What I learned with the last two "lunch time" projects.

So, as you know, lately, I've been doing some handwork concurrently with my other work - ever since I did Last Fall In Spring, I've been kind of bitten by the handwork bug.

Although it seems very unlikely that I'll ever be an embroiderer in the traditional sense and similarly unlikely that I'll be a thread-painter like Monika Kinner-Whalen, nevertheless, there are elements of each of these types of work that I'd like to incorporate in my own.

'Cuz, as it turns out I *do* like hand stitching (a no longer gasp-worthy statement although this time last year, it seemed more likely I'd fly to the moon); and I'd also like to incorporate some elements of other traditional kinds of embroidery: silk ribbon and tatting (pieces within the context of a larger piece), and I'm quite intrigued by blackwork and stumpwork (the former is particularly appealing).

And...

WIP Wednesday

Oh, now THIS is oh so familiar.

Let the hand-stitching begin!

America Now: Walking While Black at The Art of Justice

If you are in Maryland, please do go and see "The Art of Justice" at the Mount Rainer Artists Loft Gallery.

My piece, "America Now: Walking While Black" is there along with many fine artsists' works - all on the them of art as a weapon of change. 

My apologies to those in the area who could have gone to the reception, but I do hope you'll go and see the show, which runs utnil September 8, 2013.



Up next...

Now that the rush for the shows are over, I can think about what I actually *want* to make, in what little time I have. My inclination is to rush in and start making - but that's never a good idea (lol) and also, make what? 

I have two new series I want to start, I want to continue work on the Whitewashed series, I want to make some more birds for Taking Flight, and maybe start a butterfly series in the same size; I have two challenge pieces for Group of Eight to make, a piece to start and construct in secret for hopeful entry into next year's Quilt National (they do the entries a year in advance, right? Or is it some other big show that's biannual that I'm thinking of? Anyway - the super secret piece for *that* show lol); I want to continue work on my abstract studies, and when, exactly, am I going to start that children's book?

Er, what was I talking about again? lol

So, given all that, I think it's best if I take a moment and just have a play, breathe, think about where my heart wants to go. So, I pulled out a disperse dye piece that I made last year (my method here) and decided to finish it. 

Hiraeth at the Show...

Sheila Frampton-Cooper went to International Quilt Festival at Long Beach and was kind enough to take some pictures of Hiraeth at the show...

I won't share them all with you, but as an artist, it was exciting to see it in situ...

and fun to see people examining the details. :)

Strange Fruit: Stand Your Ground

(picture is clickable for detail)

This piece is my response to the Trayvon Martin trial.  Because of course, it was Trayvon who was on trial, not George Zimmerman.

I can't actually say much about the results of the verdict - even now, as I type this - my eyes are filling with tears. It hurts too much, it feels too big, I cannot yet articulate my fear for my sons, who are young Black men, or my hurt at the response to the verdict. 

But if you are familiar with the song "Strange Fruit", a strangely beautiful song about lynching in the American South; you will understand why I associate the Stand Your Ground laws in Florida and elsewhere, with the song - as those laws have borne much strange fruit. 

Making progress on the August lunch time project

The project has developed its own momentum now. Even as recently as last Friday, I wondered if I would get it done in time for it to be my "August" project, but now it looks like it may be finished by this Friday.  

It may have something to do with one of the pieces I rust dyed on the weekend - it's going to be a new hand project and it's singing me a siren song!

But in the meantime, here are some more process pics...

Textile Art Festival at Lang Pioneer Village.

BSP and I were casting about for something to do this weekend, so I googled "Ontario fibre art festivals" and found one at LANG PIONEER VILLAGE. 

Well of course, as soon as we found out it was Lang Pioneer Village, in the Hamlet of Lang on Lang Road we were decided where we were going!

Opening Reception TONIGHT: Broad Changes

Opening Reception: Friday August 16th, 6-10PM
Chicago, IL—The HumanThread Center at the Bridgeport Art Center proudly presents
Broad Changes: Women of Social Justice. 

Exhibition Concept: The word "broad" is a feisty reference to women; when combined with "changes," it implies a double meaning, since broad can mean big. This term used in our title aligns with the definition from Womanwords: A Dictionary of Words about Women (1985) by feminist Jane Mills, where she defines BROAD as, "a woman who is liberal, tolerant, unconfined and not limited or narrow in scope."

Opening Night Reception: Bridgeport Art Center, Friday August 16th, 6-10pm.

BAC: 1200 W. 35th Street, Chicago, IL 60609 (Enter on North Side off of Racine/34th).

312.646.0627

Birth I

So, why abstracts?

The answer is simple, if perhaps a bit goofy. 

Birth II

When I first conceived of this I thought it was wonderful. Simple, yet it conveyed (I thought) what I was trying to say. 

When it was done, I really didn't like it. Felt like tossing it across the room, actually.  Now, several days later, I feel more kindly towards it - the quilting has changed it - I knew it would - but in a way I didn't foresee.

BSP LOVES it, which has helped contribute to my feeling more kindly towards it.  I forget that as with everything, I have to  learn how to work this way. 

Another finished abstract on Friday.

Till then!

Trying my hand at some abstracts again...

This is a little peek of the first one... the fully monty after the jump:

Phew!

12 hour day at day job, one hour with Beloved Spouse, 3 hours in the studio.

Was gonna have a look at what's new in the world, but find I am too tired... I leave you with something that could be a pile o'crap.

Or it could be a gathering of beautiful swaths of silk.

OR....

Packing and shipping ohhhhhhhh my!

Since I left you last, I've been busy packing pieces. 

Bubble wrap, tissue paper, paper labels, cloth bags, plastic bags.

Cloth labels, thread clipping, lint rolling, oh boy!

But I'll done. For this week.  PHEW.  ;)

Lord Simcoe

Today is a Monday long weekend here - known as "Simcoe Day".

Today we celebrate (or give thanks!) for Lord John Simcoe.

He was a pretty cool dude, with an interesting military, political and judicial career. He introduced trial by jury, the basis of modern courts and established the City of York - later known as the City of Toronto.

The coolest thing he ever did though?  He abolished slavery in Upper Canada.  Thanks Lord Simcoe! It's celebrate *you* day!

Enjoy your Monday, I'll see you on Wednesday!

Reconstruction and renewal...and appearing soon!

These are two works that were made for a show last year about this time, that are going to be exhibited at the end of the month at a new show in Chicago (deets to follow). I am updating this one by adding more current information as sadly, legislation against womens' bodies continues:

"America Now: Written On The Body" (c) 2012 Kit Lang

And improving this one:



"Incendiary: Marie-Joseph Angelique" (c) 2012 Kit Lang

(I think she needs more fire, don't you?)

In addition, I just found out tonight that this piece on Trayvon Martin:

"America Now - Walking While Black " (c) 2012 Kit Lang

Will be exhibited in a new show, also at the end of the month, again, deets to follow..

And that's in addition to the show at 10 Carden that I have been working towards for the last couple of months where I will be showing a lot of my old work, along with four new pieces for a group show with Group of Eight.

Also, also:

"Hiraeth" (c) 2013 Kit Lang

is currently hanging at International Quilt Festiveal, Long Beach.

Apparently, it's show time!