the uterus is in the mail . . .

Finally I  got this piece, 'garden of eden' into the mail, to be included in Helen 

Klebesadel, The Exquisite Uterus: The Art of Resistance.

I am so excited about this piece and this project and

I even got my sweetie Harriet to participate.

Harriet's contribution, a uterus covered with coins

This piece/project has inspired an entire series of fiber organs which I hope to have finished for my up-coming show, 'breaking open' with Anne Gilson at Fountain Street Fine Art!

Working on my heart now.

Be sure to check out all the amazing and exquisite on pinterest ~ 

Exquisite Uterus Preview Board ~

The Exquisite Uterus Project: The Art of Resistance:

 Posted here are images of completed and/or in progress Uterii that are a part of the now traveling EUP: Art of Resistance Exhibition. The project was initiated in the spring of 2012 in reaction to the most current ‘War on Women.’ Artists and educators Alison Gates and Helen Klebesadel decided to offer feminists the opportunity to participate in this collaborative art project to channel some of the rage we were experiencing at the attacks on women’s reproductive health in this political environment, and to raise funds for women's reproductive health organizations. The response has been overwhelming. Plans are underway to create a fundraising catalog and to make it possible for others to participate in the digital part of this project. In the meantime you can find the fabric to participate here: http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/1080580 The original exhibition's path (Future venues in the works): Union Art Gallery, UW-Milwaukee, September 2013 Armory Gallery, UW-Madison, March 2013, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL, January 2013 Steinhilber Art Gallery, UW-Oshkosh, September 2012

Currently on my worktable . . .

 my contribution to

  Helen Klebesadel's Exquisite Uterus Project.

This is a project that I LOVE!!

As I mentioned in a past post, me and uteri, 

this project jump started my creative juices 

and the process has been very gratifying. 

I plan to add more beads along the fallopian tubes 

and stitch the flower/uterus piece of fabric to the lace.  

But otherwise I believe it is near completion, 

which is good as it is due 

at the end of the month.

This post is an example of a newer approach 

I am taking with this blog ~

showing work in progress. 

I want to do this for a few reasons:

first, I love to see other artist's processes.  

Secondly, I am hoping use this blog

 as a way to 'curate' an exhibition ~

In a few months I am part of 

a two person show at Fountain Street Fine Art.  

I am showing with the talented Anne Gilson, 

and I still am not completely 

sure what I am going to show.  

(don't tell anyone :)

So to feign off panic

 I thought I'd post shorter post with 

the work that excites me, 

the work that I am using 

my precious time to create,

the work in all it's glory, 

in all its different states.

 And maybe via the lens of my blog, 

I will see a pattern or a direction to take 

for this show?!?! 

Also I would love to hear what you, 

faithful my readers, 

see or think about the work.

Collaboration is a wonderful 

and powerful tool!

So feel free to email me 

or leave a comment!!

Now back to the worktable ~

thank you & peace

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me and uteri . . .

these past weeks I have been struggling ~ for one of the first times that i can remember i didn't have that delicious and overwhelming desire to make art, nor did i have direction?? or vision; i had more of a dread.  and i missed my inner idea machine whirling in my soul, and i worried that i had lost "it" ~ (not a feeling i would wish on anyone)

knitted wire uterus

but then,  thanks to the wonders of the universe/serendipity, i have rediscovered that happy whirling dervish was back. and why?? most likely because of a number of factors, but I believe the main reason was a 'fat quarter' of fabric that i received in the mail, a 'fat quarter printed with uteri, which is part of the Exquisite Uterus project,  started by artists and educators Alison Gates and Helen Klebesadel.

What is the Exquisite Uterus Project?  It is a fabulous collection of fiber based artworks that have been created to give voice to shared outrage at ongoing attacks on access to good and affordable reproductive healthcare for all women.  Started in early 2012 in reaction to the what is still being called the most current ‘War on Women,’ two artists, known notorious Feminists, and sometime curators Helen Klebesadel and Alison Gates decided to facilitate a collaborative art project to channel their shared outrage at the attacks on women's ready access to quality general and reproductive health care of their choice.

womb wrap, 2009 - 2011

A fellow artist, the lovely Jeanne Williamson,  sent me the link to the call for artist's and before i could even think i ordered my quarter.  this also got me on the spoonflower website which is quite exciting in itsself - and i even created gift wrap with my dresstags and other products, always inspiring!!

Yet it was the arrival of the faric that seems to have jumpstarted my muses.  suddenly my brain is flooded with different images, techniques and methods with which to create my contribution to this project.  I vacillated between an angry uterus and an over the top beautiful uterus, in fact I could do an entire show with all the ides I have for this project! And I am proud and happy to say that my sweetie, Harriet,  may  also be contributing a uterus!!!

frida, 2010

You can view many of the beautiful and creative uteri that other artists from all over have already contributed on pinterest, here is the link to the boards.  And I will post my finished uterus soon!!!

But as i sketched and pondered how to fashion and construct my uterus I was struck by the realization that uteri have been an consistent element in my body of work for many years, and they still are.  the uterus is a symbol of the wonders of creation, of mystery and pain, and the uterus is a serious political minefield. No wonder I am so inspired and attracted to it! This is our core, our strength and i am proud to celebrate this organ and be part of this tremendous project!

Thank you Alison Gates and Helen Klebesadel.

peace

wire dress, 2008