June 2015 – Sticks-a-GoGo

ReXtangle

I know it’s summer, and what am I doing knitting a scarf? It all began by knitting a swatch in order to explore the relationship between unexpected color combinations. As the swatch grew longer, so did my interest. What would happen if I varied the size of the rectangle?

What started out as a swatch turned into something worth exploring. An interesting sequence of color combinations emerged, accentuating the texture of a slip stitch pattern.

Without hesitation, I began seaming the two swatches together. By seaming the two together, I was able to explore the various color combinations side by side. To achieve the maximum interaction between rectangles, it’s imperative to line up the slip stitch rows when seaming. I decided to leave an opening.

I attached two Dorset buttons as closures.

Art vs. Craft

I had a professor of art history ask, “What is your definition of art?” After a brief moment of silence, he offered this definition, “Art is an idea made manifest.”

So, “What is your definition of art?”

http://ed.ted.com/lessons/is-there-a-difference-between-art-and-craft-laura-morelli#review

Taking Myself To Camp Day #3

Today, I did not allow myself to over think the project. I began to cut and place different free form shapes in a random order, building a three dimensional plate, in order to produce a two dimensional image.

I’ve realized I need more experience with the application of paint to become better acquainted with the behavior of the medium. How much is too much or not enough?

Tomorrow, the images of the week will be bound in a book. I’ve been wanting to try bookbinding for awhile and I’m look forward to the opportunity.

Taking Myself To Camp Day #2

Today, I played with acrylic paints applied to a gelli plate. Masking, stenciling and taping are just a few techniques I experimented with.

Taking Myself To Camp

This week, I’m attending art camp at A Work of Heart. Owner, instructor and my friend Andrea Chebeleu will be focusing on Screen Printing and Book Binding. Today’s class featured block printing.

I traced a design free-hand, which was transferred onto the block using a linoleum cutter.

At the end of class, Andrea asked, “What did you learn in class.” My response, “To get amazing results, your technique doesn’t have to be perfect.” Her next question, “What would you do differently?” I responded, “Relax!” Hmm…I learned so much today.

I’m looking forward to Day #2 of camp.

Mapping Color

This past weekend, I spent an afternoon Eco Dyeing with a group of interesting women led by Kristine Vejar, owner of A Verb For Keeping Warm in Oakland, CA

Three silk scarves scoured and mordant were artistically placed and personalized around a table creating an inviting space. We were welcomed into Kristine’s garden and invited to sample cuttings from her plants. Of course, we were educated about which plants produce pleasant results, such as: Eucalyptus leaves, Yarrow, Pomegranate rind, Marigold, Black Walnut and root of Rhubarb to name a few.

After the chosen vegetation was placed, the dampened scarf was folded and rolled around a tree branch or tubing and tied before being processed in the dye pot. The scarf was processed for 45 minutes in 180 degree water.

Here are my attempts at Mapping Color from Kristine’s garden. I am anxious to Map Color from my own landscape.

All Tied UP

Have you ever found a project in a magazine and were obsessed with finding the suggested yarn for the project? The suggested yarn for a particular project I wanted to knit, Acadia (60% merino, 20% baby alpaca, 20%silk), The Fibre Company was waiting for me at Claddagh Yarns in Berkeley, CA. http://www.claddaghyarns.com The owner, Amanda Fernandez, encouraged me to use a color outside my comfort zone. I decided to use Col. 557 Chipmunk. The radiance from the silk fiber, along with the spun twist created by combining the merino and alpaca, highlighted with lilac-colored flecks proved to be a yarn worth knitting.

Halfway through the project, I looked at the sweater and began to question whether the pattern enhanced the beauty of Acadia. I went on a treasure hunt looking for the perfect pattern for this yarn. I discovered Toulouse Pullover designed by Leah B. Thibault in a special Winter Issue of Knitscene. (The 3/4 length sleeves are still in progress)

Leah mentions, “The focus is entirely on the bow here, as the rest of the sweater is a straight-forward raglan.” Leah’s addition of the floppy bow recalls the vintage look of days gone by, especially Elsa Schiaparelli (1890-1973) and her Trompe l’oile Bow Knot Sweater. A more detailed history and a free download of the Bow Knot Sweater here http://www.schoolhousepress.com/bowknotsweater.htm

The look of the bow also resembles the “pussy bow blouse,” a woman’s shirt with a big floppy bow at the collar. In 1947, pussy cat bows were part of a look inspired by Gibson Girls and 1890s fashions created by designers such as Omar Kiam. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pussy_bow

The history of modern feminism takes the “pussy bow” blouse and defines the meaning in deeper context. An online article dated February 27, 2013, written by Tracie Egin Morrissey for Jezebel states:

“Other trailblazers concur: that’s how the floppy bow thing started in corporate America. Interestingly, the documentary doesn’t mention that these are called “pussy bows.” I always thought that was weird, but figured there was surely some kind of innocent reference (willow? cat?) that was just beyond my wheelhouse. But no. Since pussy bows were invented to be a sort of “girlie tie” it would appear that the name actually refers to the euphemism for female genitalia. Frankly, I think that makes it more awesome. It’s so feminine that it’s vaginal. The true offense here is that American Apparel is selling them as “secretary blouses”.”

The PBS documentary mentioned above Makers: Women Who Make America can be viewed at http://video.pbs.org/video/2336932877/