Who Are You?

Sock Monkey wine glasses by Mimi Kerpoe

I'm a few chapters into Julia Cameron's book, Walking in this World, and this morning's reading really spoke to me.  Cameron talks about accepting yourself (and your art) as you are right this moment.  Many of us sometimes feel our work isn't "good enough" or not "high art".  But what does that really mean?  Are there different classes of art - some more worthy than others?  I don't think so.  Our art is all about our own self-expression. 

We often reject who we are, wanting to be more like someone or something else. Cameron feels that not only should we not fight who we are, we should celebrate it.  We should do what we love not what we feel we should do or what others think we should do.

My sister in law is a great example of one who celebrates her unique talents. Mimi is a very talented artist and teacher. The above photo shows some wine glasses she painted for a charity auction (she was one of 50 local artists participating.).  Mimi has a great sense of humor, she is playful, enthusiastic, creative, joyful and truly listens to her inner voice. These glasses are a great reflection of that.  Who could look at them and not smile?  

We all need a role model like Mimi in our lives, to remind us to be who we are and let our light shine. Who is your role model?

Inspiration . . . and Faith

Last week, when faced with my first studio time in months, I wondered, "how do I get the ideas flowing again?!"  I pulled out a few of my tricks for building creative energy, but nothing much happened.  I didn't really worry about it too much, because I have faith in the creative process.  I know that inspiration comes at the strangest times.  And once again, my faith was renewed.

I took a few days off to visit my mother and each night I awoke with ideas buzzing around in my head.  I wrote them all down, and I have enough ideas to last the next five years.  That can be a bit overwhelming.  But I'm not worried . . . I have faith that I'll be inspired to pursue just the right ones.

Living for . . . Tomorrow

That's what I've been doing for months now. Putting things off to a future date when all my deadlines are passed and I'll have time. I've been working on a book for the past 6 months and it is finally finished and off to the publisher. I've been telling myself, "If I can just get by until May, then I'll have some free time." This is a familiar story for me.  I get crazy with deadlines and look forward to a future date when I have fewer commitments.  But the funny thing is, somehow that future date never comes. New commitments appear to fill in the "free" time.

How do I let myself get caught up in this cycle?  You might say that I should say "no" more often or give up some things.  Well I have been much better about doing that.  But I've realized that I am a workaholic.  I love what I do and I thrive on deadlines (for the most part!)  Yet I also believe in living in the present. And when I'm focused on "getting by", I'm not living in the present.   I suppose it's all about balance.  Finding a way to keep that sense of presence in my daily life while still working toward my commitments.  That is what I strive for, and it's clear that I will be walking this path for awhile longer.

Irony or Synchronicity?

They say that you teach what you most need to learn.  I experienced this first-hand yesterday.  Last weekend, I spoke on creativity to a local quilt guild. My presentation focused on some of the things that can block creativity and some strategies to get ideas flowing. Only 7 days later, I was in a creative block. 

I haven't had much studio time for the past six months, between teaching commitments and book projects.  The only time spent in the studio was creating samples. With most of those deadines behind me, I decided to take a studio day. But, I had absolutely no inspiration  or enthusiasm. I followed my own advice to "do something".  I blocked off the entire morning and pulled out some cloth I had started months earlier.  I took little steps, doing one small thing, then another, then another. I really had to fight the urge to check my email (the computer is my distraction of choice.)

"So, did it work?", you ask. Yes, it did.  Not only did I accomplish a lot, I have a lot of ideas and am excited to finish what I started. Maybe I would have gotten out of my slump anyway, but I think that having spoken about creativity only a week earlier made me more aware of how to get over it. I guess even when we know something intellectually, we still need a reminder now and then.

May you experience the flow of creativity today!

Endings . . . and Beginnings

Last week was the ending of the 2 1/2 year ArtCloth Mastery Program in which I have been participating.  It is a rigorous study in surface design techniques, color theory, design principles and professionalism that meets for 6 days, twice a year.  In addition to the work done during class, participants are responsible for several assignments and for creating a body of work in between each session.

It has been sometimes delightful, sometimes frustrating, sometimes difficult, but always worthwhile.  I have learned so much, not only from Jane Dunnewold, the instructor, but also from each of my classmates. The class culminated in an exhibition in San Antonio.  Details on the exhibit are below for those who are interested in stopping by.

As with any ending, there is the question, "what now?"  Most of my "free" time has been spent on class assignments. During the past five months I have also been busy writing a surface design book, to be published next spring. That schedule has meant that I have had no time in the studio since last September. Now I have the rest of the year stretching before me with the promise of lots of studio time. While this ending is bittersweet, I am looking forward to beginning a new body of work. 

 Nine other artists are also represented in the exhibition: Edie Brown, Gay Kemmis, Catherine Kirsch, Joy Lavrencik, Lynn Luukinen, Liz Napier, Jeanne Sisson, Priscilla Smith and Barbara Schneider. Radius Center is located at 106 Auditorium Circle, San Antonio, TX.  A book with artist statements and a representative photo of each artist's work can be viewed at http://www.blurb.com/books/1982335 .

Spring

When I lived in Chicago, the first robin was the sign that spring was coming.  In south Florida, spring wasn't much different than winter. I always dreaded late spring, because the weather would soon turn from glorious to hot and steamy. In Texas, it is the bluebonnets that herald in spring. In a good year, the beautiful blue-violet flowers blanket the sides of the roadway.   The local shops that cater to tourists are filled with photos and paintings of bluebonnets, so it is easy to take them for granted.  But all it takes to remember their beauty is one perfect bluebonnet and one moment to enjoy it. Last week, the first lone bluebonnet emerged from our new wildflower garden. I guess that means spring is officially here.

What is your "bluebonnet"?

Design Transformation

I've been doing a lot of brayer printing lately and have a wonderful piece of lacy fabric that makes a great pattern.  I've heard a lot about PhotoEZ for screen printing and wanted to try it, so I decided to transform this image into a screen.

Lace fabric

The first step was to paint the lace with black craft paint so it would show up when I scanned it into the computer.  The resulting image came out with a lot of gray tones, so I manipulated it in my photo software so it was only black and white.



Then I decided to try the negative image to see what that was like.

I liked that better, so that is what I used to create the PhotoEZ screen. PhotoEZ is essentially a piece of mesh covered with photo emulsion.  The website makes it sound so easy, but I was skeptical. It actually was very easy and came out perfectly the first time.  Basically, you place a photocopy of the image on top of the emulsion covered mesh and let it sit in the sun for 5 minutes. (There is more to it than that, but it comes with complete directions.)

After washing out the softened emulsion, I had a screen ready to go.

Here is what the print looks like:



 I love the idea of creating screens with some of the unique patterns I get with brayer printing.  I think I'll be making a lot more of these.  I hope it is a sunny spring!

Boring to Beautiful



I taught a class on brayer printing last weekend at the Southwest School of Art.  The brayer is my new favorite tool.  Although I have used it for years, I've only recently come to fully appreciate what a versatile tool it is. It is a great way to transform fabric. It can be used with just about any medium, including paint, thickened dye, discharge agents and resists. You can achieve a variety of effects with a brayer all by itself. Then add some textured items into the mix and the possibilities are endless!

We started by comparing the marks made with a rubber brayer, a foam brayer and a napped brayer.  Then we add texture by placing items under the fabric and brayering over them.



This fabric was scrunched, then brayer printed with a rug gripper and a piece of lacy fabric underneath.




This fabric was brayer printed with rubber bands and egg noodles underneath.




Detail view







A rubber brayer created the yellow background pattern and the fabric was scrunched before being brayered with purple.

A lot of these pieces looked different by the time class was finished, because we kept adding layers of printing and dye.

Cathy adds some background color with dye.





Here is how this piece looked Saturday morning.





And here is what it looked like on Sunday afternoon.

We also spent some time working with flour paste and gel glue resist.  The resists were brayer printed , then dye was either brayered or painted on.

Sarah applies flour paste resist with a foam wall roller.

I'll be teaching a one day version of Boring to Beautiful at the Quilt Festival in Houston this year.  Hope to see you there!



Selling Out or Selling Smart?

Are visual artists "type-cast" like actors?  I wonder.  If we become successful at something or known for working in a certain style, is that all people want to see from us?  What if we want to try something new - will it be accepted?

This is on my mind after a presentation by an artist at a local art organization. The artist is very successful, has work in galleries throughout the world  and has been known for 30 years for her florals. Her work is in demand and sells for thousands of dollars.  She has been drawn to a more abstract style, yet feels some barriers in getting this work accepted into galleries.  Because her florals are so successful, that is what the galleries want.  She exhibits her abstract work under a different name.

There are so many ways I can process this information. Is she selling out by continuing to do florals?  I guess if she likes doing them she isn't selling out. But if she prefers painting abstracts, painting florals takes time that she could be spending on the abstracts.  On the other hand, if she can get $5,000-$9,000 for one floral, she doesn't have to make as many, which would free up time for working on abstracts.

And there is also the emotional issue.  How does that feel if the work you prefer to create is not valued in the marketplace? It can take a thick skin to deal with that.

I suppose there really are no answers to a lot of my questions. Each of us has to make that decision for ourselves.  This does tie in with recurring thoughts I have had about my style. I don't feel that I could work in the same style or the same theme for 30 years. This isn't a negative judgment of those who do, because others may have more focus and be able to explore a concept more deeply than I.  But I struggle with how to keep things fresh, and also maintain a recognizable style. 

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.

Art Tour This Weekend

This weekend is the 4th Annual On & Off Fredericksburg Road Studio Tour. Organized by Bihl Haus Arts, this self-guided tour of artists' studios takes place in San Antonio’s Deco District. It features over 90 artists representing a wide variety of styles and media.

I'll be participating, along with Jane Dunnewold, Linda Charlton, Martha K. Grant and Allison Brown-Cestero at ArtCloth Studios. We will have some of our work on exhibit, and we will be doing demonstrations throughout the day. The studio is located at 1101 W. Woodlawn Avenue, at the Beacon Hill Presbyterian Church. I hope you can stop by!

ArtCloth Studios did not participate last year, so I had the opportunity to visit some of the studios. It's really fun, because you see the artist in their creative space. You have an opportunity to see their work and talk with them.

The tour weekend kicks off Friday evening, February 18, 6:00-9:00 pm, with the Reception at Bihl Haus Arts, 2803 Fredericksburg Rd. On exhibit will be works by each of the studio tour artists. Stop by for the fabulous art, hors d’oeuvres, wine and live jazz.

The tour is on Saturday, February 19 from 11-6 and Sunday, February 20 from 12-5.

Visit the website for more information.

Healing Art Challenge

I came across an art challenge on Cori Berg's Sacred Arts blog the other day. It's a challenge to create art about finding joy.  You can create in any medium and if you email a photo of your piece to Cori by Feburay 4th, she'll post them on her blog.

I sent a photo of one of my experimental acrylic pieces - because I found so much joy in creating it! I hope to see some of your work there on Friday , as well!

Trying Something New

Ever since I started playing around with acrylic mediums to create texture on the edges of my collage-on-canvas, I have felt a pull to paint with them.  Now, I have never done any acrylic painting - just a little watercolor years ago.  It's the allure of texture - using gel mediums and modeling paste to create a 3D surface.  Up to now, it's just been that idea in the back of my head.  Then, at Quilt Festival, I bought the book, The Creative Edge, by Mary Todd Beam.  I also picked up Painting Abstracts by Rolina van Vliet. Both books have a number of exercises using acrylic paints. So, last week I gathered my supplies and got to work.

 

My first step was to cover several boards with gel medium and make marks on the wet gel to create texture.  I realized this was going to be expensive, because I was using a lot!  So I pulled out the wall patch compound and used that on some of the boards. I have one that has an acrylic base, which is important.  Without that, it will crack off the surface when it is dry. At least that has been my experience using it on the edges of canvas.

Beam recommends illustration board, but I used mat board since I have a lot on hand. After the medium/wall patch dried, I applied gesso so I would have a nice surface for painting.  Below are a few of my textured boards, ready to paint.




Scratches with a bamboo skewer

The medium was squeegeed through a piece of heavy lace.  Can't really see the lace pattern, but it has an interesting texture.

Here I used a spring whisk, part of a plastic ceiling grid and a skewer.

This is pretty much like using the sgraffito technique on flour paste, so I felt right at home creating these backgrounds.  Then I laid the first wash on one of them. That takes me back to my watercolor days. I love the soft effect even more with the textured background.  And when I paint over it, those colors won't bleed into the 2nd layer.

It's a slow going process, since I only have a short amount of time to devote to this right now.  But I like working in stages like this. And I know they don't look like much, but I am having so much fun doing this. The neat thing is that I don't really care what the end result is - I'm just enjoying the process!

Quilting Arts TV

I received some exciting news last week - I have been invited to participate in the taping of Quilting Arts TV next month. I now get to join the ranks of some of my favorite artists. The show airs on PBS in some markets.

I have been writing a series of articles for Quilting Arts magazine on resists from the kitchen, so they asked me to do a segment on that.  I'll cover oatmeal, instant mashed potatoes and rice cereal.  I'll also tape a segment on brayer printing. Below is a sneak preview of the results from some of the techniques.  No news yet on when they will air, but I'll pass it on when I know.

Circles and Squares, mashed potato resist, hand stitching 

Kundalini , brayer printing, hand stitching

ArtCloth Network

108 Beads by Barbara Schneider

The ArtCloth Network, a group of artists dedicated to promoting the medium of cloth as an art form, is currently having a call for membership. I've been a member since 2008 and I joined to be part of a community of other artists working in this medium. Members of the network meet annually to share what they are working on and to discuss professional concerns and opportunities. Part of the group's mission is to educate people about artcloth and one of the ways in which we do that is to produce an artcloth exhibition for members each year.

I have enjoyed the opportunity to talk with others about techniques and processes, about art-related concerns and frustrations and about approaches to creating. The annual exhibition has provided deadlines that push me to create when I might not otherwise and it has also pushed me to create work outside my comfort zone.

If you are committed to creating artcloth and are interested in joining the group, you can read more about it in the membership application and requirements.

In Class

I spent last week in an Independent Study class with Jane Dunnewold.  Jane holds it every January and it has become a new year's ritual for me.  Many of us have been returning for 3-5 years. Everyone works on their own thing.  I find it a great way to jump start the new year and it is fascinating to see what everyone else is working on. I came away with a lot of finished cloth and a lot of ideas for more! Here are some photos of the week.

Leslie Jenison shows some of her Spoonflower fabric. It was like a guessing game trying to figure out what the original photo was.

A graffiti-inspired cloth by Leslie Jenison  

Linda Dawson works on her unique process for transferring color to fabric from paper.

The finished pieces

This almost-finished cloth is by Jeannette Davis.  At the beginning of the week, all she had was the original dyed fabric.  Everything else was done in class.

Diane Lopez displays her natural dyeing techniques.  This cloth has iodine (and some other unidentified substances as well!) Diane sells her beautiful scarves at Kathleen Sommers in San Antonio.

Vivian Mahlab works on layers of screenprinting

Another piece by Vivian

This is one of my layered resist pieces - 3 layers of soy wax and immersion dyeing.

This is three layers of potato dextrin resist, handpainted

Another one of my pieces - multiple layers of Jacquard resist and acrylic medium resist

What Is It I'm Really Teaching?

Another one of my wide-awake-at-four-in-the-morning ruminations. It struck me that not only does every instructor bring a different perspective to their teaching, I believe that we are really teaching something much more than is reflected in the catalog description. For example, I bet if I asked another local artist and instructor what is the essence of what she teaches, she would answer "tapping into one's creativity."  Each class may focus on a particular project or technique, but she is really sharing her enthusiasm for the creative process. Another instructor I know spends hours experimenting with new techniques and doing research on materials and techniques.  So she is not only an innovator, she has also developed a high level of knowledge and expertise that she is eager to share with students.

I began to ponder the essence of my teaching. I had a flash of knowing, but it is hard to articulate.   I guess what I really want people to come away with is the confidence to stick with it, to work through difficulties and to be open to new possibilities. It's easy to get frustrated when trying a new technique, especially if it doesn't turn out the way you think it will. There is a learning curve to everything, and some people move through the curve more quickly than others. (I know - I'm one of the slow ones!) My hope is that participants won't be discouraged by a "failure".  Failures can lead to interesting new possibilities!

Happy New Year!

Don't you just love the beginning of a new year?  So much hope, so many possibilities, a chance to wipe the slate clean and start over. I always feel fresh, energized, with renewed enthusisam for my goals.  And yet, why do I limit these feelings to the new year?  Everyday is an opportunity for a fresh start and I often forget that. One of my intentions this year (as it is every year!) is to take time each day to be in the moment, to release baggage from the past and anxiety about the future.  It is a difficult goal to achieve.  Sometimes I'll get through the whole day and realize I never stopped my mind long enough to just be. But I keep trying!

May you have many fresh starts this year, and many moments to enjoy the present!

January in San Antonio?

How about a 3 day retreat in sunny, warm San Antonio this January?  There are still a few spaces left in the Irresistible Texture workshop I am teaching at ArtCloth Studios on January 21-23.

Join us as we spend three days exploring water-based resists. This workshop is perfect for those who have been intrigued by the idea of resists, but weren't quite sure how to go about using them. Or maybe you have tried, with unsatisfactory results. You will have an opportunity to use resists made from everyday pantry items, as well as some commercially available resists. I'll also share 8 different techniques with which to apply them, so there is sure to be something for both the novice and the experienced. See the possibilities for yourself - from fresco-like texture to crisp, clear detailed images. Email me if you have any questions or would like to sign up.

Jacquard water based resist

Potato dextrin

Elmer's gel glue

Oatmeal

Flour paste, soy wax

Flour paste

Soy wax

Flour paste, soy wax

Is It Just Me?

Does anyone else feel that December has slipped by?  I had such high hopes for the month.  I was finished with my workshops for the year and most of my major deadlines were behind me.  I was looking forward to a full, unencumbered month to concentrate on my latest project.  Now I find myself with a week and a half left, wondering where the month went.  Maybe my expectations were too high?  (Me?? Never!!)

It's hard to shake off my past - after so many years in the corporate world, the idea that doing is more important than being is hard to change. For all the time I spent working on my projects this month, I also spent a lot of time enjoying my family, admiring the new wildflower garden, watching the birds at our bird feeder, playing with the kitties, and making gifts for the holidays. I've been reading Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth each morning, and was struck this morning by the idea presented in the last chapter.  It is not as important what you do, but how you do it.  The simplest things take on meaning when done with full attention and awareness. Maybe I did "accomplish" a lot after all.  I managed to find balance in a month that can be stressful and full of anxiety.

Whatever you have in store this week, may you also find balance between being and doing.

Prayer Flags

photo by broken sphere

I've been fascinated by prayer flags from the moment I first learned of them. Typically associated with Tibet,  these flags are hung outside and carry prayers - for protection, health, good fortune, compassion.  Each flag is printed with a combination of text and symbols. The text may be a mantra, a sutra (excerpt from a sacred Buddhist text) or a prayer.

photo by babasteve 

photo by markus koljonen

The aspect that really intriques me is the idea that as the flag becomes weathered, small pieces of the flag are carried off by the wind, spreading the prayers throughout the world. The prayers are also thought to purify and cleanse the air that blows through them. People often hang multiple flags and it is common to see both new and old flags hanging side by side. What a wonderful representation of the cycles of life, young and old side by side.  An acceptance of the natural life cycle, that as something dies and decomposes, it is providing benefit and sustenance for another being.

I have created several prayer flags this year.  My interpretation is quite different from the traditional version. The first had no text, only symbols I created to represent my prayers for the world.  The second set has no symbols, only text.  They both carry prayers for peace, joy, love, compassion and health.

This flag was made from hand-dyed linen that was then brayer printed.  A small bit of metal leaf was added to each piece.

These flags are made from silk/cotton voile.  I used the technique from Vibrant Color, I added powdered dyes to soy wax and applied that to the fabric, then handpainted over it. The prayers are screened in metal leaf.