window to spring

window to spring

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

At the moment I’m waiting for the sun to do its job, warming things up a degree or two. It would help take the edge off.

Yesterday, it didn’t reach 50 and it was just fine. The birds and squirrels were busy in their activity and I even experienced a few insects (at least not the biting kind).

Today should even be more inviting, but there’s an edge this morning. I was at the sink rinsing a few items that had been through the vat yesterday and will need a few more dips today. At least, that’s the goal.

The work may even extend into tomorrow. it depends on today’s results and it’s likely. Nothing like a bit of spring sky though.

summer prep

summer prep

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

Actually, it’s been on my mind for some time – and good thing there’s still some for prep. I submitted the process last fall, but when it comes down to the specifics, I still need to plan further. It’s only because I like to change things a bit every year.

So, now it’s time to draw up that supply list for Artspace and I really need to know how much fabric and other supplies I’ll need. So, I’m walking through it – making a sample piece or two. If the kids don’t rise to it, we can make adjustments. I like to see what they can do or want to.

We’ll be together for a week in the afternoons (rising 3rd – 5th grade). I need to post class information on my workshop page – haven’t done so as yet.

At any rate, the kids need to be engaged (at least that’s the goal!) and that’s my challenge.

Baku II

Baku II

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

This is the second in a growing series of explorations in Baku imagery. I suppose it could expand into a general Yokai series. I’m not sure. It would definitely work.

Baku are complicated creatures as they are composites of several animals, the lion, elephant, rhinoceros and ox. I think that’s it.

Although from the many different images I’ve seen you’d never really know. I often think my dogs are rather “baku-ish.” They often provide me with inspiration.

As I said earlier, “complicated” – the imagery, the form itself and the question of approach is that way. A second go ’round with this same image with a different approach is tempting.

I have a third sketch of one, but not sure I’ll use it. While I need to move on to the next, it may be a while before it’s completed – summer perhaps. There are other projects being worked on simultaneously and it just takes time. I have to be patient.

at the vat again

Indigo 1Originally uploaded by SOFennell

I must say, the day started well with sunshine and hope. I made a note to myself to do some yard work in the afternoon. I met most of my goal for the morning.  The vat was giving good color, those ‘garments’ were lining up nicely on the clothesline, but it wasn’t long before feeling a few drops in the air.

It was raining by lunchtime. So much for those afternoon plans. Tomorrow we’re apparently welcoming winter for the day again. A day off wouldn’t be a bad thing.

There are a few other projects wanting my attention and a couple of good books.

swatches

swatches

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

The sun did not come out to play today – disappointing. Still, I was able to reach the few goals I was working toward – to get at least half the run (pants) complete (which I did) and the other half ready for completion tomorrow.

I also took small breaks and unbound the small swatches I stitched up over the weekend and earlier in the week. These are lighter fabrics than my usual and I wondered how they would take stitching – some stitches. Then there was the element of the dyeing.

There are still some questions and further stitching. These pieces have given me some of the information I needed – not unhappy with the results!

Tomorrow: back to the pants, but progress is good and I’ll work quickly.

weather watching

This is today’s challenge.  So far, I’ve been fortunate and managed some morning work.  The wind helped to  diminish the drips on the pants I’ve been working with since last week. It’s all I can manage in this strange winter weather. I met my morning’s goal though – an arbitrary one for myself.

The drying has to take place in the dye studio.  So the “pieces” are there now and hope it won’t be too many days before they’re completely dry.

It has been balmy (in the low 70s) these last couple of days – a huge change since last week’s ice – typical of the area generally.   It has made it so much easier to work and I’ve been productive.  A few more days like this interspersed would ease things a bit.  Tomorrow We move back towards winter and I feel a little mixed about it.  It is winter after all.

In the meantime, things to ponder…what will I do with the order of vintage Japanese silk (via Richard & Glennis) that arrived today?  It’s lovely stuff.

a winter’s day in the studio

Winter seems to want to spend time with us this year.  The last few days have been chilly, but today the air has had a touch of bitterness with wind.  It has added challenges to some surprising and serendipitous custom work that was delivered to the dye studio on Tuesday morning.

It has been cold outside, but in the studio, even though it’s unheated, in the warmth of the sun, it’s just fine.  Layering up in warm clothes, hat and scarves, hands in warm indigo – I’m good!

Last night though, in an attempt to keep work inside, huge puddles formed on the floor in spite of layering plastic and blanketing drop cloths.  I had no idea the pieces would drip so much.

So today I resorted to the outdoor clothesline again despite the temps.  It hasn’t been so bad.  At least the drips are outside and later the pieces will continue drying in the studio.  Tomorrow we may be experiencing more of ‘that’ precipitation.  Winter doesn’t last long here, so as far as I’m concerned, it’s welcome.

I’m also including a link with a video from NHK about the aizome (indigo dyeing) process.  It’s in Japanese, but I think the information will be clear enough. Tanoshinde! Enjoy!

“Uma no Ha”

“Uma no Ha” / Horse’s TeethOriginally uploaded by SOFennell

Between Charleston and Christmas, somehow, I managed to work up 6 scarves for my brother – a special order. I was free to do what I pleased – always fun.

This particular pattern had been calling to me to work up on a scarf (even though I’d worked it up on a piece of cotton earlier). The soft bamboo seemed a good choice and I like the results.

Then, his family got a close look and a couple more requests came in, so this weekend I worked them up and finished today. Silk was asked for this time in the same pattern and the results came back a little differently. It’s not surprising and I did wonder.    The stitching is more “specific” in the second scarf – just a different result.

Revisiting Red White & Blue

2010 Red White & Blue 3

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

In the summer of 2010 I dyed a small series of scarves on the theme of red, white and blue. It was just before the 4th of July and wanted to do something to commemorate the upcoming day. While I used the colors, I didn’t quite reach that blue needed to make that statement. I did use indigo. In the process of dipping and dyeing, I stopped short of the goal – on purpose.

I liked what was happening with the colors, loved the green that resulted and decided not to push it. I’m not sure my original idea would have read as clearly (a bold red, white & blue) after seeing the unbound results. In the end, it really doesn’t matter as I’ve enjoyed them for what they are. I’ve felt no hurry to display or sell them. In fact, I was hoping to build on the theme and time has simply slipped by and there have been other “distractions.”

Last week, I was going through some of my pieces and was considering them again. They’ve been good inspiration, but think it’s time to set a couple of them free. So eventually, after I complete some final processes will put them in my Etsy shop. I plan to hold on to a couple and hope that they’ll continue to motivate and inspire in the coming seasons.

R1-complete

5-R1-complet1Originally uploaded by SOFennell

The “R1″ refers to ‘run 1″ as this group or run of jeans was part of a collection or edition of 35 pairs of pants. Seen here, they are ready for delivery back to the curatory where they would be further processed,

I’m glad it was broken up in smaller numbers like this. It made the work easier in some respects as they were made up of a range of sizes. For dyeing, I broke them up into even smaller groups as they were a weight on the clothesline.

They were a challenge, needless to say – handcrafted (by the artisans at Raleigh Denim) canvas pants, not the lightweight chambray that were dyed last year. These were heavier and required even more attention.

In spite of that, they were thoroughly saturated with indigo inside and out. This was that “mystery” September project I alluded to in an earlier post.