ioftheneedle

Kreative Momentum is active.

2012-01-26T08:31:00.000-08:00

Scroll down to see the blog entry about the workshops with Jason Pollen.

Link to the registration document and get signed up.

Spaces are limited so please don't leave it too long.

On another subject........ the busy bee mustn't sit still.
So this week I have been working on samples for a workshop of my own (in Calgary).
Email ioftheneedle@me.com if you think you would like to join with "Mastering the Whip."
Below are some basic building blocks from which we go on to look at forming texture with whip.
Nice idea huh?

Workshops with Jason Pollen in Alberta

2012-01-20T14:58:00.000-08:00

Please find below information about a fantastic opportunity.

JASON POLLEN

TEACHES

(2-DAY) WORKSHOPS ACROSS ALBERTA

“FABRIC CONSTRUCTION/COLLAGE”

June 2012 (various dates), all levels of experience welcome

Jason Pollen : Freefall 2011 44" x 72"

Wool, canvas, silk, linen, felted, dyed, stitched

This is an exciting opportunity: workshops with the very talented artist and excellent teacher, Jason Pollen.

Jason is Emeritus President of the Surface Design Association and is extremely highly regarded having numerous years of successful teaching experience behind him. His stunningly beautiful work is held and exhibited around the globe and he has designed textiles for world-class fashion houses. Chanel, Dior, Donna Karan and Missoni. He regularly collaborates as scenic designer for the Kansas City Ballet.. He was named Fellow by the American Crafts Council in 2006.

It will be a great pleasure to host him and I hope that as many fibre and mixed media artists in the area will attend this event and learn from him.

Jason Pollen: Barri, 2011 48' x 48"

Linen, silk, canvas, thread, dye, pigment

Jason says:

"The Art of Textile Collage

This class will be provide a lively and innovative approach to textile collage and

mark-making using fusing and hand and machine stitching, in addition to

drawing and painting tools.

You will repurpose and create patterned and painted small fabric and paper

compositions. Harmony and dissonance, rhythm and mood, color and texture will

be the vocabulary you explore to expand your personal visual language with

expressive, communicative content."

Jason Pollen: Leap of Faith 2011

Felted wool, silk, linen, dyed, stitched

Alberta is a big place! The same course will be offered at 3 different locations, choose the one that is closest to you, or best-suits your requirements.

OUT-OF-TOWN 2-DAY RETREAT - BLOOMIN' INN PINCHER CREEK (COURSE CODE B1)

2-Day Workshop 1 (BI): Weekday check in Tuesday pm 12th June 2012 Check out Thursday pm 14th June, 2012

Cost: $460

(+GST on accommodation cost. For a breakdown see below)

Deposit: $230 required by 21 February, 2012

Balance: $230 required by 30 April 2012

This 2-day retreat will allow us to work intensely in a setting where our domestic needs are catered for and we can concentrate wholly on our art, and learning. A creative, sharing atmosphere with like-minded souls will be encouraged, if not, required!

Accommodation in the relaxed atmosphere of Bloomin' Inn, Pincher Creek is full board for

two nights, with shared or single rooms. A supplement will be charged for single room occupancy. Shared rooms above the workshop are idea and encourage the development of a fantastic working environment. Single rooms are available in the main building should you prefer.**

The studio at Bloomin' Inn is very well equipped and fully insured and your hosts are experienced in holding such events as quilting, scrapbooking and other retreats throughout the year.

http://www.bloomin-inn.com/

The cost for this event covers the course and full-board accommodation (*supplement will be charged for single room occupancy). Gst will be charged on the accommodation costs.

You are encouraged to register with a friend and pre-arrange your sleeping arrangements via the booking form. Early registration is encouraged as maximum class size is small (15). Registration cut off is February 21^st, 2012.

*Breakdown of costs:

Accommodation Charges $200+GST (includes 2 nights accommodation and all meals)

Workshop Fee $260

**An additional supplement will be added for single occupancy dependant on room type.

IN-TOWN VENUE, ARTPOINT, CALGARY (COURSE CODE A1)

2-Day Workshop A1): Monday and Tuesday June 4 & 5, 2012

Cost: $285

Deposit: $140 required by 21 February, 2012

Balance: $145 required by 30 April, 2012

The full 2-day workshop will be held in the spacious and airy Main Gallery. You may leave all your supplies in place overnight. Pease bring a packed lunch. A sharing atmosphere with like-minded souls will be encouraged, if not, required!

Early registration is encouraged as maximum class size is small (15). Registration cut off is February 21, 2012.

OUT-OF-TOWN VENUE -MILLARVILLE MARKET, (COURSE CODE M1)

2-Day Workshop (M1): Saturday and Sunday June 9 & 10, 2012

Cost: $325

Deposit: $165 required by 21 February, 2012

Balance: $160 required by 30 April, 2012

The full 2-day workshop will be held in the spacious and airy main hall. You may leave all your supplies in place overnight. Pease bring a packed lunch. Again, a sharing atmosphere with like-minded souls will be encouraged, if not, required!

Early registration is encouraged as the maximum class size is only 15. Registration cut off is February 21, 2012.

If you are interested in one of these events please print off (2 pages) and fill in the registration document. Click here to open the registration document, where you will find details of how to pay.

Your place on the workshop of your choice will be secured on receipt of a non-refundable deposit.

Early registration is recommended, as space is limited to 15 per class.

In the event that your chosen class does not run (due to minimum participant number [10] not being attained), you will be contacted to see if you wish to transfer to your second choice of venue. If not, your deposit will be returned to you in full.

In the event that you are unable to attend the workshop your deposit will only be returned to you, if your place on that course can be filled.

Booking opportunities are equitable and will be filled on a first come first served basis on receipt of deposit and registration form.

Please get in touch with any questions via email ioftheneedle@me.com

Thanks so much for your time,

Karin Millson of Kreative Momentum
SDA Alberta Rep.

i-sew.blogspot.com

www.surfacedesignalberta.blogspot.com

Note: This is not an SDA-funded event and is open to all members of the public for equal price.

Temptation - It is coming

2012-01-16T13:27:00.000-08:00

I will soon be releasing information that you might just want to act on.
The workshops are almost out of the planning stage.
And this is what is known in the advertising world as a teaser add, painful isn't it... But i have spent so many hours cogitating over these plans that I thought they deserve a blog entry.

Check back here in a day or two or, better still, follow by email (go to top right and fill in the Follow by email menu) to be sure not to miss out on the news.
Speak soon,
Yours Truly... etc etc..

New Blog for Surface Design Alberta

2012-01-04T15:18:00.000-08:00

Q: How does one avoid conflict of interests and keep matters non-exclusive?
A: Put stuff out there on the open web and avoid those member-only log ins.

So here is the web address for a blog I have set up for Surface Design : Alberta
It is the place where I will post information relevant to textile artists and mixed-media folks, printers, weavers and more... Who is it meant for - - - particularly people who are members of the Surface Design Association but, I will be leaving this blog as open access at least for the near future....

For those of you who are not already members of the internationally acclaimed "SDA" = Surface Design Association, you might like to consider joining.
Take a look here - and see if it is for you... at the very least, the registration is worth it for the journal... take a look online.

So welcome to a New Year, new prospects and adventures...
I hope that as Alberta Representative for the Surface Design Association I can help all my fibre friends in this province. If you have any information you would like to appear on the blog (which circulates to all SDA: Alberta members) please email it to me, you know where I am.

New Year's Fibre-ous Resolution - Make a difference...

Make this year 'well-good' for the fibre folk of Alberta.

Planning stage for me ... but.... What I am planning is WOW!!

2011-12-21T08:29:00.000-08:00

I thought I would share this with you:-
http://fibre.acadnet.ca/category/visiting-artists/
It is the part of ACAD's fibre blog that deals with visiting artists. You might like to keep an eye on it. For example... I didn't know that kathryn Walter visited in March.... Did you? ...
Was there an opportunity to see her work or hear her talk or even attend a workshop?
Maybe there was but how would you know?
One way not to miss out on opportunities is to stay in touch - and I can help you do that....
Send me a message and get your name on the Open Network for fibre and mixed-media artists.
I will be calling for registration very soon for workshops across Alberta with Jason Pollen, and I will share this information by email... so don't miss out....

For now here is one of his works for you to drink in and savour. Better than any mulled wine with mince pie....

Here's to a great holiday and wonderful year ahead.

2011-12-12T11:22:00.000-08:00

This is Very Much not my work.... but ring any bells???

It is by Junco Sato Pollack

Go here to see read about the artist.

ORIGAMI #2
1998
Abstract composition in hand scroll w/ Plexi rod
25" x 50" x 8"
Sublimation, embroidery on polyester organza

Remember discussing Origami and use of disperse dye at the ACAD Residency last summer?
Omg, and note the design, squares in those powerful colours, suspended from a perspex rod using? fishing line.... hmmmmm....
I truly get what you are on about dear friends who have been discussing the complexities of working where one is constantly seeing others' work. Where is the line between yours and mine?

Kreative Momentum Runs its 13th Workshop - not unlucky for anyone we hope.
The latest Kreative Momentum Research and Development Day was held last Friday where we investigated the use of Fosshape for 3D work under the guidance of Angela Dale.
For a taste of what we got up to go to Arlee's blog
And here is one stolen image:- ( You OK with this Arlee?)

This R&D Day was just Soooooo oversubscribed and will run again... as a 2-day event.
The following was e-mailed to me by a participant after the event:-
"Thanks so much for the day. It was very enjoyable, a good start on 'R&D' (perfect descriptor as there is no pressure just exploration), and a nice introduction to each other. You and Angela made us all feel comfortable and went to great lengths, esp. all the samples! Please do know that I am very grateful for the opportunity for get togethers like this in a community of like minded learners."
Name withheld for privacy reasons.

If you feel you want this sort of thing for your professional development, then be sure to get in touch and get your name on the list for future workshops and R&D days.
ioftheneedle[at]me.com

More pats on our backs:-

See below the wonderful press we are getting for the current Contextural show at the Epcor Centre

Adornments - for sale

2011-12-01T10:06:00.001-08:00

People seem to like these as brooches and (these) hair adornments; they are selling.
A take on Flexing Felt.
Should I market them big time? Which way to turn I ask...
No time to rabbit on today...

2011-11-22T08:10:00.001-08:00

The WIP - Work in Progress blog link (at right) has helped me to stay focussed... and provided gratification as I aim to post something I am doing each week.
Above is a sample - ??Quilt?? so I am a quilter now? Yes, it has 3 layers and is quilted and padded... a type of trapunto quilting I suppose (but without the slit, I never liked the end result of that).
It is a piece I will use in the workshop Flexing Felt that takes place here on Friday. I loved making this piece... just to do some hand stitching... now I just have to finish off the seeding and then with some more lines but of hand stitching.

It is a piece for winter. But I think it has potential as the edging for a winter scarf. I just need to source the right type of (micro) fleece.

The Research and Development Event, mentioned last week, will take place on 9th December and all places are full, with a waiting list and list for a future session too.... I hope to post some images of the outcome. If you are interested in Textile Techniques, workshops or master-classes please email me.

WIP this is for you

2011-11-15T14:48:00.001-08:00

Little fishy things.
Anyone know a supplier of fibre optics in the Calgary area?
And I could do with a tame electrician!

Far from eliminating things from my work load I appear to be stacking more on the pile.
Why oh why was it so hard? I have spent hours drawing up my first emailable newletter for the Alberta Branch of Surface Design Association... I am now the representative for Alberta. If you want to contact me to talk about SDA please do. You know where I am..... ioftheneedle[at]me.com

I don't think I will make it to finish my Dreamweaver self-directed study because 1) My use of the trail version has expired. 2) Someone else wanted the Missing Manual from the library!

Met a like-minded soul this week. We chatted and didn't notice the time, I probably got a parking ticket!!!
Check out Angela Dale's work on Flickr.

An Aside

2011-11-08T17:27:00.000-08:00

The Calgary Public Library has a series of books circulating right now that encourage public involvement and creativity.
These are books for people to create by being creative via literature or art. But not the two together!
So I put a 'hold' in for the arty one with the title "Diversity" sounded right up my street.
I had thought I would get a book that was already half full of artworks, cartoons and sketches. In fact I got a book that had this skillful and beautiful rendition of the Ash in Calgary, and nothing more. In other words I was expected to be the second 'artist' to add something. The pressure was enormous.

I held onto the book for a week or so and considered simply returning it to the library... after all, I don't do art like that and it had made me feel rather insecure I suppose.
But then I thought... it is only people like me participating that will make this thing a diverse work in itself. So I have added my bit... consider it a doodle or playful work... both of which are acceptable additions to the "Travelling Art Book" it says this (I paraphrase) in the directives on the first page.
My piece illustrates the diversity of coral reef to deep sea... and I had fun. And if it encourages people to simply relax and have fun and put something on the pages... all well and good.

To get hold of one of these books yourself go to Calgary public library.

Fibre Fun

2011-11-04T17:14:00.000-07:00

From time to time there has been healthy debate about what is fibre art and what is not.

I think this is fibre art.

Calgary Farmers' Market prior to Halloween.

The work Eveline Kolijn - Plastic culture. This is a person I would like to meet.
in the window space near the C-train downtown Calgary.
For more window art go here.

I hope to see my life:art coach this weekend.

See if we can thrash out time-management issues.

Amazingly geological... time management

2011-10-28T14:43:00.000-07:00

This is one of my manipulated photoshop images - very organic, very me. From some ceramic work I did. I think this has potential in stitch. Probably my other clay pieces do too...
Add it to the To Do List.

Monday - Work on Web Site Development

Tuesday - Sculpted surfaces (A World Beyond Shibori)

Wednesday - Networking with Calgary's Dynamic International Wednesday Stitch group!

Thursday - Kreative Momentum Workshop Prep.

Friday - His Diverse Materials (The Dark Side, or see the above)

Weekends - sacrosanct = family time

Where does all the other stuff fit in?

- Tuition/Mentorship/Consultancy/Workshops

- Marketing

- Designing

- Accounting

- Development/Experimental work

- Proposals

- Blogging/(web) research/online shop maintenance

I might put this rambling blog entry up for half an hour and then delete it... Unless it proves of interest to readers.... via email or comment. What does your working week look like?

Kreative Momentum - Flexing Felt Course

2011-10-28T13:17:00.000-07:00

Flexing Felt 1, the latest in Kreative Momentum's technique based workshops, was held this week. The one day workshop introduced the method of using mass free motion stitching to sculpt felt. The photo below shows the studio in a very favourable light I think! Classes welcome 5 students at a time.
Amazingly the participants stopped talking and lost themselves in stitch. Not meaning to be rude, it just happens that way.

Felt was sculpted into cups and nodes. Flexing Felt 2 teaches how to create vessels using this method and the participants are encouraged to create their own style of vessel using other techniques such as piecing, embellishing and metal thread work.

If you are interested in this class or others please contact me directly:
ioftheneedle[at]me[dot]com to gain access to the Kreative Momentum web pages.

"IE6 Fade Away"

2011-10-25T17:56:00.000-07:00

One has to do something to stay sane whilst reading all this I.T. stuff.

I'm on Chapter 10 (p400). Unfortunately my 30 day trial of Dreamweaver will expire tomorrow.

I have to consider buying it now or doing nothing more until I can get on a course for Dreamweaver CSS5 through which I will, no doubt, learn very fast AND be able to purchase the software much cheaper via a student discount. Meanwhile, though, I am sure to forget everything I have gleaned over the past 4 weeks. What to do?

a) Dream about violet squirrels popping up all over Calgary - Must have something to do with our popular Mayor Naheed Nenshi who, one year ago, chose purple as his campaign colour and won.

b) 3 hours + of stitching with fishing line tomorrow.

Work in the Window

2011-10-24T12:02:00.000-07:00

12 members of Contextural (a community of textile artists fostering a cooperative creative environment in support of the production of new artistic works) a group in which I actively participate, are exhibiting at the Epcor Centre Calgary, Canada... There is an amazingly eclectic mix of miniature pieces all no more than 3" in any direction, I believe there is something to appeal to everyone in the two window spaces. As well as that, other very talented artists are exhibiting in adjacent windows (see the link below). I hope you can make it to take a look either on the reception night... or at some time before the end of the show (Dec 30th).

A catalogue for the show is available at:-

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2576352

Thanks for your continued interest in my work - For those of you who live close enough... I hope to see you at the opening.

Go to:-
http://www.epcorcentre.org/Education/VisualArtsandMedia.aspx

and scroll down to see the other artists' work and a couple more of my 'Strange Creatures"

Museum of Anthropology does the kid's head in!

2011-10-18T18:29:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is true the Vancouver Museum of Anthropology has several Apple computers with (big) touch screens... how is this possible?

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-10-13T16:31:00.000-07:00

John, Adam, Alice, Aden and Laura

The work of Sally Michener at the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver

There is much stunning modern art alongside Canada's cultural heritage. This image is off-centre because I wanted to catch the inlaid woven fibre at right.

These guys I do not know but the colourful juxtaposition of their pink Ts against the photographic imagery of Salt Spring's Stephen Friedman was a stunner and quite put me off my pesto-pasta
NEWS-NEWS-NEWS-NEWS-NEWS-NEWS-NEWS-NEWS-NEWS-NEWS

For clearer images than those shown below click on 'News' above and scroll

Contextural's collective show is up at Epcor along with 100s of mice! If you can get there please do.

NEWS-NEWS-NEWS-NEWS-NEWS-NEWS-NEWS-NEWS-NEWS-NEWS

Check out the details - click on 'NEWS" above

And congratulations to all the exhibitors. The windows look fantastic.

A Blurb book will be available shortly.... pop back to find it, Follow me, or contact me directly.

Art Central

2011-10-04T14:42:00.000-07:00

This looks like a good reason to get myself down to Arts Central, Calgary. Work by Megan Dyke and Nathan Mizera. I wont see it this week as I am in town only in the morning... but maybe stitching gals will want to visit next week.

Nothing much doing on the stitching front but pleased to report I am nearly a third into my self-imposed, self-regulated, self-directed "How to create your own website" course.

I could do with a break from all this CSS stuff (and it is only Tuesday). Thanksgiving is coming up - there is a show to see on Salt Spring Island (where we are spending the holiday) - with a piece by Diana Thompson, check out the story of Lens.... for a good discussion starter.

Reminds me of my blue ceramic balls sprinkled across terracotta shards in a garden in England (sorry no photo available).

Happy New Year

2011-09-30T12:07:00.000-07:00

Dreamweaver the missing manual (for CS5 from out of the Calgary Public Library) is 1074 pages of information, tutorials, hints and even some extra advice for those who are experienced in all of this.
So that would be 11 days at 100 pages a day. I have had it since Tuesday night and am on page 109
Don't expect to hear from me for at least a year!

Art around the city

2011-09-27T17:54:00.000-07:00

We were thrilled to see an artist (Mary-Leigh Doyle) at work en plein air. What could be more wonderful - just at the Elbow Drive, Glenmore Trail junction... which I drive by every day (school run). So we will have happy memories of chatting with the artist as she, firstly, prepared the background and then made it come alive with her everyday scene?!? of shoeing magpies.
Like my daughter Mary-Leigh loves puns... Hope you get them.

This isn't to say that we wont miss the ghosts that used to make random visits to this area... indeed, at this very spot, some months ago. I am sure they will have gone to better place.

And what of my progress re-website? Well, I find that a combination of some knowledge of Photoshop + my age, such that I do remember some code ( from typing up my thesis in one of the first versions of word processing ), put me in a good position on the exponential learning curve for Dreamweaver..... though still on the uphill and struggling part...

Thanks to all who messaged me advice. I'm really encouraged, thanks.

Iran do Espirito Santo - Wall Drawings

2011-09-23T13:09:00.000-07:00

Whilst on a visit to ACAD this morning I dipped into the work of Iran do Espirito Santo at the Illingworth Kerr Gallery.
Below are a few images of some of the 7 large pieces on show.

Tape 2007/2011 latex on wall

Is is the result of a month long residency at ACAD and involves precise drafting, drawing and painting of latex, acrylic and marker on wall.
What a timely opportunity for me to visit 4000 square foot of line and mark since I am currently devoting some of my time to practicing and investigating design principles once more.

I found it v. amusing to see the ripped off edge on one piece of 'tape' After many hours of using this nasty plastic for my packing boxes I know these shapes only too well. The stunning feature is that it isn't plastic tape at all but rubber.

Fence 2007/2011 Permanent marker on wall.
Was rather disorientating for me - perhaps the interplay of the light and my vari-focals! was this the exact effect the artist wanted. It appears that the fence is suspended some distance from the wall.

Such brilliant variation in line... you could feel the bends in the wire.

A piece of ebony - probably a veneer leant up against a wall?
No, "A large square in black is carefully etched in minute detail, suggesting a faux ebony wood grain" wrote Wayne Baerwaldt, Director/Curator, Exhibitions

Detail of line...

Pieces are at times humorous, intriguing, illuminating or disorientating. But always very fine. "His work aims to critically engage or unhinge high modernist ideas associated with "progressive" architecture and design." This from the documentation accompanying the exhibition... along with "Wit and paradox" So if you are interested in these things... what a great place to visit.

And what of my meeting at ACAD with the Extended Studies team? Very positive I would say, very positive.

Web site for ioftheneedle - revisited

2011-09-23T08:44:00.000-07:00

Thanks heavens I didn't go down the iweb route. That is being discontinued with no replacement. Thank you... v. much Apple.
So what else is there out there for a web developer newbie...
Saw Susan Sorrells simple and lovely looking website.... powered by wix... but that works in Flash which wont load on some mobile devices... iphone/ipad unless I develop a mobile version of my website too. What about Realweaver then? Well, as a beginner I would probably work it more like a blog using their own themes... and that might cause some problems later if I discover I want it to do something and the theme I chose doesn't allow for such modifications.
Hmmm... is this a case of a little knowledge is a dangerous thing? It is certainly out of my comfort zone. But I am the sort to rise to a challenge.
Better get some more knowledge... Spent a happy hour in the library reading about Dreamweaver... or was it dreaming about Reed-Weaving...
Do I really want to spend precious arty time learning about web development when I could be weaving reeds.
As they say in Lancashire "Think on."

Off to ACAD this morning to discuss possibilities for future collaboration to bring in more visiting artists... Here's to wishing and dream-weaving.

Norwegian art in a Triangle

2011-09-20T13:53:00.000-07:00

Friend and I went to Triangle Gallery to see Construction - an exhibition of Norwegian works of art (all textiles by the way) and here are some of the works... Details of their titles, makers and construction can be found at the link above, as well as more photos.

Inger Blix Kvammen - A necklace of crochet silver wire

Inger Johanne Rasmussen – Magnetic House hand stitched patchwork

Lillian Dahle – Star Grille - Note the use of eggshell as lining to this wonderful bowl made of stained cherry wood (if I remember correctly) and egg-shell

Anne-Gry Loland - beautiful "Rose 2" a hanging of deconstructed fabrics created by use of devore

Side view to show layering and wonderful shadows.

Black Meadow by Astrid Lovaas and Kirsten Wagle

Lars Sture "Untitled No 1, No 2 and No 3". 1999 - 2000. Embroidered and painted wood.

Reminiscent of Hardanger and Omani silver embroidery on leather.

Inger Blix Kvammen

Anne Lene Lovhaug

Marit Helen Akslen - "White Dress" (is made entirely of shirt collars buttoned together)

Havard Larsen "Garri" birch burl with reindeer antler

Kristin Saeterdal "Seen Through Tears No 10 , No 11. Stunning weavings of spelsau sheep wool on linen.

All images taken with permission (Catalogue available from Triangle Gallery).

Friend with Marianne Moe's "Anorak Bag and Salmon Bag.
This was a great exhibition, thanks to Triangle Gallery for continuing to support fibre arts when so few galleries in Alberta and elsewhere are prepared to do so. This is certainly one exhibition I would recommend.

Unfinished Tales.

2011-09-16T12:13:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the group for making the workshop a great environment for stepping into the unknown.

Credit is not given to any of the artists (forgive me) - You know who you are!

My apologies for not showing something from everyone, not all my shots were worthy representations of your pieces. Hopefully I will be given another opportunity to photograph them when they are exhibited.

Experiment with the background

Wrap, paint, collage

The three dimensional line. A skeleton for its flesh.

Works below demonstrates where arrangement results in excellent design.

(Two images from the students' workshop)

And back to ours -

Elements can be fixed....Or loosely jointed to allow for articulation

The maker wishes to add sound to the piece below

Where a background helps tell the story and transitions (excuse use of poor English) into the piece

A skin, snare and lovely piece

Thanks again everyone

Short and Sweet - the visit of Michael Brennand-Wood

2011-09-16T11:30:00.000-07:00

You know how it is when you know you ought to do something but actually you want to do something else. I know I ought to wax lyrical about the past week. But I think I will limit myself to a few short comments.

I want, at this point to thank Maiwa who collaborated with Kreative Momentum and ACAD in bringing Michael Brennand-wood over from England for the events this September. Thanks to everyone who helped set this up and make it run so smoothly.

It has been quite a vacation from hands-on work for me. It was v. helpful having someone (who doesn't know you) listen and watch and then comment. I have had a mega - tutorial from an expert. Aren't I the lucky one? Thank you so much Michael. (How many more citations can I give you from this blog?)

Apart from the jaw-dropping lecture - 90 minutes of intense barrage of imagery, explanation and ideas, (See the Maiwa write up for more on something very similar that happened just two days previously in Vancouver!) and the intense experience of a day long workshop 'Random Precision' there were many hours of chat that have produced quite a bundle of fresh ideas, directions and rethinks of old ones for me. I know it is just what I needed to help prolong the buzz after the event. Unfortunately, in many ways, I now move into a weekend and can't keep going on this.... but I am not taking anything with me to Kananaskis except my sketchbook and pencils! So, hopefully I wont stall.

I have many action points - I wont bore you with them, they are de-briefed into my notebook and I have started to work with them already.

This blog is, however, an ideal location in which to talk - so I will mention the establishment of an Open Community of Fibre and Mixed-Media Artists in the vicinity of Calgary.

If you would like to be part of this network please contact me.... ioftheneedle@me.com to have your email address added to the list. We will then send out notifications of upcoming workshops in and around Calgary Alberta, lectures and events so that more artists can share in these activities. It does seem a shame to bring a visiting artist over from one country or province to have them work with only a dozen people when they are willing to carry out several workshops/ lectures tutorials etc. for many more artist who are thirsty to drink in their expertise and feel high and dry if they don't hear of the event in time to fill one of 10 precious slots. If you live in this area and have read this far then - this is for YOU.
If you would like to participate, study, teach or exhibit please let me know.

Now, here are some images (with no write up - sorry) of Contextural's end of residency show "Collaboration" at ACAD Sept. 2011.

For more images click here
If any of the participating artists see this and want to add documentation to their works please forward the text to me. I will be happy to add web/blog info and details of construction/meaning etc. I am delegating you see.

Just one example.

2011-09-04T11:36:00.000-07:00

I am so excited I am almost hyperventilating.
Sometimes one needs time away from work to reflect and, almost, sleep on it.
And then something, seemingly miraculous happens. An idea or solution appears in an uncalled-for way.
For me, this spontaneous, sub-conscious, creativity is often my most innovative.
And something happened this morning or last night or over the past 5 years that has now got me thinking of combining my recent work with shibori, and earlier ideas with fishing line and disperse dye together with constructing a fabric from a continuous thread. This seems so full of potential that I am just thrilled.

And this concept's arrival is very timely.
The workshop with Michael Brennand-Wood requires that we bring along a collection of materials with strong linear qualities as well as reference material (sketchbook, item or imagery). We should also have materials which we want to work in. I thought where do I start - silk/synthetic/digital grounds/plastics????. I have so many areas of interest right now. But, something has been niggling me recently and that is that I have left the work with fishing line and plastic behind. The work that got me the Redditch Needle Museum award. Why I did that is easy to appreciate if I look back at the timing and my life since moving to Canada.

It seems that now is the opportunity to pick it up and have sport with it. Go fishing in fact.

Lots to say but so little time.

2011-09-02T13:41:00.000-07:00

Many things have been happening in Calgary's textile scene whilst I have been away this summer. For one, our work is up at ACAD. More images to follow and look here too (Great work Arlee).

Above is the invitation to the Contextural Group's Summer Residency Exhibition.
Hope you can make it, and the best thing would be to come along on the 12th of September (5:30pm) when Michael Brennand-Wood will be treating us to an entertaining lecture (and it's free). Come early as the lecture is likely to be extremely well attended. Following that is the closing reception for Contextural's show - so free food too. Hope to see you there.
More on Michael Brennand-Wood's visit to Calgary, in my next post.

A fantastic opportunity for stitchers in Alberta

2011-08-17T10:52:00.000-07:00

Pretty Deadly and Random Precision

'Pretty Deadly' Embroidered Blooms, Acrylic, wire,toy soldiers,,metal,resin,glass on wood base.

All images courtesy of Michael Brennand-Wood

I learnt that Michael Brennand-Wood would be coming to Canada to give a lecture and workshops at Maiwa in Vancouver. Unfortunately he didn't have Calgary on his travel plans.... so with encouragement from my friend Sian I sent off an email and am now very pleased to announce that Michael Brennand-Wood will present a futher workshop and lecture to be given under the auspices of the Alberta College of Art and Design, Calgary.

So to recap:
What - Lecture and Workshop with Michael Brennand-Wood
When - Lecture - Monday September 12 : 5:30-6:30, Workshop - Tuesday September 13
Where - Lecture - Standford Perrot Lecture Theatre, Workshop ACAD Studios
Contact - To register call extended studies department ACAD 1 403 284 7640

All are welcome, all levels... for more information email ioftheneedle@me.com or call extended studies department. Be quick spaces are filling up very quickly!!!

For more background on Michael's work see his website and for an interview with Michael go here. If you are interested in further workshops and Master-classes and to get on the Kreative Momentum email list contact ioftheneedle@me.com

This doesn't define me

2011-08-04T17:17:00.000-07:00

When is work worth showing?
I watched a program on the BBC recently - if you have a link to Britain you might still be able to watch it... or a clip of it . It was a day in the life profile of Tracey Emin.
I was quite uplifted by hearing her views and seeing more of her art as she got ready for a show.
I decided then that I ought not to navel gaze quite so much about my work and, as I put it this morning, "I will not deliberate over every stitch, bead and title but be more spontaneous in my work."

They say that if you use the word 'try' it implies failure... well it took me several weeks of deliberation to decide if I would take part in "Collaboration" Contextural's end of residency show. For a start it wasn't collaboration as in "the action of working with someone to produce or create something" sense, as only one pair of collaborators had emerged (as far as I know) and I also questioned if my work from the residency warrants a showing.

Finally I decided that it is worth showing in the ACAD setting - with a proviso that I give it an Emin-type of, in-your-face, title to help it to be understood and say what exhibiting the work is supposed to show in an accompanying statement. So here it is, roughly photographed on the dining room floor.

"and this doesn't define me"

I am showing these 4 pieces at ACAD merely to hint at what is possible with disperse dye and minimal stitch. These pieces show a few experiments with disperse dye that I worked on at ACAD during June. I will take and already have taken the process further using 3D surfaces and a variety of fabrics. If you work with disperse dye please do post images on the Flickr Group Disperse Dye
Once one has done a City and Guilds one has to work hard at not 'having to' put layers and layers of stitch in everything one creates. So I took pleasure in creating the piece in the middle which is surface decoration only-no stitch; there was some thread involved though, in the method of dyeing! and that gives a clue to the collaborative process.
Drop by ACAD room 371 from Aug 21 to Sept 3 if you want to see more collaboration and probably more meaningful work.
I could navel gaze about that last phrase but, you know, I am just not going to!
PUBLISH POST-return

ioftheneedle has a face

2011-08-04T16:29:00.000-07:00

I edited my profile!
I might even get around to editing my edited profile at some point and do a bit of cropping... Thanks, daughter who took the photo.
I will soon have a face on facebook too and that, no doubt, will lead to tagging and so on and so forth.

Nudibranchs on iPhone... two of my loves in one place!

2011-08-02T13:46:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Gary and David on the launch of their new iPhone App. This is one must have I must have....

Go to http://www.nudibranch.com.au/ to see their website. Thanks again fellas for all your hard work and inspiration. I lifted this from their website too...

THE BRANCHER’S PSALM

The Nudibranch is my passion; I shall always want more.

They maketh me to dive in clean and dirty waters: They leadeth me beside intertidal pools.

They restoreth my soul: They leadeth me into the realm of academics for its name sake.

Yea, though I swim through the gutters of sharks and eels I fear no nudibranch: they are found there: my twin tanks and dive reel comfort me.

They preparest a photographic feast before me in the presence of my dive buddy: they anointest my gloves with slime; my specimen bottle runneth over.

Surely the need for the next species and controversy of identification shall follow me all the dives of my life and I will branch in the seas forever.

David Mullins 2008
(My apologies to King David)

My apologies to Kind David and anyone who might take this, not in the way it was meant, and be offended.

Live Wire between UK and Canadian Textile artist

2011-08-01T15:30:00.000-07:00

Just checked into an email from Jan in England and found a couple of links that might be interesting to record here. This season is a busy time in England for textile artists as shows abound around the country.Thanks Jan for sharing - looks like you had a great time at the shows.
www.tags.org.uk
www.easttextile.co.uk/blog/index.html
www.easttextile.co.uk/index.html
Whilst surfing around these sites I found the work of Yvonne Pedretti.

Immediately I hoped to be in touch with this talented artist. However it appears from the web that Yvonne passed away recently. She left a wonderful legacy that we can enjoy - her creative spirit, though sadly we will never meet.
The one below is mine from city and guilds days:-

I have worked with fibre optics before and perhaps seeing Yvonne's work now and my current project plans will encourage me to take my glass and plastic line work further. Thank you Yvonne.

I'm back! and what a summer journey so far.

2011-07-27T14:21:00.000-07:00

I do find my blogging is rather stop : start. But this time I do have a valid excuse. Last blog entry was June 22 2011. Since that time I have:-
Hosted a workshop at ACAD for the residency participants on Sewing Machine Abuse. We worked from 9 - 4 and stopped only for a quick pannini. It was intense. A few photos....

I challenged participants to make detailed and accurate note taking as screws were adjusted to throw the machines out of balanced tension... Siri followed through beautifully - was that her scientific training showing through?

Living dangerously... no needle guard as we made cords.

Then it was pack-up time for me as I left ACAD for another year... and swapped my work bags for travel bags and our summer holidays in BC.

Spent time in Victoria for Canada Day and got ourselves on the Living flag and on the same front page as Wills and Kate! We also visited the Royal BC Museum... and at last I found some wonderful quill-work... Many galleries do display excellent First Nation bead-work but quill-work is harder to find... John got this lovely shot for me.

Then on to Sooke and Port Renfrew for a week of painting, reading botany and photography.

These curious Mollusca on the beach

We were lucky enough to spot a Giant Octopus locked in a rock pool poor thing.... they are magnificent creatures and we were assured later at the Sidney Marine Science Centre that it would have got back to the sea on the next tide... here it is if you want to see it...

After that a week (nearly) on Salt Spring Island (heavenly) where I was fortunate enough to work with 10 wonderful textile artists as Stitches hosted me as I presented a workshop on Disperse Dye and Beyond. Spacious workspace too... and a spectacular pot luck lunch - those ladies know how to host!

I was kept so busy that I didn't manage to take any photos but Karen of Stitches has allowed me to use hers.

Spent lazy days exploring the island with the 3 of us holding digital cameras we were never going to be mistaken for locals.

One of the oldest buildings on the Island - and the jointing all cut with an axe.

On our return to Vancouver Island we later visited the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre (thanks for the recommendation ladies) and although lighting was difficult I got some lovely inspirational material. They even have two nudibranchs there, one was elusive, the other preferred shade (so no photographs of my own, though I did pick up a twitcher devoted entirely to Nudibranchs of the Pacific North-West, Amazing). I now know I must call them sea slugs to differentiate them from shallow marine worms (who are of course from a different family entirely).

After that back to Calgary and the rain... Friends arrived from England via their coach tour of BC and AB for a week of Millson hospitality. A highlight being the day spent at Sunshine Meandows and more botany.
All too soon friends departed and I got stuck in to my loose ends:-
Still chasing a mystery guest for ACAD, and it is now 26th July and it still isn't firmed up... dealing with institutions... nightmare.... But all seems to be going ahead-awaiting confirmation from the artist himself... then you will hear all about it.
Looking into getting my work critiqued by ACC (but will I be able to take the comments?) and hopefully the go ahead to improve things and/or supply scarfs to their gallery shop???***????
Making sure I have everything I need for an application that needs to be IN by end of August.
Creating a display method for "Five Creatures" ready for critique by Arlee this Thursday (yikes). These are for the upcoming Epcor/Contextural show. I hope they are ready to go to the exhibition (my deadline is Thursday 4th July when I hand them over to Anne as I will be away for the actual deadline) and the write up is written.
Something like this perhaps... I know it isn't exactly a studio shot but you get the idea..

As well as all of that I have been working on a way to display a bit of work from the residency... so that I can take part in their end of residency show. Just learnt that it isn't going to be in the Marion Nicoll gallery... that is a shame.
Here are 4 pieces, very water-colour-ish with minimalist stiching:-

There are 4 more that form a quadryptic if there is such a word... but all I have done for them is cover the boards that they will be mounted on. I still need to stitch stitch stitch and be happy.

Up to date now? I guess so....

To Dye or Two Die

2011-06-22T19:51:00.000-07:00

The images on this post might be disturbing to some people... Please be re-assured, No-one dyed - I mean died during the making of these coloured papers. (Better now?)

The hanging racks at ACAD - looks like a scene from an abattoir doesn't it.... or a horror movie at the very least...

From this....

To this....

Via this....

The two who dyed

Colourful day

2011-06-21T19:43:00.000-07:00

Threw a wobbly at ACAD today.... Stress levels were relieved by 1) Arlee presenting me with a wonderful gift... Crayola fabric crayons... in pristine condition still in original wrapper. Fortunately she doesn't know how much these are selling for on eBay and 2) her gushing over my ironing board cover (above). Great medicine Arlee.

The above was a gift from Larissa, thank you darling we all love it here at 4519. Do you think it wise for me to put the KMnO4 paper in the post, or should we wait for Canada Post to sort out its issues???

And if that wasn't enough to get be back on the straight and narrow I just need to look at this fellow, who is telling me to get off my backside and do the zen-fib-itee (which is a short form name for my next continuing project.... which involves Zentangles, Fibre and Graffiti.... Yarn bombers eat your hearts out. I can't wait to get into lettering again.
The image by the way is of a Community Arts Project (as if) on the wall outside the coffee shop at ACAD. A coffee shop whose name amused me though I can't think why right now and don't feel like going to their website to find out.
Now off to stitch well into the night to get the warty-branch finished.

Outcomes

2011-06-20T17:12:00.000-07:00

WARNING: Because of the nature of the content of this blog entry you will see the captial letter 'I' some 20 times.... sorry for being so self-focussed here.
The outcomes of my weekend residence and involvement with ArtsPeak were numerous.

Here are some of them... if you are interested.... and I don't list all the great things I learnt from Roseanne at the breakfast table and in her studio.
<>As I drove home I approached the rain that enveloped Calgary on Sunday evening. And drove under a rainbow and appreciated all that I have.
<>I reached out to the large, active and diverse stitching and (currently) non-stitching community of Canmore, learnt about their activities, desires and aspirations.

<>I provided some demonstrations of Sewing Machine Abuse and Surface Decoration through Disperse Dyeing.
<>I made contacts for future workshops in Canmore, Cochrane and Red Deer!!! Wonderful opportunities for next academic year. There certainly appears to be a demand. Please email me if you would like to hear news of these.
<>I learnt a lot from my fellow exhibitors - thanks for sharing.
<>I got advice on how to find somewhere that might be willing to exhibit my work.

<>I made new friends. And experienced the generosity of old friends.
<>I learnt how difficult it is to hang so many works when you are scared of heights.
<>I gave publicity to Contextural whilst meeting and hearing of local textile artists that I didn't know previously.
<>I was present at the inauguration of a wonderful piece of art that will stand in Canmore for ever!
<>I sold and was commissioned for more work than I had anticipated. And because of these sales I can donate, to the Canadian Mountain Arts Foundation, a small but healthy amount ( I consider it a healthy amount for one aspiring artist who had 'strange' work on sale to a viewing public that mostly likes landscape paintings!)
<><>I achieved a goal that I had set myself last summer and can now leave Calgary for summer to return in September and pick up the many threads, sew them together, create and embellish the fabric of my life - I never underestimate how lucky I am to have such a life.

To ArtsPeak Canmore and Beyond

2011-06-20T16:30:00.000-07:00

Synchronicity, The Tipping Point and a little bit of

It Was Meant to be.

When I saw Quilters' Inn B&B, during my online search for accommodation for the Canmore ArtsPeak, I thought "Surely someone is telling me to stay there. " and sure enough it was a match made in heaven as they say...

Roseanne told me later that she believe that all women share a link and that is the needle (sorry, R. for any mis-quote). I felt that connection this weekend.

I feel very much at home (as you can see) in this B&B where Roseanne and Grant have surrounded visitors with antiques and treasure of their full and eventful lives, and quilts galore. I have a respect for Grant for his work and community service, awards for these are discretely placed in the visitor's lounge and for Roseanne for all the textiley homely touches... even individual ribboned soaps.

And everywhere Quilts. Quilts that speak of frugal living in Canada just a generation ago; quilts - the new holiday scrap-book; quilts - the fabric representation of an observant mind; quilts of mathematical precision, geometrics gone crazy, with colours that are the most shocking or the most-muted; quilts that store flotsam and jetsam - a hoard from healthy living and walks on mountain passes in the Rockies; quilts telling the story of a husband and wife who so clearly love and support each other as in He Cooks She Quilts. Humour, sensitivity and sentimentality (in the most positive sense) are all values expressed in Roseanne's quilts. Yes, I am in awe of her skill and output!
Some highlights of the decor:

Yesterday evening was the inauguration of PortalXII, an outdoor art installation by Lucie Bause in Canmore.

The rain held off and the opening was attended by about 30 folks who, mostly, selected waterproof shoes, or wellies to get the better of the unpredictable weather.
Canmore's mayor gave the opening address which was followed by Cheryl Baxter of Elevation Gallery, and Lucie herself (show). The speeches set the piece in context very well and made the evening more meaningful and memorable for me. Thanks Alasdair and Susan for taking me along (wonderful dinner too). A highlight of the evening was a chat with Louis Kamenka of Kamenka Quarry

from which the Triassic, Rundle Rock (of the Spray River Group - for the geologists amongst us) was taken for the installation.

Artist in residence: Studio //6 Spring Creek
Today I heard it called a transitional period for some quilters in Canmore. And there was certainly much interest in my zany use of fabric and thread... and plastic and metal and all the rest. So I am thrilled that there might well be an opportunity for me to share some of my experience with such a wealth of talented stitchersin Canmore in the future... time will tell.

I probably had 60 people come through the studio in 6 hours. Thanks mainly, I think, to Roseanne who emailed the entire Quilters' Association about my demonstrations.

I shared studio space with Nicole Byl - of Safron Collective Studios whose music and the gentle hum of her pottery wheel kept our studio animated all day. I am sure that Nichole can tell visitors the story of my art-works tomorrow, she has heard them so frequently herself today, poor girl.

Larissa and Annie in the studio opposite have a colourful presentation of water-colours and mixed media and have worked wonders on their studio which was just a bit of a mess when they arrived.

Tiffany Teske who loves working with polaroid and demonstrates lifting (floating) and transfer of the image off the paper and using it in mixed-media pieces had no trouble pulling a crowd for the show. Check out her Etsy site for beautiful work.

Sunday Shannon appeared and worked non-stop on her Encaustic pieces and demos. Very refreshing pieces made in this way.

As well as.....

......Many artist painting en plein air. And doing the most amazing work... how do they do it? Did you leave me a treasure gift in the boot of my car, please get in touch... soon.

Patti Dyment, another plein air artist, was kind enough to spend some time with me. She will have a show at The Edge Gallery shortly - she has lived at Spring Creek with her family and I am sure there will be many local stories told through her paintings.

Here are some shots of my bit of the studio... What a wonderful space to live and work... For those artists out there who want to live and work in a wonderful location, remember the name, Spring Creek, Canmore.

What? an empty shelf - yes... a sale!

And my demo area... very busy zone (... well this was before 9 in the morning). Folks were wowed by the magic of transfer paint! And look, more empty spots.

It has been a lovely day. Thanks to everyone for helping make it so. Dana, Frank, Dave and Kathy, Roseanne and of course my family for giving me the 'weekend off'.
See next blog entry for what I consider to be the outcomes of this day for me....

Animated Gifs

2011-06-14T17:59:00.000-07:00

I asked Arlee to let me know where she got the following animation from so I can use it in my workshops on Sewing Machine Abuse and FX.... and now I am faced with getting inside a Gif, lifting it up, moving and placing it... let's see how I get on...
Da daaa.......

This is how a sewing machine creates a twist between the top and bottom thread - a vertical loading bottom bobbin is shown.... actually the animation is self explanatory... so I don't know why I am explaining any further.

Credit would be given to the animator of this mesmerising cartoon but I am sorry to say I haven't located the original as yet.

Day 6 - 10

2011-06-14T15:44:00.000-07:00

What to show for 5 days' work? Not a lot... but progress all the same, planning two workshops and finishing off the red monster... photo to follow tomorrow (abw). I have now tamed my sewing machine and can stitch happily into my Nodular Nudibranch's skin.... skin development involved disperse dye, paper resist and now mass stitch on felt...which just feels right. Gosh I would love to try this method on an industrial machine.
I will photograph tomorrow - I taught English today... so didn't go into ACAD where Noddy lives.
Excitement over possible workshop on Saltspring Island July 2011.... more on this to follow if the appointment is secured.
And a negative decision regarding Michael Brennan Wood's workshop at Maiwa. Too bad. But a decision nonetheless.
Took "4 Creatures and It" (Hey, my next series of works has a name) into the English Class at Bow Valley College and they were made most welcome. Students correctly identified sea-life as the source material for the series.
At last someone had created a machine that does French knitting... and those who follow my blog will remember:-

On which was attached...

...thus creating a toga belt for the Queen of Sheba... and you may recognise French knitting there... but it is French knitting taken a stage beyond French knitting...Now Take A Step Backwards - as I tried out my new gizmo... Yes that's me, (appearing for the first time ever, nearly, on my blog) I have to come clean at this point I AM the soon to be well-known criminal - 'F' (as in 'Z' for Zorro) - IF I were a yarn bomber I think I just came up with a name for me - or is the correct word 'handle'?

(funny word that...and from the online dictionary....gizmo |ˈgizmō| (also gismo)
noun ( pl. -mos) informal: a gadget, esp. one whose name the speaker does not know or cannot recall :the latest multimedia gizmo.ORIGIN 1940s (originally U.S.): of unknown origin.)
Sorry for the rambling nature of this blog entry it is merely because I actually have very little to say.

Now Day 5 ACAD

2011-06-06T16:31:00.000-07:00

Day 5 for me as I work somewhere else for one day a week -
And these pieces are what I can show today. I am quite taken with the top set.. though not sure if I want to make it two triptychs... I have an idea for the stitching too which is a bit off beat.

The image below is not blurred, stick with it....

Talking of off-beat... this is a layered piece with the organza creating a blurry - "I've had too much to drink" - look. Consequently I am not sure I like this piece... it is too disturbing to the eye. Rather like when I move the dyed paper whilst transferring the image. However if I try this with a figurative image I might find I like what it says... Right now they look like skeletal hands trying to grab and it is even more disturbing.

This piece shows how I can manipulate the technique to allow me to create shibori markings on cloth without all that stitching and wrapping nonsense... Don't take me too seriously, I love shibori but am excited by the idea that I can have more control over the colour placement with this technique... There is more to this than meets the eye...

Second and Third Day ACAD

2011-06-02T17:36:00.000-07:00

Replacement table - low level....

It may seem like a small thing - but it will make a huge difference to me... Like Goldilocks said "Just right" and I will be able to both see over the sewing machine whilst keeping my feet firmly on the ground. You can see how much lower I need my table by comparing with a 'normal person's table' on the right! Oh comfort, oh happiness.

Today the wonderful Tara spent time showing me how to apply emulsion to a screen - Anne showed my last year, but it is approx 365 days ago! and I am no elephant.

Then Day 3, and this is what I produced from some paint/blow/transfer work.

Then I was left thinking... what next. So I brought them home. I am approaching the end of week number 1 and perhaps I ought to bring in the digital ground work, which is what I had hoped to get into during these 4 weeks... I will prepare some designs and apply them to these surfaces over the weekend. My time at the college is a time to try new things and not be too precious with what I create at the first sitting... Having decided this I am now very happy that the surfaces are pale in colour and excited to see what I can find in our photo albums to marry with these designs.

ACAD Residency Day 1

2011-05-30T16:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was check in for the residency - we unloaded all our supplies and did the safety tour with Tara. Met old friends (great to be with you Arlee) and new folks. And ate tasty waffles, fresh fruit and whippy cream stuff from a can (Oh yes, I did).

Today was a settling in day for me - Prepared dyes using the dye box - working in gloves too big for my littly hands and a box too big for my littly reach - after about an hour I had prepared what I do at home in 15 minutes, but here I did it safely without ingesting any powder at all! Powder that the supplier says is only harmful in large quantities.

Then worked on a few small designs to get my hand in again... based them on scanning electron microscope images of bacteria and the like. Colours based on what scientist use as filters to pretty up the SEM images that are actually in plain old black and white. The images being taken via microscope lens of a sample coated in gold! Any colour the specimen had is therefore hidden by the gold.

The later-applied colour filters can be imitated quite well with disperse dyes whose colours are rather out of this world anyway.

One transfer created before I left today... just to give a taster

Wonderful... a text book example of a counterchange design on the side of a truck outside the Art and Design College!
No college for me tomorrow as I am teaching (English this time not stitching).

Mid-Spring holiday

2011-05-29T10:03:00.000-07:00

Back from time off for good behaviour.
Can't believe that with my friend we visited Alberta, British Columbia, and The USA (by crossing Waterton Lake! in the Peace Park) in our short holiday. We packed a lot in.
Here are some arty highlights in no particular order:-

Whyte Museum and Art Gallery

Reckonings: Michael Cameron and Karen Maiolo April 9 - June 12
This is a brilliant exhibition which we both enjoyed. We talked about on the way round. My comment of "wouldn't it be great to discuss this with the artist" was overheard and we found ourselves chatting with Karen about how the joint show and the pieces evolved, their technique and nods to other artists such as Banksy (and, I thought, Damien Hurst). It was a pleasure, thanks so much.

High Fashion in the Rockies - not normally my cup of tea to look at costumes, but this one was just the right size and I find myself taken with 1950's and 60's styles and Mrs Luxton's taste. Dresses date from 1920 - with accessories on show too.

Inglewood Fine Arts

Charles Carson - of the "Carsonism" technique. I found the work exciting and inspiring. In terms of stitches it reminds me of the work of Julia Caprara - although Carson's work is very thickly applied paint not thread. His work is abstract with naive imagery - amazing that he gets away with it really - his pieces sell for 10s of thousands of dollars... so there we are. Message for me - "Lighten up, girl!"

Banff Park Museum
Loads of stuffed animals! in a more than 100 year old museum (that's old for Canada remember). Architecture of the, building inside and out, is stunning.
We went in to see the Robert Bateman works that they have in there - about 5 of them, and good to see if you want to give a taste of Bateman to a visiting European. Breath-taking imagery of wildlife.

Apart from these official art stimuli, there was springtime in the Rockies, stunning flowers - here a Shooting star - shooting right out of a pile of dung in Waterton Alberta (thanks for the image - Robin, what a gift)

OK OK this is it without the scats. And I am giving publicity to the festival, so am I forgiven my wicked sense of humour.

..... and also wild weather up Sulphur Mountain, cultural awareness at Head Smashed In, the beauties of Canada's wildlife from furry caterpillars to furry bears and references to the Japan Earthquake at Frank's slide (meaning we viewed a small rock slide and, very sadly, my thoughts were taken to the same on a massive scale as I thought of the devastation in Japan).

Lovely art-work on this leaflet for the folk festival in Calgary- Artist unknown (sorry).

Quickie

2011-05-11T07:35:00.000-07:00

Standard sort of resist to colour a surface - with digital printing (that most definitely is not printing through sequin waste which is sooooo passe) .... Hmmm... This IS getting interesting.... Would this work on silk... I ask? Give it a go I answer.

Weirdly this isn't quite what it seems...

2011-05-09T18:05:00.000-07:00

So this is two layers of skin and quite strangely now looks like a view through two trees into a wood... yawn.....
The stitching (red) is visible through the top layer in the middle of the image... where it looks like more copse between the trees. Quite effective... at marrying the two layers together.

Today has been an off day. Yes I do get them. And I really do want to throw out the samples with the bath-water. I didn't sleep well as I was turning over in my mind just how to manage all the ideas above and below (blog entries) at ACAD where I can't possibly re-create my own studio. Also so little time so much to do scenario again...
Thinking maybe I need to do something different at ACAD after all..... Something smaller... and more tightly constrained.
Also - perhaps I am trawling the old same-same... and need to put my own spin on all these digital surfaces... collage, skins printing on metal, double yawn - I need to evolve... how will it work out? my mind is in overdrive. It hurts. "Bursting with ideas" is no metaphor.

Growth of Bark 1

2011-05-06T11:52:00.000-07:00

This is a layered and manipulated digital image printed on acrylic skin. In this image it sits on an acetate sheet lying over a cotton fabric.
I want to work more into this now... Be not afraid.

My Pile - After Arlee 4/2011

2011-05-06T08:30:00.000-07:00

All around the province people are busy preparing piles of stuff to use during the ACAD Residency. Here is my pile so far... today I hope to stitch, stitch and be merry. My daughter is studying "Much ado about nothing"... I think it is having an effect on me.

This is the opening of the exhibition at Framed on Fifth... when everyone had left and we could actually see the paintings (it was well-attended). Mine are tucked in near the window a little hidden by easels and rather sun-blocked, but I hope they are more open today as things will have been moved back into place after the 'show'.

It was a lovely evening where I met a wonderful community of Calgary and local artists. I envy their skills - Photography, sculpture, painting, encaustic... and cooking.

MorW's

Which brings me onto why M&M's has an apostrophe.

For answers to this puzzling question you can do no better than starting here...

and now I go to work - if I can with the skunk smell pervading the house.

Paint Preps...

2011-05-05T13:47:00.000-07:00

This should be interesting...
Tune in tomorrow to see what happens... I am thinking tree bark.

Exhibition Framed on Fifth - for the month of May

2011-05-05T13:45:00.000-07:00

Where I am going tonight?

I have a few pieces up in this very diverse show.... where my work is lucky to be juxtaposed with the work of very talented fine artists. See all the works tonight at the Artist opening.... 5 - 8pm see you there.

For now, here is one of my pieces that is going up and looks just gorgeous in Hannah's framing.

Not The Stig, the Stud and Contracts

2011-05-01T10:57:00.000-07:00

Creepy - Oh yes.

Just one more to do for a series of 5 creatures.
For today though I am planning a lecture/demo. at Bow Valley College that I will give on Tuesday for the Culture Kids as I like to call folks who are learning English by means of enjoying culture, arts and so on. I am going to give a slide show and have some samples to hand that everyone can hold and talk about - I hope. I think it will be great fun.
On another subject:-
Anyone out there have any experience of selling your work via graphics companies. I have an iron in the fire and wouldn't mind some insiders' tips. What to ensure is in a contract, and how much is the normal rate for royalties? and really anything that anyone would like to share.

Creature 4-The Stud

2011-05-01T10:18:00.000-07:00

Keeping stitching going along with the skins...
This is the skin of Creature 4 for the miniature exhibition - or exhibition of miniatures with Contextural at Epcor in October. It is very reptilian with its metallic articulating ossicles. After making this for a 3 x3x3 inch site, I would love to make one sooooo big.... with 1000's of press-studs but my lack of $$$$$$ puts me off.
Any willing sponsors out there?
If no-one comes forward I will have to carry on and dye this creature ready for stitching. It is soooo scary already, heaven knows how I will feel if I were to come across this on a dark UV-lit night.

Preparing Skin

2011-04-29T13:30:00.000-07:00

Firstly a lesson in acrylic. Looks like some artists' quality paints are not the same as other artists' quality paints. This one from Michaels... well what do you expect... has rather a lot of water in it... perhaps.

Still, you know me - turn a disaster into an advantage... slap on some pva and it might give a crackled look to any self respecting digital print.

The same with this one and what a wonderful effect it has given me after applying more glue... I wonder if it will flatten out as it dries. But it is interesting as it is.

Terracota-ice

2011-04-28T14:44:00.000-07:00

Self satisfaction

Skins-New Ways

2011-04-27T13:00:00.000-07:00

I have this to show for 2 day's' work... but I am well-pleased. I will call them 'Gems.' The upper one is a New Zealand gem and the lower one is a 'River Gem.'
I am thrilled to have a technique of printing on curled up bits of glue!
Had the morning with the Wednesday stitchers and this afternoon it rained! It was wonderful.
Off to harp and stitching in Starby's... another wormy creature in the making.

Planning for ACAD 2011

2011-04-26T15:40:00.000-07:00

I feel very lucky to have landed in Calgary and the Alberta College of Art and Design offers up studio space for 3 months during summer break for the regular classes.
For not too much money you can have access to large work tables and screen printing equipment.
Me? I go because I want contact with like-minded folks.
Last year it didn't work out quite that way as, during June, not many of the artists were not free to work in the studios during the day and were more night-birds. This year though I am hopeful that there will be some people around when I am, namely the hours 8 - 3.
I am going to be developing my work on digital grounds. I hope to use my own digital imagery which will be more than squeezed, stretched and overlapped to produce abstract art from stuff that might otherwise be quite dull! Also imagery that I think is already rather exciting will be enhanced by the way I print and screen.... Stay tuned....

Skins

To prepare for the residency I am now taking myself back to work I did more than a year ago. Printing on diverse materials. Thank goodness I attempt to keep good notes and samples. These new skins are much larger than the samples I worked before and are from PVA glue, Paverpol and Acrylics. And I am testing out various surfaces... acrylic sheets, glass, plastics of different types and silicon baking sheets.

This is an old Cricut mat that I am using to re-flatten the skins after they have peeled back from the drying sufrace. One or two have textural additions of acrylic medium. They must be within the depth limitations of my printer to be acceptable as skins.

Evolution of Surface

2011-04-25T08:38:00.000-07:00

The very same piece of felt as in previous post was manipulated into an organic form... which suggests lichen.

Outside in

Inside out

More detail

Through the workshop of Marjolein Dallinga I learnt how to make thin felt from merino wool. Unfortunately I don't own any of that fine wool right now - so the pre-felt for these pieces was quite a bit thicker. However it handled well for the sculpting part. Marjolein taught us how to create a 'bag' of felt over a flat piece of resist, this new skill has proved very useful. The sculpted 'bag' has a hollowed out hemispherical form and is reversible. Anyone want a hat?

Now, to work much much larger! But only after I have finished other jobs...

"So much time, and so little to do! Strike that, reverse it." Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - The movie - a quote for Easter Monday.

Felting with Friend

2011-04-21T13:48:00.000-07:00

Even a morning's felting couldn't improve my Calgary-hands... namely dryness.

Saskia suggested photographing this piece outdoors along with our April snow and Rundle slate.

Here it is sculpted and suggesting a tree stump complete with moss and toadstools.
Right now the same piece is in Shibori-mode and I am off to full it - right now.

Where do teapots go to die?

2011-04-20T08:16:00.000-07:00

The one on the left I had had for years, bought it in Poole at the Poole Pottery as a second - and, being a British tea-drinker myself, it had had a lot of heavy-handed, and clumsy use before finally becoming unsafe to use (as a teapot) when it developed a deep crack.
The one on the right I bought at great cost at Britannia hardware used it once, bashed it on the tap and broke the spout... My mother taught me that broken or cracked crockery is unsafe... so now it is a scissors' holder. (Bu the way, apostrophe-needed = holder of scissors)

Working on felt - it is a thrill to sculpt felt... such a user friendly material.

I usually do battle with the materials I use, this is at peace with me... Maybe I should work with felt more often? And if you can't tell, this previously flat felt is now sculpted... I like to think of it as a singing bowl as I work it into shape. There is something very meditative about stitching with such density.

Listen to me and give yourself 10 minutes of peace.

Doodles revisited

2011-04-18T12:41:00.000-07:00

I bought a Moleskin book about a year ago and have been using it as my school car park distraction since then. Last week I filled it. Here are some of the doodles. I am well pleased as it has shown me what one can do with 2 or 3 marker pens and a hand-bag sized sketch book... The instruction to "Draw something every day" has become a reality....
I used Faber-Castell broad PITT artist pens. "Big boxed set comes with 48 colours." Says Don Colley!!! Oh yes please.... 2010 - 11 was certainly my Blue Phase. But my sketching period threatens to be freer with use of spit, skin and colour. Check out the ADDY-awarded video to truly understand what I mean. But for now I will be limited to 12 colours if my daughter will play nice.

PINS & NEEDLES

2011-04-12T16:16:00.000-07:00

Winter is nearly finished - even in Calgary - and yet I only just made one or two enviro-stitch installations.... I can't believe I nearly missed the opportunity again... I had so many ideas... roll on next winter...

Friday was a good friday

2011-04-11T15:15:00.000-07:00

Friday evening I had a night out with my daughter. It started off with a reception for the opening of the new Gallery and Frame Store "Framed on Fifth" whose owner is a pleasure to work with. (I have posted the only link I could find for the gallery... since it is so new I guess Hannah hasn't had a chance to create a web site of its own yet) The small gallery was nicely packed with the work of Patricia Thomson - exhibiting April 4 - 30th. Her oils and stitched work are delightful... pop over and take a look. The stitched pieces are nice... with use of block machine stitching to give that painterly look one can get from densely stitching by machine. Sadly I am not having much luck with websites today - Patricia's is phished.... it seems, so I haven't linked to it here- sorry...

From there we went to Resolution Gallery on 10th and looked around their silent auction and the boutique below. And I was introduced to Ruby Johnson of Ruby Ellen DESIGNS who is delightful... and who generously offered to have some of my pieces in her studio... "To brighten the place up." Wouldn't it be wonderful to have some of my shibori incorporated into a wedding dress. Even if it only happened once in my lifetime... wow!
Here is a pink delight to get the thought processes going ....

From there we went to Gratitude Cafe and had a splendid evening playing chess/rummy and eating vegetarian - gluten- and nut- free food which was delicious.
A very wholesome evening.

artsPeak 2011 June 18-19

2011-04-08T15:16:00.000-07:00

Go to http://www.artspeakcanmore.com/ to learn what happens in Canmore on a (hopefully) sunny weekend in June. I am pleased to announce that I will be there, as I have taken the opportunity to be one of three artists in residence in a studio at Spring Creek. I make no apologies for the hidden advertising as the developer is offering the studio space.

So far no money has been requested and although a logistical nightmare (with some of my stuff in my studio in Calgary and other stuff in the studio at ACAD) how will I get it all over to Canmore.... Anyway it promises to be a lot of fun and a community-focussed day...

Check out this call if you would like to be involved too:-

www.edgegallery.ca

Call for artists!

artsPeak June 18^th and June 19th

Continuing with the same theme as last year we are hoping to encourage any of you artists out there to join in the “Spring Creek Paint Out”, which will take place on Saturday, June 18^th and Sunday, June 19^th from 10 am to 4 pm daily. Last year was a great success as the artists painted their way around the Spring Creek village – painting the creeks, the construction sites, the mountains, the roadways – you name it – they painted it! The excitement it generated for the artists was invaluable as they pushed their comfort zone and encouraged each others abilities.

Any artists wanting to participate this year please sign up at The Edge Gallery (phone: 403-675-8300)

(email: theedgegallery@shaw.ca)

Any sales that occur from the “paint out” fundraiser will be processed through The Edge Gallery – 50% to the artist and 50% to the Mountain Arts Foundation.

Frank Kernick, the developer of Spring Creek Village, has again kindly offered the live/work studios as an “artist in residence” program during the artsPeak weekend.

Each studio can accommodate up to 3 artists (painters, potters, photographers, jewelers, glass blowers).

Any artists without studio space, this a wonderful opportunity to be where the “action” is!

There is no charge for the use of the space and all sales will go through the artists.

Please sign up at The Edge Gallery (as space is limited). Please forward to any other artists you think might be interested.

Phone: 403-675-8300

Email: theedgegallery@shaw.ca

The digital stuff... as requested

2011-04-08T15:04:00.000-07:00

Since my last post I have been asked to upload the images I put in the waiting room... as they can't be seen fully in the photos of the corridor. Some of these images probably appear somewhere else in my blog... but as I don't label...... I am uploading again... If you want to use these image please note they are watermarked and self-destruct if downloaded.

Here are 3 of the 4 photos plus one I didn't put up. That is cryptic isn't it.

I like to take my work full circle, I have probably said this before. I work from macro shots of natural sources and then create paper collage etc which is the design phase, and then develop it in stitch, be it 2D or 3D works and when it is finished I photograph it usually with a narrow depth of field, although hubby sometimes wants larger depth of field, I like to do it this way. Sometimes the whole family is there taking shots of my work all of us with our own cameras! to see if any of us can produce one that really is ace.

I got these printed really quite big (for me) though not big as an art gallery might do them. Now wouldn't that be wonderful to see work blown up to the size of a gallery's wall.

Canmore Hospital

2011-04-07T10:01:00.000-07:00

I was fortunate enough to meet Dana Roman through Contextural and even though I don't live in Canmore but 40 mins away in Calgary, Dana thought I ought to be given the opportunity to hang some of my work in the community space of Canmore Hosptial.

The image above shows four digital prints of abstracts from my shibori hoodoo work hanging in a communal waiting area of the main corridor that runs through the cancer treatment unit. Whilst we were hanging the works (thanks for your brilliant help Dana and Al) several of the staff seemed really pleased to have more work coming into the rooms and patients walked by smiled or sat in the chairs to take a break. It seems the hospital is a very friendly place and the above area is much used.

We also hung 5 of my small stitched pieces in the treatment rooms to the right of the waiting room. I was quite surprised when a member of the staff told me that I certainly must put up a bio. and some prices as people like to read about the works and may even like to make a purchase. Thinking back I am sure Dana must have told me this before, but I guess it was quite an alien idea to me so I forgot it.

I am very proud to have my work up in the hospital. Thanks to John for paying for the framing!

Do we do philanthropic things to make ourselves feel good about ourselves? Certainly, but I hope that isn't the main reason but that it is also because we truly believe we can make the world a better place.

The hospital ought to be congratulated for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere and for its support of the arts. The walls and cabinets along a main thoroughfare are given over to gallery space for many local artists... but beware, it seems that theft of pieces is not unheard of. Can you imagine? For shame.

Miniatures - developing

2011-03-28T12:10:00.000-07:00

Work on the October Contextural exhibition is proving challenging but I think I am making progress with these mini worms. No apologies to Kraken from Pirates of the Caribbean.

I C I C l E

2011-03-27T15:58:00.000-07:00

These are going to be great for me to work with at the ACAD summer residency this year.

And I am proper proud of them as images in their own right....

Thaw Thaw - Not

2011-03-26T10:06:00.000-07:00

This is what I had missed in the morning because I didn't have my camera with me. We went back for a shoot at 4pm, the light wasn't at its best but I think we were all well-pleased. The best shot was taken by my daughter and I cannot show it here because she might submit it to the school photography competition - who knows. I was particularly pleased with the school bus aerial... seen below. There are more spikes today... but it is snowing a thin snizzle (drizzling snow) which will cover over much of the fine detail. But wow, what a wonderful world.

Haw Haw

2011-03-25T09:07:00.000-07:00

For those of you who like something to read...

You might like to picture this - Spring officially started this week in Canada. We had snow! Not to worry, I love the snow it is beautiful and apparently so pure. We all enjoy the miraculous shapes that the snow and ice make and continue to enjoy being out and about in the snowy and wintery weather. But being the end of the season, the air has become a little damper and certainly warmer. The result is that the character of the snow changes and we even had freezing rain yesterday morning.

This morning I awoke and, as normal, took a look out of the front window to see if there was snow (as I need to clear the drive and public pathways if there is, I like to check early in the day, so that I can get out there before driving my daughter to school). There was a light dusting of white on the ground which had been cleared yesterday. But the trees appeared a little light against the sky. It looked different.

As the sky lightened the wonderful white tree shapes came out of the gloom and beyond it, so that by the time I had driven back from school drop-off, the trees stood out, bright white, against the off-white sky, in a reversal of the norm. A negative image had developed that is, ironically, impossible to capture on film.

What we have today is a magnificent haw frost... the length of some of the crystals that have grown with the gentle wind is amazing - far longer than my photos show (I didn't have a camera with me at school). They stand like white magnetic hairs on the heads of all fence posts and form Mohican hair styles extending downwind of all the fence posts. Similarly they top and line the branches of the trees and hedges.

I am reminded that it is a wonderful world, for all the difficulties the natural world can throw at us as well as those that, sadly, man creates across its surface.

Can I make a proposal?

2011-03-24T13:00:00.000-07:00

It all takes time. I write, I edit, I edit, I edit... and still I can't fill in the slots that ask for costs. And time moves on... seasons change... It is spring here in Calgary and it snowed yesterday. Above is an area of defrostation, that is defrostation... not deforestation, as the ice melts off the roof and whoa betide anyone who tries to climb the steps to our front door. I am busy writing proposals... so you just slip away.
This photo really was a Dogme moment, nothing planned or arranged....
And still I go on re-reading and re-writing and wondering why someone who likes to stitch has to be good with words.
I do like the House Elves best...
Here is Creatch.

Thank you Gabi

2011-03-21T13:11:00.000-07:00

Imagine my surprise at receiving this through the post on Friday... it is a beautifully illustrated book about the Hungarian artist - Julia Erdos... and was sent to me by my wonderfully thoughtful friend Gabi, who sent it from Oman! and it took more than 6 weeks to get here even with loads of stamps and an Air Mail sticker! But since I had no idea it was coming - I wasn't frustrated by the travel time.

It is gorgeous... I don't think I am supposed to reproduce the images... though because it is in Hungarian I am not sure! If you can come to the stitching group on Wednesday you can see it... and translate it if your Hungarian is up to it!

Thank you Thank you Thank you

2011-03-21T13:03:00.000-07:00

Make Perhaps This Out Sense Of Can You

I take my preparations for teaching the Kreative Momentum classes rather seriously - for the next class we are taking disperse dyes to another level.

I work on the theory that the end point is not important - I simply create and learn and adjust things as I go along... I am taken away by the process...

Sorry to go on about my recent thrill at attending Marjolein's workshop but she stated the same philosophy and it gave me a buzz to hear it from another voice... and then sure enough, yesterday - whilst working and listening to the BBC world Service, I heard the same theory from the visual poet Bob Cobbing *

"I think I never set out to do anything. I think that's fatal. I think to have an aim in mind is probably very restricting. It's really a matter of doing things to see what happens. Really, you know, you don't know what it is going to sound like until you've done it, and the second time is different and the third... (chuckles...) "

*Be quick there are only 12 days left to listen

One divided by 2 is 2

2011-03-20T16:25:00.000-07:00

1 LegWarmer = 2 ArmWarmers

Thanks to the workshop (see below) my daughter now has two arm-warmers.
I just cut down the middle of the leg-warmer and blocked the pieces to fit her arms.
A little backstitch and felting later (sorry Marjolein it wasn't by hand) and the arm-warmers are just to her taste.
And in her hands are the pebbles she made after being inspired by Marjolein's talk at ACAD this week... wonderful show by the textile students and an incredible talk.

All this writing of leg and arm-warmers has reminded me of "Little Bear's Trousers" Jane Hissey 1987 which every small child should have read to them hundreds of times - ("They're not icing bags, they're my TROUSERS!!! ") well it didn't do us any harm. In this day and age... guess what, Little Bears stories are available online though the animation isn't a patch on the book illustrations - complete with one's imagination.

A busy week in March

2011-03-13T14:23:00.000-07:00

I knew this was going to be a busy week with Kreative Momentum workshop on snow dyeing, teaching English, Felt workshop with Marjolein Dallinga, and then teaching my own workshop on disperse dyes and finally Friday's cross-country skiing in West Bragg Creek to finish (me) off.

The snow dye workshop was successful.

We did the dyeing on Monday and met up on Thursday to share out the basins' goodies. I had orange and yellow (turned out to be more orange than yellow) and the violet became blue with a hint of violet. All my fabrics went under the snow with out dampening. I think this made the colour pick-up stronger. I saw that my sail-cloth fabric took the dye very well (bottom right). Pure colours didn't give as good an effect, this was as expected.

I had kept the left-over dyes in their pots at room temperature for 3 days, but I used them up on more sail-cloth just to see how well they worked with mixing of colours. I was really pleased with the results. Some areas are really very interesting and these fabrics will form good grounds for more stitching and samples. Sail - cloth is quite stiff though, but will be great for machine embroidery.

Instead of using inclined plastic sheeting as suggested in Quilting Arts magazine, I used pieces of fabric - muslin=cheesecloth (canadian English) taped to the bowl and forming a surface on which to place the fabric and drain away the snow/dye mix. The advantage is that the muslin is dyed at the same time...

I have just found this tutorial from Rebecca J Kemble who wrote the article in QA. if you would like to take a look

These are the results of the Felting workshop with Marjolein. Where we learnt to felt with very little wool roving. A 12" square was laid out using only 10g of roving and felted down by 50% to create a very sturdy piece of fabric. On the right you see one legwarmer! which used 30g of roving and was fun and thrilling to make. I would have been happier to learn more techniques of 3D surfaces but we only had one day... and M. did well to cope with the mixed-ability group.

Important outcome - Kiss your Face olive oil soap (used for felting all day long) is wonderful... especially for my skin in this dehydrating atmosphere of Calgary. Recommended.

Next stop during the week was a workshop with Kreative Momentum where we looked into disperse dyes. And created lots of interesting surfaces with so much potential that we are going to carry on with this at the next workshop... I had better start preparing some more progressive samples....

Something new

2011-02-24T13:38:00.000-08:00

I am buzzing with so many ideas (aren't we all?).... but at least it is with a purpose. I have an opportunity to put some work up in a hospital here in Alberta and want to create something that might be contemplative. I am now making 20 (or more) of these little cup shapes. They are like 3D mandalas. Or prayer mats you can sink into.... They are only a couple of inches across. They remind me of those brass prayer bowls... where have I seen those. This is just a beginning for these Sweet Dishes.

I just don't believe it

2011-02-23T09:02:00.000-08:00

This is beyond synchronicity.

Which came first?

This blue brooch did...

And then, today, I had a few minutes and decided to check on some of the blogs I have popping up on the lower right (see lower right) and found that 2 days ago Nudibranch central have added another gem of a Nudibranch. I do hope you don't mind, Gary, but I continue to post images of that you and your fellow divers' observe...

Courtesy of http://nudibranchcentral.blogspot.com/
I know the colours and the symmetry aren't there but come on, work with me here... can't you? See the resemblance...
Here is a photoshopped version in brown! if that helps.

And my work isn't flat either... let's see if I can get a pickie that shows the relief...

Anyway must get on today.... working on something for the next Epcor show right now... although these little fellas would be nice in that show - the method is hardly suitable for working whilst on the go...

Stamp and Stitch - over two weeks and Valentine's Day 2011

2011-02-22T16:55:00.000-08:00

A card for my dear.

From time to time people ask me "What do you celebrate... ?" I have had such a wonderful opportunity to sample traditions in Europe, India, The Middle East and North America.... I say I celebrate as much as possible. So no need to be overly concerned about St. Valentine... just use the day to show someone you care.

More Class

I now have two Kreative Momentum workshops running - Not the first and the second, but the Thursday and the Friday classes.

Here is a bit of output from the second group.... I hope they let me show you more work after part two.... on March 4th. For now these pieces show stamped white felt.

More Kreative Momentum

2011-02-18T09:59:00.000-08:00

During January and February we have been working on stamps and embellishing with the embellisher machine. This machine is wonderful as long as you have enough money to pay for the consumables.
At $17 for 5 needles it costs a lot to keep the machine working!
(Just like the Cricut and its expensive tacky mats and cutting blades..... moan, moan, moan)

I am pleased to post a bit of the work from the two groups:-

The first is an image I snatched from one of the stamps, which was inked up with fabric paint and comprises merely 6 elastic bands.... very clever.

And this the work of one lady whose colour choices give her away!

And one sample of mine - unfinished....

Is that all?

2011-02-18T09:51:00.000-08:00

Friends in Canmore

I was fortunate enough to be invited with half a dozen others to a condo in Canmore for the weekend. We had a lot of fun relaxing, eating and eating and I demonstrated wrapped frame work.

Lots of fun. And a class I will certainly repeat and develop for the Kreative Momentum workshops.

What have you been doing since early December??

2011-02-18T09:12:00.000-08:00

Simple Screen-printing

For years now I have coveted a Thermofax machine. But fate being what it is, these machines are out of production and not available even reconditioned in Calgary... The nearest source that I have found is Houston, and they wont ship their reconditioned machines abroad unless you are prepared to forego the warrantee.
Anyway as luck would have it there is an alternative.
My first encounter with the Cricut machine was in 2008 when I saw one in Michael's Store (that is Hobbycraft on hormones for those of you in Britain). I was put off the Cricut because it appeared to be of limited application owing to its dependance on design source which are supplied on proprietor cartridges and the huge expense of these and other consumables (blades and mats). Then I discovered that there is software that allows you to transfer your original designs from the computer to the machine. And this year I discovered that Mac software is available (*although use of it will violate your Cricut warranty* Cricut told me they are working on a program for Mac currently so it might be better to wait for that if you are a nervy type).
So, no more expensive cartridges for me... I can make my own designs using Photoshop or Illustrator and once these are saved as pdf files they can be cut out of card or vinyl.
And now we get to the application that I was interested in... Using vinyl sheets one can cut out a stensil and by transfering this to a screen (and blocking out unused areas with more vinyl, one can screen print without all that emulsion, dark room, possible errors from inadequate exposure/black out not being dark enough... etc etc....
Below, by very first screen and a product of it... I was using Acylic paint that has travelled the seven seas at temperatures of above 35degrees... old stock in other words, and my screen was made of net curtain! So what do you expect.

I have a lot to learn about screen printing, but I think I do get the chance to say Thermofax, eat your heart out.

Waste not - I want.

2010-12-02T11:46:00.000-08:00

I don't seem able to throw away even the smallest piece of scrap fabric. After the class finished the other day one of the participants asked me about throwing away scraps from my fabrics they had used... and I only nodded my ascent as I couldn't bring myself to say "Yes, of course chuck them." but inside of me I heard (rather loudly)... "No, I can use that ... not now, who knows when, but I know I can use it" After the class finished and I cleared up I took out the larger of the scraps and put them in my box of useful bits.

I do feel I ought to give myself part (just a small part) of each day, to do something with such things... nothing structured, just play around... it could be considered a warm up exercise - maybe that is what is missing from my studio time. And actually my life...

Latest play on what was waste:

The above was a piece of carrier that was used to support a print on a sheer, which was then waxed, and inked and dried and will soon be stitched I hope.

Just a bit-a-fun

2010-11-23T18:50:00.000-08:00

It is such a good idea to play with techniques at the postcard-sized level.
This was for a workshop at the studio this week - continuing with cable and machine-made cords.

The Show and Sale

2010-11-23T17:15:00.001-08:00

The Contextural show and sale on Saturday went really well. Not only was it positively buzzing it also brought in lots of funds and everyone enjoyed the chilli and punch/wine/coffee +/- Bailey's.... do I need an apostrophe there?
We had wall pieces, screen prints, cards and labels, books, natural dye, devore, necklaces, felt, shibori, bags, belts, scarves, hats, and oh so much more... Congratulations to everyone who took part. And thanks to those who supported us all.

I need to say a special thanks to those who looked after my table at the break up of the show... much appreciated.

The nerve centres - Sales counter!

And kitchen - yum!

And here are some of the items I put up for sale:-

And some more pieces from the show....

2010-11-23T17:15:00.000-08:00

What more can I say...

Latest walnut

2010-11-08T10:48:00.000-08:00

These are my latest beads. I strung one necklace and hope for a bit of feedback on it today if I manage to meet up with Siri. These are ready for playing about with to see how best to string.
I am going to try to get one on a wire choker now.... I think that will be a lovely way to show them off.
What do you think of beading along one edge too... but it mustn't get too itchy scratchy on the wearer so maybe not.
On a business note... each beads take 45 mins each to manufacture... So a necklace at 5 hours work is already an expensive item... not to mention the findings... which, if I want sterling silver or good quality at least, cost a pretty penny. What is the Canadian equivalent of "pretty penny"? .... sweet cent, perhaps??

Taking Part - Putting together a walnut/peach stone.

2010-11-01T17:01:00.000-07:00

How exciting, Contextural is having a show and sale for Xmas.... in mid. Nov. Oh dear... I must get a move on if I want to show anything. So whilst watching the last Flames match (which they shamefully lost 7-0) I sketched out a few ideas. Today I made some 'platelets' that I thought would be layered up to become brooches.
By school pick up time I was getting a bit despondent as the assembling phase was not going well. But after the break of a drive to and from school and then kitchen-time... which included mashed celeriac&potatoes.... I did what I do best - played - and found I had fashioned what I thought at first was a peach stone, but soon realised it is a walnut for Xmas of course...
I had decided to work in Orange... to facilitate a discussion of the samples with a group of unsuspecting folks on Wed. Since 2 of them are Dutch I though the orange-ness might appeal to them subliminally!

Here is a walnut.
Perhaps it just looks like a tangled piece of cord... but that isn't what it is at all.... I think when there are more it will be more obvious how it is made and it will show the various ripple shapes... adjacent to each other.... ( to be shown in my next blog entry I hope).

I am going to make 5 of them, minimum, per necklace...and string them onto a wire... maybe using those pinched beads to hold them in place... and the clasp???? Maybe take a trip to Michaels for jewellery inspiration tomorrow.
First sample will have beads of all one size but as I become more confident working the designs I intend to throw in some variations in size and, of course, colour. And I want to go back to my inspiration... the worms for colour combination ideas.
Ooh this is going to be fun... as long as I crack the findings....

The Flyer is finished.

2010-10-29T10:37:00.000-07:00

I made this flyer to place at the exhibitions and in coffee shops and in the Outpost newsletter. Now I need to find a cheap way of producing them in high quality format. I have one set of students taking part and have a second class starting in Nov. It is a beginning.

Oops no title

2010-10-29T09:32:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness, I have got to make a brooch out of this subject. Thanks Gary. Could it be that my machine work, my shibori and my insanity will all come together.... Let me make this a goal!
Mathematics here I come.
And if you don't understand that comment, do ask.

John's Photos

2010-10-12T13:56:00.000-07:00

Some folks who received invitations to the show but cannot make it since they live on a different continent! asked to see more photos... So here are some that John took bless him, his patience, support and his Nikon.

And a view of the exhibition, although not all of it - as several artsits' work cannot be seen in this shot, scroll down to see more.

More images from the exhibition

2010-10-05T09:08:00.000-07:00

All credit to Lana of Eleven Eleven and Resolution Gallery who has proved an excellent host for this exhibition. She certainly runs a business with heart and soul. I wish her and her colleagues much success. This business deserves its succeess so here is a photo of the owner and the place, I hope you will visit the gallery and also the boutique that she runs on the main floor.

The Gallery at 233 - 10 St NW Calgary (Kensington District)

Now back to some more photos.... Although there is much more to see, read and understand than is shown here....First a detail of the beautiful hand dyed and printed fabric from Anne

Anne Fetterly

Sample table and documentation by Lyn Pflueger (sorry Lyn about my Omani bag confusing the story - so unprofessional)

And detail of her hanging shibori piece above.

Dana Roman

Melinda Topilko

Charis Birchall

Tara Griffiths

Thanks especially to Anne who curated the show and all the other members who helped organise and support the group.

Contextural Show - Documentation opens today

2010-10-05T08:43:00.000-07:00

Oops I pressed publish post before I had finished... sorry... to be cont'd....

I know these shots are really bad... I hope to pay the exhibition another visit and get some better ones... but these are from yesterday when I put the works up and the cents were ticking on the pay parking in Kensington... yes, we have a Kensington in Calgary too.

The exhibition is delightful and I am honoured to be participating with such a wonderful group of artists. Here are some better photos of their work! In no particular order.

Julie Baratta

Siri McCormick

Anne Fetterly

Arlee Barr

Mud Volcano Yellowstone

2010-09-21T12:45:00.000-07:00

Sneak Peek at the first vessel from my Yellowstone series.
Based on GPS tracking that I was a pain in the neck collecting on holiday.... "Can you charge these batteries Aliya?" "Is the GPS on?" "Where is the GPS?" and so on...
Anyway here is Mud Volcano 1. I say 1 because there may well be a '2'.

And with great pleasure I invite you to the Contextural Show in Calgary, Alberta. Do come along if you can make it, and see Mud Volcano in full 3D and Technicolor with sound effects - if you see me there and I have my Iphone on me.

Do you know of Les Graff?

2010-09-16T12:47:00.000-07:00

Today I got an invitation to an art exhibition opening... (Virinia Christopher Fine Art) well I didn't, it was sent to someone who used to live here (we rent). But the outcome is the same, I have seen some recent work by Les Graff and looked him up on the web and found I like I like.... Some of his works look very textile-ish so I guess that is what drew me in initially.
I suppose I can't grab an image of the art and put it in here... it is artwork and the property of the artist.... So you will have to make an effort yourself if you want to see some... Try this artwork selector. or better still go to the gallery in Calgary...
Mr Graff used to work as director of Arts and Crafts for the province of Alberta - here is a quote from the article linked above....

"The one figure I’ve always found interesting, you can take the number of dollars you spend within the visual arts, track them through and show that just about all of those dollars spin right back into the community. And for every dollar we spend there is this and this and this benefit. And you go wow that’s impressive.

In spite of being able to prove that over and over and over again, nobody bites the bullet. They just say, to play with the arts is too controversial for the public. We’ll do something, let’s not say too much about it and let’s just leave it there. "

Marion Nicholle Exhibition "Out of Context" with Contextural

2010-09-11T16:54:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to all members of Contextural who took part in the ACAD Summer Residency and special mention to Melinda who curated the exhibition at the Marion Nicholle Gallery in Calgary that was the culmination of the workshops.

In no particular order:-

Lindsay Joy

These jewel-like cameo pieces are hand-stitched and very meaningful to Lindsay as they relate to her Grandmother who passed away in the summer.

Siri McCormick

A patchwork piece that incorporates digital printing on cotton and has a kaleidoscopic feel as the pieces appear to float against each other, rather than being held rigidly as is more typical for patchwork pieced work.

Julie Baratta

A stunning piece of silk screen work - very tasteful - love the detail in the silhouette.

Tara Griffiths

A column of Acanthus leaves was created from a beautiful silk screened piece of silk.

Karin Millson (me!)

Demonstration of the diversity of textures one sees on tree bark. Hand made paper worked with potassium permanganate, bleach and shibori.

Anne Fetterly

Stunning fabrics on which natural dye methods have captured exciting colour and pattern. Beautifully stitched garments displayed in a very imaginative and stylish way.

Kyle Nylund

Very different style of garments from the world of gay fashion.

Cathy Checora

Cathy is a maker of books and screen prints their fabric covers.

Rosanne Visser

In your face, comical, shocking take on linen for table ware... I especially love the seemingly smiling skull cushions, Rosanne.

Charis Birchall

Screen-printed fabrics for soft furnishing. Excellent use of ancient motifs within original repeat patterns.

Melinda Topilko

Hand worked portraiture on antique cotton. The minimalistic use of stitch belies the passion behind the works, believe me, I know - my son is also leaving home this summer.

More images of some of these pieces can be seen here (Thanks Arlee for taking such great detailed shots)

"And you couldn't draw it on in pen, because...."

2010-09-02T13:48:00.000-07:00

The GPS routes have been downloaded. The routes have been transferred to an image editing programme. One image has been made ready for the machine's digitizing programme. I have had the laptop re-segmented to give me more memory. well, not 'me' exactly... but we now have the mac running windows (spit spit), and I have 3D suite running a treat. And 4D upgrade ready to update.
For the first time in many years (after trying to get the thing working in Oman) I now have a connection from Mac to Pfaff every time.
And the blue outlines on the right are what it is all for.
Not bad for a few days struggle and whole day with my software engineer! Thanks Dan.
Next week should really be a lot of fun if I can do some work in between the shopping for the son-goes-away-to-college needs. He is currently making a list... and it is impressive.

You're invited of course

2010-08-25T16:25:00.000-07:00

So, it is official. We have put on an End of Residency show.
For me it is an achievement. That I managed to complete my month's residency and have something that I wished to show - as a stimulus to the 2010 intake at the Fibre Department (if nothing else, I can hope for that).

Why are the receptions for art shows around here scheduled for the end of the exhibitions?
Surely that is not good for business?
See you there???

Work up and exhibition open

2010-08-23T17:52:00.000-07:00

It took a lot longer than expected to put up 3 pieces of art and a shelf!
The walls are "drywall" (thank goodness - wet walls in a gallery space would be a nightmare) and it took ages to find the right fixings. JAM was brilliant (no, I don't mean I finally used sticky jam, I mean himself).
Finally the work was up and I will post more details when I have the official flier from Melinda. The official poster ought to be more imposing than the image below.

Itching to get going....

2010-08-20T16:29:00.000-07:00

Just back from summer holidays and as if the plans I have for the near-future are not enough to get me fired up for August and September...
Then the latest blog entry at Nudibranchs central has just got to be a put up job... If this worm hasn't eaten a shibori scarf then I'm a jelly-fish.
(Great work Gary - I hope I am OK linking to your blog and copying the image here...., as usual I am indebted to you.)

Spent the day doing the washing (yeh yeh yeh) and going through the studio - attempting to reduce the stuff by at least a tenth. I think it is a sign of moving on - a ritual I go through every time I move on to a new phase of work.
I have got together a few pieces to exhibit at The Marion Nicholl Gallery. installation day is the day after tomorrow. More info. on this to follow.
So now I can build on these pieces and develop more barking art...
I did get the source material for "Documentation" the next exhibition with Contextural. So I want to work on that through September.
Here is to a busy time ahead.

2010-06-25T07:25:00.000-07:00

It seems to me that the residency is just getting going. I suppose some of the students wanted a bit of time to themselves without pressures - after term finished. So this week I have seen more faces in college than previously. It is a shame that I cannot continue through July and August.

This week has been a bit interrupted for me + I am feeling the effects of end of residency, as it dawn that I have only a few hours left to be there. So this week i managed to get in on Monday, briefly on Wednesday, Thurs and today. I will pack up on Monday.

Whilst at home and at ACAD I have continued with the worms. This is a sample which I have finished unwrapping now and worn as a scarf (of course) it is not indigo but acid dye and is a great prototype for the next worm I will make.
I hope to exhibit a few worms, what is the collective noun for worms..? at the ACAD show.

I have used the time to get some colour onto my papers and give some thought to if/how I might participate in the end of residency show. I flow from yes to no and back again.

I know this image is incredibly difficult to see but it jut gives an idea of how I might display some of my tree bark papers. I have many - but they are not finished and this just shows my thought processes.

My last week at ACAD

2010-06-21T18:11:00.000-07:00

Even though I have a view out of the studio window that is shown above for your pleasure. today I was despondent. I wrote up my 'diary' and as I did so I worked things out. The difficulty with being alone at ACAD in the mornings as compared to working at home on my own (which I am quite used to) is that in my home studio I don't expect to be with anyone else. Whereas the college is supposed to be buzzing with people. Yes, it is quite a lonely existence there on your own.. rattling around the studios.
When someone does arrive I find myself babbling on and harassing the poor unsuspecting... with my lonesome chatter. It isn't quite as bad as I make it sound... I am not begging for attention... but it might seem that way.

Anyway just as I was feeling all down in the dumps today they started to arrive and by the end of the day we had a busy studio with Jen., Lindsay, Ashley, Charis and Me.... wow... that is 5 people all there at once, a record.

To cheer myself up I collated what I have produced whilst at ACAD so far and it amounts to 36 pieces. Some are just sheets of handmade paper, others are interesting coloured surfaces but the exciting ones are the ones I have worked into both with thread and sculpture and I feel that this is where I aim to go with the sheets that I haven't done anything with yet.
The piece above is dyed, sculpted whilst iron-staining occurred on a metal bucket! and pressure jetted. Now I have added more jet stream and am waiting for it to dry.

It was very nice that I had some feedback on the pieces I had put up on the wall last week. Melinda gave good feedback directly to me on Friday. Rosanne had been in at the weekend (yes, that is correct English my Canadian friends.... At the weekend... not On the weekend...., but, On Wednesday (and not just Wednesday, In March.... etc etc...), and then today Charis offered some insights and so did Josi. Now I am well-informed as to which ways I might take the pieces. Thanks everyone. Invaluable.

Now I am home, after shopping - Safeway very close to ACAD luckily... made Tacos for tea, Dan cooked up the chicken good man! and I did refried beans, with plenty of raw veg... better known as salad, and now I am off to yoga. Should be a great brain break.
Oh, but tomorrow is Mugs Morning for Al's class's mums. So a bit of a commitment break there for me. Made 2x choc fudge brownies, no nuts and Gluten free for the group tomorrow as well this evening...so it turned out to be not such a bad day. Or rather, I feel better with myself now compared to 11am this morning. Despondency Disappeared.

One handed security lock management.

2010-06-18T16:05:00.000-07:00

How do I feel about ACAD residency now?
I am proud to say that after three weeks of the ACAD home studio security I can now open the lock with one-handed. This might seem like a small development, but believe me it isn't and will probably keep me coming back for more next year.

What have I accomplished apart from this?
I now have many (hand-made) sheets of brown paper! :- brown papers that are iron stained and brown papers that are iron stained and are beginning to be sculpted. Hmm... is that a lot to show for 3 weeks work?
You might not think so but I know how labour intensive it is to hand-make paper without a Hollander and pulper. I only burnt out one blender (and even that wasn't entirely my doing, as it has probably been used for many student-hours before I got a hold of it).
Iron staining takes about an hour to set up at least two days to process and although I was, initially very excited about having access to all the rusted metal in the studio, I now find that there isn't enough to do a huge batch of rusting. Next week I will try to track some more down at ACAD and I have plans to request use of some that I drive past on the industrial estate (called Manchester!) near where I live. This is a piece inspired by palm tree bark.

I need to challenge myself over the stitching(where it is necessary) otherwise I will end up with surfaces that look like other surfaces I have created in the past.

Above is an image of one that is not sculpted and was really just an experiment for edges... () and to see if my sewing machine can cope with iron filings and paper pulp that drop down the hole as I sew. Conclusions: yes I can burn the edges! - but I will finish that off at home, the thought of having the whole of ACAD evacuated because of my paper burnings was too much for me.... and as to the sewing machine... only time will tell....

So what of my final week at ACAD next week? I plan to do as much iron staining as materials will allow and stitch, stitch, stitch. If possible also place some pieces to shibori (I think I can use that as a verb!)
I hope I make time to sort out some pieces for the show in August... I have to do it now as I have other commitments between now and then, I must get organised for August and it isn't even July!
August 21st - Sept ???7th. At the Marion Nicoll Gallery in ACAD. Be there.