they did it!

Yes, they did!

I love all of their results.

It was asking a lot to have them put pattern on cloth, dye it, then stitch these bags.

They also received a silk scarf which they also manipulated and dyed. It was quite a week.

ornery

I confess, this 90+ degrees heat makes me feel quietly ornery. There’s a stubbornness and reluctance stirring – there’s a refusal to want to do anything. Is it just the heat? I can’t decide. In spite of it, though, I’ve been at Artspace this week.

beginning with stitch samples

I have no right to feel this way. The incoming results from my students are a delight. It may have taken a few slow dips in the color to convince them.

folded, bound or clamped pieces

Their work gets better everyday and they seem now, under its spell.

working on the sampler

Seeing them so engaged is quite rewarding and affirming.

patient work on the “sankaku bukuro” – triangle bag

It gives me pause, in spite of that reluctance.

花見・Hana mi/Flower viewing

closing in on Art in Bloom

The NC Museum of Art opened its doors to 花見・Hana mi/Flower Viewing with Art in Bloom last weekend. It was a grand welcome to spring. Read Dana Watson’s description and photos of the event. You’ll see what I mean.

inspired by Aaron Douglas’ Harriett Tubman

I spent a part of two days walking through the exhibit. It brought a fresh perspective to the collection, seeing pieces I hadn’t seen or remembered from previous visits. More explorations are in order, I suspect.

Lenten Roses

Another place for flower viewing was the NC Governor’s Mansion. I visited there with my sister and friends. The gardens there are just getting started, but their raised beds were an inspiration.

raised beds – Governor’s mansion

It warmed up just enough this week, making it possible to put some small napkin or hankie sized pieces on the line. These are still in process and look forward to seeing the results.

linen napkins in indigo

There should be some reflection of the season in them.

seeking “sekka”

Sometimes, you have to create your own if Mother Nature isn’t going to accommodate.  Last Saturday and Sunday, certain adventurous women made that work. Their wintery explorations went far beyond what I could have imagined – they were full of the amazing.

Asanoha – hemp leaf pattern in “itajime”

understated perfection

I cannot thank my wonderful students enough for attending, participating and engaging with “the stuff.” It was delightful in so many ways.

a small class, but more room for play

Pullen Arts Center also provided a comfortable, wide open space and other aspects of a studio needed for a dye studio – huge steel sinks and a space for clotheslines. My gratitude to them also for hosting my workshops.

While on the topic, my next workshop will be April 25th and 26th at the NC Museum of Art. More specifics will be upcoming. Currently, information is in the museum’s Preview magazine, it will be available online in the near future.

I suppose the question might be, did we inspire “that” goddess? It remains to be seen, I suppose. I keep seeing hints that winter isn’t quite over for us in the Triangle.  Regardless, 雪花 (yukibana) happened here.

pampas grass, rabbit ears & indigo

Last weekend I spent a day with art students at Meredith College. They filled an old familiar dye studio and worked with various tools for shibori: needle & thread, string, small clamps and boards and plastic pipes. Then they dipped their pieces in the indigo vats and strung them on a line. It was a most refreshing and satisfying day – had a grand time.

flying

It’s also the season of viewing that certain nighttime orb – Clouds have obscured its view lately, but it was a golden-orange last night. It didn’t need to be full to make a statement.

tsuki

Tsuki mi udon

Some of the symbols of the season are pampas grass, rabbits, the moon and other things autumnal. Gourds, dragonflies and autumn leaves…whatever makes the statement.

Pampas grasses at Meredith

This imagery is one thing being considered in my upcoming class at Pullen Arts Center. Describing this kind of imagery through nui shibori (stitched shibori) is the focus. Details are on my “Workshops” page. There are still a few openings…

月と

In the meantime, I am breathing deep and contemplating the moon glow.

** a little “vocab”:

月・つき・tsuki = moon, tsuki mi = moon viewing, tsuki mi udon – moon viewing noodles (note the egg).

Connections (the exhibit)

I would be remiss if I didn’t post this:

We are less than a week away and I’ve been mentioning this, but a post devoted to it was needed.  The above image is linked to the site for more information.  You can also find the same on my “Events” page.  We (Threads group) are thrilled to pieces about this, also honored and deeply touched as it also celebrates Cheryl Harrison who was a part of our group.  Hope you can join us!

Winter exhibit at the NC Japan Center

The reception is this afternoon.  Just thought I’d mention it.

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.

Coming up at the Japan Center: Yuya Chiba

The reception is coming up very soon, this coming Sunday (Fathers Day).

I definitely don’t want to miss this one.

It Rained Ashes

It Rained Ashes II (B)

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

Three small hand made books, two of which were completed over this winter and early spring, are finally on display at the Block gallery in downtown Raleigh. They are showing with the IMPRINT exhibit in a glass case along with roughly 15 other books made by friends who also love making books.

I haven’t seen all of them, but I know that they hold significance to each maker. I’m looking forward to seeing all of them in this display context. The opening reception is Thursday, April 12th from 5 pm.

I’m just realizing that maybe I meant to describe or explain the book here and didn’t.  I’ll just have to save that for a different entry.