Indigo in the Blue Ridge Mts.

Blue Ridge mts.

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

How long has it been since I’ve been in the mountains? I cannot really remember…but as usual, I was reflecting again on that faraway place. It doesn’t really take much, especially in summer.

We (my family) used to take August for a month in the mountains (Japan) nearly every summer (in childhood). We had a small rustic cabin in the woods, on Lake Nojiri. There were cooling breezes, insect song, muddy paths along a rice paddy (somewhere in there), fogs that rolled in on the lake and much, much more. I was looking forward to similar when we went up to Glendale Springs.

It wasn’t quite the same, of course, but evenings were pleasantly cool with thick fog and it rained nearly everyday. I missed the beetles and cicada, although we had some fat bumblebees.

To be able to mix those memories with indigo worked just fine. It was grand, actually.  Many, many thanks to our hosts and fabulous participants.

Resistance is futile…

ResistOriginally uploaded by SOFennell

Yep. That’s what one student said…it’s all true. Give in and do it…that is to say…do that “aizome” (indigo) thang! I mean really.

That’s how I’m feeling today after a weekend in the mountains working with 7 students and Janine as my assistant, manager, and co- teacher (although she doesn’t see it that way).

I’m just taking a few minutes before running off to Artspace this a.m. to comment. Links and images are “popping up” on my horizon…can’t really ignore or just wait until later to comment.

It was a relaxing, refreshing weekend with a lot of inventive, innovative people. They took the ideas and ran with them. That’s what you want to see.

summer inspiration

itajimeOriginally uploaded by SOFennell

I hope the image will provide a little spark. The season for workshops is here. Indigo seems to love the summer heat and humidity and July is a perfect time for learning about it (and of course, shibori!).

My youth class at Artspace is fast filling up, but there’s still room in the weekend workshop for adults later in the month. It isn’t too late to sign up.  All information & links are on my “Upcoming Workshops” page.

There’s also the workshop at the Florence Thomas Art School in Glendale Springs, NC. Both Janine LeBlanc (Gregg Museum) and I will be teaching the characteristics of the indigo vat and aspects of shibori there.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

cold water indigo

cold water indigoOriginally uploaded by SOFennell

 ”A Greener Indigo” about Barbara Shapiro’s work with a non-toxic, environmentally friendly vat, in this summer’s Fiberarts magazine naturally drew me. So, recently, I made up a small vat and have begun experimenting with it.

I’m sure it has its contexts, as I’m finding.   I was lukewarm at first.  This image is a detail from a piece of fabric that was sitting in my garage for quite some time – waiting for the right dye to “appear” – and I think it finally did.

It’s tempting to take the same ingredients down to Beaufort this coming weekend. I wonder what the participants there would make of it?

Gratitude

1296Originally uploaded by SOFennell

Some amazing people went way beyond the call in cleaning up the aftermath of this workshop. This picture is only a suggestion…they said they had fun (me too!). I am indebted! Many, many thanks for all the help and conversation after. Delightful.

Indigo & Shibori Workshop in Beaufort, NC

Indigo over Black on rayon

Shibori~~~ Indigo dye workshop at the Beaufort Art Center:

Update:  I’m noticing some traffic on this page so wanted to add a  note at the top – if you are interested but only available for a day – we can be flexible along that line as well. Just contact us. We still have room!

What you need to know:
Raleigh artists Susan Oliver Fennell and Janine LeBlanc will hold their third two-day indigo dye workshop at the Beaufort Art Center, 204 Turner Street, Beaufort, NC on Saturday, July 16th from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday, Sunday July 17th from noon to 5 pm.

Indigo dyeing has been practiced all over the world for hundreds of years. Its characteristic blue color can range from a pale sky blue to nearly black and is still used to dye denim jeans.

In this workshop, participants will use a traditional Japanese approach to transforming fabric using stitching, binding, capping, pole wrapping and clamping. We will use a slow and meditative approach to the design and preparation of a piece of fabric to be used for a specific project — an article of clothing, fabric for a garment, quilt or tablecloth. The fabric will first be dyed a solid color using Procion MX dye and then over dyed and discharged using indigo. Participants can either bring their own fabric or contact the workshop leaders for suggestions. No previous dyeing or sewing experience is necessary.

Susan spent her formative years in Japan and brings a deep understanding of Japanese culture. She has taught both Japanese language and indigo dyeing in Wake County schools, as well as Shibori workshops for Elementary School teachers.   Janine brings her experience from her work with Japanese textiles at the Gregg Museum of Art and Design at NCSU.

To register for the workshop, call 252-622-8416 and leave a message or e-mail art.beaufort.center@gmail.com. The workshop is limited to 10 participants with a minimum of six. Please reserve your space by registering before July 10th. Cost is $115 which includes the cost of the dyes (the fee changes with those wanting a 1 day experience).

For additional information about the workshop:
contact Janine at 919-881-8330 or jleblanc33@earthlink.net.
Photos of Susan’s work can be found at www.susanfennellstudio.com.

Since I last posted about the workshop, you might note that the date has been moved forward a week.

pointed arches & ribbed vaults

DukeOriginally uploaded by SOFennell

The visit to Duke Chapel left me feeling breathless – there’s no other way to describe it. I don’t have the words. I didn’t expect the pipe organ and it filled the chapel.

Then again, those arches and vaults – shades of art history – they are stunning examples.

I was there to see the library actually, and it was a practice run – and it was a good thing to have done. I’m unfamiliar with both Durham and Duke campus and it was well worth having made the visit.

In a few weeks indigo dye vats will be set up in the library and that exotic blue will be introduced to roughly 30 – 40 elementary school teachers. We hope they’ll be so taken with it, they’ll want to take the experience back to their classrooms.

Appeasing the spirits

scarf detail

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

After getting a little spooked on our arrival, I thought maybe we’d better take a few precautions. Before entering the “establishment” for serious work, I asked their permission, but also let them know we were there for a purpose. When we left, I thanked them.

The property butts up to a pre-civil war cemetery with only a chain link fence separating the two properties. The building dates back to 1845, so I’m sure there is some spirited activity to be considerate of. Better safe than sorry. I hope they felt curious and protective instead of mischievous. At any rate, the workshop seems to have gone satisfactorily. There was a lot of playful, whimsical experimentation that showed that the term shibori has many implications. There were a lot of surprising results.

The indigo spirit was also kind to us. Even though it wasn’t a natural dye, I still felt like it had those ‘living’ (ikiru) properties and so needed to be respected. The vat was strong until the end giving us good color depth.

When we return, I think some kind of ritual may be in order to continue a good relationship with those ghostly inhabitants, whoever they may be. In any case, I’ll prepare with that in mind.

Meredith Shibori Workshop

Meredith scarves3

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

Sunday afternoon I went back to Meredith to see the workshop results. By now they’ve been graded, I’m sure each received an A.   Some were also selected to be in an upcoming spring exhibit on resist.

Meredith College

The results

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

I can’t believe it, but it has been 4 years since giving a workshop at Meredith College. It goes without saying, it’s an all time favorite place. I’ll be back tomorrow and am really looking forward to it.

It’s a 2 day workshop and of course, the topic is Indigo and Shibori.

Tools are packed, but there are still a few last minute things to attend to.  I’ll take care of them after my afternoon cup of tea.

Maybe I should also mention that my pre-reduced vat lasted until today.  I managed one scarf and was then was really weak for a second try.  I was surprised  not to get more out of it, but I didn’t work with it at all yesterday when it was stronger and would have liked to do so.   I’ll save the vat as Glennis recommends and “bring it back” over the weekend.