Rabbit & Moon quilt

Rabbit & Moon quilt

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

It’s finally complete and ready for exhibit. At the moment I’m referring to it as “Rabbit & Moon” and my readers know that it’s a favorite motif that speaks of home. It measures roughly 30 x 52 inches and the work is entirely by hand (also linen & cotton). Of course, the patterning is in shibori and indigo dye.

It won’t be exhibited as hoped and planned though, as I just this morning, received notification that the event won’t be taking place. I’m disappointed needless to say and not just for myself. I’m sure there must be some good reasons for it.

However all of that is, I’m looking forward to this summer’s possibilities at Artspace – teaching the craft to the two Youth groups – classes scheduled in August.

The students are always enthusiastic participants and I learn from them. In the mean time, there’s much to explore in the studio.

Inch by inch

2820

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

I need to research that little phrase. It keeps “visiting” from time to time. It works well though in a lot of different contexts: the garden and then the textile work.

This hasn’t progressed as quickly as I’d hoped this week, but I’m finding little things that need to be done…little considerations that I hope will make a difference.

I’m also learning simply by trial and error why things need to be done in a particular way (some things, not all). Sometimes a book can’t tell you, you just have to experience it, make the “mistakes” and then work with it. That’s the deal anyway.

It’s very satisfying work though and love working with the layers, needle and thread and feeling the textures as I work. It’s a loving challenge.

I think that’s the deal here.  I love the color, the imagery, the patterns, the feel of the linen under my fingers.  I also love the challenge of the work – threading the needle, pushing it through the layers of the quilt, then pulling the thread (hand dyed thread, by the way) and seeing the form it creates.  It has to work.

Safflower sprouts

Safflower sproutsOriginally uploaded by SOFennell

The rain has been generous this week and I think there’s more around the corner. Although, at the moment the sun is out (first time I’ve seen it all week).

The first (Safflower) of the sprouts I planted last week emerged and I hope the rest will be along soon. They’re look hearty and plentiful. I may want to transplant some of them later (or start another bunch somewhere else). At any rate, I’m happy to see them.

It has taken far too long to get to this point – just growing them. The flower, the dye and colors they produce have long had an appeal. I’ve seen shows on NHK about the process, and one of Miyazaki’s anime (Omoide Poro Poro) shows a little of the flower harvesting. So, we’ll see what summer brings regarding that aspect of the garden.

The temps have also been unusually cool, for this time of year (at least it seems) or it’s our blackberry winter.  Although, it may be a bit early for that.  However that is, the cool and gloom have been ideal for staying indoors and making further progress on this quilted piece.

It took a couple of days just to complete the moon and I’m still not sure I don’t need to add a few more stitches somewhere else.  I’m working back and forth between the top most layer and the background layer at the moment, just letting them tell me what the approach should be. This morning I added the han (name stamp & logo) and waiting for it to dry before moving on.

It’ll be back to stitching this afternoon unless the sunshine and garden call.  I’ve got plenty more safflower seeds.  I can plant some and share the rest with the birds.

Blues & Shibori

All these blues….and shibori to boot.  It’s what makes the pattern and the statement.

Shibori & Indigo – Pattern Observer

It’s about pattern – Surface Design and so much more.

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.

pattern practice

pattern practiceOriginally uploaded by SOFennell

Sometimes I get stuck, which is where I’ve been on one small piece. I started it,  put it down thinking the progress I’d made would leave adequate clues. It didn’t. Besides, it’s a pattern I struggle with. My brain doesn’t want to do it.

Sometimes I can work through it and at others, it completely baffles me. That’s what happened this week.

In the end, I did some experimenting and much needed practice. The piece on the right is the “authentic” pattern that challenges. It seems to work. The one on the left is simply one I wondered about and thought it could be a shortcut.  It has possibilities I think, but obviously the one on the right is the stronger of the two.

On this fabric, muslin, the pattern just didn’t take that well. Something didn’t quite work (binding not tight enough?) but I can see some similarities and differences in the patterns. It’s enough to keep me interested, asking further questions and continuing with the practice.

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.

Baku

First BakuOriginally uploaded by SOFennell

Baku have been on my mind for years as a motif. They are one of many kinds of yokai (mythical creatures) that lurk, cause mischief, are benign or protective.

Japanese lore is full of all kinds that help to explain the mysterious. Although, I think it makes it even more so with a bit of an edge.

 Last year I intended to start a series around Baku and as usual time got away.  I have a postcard with an image that seems to speak to me every time I look at it.   I had in mind to make them as gifts for family – at least the first few.   So they are finally, slowly emerging.  We’ll see what happens.

This is the first one. I’ve used a variety of stitches here – traditional shibori, trying to find a way to express this creature’s characteristics. As he is the first, he is very much like the postcard image.  I’ve decided that I won’t repeat the same motif over and over.  That doesn’t mean I won’t come back to it though.  He also covers a pillowcase, to guard the sleeper, as he is a nightmare eater.

“Tatewaku”

Tatewaku in shibori and indigo on linen.

More often than not, I seem to return to traditional patterns. There’s much to be learned  there in the seeming simplicity.  There is also another aspect, the terminology – what it means, the stories behind the words.

Recently, because I was working on a small tatewaku patterned furoshiki I looked up the term in Yoshiko Wada’s Shibori where it is defined as “undulating lines.”

The kanji isn’t in the text,  so on a search using「たてわく] found「立枠」 in the context of kimono patterning ( illustrated).

Looking more closely, 「立て」(tate) means “to stand” or “rise” and 「枠」(waku) means “frame, framework, spindle, spool” and “bounding-box” (Jim Breen).  Mary Parker, in her book, Sashiko, says that it’s called “rising-steam” and that it dates back to at least to the Heian period. By the Edo (Tokugawa) period it was used as a framework for floral and circular patterns in textile work.

In other searches, other words and expressions rose to the surface:

のたり　のたり(notari notari)- an expression meaning gently swelling and rolling.

はせん・波線 ・hasen is a wavy line.

なみがた(namigata) and はけい（hakei）波形 define as a wavy form or rippling shape.

Then “serpentine” came to mind (recalling the serpentine wall on Cincinnati’s riverfront) -

えんえん(en en) which refers to the feeling of meandering, winding, and zigzagging….

Finally, I encountered へびのよう「蛇の様」・hebi no you – like a snake.  This of course, has no relation to tatewaku, or does it?  It was fun to meander through those definitions.

I am also reminded that it is the Year of the Snake – 蛇年！