material pleasures -- a closer look

Orr Street Studios Facebook page says, "Come see this magical exhibition, that is sure to become known as one of the best in Orr St. Studios' history. One visitor to the gallery shared, "This exhibition is so beautiful, it makes me weep." Truly, this is one you do not want to miss. 

Have a chance to meet and chat with the many artists who make up Material Pleasures, drink some wine (or some of our famous crystal light!), eat some nibbles and stroll through Orr St. Studios.

 Material Pleasures is a Fiber arts exhibition curated by Leandra Spangler for Orr Street Studios. Featuring the work of Bonnie Ahrens, Rebecca Douglas, Janet Ghio, Laurie Harper, Ann McGinity, Barbara Overby, Carol Ann Parker, Debbie Prost, Amy Schomaker, Vicki Smith, Leandra Spangler, Jo Stealey, Ruth Walker, Jennifer Wax, Victoria Weaver and Carol Zeman."  

The opening reception is this evening, August 15, 2014 from 6-8 pm.  We hope to see many long time and new friends.  In case you are unable to attend in person, the photos below will help you enjoy the MATERIAL PLEASURES experience.

FAULT LINES by Debbie Prost

FAULT LINES detail

LEANING TOWARDS THE LIGHT by Rebecca Douglas

IN MOTION by Ann McGinity

UP THE TRAIL by Rebecca Douglas

SNARKY by Carol Ann Parker

LOST IN VENICE by Jennifer Wax

LOST IN VENICE detail

NOTHING IS WHAT IT SEEMS TO BE by Barbara Overby

SKY FLOWER by Vicki Smith

ON THE WINGS OF PRAYER by Carol Zeman

TIME ON THE RIVER by Ann McGinity

HIPPIE DIPPY FARM by Janet Ghio

LICHEN LADDER by Barbara Overby

BEASTIES: GUARDIANS OF VIRTUE by Carol Zeman

ROW, ROW, ROW by Leandra Spangler

ROW, ROW, ROW detail

MANTLES by Jo Stealey

MANTLES detail

MEXICAN MEDITATIONS I and II

MEXICAN MEDITATIONS II detail

NAPKIN STUDY II by Jo Stealey

CASS by Victoria Weaver

CASS detail

THE CENTER HOLDS by Debbie Prost

SUMMER DAYDREAMS by Janet Ghio

GIL by Amy Schomaker

TROPICAL SWIMMER by Bonnie Ahrens

WHO ME?  by Ruth Walker

what have I been doing?

I make regular informative, insightful and often clever contributions to this blog.  The disparity is between thinking about and actually writing them down.

It has been over six months since my last actual post.  During that time I have traveled, made proposals for exhibitions (been accepted and rejected), attended art receptions (mine and others), installed and deinstalled exhibitions, entered juried exhibitions (been accepted and rejected), attended the Missouri Fiber Artists conference (and two board meetings), taken a workshop and curated an exhibition.

MATERIAL PLEASURES is an exhibition of contemporary fiber art hosted by Orr Street Studios gallery space at 106 Orr Street, in Columbia, MO.  

photo from February after initial meeting to discuss the exhibition

Orr Street Studio Gallery Hours:

THURSDAY 12-3 PM

FRIDAY 12-3 PM

SATURDAY 12-3 PM

SUNDAY 10 AM -1 PM 

timless fiber @ third degree glass in st. louis

TRUSSWORTHY (left) and RUBESCENT (right) have been juried into Timeless Fiber 2012 @  Third Degree Glass Gallery in St. Louis.  The Weavers Guild of St. Louis and Third Degree Glass are collaborating for the second year to present a juried exhibition of contemporary fiber art.

From my artist statement:

TRUSSWORTHY is a columnar form of twined reed covered with highly textured cotton handmade paper.  Connecting with the past, the surface is embellished with “women’s” stuff, which I found in my grandmother’s sewing machine drawers.  Many of these things are now, thankfully, considered “vintage”.

RUBESCENT is a columnar form of twined reed covered with highly textured cotton handmade paper.   The surface is “expanded” by cutting through the woven reed wall “exposing” an interior of glass beads.  While stitching the beads, I was reminded of pomegranates and corn, both symbols of prosperity and fruitfulness.

forever

Families  grow and change.

A gift to honor my mother, FOREVER hangs in the newly renovated community center of Lenior Woods Senior Community.  LA FAMILIA was reimagined, redesigned and remade to become FOREVER.

My mother is one of three daughters in a family of five.  I am one of three daughters in a family of five.  My son has a family of five.

FOREVER, five individual and unique forms, reference, overlap, surround and snug with each other, like a family.  

the new family

La Familia Nueva

Five Januarys ago, my first grandchild was born.  LA FAMILIA NUEVA celebrates that joyous occasion.  It also bookmarks a subtle shift in my work; from sculptural basketry to sculptural forms with openings using basketry materials.  This slight change in approach creates significant design opportunities, as the forms are no longer “required” to stand up straight or have an opening at the top. 

These long reed structures began by experimenting with open twining and creating a pointed beginning and ending.  Highly textured handmade paper of black denim sheathed the forms and openings were placed in non-traditional places.  

Although conceived to rest, support and cuddle one another, they appear differently with each exhibition.   In one exhibition, they hung on the wall.