First "tapestry"

This is my first “tapestry” as I attempt to teach myself something new. I glanced at my book, ignored the first instructions and jumped in. The bottom vertical strips were the first part to be done working with 2 “shuttles.” Basically the dark color is followed by the light color, both traveling in the same direction, when it comes to returning the other way I just did a twist of one color over the other and went on my merry way. In looking closely at my selvages I didn’t really like the way it looked and when I referred to the book, I had of course not done it the “best” way or the correct way according to the book.

Now this is exactly why I did not want to produce a “sampler” -- all the techniques in one weaving  -- while learning techniques, at this point I would be so annoyed that it doesn’t look nice that I would either unweave it and start over or procrastinate and slowly (very slowly) continue. But the way I’m doing it, I can completely start over putting the “bad” one aside; I can also do another variation to practice the technique. Maybe it’s easier for me to focus on one technique per project. Having something finished – yea! victory! And then move on to the next project. I also have “cute” little weavings suitable for a doll house or maybe coasters – never underestimate the “cute” factor on the satisfaction scale.
I did like doing the angled weaving part, I’ll do more of that for practice building up some confidence for when I get the nerve to do curves and someday a circle!

Classmate Hattie, Self portrait

"I feel lucky"
No artist statement.

Classmate Debra, Self portrait

No artist statement.

Class Projects -

http://picasaweb.google.com/Ouiszy/FiberArtsFallClass#
Invented fabric - our class photos, thanks to Louise.

Less is more

Another class, we talk about the project, some are having trouble with this. I don't think many of them have started, I'm thinking I probably have 15 to 20 hours in mine already and don't think I'm going to get done.

We again had slides to look at. These were all self portrait collages done in the past by students. Some were really amazing, stunning, graphic, and personal. For the technique, I would describe it as painting with printed magazine color. In a way they had a look of a "paint by number," but with interesting and intriguing twists. They were really cool. My first thought was that I was doing the project wrong and mine was too abstract, but then I thought, it's "my project" and I think it fits the assignment so I'm going to continue. But the "paint by number" did look like fun, so maybe I can squeeze in a small second project.

I'm driving home thinking about my project, it dawns on me that the size is too large, the past 2/3 side is taking too much away from what I'm saying about "turning the corner". I was being mathematical (is that possible???) before in my planning, since maybe 2/3rds of my life is over, that should be 2/3rds of the art, but now I think that is really wrong, it will have to be cut down. I was going to let the selvages be the finished side edges, now I'll have to hem 2 more sides! - more work!

My classmates projects

I thought some of my classmates projects were really clever, the photos shown here are not necessarily the "best," they just spoke to me in some way. I'm sorry I don't have names to go with the work.

The top photo is made of wire and beads, my first reaction was that it wasn't "fabric," and then immediately said "yes it is." I guess maybe my first idea of fabric is that it had to be more "solid" or something, I ended up really liking the lightness of it, the little bits of color - what a "world" this could be if it was made on a larger scale.

The next photo was an interesting 3-d landscape with little spiral shapes popping up all over, made me think of some kind of a little village with pointy houses. It was made with masking tape, I guess she just spent hours unrolling a spool of it, letting the tape spiral out of control a times. This could be a really cool project done on a larger scale.

Of course I was drawn to the bright color of the next piece. Bold splashes, putting it all out there in a big statement. I picked it up, very pliable, kind of plastic, smooth. I was happily surprised when I found out it was dried paint.

I think the bottom one was done by the same person with the paint, this time she used glue and photos. It had an interesting look to it, reminding me of when years ago I used a liquid plastic that I poured out onto glass or waxed paper depending on if I wanted it to be cloudy or clear, which I used in layering for a sculpture. I thought this had many opportunities to build on, especially using photos for a very personal statement.

The evening's slide show presented a few artists who used common objects in making over sized art with amazing mood and feeling, only when you looked closely, did you see it was Styrofoam cups, cellophane tape, drinking straws, spools of thread, bugs or shoes.




Artists pictured above; Tara Donovan, Devorah Sperber, and Willie Cole.

Our next assignment is to take one of our projects and "super-size" it, make something "human scale." We are to use what we have learned and observed in others work; it needs to be flexible in one direction; needs to have an "attitude", convey a mood and a point of view; include a brief description on what it is and how you achieved it; made from stuff you have or reused from somewhere else; use one type of fastening device; and document the process in our studio notebook.