Crop Rotation

I have been entering a more creative phase after what I believed were a few art-fallow years.  I recently realized, though, that  actually I had been engaging in a sort of crop rotation of my many interests--mixed media wall art, beaded jewelry, writing, teaching, editing, reading, photo-scrapbooking.  This moment of enlightenment, of seeing how I rotated my interests, was uplifting in that it showed me how refocusing my energy on different tasks was not dilettantism, but was a means to allow those resting activities to recuperate and become ready for more growth. Crop rotation keeps the soil from becoming depleted of specific minerals and deposits and allows for less fallow time.  Similarly, vocation rotation has allowed me to enter a new phase of creativity--one that might be more integrative of all my interests.  As of now, I have started writing, begun an embroidery project, started beading again, continued kumihimo, and generated ideas for larger projects that will incorporate all these activities.  The fun is in seeing where this new journey will take me.  Here is to 2018's crop of artistic endeavors!  Photos to come ....

Color Memories

As the weather gets colder, I not only start wearing more black, but I also begin working with more color. This August photograph from the gardens around Boston University is the color inspiration for my next piece.

Kumihimo Braids

Lately, I have been playing around with Kumihimo braids. I enjoy the threads and textures and am really excited about mixing them with beads.  In addition, when I am trying to take my mind off of a migraine, they are soothing to work with and do not involve looking at tiny, shiny things.  That being said, some of the braids are definitely better made than others, both because of where my technique level was when making them and because of how well I was feeling at the time. Nevertheless, they are evidence that I "persisted" in my art-quest (if I may steal a phrase from our recent political situation).  And to be honest, I think persistence is 99% of making art. Inspiration is great, but having the tenacity to work through setbacks, knots, unravellings, and a myriad of other roadblocks is really what gets the job done.  

I always tell my children how much I hate finishing off the pieces with findings; but, as with proofreading, it is essential to how the piece turns out. I believe that both proofreading and finishing are difficult for many because these actions do not feel like part of the "creative process."  They occur after the aha-moment has passed and the adrenaline is depleted; yet, I have noticed recently that they can also be quite innovative in their own way.  

With writing, proofreading provides the author with a chance to embellish, expand, and, yes, correct grammar. With finishing, the artist can add to a piece, fix or embellish over any mistakes, and make last-minute changes to create an innovative work of art.  Few of the following pieces are "works of art" with capital letters, but they are a display of a journey in learning and playing with a new technique.

Thread and crystals with hand-made glass pendant
$45

Kumihimo thread with mixed beads, coral nuggets, crystals, and buttons
$175

Thread and specialty yarn with jasper pendant
$45

Silk Kumihmo thread with charm
$85

Silk Kumihimo thread with teardrop accent beads
$75

Back to work!

It's time to start posting more pieces.  Everything shown is available for purchase.  Please contact me for shipping and other questions.

Embroidered Cuff with Free-form beading.

$350

Camo Cuff, Free-form off-loom bead weaving

$195

Pair/Pear Trees: Celebrate 

Mixed-Media Wall Art

$15,000

This piece is my "baby."  It took over nine months to create and began as a photograph of Autumn leaves in the the crook of a tree.  With digital manipulation, printing on fabric, and loads of embroidery, painting, fabric collage, and beading it became a celebration of the intersection of Nature and Humans.  

Juror's Award show at NewTV in Newton, MA

These are the pieces that are being shown at NewTV.  I am so honored to be included with all the other talented artists!  Their work is breathtaking!

Wall Art: The first piece is being shown at Newton City Hall For Newton Open Studios' Juried Show

Fall Juried Art Fest! Nov. 5-6 11am to 5pm  The Fest is  this weekend: a free art show with 55 fine artists and craftspeople,at Newton City Hall.* See painting, photography, jewelry, ceramics, textiles and more!    Newtonopenstudios.org has the full artist list, art samples, and directions.  There's Wheelchair access (Homer St elevator entrance), and plenty of parking all around the City Hall block.     Win $100 to spend on NOS artists' work!  If you're a FAN of the NOS Facebook page, you can get 2 free raffle tickets when you come to the Fall Juried Show Nov 5-6, at Newton City Hall.  Not A Fan Yet? Like our page , and get your raffle tix at the show! The raffle will be drawn at the end of the weekend, and the prize is good for a year, or can be applied to purchases at the Nov 5-6 2016 Fall Juried show. Save your receipts when you buy goodies Nov. 5-6 - you may be the lucky winner!

Newton Open Studios is back! Please come and visit m e at my solo show at my home!

Support Local artists - Please pass this on to anyone you think may be interested! Don't Miss NOS 2016!  April 9 & 10 Sat. & Sun, 11am to 5pm, free. Join thousands of area residents, at one of the largest and longest running public art events in the region - now in our 19th year! Indulge Your Curiosity! 160 artist at 50 pop-up exhibit/sales locations all across Newton will offer paintings, jewelry, ceramics, fabric and woven goods, watercolors, sculpture, photography, silkscreens, and more. A Festive Setting to browse and explore. Buy art and beautifully crafted objects directly from local artists.   Special Events! Check the list on the website home page as we continue to add special events, demos and extended hour locations over the next weeks. For instance, this year, we will offer our first Slow Art Day Event, at City Hall on Saturday April 9th, during NOS.   Get Your Guide! It has tons of artist info and a full map for easy navigation. Downloaded it from the NOS website, or find it at the Newton Free Library and at local businesses.   All the NOS locations have ample free parking, and many have handicap access. Red balloons mark the locations. Flash Exhibit Preview! Join us at the Newton Free Library for a "flash exhibit" preview reception on April 6th at 7pm. Meet artists, and see a wide sampling of the art and craft that will be on view during the NOS weekend event.

Hey, I fixed this one!

It has been two years since I posted and the only reason  for the absence is health.   The migraines have become chronic daily disturbances, and I have been in and out of hospitals and to and from doctors trying to curtail them.  This is the excuse for the lack of art posts. However, I am starting a new blog, "There's No Magic Bullet." to discuss chronic pain. So, if you want to talk art--stay here.  If you want to talk life (which includes art), check the new blog out.  It is still in its fetal stages. In fact, I have somehow managed to erase my "About Me" section on the art blog while settting up the other one.  My apologies, and hopefullly, I will become better at managing and designing the blog as time goes by. 

Finally Back to Work

So, after two months of migraines I am back to work.  Just finishing a new bracelet and I find that as I get near the end of one project I am always thinking of the next five or so I want to start and then I have to really push myself to finish the piece I am actually working on and not drop it to start on another project.  I can't tell you how many unfinished pieces I have--probably almost as many as I have finished sitting in my studio.  But I am committed to finishing things now, since I will be showing my work at Newton Open Studios this May.  Come and see all the art that Newton has to offer.

Long Time No Speak .... Again

I just cannot believe is is already the end of January and I have not blogged since September!  So here is my New Year's resolution --only a month late, but no matter-- I will blog more consistently.  I recently taught a class on stitching and embellishing fabric and I have been trying to explore some new jewelry designs as well.  My pictures are not great right now, as I need to get the pieces to the photographer, but I thought I would keep you all updated.

Entry

Day 28: Entry
The colors are off in the photograph but thought I would upload it all the same

I thought this piece was apropos given that it is the first day of school--and new schools at that--for both my children.  And now we all enter a new phase of our lives and have to say goodbye to the little years and hello to the older ones.  It's funny,  yesterday my sister and her friend were asking me, Are you freaking out how old your son is?  Are you going to cry when he goes to High School tomorrow?  And the funny thing was, I wasn't freaking out and didn't feel like crying until they asked me. After each question I would, say, "Well now I am!" So this morning, when I had to NOT put a note in Matt's lunch box,  because he is too old for that, I was sad!  But they left for school okay, and we all survived waking up a few hours earlier than our usual summertime rising. So, let's all embrace this entry and open as many doors as we can.

Long Time No Speak

I was working so hard on the other side of this pieces, when all of a sudden I turned it over and realized I could make so much more out of the underside.  The dancing lady was added in the negative space and I just love her.

Despite the reflection of the flash from my camera, I think this captures the essence of the piece -- and how perfect for the end of Summer, as its title is Green Vistas

I apologize for the lack of communication.  It has been three months and I feel like it has been a year.  The summer has flown--why do we always say "flown by"?  I mean, really, it could have sunk, run away, drowned, meandered (if it seemed slow), scuttled, swam, or  hopped.  In essence, the time has been spent--and sometimes it seems to have gone by quickly and sometimes dragged on like a horrible and persistent canker sore.  For the most part, I just feel that it has passed and as with all passings, you look back and think, I could have done more or I am glad I did that, or a little bit of both.  For now, I'll say--a little of both.  The good news is that I  have been published.  For all you beadaholics out there, go take a look at Beadwork Magazine--my piece is on page 56.  Very exciting.  And though I am sad to feel the air getting cooler and am nostalgic for lazy days with my children, the impending schedule of school and work seems almost refreshing and inspiring.  So much of summer is said to be inspiring--the warm weather, the beach, the colors--but in actuality, I got very little, new work completed this season.  Perhaps, summertime is my art hibernation time.  So I greet Autumn with a mixture of anticipation and wistfulness.

Birthday Bash

Braids of Time Necklace: $350

This weekend was my mother's 65th birthday and the whole family was in town to celebrate. My family and I were in charge of the ice cream for dessert.  You have to understand that ice cream is a serious business in out family.  Every year we hold a block/friends/family/school friends party in our backyard and serve make-your-own sundaes to over 100 people.  Now, there were only 14 people at my mother's, but the event was just as important because my parents have been known to drive three hours just to try out a new ice cream shop.  I really am not kidding here.  They read about the best-rated shops and every now and then take a weekend day to test them out.  Once we even went apple picking with them and the children at an orchard in the western part of MA just because it was near an ice cream shop they had read about.  In case you are curious, when we arrived at the store, they were out of almost every flavor because it was the end of the summer season.  That shop definitely did not make the top ten on our family list.  In addition, seeing as it was the end of summer, it was bee season and the place was over-run with hoards of bees attracted to the sugar of the ice cream melting in the trash cans, so all in all, the apple picking part was the best--except for the part when we thought we had walked through poison ivy.  


Do you see where I am going here?  We have these great plans and look to arrange a wonderful event and then things change somewhat slightly and we all have to balance ourselves to deal with it.  So, the first thing, was I woke up with a migraine and spent all day trying to hide it from my mother, refused to take my migraine medicine because that would make me want to nap, and subsequently felt overwhelmed by all the conversations going on around me, as my migraines tend to be sensitive to sound.  I faked Mom out until near the end of the day, but at least I tried. Next, we happen to live close to my parents--a mile or two away, so we thought, "Hey, why not ride our bikes to their house to greet the rest of the fam!"  (remember I have a migraine so the balancing thing was a little precarious!) Good idea in theory, but we still had to get the ice cream for dessert for the b-day BBQ, so an hour or so after I arrived, I rode home again to pick up the car, which is new, and which, by the way, does not fit three bikes in its trunk, so as you are all probably anticipating, we needed my brother to load the three extra bikes into his car at the end of the day and caravan home, because by that time our sugar low was setting in and no one was in the mood to bike home except for my husband, but he couldn't because by that time I really couldn't drive due to my head!  And all through this day, we are all running in and out of the house, doing one errand or another--speaking of which, my favorite ice cream shop gave me a bit of attitude when I picked up the three quarts and two pints of ice cream, one quart of hot fudge, and one pint each of marshmallow and blueberry topping, which was disappointing on an emotional level because I love this place, but maybe he was having a bad day.  Anyway ....


Despite all the chaos, our mother turned to us at the dinner table and said it was the best birthday because she had all her loved ones near her.  And I wanted to give her a toast but couldn't get everyone in the room at the same time, so just went ahead with it anyway over a bowl of wet, mushy, deliciously mixed up ice-cream sundae.  And all this just goes to show that trying and connecting and being with the people you love is way more important than being organized.


Oh, did I forget to mention that I worked the afternoon as the family bartender and managed to spill a container of simple sugar syrup all over the kitchen floor?

Fly, Dream 2 Coming Along

Fly, Dream 2: Still working on it, and am experimenting with line and texture

Does anyone else hate doing french knots? I mean, I love the way they look and the texture you can get by sewing them, but, man, does it take forever to fill up a space--which is exactly what I am trying to do here. I used to work with a embroidery stand, and I think it was easier that way, so I  might start using one again, because as of now using the embroidery hoops is just not working for me.  The other thing is I keep using thread that is too short, so I get into this rhythm and WHAM! it's time to add new thread because the needle keeps falling off the old thread as you are pulling the knot through.  I am done complaining, but realize that this entry is basically an observation that sometime the process is not as much fun as the outcome--which is okay--not everything is going to be fun, but french knots are always the stitch that remind me that sometimes we do work for the outcome and not just for the process.  A completely non-yoga-like point of view, but one that does crop up now and again.  So, for all you artists out there that are struggling with a design, using a technique you abhor, but need for its outcome, or are just plain bored with the piece you are working on, I give you kudos and applause, because the life of an artist doesn't often come with positive regular feedback and/or raises for doing a good job!

Back and trying to be more regular with the posts

Days 27 and 81: Collage of paint, fabric, paper, and pastels on clayboard

So I started this post and almost headed it "Back and trying to be more regular"--which would really not have been a good thing, though my 11-year-old would have loved the defecation connotations.  But honestly, it's time to get back to work on a regular basis and this blog is just one part of it.  I just finished up a two-day show in our town and had some good sales.  Has anyone noticed that once you sell something the bug has bitten you and all you want to do is sell more?  So though it went well, I keep hoping someone will call me and ask for more pieces. Right now, I am working on a few commissions and a few more wall pieces as well.  In addition, I am looking to take a few chances with my work as the above piece illustrates.  Be well everyone!

Accepted to Danforth Museum!

Inside the Cocoon
$660

This piece was accepted to A Community of Artists Show at the Danforth Museum. The show runs from June through the first week of August.  I am so honored to have been included.  Also, don't forget that tomorrow and Sunday is Newton Open Studios.  Come to 170 Evelyn Road and see my art as well as the fabulous art of photographers, painters, potters, and sculptors.  The show runs throughout Newton--it is a great walking tour of the city and you get to meet wonderfully creative people at the same time!

Newton Open Studios is Coming

If you are in the area, come to Newton Open Studios May 14-15, 11am-5pm.  You will be in for a treat, as artists around the city open up their homes and join other artists to display and sell their work.  I will be at 70 Evelyn Road, showing with painters, sculptors,and photographers.  I hope to see you there!

August Flame: Sold, but there are more where this came from and each piece is unique!

Back again

Color Waves Choker:  This piece is now on sale at the Store @ the deCordova Museum and Sculpture Park
The entire venue is breath-taking!

So . . . surprisingly I am at a loss for words at the moment.  Have been sick for two weeks and am just back in the studio and to top it all off it snowed today.  I mean, really, it's April 1st, right?  Joke's on us.  The thing about Spring, even a spring covered in snow, is that you start to want to do and try a whole bunch of new things.  I know, I know, I said I was going to finish old projects first, but spring fever has gotten hold of me, so I think, maybe I will just add some new techniques to my old projects and see what evolves.  But for now, I am tired and have to go rest again--let those ideas gestate and see what is born this Spring and Summer!

Oh, and I forgot to add--anyone in the Boston area should come to Newton Open Studios during the second weekend of May (14th and 15th).  It's an awesome display of local talent throughout the city, and I will be showing my work with a bunch of friends at a group studio.  The website is NewtonOpenStudios.com.