I have a loose goal of taking classes from all the major teachers. Thus, when one is teaching in my backyard, I try to attend. Vima de Marchi Micheli is one of the longtime teachers of Italian embroidery. She travels to Italy every year. She works with lacemakers and embroiderers to help them document, revive and save, their various styles of needlework. Vima mostly does lectures now, but she was giving a lecture and 2 day workshop locally last week.
The lecture was the fund raising luncheon for the Santa Clara chapter of EGA. I said a few words as Region Director. Need to get people on board for 2010 National in San Francisco and to help with membership outreach in the area. Vima did a fabulous lecture with slides showing lots of different types of Italian needlework. She also had a few pieces from her collection to show (yes with white gloves).
I had heard her lecture about 5 years ago, but somehow this time it was both more interesting and more understandable. I guess I've been learning:) Lots of things became clearer when she spoke; things that when read were confusing.
Thursday and Friday was a workshop of Amelia Ars. Amelia Ars was an arts revival movement. The piece was a combination of reticella, drawnwork, and surface. While the piece was designed on 18 ct. canvas (need to make it interesting to the canvasworkers), I did it on 36 ct linen. They used pearl cotton #5. I used linen 80/3. After 2 days, prework, and homework, I still had only small amounts to show for it. Good class. Learned lots and was able to up my game in working the lace methods. Think the linen piece will become my whitework learning sampler.
Near the end we got into making tassels. In Louisville, I watched her ladies make tassels and purchased some materials. I came home and have been working on a tassel. Fun!!! Pics soon.
Wish I had more time to sew. This RD thing eats time.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Finding Inspiration
A couple weeks ago the Chihuly exhibit was at the DeYoung Museum in Golden Gate Park. I've always liked blown glass and his work in particular. It is hard to describe what I find special in his work, but I find all of it to be eye candy.
One of the items on sale in the gift shop was a 365 day book of Chihuly. It is filled with pictures of his work and comments from him about creating - what inspired him, what he saw, what he hoped to create, what he hoped to evoke.... There in that one book is probably one of the best "classes" on creating "art" that I have come across. The book will reside by my desk so that on days when I do not feel like an artist, I will have the tools to help fan the flames of inspiration.
I will leave you with the link to his website -- chihuly.com .
ps Amazon carries the book - search Chihuly and 365.
One of the items on sale in the gift shop was a 365 day book of Chihuly. It is filled with pictures of his work and comments from him about creating - what inspired him, what he saw, what he hoped to create, what he hoped to evoke.... There in that one book is probably one of the best "classes" on creating "art" that I have come across. The book will reside by my desk so that on days when I do not feel like an artist, I will have the tools to help fan the flames of inspiration.
I will leave you with the link to his website -- chihuly.com .
ps Amazon carries the book - search Chihuly and 365.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Louisville - EGA National Plus IEC and more - Long
The trip to Louisville went by very fast. There was a lot to do and absorb. Sorry I didn't manage to post during the trip.
First off - going to Louisville requires changing plans. For me this was in Chicago and included changing concourses and several flights of stairs carrying heavy carry on luggage. I am glad I kept it all with me as there were thefts with "cabin checked luggage" from another flight.
Lovely hotel. The Hyatt really went out of their way to do everything to make every one's stay special. We were on the 4th floor near the elevators which made for easy movement most of the time. The hotel was filled to capacity between EGA and the triathlon in town.
HQ is around the corner and 1 block from the Hyatt. Spent the better part of Wed and Thursday there in meetings. Did manage to visit the galleries and library. The exhibition, Through the Needle's Eye is spectacular. I had lots of reservations when I was stitching on the National Tapestry project, but the final is very moving and well done.
Thursday evening, Friday, and Saturday was the IEC - International Embroidery Conference. It was great to see Linn, meet Joanna and Sally, and spend time luxuriating in a slightly more rarefied atmosphere relating to needlework. Unfortunately, Edward Maeder was absent in person, but he did send his talks. I was also disappointed in C. Trostman's talk - it was all regurgatated reading and had no enthusiasm. Sally gives good lecture, so enjoyed the one on the 17th C embroidery. Pam G talked about creativity and how to engender it. YES!!!!! Enjoyed seeing the work of the children around the world. It restores my faith in the next generations when it comes to embroidery.
It felt good to get out and walk the .5 miles to the Brown for the IEC. We also discovered a very good sushi restaurant which really helped me keep to foods that work for me.
Sat evening was the dinner cruise on the Star of Louisville. We managed to get stuck in the mud but did pull free in time to pick up the remaining passengers. There were about 50 of us. Dinner was quite edible, the conversation fun, and the views interesting. Think we did better than those that went on the Belle cruise later in the week.
Sunday I started with Bellflowers in Rozashi with Margaret Kinsey. I LIKE Rozashi. Lightly twisted silk on silk gauze done in stylized patterns of an upright stitch. The key is making even holes as you stitch. The "beauty" is in the holes not just the lay of the silk. My pulled work techniques held me in good stead.
Raced back to the room to change for the Legacy Reception and Opening Reception. Talked with some ladies from east and west coast chapters about seminar and EGA. Of course in all of this I was trying to learn about other areas and their ways of doing as well as promoting the National Seminar in 2010 (San Francisco).
Opening banquet was seating by Region. The favor was a bracelet with a 50th Anniversary charm. Food okay. About 900 attended the evening. The guest speaker was Marion Scoular who talked about her beginnings in embroidery, her training, and teaching. I will never forget how to swear Marion style -- SPINACH!
Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Friday I signed up for Renaissance with Marnie Ritter. I had originally signed up for Goldwork with Michelle Roberts but her classes cancelled. I am so not a counted canvas person. Love the colors. Learned about some new threads. Learned some fun patterns. Frogged lots!
Attended lots of meetings and events -- Annual Meeting of Members, joined NETA and attended its meeting, Teachers Showcase, the Auction, and Merchandise day. Spent $$$ between the bookstore, the merchandise emporium, and the Merchandise day. Found books that are not easily accessible, fibers I hadn't seen before or I need for upcoming teaching gigs, and then there were the ladies from Italy. Vima had brought over a lacemaker and a weaver. Their goods were for sale on Wednesday. Could not resist some pieces in the style of the perugia linens. The Assisi pieces and the reticella pieces were too expensive for me to justify - sigh!
Wednesday was my needlelace Rose class with Jane Ellen Balzelweit. Only 8 in the class and she was lots of fun. We used silknpearl from Thread Gatherer - fun thread, fun technique. Someone in the class was very sick, in considerate, and proceeded to spend the day sneezing and coughing (yes I came home sick).
The live auction was a hoot! I restrained myself and didn't even get a bidder number. They had a professional auction house running it and Judy Jeroy as commentator. It was so much fun that the auctioneer was laughing so hard he had tears running down his face.
Closing banquet was by chosen tables. Our gift was a pair of in expensive stork scissors in a leather case with EGA in gold tooling. The speaker was the bugler from Churchill Downs. He had done the call to post in the opening banquet too. He was fun and entertaining.
Flights home were uneventful. My books made my carry on HEAVY, but I managed to make it home with everything. Many used the UPS booth provided by the Seminar. Thanks to my roommate for putting up with me for 13 days. For the final good news - I lost 3 pounds!
First off - going to Louisville requires changing plans. For me this was in Chicago and included changing concourses and several flights of stairs carrying heavy carry on luggage. I am glad I kept it all with me as there were thefts with "cabin checked luggage" from another flight.
Lovely hotel. The Hyatt really went out of their way to do everything to make every one's stay special. We were on the 4th floor near the elevators which made for easy movement most of the time. The hotel was filled to capacity between EGA and the triathlon in town.
HQ is around the corner and 1 block from the Hyatt. Spent the better part of Wed and Thursday there in meetings. Did manage to visit the galleries and library. The exhibition, Through the Needle's Eye is spectacular. I had lots of reservations when I was stitching on the National Tapestry project, but the final is very moving and well done.
Thursday evening, Friday, and Saturday was the IEC - International Embroidery Conference. It was great to see Linn, meet Joanna and Sally, and spend time luxuriating in a slightly more rarefied atmosphere relating to needlework. Unfortunately, Edward Maeder was absent in person, but he did send his talks. I was also disappointed in C. Trostman's talk - it was all regurgatated reading and had no enthusiasm. Sally gives good lecture, so enjoyed the one on the 17th C embroidery. Pam G talked about creativity and how to engender it. YES!!!!! Enjoyed seeing the work of the children around the world. It restores my faith in the next generations when it comes to embroidery.
It felt good to get out and walk the .5 miles to the Brown for the IEC. We also discovered a very good sushi restaurant which really helped me keep to foods that work for me.
Sat evening was the dinner cruise on the Star of Louisville. We managed to get stuck in the mud but did pull free in time to pick up the remaining passengers. There were about 50 of us. Dinner was quite edible, the conversation fun, and the views interesting. Think we did better than those that went on the Belle cruise later in the week.
Sunday I started with Bellflowers in Rozashi with Margaret Kinsey. I LIKE Rozashi. Lightly twisted silk on silk gauze done in stylized patterns of an upright stitch. The key is making even holes as you stitch. The "beauty" is in the holes not just the lay of the silk. My pulled work techniques held me in good stead.
Raced back to the room to change for the Legacy Reception and Opening Reception. Talked with some ladies from east and west coast chapters about seminar and EGA. Of course in all of this I was trying to learn about other areas and their ways of doing as well as promoting the National Seminar in 2010 (San Francisco).
Opening banquet was seating by Region. The favor was a bracelet with a 50th Anniversary charm. Food okay. About 900 attended the evening. The guest speaker was Marion Scoular who talked about her beginnings in embroidery, her training, and teaching. I will never forget how to swear Marion style -- SPINACH!
Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Friday I signed up for Renaissance with Marnie Ritter. I had originally signed up for Goldwork with Michelle Roberts but her classes cancelled. I am so not a counted canvas person. Love the colors. Learned about some new threads. Learned some fun patterns. Frogged lots!
Attended lots of meetings and events -- Annual Meeting of Members, joined NETA and attended its meeting, Teachers Showcase, the Auction, and Merchandise day. Spent $$$ between the bookstore, the merchandise emporium, and the Merchandise day. Found books that are not easily accessible, fibers I hadn't seen before or I need for upcoming teaching gigs, and then there were the ladies from Italy. Vima had brought over a lacemaker and a weaver. Their goods were for sale on Wednesday. Could not resist some pieces in the style of the perugia linens. The Assisi pieces and the reticella pieces were too expensive for me to justify - sigh!
Wednesday was my needlelace Rose class with Jane Ellen Balzelweit. Only 8 in the class and she was lots of fun. We used silknpearl from Thread Gatherer - fun thread, fun technique. Someone in the class was very sick, in considerate, and proceeded to spend the day sneezing and coughing (yes I came home sick).
The live auction was a hoot! I restrained myself and didn't even get a bidder number. They had a professional auction house running it and Judy Jeroy as commentator. It was so much fun that the auctioneer was laughing so hard he had tears running down his face.
Closing banquet was by chosen tables. Our gift was a pair of in expensive stork scissors in a leather case with EGA in gold tooling. The speaker was the bugler from Churchill Downs. He had done the call to post in the opening banquet too. He was fun and entertaining.
Flights home were uneventful. My books made my carry on HEAVY, but I managed to make it home with everything. Many used the UPS booth provided by the Seminar. Thanks to my roommate for putting up with me for 13 days. For the final good news - I lost 3 pounds!
Monday, August 18, 2008
TaDa The Butterfly
Been watching the Olympics, prepping for Purgatorio/Pelican celebration, EGA Louisville trip, return to teach at IKINS (Elizabethan Raised Stitches - 4 hours), step up as EGA Region Director, and teach the October program for my local EGA chapter. They wanted an Intro to Goldwork -- hence the butterfly. Sorry for the lousy picture. He is about 3" tall.
The basic butterfly is part of the Callaway challenge - fyi.
The basic butterfly is part of the Callaway challenge - fyi.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Art Meme - Long
Meme from a friend on LJ
Do I do art? It has been a long hard road for me to think about what I do as art. When other well recognized artists liked my stuff and I started to be paid for my creations, only then did I begin to see myself as creating something that can be called art. This is a big hurdle most of us face as hobbyists.
1) What drives you to create? Also, what inspires you and your work?
I create because I need to. I am unhappy in myself when I don't. Inspiration comes from many sources - nature, a new thread I want to use, some new technique I want to try.
2) Were you formally trained in art or self taught? Do you think it has helped you or hindered you?
Primarily self taught. It hindered in that I needed skills to do needlework. Taking classes filled the need. However, most of my design is self taught. In class I might learn how a painter would look at something, but applying it to needlework, has been primarily me with lots of outside influences.
3) Do you have a ritual, quirk or superstition that influences you and the way you create?
I create best in my corner of the world.
4) What media do you work in the most? Do you have a particular brand that you love working with? Why do you use them?
Embroidery is my primary medium, although I love the Encrusted Crazy Quilting (see InAMinuteAgo.com), and nearly all things string. I love silk threads - the touch and the sheen. I love a good needle and buy them constantly. I have a lots of embroidery scissors - one for each project - they are just fun and I need excuses to use them!
5) As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? And now?
I wanted to work with the law in a corporate environment. Did that - got the tee shirt. Now I want to be free to play with all things string.
6) If there was one style of art that you could take up, what would it be?
Dance. I love dance. I'd really like to get back to it.
7) Do you think the internet, technology, media, etc, are helping or destroying the art world?
Helping. Look at ATC's. Look at the spread of information. I can, and have, helped embroiderers all over the world. It is why I maintain a website with the information that I would have liked to have had when I started. It is my way of giving and the internet made it possible.
8) How do you deal with creator's block?
Put nose to grind stone and do it. You can only create so far in your head or on the computer. Everything changes when you put needle to fabric. If I really can't get it going, I'll look at lots of websites and books with similar concepts or themes to get the juices flowing. I also try to always leave the needle threaded with the next thread. Then I only need to sit down to stitch. It is already to go.
9) How do you prepare for art shows where your work will be shown?
With a big deep breath. Everything is collected in one place 24 hours before. I add in anything that I think might make it show better - table clothes, something to raise the angle, etc. I try to prepare for all the variables before the set up. Once I am set up - I let go and try to enjoy the interaction.
10) At what point did you realize that creating was going to be a large part of your life?
About 5 years ago. I offered to help a mover and shaker in the field with getting pictures for a presentation. I didn't know she was a big wig, I just knew she was missing resources for a lecture and I knew about the resources. She turned to me and asked me to write a series of columns for her magazine. I said sure. It turned out that I wrote 18 columns over 3 years and it was a magazine with an international circulation. Part of the columns were projects for the readers to do.
11) What was your worst experience with art?
my own fault - not being fully prepared to teach
12) What was you best experience with art?
having people like and appreciate my art - each time is special
13) How would you define your style?
Eclectic
14) What does your workspace look like?
jumbled - I tend to work on the couch. I try to spread the key elements and tools on the coffee table or a tray on the coffee table so I can just grab the next thing I need without a lot of thought. I know part of my mind is working on the design and it works best if I don't try to over think.
15) Aside from art what do you do with your time?
Arbitration and Facilitation, work on administration for a not-for-profit, work on my family history projects/books, spend time checking up on friends on LJ, doing various forms of re/enactment and dance, and spending time with my wonderful husband and felines.
Do I do art? It has been a long hard road for me to think about what I do as art. When other well recognized artists liked my stuff and I started to be paid for my creations, only then did I begin to see myself as creating something that can be called art. This is a big hurdle most of us face as hobbyists.
1) What drives you to create? Also, what inspires you and your work?
I create because I need to. I am unhappy in myself when I don't. Inspiration comes from many sources - nature, a new thread I want to use, some new technique I want to try.
2) Were you formally trained in art or self taught? Do you think it has helped you or hindered you?
Primarily self taught. It hindered in that I needed skills to do needlework. Taking classes filled the need. However, most of my design is self taught. In class I might learn how a painter would look at something, but applying it to needlework, has been primarily me with lots of outside influences.
3) Do you have a ritual, quirk or superstition that influences you and the way you create?
I create best in my corner of the world.
4) What media do you work in the most? Do you have a particular brand that you love working with? Why do you use them?
Embroidery is my primary medium, although I love the Encrusted Crazy Quilting (see InAMinuteAgo.com), and nearly all things string. I love silk threads - the touch and the sheen. I love a good needle and buy them constantly. I have a lots of embroidery scissors - one for each project - they are just fun and I need excuses to use them!
5) As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? And now?
I wanted to work with the law in a corporate environment. Did that - got the tee shirt. Now I want to be free to play with all things string.
6) If there was one style of art that you could take up, what would it be?
Dance. I love dance. I'd really like to get back to it.
7) Do you think the internet, technology, media, etc, are helping or destroying the art world?
Helping. Look at ATC's. Look at the spread of information. I can, and have, helped embroiderers all over the world. It is why I maintain a website with the information that I would have liked to have had when I started. It is my way of giving and the internet made it possible.
8) How do you deal with creator's block?
Put nose to grind stone and do it. You can only create so far in your head or on the computer. Everything changes when you put needle to fabric. If I really can't get it going, I'll look at lots of websites and books with similar concepts or themes to get the juices flowing. I also try to always leave the needle threaded with the next thread. Then I only need to sit down to stitch. It is already to go.
9) How do you prepare for art shows where your work will be shown?
With a big deep breath. Everything is collected in one place 24 hours before. I add in anything that I think might make it show better - table clothes, something to raise the angle, etc. I try to prepare for all the variables before the set up. Once I am set up - I let go and try to enjoy the interaction.
10) At what point did you realize that creating was going to be a large part of your life?
About 5 years ago. I offered to help a mover and shaker in the field with getting pictures for a presentation. I didn't know she was a big wig, I just knew she was missing resources for a lecture and I knew about the resources. She turned to me and asked me to write a series of columns for her magazine. I said sure. It turned out that I wrote 18 columns over 3 years and it was a magazine with an international circulation. Part of the columns were projects for the readers to do.
11) What was your worst experience with art?
my own fault - not being fully prepared to teach
12) What was you best experience with art?
having people like and appreciate my art - each time is special
13) How would you define your style?
Eclectic
14) What does your workspace look like?
jumbled - I tend to work on the couch. I try to spread the key elements and tools on the coffee table or a tray on the coffee table so I can just grab the next thing I need without a lot of thought. I know part of my mind is working on the design and it works best if I don't try to over think.
15) Aside from art what do you do with your time?
Arbitration and Facilitation, work on administration for a not-for-profit, work on my family history projects/books, spend time checking up on friends on LJ, doing various forms of re/enactment and dance, and spending time with my wonderful husband and felines.
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