Encaustics Workshop with Daniella Woolf

I just finished an exciting encaustic workshop! 

            The workshop was given by Daniella Woolf through North Country Studio Workshops at Bennington College.

What EnErGy! Our group bonded though inspirational excitement in the studio, and by Daniella's humor, wit, and knowledge.

Most of us started off as virgins and ended up walking on the moon!

            What an experience!  If you do not know what encaustics is, go here or here. 

     You can use any rigid porus surface to create your collage on. We discovered you can do it on paper and fabric too.

            We did a group collage on rice paper. Everyone made one 5” horizontal paper collage piece, and then we ‘encausticated’ them as a hanging scroll. 
Daniella Woolf and myself assembling the scroll.

These 2 photo's are from Jane Davies- see her blog here

The finished scroll is ready to contribute to the silent auction to benefit NCSC.

This was one of those experiences that can change your work. I love collage and have worked with fiber and paper collage using traditional mediums. This adds another dimension to that. Encaustic sinks the collage, creating an air of mystery or translucent layering that I have yet been unable to achieve. I'm looking forward to exploring this new medium.

In Daniells's words- "G'Hed!!"

Foto/Fiber 2012

 Foto/Fiber 2012 Bonus #3
This is a great opportunity to receive art while contributing to a worthy cause. Get it on!

Wednesday, February 15
10 a.m. Central - 3:00 p.m. Central
Make a minimum donation of $100 directly to the
American Cancer Society through Fiberart For A Cause,
choose one of 90 photos, and choose one of
90 Fiber BONUSES by a specific artist.

Thursday, February 1610 a.m. Central - 3:00 Central (or until SOLD OUT)                                                                                   Make a minumum donation of $50 directly to the
American Cancer Society through Fiberart For A Cause and choose a photo.
Your Fiber BONUS will be chosen for you at random.

There will be drawings for fiber art throughout the event.
100% of donations are made directly to the American Cancer Society
through Fiberart For A Cause.
Info HERE

the work behind you

I received the most delightful feedback viva email today. I would like to publish it- anonymously of course, with my answer.

"Dear Wen,

      I have become familiar with your work through the Mt. Sunapee League fair, and the open house held at the mills every year.  I have only recently discovered your website and blog, and realized that there is a whole world of work behind you that I have yet to see.  Your wonderful trees.  I love your blog website, with all of its interesting links, and information, forming the textural world that shapes, and defines your work, in addition to the quilting world which I have researched, and worked with a little in the past, but its nice to know that whatever i came to know as "the quilting arts" doesn't really ever end in one defined approach, however different each piece is.  I gave up on the quilting aspect because I found that I couldn't achieve the softness?,, or less bulky? feel that I wanted.  I wanted the piece to look more cohesive , rather than many separate pieces. 

See, this is what I really enjoy about your work, you have achieved that cohesiveness, even with seperate pieces within one art piece, that reminds one of fabric, and at the same time, painting. 

I don't know that I have found yet what your educational experience has been.  I would be interested in knowing how you finally arrived( if there is such a thing in art), upon your wonderful collages-artwork as it is today?" 

Alone in the Forest

Thank you for your wonderful email.

     My education continued after collage when I graduated with a BA in Home Economics, emphasis on Child Development and Interior Design. I am largely self taught and but have taken many workshops from my shero's such as Joan Schultz, Mary Taylor, Fran Skiles, Dorothy Caldwell, Susan Hammond West, and Nancy Crow among others. I find taking workshops from artists stimulating to my art, my inner sense of what is possible. 

     I try not to copy but let their teaching gestate and come though my art in my own voice. This, for me, defines a true artist. One who continues to grow within their field. Sure there will be side trips down medium roads, maybe parallel roads, but continuing to explore, to try new things, to turn things upside-down.

     I encourage the same from others, when I teach. That, to me, is the highest goal, to stimulate my student's own voice, their own courage in art making. to explore their inner reaches. 

I become a tool, a guide, hopefully, a muse.

Education is not all though. Take time to take time. To go outside. Breathe. Clear space to learn what excites you. To see inside. Then create!

Textured Fiber Photographs

Quilting Arts Magazine has published my 'Textured Fiber Photographs" p 20 of Feb/March 2012 issue!
I cover how to use lightweight molding paste as a base to print with. You can sew into it and add to your latest project!

here

A Collage, A Box

in and out

Compelled to Create

Embracing Your Muse
Nearly all creative possibilities are related to the muses that inspire us.
I enjoy a daily inspirational reading from the Daily OM- here
This one is particularly notable and thought I'd share with my readers.

Inspiration is an intangible yet inseparable part of the creative process. Nearly all creative possibilities are related to the muses that inspire us. The ancient Greeks believed that all creation, whether artistic or scientific in nature, was motivated by goddesses who served as the literal embodiment of inspiration. These were the Muses The givers of the creative spark. We still rely on muses to drive the creative process, though ours may take a diverse range of forms. People we meet, intriguing ideas, movies, books, nature, and cultural ideals all have the potential to awaken our imaginative minds. When we are touched by our muses, we understand viscerally that we are capable of producing our own unique kind of greatness. 

Many people move through life unaware of the presence of their muse. This lack of awareness can be compounded by the fact that we may have one muse that remains with us throughout our lives, multiple muses that inspire us concurrently, several muses that come and go as necessary, or a single muse that touches us briefly at specific moments. You will know that you have found your muse when you encounter a force that makes you feel courageous enough to broaden the range of your creativity. The presence of this force will erase your self-doubt and motivate you to give your thoughts and feelings form. Should your muse continue to elude you, however, there are steps you can take to increase your chances of falling under its inspired influence. If you surround yourself with people who support you, keep a pen and paper handy, immerse yourself in culture, and brainstorm frequently, you will soon reconnect with your muse.

 Once you have identified your muse, embrace it by giving yourself over to the creative inspiration it provides. No matter what you are moved to create, you will find that neither fear nor criticism can penetrate the wonderful bliss that goes hand in hand with the act of taking an idea and turning it into something the whole world can enjoy.

Fiberart For A Cause

I am participating in Virginia's Spiegel's new drive for the American Cancer Society, 
Fiberart For A Cause. 
I will donate 3 bonus's. Here's #1

How Does Foto/Fiber 2012 Work?

Gold Donor Day: Wednesday, February 15
10 a.m. Central - 3:00 p.m. Central
Make a minimum donation of $100 directly to the
American Cancer Society through Fiberart For A Cause,
choose one of 90 photos, and choose one of
90 Fiber BONUSES by a specific artist.
Thursday, February 16
10 a.m. Central - 3:00 Central (or until SOLD OUT)Make a minumum donation of $50 directly to the
American Cancer Society through Fiberart For A Cause and choose a photo.
Your Fiber BONUS will be chosen for you at random.

There will be drawings for fiber art throughout the event.

100% of donations are made directly to the American Cancer Society
through Fiberart For A Cause.

Info HERE

love

This person's FB photo's show some awesome Street art                                                                     StreetArt 1° album

By: Suoni Ribelli

A Common Thread

A Common Thread

January 13 to February 18
Opening reception: Friday, January 13, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.         Fiber art offers an artist more versatility than any other art form. The vast array of materials available, coupled with the innovations in textile construction techniques, give fiber artists unlimited freedom of expression. A Common Thread ties disparate expressions into one exhibition of the work of Textile Center members. A coveted benefit of Textile Center membership, this exhibition is the highlight of our exhibition season.
info HERE

2012 Word for this Year

My word this year is 'transition'.

Art- This year will be my fallow year. A year of renewal, review, reevaluate. Space. Percolate. 

     Personal- Reduce.

We will move out of our home of 35 years to a new home that we will be building. This requires commitment and energy toward a not entirely uncreative endeavor. This will require de-cluttering of a major scale. We will scale down from outside studio, outside office, summer cottage, and home. Perhaps even my father's house. He will be 90 in Feb. Shadow thoughts.

     Looking though things stored away for many years is like a past life review. Treasures sought after for so many years must be evaluated, given to family, friends or recycled. I have joined freecycle in 2 states. Decisions to be made on keeping or tossing are hard. I may need to weed though several times to winnow it down.

Transition indeed!