Fashion and Fiberarts at Dana Hall

'lilith in blue' greets gallery visitors

There is only one week left of this stimulating exhibit, Fashion and Fiberarts, at the Art Gallery at the Dana Hall School in Wellesley, MA.  I sadly missed the opening as I was west taking care of family.  However I am going to make-up for lost time :) as I have been invited to create a collaborative dress with the entire student body which will be worn during the Dana Fashion Show in the Spring.  This means I will be camping out at Dana during the show's last week, leading workshops and encouraging creative participation.  More about that project later ~ for now I wanted to share some photos of the show.  

'lilith in blue' with Merill's work

Whenever my fiber pieces, especially my creatures are exhibited I give the gallery complete freedom to display the pieces anyway they see fit.  So when I entered the gallery I was thrilled to see how curator and beloved teacher, Michael Frassinelli, displayed the work!!! Many time the curators display the work in ways I never have thought of.

I especially liked how he placed 'raw' over a podium - letting it ooze and slither.  

I am so honored to have been included in this exhibit - all the work is exciting.  I have always enjoyed Merill Comeau's wondrous fiber collages, her uses of clothing with a past, giving them new life.  Her pieces of deconstructed clothing made a wonderful juxtaposition to Sarah Campbell's and Tia Penney's beautiful coats and hats - ready to be worn.

Here are two examples of Michael's envisioning my creatures in a way I had not considered.  I love the pairing of 'blue angel' and my crocheted shawl, and the way he hung 'pinkie' created a delightful shadow!!

peace

Go press some flesh!!

Nan Hass Feldman and me, @ the Danforth Museum's networking event

Last month I attended a networking event at the Danforth Museum of Art.  The evening was part of one of the Danforth's newest offerings, their Professional Artist Series.  Held on a cold, wintry February evening, I was quite aware of how lovely it was to be with a group of my peers, face to face, in a warm cozy surrounding, exchanging tales from the front.

Interestingly, most of the conversation was about social media and cyber-networking.  This is a hugely, prevailing topic amongst artists lately.  There are blogs, articles and workshops telling us of the dire need to get our work out into cyberspace.

And there are examples of artists who have been successful in the system.  One that was recently pointed out to me is, Claire Desjardins ~ she has 13,000+ likes on her FB artist page!!! as well as good sales ~ the golden goose to many of us!!

So as I delighted in the company of my peeps, it made me ponder this issue of social media. One of my many jobs to help make ends meet is to help artists and small businesses with their FB presence.  Strangely, I understand the general idea of FB and some other social media sites.  But I have a major love/hate relationship with them!?!?

One reason I don't like these sites is that they are a HUGE HUGE time suck!! So MANY of the artists that I speak with would much rather be created their art than creating a cyber-buzz.  Also I question why people, especially strangers, want to know all this information about me?!?!?

But I also see how these sites can work well for artists, especially visual artists!! I understand the perks of getting an image or idea to go viral. And I am a big surfer of the web - finding a link on a friend's Facebook feed that leads to an interesting gallery that introduces me to a new artist from Holland that I might not have known about otherwise.

Also I love my blog, another 'social media' outlet, however I blog for truly selfish reasons.  I have been blogging since 2008, and as I have noted before, my blog is my personal journal a visual record of my journey as an artist, mom, woman in this time and place, that is out there for others to read, if they are interested.

When I sit down to put my rambling thoughts into coherent prose, I find myself learning about my own work and process.  And I love to read other people's blogs, such as Joetta Maue's "little yellow birds" or Mandy Greer's blog !!! However, composing a readable blogpost is more time consuming than a quick FB post, yet are we losing content and integrity with our little tweets, posts and likes?!?!?

I don't have an answer, however on that cold evening in February it was viscerally apparent how invigorating and energizing a face to face networking event was.  I could feel the vitality of the gathering, the pleasure from an actual hug or handshake, the communal reconnections through similiar plights, or even the ah-ha of putting the 'real face' to a Facebook 'friend'.

So as I write this manifesto of sorts on my cyber-journal to put out into the world of social media one of my hopes is to remind everyone to step away from the keyboard, go for a walk, find your sketch book or paint brush and/or go meet a friend, face to face, go to an opening or a networking event.  Let's not forget the wonders of connecting with people in person!!!

The Danforth is hosting another networking event this Thursday!! I will be with my girls that evening but I am sure it will be worth the trip.

Click here to see the beautiful work of Nan Hass Feldman on her website.

new series: subscription cards

CARD#4

Last week my life took a swift turn as my father had a serious surgery and I ended flying to Phoenix to help. Even though I brought my bag full of tricks - needle and thread, crochet hook, I have turned to another one of my recent obsessions : subscription cards.

CARD#5

CARDS FROM LAST YEAR - WITH SEWING

This series began last year when I was in the throws of my divorce and consequential move. It was a very stressful time and I didn't have any time to go to my studio, so I suddenly  began to obsessively draw on subscription cards, easily found and a convenient  size ~ any doctor's waiting room and fits into my purse.

CARD#6

TRANSFER#3


People questioned my choice of subscription cards - couldn't I just as easily do these drawing on better paper?!? Well when I worked on plain paper it wasn't the same. The  subscription card gives me a structure  to work with.  

CARD#1

Also, I liked the idea of working with an item which annoyed many and that most people just toss. This was the same attraction that brought me to my bottle cap jewelry business, many moons ago. And as happened with the bottle-caps is happening with the cards, as I start collecting subscription cards I notice the vast variety, some with wonderful colors, designs and graphics. When I draw on each card I incorporate these elements in the larger design.  As with so much of my work, I view the card as a puzzle to solve, how do I make the card work as a whole.  However, also allowing an intuitive, organic approach to the drawing. This is the similar theory behind my 'creatures'. 

TRANSFER#1

Since arriving in Phoenix I have been busily and obsessively working on cards?!?! I'm not sure where they are going, but I KNOW I need to do them.  But I wonder - are they pieces on their own, springboards for other pieces or just a way for me to stay sane?!?! My thought is that they are all of the above!!

While here I have also experimented with using the cards to make transfers (thanks to Cheri Clinton's workshop)  and see many a possibility!!!

So here are some of these obsessions - putting them out into the cyber world. If u have thoughts or suggestions I am curious to hear them, if you so desire.  Now back to the current card!! :)

Peace

Happy Valentine's Day from the West

This is the valentine that I made for my dad.    

follow your heart

A valentine's greeting from Phoenix! As some of you might know I'm here to help care for my father who had an unplanned & serious surgery last week. And I am happy to say that he is improving & we are now settling him into a rehab center. 

However with all the hustle and bustle of care-taking this valentine's greeting is more of an evening felicitation since I'm on mountain time. Meaning this may be seen by many on Friday! 

But whenever this post is seen, the intention is still true and timely ~  

I wish you a day of love and kindness and friendship! 

Happy, happy Valentine's Day/night/year!!!!!

~ peace ~

Creatures are out and about again

This Tuesday is the opening of Fashion and Fiberarts at the Dana Hall School gallery, Wellesley, MA.  

I am honored to announce that I am part of this group show, in the prestigious company of Sara Campbell, Tia Pinney and Merill Comeau.

  

For this exhibit they are showing some work from both 'the dress project' ~ 'lilith' and 'emily' and my creatures. 'insatiable' is also making an appearance and I plan to spend some time with the Dana students feeding the beast.

Information about the opening and the show is below.

 

Always excited to exhibit my creatures as I leave it to the curator to decide how and where they will be hung/exhibited/placed.  Can't wait to see the show!!! Peace

Happy Snow Day!!!

bring on the SNOW!!!!

If you follow my blog you will know that I love snow days.  The entire concept ~ the need to hunker down with friends and family, the proverbial ' get out of jail free card' for your day.  

I have a very fond memory of a snow day freshman year, where a bunch of us camped out in a friend's dorm room and friends would stop by with food and settle down into the group. There was just such a lovely sense of calm and kinship - no where to go, nothing to do.

it is amazing to me that these
small, gentle crystals can cause so much stress and chaos

So here is Boston we have been granted basically a city wide snow day.  School was cancelled last night!! which I loved because then we could all sleep in and not be anxiously waiting for the phone to ring at 5:30AM!!! Only problem for me was that my dog didn't get the memo!!!  So for today we have been given this gift of time and togetherness. 

Now I know how blessed I am to know that my girls are safe (still sleeping in their warm beds) and that I have a warm, dry house, and that my kitchen is basically well stocked (coffee ~ check, milk ~ check).  We have electricity at this point and I live in a wonderful neighbor of helpful and kind folks - so the pending storm is not rocking my world too much. 

The only nuisance it caused me was how and when I can fly out to see my father and mother, since my dad had an unplanned and major surgery this week.  But after 60 minutes on hold with Jet Blue, the plan is that I fly out on Sunday, apres le storm, and words from the hospital is that my dad is doing OK.

my dad pulling my brother and me thru
the snowy streets of Chicago
 
It is with my dear recuperating dad in mind that I added this second illustration: another one of my favorite snow day memories - being pulled by my dad through the shut-down city streets of Chicago during a blizzard.  Click here for the blog with the full story.

So as we watch the snow pile up, and the girls and I are given this gift of time, two of us thought that this is a good day to BLOG!!  Yes,  I am proud to announce that my daughter, Harriet, is following in my blogging footsteps - she and a friend have set up a blog for their writing!!! (so proud, so proud!!)

my sweet blogger

So if you have a moment and want something good and quick to read, check out her blog!! And if you feel so inclined - leave a comment!!! As we all do - she LOVES the comments!! The address is (if you are curious): www.hkatewriting.blogspot.com.

And if you are affected by the snow or not - 

wishing you have a super, fun, cozy and safe day/weekend!!

dresstag placed yesterday with the message 'may this dress bring you safe travels'
peace

from the snowy streets of Natick . . .

peace! 

2012, the review: install #1

2012 was a full year - personally and professionally.

during that year I embarked on . . .

new artistic adventures, such as my 'birds of poetry' for the Attleboro Public Library; 

exhibited my work in prestigious venues, such as the Attleboro Arts Museum and 

finished some major sculptures, such as, 'dear jeff'.

The idea of summing all of 2012 in one blog post felt like a daunting and very lengthy task ~ this past year was full of many noteworthy events. Also in all my recent social media research - the word on the street is that NO ONE scrolls down, not even your mother!!! (Catherine Weber, Weber Media Partners)

So to make it more palatable for you the reader and me the author I am going to break it down into smaller bits as well as reference past posts.  

So with no further delay - installation#1 of '2012, the review' ~ 

with this installation, a visual review. (you'll still need to scroll if you want)

The above image is a mosaic of some of my projects from 2012.  An idea I saw on artist's Bridgette Guerzon Mill's blog, contemplating the moon. I am a visual person so this was right up my alley.  However when I shared my mosaic with some piers, they mentioned that they wanted to see more - so the full images are images below, with a bit of a description.  A good way to start the year in review.

Bird by Bird: 12 x12 panel for Fountain Street Fine Art

new work: mixed media on panel

new work: 'raw', organic crocheting, representing the first year of my separation.

detail from 'lilith in blue' : acrylic paint on plaster

new work: "lilith in blue' acrylic paint on plaster

'birds of poetry' detail

installation of over 100 'birds of poetry in the library's atrium

new work: kids gloves

new work: 'pocket full of pretty green' part of series of mixed media collages

new work: 'dear jeff' commissioned sculpture made for man who lost his fiance in 9/11

new work: 'time to take flight'

new work: 'le chat' ~ part of series created for FSFA's CSArt program

new work : commissioned drawing

new product line: dressmats

going back to my roots ~ painted furniture

another flashback - stilllife painting

May we all let our light shine in 2013!!!

Happy New Year!!!

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. Marianne Williamsonpeace

from me to you on this day of giving!!!

May today, there be peace within.

~

May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

~

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others.

~

May you use the gifts that you have received, 

and pass on the love that has been given to you.

~

May you be content with yourself just the way you are.

~

Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

~

It is there for each and every one of us.

wishing everyone peace and joy today 

& all days, Virginia

A day to be tHanKfuL!!

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.  

Besides celebrating a quality that I feel is quintessential to one's quality of life ~ gratitude; it is also a holiday that most everyone celebrates.  I love this because for the weeks leading up to the big day I can wholeheartedly wish everyone a "Happy Thanksgiving'.  This is not true with many of the other big holidays.   And I enjoy spreading the concept of gratefulness especially during this growing frenzy of materialism, aka black friday, but that is for another post.  

the dress of plenty - westwood, ma

So on this day, we all take a moment to be grateful and take note of all the ways in which we are blessed.  To celebrate this day I took to the woods ~ to delight in the wonders of nature.  And today, in the Boston area, Mother Nature put on her Sunday best for the day.  The weather was exquisite and I was blessed to have the time to amble through some beautiful woodlands.  

I also made a dress!!!

In the area that I settled after my walk, the ground was covered with acorn tops.  These precious caps immediately caught my attention and as I pondered them in my hands I was amazed at their intricate pattern.  I was also taken by their similarity to a breast, nipple and all.  And soon I found myself gathering dozens and constructing a dress right there in the warmth of the brilliant Thanksgiving sun.  

note the beautiful patterns on these caps

Add caption

When the dress was finally finished it was composed of piles of these little treasures, and taking in consideration of the day of its creation, I called it the dress of plenty. 

Everyday I try to life with the intention of thankfulness; to be aware and present to all the gifts that life offers me, even if they are at times cloaked in sadness or strife. 

This thought makes me think of Rumi's poem, The Guest House, with which I will close this post.  

Wishing all a wonderful day of gratitude & peace ~

THE GUEST HOUSE

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

-- Jelaluddin Rumi,
    translation by Coleman Barks