hm.

This could be interesting. Because I have so little else to do.

At first, I didn’t like the theme restrictions, but I keep thinking about “mountains…”

photos

I finally took photos of all the individual pieces from my Artwalk installation and added them to my website. Here they are, in case you’re interested.

I didn’t just take pictures for posterity–I’ve seen some calls for artists in FiberArts magazine that I’m considering submitting to. Most places want you to submit photos of 3 pieces (although they may or may not accept all three). I can’t figure out if I should submit three pieces that range in strength but that go together more (like, this + this + this) or a more diverse offering of my pieces with more strength (like this one, this one, and this one). Disclaimer: I’m basing my assessment of “strength” based on a combination of my personal favorites plus reactions I saw at Artwalk–for example, I don’t much care for this piece, personally, but lots of people at Artwalk seemed to especially take to it.

Not being an actual Artist, I’m not sure what would be the better submission technique.  Plus, there are three calls for which I think my pieces would be appropriate to submit, but I have to figure out if any of the shipping or show dates overlap, because I can’t very well submit the same piece to two different shows at the same time, now can I?

It’s so funny–I have a great handle on this sort of submission process for writing, but this different media totally escapes me. There’s none of this “submit three examples of your work” type thing. When you submit a short story, you submit the one story and they take it or leave it. I think I’d much rather have it that way.

 

2 out of 3

I’m on my second day of quilting of a three-day weekend. (Okay, I really had a four-day weekend, but I spent the first day being a total lazy-ass and doing not much of anything. I felt like I deserved a break. Sue me.)

Yesterday I went to my first meeting of the LA Modern Quilt Guild. It was quite a large turnout, and lots of fun and good people, even if it was a bit “hipster.” I confess I don’t care much for Denyse Schmidt workshops or the new Amy Butler patterns or Michael Miller fabrics or whatever. If I like it, I like it; if I don’t, I don’t, and it doesn’t much matter to me where it came from or who designed it or how popular it is. And so I felt a little disconnect from this group of mostly hip 30-somethings with young children. But there were still lots of nice people and good inspiration. I especially liked the show and tell, where everyone brought a quilt to share and talk about. Here’s me showing off one of the many versions of Oh Fransson’s Mod-Sampler quilt that appeared throughout the evening:

I brought that quilt because it turns out that it’s the only quilt I made that I actually own–everything else has been made and given as gifts or to charity (Project Linus is a fave of mine). Not that I mind in the least–that’s kind of the point of making stuff to me. But it was an odd realization. Quilting to me has always been about giving and sharing and community.

We also did a fabric swap, and I was excited to trade for some interesting new fabrics. The cool thing about hipster fabrics swaps–none of the fabrics are bad! :) I even got a piece of Jay McCarroll fabric that I’ve been wanting for a long time but never really had the reason/money to acquire. (Okay, so perhaps I suffer from just a teeny bit of hipster craftsdom myself. But darn if I just don’t love his design aesthetic!)

Today a friend came over to my studio to work on quilt squares, and it’s always motivating and productive to have someone else to work with. I finally settled on how I want to quilt the Hungry Caterpillar quilts, and pieced the fabric for the backing, which I had folded up and stored away for Artwalk and kept forgetting needed to be done (out of sight, out of mind). I finished piecing the blocks for a quilt I’m tentatively calling “Dreams & Vines,” and after many iterations on the design wall, I think I finally came up with a layout I like:

Michael Levine’s is conveniently offering 20% off quilting solids this coming Thursday, so I’m all set to pick up some light sky blue fabric for the sashing.

Additionally, although not quilting-ly, my sweetheart is coming to LA for Thanksgiving and we are going to the Victorian Grand Ball. (Always a fun time, gentle readers, if you would like to join in…don’t make me jump you into my Victorian posse!) Guys have it easy, but of course I need a new dress, the design of which will be based entirely on what I have in my stash + what I was able to score at work for $1/yard. So far, so good:

I’ll probably be putting some work into that tomorrow, as well as more quilting. I’ll be in the studio all day, so come on by and work on stuff. If you’re so inclined, please bring your snack or beverage of choice, and if you want to sew you’ll probably want to bring your own machine, as my workhorse is currently being serviced. But there’s also space for cutting, knitting, paintbrush wars, etc. See you tomorrow!

Not-A-Craft-Day Day

This coming Wednesday, November 11, is Veterans Day, a U.S. holiday and many of you gentle readers may have the day off from work to honor our veterans. And what better way to celebrate veterans who fought for our freedoms by celebrating our freedom to make art and stuff?

I’m going to be home all day at my studio at the Brewery making stuff.  If you feel like making stuff, come on by. Let’s say anytime between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.-ish is good. It’s probably best to call/text/email me and let me know if you’re gonna come by. BYOS (stuff to make and snacks). Come for all day or some of the day.

 

 

**This is not in any way to be construed as or otherwise affiliated with an offical Craft Day(tm). This does not preclude any other arrangement I may have made with individuals on any other given days. No cash value. Void where prohibited.

speaking of moving forward…

So what’s the first thing a girl needs to do after Artwalk? Take the sewing machine(s) in for a cleaning an tune-up. They sure need it after all that hard work. But wait! First I needed to finish my (slightly overdue) October block for the Stash Busting Bee:

It was only after that was completed and crossed off the to-do list that I could take in the machines. WHile they’re away, the place looks pretty empty:

Look at that design wall, just begging for some ideas:

But don’t fret, gentle readers! Even sans sewing machine, there is lots to be done! Cutting out pieces, for example:

And of course, buying fabric for what I think will be the beginning of a whole new directional theme for Spring 2010 Artwalk…

I’m not quite ready to give away the whole secret yet, but let’s just say that if you see any good milk, cheese, meat, bread, or rice-themed printed cotton fabrics, please email me ASAP!

Fall Artwalk recap, and moving forward

I just felt like I should write up a little post-Artwalk recap before I get busy on the next grand adventure (which is currently finishing my swap block for October, mailing out my theme fabric for November, and finally finishing those Hungry Caterpillar quilts for my mom…)

I haven’t been to Burning Man for a number of years, but I can’t help but compare the whole experience–the grandiose ideas months in advance that get whittled down to less and less until you have a nervous breakdown (or 6) and finally decide what must get done, what might get done half-assed if there’s time, and what you just throw aside for good (or until next year). Then the event happens and all your friends are there and it’s fun and wonderful and fabulous.

Everyone (artists and attendees alike) said it was a slow Artwalk this year, and I agree. Despite the constant flow of traffic, it still seemed empty compared to previous Artwalks I’ve attended. I understand that people might be wary of buying such a ‘frivolous’ thing as art when the state of the economy has them worrying about their jobs and bills. But I did think it a little odd that people didn’t just come out and wander for the entertainment and social aspects of it–it was a free event, after all, and so seemed like it should be appealing in a downturn economy.

I didn’t sell a single piece, but I’m not bothered. It meant I didn’t have to actually face my fears about being ‘good enough’ to sell art, and selling pieces wasn’t my goal anyway. it would have been nice, but I just really wanted to see if I could do it, if I could make stuff in time for the event and show them in a coherent way. Interestingly enough, a couple people pointed out to me that they might have been interested in buying a piece, but the group worked together so well as a whole that they were reluctant to split the pieces apart, which was something that had never crossed my mind. A few people suggested trying to market it as an installation piece, and there was also some interest from a woman compiling a series on Brewery-inspired art, which up until this point has mainly been more traditional 2D forms like photography and painting, and so was interested in the uniqueness of my pieces.

 

You Are Here_Artwalk Fall 2009, originally uploaded by RevellRay / Chuck Revell.

Also interestingly enough, the piece I marked as not for sale on Saturday drew huge amounts of positive attention. I put a price on it on Sunday, just to see what would happen, and the attention was much lower. Still, I only ever heard positive things from the people who came through. I don’t know if they were just tactful enough to wait until they left to make less positive comments or what, but either way, it was a pretty uplifting and fulfilling experience. It was also really great to share the space with two fantastic artists, Chuck Revell and Robin Dodge. I know I would have likely gone murderously crazy without Robin in the back keeping me amused. Also mad props to Lizanne of RevellRay Photography for running the front of the studio so charmingly and efficiently, and of course Booker for picture-hanging, coffee-fetching, dishwashing, and all other sorts of minion-ly duties that not only made my installation possible but kept me from biting off heads.

So the thing about coming back from Burning Man is that you seem to be left with that “what now?” feeling, which is one of the reasons there are Decompressions and camping trips and regional events. And people start talking about their projects for next year before they’re even off the playa. And I remember doing that myself, and I feel myself doing it again now with this. I don’t want Artwalk to become this replacement addiction for Burning Man, the way some alcoholics substitute AA meetings and higher powers for alcohol.

So I’m trying to keep this in perspective, but I’ve known since before the fall Artwalk that I want to do quilts in the Spring. And quilts take a long time. I definitely can’t do 10 full-sized quilt pieces in 10 weeks. But I wonder…can I do 6 full-sized quilts in 6 months?

I guess there’s only one way to find out…

Crossing things off my to-do list

I totally just crossed “Artwalk” (and all it’s subcategories, and sub-subcategories) off of my to-do list. That was weird.

Now what? :)

day 1 down

Yesterday’s Artwalk was really enjoyable, way more fun and a lot less cranky-making than I expected it to be. I got a lot of positive responses to my work (and is anyone had negative things to say, they must have been tactful enough to wait until they left. :)

There’s still a whole ‘nother day of Artwalk ahead today, so come on by and check it out! Here’s a hint of my exhibition to tempt you out:

 

Brewery Artwalk

2100 N. Main Street

Los Angeles, CA 90031

11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Free!

It’ 5:30 a.m.–do you know where your art is?

So it’s 5:30 a.m. The morning of my very first Artwalk, and despite being prescribed a number of drugs that are supposed to keep me asleep, I woke up and am raring to go. This is good in some ways, because I still havent hung a single piece of my stuff on the wall yet. It’s bad because, well, it’s 5:30 in the morning, which is usually not an acceptible time for nailing things in walls.

Thankfully, I don’t live in a normal place where that sort of thing would be an issue. In fact, it sounds like my upstairs neighbors have already been hard at work for a while this morning.

Further updates throughout the day as events warrant…

this weekend!

In case you’re new to this blog or have just been living under a rock or something: this weekend is the Brewery Artwalk. That’s right, this weekend!

Brewery Artwalk

2100 N. Main Street

Los Angeles, CA 90031

Saturday and Sunday, October 23-24, 2009

11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

My studio is in the Atrium and I’ll be sharing my space with two other talents artists, Robin Dodge and Chuck Revell. There will be a lot of other studios open and great art to see, tasty treats to eat, and heck, it’s just fun to wander around the Brewery and check it out, especially if you’ve never been.

I do hope you’ll come by and see what all this blogging has been about!