nimble fingers of WGSL

In process and completed project photos from the Weavers Guild of St. Louis workshop.  Thank you ladies, I had a great time.

over dye play day: part 2b

Note to self:  Blogger seems less combative with fewer photos.  

Folding: uneven accordion folds clamped in place

Kanoco:  wrapped around glass marbles and bound with tiny cable ties.

over dye play day: part 2a

PROCESS:   When in Sulpher, OK I found a large cotton damask table cloth.  Eager to get started, I didn't launder or scour the fabric before tearing into strips and beginning the rust process.  When unwrapped, the cotton still appeared bright white with minimal rust marks.  There must have been a finish on the fabric which resisted the iron oxide.  Undaunted, I refolded and soaked the fabric in coffee and tea for several days with minimal color shift.  The still folded bundles were then simmered in walnut dye for several hours.

The bright white with iron (rust), tea, coffee, and walnut stains.

Gathering:  stitched with safety pins

Wrapping:  random gathering and bound to a pole

over dye play day: part 1

PROCESS:  rust dyed linen (pieces of deconstructed salvaged clothing) were presoaked in soda ash before dyeing.  Procion MX dyes were applied to the folded/clamped fabric then wrapped in plastic and left to "batch" for 24 hours.

TECHNIQUE 1: presoaked (soda ash bath) linen was wrapped on a 2" PVC pipe and bound with nylon cord.  MX BRONZE (medium) and (light) were applied with syringe in alternating bands.

bound and dyed

unbound, rinsed, washed, pressed and ready

TECHNIQUE 2: presoaked (soda ash bath) linen was scrunched tightly into a plastic container; ICE BLUE (light) and LILAC (medium) were applied with syringe. 

rinsed, washed, dried and steam pressed

Completed mobius scarf from rust dyed linen scrunched and over dyed with ICE BLUE and LILAC.

TECHNIQUE 3: presoaked (soda ash bath) linen was folded and clamped with metal washers then dipped in MX BRONZE (medium).

rinsed, washed, dried and steam pressed

Completed mobius scarf from rust dyed linen clamped and over dyed with MX BRONZE.

paper swap preparations

Marking making with rust from found metal objects has intrigued me for some time.  My introduction to "rust" dyeing came many years ago when a friend of a friend shared her rust and over dyed silk fabrics.  Those patterns and colors are still fresh in my memory.  Back then, I limited my experiments to the realm of paper (trying to keep focused) and was able to get some rust stains transferred by repeatedly dampening nails and letting them dry on top of some handmade paper sheets.  Any visible rust particles were brushed off and cockled papers were pressed flat.  The marks were not very dramatic so the experiment was filed under "been there, done that".

Recent trends in botanical printing and rust dyeing rekindled my rust interest.  Deconstructed linen or cotton garments are folded. wrapped, clamped then layered with objects from my "rusty" collection.  The fabric is spritzed with vinegar, covered and left to do it's thing.

cotton and linen resist dyed with rust

In preparation for the Yahoo Papermaking Group 2014 Swatch Swap, I have a rust/paper experiment in progress.  Sandwiched in plastic are dampened cotton waterleaf paper (white), a vintage metal door mat and dampened handmade paper (green daylily and aqua cotton waterleaf).  Tick, tock.  

My hope is that rust patterns will be transferred to the handmade paper.  If successful, the patterned papers will be torn into 2" x 3" swatches and sent for inclusion in this years samples.  If the experiment is not successful, there will still be time to make new paper (cotton with rust dyed linen thread waste inclusions).

Crossing my fingers and toes.

on the water

ROW, ROW, ROW

I am an avid “reader” of audiobooks while working in the studio and have read/listened to many of Columbia’s One Read selections.  It was serendipitous that my newest piece, ROW, ROW, ROW, fit the theme for On the Water, the art exhibition held in conjunction with the 2014 One Read selection, The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown.  

Congratulations to the Daniel Boone Regional Library, Columbia Art League, Columbia's Office of Cultural Affairs and Orr Street Studios for creating this exhibition opportunity, encouraging artists to be inspired by Columbia’s One Read Program and supporting their efforts with a fabulous exhibition space and delightful reception.  Thank you, thank you.  ON THE WATER is my first One Read art exhibition.  I look forward to participating in the future.

What an honor to have ROW, ROW, ROW, selected as an award winner by the judges for this exhibition.

The DBRL Blog for One Read and Orr Street Studios Blog both have more information about the exhibition and photos.

Additional comments from Lauren Williams, (Public Services Librarian and One Read co-chair).  
"As the One Read program has grown over the past 13 years, we are thrilled with the way it has evolved into a true arts event. Exploring the themes and topics of a book not only through discussions and presentations, but also music, writing and visual art, has very much enriched this program and expanded its reach. Good books foster discussion and connection, as do works of art. We are incredibly grateful to Orr Street Studios, Columbia's Office of Cultural Affairs, and the Columbia Art League for providing promotional and financial support for One Read and this year's exhibit, "On the Water." Orr Street's space is such a perfect home for this exhibit and reception, and we look forward to continuing this partnership in the years to come.
My library colleagues and I all wanted to bring home some of Leandra Spangler's boats! I like how, taken as a whole, they evoke a sense of playfulness and lightheartedness, and then on further inspection, you notice the different papers used, the words that appear, and suddenly you are embarking on a deeper exploration. Congratulations to Leandra and all of the artists who participated."

orange kitty collage quilt

ORANGE KITTY COLLAGE QUILT

Artists are always being asked to donate artwork to auction for this or that worthy cause.  Having donated my fair share over the years, it is my policy to decline, unless I have an ongoing relationship with the charity.  Recently, a friend introduced me to NO KILL COLUMBIA.  Their goal is to provide an alternative place for those outside of Boone County to bring animals for spay/neuter services.  For more information visit their website : www.nokillcolumbiamo.org 

I challenged myself to create something "pet themed" to donate through their fundraiser ART UNLEASHED.

Inspired by my 14 year old yellow striped companion, SOL, I searched my stash of "fancy" fabrics (salvaged silks from thrift store blouses) and found the oranges speaking to me.  My "style" is not pictorial, but challenge felt right and he went together more easily than expected.  The supplementary surface stitching (ears and whiskers) was really fun.  Note: this isn't free motion, but forward straight stitching.  I probably should have named him "DIZZY" because he was turned around and around with every change in direction.

This 8" x 8" silk collage on denim piece was handed off today and will hopefully be a part of getting NO KILL COLUMBIA a bit closer to their goal.