Discerning

So I've been thinking a lot about how you decide what selling venues will work for you. I've been struggling lately with that dilemma. When do you give up on a possibility and when do you persevere?

I've been struggling with the prejudices that are placed on Fine Craft. More specifically, Fiber Art and even more specifically, Wearable Art. How do you keep from letting it become a personal matter when the venue does not understand the art form? When do you know that it will not work no matter what the possibilities seem to be?

My palate is my shelves of yarn. My work is with color and blending the colors to form other colors. My goal is to put color together so that when you are at a distance it reads as one but upon closer inspection you see the blending of many colors. Is this not a painterly effect?

Should the work be treated any differently than a painting? How do you handle it when it repeatedly is?

This is not Elmo, Alaska and I am not Marin Frist (you have to be a "Men In Trees" fan) but I am just asking the questions. How about it artists? Do you stick with it or when you think you can't change anything do you move on? I have trouble giving up the possibility, but at what emotional sacrifice? What are the reasons to stick with it? Just wondering!

Russell Gallery

The opening for the Russell Gallery of the Plymouth Art Guild was March 14th. The Russell Gallery is in the Old Plymouth Library which is now the Plymouth Arts Center. I have 2 pieces in the show. You can visit the work at 11 North Street in Plymouth, MA until April 25. The Gallery is open on M,W,F from 10-4.

Here are a few pictures of the Gallery and the 2 pieces I have exhibited.

Both pieces are 8 shaft weaves and the fiber used is Tencel.

If you live in or near Plymouth, stop in and see the show.

Creative Juices

Well the creative juices have started to flow again! I've been inspired by looking at my extra woven fabrics and my stash of beads, trims, buttons, etc. I've been working with creating one of a kind shrugs as I pictured in my last entry. This is allowing me to use up some fabric and get it out of it's box and into a design.

Here's my latest creation:



In looking through my stash, I rediscovered a beautiful woven trim that was made in Japan. I've used it once before on a purse but have just treasured it's beauty. I decided to hand crochet chain stitch it and add it as the trim on the shrug. I think it gives it an elegant look.



I added beads and designer buttons:


















and Voila, a finished product!






















I recently was invited to be one of the Signature Gallery Artists at the new Russell Gallery in Plymouth, MA. The opening for the Gallery is this Friday night. Sometimes it takes the pressure of getting ready for a show or exhibit that gets me going. I tend to be a deadline artist! That can be good when you are under the pressure to produce work but when the dry times come and there are no shows or exhibits it can be a curse! That's when I need to look at all the wonderful materials around me and hear their cry to be put to use.

If you live in Plymouth or near by stop by the Russell Gallery in the Old Russell Library at 11 North Street and join me Friday night at the opening from 6 - 9 pm. I have 2 handwoven pieces in the exhibit, a tencel scarf and a tencel shawl.


I hope the creative juices flow in your life!

The challenge of Adversity

Thank you to those who shared their responses to being unstuck. It is interesting to hear what works for others. Some of you are having trouble getting logged into the comment site. You need to create a user name and password before it will publish the comment. Don't forget to write it down so you can use it the next time you wish to write a comment.

One of my friends sent me this as an addition to the discussion:

"Judy - it's the same when I work with my music. I think we need to accept - and even enjoy (!) our "dry" periods. See the beauty of the desert. Only keep our eyes and our ears and our senses open during that time. Can't be creative without a pause. Even God "rested on the seventh day" (Ha - wonder where that came from!)Looks like your unstuck, judging from your latest creations!"

Good point, Ingemar!

Last night we attended the Boston Symphony Orchestra. They were superb! The guest artist was pianist Leon Fleisher who played Beethoven's Piano Concerto No.5 in E-flat, Opus 73. I had to use the program guide to write that! Leon Fleisher has overcome some physical adversities in his career. He started piano lessons at age 4 and by age 16 he made his debut with the New York Philharmonic. He was developing a wonderful career as a concert pianist when he was struck with Focal Dystonia which is a neurological affliction that rendered 2 fingers on his right hand to become immobile. He "retired" from concert playing at 37! His focus then became teaching and conducting until recently when new treatments have relieved the immobility of his fingers. He is once again playing with 2 hands.

As I think about Mr Fleisher I am struck with the thought of what it takes to overcome such adversity to continue on with a passion and talent that you have. The determination to not give up and wait out the "dry periods" can sometimes be a long road. In Mr Fleisher's case he stayed connected to his music through his teaching and conducting. But what a joy to return to his initial career when he thought it had been taken away for good! And believe me he was GREAT!!!!!!

No matter what adversities you face or dry periods that develop, here's hoping that you can carry on through those times. New things do happen even in the lost and barren times.