It's done....

in

I finished this piece today!

except for a tab system I am going to have to add to the back to hang it from when I get home.   Each square is 3x3 inches and has hook and eyes on all sides that will link in to the hook or eye of the one next to it, so they will all be attached.  Some squares are just the painted pattern paper...some with masses of eyes sewn on, and most with masses of eyes as well as hair like thread masses on top.  I can't tell you how excited I am about this piece!  The picture is terrible, but all I can do here with my iPhone in my studio.  I should have installation shots to show later in July when I bribe my husband.  I hope you will come back and look at it then!

My space....

Is unit B for the next couple of weeks.  It is fabulous.  Comfortable bed, gas stove, great air conditioner.  It gets hot here.  This is the piece I am working on.  I had hoped I would have it done before I got here, but I think it is only halfway there.  These always take longer than I anticipate.  I am looking forward to catching up on Rectify  on Netflix while I work.  

out of touch...

Well, it has been quite a while since I have posted.  Much has changed....a new orange tabby with digestive issues, school finished and I am in New Mexico at Starry Night Retreat, which is one of the best things that has ever happened.  I just came in from an hour walk in the desert.  There is nothing like this sky., I am so lucky to be here.  

goodbye....

My best friend Bug snuck out into the spring sun on Saturday night and was hit by a car before we even knew he was gone.  Animal control euthanized him next door.  I wailed in the front yard for an hour with him in a sack in my lap.  This really wasn't the way this was supposed to go.  But then you realize it is not up to you.  I loved him and I was loved.  Goodbye Bug.

A gift....

I got my husband the book "Making your life as an Artist" for his birthday.  Another artist/blogger who I admire was posting some quotes from it on her site, and my husbands birthday was a convenient excuse to get us a copy.  It is written by Andrew Simonet, a dancer/choreographer, and you can actually download a copy for free on his website Artists.org.  It is just beautiful, real lived experience of the life of a creative. The first thing he does is thank you for being an artist.  And he reminds you why your inquiry is important.  He says "our challenge: build lives as artists that are balanced, productive and sustainable."  He offered that one should have a mission statement, which is different from the artist's statement, bio, work proposal, but includes all the things that are important to you in life. What would yours say?  I am starting to think about mine. I think it is a brilliant bit of advice.  And in addition, the book is a beautifully designed little object.  I hope you will check it out.  

so many more....

in

I have about 60 of these 4x4 inch squares now.  I think that is only about a third of the amount I will need.  Each square has hooks on two sides and eyelets on the other two, so that they can attach to those next to it.  Some will remain plain, some will have masses of eyelets and others will have the eyelets and hair like masses.  I can make the hair like masses in a different way than I had originally planned, which will go much faster.  I am really liking how it is quilt like...but I want it to be BIG...like five by six feet.  And I need to find a more permanent way for it to stay fixed together to go on the wall the first time, as I will be out of town when it is installed.  I need to make the installation fool proof.  Not quite sure how that will happen just yet.  

I love the weird little overlapping eyelets.  I could sew those all day.