you're sorry that you missed out on all the fun, don't dispare!

We'll be getting Gail back to teach sometime in June.

So stay in touch.

Dyeing Animal Fibers with the Kangaroo Dyer

2011-01-23T12:43:00.005-05:00

Second day of dyeing workshop at the CherScapes Downtown Fiber Art Studios with the Kangaroo Dyer, aka Gail Callahan.

For more information on all the latest classes and workshops being offered

click on the link

Workshops and Classes

Dyeing Animal Fibers with the Kangaroo Dyer

2011-01-22T11:10:00.008-05:00

Gail Callahan, aka the Kangaroo Dyer, and author of "Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece" is teaching a workshop at the CherScapes Downtown Fiber Art Studio.

By the end of the weekend they will all have a beautiful hand dyed color wheel.

Here are the first pics. Hot off the camera.

For more information on classes and workshops click on the ink below

Winter Classes and Workshops at CherScapes Downtown Fiber Art Studio

More pics coming soon!

Masking

2011-01-21T17:00:00.005-05:00

While working on some new pieces today. I wanted to do some stamping with textile paints, on small areas that needed to be masked off.

The masked off areas are small and simple. I was thinking that there must be something I have around the studio that is quicker than using painter's tape.

Then I thought of my old telephone books!

It works like a charm. The pages rip out of the book really nicely. They tear in half easily as well.

So don't send those old telephone books to recycling just yet.

Results of Dyeing with MX Fiber Reactives Dyes Workshop

2011-01-21T11:10:00.011-05:00

Here are pictures of just some of the samples of the amazing dyeing that went on last weekend, here in the CherScapes studio. It was a great, albiet an exhausting, weekend.

My students learned a lot, and were very complementary. I learnt a lot as well. They were a fabulous group to work with.

By Ann Marie LaBollita

By Susan Loring-Wells

By Gail Callahan

By Susan Loring-Wells

By Suzanne Pelto

By Betsy Higgins-Steele

By Ann Marie LaBollita

I am always amazed at how teaching seems to round out who I am as an artist. There is great satisfaction about finishing a piece of artwork - bringing it to completion at a level one can feel proud of. But there is also great satisfaction about finishing a series of classes or a workshop. It is a different feeling, but one of equal strength and value.

I am so proud of what was accomplished by my students this past weekend. I am also totally amazed and inspired by their work and by who they are. Everyone brings their most vulnerable selves to a class that requires new levels of creativity and experimentation.

To grow as artists, we must all, students and teachers alike, open doors to our hidden selves.

I am honored whenever someone is willing to step through the doors of the CherScapes classroom and follow my lead into new and exciting territory.

"This weekend's workshop was truly a wonderful experience. You did an excellent job in teaching techniques of folding fabric and applying the dyes. The tempo and coordination of the different aspects of the processes worked. The studio space as well as your work is beautiful. I am impressed with your energy, organization and generosity. I am pleased with what I accomplished. I learned a lot, had fun and came home with a variety of interesting pieces of work." - Betsy Higgins-Steele

2011-01-19T10:52:00.004-05:00

Cleaning up the studio after the dyeing workshop and yesterday's snow day. Today lots of ice, but I made it in. The weekend went fabulously well.

Photos to come later today, so stay tuned.

Dyeing with Procion MX, Fiber Reactive Dyes - Day 2

2011-01-16T19:00:00.006-05:00

Dyeing with MX Fiber Reactive Dyes Workshop - Day 1

2011-01-16T08:39:00.004-05:00

I only have time to post some photos! But, as you can see day one was great!

Dyeing Workshop Using Procion MX Fiber Reactive Dyes

2011-01-14T13:28:00.011-05:00

Getting ready for my dyeing workshop this weekend. I am delighted to have some people coming from out of town.

We posted the event of the Surface Design Association web site . They came across it while surfing the web for something else.

It is a fun workshop. Lots of exciting activity, and everyone leaves with a mountain of beautiful samples! These samples make a perfect base for using many other surface design techniques, such as stamping, stenciling and silk screening.

Here's Susan Loring-Wells working on her mountain of work! The studio would not function without her!

2011-01-03T21:25:00.004-05:00

I'd like to begin to post every day. Or at least every other day. My intention is bring at least one thought, one artistic muse or happening, however small, to print. Today was to be day one. But I am spent! I have been trying to work on the book after a full day in the studio, while also trying to sort through Etsy, FB and research for the book. My head is spinning. Images are a whirl.

I am resting my bare feet on the warm radiator under my desk, while listening to the dogs snoring nearby.

I am behind on all my work - great and small. But it will all have to wait. Bed is calling and sleep is over taking me.

Good night world. Tomorrow is indeed, another day.
xoxo

Holiday Studio Sale and Show

2010-12-08T18:51:00.005-05:00

! Holiday Sale and Show at the Studio !!

This Saturday Dec. 11 and Sunday Dec. 12 from 12pm - 5pm

Gail Callahan, the Kangaroo Dyer will be available in person on Sunday. If you can't make it Sunday, know that her luscious, hand-dyed yarns and autographed copies of her book will be available for purchase in the studio all weekend. Check out her web site to see examples of her merino, cashmere, alpaca and silk yarns.

Sue McFarland, the studio's felting instructor, will be available all weekend, offering you her lovely, hand-woven chenille scarves. Sue will also have her fabulous felted scarves and ornaments. They are a must see! This would be a great time to ask Sue questions about felting. She will be offering classes in wet felting, nuno felting and 3D felting after the first of the year.

All of my one-of-a-kind, hand-dyed and painted garments and scarves will be available for purchase. I'm offering 10% off my entire collection, even my latest $35 hand-dyed, silk scarves and my very popular Velvet Twists!

Join us for some holiday cheer and get a sneak preview of our latest class offerings for the new year. Leave a deposit this weekend and receive the holiday special of 10% off!

See you at the studio!

Thanksgiving Weekend

2010-12-02T22:54:00.004-05:00

Had a lovely Thanksgiving break. But couldn't wait to get back into the studio.

The highlight of the break was to take a late afternoon walk around our property with 2 of my sons, and the dogs of course.

The cold, crisp air nipped at my cheeks as I tried to bury my face in my coat.

The dogs leaped and jumped with delight, simply because we were with them.

And those boys clowned around as if they were still 6 and 10 years.

When we got home, the first snowfall of the season fell. But, in our excitement I forgot to take a picture. So you will just have to use your imagination.

Foraging for rabbits

Having fun for the camera

The woods before the snow

Show Times

2010-11-27T16:06:00.006-05:00

Returned back from the show last Sunday night, but headed straight into holiday planning as soon as I woke on Monday. I'm finally coming up for air.

I didn't pay for internet access at the show, too expensive and not necessary. Turns out I didn't have free internet at the hotel either. But frankly, I was too tired to do anything more than eat and sleep anyway.

Many of you have wondered how the show went. As always, it was a mix. I was pleased with my booth and the buying crowd wasn't all that bad. Most exhibitors felt that breaking even was a good number for a first time show. Richard did a great job promoting it. He also jazzed the show up by having many demonstrations and even some drawing sessions with models. He is looking to put a committee of artists together to help plan for next years' show.

If anything, I came away with an acute understanding of how very important merchandising and salesmanship are. Of course, I have always known this. But this show really brought those realities home for me. I'm just not a salesman. I try. But I'm too shy about it. I simply get tired of talking. Three days chatting it up from 10am to 7pm seems to not be in my realm of skill sets. I hate admitting a failing. But it is well over due. I have to either stop doing retail shows, or make sure to hire a good salesperson to come with me. The cost of the salesperson should make itself over several times. I did however, certainly see an increase of traffic to my website during and after the show. Always a good sign.

The next scheduled show is the Rosen wholesale show in Philly. I'm looking forward to this one. My job between now and February is to work on the book and make samples. Yahoo!. Although I am planning a holiday sale at the studio. Probably on the 12th. I'm trying to get a few more artists to set up shop with me. And there is always teaching. Looks like I have enough students to run another surface design class.

Also, two fellows from the show will be coming up to take my dyeing workshop in January. I'm looking forward to that as well.

Snowing this afternoon in Western MA. Simply beautiful.

2010-11-18T22:57:00.005-05:00

Bye bye Lacey.

Bye Fernanda.

Lunch at Glenwoods in Hamden, CT. The best burnt hot dogs around.

Made it to NY.

Crazy time unloading. Either wait literally 4 hours to have someone unload you. Or unload by hand without a dolly, carrying everything across the parking lot, then down a flight of defunct escalators.

Wow, are we ever tired. Just got back to the hotel. I believe its 10:00. Parking the car over night for $50. And why did I think I should do this show?? Plus, so far every women I have seen on the streets is wearing some combination of black and grey.

Here I am with all my sumptuous colors! Oh well, everything will look better in the morning.

Let's get started.

The girls, chatting it up by the ironing board.

More photos tomorrow.

The booth does look fabulous. I finally feel that it looks full with inventory

Good night to my sons. Good night all.

Off to NYC

2010-11-17T20:45:00.006-05:00

< charset="utf-8">So, I'm off to NYC to do the American Craft Show at the Jacob Javits Center this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the 19th, 20th and 21st. If you are in New York, please come to see me!

Booth #202

I've got over 150 hand dyed silk scarves for $35, and 40 hand dyed Velvet Twists that retail for $55. I'm taking Connie's silk rose pins too. They can be had for a mere $22.50.

Some of the scarves.

I took the plunge this week and splurged for a point and shoot camera. I realized that I don't take many pictures for this blog because I am reluctant to carry my good SLR camera around with me. If something were to happen to it I would be sunk. I need to keep it safely in the studio for taking pics of my work.

So.... here we are....

We decided to invest in a roof rack for my little box car. Alan is loading up the grids for my booth. It is looking like everything now fits in my car! Amazing really.

Here are the girls.

Loaded up

Thanks Alan.

New Scarves For Gift Giving

2010-10-24T19:45:00.013-04:00

Connie and I have been very busy creating beautiful, hand dyed silk scarves for the perfect gift giving occasion. Sizes range from 6" x 40" to 8" x 45". All are priced at an affordable $35, to satisfy even the tightest budget this holiday season.

You can purchase them in Massachusetts at the following locations:

Salmon Falls Artisan Gallery in Shelburne Falls,

Skera Gallery in Northampton,

The Holiday Gift Show taking place at Greenfield High School, Friday Nov. 5th from 6 - 9pm and on Sat. Nov. 6th from 10am - 4pm. All proceeds go towards the Strings for Kids Program in the public schools.

They will also be available in NYC at

The American Craft Show Nov. 19, 20 and 21

And of course, one can always stop in at the studio showroom in downtown Greenfield.

Dyeing with MX Fiber Reactive Dyes Workshop

2010-10-19T21:21:00.016-04:00

I had a really awesome Columbus Day weekend teaching a dyeing workshop at the CherScapes Downtown Fiber Arts Studio.

With such a small group, everyone came away with an impressive stack of samples.

Aren't they gorgeous?!

Dyed Rayon by Merry Lein

Dyed cotton by Merry Lein

Rayon dyed by Merry Lein

Rayon dyed by Gail Tease

Cotton dyed by Gail Tease

All of these pieces of cloth were dyed using Procion MX Fiber Reactive dyes.

Some of them were dyed in a one-step process by using multiple colors at one time, in a shallow tray. Others were dyed and over dyed several times by immersing it in several gallons of a dye, salt and soda ash solution. The patterns were achieved by folding the fabrics before each dyeing process. Its a blast!

If you have an interest in taking this workshop contact the studio.

We'll be offering it again soon. Class size will never be more than 6.

This is Merry Lein figuring out her next color move.

2010-08-15T09:15:00.008-04:00

I'm getting ready to do my first wholesale show on the 21 of this month. I'll be in Baltimore for the Rosen show. I am sharing a 10 by 15 foot booth with 2 other artists. We'll share the ride down and hotel fees. So it will not be a wildly expensive venture. Thank goodness.

I've been working hard. Doing a lot of overtime, trying to think about my product in a different way.

Today is Sunday morning. The boys are in Boulder with my Dad anad Step Mom. Alan is busy at home, fixing up his new music room (my old home based studio). I am in the studio and enjoying every minute of it.

I love being in the studio on Sundays, when only ghosts are in town. I feel like I have steeled away. I'm finishing up the last of the 50 beaded and gathered shawls I designed a few weeks ago. I am calling it the "Silk Embrace". Actually, all the beading will happen tomorrow and on Tuesday. Today, I will also start dying silk velvet and silk charmeuse for a new scarf I am calling the "Velvet Twist".

The studio is a disaster!! Clean up is scheduled for tomorrow morning! I have friends coming to help with the beading, so I had better get my act together.

News

2010-08-09T10:49:00.006-04:00

So much has happened since my last post.

I've been to the Maine coast for a week with my family.

I love the wide open expanse of the shoreline and the sea. It brings me optimism and the renewed ability to breathe deep and sure. I love bearing witness to the interchange of play, reading and boredom between my boys. I love the sea at night, the waves lulling me to sleep at the end of the day and pulling me to rise up again in the morning. I love sleepy morning coffee with good friends, and my toes in the cold ocean water.

And I love the trip home, to the dogs, and the woods of Western Mass at the end of the week.

New Work

2010-06-10T10:31:00.005-04:00

This is one of my latest pieces of wearable art. It is made from a very light weight china silk. I started with a 3 yard piece of fabric that was stretched on a frame. I then painted it with Setasilk textile paints.

The funny thing about this piece is that it all happen accidentally. I usually buy my spray bottles from Prochemical and Dye along with textile paints and dyes. The bottle I was familiar with was sold out. So I ordered something different. When I first started spraying, I was aghast that it was a dribbler!!

Of course I hadn't tried it out beforehand on a scrap piece of fabric. Not wanting to be wasteful, and always working with the assumption that if it is already bad, I might as well keep going, since there was nothing to loose, I continued.

Low and behold the dribble method of spraying created this wonderful effect. The secret was to wait very patiently for each layer to dry, before spraying on another layer of color. I also used a silk flower as a resist throughout the layers. Moving the resist around between layers created a lovely "ghost" image of the flower.The final step was to add the blue and pink foil.

I have gotten wonderful reactions to the jacket. It has been refereed to as my "Monet" or "Gustaf Klimt" jacket. People love the easy fit to this pattern. It was created by inserting large gussets in the side seams. With no button closer, it has the freedom to float around and behind your body as you walk. Very fun and luxurious!

I'll be bringing it with me to the Berkshire Arts Festival in Great Barrington, MA this July 2, 3, and 4. It is always a beautiful weekend to be in the Berkshires. I'd love to see you there!

Nuno Felting with Sue McFarland

2010-06-04T17:48:00.006-04:00

Two weekends ago Sue McFarland held a one day Nuno Felting workshop at the CherScapes Studio. I adore all the teaching I have been doing since opening the studio this past January. But I also love being able to take workshops here as well.

Sue is a great teacher. Her explanation as to how the process of felting actually happens was totally visual and easy to grasp. It was an aha moment as she held up two pine cones that had not yet opened. Explaining how a strand of wool was like the pine cone, and that during the felting process strands of wool would get entangled together, the same way the pine cones would attach to each other if their unopened seed pods were linked together.

Although I haven't quite figured out how the felting process will get incorporated into my wearable art collection, I do love it. It is such a sensory process. The wool and silk, the soap and the rhythm.

Here is a photo of the scarf I made. And even though it is an accessory to wear in colder weather, I guess I couldn't get spring and summer out of my palette choice.

I can envision this scarf as the front of a jacket. Whether the body of the jacket is felted or not, I can't say. But the images are definitely percolating in my brain.

2010-05-27T21:38:00.005-04:00

No power at the house today due to a late night storm that blew over many trees!

But it was a sweet day none-the-less.

My son August turned 17 today, which I find simply amazing. And in spite of the fact that it was his birthday, he helped me set up my booth at the fair. He has a great eye and an abundance of patience. Later we picked up his girlfriend Megan. Then met up with the rest of the family for dinner.

After the festivities were over and Megan was safely home, it was just Gus and I driving through the woods of Williamsburg and Whatley, a big harvest moon above the trees and the peepers singing their nightly song, Cold Play was on the radio and life seemed just perfect.

Good night all.

2010-05-26T11:02:00.007-04:00

I am very busy getting ready to do the Paradise City Art Festival here in Northampton, MA., this coming Memorial Day weekend. I think that if the show were to start tomorrow, I could easily go with what I have for inventory. This is the very first time I have been able to say that. I guess there is progress after all.

The other day my good friend Bruce Kahn http://www.brucekahn.net stopped by the studio. We have had a standing arrangement for years - he helps me with computer questions and photoshop stuff, in exchange for printing his photos off my Epson R2400 Printer. It's a great deal for both of us. I always enjoy stepping out of my own vision as an artist into someone else's. This is one of his photos. Enjoy.

See you at the Paradise!

Embroidery with kids at the studio

2010-05-19T21:21:00.007-04:00

Wednesday afternoon I run a kids' fiber art class at the CherScapes Fiber Studio in the afternoon. Right now I have 3 girls ages 9-12. We have painted on cotton and silk, silk screened on fabric and worked with mono printing. Last week they started to make a fabric collage using some of the pieces they had previously painted. Then I introduced embroidery to them. Two of them are working on a butterfly, the other choose an image of a humming bird.

Shortly after they sat down today with their embroidery hoops, needles and thread a magical thing happened. They began telling stories and singing. It was absolutely lovely.

After having a conversation with one of the mothers, we realized that the girls were no different than any other group of women who sit down to knit or quilt together. Within the meditative rhythm of stitching side by side, a bond of intimacy is formed, stories emerge...and in this case, their voices rose up in song.

Everyone was sad when the class came to an end, including me.

2010-05-18T16:52:00.004-04:00

My youngest son Brook and I spotted a pileated woodpecker just a couple of yards away from us, as we drove out on the Northfield Mt Hermon campus this morning. He was just beautiful. We were able to just sit and watch for at least 5 minutes. A gift from the universe.

Today, in the studio, I finished up this new vest I have been working on. It continues to amaze me how my work, even as clothing, evolves. I start with plans, dreams and a pattern. But just like the paper collages and the art quilts, the piece seems to have a mind of its own. Design ideas, motifs and colors come to mind as I am working. And of course, construction problems arise that need to be solved. This is a process I adore. I love not really knowing how a piece will turn out until it is finished.

Quilter's Connection

2010-05-14T15:23:00.006-04:00

Time just marches on while I work hard running the studio, and making inventory for the next show.

This past March I had the wonderful opportunity to conduct a workshop for the Quilters Connection in Watertown, MA. This is one of the oldest quilting guilds around. It was founded in 1977 and now boasts 400 members, with a waiting list that could take up to 4 years before you get in. They were an absolutely delightful group of people to work with.

When they contracted me the year before, they requested that I give a workshop that somehow related to my own wearable art pieces. I decided to show them several ways to embellish their store bought scraps of fabric from previous projects, then use those scraps to make themselves a simple vest.

As I was working out the details of the workshop by making a sample vest, I decided that I too would use pieces of store bought fabric. I also decided to limit myself to using only cotton, because that is what quilters usually use. It turned out to be a great exercise for me as well!

It had been quite awhile since I had worked with cotton. I remember an old stitching friend of mine had said that cotton practically puts itself together. I had to admit that after sewing with silk charmeuse for over 10 years, she was right!

In the end I did use one of my fabrics (just couldn't help myself!). But the rest were bought at my local fabric store. I started the vest in much the same way I used to make my paper collages. I cut my base fabric, using the same pattern I provided the group with. I also cut my lining from the same fabric. I sewed the side seams of the vest together. Then I laid out the vest flat on my table.

I began moving bits of the smaller pieces of fabric around, trying to find how the pieces fit together. I have always told people that collages (be they paper or fabric) are like making a jig saw puzzle, just without knowing what it looks like beforehand. I really pushed myself to not make an all over pattern. So instead I focused on a motif. I fused the applique pieces down before zig zagging around them. I also took out my stamps, stencils, spray bottles and Profab textile paints. Once the design was complete I stitched the shoulder seams on both the vest and lining. With right sides together I stitched along the hem. Then used bias strips to finish off the neckline and armholes, just like a quilter.

After finding some great buttons, I was pleased with the piece in the end, and definitely plan on working with cotton again!

I should also say that part of my workshop was to do a presentation. But unfortunately I was not able to figure out how to upload my slideshow from iphoto to their projector. So I am including it here, along with photos of my vest and the workshop. The slide show shows my progression as an artist, starting with the work I produced after attending The School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

Thank you Quilters Connection. I had a great time!

One of a Kind Show New York 2009

2009-12-22T09:48:00.005-05:00

Back from the One of a kind Show in New York City last week. It was so very cold! But as we walked through Columbus Circle every evening with the Christmas lights twinkling overhead and our steamy breath lingering in front of us it was magic. The show itself didn't bring many sales, but I understood from the start that it was going to be an information gathering show more than any thing else. Between the early morning seminars the show offered every day, and the wealth of information and ideas my seasoned booth neighbors offered, I feel it was definitely time well spent. The most informative seminars were one presented by a group called Hello Craft and one by Bruce Baker who talked about booth design and salesmanship!! Later he visited the booths of artists who were interested in a personal critique. All very, very helpful. The show also held daily fashion shows with real models, a runway and speaker. It was so exciting to see my clothing in that context.

2009-10-19T12:53:00.000-04:00

Okay everyone I am back!

Life has been a whirlwind with my 2 youngest sons now going to different schools. With that said, my other very big and exciting distraction has been preparing for the opening of my new 1600 sq. ft. fiber art studio in downtown Greenfield, MA! I will be producing my wearable art collection there, as well as all the other art projects I manage to get myself involved in. I will also be hosting fiber art classes in the 600 sq. ft. classroom. I already have a great line up of teachers including Susan Loring Wells the former director of the Fiber Arts Center in Amherst, MA and Christine Copeland the former owner of Northern Woolies in Greenfield, MA. I will also be continuing with the work I did for 2 years at Linden Hill School in Northfield, MA teaching art to kids with learning differences.

Saying goodbye to my studio at home does come with some sadness though. I won’t be able to work in my pjs any more. I won’t have all my four legged friends to happily climb and trip over. I won’t have an incredible view of West Mountain as it changes for each incredible New England season. And I won’t have my garden to escape too. But I will finally be able to make a division between the business of art making and doing the family laundry! I will go from no sink in the studio to 3! I will not have to clean the kitchen before and after dying fabric. I will have two 9’ tables to work on fabric, not to mention my drafting table and a cutting table. And I will have a space that I can fill with the energy of my fellow fiber artists.

Moving in date is set for the 8^th and 9^th of November. Classes will begin soon after that. For a complete list of the classes being offered so far, go to the CherScapes web site.

December 12th, 13th and 14th I will be in New York City manning my booth at the One of a Kind Show. This will be my first time out in the world with my clothing. Wish me luck!

"The Offering"

2009-06-04T19:14:00.005-04:00

This piece is one in a series of 3. It was originally one large piece measuring approx. 66" x 43". I struggled with it for a long time. One day it dawned on me that it needed to be 3 separate pieces. The funny story about this is that just after I had made my decision to take a scissors to it, my son Gus walked into the studio and said, "You know Mom, I think that needs to be cut into thirds." I kid you not. The other two sections are not quite finished yet. But I thought I would post this one anyway.

Pablo Picasso

2009-05-27T15:48:00.001-04:00

"When I was four, I could draw as well as Raphael. It has taken me my whole life to learn to draw like a four-year-old child."

New Work

2009-05-23T18:19:00.007-04:00

I have started painting these small (approx. 12" x 5",) acrylic and metal leaf pieces on foam core. I like the movement in the piece and the marks. I am trying to paint them quickly or rather with gesture. I want them to appear spontaneous – without labor - I see them as dance. Again, I am trying to push beyond the square and controlled lines that have been present throughout my work, over many years. I see these ultimately working in well with the fiber work. Either printing the image on fabric or, if it is a wall piece, maybe I'll start incorporating paper in with the fabric. The marks could easily be worked in as yarn, not unlike the figure collage I did several years ago called “Firewall”.

Full Moon Rising

2009-05-17T09:00:00.002-04:00

Old Ochard Beach, Maine 2008

Found in Nature

2009-05-15T10:28:00.003-04:00

Plant life from southern California.

Wearables

2009-05-15T10:10:00.006-04:00

"Leona"

This is a hand made, unstructured, drop sleeve jacket using 100% rayon chalis that has been hand dyed and over dyed using MX reactive dyes, painted with leaves using pro-chem textile paints and stitched with hand dyed silk noil squares.

Of all the wearable art pieces I have made so far, this is perhaps my favorite. It amazes me that I have continued to be inspired by plant life for decades. And of couse, the image of a square in my work has been around for almost as long. At one time I worried that this was a clear sign of being visually stuck. However, it seems that as I get older, I worry less about the things I can't seem to explain and trust in the process more. I have discovered that entrenching myself in a new medium, has helped enormously in pushing my tried and true boundaries beyond any confort level I may have been working in.

The Beginning

2009-05-15T09:09:00.006-04:00

The journey of having, posting and keeping an artist blog began in 2008. At that time is was unclear to me what I would write about, or how I would find the time. Journaling, along with its long list of rewards is not unfamiliar to me. Every morning as I wake, the hunger and need to write, hallows out the pit of my stomach, more than my body's need for coffee or even food. On the other hand, public journaling is far from familiar. Last year when my artist friend Diane Clancy (http://www.dianeclancy.com), helped me establish this blog site, I was overwhelmed. But now, with amazing clarity I know that the time is right. I understand, and embrace the fact that this blog is as much for you (whoever you may be), as it is for me. I understand that this will be the embodiment of who I am professionally, as a thinking, questioning and producing artist, as well as a writer and teacher of the arts. I imagine this blog to be the place where I will continue my joyful and sometimes painful musings about myself, my inspirations, goals and struggles, within the confines of my art process. I suppose that at times it might also encompass the other aspects of my life as a wife, mother, daughter and consumer etc. because, as with all artists, the boundaries between personal and professional are very often unclear and tangible. And so, this is what I can promise:

that I will write - in prose and sometimes poetry
that I will post images, of my own and others making, as well as of visual findings I come across during my daily travels
that by the act of writing this blog, I acknowledge and embrace the concept and actuality that everything set forth will be openly shared with all who have the desire to partake, and
that everything will be the truth, as only I can know it.

Your comments and musing will of course, always be welcome.

2009-05-13T21:19:00.000-04:00

Blog to start soon.