Category: Indigo Dreams

Posted in "Rosehips", in progress, Indigo Dreams, Moons, Probably talking to just myself

“torn between two lovers”

Posted on by arlee

8-moonI continue. And continue. And continue.

I’m reminding myself that the intended audience cares nothing for or about my “serious” work, that they want “pretty” or “interesting” for a reasonable price, and no one can blame them for that. The aim after all, of a Christmas Market is to get something into someone else’s hands for gift giving, and to get a few dollars in your own pocket. How can i complain about that? When i made “wearable art” in the 90’s that was my ONLY concern: i *didn’t* want things hanging about the Stoodio, or it was wasted materials, time and effort. The big problem really is that i committed late to the endeavour, giving myself only 37 days to get enough work together………..I blame ME for all of this then……The Financial Me says GO GO GO, and the Artist Me is dragging her heels and whining.

“Next year, i’ll start earlier for Christmas.” I *do* have an 11tybajillion ideas for that, so we’ll see what percolates up from the wells then. And all complaining aside, i like these efforts, BUT..

 

I keep staring at this, currently pinned to a design wall, trying out things in my mind, jotting notes, holding my breath.

autumn-languishingI’m reminding myself it will all be “over” at the end of Nov 19, and i can return to this and other new work, with copious ideas, plans and colourways, motifs and techniques.

Snivel snivel snivel.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PS Fabrics are on sale in the shop–winter clear out time!   <——That’s a link 🙂

Posted in Indigo Dreams, Jam Day, Moons

lost on a moon

Posted on by arlee

moon-oct-4Only a little more to do, including adding that flash of gold from rhubarb root dyed thread. These silks glow on the indigo cotton, and my flower loving side (i *am* in the business after all 🙂 ) is very happy with the prettiness. I say “lost” too, as in i am quite taken with the look and the progress, though i can’t wait to start on the middle sections!

It being the week leading to Canadian Thanksgiving, i shall have to snatch five minutes at a time when and where i can, so into my purse it goes. We’re also expecting snow, so i’m not sure how much stitch will be added on bus and train benches!

Posted in Indigo Dreams, Jam Day, Moons, Not so ordinaries

a jam *and* jelly day

Posted on by arlee

The Big Work is chugging very very slowly in the background, and i decided to show less of that as i go through the making. How many shots of two more inches done can i show and keep anyone but myself captivated? 🙂

In the meantime, i am playing with smaller pieces, no pressure, no grand plans, just embroidery for the sheer fun and joy of it, a Jam Day.

larger-moon-start
Wait until you see what’s going in the middle of this one though 🙂 (And sorry–REAL camera battery is charging, and phone camera is pain in the bazotski as usual…)

I’m also making grape jelly today, from 25 pounds of grapes i scored for a riDICULOUS price from a local gardener. And keeping me company is Mr SixToes (Cosmo), a good sign as he’s spent most of his time so far, under my stoodio table. He’s also quite a pig about food, so that’s another good sign that his mouth is healing nicely!

 

jelly-companion-b

jelly-companionAnd Greyman is such a chicken. So far, he hasn’t told his mother that Cosmo is NOT coming back to her house. Instead we are “keeping him for a couple of weeks so he can get all his meds and check up properly.” She doesn’t deserve him, he’s MINE now, with his growly little meow and quiet ways.

Posted in Contextural Fibre Arts Co-operative, Indigo Dreams, Leighton work

Blue Moon, Leighton Suite Blue done

Posted on by arlee

Done. Round and round i went, round and round it goes and glows.

Leighton Blue Moon

Except for the last bits of stretching the smaller moons to canvases, and signing the big moon, i can now say that my Leighton Suite Blue work is DONE.

Leighton Suite Blue

This is the first time i have done a deliberate series, with work based on each previous piece, and the first (and probably only) based on responses to another artist’s work, and i’m pleased with the cohesiveness of the pieces. I don’t know that the original Marion Nicholl work will be visible during the exhibit, but hopefully, there will be some reference to it, so that the audience can see the antiphon i intended. The whole process, in photos, sketches and ramblings can be found here.

With the deadline of July 30th, i’m well ahead of the game, and ready to move on to new work!

Posted in Ecoprints and Natural Dyes, Indigo Dreams, Residency 2016

day 6, and inspiration from the past

Posted on by arlee

I’m not getting miles of yardage done this year, but i’m quite happy with the results.

Day 6

4 seasons

Indigo, of course. Only one clamp resist effort, as my overheated body could manage only that at the end of my day there yesterday………..And not clamped tight enough obviously, but WTH, i’ll add something else to it.

indigo day 6

Quite frankly, i’ve grown bored of ecoprinting BUT, FB pulled a reminder up in my feed yesterday, and seeing this again, it does inspire. A detail from “padded Cell: Boro’d Time” (2011), it is quite lovely.

do it againAnd i just happen to have been given a pile of peony leaves the boss saved for me at the fffFlower Mines.

(I’m also quite jealous of some of the results by others :), but haven’t had the wherewithal yet to try the addition of natural dyes during the process. Maybe i’ll have a self-directed workshop sometime this summer with that technique. I did last week buy a metal colander for use in steaming, so best use it to justify spending the coin!)

Day 7 of the residency won’t be until Monday. The Day Job looms for the next three days, today included, and we have plans to escape to the mountains on the weekend for “de-compression” time. Maybe i can collect some interesting leaves 🙂