Returning back to my own studio after being at Pam's for a week and working alongside her in her glorious studio always includes a bit of adjustment time on my part...as my absence no doubt does in hers. Once the boxes had been unpacked and my studio semi-organized, I slowly got back to work.
One of Pam's what ifs kept nudging at me to try it too.
She'd experimented by sewing a few tucks into her mono printed fabric.
I loved the results, especially for the sculptural possibilities it offers.
This is definitely one of my favorite shots from the week...the light, Pam's hands, the work.
On Thursday, I sat down at the sewing machine and started stitching
various sized tucks in a long piece of green tea rusted cotton.
Something a juror once said of how I approached my weavings has stayed with me through the years and it was this thought that kept whispering to me.
Foon Sham, artist and professor at the University of Maryland, was one of 3 jurors for The Art League's call for entry for solo exhibitions the year I decided to be brave enough to apply. To be honest, getting my work in front of Foon Sham was the reason I applied.
In his notes about my work, he commented that I liked to create a pattern and then break it. And he was right. I did it intuitively as a point of interest, yet had never recognized it as such.
This week, I did it on purpose.
jennifer, these pieces are strong and so interesting, i want to get close and "walk through" them. the hidden concertina of sorts happening in the first one starts me thinking.
ReplyDeleteThe hidden concertina of sorts does offer possibilities...especially for paper or a stiffer fabric than my cottons. Glad you like the results. This experiment has me thinking about the larger pieces and how it might be applied to them....
DeleteI'm inspired to try this particular what if - breaking things up and putting them back together. The results you've achieved ( superb) is reason enough.
ReplyDeleteThe fun thing, to me, about this piece Maya, is that it was one long length of rusted cotton that I simply folded tucks into and sewed...without looking at the opposite side as much as possible so as to not plan where to put the next tuck. Wanted the surprise of seeing how the original rusted gear marks had been altered.
DeleteIf you try this, I'd love to see your results!
Very cool! Love the effect..keep at it girl!
ReplyDeleteThank you! How're things are your house?
DeleteI have a pile of various blue fabrics with sugar resist on them. Have to set them, wash and dry and cut up. I'll be doing a lot of stitching this summer! Also, getting into my second India Flint book...lots of great ideas.
DeleteOoooh! Can't wait to see what the blues become. I noticed updating Skype wasn't on your list of things to do....just saying....would be nice to see you and the blue fabrics and the India Flint inspired happenings.....
DeleteI guess it wasn't a top priority this week. Ah well...I have to get to it. You're doing some pretty nifty things.
DeleteI know. Won't mention it again.
DeleteI glimpsed this late last night before heading to bed and loved what you were doing. The turn-over right side surprise is great! I love the strength of the vertical panels and how they make a statement; something about 'interrupted' to me. HOpe you enjoy the next what ifs with them...
ReplyDeleteInterrupted. Yes. I love your interpretation of the breaking of the pattern...in this case rusted circles. Stitching the tucks is such a simple thing, yet the results are so intriguing and full of possibilites. Can't wait to try this with one of my larger pieces (54 inches x 60 inches).
DeleteJ-What if - such a creative approach to giving permission to just try something different - the term what if will be stick in my mind now - thanks. B
ReplyDeleteBarry, I was scared to try new things art-wise for so long that it felt great to finally think "what if I try this..." and to just do it before I talked myself out of trying.
DeleteWhat "what ifs" are you going to try?
Love the effect of the tucks.
ReplyDeleteThanks Maggi! It's a simple stitch that can have great effect. Can't wait to try it on a couple other pieces. Enjoy!
DeleteFoon Sham's comment intrigued me too. It's an observation like this that can take you off in a new direction even though you have been breaking the pattern intuitively up until now. Lovely piece jennifer!
ReplyDeleteThank you Robyn!
Delete