Taking Risks

2020 Note - This entry was imported from my old blog, some of the links may not be active.

I'm recovering from six weeks of boot camp (grad school) and a full weekend of events associated with Innovations in Textiles

.  Innovations cooperative of galleries and organization to exhibit the finest in textile art occurring in our area.  Saturday was the bus tour and reception at Art St. Louis for Fiber Focus and Sunday was my birthday.  Monday is a blur and I did not get much done in the studio.

Saturday brought many unexpected surprises.  I met a new member to my statewide organization and really enjoyed chatting with her.  During the day she shared a podcast that she likes to listen to and I've been binging listening to back episode ever since.  How have I not heard of The Jealous Curator blog and podcast before? You're welcome!  It has been making my walks and drive times stimulating and entertaining.

Saturday night at the opening of Fiber Focus, I was stunned to be the awarded the Weavers' Guild of St. Louis Award for Excellence in Woven Tapestry given in memory of Helen Wenzel by juror Marci Rae McDade, editor of the Surface Design Journal.  I entered two pieces with the only true intention to get my work in front of Marci.  My two pieces were accepted and to win an award just feel surreal.

Enough

Tapestry mounted on grey canvas 

Hand dyed cotton 

14" x 16"

I'm so glad that I took a risk and entered the show.  I met Jaime Sawka and Catherine Reinhart at the opening and they were both lovely to chat with and to talk about work.  The weekend of gallery hopes was exhausting, but I came away with so many ideas.  I have a lot of work to do.

Safe Keeping

2020 Note - This entry was imported from my old blog, some of the links may not be active.

A friend of mine called me the other day.  She had heard news from someone else that there was an estate sale nearby with a weaving loom and a lot of accessories.  I had some time so I went over to have a look.  I wasn't planning on buying a loom.  Space is at a max in my loom studio, but I am keeping my eye out for a computer dobby loom.  Still I was curious and thought I might be able to spread the word through my community.

I found a nice Gilmore loom which hasn't been used in a while.  Her owner is in poor health and living in a nursing home.  I was told that she has Alzheimer's and that her husband isn't doing well either.  She clearly loved weaving and there were several samplers present that she had woven and labeled.  Most of the items were stacked and inaccessible.  The salesman was letting the lot go for a lovely deal.  If I had the space and vehicle I would have snagged it and found the loom a home.  I did find a weaving book that I wanted and quickly made a deal with the salesman.  Like a lot of people, he was completely in the dark about weaving and I gave him the nickel tour of our rich traditions and equipment.  The salesman warned me that if they didn't sell the items they were being donated to charity.  Who knows what would happen then.

Before I left, I gather his card and sent out an email to some weavers.  Within an hour I had someone heading over to rescue the loom.  It made me ridiculously happy.  I always feel that our tools take on the life of those who have used them.  I'm glad the story will continue.

I wish there was a way to tell this weaver that her tools are safe and in the hands of her tribe.

My new book with inscription.

Revival

2020 Note - This entry was imported from my old blog, some of the links may not be active.

I decided to move my blog back to this old home, not that the new home enjoyed much activity.

I'm currently on summer break and I have a long list of things to accomplish before school begins in August.  There is the Weavers' Guild Sale to prepare, planning of the 2016

MoFA

conference is in high gear, things to learn and experiment with, household chores to catch up on, doctor's appointments that have been put off with the semester grind, some travel plans and oh yes - relaxation.  Whatever that is.

This week I'm trying to clear off one of the looms which has been warped since January.  Yikes!  I had to dust it all off before resuming weaving on some placemats for my new dining table.  I have a warp all ready for it and I'd like to get it on and weaving on it since it might be a piece to enter into an exhibition in August.

I have some exciting news to share as well.

I start my MFA program in the fall!  I'll be focusing on textiles and dabbling in other areas as well.  Part of me is still in shock that I'm going back to graduate school.  A larger part of me is thrilled and I can't wait to see where my work is a year from now.

I have three pieces that have been accepted into the MoFA Speaking of Fibers! 2015 show.  The show will run at Maryville University from November 12 - December 16, 2015.

I'll post more details as it get closer to the opening.