Sunday, February 24, 2013
Friday, February 22, 2013
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Daily Fabric Compositions
I cannot believe that three weeks of February have already passed by. I've been enjoying creating my daily fabric compositions in the morning before heading off to work at the art museum. It's time to get you caught up.
These will all eventually be squared up when finished.
These will all eventually be squared up when finished.
Daily fabric composition #21
Daily fabric composition #20
Daily fabric composition #19
Daily fabric composition #18
Daily fabric composition #17
Daily fabric composition #16
Daily fabric composition #15
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Sesqui Shop
I don't think I had ever heard the word "sesquicentennial" until this year. Because it is Boise's. The city has opened a shop for the year to hold events , sell stuff and have small exhibitions. They also have information about celebration activities throughout the year.
I have been there several times as I am taking an eight week workshop hosted by the city's Arts & History department about Public Art. We meet at the Sesqui shop once a week.
If you are in town, you should check out this month's exhibition of some of Pat Kilby's paintings. I didn't have time to get any pictures of his work. Check the link on his name to see some of his work or go check it out in person. I think it is only up through the end of the month.
He also created three Boise prints that are for sale in the shop.
These are some great collagraph prints of buildings in Boise. They were created in Wingtip Press' workshops to honor Boise's 150 years. Throughout the year, Wingtip will host FREE workshops to create a collagraph print. Anyone can sign up, but you do need to sign up as space is limited. You can see a schedule of the workshops here.
I have been there several times as I am taking an eight week workshop hosted by the city's Arts & History department about Public Art. We meet at the Sesqui shop once a week.
If you are in town, you should check out this month's exhibition of some of Pat Kilby's paintings. I didn't have time to get any pictures of his work. Check the link on his name to see some of his work or go check it out in person. I think it is only up through the end of the month.
He also created three Boise prints that are for sale in the shop.
These are some great collagraph prints of buildings in Boise. They were created in Wingtip Press' workshops to honor Boise's 150 years. Throughout the year, Wingtip will host FREE workshops to create a collagraph print. Anyone can sign up, but you do need to sign up as space is limited. You can see a schedule of the workshops here.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Imperfection Achieved
Before Christmas, I started working on a large piece that was to consist of four panels. I didn't get very far because I had to switch gears in January to meet a deadline.
I met the deadline and now my attention is back on the large piece. Here you can see the start on my design wall.
My idea was to fill in all that background with extreme machine stitching, covering closely every inch.
So I started with the only panel that had a full circle (that third one). I sandwiched it with batting and have spent hours stitching the bleep out of that background.
Doing big sweeping circular motions using free motion stitching is quite difficult. Here's a section. There are about four or five different thread colors in this.
The stitches are not consistent and the lines are wobbly. But what I'm going for is the texture.
I've been working at the art museum quite a bit lately. We are installing an exhibition that includes some Native American bead work. In the work, the artist would purposely put a bead out of place (i.e. a white bead in a blue sky) so that it was not perfect, because humans cannot be perfect.
Well on this piece, I don't purposely have to create any imperfections because they are already there. I noticed an even bigger one after I finished stitching the entire first panel. Doing big circular stitching in different directions made the fabric very distorted.
I steamed and ironed and pulled and stretched. Although it is now flatter than it was to begin with, I still cannot get the circle to lay flat.
Looks o.k. from the front . . .
but not from the side. See the nice bulge?
I can press in the center and make a crater instead.
I have learned a few things from this, I think. I probably need to use a heavy stabilizer on the back of the fabric before quilting. Or maybe I just use canvas behind it with no batting. Now I know how to make a hill if I ever need one (although if I actually try to make another bulge, it would probably turn out flat!). It also gave me an idea to try for a different way to construct a piece.
What to do? Hmm, I don't think I can salvage this panel for this particular piece. I will probably have to make a new panel to replace it. But I am thinking about cutting this panel up and see if I can make it work as something else.
It is definitely disappointing as I've put a lot of time into this and I am now back to square one. But hopefully, I can now figure out how to fix it so it won't happen again. We'll see.
I met the deadline and now my attention is back on the large piece. Here you can see the start on my design wall.
My idea was to fill in all that background with extreme machine stitching, covering closely every inch.
So I started with the only panel that had a full circle (that third one). I sandwiched it with batting and have spent hours stitching the bleep out of that background.
Doing big sweeping circular motions using free motion stitching is quite difficult. Here's a section. There are about four or five different thread colors in this.
The stitches are not consistent and the lines are wobbly. But what I'm going for is the texture.
I've been working at the art museum quite a bit lately. We are installing an exhibition that includes some Native American bead work. In the work, the artist would purposely put a bead out of place (i.e. a white bead in a blue sky) so that it was not perfect, because humans cannot be perfect.
Well on this piece, I don't purposely have to create any imperfections because they are already there. I noticed an even bigger one after I finished stitching the entire first panel. Doing big circular stitching in different directions made the fabric very distorted.
I steamed and ironed and pulled and stretched. Although it is now flatter than it was to begin with, I still cannot get the circle to lay flat.
Looks o.k. from the front . . .
but not from the side. See the nice bulge?
I can press in the center and make a crater instead.
I have learned a few things from this, I think. I probably need to use a heavy stabilizer on the back of the fabric before quilting. Or maybe I just use canvas behind it with no batting. Now I know how to make a hill if I ever need one (although if I actually try to make another bulge, it would probably turn out flat!). It also gave me an idea to try for a different way to construct a piece.
What to do? Hmm, I don't think I can salvage this panel for this particular piece. I will probably have to make a new panel to replace it. But I am thinking about cutting this panel up and see if I can make it work as something else.
It is definitely disappointing as I've put a lot of time into this and I am now back to square one. But hopefully, I can now figure out how to fix it so it won't happen again. We'll see.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Generosity
I work with two guys at the art museum that are also artists. (I posted about an exhibition they were in last year at the Enso space.) On Friday, Todd gave me one of his artworks to thank me for all the work I have been doing at the museum.
I was very surprised and honored to receive such a gift. Here is the piece. It was very generous of him to give me some of his artwork.
I was very surprised and honored to receive such a gift. Here is the piece. It was very generous of him to give me some of his artwork.
(Photo posted with permission of artist.)
Untitled
by Todd Newman
acrylic on board
approx. 10" x 6-1/2"
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Daily Fabric Composition
Happy Valentine's Day! Today's daily fabric composition was made with this holiday in mind. And I'll get you up to date with the rest of them (you can always see them daily on my Facebook Art Page). Which of this group do you like the best?
Daily fabric composition #14
Daily fabric composition #13
Daily fabric composition #12
Daily fabric composition #11
Daily fabric composition #10
Daily fabric composition #9
Daily fabric composition #8
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Studio Talk
This past weekend was a busy one. One of my activities was getting together with some artist friends for some studio talk and sharing. We met at Kathleen Probst's studio. She had lots of cheery fabrics and in-progress work up on her design boards. She talks more about it on her blog.
It's always good to get together with other artists.
A view of Kathleen Probst's Studio.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Art-full Weekend
I was going to post some pictures of Sue Latta's opening reception for Best Worst Case Scenario at the Visual Arts Collective, which I attended with a friend last night. Unfortunately, I accidentally deleted the pictures from my camera. So, I have nothing to show. The exhibition is open through March 30th. The Visual Arts Collective gallery hours are only Saturdays from 12-6 p.m. or by appointment.
This morning I met with some artists friends and we shared what we were working on.
Then, I stopped by Flying M to see the Valentine for Aids artwork before the bidding ends tomorrow. Here are some of the artworks.
I noticed that there were quite a few more fiber/sewing related items this year - like this black cross stitch by Jane Bingham.
This morning I met with some artists friends and we shared what we were working on.
Then, I stopped by Flying M to see the Valentine for Aids artwork before the bidding ends tomorrow. Here are some of the artworks.
A print by Amelia Tiedemann.
I noticed that there were quite a few more fiber/sewing related items this year - like this black cross stitch by Jane Bingham.
Below is a doll made by my friend, Rachel Linquist.
These are hand embroidered socks, made by Erin Cunningham.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Daily Fabric Composition
I have completed one week of daily fabric compositions. Below is today's and a picture of the first week all together. There seems to be no progressive pattern or logical steps from day to day, not that there was any intention of that. It's just an interesting observation.
Daily Fabric Composition #7
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Greenbelt Series
Here is the third piece in the Greenbelt Series.
NE 10.3
fabrics hand dyed by artist, machine pieced and appliquéd,
hand embroidery, free motion machine stitching
20" x 24"
©2013 Lisa Flowers Ross
$395
Detail of some of the free motion stitching.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Daily Compositions
It's time to get you caught up on the daily compositions. I am trying to post them daily on my Facebook Art Page, if you would like to follow along there. Otherwise, I will also post them here, eventually.
Daily Fabric Composition #3
Daily Fabric Composition #4
Daily Fabric Composition #5
Monday, February 4, 2013
Valentine for Aids
Valentine's day is sneaking up on us and it's time again for Flying M's Valentine for Aids auction. The bidding has started and the last day is Feb. 10th. I hope to go see it, soon.
I donated an artwork again this year. It is the 20th year for this event and I have donated an artwork for the past 15 years.
Originally, I was hoping to do a reduction linocut print to donate. But my time was limited with other tasks and deadlines, so I decided to just do a drawing.
I donated an artwork again this year. It is the 20th year for this event and I have donated an artwork for the past 15 years.
Originally, I was hoping to do a reduction linocut print to donate. But my time was limited with other tasks and deadlines, so I decided to just do a drawing.
Peaceful Heart
colored pencil, ink
©2013 Lisa Flowers Ross
Available for bids at Valentine for Aids auction through Feb. 10.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Daily Composition
I finally decided on a daily project for February. I am going to do one fused fabric composition each day. The finished size of the pieces will eventually be 6-1/2" x 6-1/2". I will only be doing the composition and fusing it to batting. I did not give myself the pressure of having to add stitching and finishing each day. I can do those later.
In preparation, I cut all the batting squares and have fused some pieces of fabric. I have a pressing paper marked with the size. So all I have to do everyday is grab my scissors, cut out the pieces, arrange them on the paper, fuse, remove paper and fuse to the batting.
Here is Daily Composition #1 and #2.
These are a bit larger than the finished size. I will add some stitching, either by machine and/or hand, trim and probably finish the edges with a facing. They will end up smaller than this.
In preparation, I cut all the batting squares and have fused some pieces of fabric. I have a pressing paper marked with the size. So all I have to do everyday is grab my scissors, cut out the pieces, arrange them on the paper, fuse, remove paper and fuse to the batting.
Here is Daily Composition #1 and #2.
These are a bit larger than the finished size. I will add some stitching, either by machine and/or hand, trim and probably finish the edges with a facing. They will end up smaller than this.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Greenbelt Series
I cannot believe that one month of 2013 has already gone by. I have decided to start a daily project for this month and will be sharing the progress with you soon.
But today, I wanted to show you the second artwork in the Greenbelt series.
But today, I wanted to show you the second artwork in the Greenbelt series.
NW 0
fabrics hand dyed by artist, machine pieced and fused appliquéd,
hand embroidery, machine stitching
20" x 24"
©2013 Lisa Flowers Ross
$395
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