Appropriation Police...to the bat cave!

Alma Woodsey Thomas, Watusi (Hard Edge), 1963, acrylic on canvas, 47-5/8" x 44-1/4", Hirshhorn Museum

I was spending some time catching up on my "movers and shakers" art blogs (it keeps me all worldly and informed and some such stuff) and found that I had missed out on all the foolishness regarding one painting, of two, by Alma Thomas, that was...then wasn't, going to be on loan to the White House in Michelle Obama's office (surely, the grammar police will be after me because of that sentence-ish...well. probably most of the sentences-ish, in this entire post...the whole blog, if we want to be real about it).

It started with Edward Winkleman's blog, which I adore because it is so much fun, info and sass about the art world I never want to be a part of (did you know you that you, kind reader, may pick and choose your "art world"...yes you can!) Then, I started linking around the links (Winkleman's links , the links of his links, the links of their links and on and on...) and concretely decided that the entire controversy was a waste of time. A waste, first of all, because all artists appropriate whether they realize it or not, or admit it or not (and most will never ever admit it, because the unwritten rule is that if you "copy" or "mimic" or the more fancy-schmancy term "appropriate" in some form then you aren't creative...not really...and all the other artists in the super secret and special artists club know it, even if they don't say it to your face...dead or alive...they talk about you in a super secret code language, in a super secret and special artists club location where only those who generate concepts and imagery without any other reference are allowed). Honestly, I was so depressed (not), knowing I would be kicked out of the secret club when I realized that my pod/icon symbol looked just like an oak leaf (and who else besides me has seen one of those, hmmm?), and a Matisse oak leaf, at that. My creativity was doomed from then on. Or perhaps it was doomed when I started making a circle. I'm not sure anymore.

The second reason I find the controversy to be a waste of time is...Come on...do I really need to list another one? I do have a second one, though. If they say the painting didn't fit the spot or hung funny, then just take it for what it is. Geez, as we say here in the stix.

Now, what would a good quilter do in this situation? The obvious answer is, copy Watusi and make an art quilt out of it. Don't think I won't. I think we all should.

As is...$9.00

Last month, I found this hand pieced and tied patchwork quilt at a local thrift shop called Value Village. What a find. It is the oddest patchwork I've ever seen, because of its unusual construction. I've always dreamt of finding a cool quilt at the thrift store. I'm not much of a shopper, though, and was in that store purely by accident because we were entertaining Xenobia Bailey, who had a day off from her Kohler residency (click here to see the installation of her fabu work). Della, Xenobia and I just stood there petting it, the two of them saying "oh, you better get it now". The following day, it would have been half price. Of course, it wouldn't have been there. So, I'm glad they nudged me into getting it.

It is made of small 4x4 inch fiber-filled stuffed "pouches". These are then sort of whip stitched together. Teeny tiny little whip stitching. This is the only patch that has considerable wear. The other areas I will be able to stitch back together. Although, one pouch is torn, I will probably be able to sew it back together and it will have a nice little scar.

You can see how tight the stitching is. It's crazy. Like the person was reinforcing the seat of a kids' pants that tore during play. I love it. I'm thinking this is the coolest way to create a patchwork quilt. I may have to try this myself. I am wrestling with whether or not to quilt it (by hand of course) and take those yarn ties out. Ties are O.K., but I'd rather quilt it with a reiterated square about half way into each square. The maker of this quilt was, like me, a person who got to their goal with an unusual construction method. My quilting soul mate...unknown, as is.

As the sidebar logo announces...

I have been chosen as a finalist for a 2010 Niche Award in the Fiber Art/Art Quilt category. Hurrah! This is the nominated piece. I have to say that if personified, Medallion Structure I would be jumping for joy. She is well traveled and has been the recipient of quite a bit of press over the past year. And now this. If her parts weren't sewn on so securely, she might suffer from the same fits of fancy and downward spiral as some of those other overly photographed media divas (who shall remain nameless). The winners in all categories will be announced in mid-February, 2010 and of course I will relay the results.

P. S.: Here is a link to the Niche announcement page. Thanks to Karoda for the suggestion.

Fall has arrived! You know I love my chilly weather and it is here today. Rain, wind...brrrrr. What if all snowflakes were this colorful? I wonder if I'd love snow as much. Little bit of embroidery today. Oh, it takes a long time to do such a little bit, but I'd like to get back to adding some. I used to be excessive about it, then went spartan. Perhaps, I've learned some moderation. On this part I will do the blackish area and then some coiled marks on the yellow. I haven't decided if I want to add a bundle or to make a dimensional icon for the center. I'm leaning toward the icon and I'd have to figure out how to make a small one, really small.

I still haven't completed the embroidery on the surface of "Corseted Landscape" . It's paaaaaaaaaaain, but I will have to buckle down and do it. I may change the whole thing, actually, but either way the embroidery is going across the surface. Heavy sigh.

I painted a few yards of canvas this weekend, most of it plain. This was the most interesting of the bunch. I use a lot of shades of gray and painted about 6 yards with purple and red underpaintings to give them a nice glow. Doesn't make for interesting photos though.

I'm going to get a lot of front and back fabric painted within the next month because in November I will start my new job as a captioning transcriber, full time. Instead of stressing about it later, I will attempt to make the best use of my time now.

My show is up at Narthex Gallery through November 1. It's a nice little space and I made three small pieces (two of them are on their site, along with Blue Landscape) especially for their small niches. There's a total of 6 pieces. I'm told everyone has been enjoying the work because it is so colorful and whimsical. Tomorrow, I will get to hear for myself because there is a concert and a reception for the musician...and me.

In Case You Missed It...

My "One From Wisconsin" exhibit is over now. Thank you to everyone who went to see it. Many of my friends really went out of their way to show me that support and I greatly appreciate it. When I was participating in "The Moment" event at the museum, a lovely woman told me that she came back to see my work three times and brought new people to see it each time. My eyes got all watery-happy when she was telling me this. It's nice to hear that people like the work. So, for those of you who were unable to attend...I stood in the middle of the room and pivoted so you could view each wall. Enjoy.

NEW TOPIC... I will be uploading these newly made cards to my etsy store tomorrow. I was going to do it today, but the individual pictures that I took were extremely out of focus and I'll have to retake the images (that's what happens when shooting without the appropriate amount of caffeine). I was inspired to make some new cards after the museum demo I facilitated where everyone had fun making their own cards. I may even make some DIY card kits. Eventually.