Textile Triathalon!

 Try something new! Textile Triathlon 

When I was going to school, and had to DECLARE! a major (that term... its so energized!!) I was really engaged with texture, pattern and lots of inks. I printed on fabrics, i printed tree trunks, with circles expressing line and color and size relationships, I printed with wax and acid with a variety of grounds on metals, tried out woodblock printing and serigraphs... I could spend days layering color and pattern on fabric and paper. That was my focus in art.

And then i found handweaving

and we mixed it all! 

I have never found the end of that rabbithole!!!

The Threes

Betsy, at Sawtooth, asked about three different classes. there may be more but for now, there are three on the sawtooth website.

Batik

all the color, all the textures to draw, fluid line and crackles! 

In this workshop we use soy wax- very sustainable, renewable and safer with very little fume-age. 
Batik has such a rich history, lends itself to delicate details and found object printing (so fun)

Join me Saturday, January 25, 10-4 for this fun workshop- preregistration needed and the earlier the better so we can have your supplies ready, have a pre-class chat and please consider bringing a friend! 

Block Priting on Fabric. 

An introductory printmaking class, we discuss pattern, color, size, materials and after a few samples, we print our ideas for a compositions. If you want to try printing on clothing, we sometimes do that, too! 

Join me for three Wednesdays, February 5-19, from 6-8pm to explore color mixing, paints and inks, making printing blocks for many uses. Early sign-up gives us a chance to find out what students have in mind, and voila! printing class!

Intro to Weaving

Threads give us clothing for winter, color for our walls, gifts for our giving.
Weaving does have a bit of process to it, and in this intro class, I plan to share the techniques that other weavers have shared with me. Together, we will choose your threads, sampler ideas and explore pattern and structure- with soft yarns or shiny yarns or maybe some unique materials. We will use floor looms to keep our threads in the order we want. Join me Mondays and Wednesdays, February 24-March 5. Sign up, bring a friend, and think about what kind of textiles you like best. We will have a chat before class begins!

Textile Triathlon!

Wheeeee doggies!

I'll have handwoven and printed items in the Sawtooth Show, at Greenhill Gallery in Greensboro and at City Gallery in Galax. I've been dyeing new yarns, working with linen, wool, silks, tencels, cottons - its been a colorful year!

Happy Autumn

 The "Ber"s

the second month into the "ber"s

The eighth month that is really the tenth month

alas

September is usually a pretty slammed month for me, workwise, gardenwise, familywise and unwise that i have not gotten the hang of the cycle that I pretty much created for myself. Always the plans for... Next Time!

Mona, Marianne and Issis

The NCFolk Festival Makers Marketplace went well, in the new location with giant tents and great weather,  visit to Charleston and Folly Beach (I'd never been before). 

With so much going on for everyone, we are finally finishing up the Arts for Everybody collective mural with three other artists - Issis Kelly, Marianne DiNapoli-Mylet and Mona King.  The project began with a public participation program during the Arts for Everybody project, and putting together the various parts for a community health day assemblage piece. 

painted wool warp with alpaca weft

I have had a great time with the workshops and Piedmont Fiber Shed folks. The last workshop was held at Twin Birch and Teasel, a lovely fiber resource shop in Siler City, where we painted warps and yarns. We used Procion MX dyes on cotton and wool- I've woven off a couple of my sample warps. 

And here is OctoBer, with the temperatures chilling a bit (not enough to be mosquito free but I am the perpetual bait for those guys). Cool enough to spend some quality time in the shop weaving and dyeing and the occasional attempt at tidying up. 

cotton/linen hand-dyed mixed twills

I've gotten some different yarns to work with- I snagged some cotton/linen yarns from R&M Yarns over the summer and as much as i love the natural color of linen (and the wonderful grassy scent), I dyed some, too. I love the firm slinky drape of these fabrics and they'll only get better with age (just like linen and Me!)

alpaca/silk and merino/tencel twill (soft!)

I ordered some wooly stuff- a lovely alpaca/silk and a merino/tencel. They are so soft and warm. I've been twilling more, with a mix pattern on the baby wolf and a straight plaid on the Gilmore. I am keeping Fanny set up for some mix weave scarves.

Scarves

I love the rhythm of a scarf, how the color is a pop of interest with any ensemble, that i can wear it and a gazillion ways and take it off when the power surges arrive. I think scarves are one of the easiest accessories every to cross my path; they are versatile and affordable, traditional and sparkly!

My segue

I lived in the Western NC Mountains for several years, went to school in Haywood County and Cullowhee, on top of a mountain. It was such a beautiful time in my life and I met some wonderful folks. And goats and chickens and flowers- it's tough to hear the stories of damage from the hurricane Helene.  I am not a financially wealthy person and I'm hoping that my few contributions can help. That said, I have put these scarves from my website at a lower price with a commitment of 40% of each sale going to relief efforts- BeLovedAsheville and Community Foundation. I'm hoping I have some scarves that folks will like, I can share sales income with the folks that need some help for now. 

dahlia grown from seed

I plan to bring a basket of scarves to the next show, Keep it Local Oak Ridge on October 26 from 10-4. 

In such a chaotic time, it has been incredible to see how people still care and try to help out. 

Happy Autumn! I"m off to weave a bit on this cool morning before the mosquitoes warm up. 

Sketch Pad Stuff

 the sketch pad

Drawing is something I can take with me. We went to warm Florida for my birthday, had some quiet time, listened to the ocean and i had a little sketching time. I only brought graphite and the sketch pad and it was good to focus on contrasts. 

Drawing is something I will be sure to take more time with as it really helps me focus. And i've had some serious monkey-mind lately!!

My studio is not heated. 

I'd love to change that one day, but for now, the flow of inside and outside work seems to be an ok way to go. I can work on different parts of a plan in different places, work on sketches and paintings inside, take care of writing grants, projects and residency programs and order supplies inside. Outside in the studio, i'm sorting and organizing for a productive spring

Some new weaving structures found me and it is going to be fun to try those out! Some dimensional weaves, and I believe they will take color transition well (one of my favorites). I'm working to be more practical with work schedules so i have time for art, time with my people, time with my home and cats. 

I'm looking to switch up my color triad- I'll share some of that as it goes on my Instagram page, @kgtextiles. it turns up on my DyeCrazy facebook page- i probably can reposition that but, meh. 

I plan to move from scarlet red to a more apple red, mix that with a clear yellow, go more magenta than fuchsia and choose a different blue to go along with the turquoise. I'll keep the brown and bronze, in case i feel more earthy than this brilliant spring. 

Linen is looking like a great fiber to add with tencel and cotton. I've been using up the rayons i have for more sustainable fibers, and the woody look of color on linen is going to be a nice mix with the glossy tencel and softness of cotton. I'll save wool for later in the year. 

Those are my plans! 

April

I'll be at Kernersville Middle School weaving tapestries with the looms I got from an artist support grant through the NC Arts Council (thanks bunches, once again!) with Arts in Education funding through the Wells Fargo Foundation and Winston Salem Arts Council.

Join me at Sawtooth in a workshop to make one of my favorite baskets, Choctaw Elbow Basket on April 25.

May

I'll be backup, helping Piedmont Craftsman's Artist Cara Bevan with her residency at West Forsyth High School. This one is funded by the Wells Fargo/Winston Salem Arts Council Arts in Education Grant, too. (Its a great way to share art and fine craft with future artists!)

I'm planning to have a table, (filled out the forms!) along with a lot of other art folks, at the May 17th Art Crush. Come by and say HI!

we have another collaborative with several guest speakers, sponsored by Piedmont Craftsmen at the Makers Meet scheduled for end of May at Mixxer maker space in Winston Salem, discussing the topic of "How to set up a Booth", probably May 22, possibly May 29th. in the evening, 6-8. If you want to get details, send me an email at education@piedmontcraftsmen.org

Have a wonderful spring! 

spring greens on the way

 Spring Countdown

I have peas coming up

I have seed catalogues

I have indigo, madder, woad, milkweed and flax seeds

spring preparations are almost all ready

just need more sunshine and less temperatures in the teens

I've got a few more classes to teach at the Sawtooth School in Winston Salem,  an artist residency, new work for an exhibit drawn up and ready to put dye and thread toward. Its going to be an interesting year!

I'm working with several other local artists on some collaborative projects and that experience looks to be a wonderful time. It is tricky to work and post about work.... i suppose that is why it is important to have a good web person! 

Dates to watch:

February 21, 6-8pm at Mixxer, Makers Meet with a presentation by five local arts organizations sharing details about applying for shows and festivals. To cover a national, regional, local and specific demographic of exhibition types.

February 28, 6-8 Join us with the wonderful basketry makers Carla and Greg Filippelli at 525 N. Trade Street. with an artist talk and hands-on basket making experience. Pre register, pre-pay $35 at Piedmont Craftsmen by Wednesday, February 21.

Both of these events Must have an RSVP! space limited, wait list after that. 

I do love sharing what i've learned weaving, in art, in color and all the process it takes to make something so unique. I am not one to follow a packaged instruction, though i do appreciate the chance to emulate the technique. To my mind a great way to learn. I learn a lot from listening. 

I take the classes i teach very seriously. Most of the time, people in the classes where i instruct are inquisitive, have great questions, listen to the experiences i share. I am not alone in being stumped with a student that takes a class and is so resistant to a suggestion. I think of the ways i might resolve this kind of situation, as I want all the time to be spent in a positive way. It is hard when someone is unhappy, insecure, defensive and speaks badly of you when you are making a good effort.

I'm adding that in case you are considering taking a class, workshop or becoming a part of a project. Consider the people around you and how the best situation is a positive situation. I don't know any instructor that doesn't put so much more than visible into any class or workshop they teach. 

And if you are unhappy with. your workshop, consider not nattering among the others in the class. Great if you have more knowledge than. you thought you did, if that is really true. Don't be negative around the others. Its just not productive.

Have a wonderful day!

Happy almost spring, just a quick note to say hi, since i've been all wrapped up in my own yarns.

(see what i did there hahaha)

Big Weaving Time!

Summer Weaving is winding toward Autumn! 

And batik

And dyes.  

And more textile fun

These are great months to design, with so much color in flowers, sunrise and sunsets, rainbows after showers, vacation inspiration- the creative points are all around!

I've taken some details of successful weaving classes apart to introduce specific skills for the toolbox so when you try and tackle the "next big thing" it's a more pleasurable challenge. I am known to say repeatedly, there is more than one right answer. We can address some of those answers before we have just invested $$ in that incredible silk and wool yarn, dyed up an incredible warp to dress on the loom and start with a lofty yet sticky mohair!! If you have questions be sure and email me. 

Some of the classes have been rescheduled.  It is always helpful to hear what times are best for everyone so please let me know what times are best for you. That always helps us choose the best times!

August 20 and 21, 10:00am to 1:00pm at Sawtooth School join us for details on how to wind a warp. The first part of the process in hand weaving is determining which threads to use and then measuring threads. We determine the size we want to weave our fabric, what types of yarns we want to use, how soft or firm our fabric needs to be and we count and measure our threads to be ready for the next step.Threading a loom is much easier if the warp is wound properly, and there are several ways to determine “proper”. Head into your next weaving class with the power to put your threads on with order, less chaos and more control of your process! 

August 7 from 10:00am to 4:00 pm at the Sawtooth School join us for a batik workshop. 

Using soy wax as a resist to the dyes, we 

compose images using traditional tjanting tools, brushes, a collection of blocks and found shapes that we can use for pattern and visual texture. Soy wax melts and gives off some fumes, but is so much safer than microcrystalline wax. That said, feel free to wear a mask for the wax, or for any reason! 

We will break for lunch,  bring your own or visit one of the close restaurants in downtown Winston Salem. 

Our dyes are permanent so please wear art-friendly clothes. 

August 9 and 16 from 6:00pm-9:00pm at the Sawtooth School I’m bringing my frame tapestry looms to use in class for those who don’t have one (yet!) - if you have your own, please bring yours if you’d like to weave on your own between classes. We explore several tapestry weaving techniques, a bit of history of tapestry weaving, then warp up the loom and weave a simple piece with yarns and any other items we choose to add. If you have questions about the class, be sure to ask me! 

Thread a Loom, August 28 at Sawtooth School

Weaving involves a littlest of process: there are ways to simplify threading and dressing the loom to have lovely patterns, textures and structure for your special designed fabrics! Join Kathryn for a review of how to thread, why you thread in which direction (yep, some are easier one way than the other), some special knots and other ways to keep handwaving fun and creative. If you’re considering weaving classes, these techniques should give you tools to weave with a variety of yarns with the new patterns you’re exploring.

Floor Loom Weaving begins October 2 and we meet for five classes, October 2 and 5 (same week to eat started) then Mondays, 10/9,16 and 23.. This intro/beginner class is going to be fun! I love weaving and along my journey I’ve picked up a few tricks and am looking  forward to having a great time. 

Pattern Weaving begins October 5 and we meet on Tuesdays beginning October 10 then 17 and 24. We will explore pattern weaving, different threadings and for those ready, more than four harnesses. 

Coming in October! 

In between the  workshops, some travel and other events I’m weaving! I received an Artist Support Grant and am excited to have new equipment and materials to work with.. makes a HUGE difference. I’ll be sharing tht work in upcoming exhibits TBA and fall shows. I plan to bring out some colorful handwoven gifts for holidays and special gifts. I’ll be donating to Hirsch WEllness again this year, so please keep that event in

Back to the studio and hope to see you soon 

July is a big WORKSHOP month!!

But first

Let me share my ongoing project!

 My pal Professor Alan Miller, underwater photographer, gardener, member of the ginger nation, grew indigo and gave me some of the clippings! I’ve got a big blue vat of leaves and blue pigment floating, I’m clamping and stitching to get some designs going. I’m all buzzed stitching, folding, photographing.. so I’ll get that up in a bit.

Workshops

Scheduled workshops coming up are with the Creative Aging Network of NC, located in Greensboro and the Sawtooth School in Winston Salem, NC. Some of my favorite things to share! 

July 10, 10:00am-12:00pm at the Creative Aging Network on Summit Avenue, Greensboro join us to

make a Choctaw Elbow Basket. 

Supplies are included. 

We are using flat reed for most of this, round reed for a bit and as always, I’ll bring some fun stuff from my yard- grapevine, yucca leaves, curly willow. You can too!

I don’t plan to dye the basket reed but we can easily dye it after the basket is made.

July 11, 18 and 25, 6:30-8:30 at the Sawtooth School we are printing on

fabric. We did this at Taste of Art in a quick version.  

This workshop has the flexibility of three days so we can design our own blocks, discuss different ways to print on fabric, expand our color palette to explore more techniques and print in layers (we have drying time!!!)

July 14 and 15 we are dying with Indigo at Sawtooth School! On July 14 join us for a Taste of Art from 6-8 while we try a few quick shibori techniques. Come back Saturday from 10-3 (break for lunch, maybe blueberries?  Hmm) and we explore more techniques, with additional vat time for deeper and richer blues and a bit more studio time to enjoy this special dye opportunity. (Please wear art-friendly clothes! The dye is permanently blue)

July 20 and 21 from 10:00am to 1:00pm at Sawtooth School join us for details on how to wind a warp. One of the first parts of the process in hand weaving is measuring threads. We determine the size we want to weave our fabric, what types of yarns we want to use, how soft or firm our fabric needs to be and we count and measure our threads to be ready for the next step.Threading a loom is much easier if the warp is wound properly, and there are several ways to determine “proper”. Head into your next weaving class with the power to put your threads on with order, less chaos and more control of your process! 

July 22 from 10:00am to 4:00 pm at the Sawtooth School join us for a batik workshop. 

Using soy wax as a resist to the dyes, we

compose images using traditional tjanting tools, brushes, a collection of blocks and found shapes that we can use for pattern and visual texture. Soy wax melts and gives off some fumes, but is so much safer than microcrystalline wax. That said, feel free to wear a mask for the wax, or for any reason! 

We will break for lunch,  bring your own or visit one of the close restaurants in downtown Winston Salem. 

Our dyes are permanent so please wear art-friendly clothes. 

July 24 from 10:00am to 12:00 pm we are printing designs with natural objects at the Creative Aging Center in Greensboro. 

Printing is a great way to explore pattern, shape and color. All supplies are included and you are welcome to bring special items from your garden, nature walks, stash of cool collected things and I’ll bring things, too. Explore some different printing techniques using direct pressing and printing with gel plates. I plan to bring several samples that may inspire the group. 

August 9 and 16 from 6:00pm-9:00pm at the Sawtooth School I’m bringing my frame tapestry looms to use in class for those who don’t have one (yet!) - if you have your own, please bring yours if you’d like to weave on your own between classes. We explore several tapestry weaving techniques, a bit of history of tapestry weaving, then warp up the loom and weave a simple piece with yarns and any other items we choose to add. If you have questions about the class, be sure to ask me! 

It’s a busy summer! I”m looking forward to these workshops. I’m planning to post more images on my facebook page and instagram page as the month rolls along, including those of the workshops. Meanwhile, I’ve been uploading some of my past bits and pieces. 

I’m going to get back to these glorious blue leaves now… be sure and message me if you have questions about the classes. Sign up through the links above at the Creative Aging Center and Sawtooth School. I’ve spoken with a few other folks about workshops; as soon as they’re finalized I’ll post those too

a good day to dye

 A very good day

One of my absolutely favorite movies is "Smoke Signals", with memorable lines, embraceable characters and reminds me of living out west. which hasn't happened for a really long time. The line about (paraphrased here.. i can't seem to find the movie now!) it is a good day to die, but a better day to have breakfast.

I get to choose my dye days more than i used to. I've got clusters of work that are projects that have some overlap, keeping me working in the art and fine craft world with a lot of menu choices. Its time to get out the colors, though. I have sketches for some new fabrics that I'm super excited about. Some are really textural, some with pattern, some with dye variations and some to be woven with other people. All good, all fun and looking forward makes me really excited.

Here we go

I am so appreciative of the support from local organizations and state arts council grants that help me fund projects- for weaving new work and taking weaving out to my local community. The Community Tapestry project is so very interactive, with color and stories and  people that i get to meet, working in rehab centers, working in schools and the other big hat, working at festivals and fairs. I’m excited to have a few grants going to share projects without having to rustle up cash for the materials and expenses.. more community inclusive. :)

Invest in community

Writing hasn't been on the top of my list lately, though the grant writing is always a way to share more

weaving, textiles and engaging artwork with more hands and bigger creative projects. I struggle with being creative and the idea of what i make generating funds to share with my community. One of my favorite recent phrases that found me is "when you invest, invest in your community" and that is my theme song lately. After being in our secluded time, being out and helping to make a creative difference seems  incredibly important now.

Classes and workshops!

Join me for some fibery dyecrazy fun! 

Creative Aging Center workshops in Greensboro

Mondays, beginning June 12, 26, July 10, 24 at the CAN campus. 

Sign up at https://can-nc.org

Join us for fun introductions with a Nature theme in each class of weaving, painting, baskets and printing. 

Classes are from 10-12.

Sawtooth School

The weaving studio looks great! I’ll be teaching some weaving workshops with a few focused on getting
the details of starting to weave- winding, threading, dyeing your own warps, plus an intro class and pattern class.

A few dye and fabric printing workshops.

Taste of Art on June 16, 6-8 (head over to the Art Crush on Trade Street afterwards!) We are using fabric paints, practicing a few printing techniques on fabrics and a tote! Easy, safe permanent paints.

A more detailed workshop begins on. July 11 for two Tuesdays

We are going to dye with indigo, fiber reactive dyes, wind threads, warp looms… its going to be fun. Check out the full schedule and email if you have questions!

Sign up at www.sawtooth.org

Join me when you can!