Shibori, My Just One Thing

and a few others. . . wearable art, writing, felting.

Today I focus on documentation.

I begin a new notebook.

The weather 

sunny and warm.

I must dye silk today.  

Black magnolia devore and charmeuse.  

The trees are brown.  

There are scatterings of green, copper

and rust red in dried leaves.

I formulate colors

drizzle tones on shibori

pole wrapped silk.

I strive for impeccable documentation

add fuchsia to yellow green

The hardest part about Shibori dyeing during spring in Kentucky is the rain.  It's hard to for the fabric on the poles dry.  Time for inside projects.  I bring the poles inside and work on writing and publishing and making videos. 

When my daughter was a teen and living with her dad she wrote me a tearful letter. I couldn’t see the tears, but I could feel them. She was writing about what a difficult time she was having trying to fit in at school. Wondering about her future. “What will I do after high school? How do I know the right answers?” In response I wrote her a poem.  At a workshop last week, Larry Vogt and I made a video recording of the poem and his music.

Creative Legacy

What are we doing with all that we create?  Lately I have been thinking more about my legacy: what gets passed down, what stories are shared.  This past weekend while I was at the Kentucky Craft Market selling my shibori dyed and FeltOOM  felted  wearables, I attend a KCHEA workshop.

Kentucky Craft History & Education Association
presents

CRAFT HISTORY: Preserving Your Personal Legacy

Have you ever wondered what might become of your
craft legacy or that of a family member?

 On Pondering My Creative Legacy

Create that which comes from nothing

from deep within

that which you have made manifest

and shared

thus the beginning of your legacy

that which you will pass down

the past in your present

which will become your children’s

all children’s

inheritance, heritage

the history/herstory which they will cull from

dig into, rummage through,

to gain insight of where they came from

in order to begin their journey

draw their map

carry on your wisdom

put it into their own experiences

in order for their personal wisdom

to sift and filter into materials they will gather

and create from

to begin the creation of their own legacy claim.

In order to know and better understand our creative legacy

we must know why we create in the first place 

for whom we are creating

this why can be uncovered in our stories

the stories we remember from the first time we shared

the first letter we received

the first poem we wrote

our earliest autobiography

perhaps from an elementary school assignment

our first interview,

our first biography

If these were not saved begin a legacy recall writing notebook

where the memories of  past creations will be uncovered and collected

In your early legacy recall writing  notebook start with your earliest memories of the things your created

If you have a box of memories gather together the pieces most related to your creative self, accomplishments, spiritually, academically and professionally  (March 11, 2015)

". . . Wearable Art Guru."

In a post promoting the upcoming Fantastic Fibers Show for which I am one of the juror's, TAFA, The Textile and Fiber Art List referred to me as "wearable art guru."  What an honor.  Well I guess I do spend a lot of time thinking about, talking about, wearing and creating wearable art.   I am addicted to pleasure.  It's why I make so much art.  Creating gives me pleasure.  It's why I make so much wearable art.  I know that when others wear it they get pleasure, and they receive the added bonus of all the energy that the art carries.

Performing poetry with Larry standing in front of a merino scarf felted on the FeltLOOM gives me pleasure as I wear my Shibori Dyed Poetry Skirt and shawl.  And I love seeing Awa model another one of my wrap around poetry skirts in the LFC Fashion Show.

And most important is when your grandsons come to your poetry reading, listen to you perform and give you a big hug afterwards.  Hence, share your work.  Take the risk.  It's worth it.

Kentucky Crafted, The Market is coming soon.  March 7-8 in Lexington.  This is my favorite time of the year to create new work for my booth.  No. 311.  A little bit I follow trends.  Like orange and blue and turquoise.  But following the seasons is more fun.  And since Truly Wearable Art is a "Power Tool," it can be worn all year, any year, anywhere, when you want to make a statement.  After I Shibori pole wrap the silk or Felted merino wool,  I create palettes to reflect the colors surrounding me.  Palettes that will compliment your wardrobe.  In late winter, aka early spring, I add a little bit of each colors compliment to my formulas as I prepare to drizzle the dye.  I am always amazed at how well the fabrics I dye blend with the natural scenes.  After seeing all the Chihuly installations at Fairfield Gardens a few weeks ago I was inspired by the bright contrasts.  Be Bold, Be Striking. Take the risk to express your self.  It's worth it!

A New Year begins with Wabi Sabi

The Wabi-Sabi principles that all things are impermanent, imperfect, and incomplete just about sum up my life.  I try for perfection, I really do.  However, something always shows up slightly askew. I respond, then accept it, share, and move on, make more and share again. I will not let a tiny flaw or typo hold me back.  As the year begins I pull out all my old journals and make new ones to continue my daily writing practice and develop and record a clear and strategic road map for 2015.

"Pare down to the essence, but don't remove the poetry."  Leonard Koren

 What I am Dreaming

freedom to create

being of service 

writing more

and sharing. 

Online and in person

one to one to many

exploring my story

personal, deep, and now.

If there is no risk involved

there is no point.

There were many Garden Girls involved in this morning's writing practiced that I pared down into the above poem. They, too, will be resurrected this year.  They are working on publishing their own journals.  I will let you know when one is available.

This year will be filled with continued exploration of shibori   dyeing fabrics other that silk.  I like the idea of using hemp and will come to accept that the Vinyl Sulphon colors are not as brilliant as when I dye silk. I will keep using them, however, because of all the colors I have already learned to  formulate. (I prefer to use my learning curve moments in other ways :)) And I love the Wabi-Sabi of shibori, always consistent, yet filled with variables that tease and delight expectations.

More merino and alpaca vests are on their way.  Using the FeltLOOM I have discovered the 1/3# bats available from the FeltLOOM are the best.  Save the date March 7-8, 2015 for the Kentucky Craft Market in Lexington!

Wearable Art on the Wall and on the Body

Above: Gallery Photo of wearable art.  A pieced poetry skirt with 10 yard waist band and below it is seen from afar.

I love that I can take my art off the wall, wrap it around me a read my story, The Coffin,  at my Only 2 Years Until My 70th Birthday Party, and that I can pose with my amazing grandsons, Chuck and Avery.

The skirt was created by pole wrapping crepe, charmeuse and devore silk and shibori dying it in a combination 72 colors of shades.

This is the same techniques I use for dying many of my designs, including wool and merino felted to silk and then layered using the FeltLOOM.www.feltloom.com/

Soon, I will have my Etsy store stocked.  That is my New Year's resolution.  In the meantime feel free to email me any time.

Felting on the FeltLOOM

The seasons come a go so fast.  In November I finished these two merino and alpaca pieces felted on the FelLOOM, pole wrapped shibori dyed and delivered them the Appalachian Fireside Gallery in Berea, KY.  Now I want to make more but December is almost half over.  Spring will be here soon.  Oh my.
 

Be Daring, Take Risks, Experiment

http://lavernez.com/

Lacey as you want to be!  Wanting to create something beautiful out of all the silk fabric I shibori dye, I have been saving the serged edges to create lacey scaves.  Using Solvey and disposable medical waste bags, made out of a material that looks like Saran Wrap, I lay the edges on it, cover with another layer of the  Solvey and then sew it with gold thread.  The Solvey dissolves when rinsed with water leaving a playful and lacey design.

From Rocks to Rugs

During the summer I felted pole wrapped and shibori dyed several pieces of wool and dyed them in reds and orange.  The intention was to create truly wearable art out of the center and use the edges to create a rug/art for the wall.

When I had enough fabric edges I places them on a 4x6 felted wool rug mat and began running it through the FeltLOOM several times. 

Connecting Fiber Exhibit

MS Rezny Gallery

Lexington KY

It was exciting to see the piece on the wall in the gallery along with five other amazing fiber artists.  A review expressed concerns.  Some I agreed with, others not so much.  However, being a writer I realize that it's the conversation that ultimately matters. 

www.under-main.com/thread-of-a-doubt/

Eclectic, Experiments and Seconds

The problem with experimenting is that I get carried away, go off the deep end.  While I get excited about the results, I'm not always sure they are as great as I think they are.  Nonetheless, I share them with enthusiasm and wait for recall.  First comment, too short, so I made some longer.  Another said more lacy, another said less lacy. ( Hmmmmm.  This is starting to remind me of Writing Practice.) My latest is using every last remnant to create art.  I figure if it's fabric I shibori dyed it shall not be wasted.  Using a water soluble stabilizer I lay it out, sew it up and rinse.

Olve Green Chiffon Cape

It's been an amazing summer, not too hot, perfect for dyeing and drying pole wrapped shibori in the sun.  Well, maybe it has been a little too rainy.  As I expand my collection I add more chiffon.  This chiffon cape is 44" wide and 30" from shoulder to edge lengthwise.

Always a Project in Waiting

In between shibori pole wrapping silk, applying dye and waiting for fabric to dry, which is fast on hot days but takes for ever on rainy humid days I like to keep silk around to paint.  (Actually that's what I always wanted to be when I grew up, a painter, but, because of 4-H and learning to sew from my mom, sewing and hand dyed wearable art became my forte.) Oops, and I've created a new way to address stray paint.  Respond!  Just paint a little flower on top of it!

 

The Shibori technique is based on manipulating fabric by wrapping it around a pole or rope, folding and clamping, or stitching. The fabric resists the dye and creates a pattern.     I always place at least three colors, or shades of one color of dye on the cloth.  This creates movement and depth.  The real pleasure attained using the Shibori technique is when you open each steamed package and discover the results!

1. Make rules
2. Choose a palette and stick with it
3. Ask “What if?”

The secret to beautiful texture and blend of color is to not use too much dye by learning to read the flow of the dye in the same way a kayaker reads the river before descending over a 40 foot water fall.  The only way to repeat what you discover is to measure and make notes. (Sorta.  You can never really repeat with shibori. J )

Vinyl Sulphon Dye:   Turq. Yellow, Magenta, Black.  I like to use the color wheel and formulate my own colors.  That way I know what color every other color contains.

Urea water:  ¾ c urea to 4 cups hot water

Add 1 t Ludigol

Use 4 cups Urea water to 7 T dye concentrate

Make soda ash solution.  Add  ½ t Soda ash solution to ½ c dye

 

I use about 3/4 cof dye for one yard of fabric.  But it could be more or less depending on the fabric and whether or not I want any white.

Soak cotton, rayon, bamboo in soda ash solution til damp then drizzle dye on fabric.  Record differences in dampness before applying dye.

For wool, soak fabric in equal parts vinegar and water with capful of synthrapol.  Record differences in dampness before applying dye by drizzling dye on fabric

Let fabric dry completely before steaming.  Wrap in at least 3 layers of newsprint and muslin.  Place in canner with  about 2” of water on stove. Cover with towels.  Steam for 40 min.  Rinse in hot water with synthrapol til water is clear.

For Cotton, silk, bamboo or rayon:  Wash on delicate cycle, cold water and softener (Dharma).  Be very careful when rinsing rayon as it will tear.  Dry on delicate cycle.  Iron with hot, steam iron  For wool, rinse carefully pressing fabric to remove excess water and dye.  Lay flat to dry, drape or place in washer with drain rinse cycle.  Let air dry.  Iron

www.dharmatrading.com/

http://exoticsilks.com/
http://trulywearableart.blogspot.com

Turquoise, Fuchsia, Yellow orange Triad

I love hot Kentucky days.  My devore silk dries fast.  Yesterday I pole wrapped 12 pieces of silk around six poles.  There were a variety of shapes.  Some were 22 x 80" which will become shawls or ponchos.  Some were 22 x 72" and will become infinity scarves.  Some were 44 x 44" and will become jackets.  Others were 44 x 60" and will become a cape.  I also am experimenting with 44 x40" which will become a bolero!  I dyed them all using the vinyl sulphon dyes in the triad colors of turquoise, fuchsia, and yellow orange.  Even though it is the same combination of colors, each piece will be different, either because of the pattern in the devore, or because the order of applying the dye is different.  That's what I love about color theory and shibori!

Be Playful

The idea is to be playful.  The goal, not busy.  Dyeing several pieces in one palette is turning out to be inspiring.  Sewing began yesterday.  This jacket began as 44 x 44" devore fabric, pole wrapped and dyed using the Vinyl Sulphon pure color dyes in a triad of turquoise, fuchsia and yellow orange.  I like using the pure colors in summer.  Come fall I will move into tones, then shades for winter.

Not Busy

I know these are not the most appropriate chairs for one's living room.  They are, however, very comfortable.  And when placed in the zero gravity position they lead to excellent relaxation, hence, meditation and reception of awesome ideas.

The May collection of shibori dyed pieces are complete.  Most are pole wrapped.  A few are rope wrapped.  All pieces are dyed using three colors.  I love the variety. Even Highlin' is enjoying the color.  The empty bowl symbolizes the next step:  sewing a cohesive body of wearable art.

The Goal is to be Not Busy

 

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The Goal is to be Not Busy!  And still produce results. 

Step 1.  Tear all pieces of silk to be dyed in one palette of colors.  I don't like to cut out patterns so everything I make is based on tearing, pole wrap shibori dyeing and sewing.

Step 2.  Create a palette that incudes three colors.  This insures that there will be texture rhythm in all my pieces. And because there are several different combinations, there will be variety, all of which contributes to a cohesive body of work. (There's that phrase again. "body of work!"  It's always important to be striving for a body of work.  That way you never get bored, no matter what your artform.)

Step 3.  Hang up an admire your creations so that you have eternal pleasure in your art making.  This collection is based on the triad and split triad of turquoise with a little seque into the analagous colors of red and and orange

Spring Tints

A beautiful Kentucky spring 72 degree day.  Doors and windows open. Dogs asleep.  (They give me joy on our hikes in the woods.)  Wind blows pole wrapped, shibori dyed silk on the line in the screened in back porch.   Waiting to be steamed and sewn into elegant wraps and capes. Their colors blend with the newly budding trees.  Larry takes his afternoon nap in the downstairs bedroom, sun streaming through the screen.  The empty hammock on the front porch sways. Two black cats sleep beneath.  Windchimes move slightlty.  Their glass shards colliding.  Soon I will  carry the silks to my studio in the loft.  Wrap them in newsprint, place them in an old canner on the stove, cover them with towels and steam set the pale spring colors of dye.  These tints are perfect for the subtle colors spring trees, rosebuds and dogwoods.  

Where Did These Colors Come From?

I hung this shibori dyed silk devore outside to determine if it was a summer color.  That's what I was striving for.  Wanting to tone the complimentary colors, turquoise and red orange, I added a little of their compliment to each color.  Maybe the end blend leans a little towards fall, however, I think they will work just fine all summer.