More about inspiration

While I am talking about inspiration, I just want to mention a little book that I find invaluable, particularly when I feel a bit discouraged or insecure about what I am doing. It is called "Art & Fear, Observations On The Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking" by David Bayles and Ted Orland. Nothing better than reading a couple of pages to put things back into perspective and regain enthusiasm. For example, on page 3: "Artmaking involves skills that can be learned. The conventional wisdom here is that while "craft" can be taught, "art" remains a magical gift bestowed only by the gods. Not so. In large measure becoming an artist consists of learning to accept yourself, which makes your work personal, and in following your own voice, which makes your work distinctive."
I think anybody who works in any kind of creative endeavor should have it on their bookshelf!

Inspiration?

On the days I cannot actually work with thread and needle because other duties call, or on those days when my mind seems to have lost every creative cell, I like to walk around my yard because I am bound to find something there with so much beauty that I will feel invigorated and my creativity restored. Right now, the irises are blooming and it is such a treat. What wonderful color and texture inspiration for future fabric dyeing and stitching!

Auction at Christie's

I had mentioned the auction of some textile pieces from Sheila Paine's collection at Christie's and I just looked at the auction results. You can see them too at
http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/searchresults.aspx?entry=islamic+art+and+textiles&searchtype=p#action=paging&entry=islamic+art+and+textiles&searchtype=p&pg=7

and see photos (with close ups) of the pieces sold. This is when I wish I were wealthy! Some of these pieces are just incredible. Some were ikat coats with the most intricate patterns. I still can't even begin to imagine how an artist can visualize the pattern and what needs to be tied for the different dye baths to get the pattern to come out properly once woven.

Oregon trip

I just came back from teaching in Oregon and had a wondeful time meeting with two great quilting guilds and making new friends. It was also very exciting for me to visit this part of the country since I had never been quite this far west. My European mind is still flabbergasted by the expense and landscapes and, flying from Phoenix to Eugene with clear skies, the view below was quite breathtaking!

I am always on the lookout for trees since they provide so much inspiration both in what they represent and their textures and shapes and I did see some lovely ones.

I also had a chance to walk around Eugene some and visited some beautiful galleries and stores in the "5th street market" district. I went into a embroidery and needlepoint store, Mindy's Needlepoint Factory, and thought I had just gone to heaven! I also was very impressed with Opus6ix Gallery on West Seventh Avenue (www.opus6ix.com). It is a beautiful space, the art is gorgeous (I saw the work by sculptor Ellen Tykeson and I fell in love with it) and the friendly greeting and conversation with the lady who was there that day made me feel very welcome.

New work

I have just finished the newest piece in my "Offerings" series. This one is called "Where the power is". I have not had a chance to have it professionally photographed so these few snapshots are its first public appearance. Since I have started working on this series almost a year ago, I have had several pieces critiqued by art professionals and the comments and suggestions I received have been invaluable and have helped me improve my concept. I feel so lucky to be able to get these critiques.

It has been an exciting time with lots of ideas coming into my mind. It also has been quite often painful and uncomfortable because, since the design for each piece is different, I have to solve new "technical" problems each time and am never sure that when I put all the pieces together they will work. When I feel discouraged and think that I am wasting my time, I try to put things back in perspective and tell myself that first of all, even if it does not work all I lose is some time and second, that usually even a problem seems to completely block the way, if I give it enough

time a solution will most likely come to my mind....and the most surprising is that it usually does!

A wonderful exhibit

I was fortunate to be in Durhan, NC over the weekend. Artist Hollis Chatelain had a special exhibit of 10 of her textile pieces on display in the Duke University chapel. What an incredible setting for these magnificent quilts. If you are not familiar with Hollis's technique and her work, visit her website (www.hollisart.com). The exhibit at Duke will be over tomorrow but it will be travelling to other venues and if you are close by, do not miss it!

Sheila Paine's textile collection

I was just listening to the news and heard a story about Sheila Paine, who has collected embroidered textiles for many, many years, particularly in countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan and West African countries. Some of these textiles are going to be auctioned at Christie's tomorrow. It also turns out that Mrs. Paine has written a number of books on embroidered textiles from around the world. Can't wait to get my hands on one of them. I think that listening to the stories this lady has to tell would be a fascinating thing too.

Welcome to my blog

This is indeed an adventure, not in the world of fabrics, threads and beads where I am comfortable but in the cyberworld. We shall see how it goes.
This is part of the new series I have been working on. It is a lot of fun but also brings a lot of anxiety as I have to solve so many proplems, learn so many new things and, after spending hours and hours working, hope it all comes together ok.
They say that to grow as an artist you have to constantly push your limits....I guess I am growing!