The Koinobori were finally delivered this morning and I’ve been feeling a kind of relief, although I still need to finish about 30 more (it really isn’t that much relatively speaking). I feel like I’m suddenly waking up to autumn even though I’ve been fully aware of the seasonal changes-the cooler temperatures and colors. Where did summer go? Suddenly Shichi-Go-San is just around the corner and it’s also time to make Nengajo. I may have to reserve Thanksgiving weekend as a time for seasonal making (along that line).
九月・Kugatsu/November
November 12, 2009 by SusanBatik koi
November 11, 2009 by Susan
They went to a recent market, but no one bought. That’s all right. I enjoyed showing them and received compliments. It was fun familiarizing myself with the wax process again and playing with dyes.
What sold were my scarves, so I have no complaints. It was a good weekend mostly due to the other vendors located next to me who were good company with conversation and stories.
Anticipation
November 11, 2009 by Susan
It is anticipation. I’ve been working toward this workshop for several months now. The image shows 500, but the total will be 540 plus a few extra. Today, the dark skies and soaking rain made a perfect day for wrapping most of this up. Tomorrow I deliver them to a nearby elementary school and on Monday the workshops begin (K-5).
I would have completed the job earlier if I had spent full days sewing, but I worked production in the mornings and left my afternoons open for personal work. I’ve read that I should be doing the opposite, as my mind is probably at its creative best in the mornings. So, that’s something I’ll be considering when when beginning my next venture.
I grew up with the work ethic: work first, play later (my dad’s words). I carried that idea around for a long time before realizing I couldn’t take that so literally (when was I going to have fun?). Sometimes though, it comes back, and maybe there are times when it’s appropriate.
This project has been a mix. It has been nothing but production, but I’ve stopped to play with the imagery along the way and that’s been fun.
Wake Forest students & Aizome
November 6, 2009 by Susan
1st Period
The image shows a little of what 1st period was like. The class was small (18 students) compared to the larger ones I’d have later. The sun was bright and instead of working in a studio or art classroom, it was a regular classroom with desks. It was the English classroom for 9th graders. The room also had a sink with warm/hot water and that made a big difference.
Class periods were short though (50 minutes, but it was probably more like 40) and I rushed to have students finish the two pieces I’d had planned. The last two classes only managed one, but that may have been more realistic. Students in the last class received more individual attention and I enjoyed the one on one encounters.
The only thing that kept me guessing was the center of attention: the indigo dye vat. I never could be sure the results were dark enough, especially with the short time factor. In the end, the pieces darkened and students loved their work.
I should also mention and commend their highly energetic and enthusiastic teacher who welcomed me into her classroom so that this event could take place. It was a bold and brave move on her part (as it was an art project, not English), since she risked having drips and splatters of indigo all around her classroom (not to mention the odor). The students were equally as enthusiastic, so the day was high energy and a lot of fun. Their pieces also turned out well in my estimation, although at this point in time, I have no other images to share – I was working.
November Arts Fest
October 27, 2009 by Susan
When I opened materials for this year’s fall event, I was surprised to see the black and white postcard as opposed to the usual in color – sign of the times I suppose. However, the important message is still there and it’s upcoming. I’ll be there with silk scarves, furoshiki and a few other items all hand dyed and in shibori.
If, by chance you are in the area, please feel free to drop by and at least come by the booth. I’d love to see you.
October workshop
October 23, 2009 by Susan
Stunning is one of many words I might use to describe the environment I’ve been in the last couple of days. There are many others and I don’t know which one describes it best. Needless to say, it was, culturally, a different environment from ones I’ve encountered before. It was delicious to say the least.
Classes in this particular situation, at this time, were small and that makes a difference in any teaching situation. As a result, I was much more at ease and informal in my approach.
I was there to introduce them to indigo dyeing, shibori and as an extra added “bonus, ” silk. If I could have toted silkworms, I would have, but I did bring along images, silk cocoons and a few hankies.
It seemed the students were very receptive to these short workshops and enjoyed the results from their brief exercises. We began with silk handkerchiefs as a warm up to the process, then moved on to the challenge of working with a larger scarf. In some cases, they were very “gymnastic” with their approach, but the results were bold and exciting (which is probably why I like working with students).
Workshop Prep
October 20, 2009 by Susan
The last couple of days have been filled with organizing, planning and packing up what I need for only 2 days, but six mini-workshops for 9th graders in a nearby high school.
It’s my first series in this school year, and like being able to start out with my favorite subject matter, aizome shibori. I also enjoy the age group, so it should be an enjoyable experience.
They’ll be introduced to the indigo dye vat working with silk scarves and handkerchiefs. This also gives me an opportunity to introduce the topic of silk production and I’m looking forward to that.
A different twist
October 16, 2009 by Susan
I found this image on a search for onishi – gargoyles and was surprised and amused by the imagery. Wouldn’t they be fun to make? I would love these on my front porch.
Elementary Batik
October 9, 2009 by Susan
I spent my morning at Artspace observing a friend teaching 5th graders the art of Batik. She’s been doing this for some years now, but the idea of teaching this with hot beeswax especially to such young students seemed daunting. It can be done, though, and Emily showed me how she does it.
She had a room with a lot of space, tables spread out so that each activity took place at a different station. Safety was top priority and the students took their activity seriously and followed through, as expected, with no mishaps. She took them through each clearly defined step in a carefully orchestrated sequence, giving the students ample time to work as needed. The students didn’t seem at all daunted by the medium and did their work with care. They were engaged in their drawing and painting and in one hour’s time, each student produced on piece measuring roughly 12 x 12 inches square.
The morning passed quickly and when I finally returned home, I realized I wasn’t tired, but refreshed. I’m sure there were many reasons for it, but mostly, I think it was the children and their creativity.
黒酢/Kurozu/Black Vinegar
October 6, 2009 by Susan
One of my many favorites on NHK is “Landscape Sounds.” I don’t always watch it right away. I capture it to savor later and sometimes it rewards. Recently the show focused on the bubbling sounds of Kurozu or black vinegar. The beginning images focused on the shokunin or “craftsmen” who tirelessly spend their time going to each individual pot of fermenting rice or barley, removing the lid from each clay pot, listening, stirring then marking it by putting a pebble on the lid.
Then, the camera pulled away from the craftsmen to reveal a landscape filled with hundreds of rows lined with heavy clay pots and the looming presence of a particular volcano in the background. The mountain, of course is Sakurajima and the prefecture where this particular vinegar is produced is Kagoshima.
Apparently, Kurozu or black vinegar has been produced in cities such as Fukuyama, Kirishima since the Edo period. It’s thought to have high nutritional value and is apparently popular in different forms throughout the country.
I don’t know whether my mother ever used it in her cooking and I doubt it was kurozu that the vendor gave me at the small, open-air, green grocer across the street when I gave her the empty vinegar bottle and asked for a refill of su or vinegar.
