Posts Tagged ‘process’

the 寿・kotobuki piece

May 29, 2014

Last week was a kind of week off, at least from making. Some time went into the yard and garden .

Argentine Sage

Argentine Sage

This one attracts the hummgingbirds and I think it goes without saying why it grows in my garden.

Earlier, I showed a piece in progress and deliberated over whether it should be dyed in my home studio or in class. Since it was a reference to the Fukusa in the Gregg’s current exhibit, it simply made sense to dye it in class.

Fukusa (Gregg)

Fukusa (Gregg)

Kotobuki

Kotobuki

Shown above is the fukusa and my reference to it – in its current state. Currently, I’m considering the next step in its development. As one can see, I used mokume to shape the kanji 「寿」・kotobuki・long life, as opposed to using the kanoko pattern (realistically an impossibility). It didn’t turn out as expected, but it can be read and that may be adequate for this context and the next.

It took exactly one week from start to this point (Sunday to Sunday). That included drawing an image template and transferring it to the cloth, stitching (the mokume pattern) which took most of the week, and finally dyeing it on the second day of the workshop. For the present, it will “cure” until it’s ready for completion.

So, as the narrator of my current ドラマ (dorama) says 「ごきげんよう!  Gokigenyō!」Go well (in good spirits)! Adieu!

Seaside mindset

January 6, 2010
Image


Detail 1

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

Originally, the plan was to go to the beach for a few days, but things didn’t work out. As things have gone, it’s probably wiser to have stayed home. Still, I’ve kept that mindset, put most of the usual daily aside (with a few exceptions), and continued working on a project that needs completing.

I’ve needed to stop the usual prep and production for one. While I do a lot of thinking during that period, working with needle and thread in a different way seems to have allowed my mind to wander along “that” path again. It has given me time to “play” and think about the memories and other associations, past and present connected with the imagery in this small book.

I suppose I should also make it clear that my mind wasn’t “swinging on a swing” or off riding a bike somewhere.  If those things provide a respite though, maybe…if it helps to take one to that other path.  I’ve needed that other path this week, to travel to other places, if only in my mind and that hesitant needle and wandering thread took me there.

A friend told me recently that you have to let the piece speak to you. I wondered if it would, or would I hear it when it did, or would I understand the message?   I wondered about all of that and hoped something would happen and it seems that things are flowing and that is affirming.


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