Look how beautifully Doni has packaged her commission blanket. It makes the piece so very special, don't you think?
Today we help Tim move studio and house, but we're expecting rain, after two weeks of beautiful sunny weather. It'll be fine, he's thought of everything. The only worry is the traffic congestion, because he has loads of friends and family and I don't know how many are coming to help. We thought his studio was in a beautiful place before; now he's moving on to pure heaven.
2010/07/17
2010/07/16
How Do You See?
Connie Rose's blog post on how we see things brought back to me one of the things I occasionally ponder, that I see details. I love macro shots, when I draw, parts don't connect naturally with other parts and the larger form/proportion comes out unintentionally Picasso-esque. I see colors but not shade/light; I see obvious lines/shapes but not patterns. Proportion has been something I never ever think about; either, it's so natural I don't think about it, or I'm so blind to it it's not even in my concierge.
I would like to think one can train oneself to see in different (or more) ways than what one is used to, but so far training myself to see patterns has not worked for me, unless it's so blatantly obvious that's the only thing in a picture, scene, or on the object. Either it's impossible to train, or it moves as slowly as the glacier pre-global warming.
My mind can't concentrate on anything this morning. I need to go do something mundane, like put on a warp, I think.
I would like to think one can train oneself to see in different (or more) ways than what one is used to, but so far training myself to see patterns has not worked for me, unless it's so blatantly obvious that's the only thing in a picture, scene, or on the object. Either it's impossible to train, or it moves as slowly as the glacier pre-global warming.
My mind can't concentrate on anything this morning. I need to go do something mundane, like put on a warp, I think.
2010/07/14
One More
One of the tasks I had to do for Chapter 5 of the design book was to take a photo, or a portion of one, stick it on a drawing paper, and extend it by drawing around it to make it a bigger "picture". I didn't like what I did for Ali, so I drew another one.
This is the original photo, which I took while working on P2P.
This is my extended picture drawing.
This task is time consuming, but depending on the photo, it can be interesting.
This is the original photo, which I took while working on P2P.
This is my extended picture drawing.
This task is time consuming, but depending on the photo, it can be interesting.
Ali Session 6
We canceled a session in early May because I was sick, and since then I thought she has giving up on me, and she thought I had enough, but of course I'm not finished. So Ali came over for another session today.
First I showed her my P2P piece; I stressed how color choices, threading and treadling were decided spontaneously/randomly, but I got the feeling they weren't random (in the final result) enough for her. Something she pointed out was the blocks came in two sizes - either wide or narrow, the wide being about 12 or 16 ends, and the narrow 4; she wanted to see a wider variety. I complained I was stuck planning the next block piece, because I could not be more spontaneous/random, so the only thing I could think of is to weave another of these. The problem was later resolved.
Ali felt vindicated about recommending Summer & Winter because it wasn't as fuddy-duddy as I had thought, and I could see possibilities with the structure.
We moved on to my design book exercises: Chapter 5: Line and Form. I struggled with this set. In fact, I read the chapter on December 20 last year, but didn't start on the exercises until almost 4PM yesterday! Here's the lot.
.JPG)
There were mark-making, drawing, and paper sculptures. I could see how some of these would help my drawing, but not a lot made sense as learning tools for designing, but I persisted. Ali said these were rather technical exercises, and they tried my patience, but I'm glad I did them all; I'm sure they will help at some future point. The rather prescriptive paper sculptures brought back the nightmarish school days of origami, at which I totally sucked!
.JPG)
On the sheet were I was to make different kinds of marks with different tools, Ali found two areas of interest I could do more with; the irregularly placed and shaped "dots" and what to me looks like Chinese brush-painting mountains. We chose these areas for me to focus on, in trying to come up with interesting and refined plans on paper and woven samples. The "dots" in particular can be woven in different structures, and I might even try a pickup.
Just before she left, Ali had a look at my playing practice; I said I might use them as weft, and she said I could use them to weave, and then do a shibori of some sort, to create multiple layers of interest. I thought she was teasing me, (you know I am get with "layers upon layers",) but she wasn't! So..... I'm not sure what's going to happen with that one.
If all had gone to plan, we would have finished the year of design studies this month or next; As it is, we just finished Chapter 5 of the design book. I must be more vigilant, studious, regular, and serious.
First I showed her my P2P piece; I stressed how color choices, threading and treadling were decided spontaneously/randomly, but I got the feeling they weren't random (in the final result) enough for her. Something she pointed out was the blocks came in two sizes - either wide or narrow, the wide being about 12 or 16 ends, and the narrow 4; she wanted to see a wider variety. I complained I was stuck planning the next block piece, because I could not be more spontaneous/random, so the only thing I could think of is to weave another of these. The problem was later resolved.
Ali felt vindicated about recommending Summer & Winter because it wasn't as fuddy-duddy as I had thought, and I could see possibilities with the structure.
We moved on to my design book exercises: Chapter 5: Line and Form. I struggled with this set. In fact, I read the chapter on December 20 last year, but didn't start on the exercises until almost 4PM yesterday! Here's the lot.
There were mark-making, drawing, and paper sculptures. I could see how some of these would help my drawing, but not a lot made sense as learning tools for designing, but I persisted. Ali said these were rather technical exercises, and they tried my patience, but I'm glad I did them all; I'm sure they will help at some future point. The rather prescriptive paper sculptures brought back the nightmarish school days of origami, at which I totally sucked!
On the sheet were I was to make different kinds of marks with different tools, Ali found two areas of interest I could do more with; the irregularly placed and shaped "dots" and what to me looks like Chinese brush-painting mountains. We chose these areas for me to focus on, in trying to come up with interesting and refined plans on paper and woven samples. The "dots" in particular can be woven in different structures, and I might even try a pickup.Just before she left, Ali had a look at my playing practice; I said I might use them as weft, and she said I could use them to weave, and then do a shibori of some sort, to create multiple layers of interest. I thought she was teasing me, (you know I am get with "layers upon layers",) but she wasn't! So..... I'm not sure what's going to happen with that one.
If all had gone to plan, we would have finished the year of design studies this month or next; As it is, we just finished Chapter 5 of the design book. I must be more vigilant, studious, regular, and serious.
2010/07/12
Theme of the Morning?
Yesterday while cleaning up yet another area of the garden, (our place looks like three areas of projects in progress and three others of complete neglect), Ben found what looked like a cicada baby, and buried it back in the ground right away.
This morning, I saw this first, then this!
Start of the new week and today I work on the design modules, way over due but Ali is coming to check up on me on Wednesday. And if the sun comes out, I might go outside in the afternoon for a couple of hours.
This morning, I saw this first, then this!
Start of the new week and today I work on the design modules, way over due but Ali is coming to check up on me on Wednesday. And if the sun comes out, I might go outside in the afternoon for a couple of hours.
2010/07/10
Making Yarns
Just in case my previous post has left you with the impression I've been curled up in a fetal position, I've not. I've been spinning and plying. The first goal was to enjoy the movement of colors, but I got a little curious how colors behave in plies, so I started plying. I am a erratic spinner as it is, when it comes to plying, things get a bit chaotic, but then I don't know my wheel like I do my looms, so I'm blaming it on him.
I'm intrigued (and annoyed) spinning and weaving share many of the same words used in different ways, like drawing and drafting.
By the way, Dot's YarnMaker magazine is ready to receive your orders here!
I'm intrigued (and annoyed) spinning and weaving share many of the same words used in different ways, like drawing and drafting.By the way, Dot's YarnMaker magazine is ready to receive your orders here!
A Weaver's Life
I work better under pressure, or with a deadline, and a very close one at that.
Ben's gone back to work this week and I have nothing on my calendar for two whole weeks. I could have done anything I wanted.
I have two long-awaiting commissions, two galleries that can really use some more pieces, one where I should replace the pieces. A few other learning commitments, like Ali and the Design Merit Certificate. A piece awaiting fringing, three pieces awaiting wet-finishing, and a few I'd like to wash again before I take them to galleries.
Monday I cleaned the inside of the house big time, and I dyed a whole bunch of stuff, wishing to ease myself back into fibery things. (I did my first ever bohmaki pole-wrapping technique and though there is tons to learn there, I do like the shapes this technique creates.)
Tuesday I cleaned the kitchen, cleaned my desk and resorted my piles and put most books back where they belong, started reading a novel, sewed buttons on my Kaz project baby hats for charity.
Around Wednesday things started to get a little fuzzy, but in short, I did not go outside to work in the garden in spite of by-then seven continuous gloriously sunny and mostly calm days, though inside the house was unpleasantly cold inside.
I'm struggling to get back into my "normal" schedule because I realized I don't have a normal schedule; I need a timetable, and some goals, pinned on the wall. I've also been having a crisis in confidence of sorts, which has to do with the Internet, and that's set me back a little; I'll tell you about this when I have some conclusion or resolution.
Anyhoo, today is the eighth gloriously sunny and calm day, and bitterly bitterly cold inside, so we're going outside for a while.
Ben's gone back to work this week and I have nothing on my calendar for two whole weeks. I could have done anything I wanted.
I have two long-awaiting commissions, two galleries that can really use some more pieces, one where I should replace the pieces. A few other learning commitments, like Ali and the Design Merit Certificate. A piece awaiting fringing, three pieces awaiting wet-finishing, and a few I'd like to wash again before I take them to galleries.
Monday I cleaned the inside of the house big time, and I dyed a whole bunch of stuff, wishing to ease myself back into fibery things. (I did my first ever bohmaki pole-wrapping technique and though there is tons to learn there, I do like the shapes this technique creates.)
Tuesday I cleaned the kitchen, cleaned my desk and resorted my piles and put most books back where they belong, started reading a novel, sewed buttons on my Kaz project baby hats for charity.
Around Wednesday things started to get a little fuzzy, but in short, I did not go outside to work in the garden in spite of by-then seven continuous gloriously sunny and mostly calm days, though inside the house was unpleasantly cold inside.I'm struggling to get back into my "normal" schedule because I realized I don't have a normal schedule; I need a timetable, and some goals, pinned on the wall. I've also been having a crisis in confidence of sorts, which has to do with the Internet, and that's set me back a little; I'll tell you about this when I have some conclusion or resolution.
Anyhoo, today is the eighth gloriously sunny and calm day, and bitterly bitterly cold inside, so we're going outside for a while.
Dismangled
A week ago Friday, I also went to pick up my Really Wild Tea Cosy and got to talking about textile/fiber art, textile exhibitions, and weaving, with jewelry maker (and bookshop staff) Stella. No conclusions drawn, nothing decided, but I like talking to other makers about these things. I heard a new word yesterday; "dream-storming".
I came home and dismantled the cosy. I felt sad that it's been a long time since I participated in exhibitions because it's been a while since dismantled anything or opened a returned-from-exhibition package. That mine was #13 in this competition didn't help, either.
I came home and dismantled the cosy. I felt sad that it's been a long time since I participated in exhibitions because it's been a while since dismantled anything or opened a returned-from-exhibition package. That mine was #13 in this competition didn't help, either.
Drawing a Conclusion
A week ago Friday was the last drawing class for this term. I concluded that part of the reason why I felt so constricted during this term is because I associate gesture drawing not only with the gesture of the model but with mine also. This is why I need space.
Last Friday I used a smaller medium, water color pencils, and the model was Ruth, and the two worked well. I actually enjoyed the session. Next term, Ronette said, I should gesso bigger pieces of fabric.
Classmates Margaret and Sam suggested I tie all the small fabric drawings together like a Tibetan/Nepalese (?) peace flag. I'm now thinking of hanging them like on a clothesline in my stash room.
Margaret also made Nancy's chenille fabric into a book cover and an envelope in exchange for some eyelash yarns. The book here is The Artist's Way trilogy, which meant a lot to both Nancy and me, and I wanted to do this from the minute I saw the fabric, but was afraid to botch the job. Margaret did a lovely job. Thank you!
Last Friday I used a smaller medium, water color pencils, and the model was Ruth, and the two worked well. I actually enjoyed the session. Next term, Ronette said, I should gesso bigger pieces of fabric.
Classmates Margaret and Sam suggested I tie all the small fabric drawings together like a Tibetan/Nepalese (?) peace flag. I'm now thinking of hanging them like on a clothesline in my stash room.Margaret also made Nancy's chenille fabric into a book cover and an envelope in exchange for some eyelash yarns. The book here is The Artist's Way trilogy, which meant a lot to both Nancy and me, and I wanted to do this from the minute I saw the fabric, but was afraid to botch the job. Margaret did a lovely job. Thank you!
Look Familiar?
Remember Holly's P2P? I didn't know what worms were, so I asked her, and look what I got in the post!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)