There are 2 exhibits with November 1st deadlines which I've just given myself permission to not submit. My focus has been dye painting and screening and my muscles are feeling fatigued and I'm releasing the will to push myself the next 2 days. I did make it to the Open Studios and many artists were in their studios which is always energizing but rest will be the focus for the weekend.
There are 10 pieces of dye-painted fabrics wrapped in plastic that will cure over the weekend, possibly until Tuesday or Wednesday. I'm on the schedule to to do some campaign calls for Monday and will be at my Mother's for bit also. Tuesday I'm on the schedule for a few hours to drive folks to the polls so I'm not sure when I'll return to do the wash out. The piece shown in the post below had very little dye wash out but I dye painted it again yesterday with a chocolate brown. Here it is before the brown was applied:
I'm sold on curing AND steaming.
It dawned on me yesterday that I'm focusing on dark colours...for no apparent reason but if I were to go all hyper-analytical I would say because I'm dreading the onslaught of winter and the need to readjust my activities due to it getting dark earlier. But really that would be over-reading the intent. I think it boils down to 'I'm just dyeing dark colours', (insert shrugging shoulders)
My presentation at the Carnegie last Saturday was a lot of fun for me and hopefully for those who shared the morning with me as well. What keeps coming back to me is the clarity in which I knew that art-making is a conversation with my body and I used the metaphor of it being a dance that allows me to explore my limitations and sense of freedom. The surface applications on fabric is hip-hop and the quilt design and construction is the waltz and modern dance sequels.
This was the last piece I did yesterday and I was tired and don't know where the face came from but right before I did the face I asked myself "what else can I do with the writing?" I've been doodling faces on scraps of paper and looking back over my attempt at faces in old journals...I do think it'll be a long while before faces as a motif makes it into a quilt but I'm open.
November 4th will be my 6 year anniversary of blogging...for 6 years I've been typing out loud about my journey with the main focus being my own art. I hope casual readers and dedicated readers of Seamless Skin find some nugget that moves us closer to kindred spirits that keeps and increases the use of the internet as a fully positive human one.
Beginning next week I'm going to add a new feature on my blog with interviews of local artists. I'm starting with members of Louisville Area Fiber and Textile Artists. When I'm at meetings I'm overwhelmed with all the creative vibes and the group experience that I'm wanting the interviews to be the counter-part and allow me to connect and get to know members as individuals. The first one will be with ceramist and shibori artist Elmer Lucille Allen (see the video below) who has an upcoming show with Valerie White at E & S Gallery.
Peace,
The lights wouldn't be as light without some good dark darks.
ReplyDeleteI think it is wonderful that your art is a conversation with your body. I can see being able to go places with your art that you couldn't necessarily do physically -- in a metaphoric way. Farther, faster, higher, more varied, etc. My art must be a conversation with something else though-- subconscious gives it too much power, but it's definitely something to do with things not easily articulated.
you know Kristin...one year i struggled so much with pulmonary issues (before i knew what was really going on) and that year i was obsessed with going hiking at state parks until Peter said "no more". its like an ongoing inquiry to see what my body and mind and spirit can endure...i didn't want to accept the limitations...i have always been a proponent of art-making as the great equalizer for all of us and in the quilting i applied what i've always proposed and in it, found a stronger sense of freedom while still inquiring as to what limitations i have on any given day...so it is metaphor and whatever is the opposite of metaphor (real, concrete?). are you still exploring the roots/houses motifs in your quilts? Seems like I'm recalling reading on your blog years ago when ya'll lived in Germany that you discussed it but I could be
ReplyDeleteover-reaching my recollection :)