“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.

Indigo & Henna vat

Indigo & Henna vat resultsOriginally uploaded by SOFennell

The image is of small samples, results from a henna/indigo vat – something I’ve been wanting to experiment with since this earlier this summer. I’m finally able to focus on it and am enjoying the results.

I had in mind the coming workshop for classroom teachers, upcoming at Artspace – thinking of presenting a vat that would be safe and approachable for the classroom.  In this case, I was thinking more of the younger set – the elementary group.  Of course, it’s really beyond that, but they were my focus since I’ve had some experience with presenting the vat to that age group (and higher).

I don’t know if at this point, if the workshop is going to come off (there’s still room…), but I’ve gained something just by the experiment. It’s a healthy direction and as I said earlier, I like the results and look forward to further work with it.

Shibori swatches

DSC00670

Originally uploaded by j9leblanc

I stepped away from the studio on Friday to spend the day at the Gregg Museum. Janine told me that there were some swatches that needed some “attention” (you need to see these!) and they also needed some documentation. I took snapshots until my camera battery was exhausted. Then we switched over to Janine’s.

This example is only one small example. Not all are authentic shibori, but printed or woven examples. Still aspects of these pieces are quite wonderful and I find them inspiring. This is, again, just a very small sampling of what’s in the collection of this ilk.

handmade book

handmade book – 1

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

Beyond the scarves, wall hangings and other things always in the making, I like to step away and work on something that’s even more personal. Fabric books are a medium that work, as I like books. This one is still in progress and I hope to complete it soon as I hope to include it in an exhibit coming up this spring.

Day at the Gregg

climbers – det.Originally uploaded by SOFennell

A day at the Gregg, with friends,  recently was so very therapeutic. I was supposed to be helping with stitching (display). It didn’t turn out that way though, and for me, it was probably for the best. I was asked to take pictures instead. That meant “play!”

It was a visual feast. I’d been hearing about particular pieces in their Japanese collection for some time. What I saw though, was beyond my expectations and was able to document some of those elements. To say that it was inspiring is an understatement.

These climbers (in Kanoko shibori), making their way up an unseen path, on a silk nagajuban (long under kimono) toward Fuji (on the upper back)  recall a Hokusai print. It has to be Fuji since it’s the “only” mountain typically celebrated in that way.  However, my inner eye says “No…it’s  Sakurajima.” I think it works.

a peek

Dusty Rose Silk

I finally handed it back today – she loved it – makes my day!

I will still post a picture or two of her wearing it, but that isn’t for a while yet. That’s the part I really like – seeing it worn – in context.

fait accompli

fait accompli

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

It is indeed, finally, a fait accompli! It cannot be undone or reversed (so says Webster’s). I’ve been working on the idea since February, always holding a visual idea of it in mind. It really couldn’t be done until conditions were right – familiarity with technique, the dye and its interaction with the fabric involved, and then the weather.

The weather has also been a factor. A warm, sunny, not too hot, preferably spring like with not too many distracting insects was wanted. Yesterday was it. I also knew that it would be turning cooler with rain today. So, the sooner the better….

The morning was spent setting up: laying out tools, tubs, buckets, spoons, brushes, timer, camera and dye, and the dress was put in water for pre-soaking. A pulley was rigged up in hopes of holding it over the dye vat (that was the theory and a good one I’m sure), and then finally it was immersed into the vat where the dye was slowly added while timing it in sequence.

In spite of a springy clothesline (this is where the pulley didn’t work), the sought for dusty rose ombre was managed and that was a huge relief. The dress was rinsed, later washed and draped over the clothesline for the rest of the day. So, the work is basically complete. There are some finishing details to attend to and again; I’d like clear weather for good light.

Perhaps, also in the future, we can see the dress in its full context.  That’s a few months away, but not so far off and I’ll look forward to it.

Hanabi

silk scarves

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

花火・Hanabi or fireworks is what came to mind when I saw the resulting red. My son also made a similar remark. These things come to mind in this steamy heat. It is 祭り・matsuri (festival) season. I didn’t have that imagery in mind originally, but it works in several contexts I think and I’ll bear it in mind later this summer.

Actually, I was exploring my ability to produce a readable image on silk through stitch. I had attempted a something similar earlier and was frustrated and disappointed with the results. So, again, this time, it was an experiment and I knew it might fail (for so many reasons). I also wanted to work with other colors along with indigo. So, it turned into a closer look at working with silk as well as color and dye theory. The results gave me much more information than I expected and so many things to ponder. So, probably more “studies” are in the offing.

October workshop

Rockers

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

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

CA-prep1

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

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.