Monday at Arrowmont

pattern exercise

yards of dyed fabric using immersion and dip dye methods

Ever wonder about the process of transforming white fabric into a rainbow of colors and patterns that eventually drape your body or your windows or your dog's favorite chair? Me neither. Not until I enrolled in a surface design fiber class at Arrowmont, that is. Like many things, I assumed that the shoemaker's elves turned all white fabric into colored fabric, given their affinity for making shoes in the dead of night! But alas, there are no elves at Arrowmont, only us students who listen diligently to talented instructors explain and demonstrate various techniques. The process is complicated and time consuming and is much like cooking in many ways. There is a recipe for each dying technique which must be followed carefully. There is a GREAT deal of stirring of yards of fabric immersed in chemicals in giant buckets. There is LOTS of rinsing and rinsing and rinsing of fabric which is way more difficult than washing dishes! One who is involved in the process must wear a respirator and protective gloves (this is slightly different from cooking except when I am in the kitchen at home preparing something healthy that my daughters think is "disgusting, " at which time, they sometimes opt to wear respirators to the dinner table to avoid eating what is served...just kidding!). The BIG difference between preparing meals and dying fabric; however, is that I have yards of brightly-colored fabric to show for my efforts today. My children are also happy today, because since I am dying fabric this week and not cooking for them, they are enjoying LOTS of pizza! Everyone's a winner.

Arrowmont

Yes, after a good 5 1/2 hour drive from Durham, I arrived at the beloved Arrowmont School late this afternoon. I reconnected with artists/friends whom I met last year and we TRIED to settle into our room in the Red Barn dormitory. Yes, our room was WARM, as was to be expected. But, we did not anticipate heat that keeps us up tonight at 11:30 PM. As one friend (who is to remain anonymous, but is not Debbi) accurately stated, "Red Barn must mean MOLTEN LAVA in Cherokee!" I hope that we get enough sleep to be able to function tomorrow.

Light the Darkness

Datura! A beautiful, pristeen, nightblooming flower in my garden. I had the good fortune to be home tonight in time to photograph the initial bloom of the season. I am eager to draw and paint the blossom.

Mixed Mania

cover of upcoming book authored by Debbi Crane and Cheryl Prater

A new and fresh mixed media book is due out in the fall. A mixed media piece of mine is included in the "gallery" at the end of the book!

Arrowmont School

installation by Jennifer Angus

Two weeks from this moment, I will be absorbed in my first session of a surface design fiber class at Arrowmont School in Gatlinburg, TN. Jennifer Angus is the instructor. I am excited about the class and also about rooming with friends whom I met last year at Arrowmont. Debbi, Cheryl and I will share a triple room in the Red Barn Dormitory. These women are two of the most creative and prolific artists that I have ever known!

Making Books

Recently, Carolyn, my friend and colleague, taught me how to make an accordion style book. I made four small ones today. Thank you, Carolyn.

May in the Garden

School is out in four weeks AND my garden appears to be as excited about this fact as I am!

Help!

before...

after...

This is an art blog. I created this blog in order to have a forum to display, discuss, and discern the importance of making art. The current problem: I CAN'T MAKE ART! I keep trying and trying and trying. The results are C+ so far. The weekends afford my only opportunity to spend time in my studio and yet, my time spent there is worthless. Any suggestions? The only productive thing I have done in the studio lately is to clean it! Check out the "before" and "after."

A Great Day

Nothing like having permission to drip, pour, sling, and splatter paint ALL OVER THE PLACE! Doesn't get much better on a sunny Friday afternoon at school.

"Paint Like Pollock Day"

"Untitled (Green Silver)," 1949

"The paper in 'Untitled (Green, Silver)' is completely covered with enamel and aluminum paint, a pulsating tangle of pigment. Each vestige of paint has its own characteristics, particularly in relation to the others. A universe of life teems within, and yet it is brilliantly devoid of human pathos," writes Susan Yung, a writer for the Downtown Express, about the 2006 Guggenheim exhibition titled "No Limits, Just Edges: Jackson Pollock Paintings on Paper."

Friday is "Paint Like Pollock Day" for my 8th grade students. In its' third year, this day is both wonderful and exhausting. The students are eager to display their interpretation of "pulsating tangles of pigments!"