Maverick 12's

Today is the reveal day for the Twelve by Twelve group's latest theme, Maverick.  Once again, I did not create a "play-along" piece for this theme.  It was a pretty hard theme to think about and I had no ideas.  Plus, I had some other things on my mind.

But the Twelve x Twelve group has come up with some very interesting interpretations of the theme.  Take a look here.

Tomorrow I will tell you about the workshop I took this weekend.

Initial Point Gallery

In December, my friend, Kathleen Probst, and I will be having a two person exhibition entitled Textiles x Two at the Initial Point Gallery in Meridian, Idaho.  I had another two person exhibition in the space in 2010.  The other artist was assigned to share the space with me by the Meridian Arts Commission, which runs the gallery.

Last week, I went back to the space to get some measurements and refresh my memory.   It was a good thing because I have been thinking about creating a three dimensional piece that would hang from the ceiling and then saw that wasn't going to be possible.

Last time, we did not use any of the pedestals in the space.  Currently, they are using them for some ceramic pieces made by artist Helen Granger Wilson.  I am thinking that I could put a few small pieces on one because they are covered and would be secure.

Ceramic works by Helen Grainger Wilson

The two artists currently showing are Helen Grainger Wilson and Patricia Fennell.  Grainger Wilson has the ceramic pieces, as well as two dimensional artworks on the wall.  Patricia Fennell has watercolor paintings.

Back Light by Patricia Fennell

I'm excited for our exhibition in December and think Kathleen's and my artwork will complement each other's.  Now,  I just have to decide what will be in the show.

On My Desk

Fiber Artist Emily Barletta

I have a list of blogs I like to read.  One of them is written by Terry Jarrard-Dimond.  She often writes about other artists or art shows.  Recently, she talked about seeing the Art/Sewn exhibit at the Asheville Art Museum.  Terry listed several of her favorite artists from the show and provided links to their sites.

One of the links I followed from her blog introduced me to fiber artist, Emily Barletta.  Her art is amazing in its detail and amount of patience probably required to produce it.  The pieces I first came across and really liked were some works on paper, which are listed as her most recent works on her website.

Untitled (2), 2011 by Emily Barletta

18 x 24"

(pictures posted with permission of the artist)

These are all stitches on paper.  Having done quite a bit of hand stitching myself,  I can imagine how long these pieces must have taken. The work probably goes even slower than stitching on fabric because the hole first has to be made in the paper and then care taken to make sure the paper doesn't tear or buckle while stitching.  This piece reminds me of hieroglyphics.

Barletta's signature color seems to be red, but there are several pieces with more subtle, neutral colors. 

Untitled (24), 2012 by Emily Barletta

14.25 x 15.75"

The above artwork almost makes me want to take up cross stitching again.  I like how the x's are varied in size in some areas to create more movement in the lines and give it a more organic feel.

Many of Barletta's other artworks are more dimensional and textural in nature by using crochet stitching and yarn.

Spill, 2006 by Emily Barletta

33 x 50 x 2"

I hope someday I can see some of Emily Barletta's work in person.  I'm sure the detail could be even more appreciated in person.

More Color Blocks

I just had to make another one. (Still ignoring the to-do list.) Sometimes it's just easier to make another piece than to put the fused fabric scraps away.

This piece still needs the stitching as well.  It will get trimmed down on the sides.  I like the rhythm in this one.

I'm creating a backlog of stitching for myself.  That's o.k.

I think the pieces will all look a little different whenever I do get around to the stitching.

Rebelling

Yesterday morning I found out that I have to have an extra week of radiation that I didn't know about.  Apparently when they told me six weeks, that was just the general idea and it can vary (wish they would explain that to the patient).  I've been crossing off days and counting down.

I was all mentally prepared for my last day to be next Monday.  It was quite a shock to find out otherwise.  I was not happy.  I came home and was in a funk.  I didn't feel like doing anything.  I am already physically tired every day now, but in addition, I was mentally tired.

I wanted to just go back to bed and stay there all day.  But that wouldn't do me any good.  I could just read my book I need to finish for book club.  However, it isn't my favorite and I didn't feel like doing that.  It was too smoky outside to veg on the hammock.

A to-do list is always waiting for me each day, but I wasn't in the mood.  Instead, I decided to rebel against all the things that needed to be done and "played" instead.   Call it art therapy, if you will.  I went to my sewing studio, pulled out some fabrics that were already fused and started a new artwork.

When I make these small fused pieces, I don't start out with any ideas.  I just get some colors together and then start cutting and arranging shapes.  In the morning, I got one piece put together.  It still needs the machine stitching and maybe some hand stitching.

Later, a delivery guy came to drop off decking material.  Since he was by himself, I helped him unload the boxes. Afterward, I was even more wiped out and instead of returning to my to-do list.  I went back into the studio and fused another piece.  It also still needs machine and maybe hand stitching.

Can you guess which piece I did in the morning and which in the afternoon?

It is interesting how my mood affected these pieces (in a subconscious way).  I think it is obvious the first one is the one I made in the morning.  It is kind of dark and dynamic with a strong red. There are some angles and sharp points (that might have come from some anger, perhaps). Changes in line direction create drama.

The second one was created in the afternoon after I had some time to calm down after my unpleasant news.  The colors are softer.  Lines are flowing and shapes are curved.  Repeated horizontal lines create a calmer effect.

I was not thinking of any of these things when I was making the pieces.  I was just intuitively cutting and placing, thinking about design elements.

Now, I might have to set these aside for awhile and get back to "the list."  Or maybe make a few more.

Artist Interview

At my artist reception last week, one of the BSU students working on the student newspaper (and online site) interviewed me about my artwork.

She sent me a link to the online article here.  It was interesting to read, as she took the perspective of not many students coming to the event.  I liked hearing what the couple of students who did show up had to say about it.

BSU art students are very fortunate to have so much art available to view within walking distance of them.  There is the space where Color Fields is currently hanging.  In the same building at the other end  is another gallery type space.  There is a gallery space in the Liberal Arts building as well as the Hemingway Center.  If that wasn't enough, they could walk across the bridge, over the river, to the Boise Art Museum.  And if they still didn't have enough inspiration, they could go to any of the galleries or other places downtown to view art (lots of public art).  They should take advantage of it.

I went to college in a small town.  There was one gallery on campus and I can't recall that there was any in town within walking distance.

Urban Landscape

Here is a piece that I made about a month or two ago for someone who requested it.  It is called Urban Landscape II.  It is very similar to a piece I made several years ago called Urban Landscape, which was sold.  That artwork was part of a series of four which also included Wilderness, Rural Landscape and Suburban Landscape.  Urban Landscape II now resides with the other three pieces in the series to make it complete.  I am happy they are all together in a good home.

Urban Landscape II 

machine pieced, fused appliqué,

hand embroidery, machine quilted

©2012 Lisa Flowers Ross

Sold

Here is a detail of the hand embroidery.

Urban Landscape

machine pieced, fused appliqué,

hand embroidery, machine quilted

©2009 Lisa Flowers Ross

Sold

I think this series was what started me stitching the hand embroidered "circle trees" motif, which I have used in some other pieces since then.  They will continue to show up in my artwork.  You can tell I was a little more optimistic in Urban Landscape II by adding a few more trees in the city.

Two Firsts

As we get older and acquire more experiences, there aren't as many "firsts" in our lives.  But yesterday I experienced two.

My friend, from California, was in town visiting and I had made an appointment for both of us to have foot massages in the morning.  I have never had a foot massage, or a professional massage of any kind. So this was a first.  It was nice and weird at the same time.  I will consider going back.

In the late afternoon, we attended the artist reception for my exhibition, entitled Color Fields, at the Boise State University Special Events Center.  It is my first solo exhibition (and solo artist reception).

BSU provided some nice refreshments and did everything to prepare for the event.  I just had to show up.  There was a great turnout.  Mostly people I already know, but I also met a few new people as well.  I think I talked for two hours straight, which is a lot for me (except for when a good, old friend who I don't see very often is visiting).

It was good, but this morning I was exhausted.  I had taken my camera with me, but I did not have any time to take pictures.  However, some of my friends did.  The exhibition is up until January.

Plum Crazy

I have a plethora of purple prune plums to pit and process.

They look silvery from the reflections when you first put them in water. Very cool.

Art in the Park

The Art in the Park event was held this past weekend.  We rode our bikes down Saturday to check out the goods.

I thought these cabinets made from recycled items were nice.

This was an interesting idea to build your own sculpture (by stacking different ceramic pieces). I think they could have taken the idea even further.

You never know who's going to show up.

SAQA Auction

The Studio Art Quilt Associates' benefit auction started today.  You can view the first group up for bids here.  All the artwork is 12 x 12".  If you want to place a bid, be sure to read how the auction works.  The price goes down every couple of days.  But if you wait too long, someone else might get the piece before you.

There are several different groups starting at different times.  So if you miss out on something in the first group, you can try again in another group.

For example, here is a piece in the first group that I liked and it has already sold.

Fantastical Garden by Gillian Moss

The piece that I donated is going to be for auction at the International Quilt Festival in Houston.  You can view it online (look at one of the small lines at the beginning of the page) but you have to be there in person to bid on it.

Stitching

Here is a detail of some of the free motion stitching on the piece I was working on last week.

Ketchum Cover Art

Terry asked this about my design for the Ketchum utility box:
"Is the skin for the utility box a photograph of the piece? Just wondering if the stitching shows on it. I hope it does!"

Yes, the vinyl wrap for the box is made from a photograph of the artwork.  I think you can tell from this photo a co-worker of Frank's took that the stitching does show up.

Maybe it will be a little more noticeable in the winter.  

Long Weekend

We have a long weekend coming up.  Anna has plans to go rafting with a friend.  Frank might be heading out of town for a business trip.  My plan is to continue working on art.  So I won't be going anywhere.

If you happen to be traveling and stopping in Ketchum, you could check out the dedication of four new designs on utility boxes there.  One of those designs is mine.  There will be a ceremony on Monday, Sept. 3 at 1 p.m. in the town square.

Here is the design I did for the box.  It is called Sun Spots (which I liked since it is in Sun Valley).

Here is a detail of some of the free motion stitching.  There is a lot of stitching on this piece.

Someday I hope to get up to Ketchum to see how the boxed turned out for myself.

Relaxing

I went to my yoga class for the first time this week since my surgery.  We had a substitute and only one other person was there besides me.  At the end of class, we did shivasana as usual for about 5-10 minutes.

Afterward, our instructor said he has heard some people say that shivasana doesn't even really start until after 20 minutes (we don't have a long enough class for that).  He also felt that in our society we don't allow ourselves enough time to relax.  (And we are talking relaxing to benefit mind/body as opposed to just wasting time.)

I know with my type A personality, along with our culture, this is so true.  Does our culture perceive us as being lazy if we are not constantly working on something?  Even when we are ill, we take some medicine and get back to work.

I know I'm am guilty of this.  Even though I was resting my body after my lumpectomy, my mind was wondering when I would be able to get back to doing my normal things and working on my art.

Even now as I am going through radiation treatments, I sometimes feel tired but still have deadlines to meet.  Why is it so hard to allow ourselves time to relax and rejuvenate our mind and body (or is it just me)?

With that in mind, yesterday I spent some time relaxing outside on the hammock after having done my free motion stitching for several hours.  Here are some views from my hammock.

What do you do to relax?  How often do you allow yourself to relax?

The Artist is Working

It's been good to get back into the studio and start working on some artwork again.  Usually, I like to work on one piece at a time.  Occasionally, I will be working on more than one at a time.   But now, there several pieces in different states of completion on the design wall.

Concurrently, I am working on two pieces because they are using the same techniques.  I thought it would be more efficient to do each step on both pieces at the same time.  I am currently working on the free motion stitching on the first, while the other is on the wall patiently waiting it's turn for the free motion stitching.  If they turn out o.k., they will be entered in the Quilt National show for which the deadline is approaching quickly.

I have a completely unrelated artwork in progress on the wall. It has been partially pieced since before our trip to Scotland.  It does not have high priority, so it will remain on the wall for some time.

Here is another artwork that has been pieced since before our trip, but it still needs some work.  I'm trying to figure out if I want to un-sewn some parts and add in more warm colors.  Of if I just want to cut it up and try to rearrange it into something else (that's a little more risky).

I turned it vertical on the wall and liked that better.  I will probably work with it in that direction when I get back to it.  This is also a low priority piece.

After I finish the two for QN, I have another piece I would like to work on for another entry deadline that is actually before the QN one.  I hope I have time to make it.  Then, I have a commission piece I need to start.

I guess I better get to work.

Indigo

This week I went to a friend's place to try indigo dyeing for the first time.  It is much different than dyeing with the Procion dyes that I normally use.  You have to have a warm vat (container) to dip the material in and you have to keep the different variables somewhat balanced.

Also, if you want a dark color, you need to do repeated dippings to build up the color.  The liquid is suppose to be yellow greenish in color.  Ours was more on the green side.  Below is some yarn soaking in the vat.

What's so interesting about the indigo technique is that the material comes out of the vat green and then as it is exposed to air, it changes to the blue color.  Below Mary has just taken the yarn out of the vat.

 The same yarn after a few minutes of being exposed to air.  I can't remember if this was the first dipping of this yarn.  For the fabric, the color would be much lighter.

Here are some of the pieces I did, after they have been rinsed and washed (just ignore the shadow on the fabric).  I see that I could have done a few more dippings in the vat to get an even darker blue.  The thread got darker more easily.  You probably can't tell from the picture, but the two thread holders at the bottom have variegated thread I dyed.

To experiment, I took one piece of fabric, folded it in half and then pleated it.  I held it together with rubber bands.  This is what it looks like.  I think it would be interesting to try smaller pleats.

I also had a piece of blue-green fabric on which I had sewn rows of long running stitches in a kind of wavy pattern.  The stitches were pulled tight to crunch up the fabric. I think a few more dips in the vat to make the color darker would have created more contrast.

I also tried over dyeing a pink piece of fabric to see if it would go violet.  Hmm, kind of.

I definitely have more to learn about perfecting the technique, but it was lots of fun.

Rainbow of Color

Last week I managed to do my annual dyeing of fabric.  Now I have a new rainbow of color.

Published?

I've created a book based on my Color Fields series.  It is self-published since I used Shutterfly to make it.  I have one copy of the book.  Does that mean it's published?

Last Christmas, I received a Wacom Bamboo drawing pad for my laptop as a gift.  Inside the box was a coupon for a free book from Shutterfly.  I thought I would use it sometime to see how the printing looked.  We have used Blurb for one project.

Before we left on our trip to Scotland, I realized that the coupon would expire while we were away. So with about two days before the trip, I sat down to create the book on their site.  I knew I wanted to do a "catalog" of my Color Fields pieces and I needed to do it simply since there wasn't much time.

I was fortunate enough that the amount of free pages (without having to pay extra) was just enough.  I was able to put one artwork on each page, have a title page and a page with a little bit of explanation about the series.  I put the pieces in numerical order.

I had to get the 8 x 8" version in a hard back to use the coupon.  I did have to pay shipping, so it wasn't totally free.  I think it turned out pretty well.

Now, I'm trying to decide if I want to bring it to the opening reception of my Color Fields exhibition at the Boise State University Special Events Center on Sept. 13 from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. (If you want to get information for events like this that I may not always announce here, you can sign up for my quarterly newsletter and announcements here.)

The exhibition only has a selection of the series.  The book shows all the pieces.  I'm not interested in trying to sell copies of the book because they would be too expensive.  However, it would be nice to be able to show people the entire series.  But I also don't want it to "walk away."

Here is the front cover.

Title Page.

Binding Edge.

And a couple of inside pages.