Tie me up!

I haven't made a resist warp in a while and well, this seems the time to do just that. I have used tencel, rayon, mercerized and unmercerized cotton in the warp- all undyed and a couple have been bleached. I have tied off a design that uses two short stripes ending in  resist areas, and one long stripe ending in resist areas. I am thinking of a nice charcoal so I can play with the wefts - I should have enough for four scarves.
Here is a photo of the tied threads. As soon as I take the tape off I'll decide if I over-dye the whole thing or leave the white. Part of me is still entertaining the idea of stenciling or block printing on the white areas. Of course, if I leave the white IO can always paint and print anyway... decisions to be made!

The New Studio

Yes, it is time to start on a new workspace. In order to do that I have to clear one space so I can move the stuff from the proposed workspace out. Everything has an equal and opposite action. Slow- like Democracy. But it is the process and well, there you go!
I will have space for the three looms at the house,  and if I need to move from our downtown studio (we are just checking our numbers and time and no plans are made to move. And actually, I hate to cut off that part of my life. I love that studio and the art-hood!) I will have space.
I've had some pretty productive work time lately, in spite of the killer goldenrods and leaves! they are beautiful and make my head ache. I have three scarf warps ready to tag and hang, three babyblankets ready to tag and hang-- well, they need their fringe trimmed. They are soft- like the ones I made for Wade. But pinker. Should be just as much fun to pee on as the blue ones, too.
And I have been working onmore blocks for printing. I still want to try morewoodblocks but my hands have been really sore lately- yardwork, house repair, stuff. Maybe when the trees are all trimmed and pruned and I've gotten in some rest. Yeah. like that will happen!

I started on a printed piece during the summer as a demo and then began embellishing it. I didn't start out thinking symmetry and now it is somewhat like the eye of Sauron, but some stitches, bits and pieces of found objects should change that a bit. We'll just have to see! I used found objects to print on muslin with ProChem textile pigments. The fabric is definitely soft enough to stitch through. I do like these pigments... I want to try different bases sometime soon. I have a few ideas to work through... I am thinking of a little stuffing, too.

Changing like the leaves!

This has been a year of change. I have new colors for fall-- new warps, a new heavy textured m's and o's scarf prototype to work on, putting the walls up on my new at-home studio (seems we need several of these-- one with people, one without). And I've met so many new artists-- well, new to me! but these conversations have really helped me put my ideas in a new light. Changing jobs- the other job I always seem to need! from working with the Art Alliance to working in the Rockingham County Arts council has been a real emotional ride. I miss being in Greensboro, miss the fun folks at AAG, don't miss the complainers! but the people in Rockingham County have been so friendly and they are excited about the new projects.. the new gallery, exhibits, craft shows, grants.. I'm feeling so much more grounded.
So this is the last jacket fabric for a month or so. time to get the fall and winter scarves.. have some new wools and will be trying the wool/tencel blend soon. And I have new tunes to work with! I have to say... this could be what I have been looking for and I just never knew! Now, if the creepy neighbor would stop asking me about why i don't have a boyfriend....

new path

time to move from autumn scarves and get the spring scarves going! And, along with this project, I will be working with Arts in-education projects in middle schools, batik class in Greensboro and an upcoming exhibit.
turquoise, tomato red, middle earth blue, clear sunshine yellow, mossy green and charcoal are ready for the dyebath!in tencel, silk, mercerized cotton and organic cotton.

Winter Wearables

I had plans to complete a series of jackets for December but as my schedule has become filled with so many other things they'll be ready by February. I am excited about the way they are coming together-- changes in color, pattern and a nice drape.
But, there are scarves made of silks, some mohair, and most are soft cottons and tencels. Colors range from holiday reds and forest greens to deep blues, warm earthy browns and I have a few deep violet and softer wintry blues to go into the new year. New year already!
I have a new series of wraps that I wove on my 8-harness Gilmore loom-- more delicate fabric, not so thick, that has two alternating blocks that give it a change in pattern and creates a little pucker. In some I have woven a reverse twill that reminds me of ripples in a current- kind of like where a pebble falls in the water or when you put your finger in running water.
For 2010 I plan to use a lot more surface design on the fabrics and have a few juried exhibits to apply for. And it is grant time. I have a couple of textile projects to do with school groups and intend to work with a few adult groups too, as soon as I can get the schedule confirmed I'll post it here.
Happy Holidays!

Marbling Techniques Workshop

I will be leading a workshop in marbling techniques on November 14 from 10am-1pm. at Art Alliance of Greensboro, located in the Greensboro Cultural Center. We'll cover basic patterns- stones, some feathering patterns, and try some compositional techniques. Everyone will have some mordanted paper and a silk scarf ready to marble.

We'll use textile pigments, a carageenean based bath, and alum mordant. Marbling is such a relaxing technique I expect this to be a great workshop. So far, we have enough students and can take about three more people.

Fall Fabrics

The colors of fall cannot be ignored! I am threading up new warps of the last greens and blues of summer, warm rusts and reds, soft browns and golds-- I am excited about the new weave structure I have on, too. It alternates two blocks of plain weave with either a twill or a basket weave and when the fabric is processed I get a slight pucker. And the color patterns are part of the structures too. Like lines, stipples and waves.

I will be using this in the new jackets and the wraps. Perhaps in the scarves, too.

And it is time for baby blankets-- not just for my NEW GRANDSON!!! but my buddy Carl's granddaughter, my bff Dee's Great-grandchild and I think there will be more babies to wrap this fall and winter. I am thinking soft yellows, blues, pinks and greens in pointed strupes making up squares with some lofty softball and organic cottons. I stared winding off these threads Thursday so I will have to take some photos.We should be modeling the blanket sometime last of December, first of January.