Waste not - I want.

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

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

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....

What more can I say...

Latest walnut

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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)