Art on The Wall, or on the Body

You  could take this hand felted, shibori painted, Kentucky alpaca and Texas merino wool down off the wall and wrap it around you.  Especially on a suddenly cool spring evening.

Investing In Art to Wear

Art is an investment.  It usually costs more that something you buy at the mall or even a local boutique.  If you have purchased a piece of my art in the past and would like to "trade up" bring it to the Kentucky Craft Market in Louisville  this week end.  And check out this link for inspiration: http://www.permacouture.org/index.html

Art to Wear and Art for the Wall

Coming soon Art for the Floor.  Shibori dyed hand-felted wool rugs.

Sewing and thinking about Mom

 Everytime I work on the sewing table I got from my mom I remember all the dresses she made for me and my sisters.  And while she always thought she wasn't an artist, she definitely had her style!

Fuchsia, hand-felted, shibori dyed, Kentucky alpaca, Texas merino and silk.

Fire Rage and Art

Use Rage.  Create raging art.  Be outrageous

New Inspiration

There's nothing like working with a bunch of artists to get inspired to create more and more wearble art.  The best thing one teacher ever said to a class was that we were prolific.  We are I thought?  I then  decided to get busy.  The second best thing I ever heard was from a man who worked in a factory.  "The way to produce results is to work to fill trams," he said, "not to finish a piece."  That meant there would  always be silk prepared to be wrapped, wrapped silk to be painted, and painted silk to be sewn. 

Art comes in many forms

To be worn, gazed upon or heard.  Shibori silk head wrap, raw silk duster, music by Larry Vogt, performed at Cross Gate Gallery, Lexington, KY

Sunset Alpaca and Merino Vest, Sold

Handfelted and shibori dyed. Now it's time to make another.  Also time to pretend it's spring and start walking the dogs three times a day.  I need that exercise!

Merino and Alpaca and Locks

I admit it.  I can't stop touching this piece or looking at it.  Now to take it to another level is the challenge.

Hiking for Color

For me, it’s all about color. After using the Shibori technique of manipulating fabric by wrapping it around a pole or rope, I always place at least three colors, or shades of one color of dye on the cloth.  The fabric resists the dye and creates a pattern.  Many of my wearable art designs consist of several strips of hand dyed fabric which have been torn and serged before sewing them together. Through this process I frequently recover memories contained in the 5/8” seam allowance I learned when my mother taught me to sew. In her own way she also taught me that the art is in the ironing.  

Some of my newest designs are created by felting alpaca and merino wool to silk before Shibori dyeing the fabric. It is my intention that My Truly Wearable art has a performative quality.  When you wear it, not only are you only one hand away from the artist, you become the art.

Currently I live in a cabin in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, hike the mountain and try to figure out how to formulate the colors I see around me.

Shibori Prayer Book

First there was writing.  

"Tell your own story," 

Adrienne Rich said.  

So I wrote.  

Then there was publish.  

"To publish is to make public," the dicitonary said.  

I began to read my work fearlessly.  

"You should take a silk dyeing class," a friend suggested.

"Then you can cover your poems with silk and your art will be come performative."  

I signed up.  

Two weeks after enrolling, 

my son had a paralyzing accident.  

"You should quit school," I said to myself.  

Myself answered, "No.  We will both learn to adapt."  

I became obsessed.  Everything became an opporturnity to make art.  

As I waited in the intensive care waiting room, 

I covered muy journal with sequins.  

I learned Shibori silk dyeing.   

Shibori is manipulating fabric, placig dye upon it and surrendering.

I surrendered.  

When I visited the capel at the hospital, 

I wrote in my journal.  

It became a prayer book, 

covered with silk.

Shibori Poetry Skirt with Taffeta Sash

Remember taffeta?  I titled this a poetry skirt because it has rhythm, texture and movement.  Just like a poem, one size fits all.  When worn, it becomes performative and you become the artist.

That Red Dress

Equally fit for the First Lady.
Design by Soreyda Begley
Shibori Silk by Laverne

Shibori and Pieced Bolero with Black Dress

I didn't mean for the dress to be so risque.

.

Think Green, Think Local

Thinking green is about more than just the type of paint an artist uses.  It's as much about the work she creates locally and sustainably, and the artists with whom she collaborates.

POETRY SKIRT DETAIL WITH MOVEMENT

First I wrote about art to move through raising teenagers when I was up late, into the wee hours of the morning.  Next I wrote about making art to move through menopause.  Now I make art to move.

Think Green, Think Spring

Wrap around mini poetry skirt with shawl

Wear art.  Make art.  Become art.  Perfomative art. 

Buy art supplies.  That way you'll have them when you need them.

Handfelted Coffee Alpapca and Merino Wrap, 40" x 47"

This morning I wrap myself in Coffee, drink mate
and ponder
do I make art to make a living
or
is making art my living simply?

Red is for Warmth

When it's 12 degrees outside and you're cold, think red!

Handfelted Shibori Merino Bags

Keep Warm on a Snowy Day

Wrap yourself in a Shibori dyed, Hand Felted with locks, Silk, Kentucky Alpaca and Texas Merino Pelt

Soreyda Laverne Shibori Gown

Art happens when collaboration occurs.
Design by Soreyda Begley
Shibori Painted Silk by Laverne Zabielski

Scarves and Shawls and Headwraps

There a many ways to wear your painted shibori wearable art; tied or wrapped or slung over your shoulder.

Painted Shibori, hand felted wool, steamed and dried. This piece will be part of a body of work, "Pelts" to be exhibited at Mary Rezny's Gallery in Lexington, KY on Novermeber 19 during Gallery Hop. Guest artists will be Laura Cox, Sarah Estes, and Soreydo Begley.

Long Red Silk

Loving Collaborating

CJ Pressma designed the collage and printed it on silk, I then shibori dyed the fabric.

Copper Painted Shibori Nuno Felted Merino

The challenge was wrapping the 10 feet of felted merino and silk on a five foot pole and then shiboi painting it so that I could get enough penetration without too much dye dripping.  Soaking it in a solution of equal parts vinegar and water with a little synthrapol seems to help the merino soak up the dye.  The question is does it dilute the color?  This piece is meant to be hung on the wall in a place where the sunset shines through the window.  It's amazing the fabric that be created on the FeltLOOM!

Danielle's Purses and Flap Sacks

I love the new flap sacks Danielle is making.  Sewing is the future I must say.  Amazing how many people do not know how to sew.  It seems like my mom always had her sewing machine out working on something.

So Many Things To Love: Today Is The First Day Of The Rest Of My Life - And I'm Hungry.

So Many Things To Love: Today Is The First Day Of The Rest Of My Life - And I'm Hungry.

Tahoe Blue, Chartreuse, Summer Copper Silks

From FeltLOOM to Shibori

My life has changed now that I have found the FeltLOOM. And my painted shibori art has never been more exciting.

Now for the first time, FeltLoom redefines Fiber Art by enabling a person to make their own fabric with chosen colors, textures, and designs quickly. Feltloom provides choices that we have never had before. It allows instant creative gratifaction for people of all ages.

You do this by placing your colored fibers and design on the FeltLOOM table placing them next to the rollers. The rollers will move the fibers and the felting needles will go up and down to create the fabric. It is instant gratificaion when your design is done quickly. It does not require traditional spinning and weaving to make fabric. The fabric is felted so it will not ravel. It can be made into things such as a jackets, scarf, rug, blanket and other innovative products. The material can be cut and sewn for fashion or other uses.

The traditonal fiber artist will take weeks to make items from scratch. This loom does not need yarn, it uses batting or loose fibers. Unlike prior fabric making, a jacket may be made from scratch in an afternoon, including making the fabric and sewing it together. It takes a half hour or less to make a scarf. We had a group use the machine and they said it is revolutionary to have this much control over the end product without any prior training. This enables an individual to see the results of their ideas instantly.

Textiles for the individual have not changed for centuries. This new FeltLOOM is a true break through. It takes the technology that industry has been using since 1890 and puts it in the hands of the people so they can create wonerful one of a kind items. This will change what people want to do and make one of a kind unique items much more plentiful.

Over 300 people have used our commercial model with great enthusiam. They always say "WOW!", I didn't know I could do this. One lady said she could truly make what was in her mind. They loved using it and some have been sold. The conumser model will be smaller but with much of the same functionality. The FeltLOOM provides a quantum leap in productivity.

First of its Kind Collection

Off to Louisville for the Kentucky Market at the Conventon Center with my truly one of a kind, first of its kind, nuno felt collection which was created from the newly patented FeltLOOM and then shibori dyed. What makes these shawls so special is the soft merino on one side and the silk, with a dash of shine, on the other side. So perfect to wrap around you on a cool night.

Fashion Function at Living Arts and Science Gallery

It was great to reconnect with the Lexington art community during Gallery Hop at the Living Arts and Science Center. My only regret is that I didn't get to make it to all the other galleries. On exhibit was my copper Shibori dyed nuno felted devore and merino wool jacket, with a handbag and head wrap. I wore an natural brown alpaca and black devore nuno felted coat with nuno felted scarf and bag, and a Shibori dyed chartreuse mini poetry skirt. (Sounds complicated) I was toasty warm.

Copper Nuno Felted Jacket

I'm off to felt more silk and wool, even though it is sooooo cold, since there are only 20 days left until the Kentucky Craft Market and I want lots of these beautiful pieces to show and sell.

Nuno Felting on the FeltLOOM

I love the little felt sheep in the background reminding me where the wool comes from that I felt onto the devore silk. So wonderful to be able to use the FeltLOOM and create such large pieces of fabric that I can Shibori dye.

Tarnished Bronze

Dyeing 1/2 sarong scarves in a new color. Tarnished Bronze.

Artsy Fashion Show December 15, 2009 8pm

Getting ready for the fashion show on December 15 at Reinbargers Brewhaus on Bardstown Rd. in Louisville, KY sponsored by http://www.louisvillefashionnetwork.ning.com

So far, these are the looks I'm focusing on plus I will bring a few more.