Brown (Needle Lace) in Art Cloth Network's exhibit UNBOUND

It's tough to make needle lace 4' long!   Will it have the strength to hold its own weight without pulling apart?  The answer is YES!!   Though truly transparent, this baby hangs beautifully.   The exhibit, Unbound, can be seen in La Conner, Washington, at the Pacific Northwest Museum of Quilts and Textiles,  from January 9 - March 24, 2019.  

 

 

Off to Elements

After Schwitters is winging its way to the Marin Society of Artists Gallery in San Rafael, California.  It was accepted in their juried show of work which references elements from the Periodic Table.  This piece has windows (yes, REAL windows) and collaged bits of copper, aluminum and bronze among many other items including paper and fiber.  Though not visible in these photos, the piece is beautifully framed by Colleen at Kathy's Gallery in Torrence, CA.   Opening reception is January 11 from 5-8 and the show is up until February 2.    Stop by if you are in the Bay Area or wine country!

 

 

Propulsion

Yes, I designed the fabric!    I also dyed and formed the 3D elements using dye sublimation (= heat = water-free).   I added the surface stitching. And those Evolon petals respond to a bit of breeze.  Fun!

 

Synapses

Synapses is built from synthetic fabrics I tied several hundred pie weights and other smallish but durable items into.  I then colored the fabric via a dye sublimation technique which I altered by boiling the fabric rather than steaming it.    I cut the fabrics apart, arranged them on a hand dyed ground and stitched and embroidered the elements into  place.  I wasn't happy with that dark green ground fabric so I cut away most of it leaving just the dimensional form.  What do do???  I pulled out a roll of garden netting and 6 layers later, voila!   Once the sleeve was in place the piece was finished. Kind of looks like the creepy, crawly things you might find on that garden netting if it were outside.

Torn Web

Using one of my ice-dyed fabrics as a substrate, I built the web from partially unwoven,  hand dyed cheese cloth.   I then appliqued "rosettes" of synthetics I'd colored by means of dye sublimation and appliqued the bundled strips.  Its creator - the spider - seems to have left the scene, possibly through those embroidered circles which lead, I think, to hidden passageways!

 

des Iles Flottantes

This cloud-like piece was made by tying well over 100 poker chips into the satin which I had dyed in this fabulous range of silvery grays and "steaming".  And by "steaming" I mean BOILING since I don't have a steamer.   Lots of experimentation beforehand!   Then, using the "wrong" side, I hand stitched pieces of my dyed cottons in the wells.   Wish I could sleep under this fluffy quilt but it's a bit too small  - only about 42" long.  It's called des Iles Flottantes after the dessert (meringue and creme anglaise) which was named for actual floating islands.

 

Heat Pressed

   Started working on the composition for a finished piece now.   Slicing and stitching!

On view at 76 Queen St. Gallery Sydney, Australia till Sept. 18

My piece is the last one in the lower right hand corner.   Please let me know if you attend and send photos!   The show will tour Australia for the next couple of years.

Gyre #8 on View

Untied!

 At this stage I like the back (wells instead of pooches) better.

 

 

Synthetics = Permanent Structure

Just spent a week at West Dean in Sussex, England, with Caroline Bartlett.   Amazing artist and great teacher (AKA "tutor' in the local parlance).  I don't have the  giant press nor the steamer, but have made due with an iimprovised steamer.   Here's the start of a project - just me and pie crust weights!!  Sublimation dye and LOTS of tying!

 

Final embroidery stitches are now going into ALCATRAZ VII

Then it will just need a backing to finish it off.  Should be done by the end of August!

 

On a Whole New Topic . . .

Suddenly went wild for color and designed this piece.   No stitching on it yet as I'm waiting for its "big brother" to be delivered.  I'm going to see how it looks 40" wide instead of the present 30".   Just hoping all the detail remains clear.  Still not sure if this is the preferred orientation.

 

Alcatraz #6 is Done

This was done from a paper collage I made, photographed and had printed on canvas.    I also had it printed on satin so that I could provide shine to areas I wanted to accentuate.    Lots of hand stitching on the applique and throughout the piece, especially to set the black and while areas off against each other.  Not a lot of paint on this one since it has the applied satin.

ALCATRAZ I

OOOOPS!!  Just noticed that Alcatraz I never got posted on the blog.  I'm working on the 6th piece in the series now.  My well Photoshopped photo from the prison printed, painted and stitched.   Water stains on cell walls and floor.

 

Alcatraz #5

A continuation of the  Incarceration series.   I took the photo (seriously rusted and weathered metal), Photoshopped it, sent it to be printed (thank you Spoonflower) and then began to work the canvas.  I painted using both oil and acrylic paints and plenty of inks.   Once I was happy with the color, I began to work with needle and floss, thread and lightweight yarns to emphasize the lights and darks. The light area on the lower left has been treated with 3 different kinds of sparkly paint.

Pond Algae!!

Yeah!   Real pond algae.  We pulled scads of it out of the pond in our garden and it is the most amazing fiber.  Gorgeous color, easily separated into strands.  This piece is a fish's view of the world above, or so I imagine.

 

 

Chroma Rehomed!!

This was a very special week at FiberFly Studios - my giant installation: Chroma (8 panels each 80" x 50")  found a permanent location at School on Wheels in Los Angeles.  With a grant from Elaine Lasnik Broida in support of the move, the pieces left Palos Verdes and are now happily installed in the headquarters of this fabulous nonprofit.  School on Wheels provides school supplies in backpacks and tutoring for thousands of homeless and foster children in Southern California.  The offices are now brightened by the arrival of Chroma.  To see the complete series including details, please go to        https://www.behance.net/gallery/23286415/CHROMA-Series-Jacobs-Ladder-by-Deborah-Weir

Here's the journey from storage to UP: