Snyderman Gallery 9th International Fiber Biennial - part 1

Early last week, back when the sun was strutting her stuff...when the air was warming...before the forecast called for rain, rain and more rain, I bought a train ticket to Philadelphia for Saturday. My intent was to visit Snyderman-Works Galleries to peruse their 9th International Fiber Biennial.

Two fiber biennials ago, I ventured to Philly midst much the same type of forecast and ended up soaked through from the hem of my raincoat down, umbrella turned inside out. Miserably wet and cold and just wanting to get home, Amtrak was stalled on the return trip for umpteen hours due to power outages in New York. Needless to say, fun is not an adjective to use for that journey. Remembering that trip, I debated, even after waking Saturday morning, whether or not to go. In the end, my curiosity won out.

As usual, my camera accompanied me. Not all pieces were photographable - too much glare from glass or lights or being too transparent...or photographer error. A click on 9th International Fiber Biennual above will take you to Snyderman's site where a full list of artists and pieces resides. 

Enjoy the photos!

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gallery shot toward front door

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 Adela Akers

Gold Rust, 2013

linen, horsehair, paint, metal

60" x 33"

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 Amanda Salm

Depth, 2013

indigo dyed horsehair coiled over black nylon core

24" x 4"

Energy, 2013

natural white horsehair coiled over black nylon core

26" x 3.5"

Motion, 2012

natural black horsehair coiled over nylon core

27" x 4"

 detail of Energy

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 Ann Coddington Rast

Exuviate, 2013

twined linen and hand knotted netting

4' x 10" x 10"

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 Cynthia Schira

Night Train, 2013

Jacquard woven and appliqued, cotton

27" x 36.5"

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 Deborah Smith

Beached, 2014

reed, driftwood, dyes

10" x 12" x 13"

 side view

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 Ferne Jacobs

The Round, 2007/8

coiled, waxed linen thread

21" x 16" x 13"

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 Ferne Jacobs

Medusa's Collar, 2008

coiled, waxed linen thread

18" x 14" x 19"

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 Geoffrey Gorman

Phoeniceus Has a Friend (Red Rabbit), 2013

found objects, mixed media

36" x 25" x 6"

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 Georgia Zwartjes

Chakai, Tea Gathering, 2013

tea bags, silk, chopsticks, paper, cording, 

sumi brush, bamboo, paint, thread

48" x 16" x 1"

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Hillary Steel

Tels, 2013

Ikat resist dyeing, handwoven cotton

80" x 75" x 10"

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 Hisako Sekijima

Twisted to Set 1, 2013

jasmine vine

16" x 16" x 3"

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Where possible, I've linked to the artist's site. In not possible, a click on their name will take you to the Snyderman's artist page for that artist...with the exception of one...don't ask which one though because the name escapes me at the moment. Sorry!

Stay tuned for part 2. 

In the studio

In the studio today,

stitching and experimenting

with tea bags.

Searching for Roy G Biv 3 - Yellow - update 2

It's a quirk of the calendar, yet apropos that March's color in the search for Roy G Biv is yellow and that today is the first day of spring. What better way to celebrate spring than with the color that universally represents sunshine, happiness and warmth?

Stamford, CT parking garage

New York buildings

New York

Thrush Holmes at Mike Weiss Gallery, New York

New York gallery - forgot to get the name, but did say Hi!

call box on the Highline, New York

graffiti, New York 

on garage in Bethel, CT

towel in the house we rented for the Stitching Summit

mosaic at my girls' school - designed by art teacher, created by the kids

Desiring more sun and warmth, but Mother Nature isn't cooperating? Head on over to Julie's, Maya's and Fiona's. As usual, I'll be updating this post throughout the day when new yellows appear. Just leave a note to insure I don't miss you. Thanks! Happy Spring!!!

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Yellow seems to be a popular color this morning. Stroll on over to see what treasures have been discovered by:

Susan at flying dog studio,

Sharmon at sharmon davidson contemporary mixed media

Jill at Recycled Daze

Yarngoddess at Sooner or Later Everyone Will Be Blogging

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I love seeing all the yellows that everyone has found. More treats have been found by:

Lisa at arzigogolare and A Letter A Week

Bridgette at Contemplating the Moon

Cindi at The Organic Manic

Mary Ann at Blue Sky Dreaming

If you know of others who have joined in the search, just let Julie or myself know and we'll be happy to link to them.

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I somehow missed this one. So sorry!

Margaret at Charlton Stitcher

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Next month's color is green on the 17th.

April 17 - green

May 15 - blue

June 19 - indigo

July 17 - violet

August 21 - pink

September 18 - black

October 16 - white

November 20 - brown

December 18 - blogger's choice

A little of this, a little of that

Two weeks ago today, I was ready to load the last bits in the car, pick up Kelly and begin the drive to Newark International Airport where we would meet Christine. From there, it was on to the house we'd rented for a few days. Lotta and Erin would arrive before us.

The Stitching Summit began with Christine, Kelly and I laughing so hard when we arrived that we needed to calm down before being able to do more than hug Erin and Lotta in greeting. And that's how the time went.

If you've not seen Christine's and Lotta's blog posts about the weekend, head on over now. Just click on their names in the previous sentence. 

A few of you inquired about this book, asking for the full title. It is Making Art A Practice by Cat Bennett. Christine gifted us this lovely book.

This photo of threads caught several readers' eyes as well. This is the Sajou large box of 72 colors of Calais cocoons and is available at Hank & Spool. You can imagine the oohs and aahs that resounded through the house when Christine opened this box. Fingers yearned to touch and retrieve a colorful cocoon to stitch with.

As the saying goes, it was the best of times. And we're trying to find a good spot for the next gathering. A house on the coast or by a lake, an artist retreat that host a private group - along those lines. Any suggestions?

When Christine emails about possible sites or has a proposal, she addresses the notes to her sisters in stitch.  The piece above was started...hmmm...I don't remember when, but it has been cozily folded away in a drawer, waiting its turn. I think that after a little more stitching, it will make a perfect cover for my Sisters in Stitch notebook, don't you?

Before it slips my mind...again...do you know what next Thursday is? Maybe this photo will help.

Of course, now that I look at the photo...well...maybe not. It is quite colorful, isn't it? Now that should be a hint....March 20 is the next installment in the search for Roy G Biv with the color yellow. After the lovely posts last month, I can't wait to see all the yellows everyone has gathered. Enjoy!

Stitching Summit 2014 - snow day

Winter storm Titan moved through the area yesterday and gave us the gift of an extra day. 

I wandered out early to see what the world looked like. And then the real snow arrived, 

but it was so nice inside that a second stroll didn't happen.

We did a bit of canning,

stitching, 

 

admiring, 

unwrapping,

and mark making

interspersed with bouts of laughing so well that tissues were needed to wipe the tears away.

We gathered around the kitchen table most of the day, coming and going with ease as stories and ideas flowed. A recorder should have been set aside to capture it all to help insure that little slips through the cracks of daily life...for there were some excellent ideas bandied about.

Our time together ends today. The sounds of packing can be heard. Soon we'll start the drives and catch the flights that will take us home. It will take a while to digest the enormity of this weekend. 

Christine, Kelly, Lotta and Erin - Thank you for such an amazing gathering! I can't wait til July.