2 down, 6 to go . . .

I've been working on the first three modules two of which are more or less done and pinned up.  You can see the outlines of the rest of them.  I have a really strong connecting device in mind which will tie them all together.   That BIG REVEAL will not happen until the last of the eight units is done.  Remember to click on any photo you'd like to see in detail.

Yellow? Did someone say, "Yellow?"

Working on the the first Chroma piece.  Designing is done!  Many of the components are done.  Now it's time to start stitching.  I've divided the piece into 8 units and am starting with #5 for no particular reason.   Here are some of the goodies I've been rusting, dyeing, painting and otherwise creating.   The more specific symbolic items will work their way in once the ground is established.

Memories of Big Sur

This is a tapestry which I've brought out of storage.  Airing and cleaning. 

My SOLO Exhibition. Please come if you are nearby!!

20 of my art quilts will be on display.

Still Experimenting

Beginning to combine various experimental elements for the first of the Chroma panels. I have been thinking very literally about the symbols and images I want to include. Now I'm thinking more along the lines of a path, trail, road leading the eye to various more subtle elements. I've randomly pinned up some of the studies to a small design wall. Next I'll try an idea I have of adding in that visual trail to connect them.

In the Garden

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We did some serious planting of veggies this morning then I went out and took photos of what is already there: amaryllis and a shot of the pond in its spring glory. All 20 fish overwintered just fine including the four babies that hatched last summer.

Artist of the Month

I am currently the featured Artist of the Month on the Southern California/Hawaii Surface Design Association's blog. Please check it out as there are several photos of pieces from my Fierce Winds series: socalhawaiisda.blogspot.com

Chroma Studies

The yellow piece I posted last week is the second of the studies for what I hope will be a series of panels in conversation with one of my favorite things: color. Here are the first and third studies as well. The first is hand embroidered on black felt. The third looks quite a bit like the second but is actually entirely different. It is not on Timtex so is not stiff. It's cotton bonded to felt and then embroidered, appliqued and painted. It is the technique I've settled upon for the first actual panel. I need to get a couple of large pieces of insulation to use as a design wall up in the annex before I start - hoping for next week.

Really done this time!

Here are a couple of items I've posted previously but this time they really are done! The red quilt is called Gram Hava, one more in my Fierce Wind series - this one from the Indian subcontinent. The yellow piece is one of the trials I've been developing for the start of the Chroma series. I am now doing the fourth of these and will be ready to begin the actual piece as I have resolved a lot of questions about how to proceed. Much more on that anon!

Best of Artists' latest book NOW Available

I was approached about 6 months ago by this publisher about having two pieces of my work included in their next Worldwide Abstract and Mixed Media volume. I checked to be sure they were legit - they are and are a serious art publishing company. Well the book drops in a couple of weeks. Lots of variety in the book including some great tapestry weaving! Sorry about how long this address is. I'm on pages 140-142. Please check it out: http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1w49r/BestOfWorldwideAbstr/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http://free.yudu.com/item/details/496113/Best-Of-Worldwide-Abstract---Mixed-Media-Artists-Volume-II&utm_source=streamsend&utm_medium=email&utm_content=15901835&utm_campaign=Announcing%20the%20Best%20Of%20Artists%20Presents%20Worldwide%20Abstract%20%26%20MIxed%20Media%20Volume%20II

Almost Done

This panel is really taking shape. I'll do a bit more gilding and burning but the paint is pretty much as I want it. Can't wait to try something similar on a lighter more flexible ground.

Adding Color

I've added a variety of yellow paints trapping and integrating the tissue and kozo more thoroughly. The white is some additional gesso - still wet - used to secure fibers.

Adding Texture

Another experiment with some of Maggie Grey's techniques. This time I'm following her suggestion of adding soaked kozo (pounded mulberry bark) at the gesso stage. I've thrown on a bit of kosher salt to pock it up a bit more. I am also going to try using abaca paper, burlap and dry wall tape as they each offer a slightly different texture. I used a lot less gesso this time and thicker tissue paper. It's based on Timtex which is very thick though easily needled. Next time I'm going to use a lighter ground.

New Bed Quilt

Who said quilts are just for hanging on walls??? They actually can be lain across beds for warmth - both visual and physical. I dyed the fabric in the bathtub and took it to the local long arm quilter. We're going to sleep under it tonight for the first time. There's wool batting so it is light weight but should be warm enough for a blustery 70 degree southern CA March day.

Watts Towers

Besides seeing The Rock being delivered to the LA County Museum of Art and visiting the Chen Gallery's monumental collection of ancient Chinese art at the SunRider Headquarters this weekend, we went to the Watts Towers built by Simon Rodia early in the 20th Century. It is in a lovely little park with a great info center, a sweet tour guide and a youth art complex. The houses across the street have mostly been decorated in artsy ways to reflect the neighborhood vibe. The tiled complex is constructed in the shape of a sailing vessel headed due east back to Rodia's youth in southern Italy. All done by hand by one driven man. Highly recommended for next time you're in LA.

Fashionista!

Here's Cynthia Catlin modeling my coat. I wove the wool fabric in the Theo Mormon technique so I could include shots of other colors, and I hooked the pockets. June Hiatt stitched it all together. I wore it last weekend in Philadelphia - something I almost never get to do in Southern CA. Cynthia will be wearing it this weekend when she goes for a surprise visit for her dad's 80th birthday in Ohio.

DONE!

As yet unnamed, the piece is done. I have done more burning, stitched and couched yarns and floss, and done some final painting to integrate it all. Any suggestions for a title??

Painted

It's starting to take on real character. I have painted the piece with many different blue, green and metallic acrylic paints. You will notice the edges have been burnt and a bit of the interior has also been burnt away with the heat tool. Because there are so many layers built up on the already very stiff Timtex the overall piece is quite hard, not flexible at all. I selected these colors because I'm still looking for the ideal way to represent both the Chihuly glass and glaciers. This is getting a bit closer than anything else I've attempted so far.

With First Layer of Color

I used various inks to put in the first color and dissolve the salt to pock the surface. I think the cement medium was not such a good idea though I can get a needle through it. Next time I'll use the heavy body gesso as she recommends.

Inspired by Maggie Grey

I'm doing an experiment with the first series of techniques from Grey's book. At this point I have applied Wonder Under to Timtex, ironed tissue paper over some areas and then applied very heavy gesso and a bit of "cement" medium plus a smattering of coarse salt. It will be drying over night.

Favorite Book (of the Moment)

If you've been following my blog for awhile you are aware that I am a huge fan of the contemporary British needleworkers. I've studied with Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn for a week on three occasions and read and collect everything that I can get my hands on in this vein. My latest find, published in 2008, (how did it take me four years to find this???) is this gem from Maggie Grey who is in the pantheon of these embroiderers. Here she layers gesso upon Tyvek, upon felt upon paint and MUCH else, zaps it all with heat and magically creates the most wonderful textile art. No, I'm not getting a commission, sadly, but I do recommend this book to anyone who wants to push fiber into the world of deep texture and sparkling color. I'm playing around with some of these techniques and will post when I get some samples.

Off to FiberPhiladelphia for lots openings this weekend including Lines and Numbers at the Crane Old School Galleries where I have a piece - Harem - in the Art Cloth Network shows. Be there if you can!!