Consumed Time

Wow, this is the first day that I've had off in a while when I could actually find some time to blog. I was seriously considering deleting the blog altogether because I've been feeling word-empty and I haven't been making anything to speak of. Only working for money, not soul and I feel sad. Although, as I wrote a few months ago, it has given me time to read...on the bus, some free moments at work or when I'm exhausted at night and dropping off to sleep. You know how it is sometimes. Anyway, I brought my laptop with me to the laundromat today and thought I would blog about my minor art gains as I waited for the spin cycle. The dryer works at home, just not the washer.

Over the past couple of weeks I decided that I needed to build up a stock of backing fabric for my work. I chose colors that I have but don't use so much and just painted to cover the fabric instead of for a purposeful piece. This way, I will have fabric for the back, instead of my usual situation of having to decide which of my beloved yardage should be relegated to the wall side. Some people have asked me why I paint my backing fabric instead of just buying some blah stuff to fuse on the hind side. Answer: integrity of the piece. I like for my imagery to be as much about my vision as possible, so color or pattern generated by someone/something else feels wrong to me. My quirk. I have been ruminating over this backing fabric issue for years and when I took the time to build a couple more large stretcher frames it became easier to tack the fabric (in a rather unpainterly fashion) and get it done. I had to convince myself to do only one layer, to randomly choose colors and to simply brush it on methodically in order to cover the fabric. Backing fabric only. Say it again Sonji...BACKING FABRIC ONLY. Don't think for a second that I didn't have to restrain myself from diving back into the surfaces. I am simply trying to revel in the paint and the coverage. No image. No plan, except for that it is backing fabric. I will have to make it a mantra. In the end I will be more productive. I am simply slow to alter my habits. It is an advancement in technique. Say it again, Sonji.
The smaller frame was one left over from years ago and I've been using it to paint my gray canvas for the newer pieces, but the surface area is so small in comparison to my new 5 x 6 foot frames (the blue one). Like my purple walls?

I randomly chose these colors (beige, blue, cranberryish red) and just went at it as though I was starting a painting. The action felt good, but the colors were killing me. I think that will help me get over wanting to make something out of it all...aside from backing fabric. Say it again, Sonji. This time with feeling. BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACKING FABRIC!!!!

This is other MEDALLION STRUCTURE piece that I'm working on. It is about 4 x 5 feet presently and will grow. Need to paint more fabric. That seems to be my bane, doesn't it? More needed for the front. More needed for the back. I suppose my issues could be so much greater.

Can you see the marker line above the red satin stitched line? I have to stitch an elegant arch across the entire piece and that is my indicator.

And these are ovals in the making...

...meant to end up in the first MEDALLION STRUCTURE (click here to view the previous stage of this piece). I am glad the weather is warming up because the paint will dry faster. And yes, the vegetation is pretty. The birds are glorious. The grass will need cutting.

I forgot to mention that I started my school residencies, hence the business beyond the museum job (which will be over in June). One workshop is all day Tuesdays with K-4 and K-5 making cement garden sculptures for their school garden, as well as a bench and a magic "literacy carpet". I have a great assistant, Anna Stone and the culture of that school is as close to perfect as I've ever experience. So friendly and flexible.

The other school is a wider age range, grades 1 through 6, I think. There are so many children that I haven't kept track really. This project is also with a movement and dance professional. My part isn't as much fun to be honest. We are making props and such for a performance. The kids are so interesting though and it is a lesson in letting go (for me). After all, I'm a facilitator. It isn't MY project or vision. Say it again, Sonji...and go back to painting that backing fabric.

Thanks to all of my readers for sticking with me during my lapse. Don't forget to check my work out in the shows listed in the sidebar. Textural Rhythms is now in Detroit, MI. The Hampton University Museum show is up until the end of July. Sisters in Cloth will be opening this week at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Golden, CO. And there's more, but I can't think of it all off hand. I have been good at updating my events page on my website, though.

Stay tuned! Take care.