School show and sale was a success! I only had two pieces in the exhibition, the striped felt hat/hood I did earlier and the backpack gourd/pocket strap object. Everyone had very nice work.

In the next semester I'll take more design courses, and also textile history, felting pt.2, pattern construction/design, and weaving. I think it ends in April, but I haven't decided what to do with myself after that. Have to wait and see!

decided some photos were in order here...

1- printing with natural dyes/ this one is a print using madder (madder root, in tannin form), on a wash from pomegranate

2- the indigo dye vat for natural blue. has to be closely maintained to ensure it stays healthy- it even has a designated caretaker!

3- colour run of natural dyes on cotton

4- collages in design class

5- final project in progress (remember the backpack gourd?)


Classes are going really well, and a lot of other things have been happening outside of them too. I got some really great library books: Japanese houses and patterns, interior design for small spaces, origami, etc. I signed up to volunteer at the spca here in town (only a short walk from my work), I got a couple of extra shifts this week at work, I went to the transgender day of remembrance a short while ago, my aunt's birthday was held last weekend. So much to do still!

Height of it all though was playing with the cats on tuesday past, during lunch hour. There are two big cat rooms that you can go in and just sit with them, and you can also take cats out of their cages (the ones who aren't in the rooms). There were five kittens, four black ones in one section and a tiny white/patch one in another- and they ran all over the place!

Ahem, back to art: The school show at the end of the semester is also approaching fast, and I'm really striving to get my final piece (#5) finished for the exhibition. I'm also putting in my major felt project (striped hat) and maybe some other felt things. I would love to have something for the sale, but I don't think it's going to happen until the end of the year, if the option is available then as well. Too busy making other things for some very special and well- missed people ^_^

Dye class: we are painting with natural dyes, both in a paste and in a watered down version for washes and such. So far we've painted on silk and cotton. And we've used indigo! The only natural blue dye besides woad (I think though that woad is less of a nice blue) in the world.

Fabric construction/Pattern design: we made flaps, joined pieces of fabric together all fancy with linings, made cut out shapes that were fully lined on the inside edges, and fully lined inside out shapes.

Design: mask making, a flat one and a 3d one... I made the first one so far out of wooden beads woven together. not sure what to do yet about the next one, but I am sure to think of something.

And other than that, the major project full size prototype was completed, though now I'm trying to make the real thing. I'm using old wool jackets and cotton material for the whole thing, and I am currently trying to give the gourd backpack some stability by using interfacing.

AND INTO NOVEMBER

(photo one) my sample project- all the wool we dyed with acid dyes organized in a creative way, took a long time, and I think I'll do a different way for natural dyes. I make these strips of cheesecloth pockets, and there's about 189 samples of wool. Almost 200 pockets and stuffing wool into them. Great fun, really ^_^ (ok, not at all times, but mostly)

My natural dye experiment with chestnuts, a few berries, and pinecones didn't work out as well as it could have- I forgot to add alum, which would help the dye stick to the fibre. I got a really nice smelling light cream/beige wool though. We've dyed more yarn and cotton squares as a class by now, and the samples all look great (see photo 2). I love natural dyes! It's one of the courses I looked forward to the most, along with friday's class: fabric construction and design.

For that one we have to make a project based on one or more of these words: contain, carry, conceal. And we had to also pick one of three poems but that part doesn't seem as important. In any case, I'm making a backpack. It's going to have one strap that goes across the chest, covered in pockets, and the backpack part is going to be gourd shaped. Trying to use natural or almost natural materials like wool, cotton, linen, though it's hard to find these in second-hand stores. I am also wondering about the best way to design the gourd so that it keeps its shape.

That part isn't something we have to have ready until after next class this week. In the meantime we've been making bow ties, cloth buttons, piping (ye, gods!), loops, and woven strips of fabric. I think I made more than I needed to, hah. (photo 3)

off to read more, and wash some fabric.

October; updates, major project

More learning: we are creating colour gradations and mixing colours without using pre-done dye measurements, still on the last bit of the acid dye section. The natural dye section is next and that is something that I am looking forward to; it was one of the courses that jumped out at me in the summary of the program here.

Went outside today to gather up some materials for our first natural dye experiment; I got some pine cones, chestnuts, and berries, brought it to the school, mashed up the chestnuts and put the whole thing in a container with water to soak. By our next class on thursday it should be pretty good... though I do think that in order to get a better dye the materials have to sit longer than a few days.

Learned how to clean and process yarn in preparation for dyeing it/ not the most exciting aspect, but I think that's mainly because I am unsure if yarn would be of use to me. I know what felt can do, and it can do some very nice sculptural and installation type art (which I love). Yarn isn't something I can see fitting into my art practice/projects, though I am constantly tempted to make 'that's a yarn' jokes.

Working on our only major project/ I'm making a hat/hood thing that's white with orange stripes. All felted, but I'm only at the stage of putting it together. The photo above is where I'm at so far. Next step is to put the dyed wool onto it in stripes. It's a bit disappointing that there aren't more projects to do, and I am hoping that will change as we get all the basic skills down (all the samples and experiments we're doing with felt and dye).

I am still wondering in the back of my skull if I was right in going back to school, if this is what I need or if it was even necessary. I have so many skills already, do I need to do this to be a better artist? But then I have to remind myself of why I decided in the end to go, and that was to learn more. To be more educated, to be forced to create art using materials that I would normally never touch. I was surprised to like felting; I'd never before thought of wool as anything I would use and yet I am planning out projects that would incorporate it at least, and others that require it as the main material. I still have more ideas that don't use wool, but now I have another option.

Oh September

-Monday, September 5: flew to Kelowna BC, drove to Nelson, stayed up for 24 hours as far as time zones and being awake were concerned.

-Orientation at Selkirk College/ in the KSA Fibre program. Classes started out slow, but we are finally getting our first major projects this upcoming week. Got credit for drawing from my BFA.

-I have learned how to use acid dyes, starting to make dye combinations, measure out wool, create a ball from yarn, what kinds of wool there are, how to create felt from wool, 3D felting. I have done two classes of design, very good practice there, and craft history.

-Art is as common as air here, there are people who make a living here off of it. I find that to be a bit of a shock (in a good sense) as Corner Brook didn't have that mind set. There's a much stronger sense of a community in that things are more home produced, and the town doesn't allow big corporations to set up here (examples would be Tim Hortons, McDs, etc).

-Craft fairs every weekend, spring/summer/fall. A support base, people who understand art and are interested in being a part of it.

-Fresh air, lots of greenery, lots of trees. A value on those spaces and on the environment.

-A diverse area, of races, accents, tastes; there is always an option of choice for the vegan/vegetarian. This is more than one place for vegetarian food.

So all that's missing are the friends/family from the other side of the country- you've got to visit this place ^_^

East Meets West!

On thursday, July 21, East Meets West began in Corner Brook. I did more 'chalk walk' along west street, and got a lot of comments (mostly positive! did have the semi-neutral question of if I had permission, to which I replied it is a sidewalk~ no?) and people in general seemed to like it. I even got a participant, many years younger than I.

Lazer show in the pouring rain! Started late, and it was ok- probably because the mood was dampened :)

7Minutes7Days 3 was delayed due to tech. issues, will hopefully resume sunday night :)

Ah, and the Art at the Church show (50 to artist 50 to church in sales) started thursday going through to sunday. I have some pieces in it, and there is some very nice work by Jackie Alcock, Hilary Rice, Vadim Vaskovsky, Mary Keefe, Anne LeMessurier Pinsent, and many others. So go down and see it!

The exhibition in Germany with Stockpile called 3. Internationales Digitalisiertes Filmfestival happened on July 9th-10th. One of ten others, I submitted a short video called 'found performance spaces'. There should be some information up soon on: http://stockpilegroup.wordpress.com/

Corner Brook's Pride parade happened on July 16/ I went down a bit early and did 'chalk walk' along the route they planned to walk down. Later that night another Stockpile artist, Gerri Lynn Mackey, did a music performance with a tuba.



For a slow start, not too bad so far ^_^ This friday is 7 Minutes 7 Days number 3, and next month is the annual Full Tilt exhibition/performance!

Mayday!

So goes this update:
-the woodblock/zinc plate carving is coming along, and I will be ready to start test printing soon.

-been thinking of collaborative performance pieces such as Happenstance: Text, that I would love to do again but I really need 10+ people. Other things on my mind have been continuing chalk/walk and creating a performance/exhibition space that can be temporary or semi-permanent.

-I am planning on doing a couple of separate performances for myself- one is more costume based, the other involves props made of fabric.

What else? There's lots of stuff with Stockpile upcoming, and also getting the last few costumes finished for cosplay. I'm painting the claw hand for Vincent, still working on finishing the arm and boot armor- then it's test out the entire thing so far and maybe make the gun prop. I need to finish the undershirt and headphones for Gakupo, and I've been asked to do a remake of Link, and some black pants ^_^ And I still have to begin making Kaito. So, lots to do on that subject while the art is in progress.

as promised...

Here is my woodblock that I have yet to carve. Still haven't got at it, but I will!

Gaara gourd, travel version ^_~

Vincent Valentine cloak update- I need to put a second layer of sliver fabric paint on it to make it more dimensional, then I might burn the edges of the fabric at the back where the cloak tatters.

Gakupo for Vocaloid- still a bit of work to do on this one, but not as much as Vincent @_@

And I drew words and pictures in the snow one night- I got bored and went out, there was all this fresh snow- just got inspired.



So far I've only been at the cosplay side of things, but I've recently done some short video takes of me and the cats. I suppose this will make its way into a Stockpile video at some point. I discovered my old 4yr costume for 'Introspective' (minus the cloak) and found it works very well for performance in general. Could be that it's just simple black and baggy sleeves ^_^ So I wore it and played 'catch the string'.


Here's a few more things: been wondering about my career in an artistic field- if fabric is the way to go or if I will do a master's someday. I still have no answer, just tons of pathways to possible outcomes- I feel like it's an impossible goal but it has to be achieved.

Been reading and watching a lot about the upcoming Canada election. Got inspired and made paper buttons to put on my backpack. There's no way the one I'm voting for will win, but I want to see how many others choose the same. I don't think this is the place to talk about politics, so I won't go any further on that... Maybe I'll make some art about it and then talk, haha!

Well this blog has been a bit too full of text recently, so here's some of my art. It's all within a past year to present time frame, so it's a good indication of what I'm currently doing. I've been wanting to start selling/making some clothing for people- finally I feel as if I can do a solid job (example/ like making finished seams, linings, simple belts, original design, etc). I am thinking that book art is another way to go; there's still so much to explore with it!








See anything you like?

In the meantime, Stockpile is slowing beginning to unwind from a dormant winter, and I'm focused on saving money for KSA in Sept. Ah, but the day job takes up so much time; I managed to make it through 93 hours of work in the last two weeks, phew! No wonder I feel slightly tired ^_^

Updates on prints: the woodblock print is planned out and drawn, just need to cut it out and do a test run. The plates need test runs, and more etching, I'm hoping I can do that here at home and not have to go up to the school for the press :( I'm not worried about the woodblock so much, as I can do that without any equipment other than my carving tools. I'll be sure to post some in progress pics this month!

marching along

I went to visit a local textiles artist~ Hilary Rice~ a while back, and she does amazing embellishment work using (among other things!) quilting tech. and fabric transformation. We agreed that she wasn't a quilter but an artist- for an artist can use any amount of skills from any source in order to create their work. Just because it looks like a quilt doesn't put the creator in a 4x4 box! She's having upcoming solo shows in BC and ON, and is currently finishing a piece for one. A lot of what she showed me I saw could be applied to a costume- there's fabric that can turn into scales for instance! It was amazing to say the least ^_^

[Her website is: www.mestudios.ca if anyone would like to take a look]

I applied for a craft council job; no big expectations here, but I figured it was better to try rather than not bother. And that's just the thing too, because you'll never know what could happen if you didn't give yourself the chance. Current job is less stressful now that I've got my taxes done- I don't have to worry so much about hours as I have (and this is exciting) paid off my student loans! I have to check the site in a few days to see if I have any leftover interest that lingered but that won't be a problem to get rid of.

And then it will be saving for the next venture: KSA. I'm getting another loan which, now that I've paid this one off, I know won't be hard to handle.

I just finished off my last commission for cosplays, so I'm starting to turn my attention back to my own, and also some of my art. I'm looking forward to warmer weather for performance art!

some big news

Today I went out to a workshop on how to put lean practices into craft businesses~ as for the concepts, it was fairly common sense, you'd understand right away type of thing. Went over labels, organization, upkeep, what the customer sees opposed to what you see, all sorts of stuff. But what I found most valuable was the people who went there: craft people/artists. I love meeting other art folk; it's finding that community and interacting with it. Same with Stockpile, which should be starting up in the next couple of months.

I also got accepted into the fibre program at KSA! I am still being indecisive, but I'm leaning towards going there. I figure I might as well try and it, chances are it's going to be wonderful, not to mention I'd meet relatives I've never met before and be in BC, a place I've been wanting to go to for a while now. I'm poking around for information on the Anna Templeton Centre in St.John's, but I don't think I'll be going there.

I am filled with inspiration and drive to do art!

due for an update!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D18SlYSGOsk (check out this link of a show my book art was in last summer/ very sweet gallery space)

Hello February, it's been a while since the last art post. Happenstance has been on hold for the last while, mostly due to a few cosplay commissions that sprang up, birthdays and the day job, but I have a couple of ideas for it. I'd still love to do a second texting performance, and also some very short spontaneous performances on a day-t0-day basis. I am not sure how these will manifest, but I think that if there were a few done in a short time span, say 3 days, in a public space then it would be noticed. Even more so if I could get some artists to join in.

I am finding that performance art really does do best when there is more than one person involved, either in the same performance or in a venue of performances (eg. festival, exhibition, etc...). But I also enjoy having many people performing something as opposed to one, and it's a part of my art that I need help with in order to do. I've had some wonderful experiences with past collab. projects like 'Chalkwalk' and 'River Walkers', I hope I can do more.

There is some other news; I have applied for a fibre arts program in BC, and actually I'm about to do a telephone portfolio interview. I am also going to a workshop this week for craft businesses, that will teach using lean practices. I am sure it will come in handy somewhere down the line.

Well, that is all for now. I need to finish up some more costume work and then spring back into some art. I'm going to focus on some printmaking, maybe some painting and book art.