Saturday, December 27, 2014

baghdad Priestley Judas




Art is to me the glorification of the human spirit, and as such it is 
the cultural documentation of the time in which it is produced. ” -Hans Hofmann


Quilt Related:  Yahoo, another whole day in the studio and two or three more rounds on the new quilt.  Slow going but I am seeing progress.  I found a backing fabric that has the appropriate age to it, and some batting leftover from something else so got that all prepared and ready for tomorrow's session.  If I can keep up working 4-5 hours a day through next week I think I can, I think I can, I think I can get it enough finished to photograph.  Cross your fingers for me because of I do it, I'll cramp up!  

Knitting Related:  As a break from the bloody hexagons, I started knitting a pattern for a jacket out of some fabulous stripped sari material dyed a gorgeous green.  I got the whole thing done according to the pattern and couldn't for the life of me figure out how in origami hell this thing would come together as a jacket.  I finally got frustrated enough to contact the women who sent me the skeins of silk and the pattern.  Well, sure enough  there was  paragraph missing, the one that tells you how to put in TWO arms, not just one.  And also the past that tells you there IS a larger size.  So I spent last night ripping it out and rewinding a ball the size of a bowling ball. I started a few rows before we went out to dinner, but I am making my own pattern this trip, simple kimono shape will do it, should be done in a few days but I am only working at night.

Pain-in-the-neck record-keeping related:  I also got in touch with Paypal to see what happened to an order for 2 presents I sent Dec. 8th-  hadn't heard a word about shipping dates or in fact that they ever received my order after trying to contact them twice.  So that's why I went through Paypal this time-  it was ALOT of money, plus I have a daughter and a DIL who are going present-less!  Well, seems that the seller had an old email contact address on her Paypal account that I kept trying to use.  Within a few minutes of putting Paypal on the case I got an email from her correct address and an apology and a firm shipping date.  Wish I would have been a squeaky wheel before this!  Two yarn-related problems in such a short time, neither involving MY error!  Whew.

Giant house related:  Nothing going on in the new house, everybody off with their families or drinking beer and eating tamales.  But I am the creature who DOES stir-  I keep driving by and seeing new things I have to ask questions about!  We had another cement truck in yesterday, have no idea what they are fortifying or sticking together or filling this trip.  All hell breaks loose after the first of the year when the crews come back.  I might have to be making things a step up from cookies if they keep working so hard.


And finally, ART RELATED!





Using large thin sheets of Chinese rice paper, artist Bovey Lee (previously) meticulously cuts intricate scenes of plants, roads, people, and architecture with an impressive array of cutting implements. The near weightless artworks are mounted against silk before being hung on gallery walls. Lee most recently had work on view with Grotto Fine Art as part of Art Basel in Hong Kong, as well as an exhibition with Gavlak Gallery for the Armory Show earlier this year. You can see many more pieces from the last few years in her online cut paper gallery




 Chloe Giordano creates delicate depictions of miniature animals rendered with freehand embroidery. The final works of a sleeping fawn or mouse are scarcely larger than the size of a thimble, yet can take long periods of time to complete as she mixes myriad thread colors to achieve perfection for each piece.  Yes, I know, a SQUIRREL!  How cute is that?  But I have another one for you too today, here

Bunnies, meet needlefelting!


1 comment :

Mary Beth Frezon said...

I can't embroider to save my life but oy those tiny critters...

Happy New Year to you and yours!