Friday, September 27, 2013

Tactile Notebooks and the Written Word - After

Each day of Sandra Brownlee's Tactile Notebooks and the Written Word workshop was comprised of one or two exercises - usually mark making followed by writing about the experience. On Wednesday, Sandra asked us to bring out our objects of inspiration.


When packing for the trip, I'd considered 2 things that are very dear to me and finally decided on three wrapped stones that were a gift from Fiona of Paper Ponderings.


Per Sandra's instructions, we were to examine the object carefully, record it, describe it in detail, tell its history/story and tell the personal significance it holds. I did just that using antique Japanese receipt book paper, sumi ink and marker.


When all were done, we gathered upstairs to share our objects and their stories. Soon enough, it was my turn. And oh! What a turn it was.

 
As I told the story of discovering a kindred spirit in Fiona and of being gifted the stones, the enormity of what they represent for me swept in. Sitting there, midst 12 incredible women, with Christine Mauersberger and Sandra to my right, Mary across the table to my left and India Flint directly in front of me on the couch...sitting in Big Cat Textiles...in Newburgh, Scotland, I choked up.


Unsuccessfully fighting back tears and struggling to speak, all the while wanting desperately to disappear, with tissues in hand, I finally managed to squeak out my thoughts.

This little blog of mine was started as a way to get myself back in the studio after an extended time away from it. An art blog needs art, right? That was my thought. What I hadn't even considered were the connections that would be made as a result or how my world would be opened and expanded. 


Fiona's stones = the world, quite literally, opening up to me. I was sitting midst the best possible example of it.

Once we'd all shared our stories, I was desperate to escape outside for a bit of fresh air, to feel the sun and compose myself. Couldn't be crying all afternoon, could I? A few steps had been taken when Pauline - who'd seemed the quietest of our group - walked up to me and said that she reads my blog and was happy when she read that I'd be in the workshop. (cue more tears)

That short exchange with Pauline meant everything to me. Even now, I still get all weepy eyed remembering. We've a love of tea bags and rust in common. What more is needed to begin a friendship? Before leaving on Friday, I gave Pauline a piece of my tea rusted cotton.


She mentioned that she'd send along one of her books and not long after the workshop, residue arrived.



Decaying flowers that I see as dancers - leaping and twirling through space with total abandon, 


trusting that they will be caught, will alight safely, however briefly before stepping into the air again.


residue's other side is the ethereal world of the dancers' dreams. A world filled with creativity and artistry, music and dance, landscapes/seascapes/airscapes, kinship and understanding.


While this edition of residue now belongs to me and the photos above are mine, I ask that they not be pinned, tumblr-ed or shared without Pauline's permission. Thank you for honoring my request.

The name of Sandra's workshop may be Tactile Notebooks and the Written Word, but it is far more than that. It is about connections, journeys, discoveries and possibilities. By the way, I hear that she'll will be teaching the workshop next June at Committed to Cloth in Betchworth, UK in case you're interested.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Art recipe

Good friends 

Pam's, mine, Katy's
 
+ tea 


= nice tea bag prints on Khadi paper.

= a vivid reminder of lunch with friends.

Monday, September 23, 2013

A look inside "The Mixed-Media Artist"

If you heard a huge squeal of surprise followed by a bit of nearly maniacal laughter just a few minutes ago, it was most likely me. So sorry for any ears that may be still be smarting from the decibel level reached, but an email from Seth Apter is to blame.

Many of you know Seth and/or are familiar with his blog The Altered Page or his book The Pulse of Mixed Media. His second book, The Mixed-Media Artist, will be out soon. The email that had me (squealing and laughing with total glee just like my 6 year old little urchins when they're very happy) doing a happy dance in the studio announced that a few pages of The Mixed-Media Artist is now available for viewing on Amazon. If you'd care to take a peak, just click here.


Once at Amazon, simply click on the Look Inside for a preview...and to see what had Pam (yes! she's visiting...more on that soon) quickly covering her ears and finally leaving the room in search of quiet.

Quick now....go look...and order a copy...or 2...or 3 even.

Thank you Seth for such incredible placement in The Mixed-Media Artist. Dinner on me next time I'm in NYC. Congratulations!

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Edinburgh - Gifted . Poetree

I've been home for nearly 2 weeks now, but still have more to write about the experience of being in Scotland. My first week back is a bit of a haze - took me all week to adjust to the backwards time difference. India, how do you do it with all your traveling back and forth and inbetween Australia and the US and Great Britain, et al? Do you ever wonder just where you are today or what time it truly is?

This past week has been spent doing fall cleaning and readying our guest room to be a combination guest room/little urchin playroom.  Alas, no art-type work yet. 

Now, here's what I was doing 2 weeks ago today....
 
 *********

Saturday morning found my housemates at Weavers Hall - Brenda Parsons, Christine Mauersberger and Kelly McKaig - and I scrambling to finish packing, say quick goodbyes and begin the next part of our journey.


 
For some, that meant going home while others were to enjoy another week in Newburgh at Big Cat Textiles


I was off to Edinburgh, courtesy of Alison of Big Cat Textiles. She was kind enough to give Sandra (Brownlee, that is) and myself a ride. This little fellow greeted me from his perch on the corner of the bathtub in my room at the Apex City Hotel

The view out my window. Edinburgh Castle up on the hill.

The window at the end of the hall afforded the best view of Edinburgh Castle above the Grassmarket market.

I strolled among the market vendors, taking in the colors, smells, sounds and energy of the day. And yes, a little something did find its way into my bag - 2 little somethings, in fact. Solid moisturiser bars by The Edinburgh Natural Skincare Company.

Then it was time to explore the streets,


view the art,

take in the colors,



patterns, textures

and architecture of Edinburgh as I made my way

to the Scottish Poetry Library.






Alas, not to read the poetry found there,

but to view

the Poetree.








In all, I saw 7 of the original mysteriously gifted book sculptures as well as a new one that Saturday.  The sculptures are magnificent as is the artist - now known to be a woman - who had the vision to create them. I'll post more along the way. Stay tuned!

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Scotland - Tactile Notebooks Day 5

All too soon, Friday arrived. The last day of Tactile Notebooks and the Written Word. Not wanting to dwell on just what that meant, yet feeling reflective, I began my day as had become my habit.

A flock of birds skimmed along the river's surface

having swooped down from the clouds just seconds before.


Friday's lunch.

 The afternoon

had a few more exercises.

 dark

The last being that of responding to words given us by Sandra.

 
 
moon

Monday's writing exercise -
blue ink below sumi ink,
written, painted, cut, woven
to obscure my original words - too personal, too insecure.
Accept.
 
Tea bags - rusted, printed, sewn
secured with a horse hair circle -
a gift from my table mate and friend.

My walk through Newburgh, documented by holding pencil to paper 
and letting the marks happen, then choosing an area stitch.
 Silky black Habu with chartreuse DMC.
 
More writing - about being present, centered, focused, here, now.

The week ended with gathering upstairs to read our 
27 words before sharing a bit of our notebooks.

We gave thanks to Sandra for an amazing experience.

One last look into the room that held such magic. 
That big middle table, upper left was my spot. 
Kelly to my right,
Katie directly across.
Jill beside Katie. 

A truly surprising and magical week.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...