Laura Ann Beehler

Cleaned

2011-06-22T11:38:00.001-05:00

Today is absolutely wonderful! We have not seen moisture of any significance in months so to awake to the pitter-patter of rain drops was very thrilling. While I am normally a “sunshine” girl – needing the brightness and warmth to energize my soul, I am really enjoying the grumbling grey skies and very subdued light. The world looks clean and refreshed, plants perking up reaching for more, rocks and earth looking so very rich and warm. The colors just pop. Taking a lesson from mother-nature – it is good that we stop, take a deep breath and “wash” our thoughts, our souls….our being…..rid our minds of the dry, dusty sludge that builds up – allow a clean fresh new warmth to wash over us. I hope you get your “rain” soon.

Where did it go?!

2011-06-09T16:12:00.001-05:00

I am having a hard time tracking where the last few months have gone! It seems like I just posted and wow – no it has been several months. That is not to say that I have been sitting around eating bon-bons – but then I didn’t think I had been that busy! There have been a lot of changes in my personal life – most for the better. I resigned from my position on the local Fiber group with the intent of concentrating on developing a good body of art work. I was looking forward to having only to make decisions of color or shape or stitch….well as you know the best laid plans….. it seemed the universe had different ideas for me. I ran and was successful in being elected to Converse’s City Council. I know in my heart there is a reason I was put in this position as I don’t believe that anything happens without being planned long before our feet hit this earth. I must be patient and let my job unfold and reveal itself to me. I will still work on my art – just not as much as I originally had planned. I still have several “finish lines” that are coming up fast and I have been working on smaller pieces.
It will be interesting to see where this path leads me and how my art work will be influenced by it. I can only open my mind, heart and soul and accept the opportunities that will present themselves to me. I’m looking forward to a wild ride over the next few years!

Art Cloth Network Call for Members!

2011-02-07T09:32:00.002-06:00

Art Cloth Network is open for a few new members. If you'd like information about the group, see our website at http://www.artclothnetwork.com/.
Those of us who are members find that the opportunities for community, conversation, sharing of techniques, inspiration and resources benefit our art and creativity. We have recently increased our membership limits to 30 members in good standing, including those on formal leave. When the number falls below 30, we accept new member applications. We currently have openings for up to six new members.
While some of us also make art quilts or mixed media work, the group is focused on art cloth and its specific surface design techniques and approaches. This includes making lengths of cloth, rather than small samples or fat quarters. Please read the information about art cloth on our website and look at examples, to make sure that you are interested in this field. Only those artists who submit examples of art cloth that meet this description will be considered for membership.

We meet as a group every 9 to 10 months in different regions of the United States, usually between August and October. Since these meetings are critical to our growth and vitality, we require attendance at 2 out of 5 consecutive meetings. Membership begins with the first meeting attended. Members bring and discuss their work at these meetings, and we share other professional concerns and opportunities. Previous meetings have been in Texas, Minnesota, Illinois, Florida, California, Georgia, Arizona, and New Jersey. The 2011 meeting will be in Florida.
We also produce a new exhibit annually, with a call for entries each year. Since opportunities for showing art cloth are limited, this is an important membership benefit. Members are required to enter two of five calls for entry in order to maintain their membership status.

Only applicants who can and will attend the next meeting will be accepted into the Art Cloth Network during this membership call period. That meeting will be in or around St. Petersburg, Florida on either October 13-16 or November 10-13, 2011. Full details about the conference and this financial commitment will be mailed to those extended a membership invitation.
The current deadline for membership applications is March 15, 2011, and you can send in your application materials at any time prior to the deadline. You will be notified by April 15, 2011 whether your application has been approved.
Send a request to susiemonday@gmail.com in order to receive the POSTEROUS application site address.

ONE

2011-01-28T08:28:00.003-06:00

Sentry III

Laura Ann Beehler

Available Wednesday February 16, 2011

One Cause, One Wednesday, One Hundred Collages

One Cause – The Fight Against Cancer.

One Wednesday – February 16, 2011.

One Hundred Collages – Created for this event by an all-star team of artists: Natalya Aikens, Pamela Allen, Laura Ann Beehler, Liz Berg, Pokey Bolton, Laura Cater-Woods, Jette Clover, Jane Davila, Jane Dunnewold, Jamie Fingal, Gloria Hansen, Leslie Tucker Jenison, Lyric Kinard, Jeanelle McCall, Linda Teddlie Minton, Karen Stiehl Osborn, BJ Parady, Judy Perez, Wen Redmond, Cynthia St. Charles, Virginia A. Spiegel

The goal – Raise $8,000 for the American Cancer Society in just one day. More details and a preview of artwork: http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/ONEFundraiserPreview.html

Fiberart For A Cause has already donated over $205,000 to the American Cancer Society through the generosity of fiber artists and their patrons.

RENEWAL

2011-01-18T10:56:00.003-06:00

A weekend spent with wonderful women letting their child play…..

time to reflect…to breath…to refresh our spirit…
laughter…singing…..wonderful stores….
insightful conversation…nourshing food.
Sharing….understanding….listening…. talking.
Letting our hair down within a warm circle of friends.

Time spent gathering artistic energy
to fuel us through the coming year

poetry…music…meditation...making art.
Searching our inner desires, wants and needs

making a plan…

what a wonderful calming way to begin!

Creative Mess

2011-01-13T22:28:00.001-06:00

This comes from Hugh MacLeod. A very humerous individual on so many levels. Very down to earth! Check him out at http://gapingvoidgallery.com/ . He often has pearls of wisdom that really make you stop and think - yeah he's right!

Creative Mess

Creativity starts off messy. Youthful creativity is very messy.

Often starting off randomly, and then as one thinks, and works, its form takes shape.

Over time, when one works their creative muscle over and over, creativity gets easier and less messy, more precise.

That is the challenge of being a creative professional. Exercising your creative muscle sufficiently so that your ability to create is not so random, or messy.

That goes for visual artists, writers, marketers, managers.

Focus, intent, exercise, repetition.

Intimidation

2011-01-10T08:24:00.000-06:00

I recently had a conversation with an artist friend of mine about becoming a member of a small group. Her response held many reasons for NOT joining such as being over extended and time factors. The one that I zeroed in on was "I feel intimidated". I had to laugh because I knew exactly what she meant. There are so many times that I am intimidated by others. She is more polished.... her speaking abilities are so elegant....she has such energy....her knowledge about X is tremendous....she is so in control.....her work is sooooo good and the list goes on and on and on! What I have finally learned is that we like to think that we are unique... that we are the only one feeling this way. I love it when I hear comments like this because they ground me. I have confirmation that I am not alone in my feelings! BUT, what do we do to overcome them? I am sure that even the most accomplished artist feels intimidated in some way by some person. She may not show it on the outside, she may have found ways to disguise her intimidation, she may have learned to put that negative thought on the back burner, but there is always that tinge of intimidation with her. I struggle with this on a daily basis. I am trying little by little to control this particular feeling - intimidation. It is a killer feeling! When WE LET ourselves be intimidated we give up our sense of self. We give up our belief in our self. I am the only person that can allow myself to feel this way - no one can make me have this feeling, no one can give or take it. It is mine to do with what I want. I can let it overtake me, numbing me to the outside world or I can put it on the back burner - stuff it way down in the dark depths of my mind. We each have skills that we are very good at as well as lessons that we still need to learn. We all have much that we can share and teach each other - we have to trust in ourselves and each other and be willing to give and take. I believe that it is important to respect the feeling of intimidation as it keeps us aware that we have room to grow, but don't let it hold you hostage!

What's in a Name?

2010-12-12T10:19:00.001-06:00

Fission - Detail
20" x 80"

I was once asked how I come up with the titles for my pieces. Do I have a title in mind when I begin working or does it comes after the piece is completed? I had to laugh at this question because coming up with titles for my work is probably the most excruciating exercise for me. For most works I have a very difficult time coming up with a title. I dislike works that have long names – pretty much a sentence for a title. To me that leaves no room for the viewer’s interpretation or for the viewer to make their own story about the piece. I like to use titles that are only one or two words. In thinking about the pieces I have done there are very few that have been titled prior to the piece being started. I think I don’t have a title in mind before starting because inevitably the work has a different idea of what it wants to be called! Sometimes the piece whispers its name during the making process. That helps direct my endeavors in completing the work. Sometimes the work has been finished for quite a while – it seems that I have to ponder about what the piece says to me before I can give it a name or title. I like to use words that are not normally heard in casual conversations such as Frangible or Ephemeral. I also like words that may have more than one meaning or meanings that are rather obscure - not one that is normally associated with the word. The viewer has to go outside of their comfort zone to understand the relationship between the word and the work.

What are you?

2010-11-16T17:05:00.000-06:00

I was recently in a group that started off by introducing “self” and telling a bit about “self”. As we went around the circle people would say “I’m (name) and I’m an artist”. They would then proceed to tell everyone a little about themselves. We continued with these introductions until a woman stated “I’m (name) and I’m NOT an artist, I AM a crafter”. She then proceeded to tell us what she “crafted”. I thought about this for a great while. I was wondering why the artists didn’t tell about their art. I wondered what exactly makes a person an “artist”? An artist does not necessarily have to go to school like a Doctor or Lawyer. They don’t have to get a degree in anything in order to call themselves an artist. They don’t even have to go through any training. So when does an artist “know” she/he is an artist? And when does she/he know that its time to call themselves an artist? Is there a time period of working one must accomplish? Is there a measure of sales in order to be an artist? Are an artist and a crafter that different? I know we have what we call “fine crafts” such as woodturning, pottery and metal works where the maker has worked at his/her specialty until it is perfected. In my mind that person is an artist – what they create is not only a fine craft that has been accomplished by hours of practice but also a piece of art to be appreciated by viewers. They call themselves Craftsmen. Then the flip side – a person calling themselves an artist may take the newest fad in mixed media, slap it on a board and say it is “Art”. They call themselves Artists. So how does the person creating know what they are? Where does craft end and art begin?

ONE Cause ONE Wednesday ONE hundred collages

2010-11-12T08:53:00.001-06:00

One Cause – The Fight Against Cancer.

One Wednesday – February 16, 2011.

One Hundred Collages – Created for this event by an all-star lineup of artists:

Natalya Aikens

Pamela Allen

Laura Ann Beehler

Liz Berg

Pokey Bolton

Laura Cater-Woods

Jette Clover

Jane Davila

Jamie Fingal

Gloria Hansen

Leslie Tucker Jenison

Lyric Kinard

Jeanelle McCall

Linda Teddlie Minton

Karen Stiehl Osborn

BJ Parady

Judy Perez

Cynthia St. Charles

Virginia A. Spiegel

The goal – Raise $8,000 for the American Cancer Society in just one day

More details and a preview of artwork here.

Fiberart For A Cause has already donated over $205,000 to the American Cancer Society through the generosity of fiber artists and their patrons.

Logo by Jeanelle McCall.

Time Flies

2010-11-04T10:45:00.000-05:00

When I was growing up it seemed like an eternity from September until December. The years seemed to go on and on - Time was endless. As I've added years to my life it seems that the years have become months, the months weeks and the days hours. There doesen't seem to b enough time to get that one thing done. I blink and the opportunity is gone - what happened to the time? I know that I am busy, I'm not wasting time (for the most part) and yet it seems to be consumed at it much faster rate. I know it was the middle of September yesterday and here it is already a week into November! I seem to have lost the entire month of October. I can't afford to loose November as well!

2010-09-17T13:56:00.000-05:00

I have such a hard time giving myself permission to work – to create – to play - outside of the studio – outside of my chosen medium, fiber. I have felt so guilty working in the yard and not dyeing fabrics. Yet I am creating. I am designing. I am making. I love the feel of the dirt in my hands, of preparing the soil. I love the challenge of selecting just the right plants. I have worked hard the last few weeks moving dirt, moving rocks, planting. From designing, planning, arranging rock and dirt I have created an environment for me to be at rest in - A sanctuary - A place to be inspired in. I should not feel guilty but should rejoice in the accomplishments and the progress that has been made. While there is still much to do I can now sit under the shade of the wisteria and stitch – at peace with myself and in a peaceful environment.

Whooooosh.......

2010-09-08T14:20:00.002-05:00

I can’t believe that August just zipped by! I can’t believe that it is so far into September already! I remember when time seemed to move at a snails pace, nothing came fast and when you wanted time to fly it seemed to stand still. The good news is that I met all my finish lines. (I like that term – finish line….it does not sound nearly as ominous as deadline!) I have heard back from two that were calls to enter and I did get juried into both of them. One of the exhibits I entered I won’t hear from until the middle of October – talk about agony! I really HATE to wait on finding out if I made the cut or not. The last finish line was to get a donation piece done for Fiber Artists of San Antonio’s Runway show raffle. That was a mouth full! (Pictured above)

The one thing I will say about having these short working times is that I had little or no time to actually think about the work. I just did. Some I was very happy with, some not so much but they were still good pieces. I also noticed that not only did I finish the required work for the entries, I also made "spin off" work. It was a very productive few weeks. Regardless of the outcome of the work I absolutely loved being so absorbed in the making. Life is just better when you are creating. I know my whole attitude is one that is much kinder and gentler. (I am sure my other half appreciated that as well.) In spite of some long hours I never really felt tired – I felt good and at peace with myself and the world.

This past week has been one of catching up – I haven’t been able to be at the print table nor have I been able to get the studio cleaned up. I have not felt as good – I’m anxious, ill at ease – tired! You would think it would be just the opposite! Lesson learned – more time at the print table/in the studio is MUCH better for your well being!

I'M HERE.......i think

2010-08-25T09:16:00.000-05:00

I feel like I have dropped from the face of the earth! BUT this is a good thing. I have been immersed in studio work as well as dealing with people working on the pool/yard It's finally shaping up!). I am a bit amused (no seriously….amused...HA...) that life comes at you all at once. You go weeks and weeks with no “finish lines”, no projects, no commitments and then all of the sudden everything happens at once! Now with four finish lines looming just around the corner – I’m talking days here – the pool/yard work at a critical point – like having to make decisions THIS instant (no they can’t wait until Tuesday or an hour for that matter!) – 11 parrots to care for (they are like children and need daily attention) - a spouse needing me…you know acknowledging that he exists!… plus keeping up with the company administration duties there has been little down time compose anything worth reading! I am however making ART! YEAH!!

I will try to do better in the coming weeks – well after Tuesday! I can report that one entry has been successfully sent off – and early at that! Time will tell if the other three get completed in time. Then I can unbury my studio….I know I have flat surfaces in there....somewhere.... it will be an archeological dig!

Also, don’t forget about the drawing for a piece of my art work! Go to my website www.laurabeehler.com and sign up for the mailing list by August 31, 2010 and you are in!

Look Out.......

2010-07-27T11:34:00.000-05:00

I “retired” several years ago from an 8 – 5 job so that I could devote more time to making. I loved the freedom of not having to answer to someone other than myself. At that time I had not really thought about the direction I wanted to go. I hadn't develped a plan - no routine - no schedule - no deadlines. Because there was no plan, no routine, no schedule it was very easy to say "sure, I can do that". I am very quick to “help” when needed at the expense of my own needs and work. I have come to realize that by doing for others I have not been fair or honest with myself. Now I’m finding that it is very difficult to put my needs before others. My dreams have been put on the back burner because I have allowed others to push them there. The retiring from “work” didn’t happen, I just transferred “work” to a different setting, many times longer hours and of course at a much less pay rate! I am in the process of taking my time back but it is very difficult. It is hard to retrain those around me that have become dependent on me to be there when called. It is also very difficult for me to say “no”. BUT look out world the answer is - No, I can’t right now. Stand back and watch out for what I CAN!

Change

2010-06-30T09:56:00.000-05:00

I follow Hugh Macleod at http://gapingvoid.com. Hugh is a very interesting person. His "working" job was as an advertiser and in his "spare" time he drew cartoons on the back of business cards. He has recently dropped out of the 8 - 5 manic world in favor of a slower life in Alpine Texas. However I don't believe that it is much slower - he just has control over what he does and when he does it! From here he runs an amazing empire of public speaking, "geek" parties, cartooning, creating art and in general doing what he loves. I get a daily cartoon from him and in this mornings "cartoon of the day" was the above. After my last post I felt it was very appropriate to re-post here. If you get a moment check out his website - he has some amazing one-liners as well as great ideas for creativity!

Letting Go

2010-06-26T15:46:00.000-05:00

I have a very difficult time letting go. This past month I have spent a great deal of time reflecting and letting go. I am fiercely loyal to my friends and I also become very attached to material things – why I’m not sure. Some things I do understand - like my mother’s fabric stash. That is one of the things I managed to go through this past month. Although it was very difficult for me to let her wonderful fabrics go, I know that I would not open the boxes and use the yardage inside. I sent 14 boxes out into the world – some I know went to a woman’s shelter so they could learn to sew, some to crafters and some to others that have the need to collect.

Another letting go was a friendship that was not what I thought it was. After being let down on numerous occasions this past year I realized that this was not a friend as I would define a friend. Perhaps the other party’s definition is different than mine but I have to live with me! After giving and giving then being left out in the cold I realized that it was time to let go. I need to move on. This has possibly been one of the hardest things for me to understand and I still tear up when I think about it. I wanted to believe the best in this relationship but I realize now that it was a one way street.

The last major hurdle for me this past month is giving up the old and accepting the new. We are closing down a water garden that was 18’ across and 24’ long. It was full of life –wonderful water lilies, Koi, Goldfish, Turtles, and of course snakes. It attracted many birds and small animals to its banks. This was the site of our wedding – lots of sentimental attachment to the area. I know that it is for the best that we taken it down but I also know that it is difficult to see something so beautiful be destroyed!

I know that in order to move forward you have to let go – it is just hard to do that.

Does it Matter?

2010-05-14T15:41:00.004-05:00

I am often asked “How long did it take you to make that?” There are so many answers to that question – how long in terms of technical skill – how long in terms of artistic development – how long in terms of inspiration – how long in terms of interpretation and on and on – so is “how long” an important part of the definition of “art”. Is that a question that should even be asked when viewing a work? Is a work a piece of art if it is put together in 15 minutes? Should there even be a thought given to the “time” a work takes to complete? Is a work that takes six months “better” art than a work that takes 6 days? So I would think the better question to ask is what does the work say? Does the work speak to you? Does it send a message to viewers? Is the message one that you wanted to convey to the viewer? Do you “get it”?

Then there is the “is it good” question. As I look at art works today I am often puzzled at why this work is considered “fine art” or “a work of art” and to me it looks as if my grand daughters made it. The colors are awful, the composition is awful, there seem to be no skills used in the production of this piece of “fine art”! So how does a work become considered “art”? Does the infamous “they” make the rules as to what is acceptable “art”? In looking at the journey art has taken over the years I’m thinking the rules change with society’s ideas, thoughts and views. What is considered a “major work of art” in today’s times most likely would have seen the maker or artist run out of town on a rail 50 or 60 or 100 years ago. How do we as artists make this happen? Are the artists the ones that are actually providing the viewers the works to mould what is “a work of art” or are the viewers molding the artists?

So the bottom line for me is – it doesn’t matter! I “make” because I like what I’m doing. I “make” because I have something inside I want to express. There are times that need is only to say – hey look at these colors – aren’t they pretty! Sometimes that need is to express something deeper - regret, loss, anger. It may not be so “pretty”. If a viewer is touched by my work then they get it. I have been successful in conveying my message.

2010-05-03T10:02:00.001-05:00

Lisa Kerpoe and I have curated Fiber: A Closer Look. This is an invitational exhibit of Fiber Artists in and around San Antonio, Texas. The works represent a range of artforms including art quilts, wearable and functional art, 3 dimensional sculpted fiber, artcloth, basketry and weaving. Fourteen artists are featured, including Laura Ann Beehler, Jane Bishop, Laurie Brainerd, Jane Dunnewold, Martha K. Grant, Caryl Gaubatz, Leslie Tucker Jenison, Lisa Kerpoe, Lisa Mittler, Susie Monday, Susan Oaks, Linda Rael, Letitia Rogers and Linda Sura. Most works in the exhibition are new or have not been shown in this area.

The exhibit will be held at the San Antonio Visual Artists' (SAVA) gallery from May 6-29, 2010. Please join us for the opening reception on Thursday, May 6. The reception is from 6 to 8 pm and the gallery is located at the RiverCenter Mall, Suite 205 (near the Commerce Street entrance). When you pull up the "map" of the mall the SAVA gallery is located in section "G" - street level. SAVA is to the right just inside the entrance door off of Commerce. The entrance door is in between Foga de la Chao Restaurant and the Parking Garage.

http://www.shoprivercenter.com/main/rivercenter.pdf

Please show your support for Fiber Art in San Antonio and attend the opening. You will NOT be dissapointed!

Processing

2010-04-16T23:24:00.000-05:00

I was recently talking to a dear artist friend and lamenting about what a slug I have been. I just haven't had the desire, energy or motivation to create and was feeling really down about it. It seemed to me that the more I "didn't" the more guilt came tumbling down on my shoulders. That weight added more distress to my inability to create. I don't think it was an artists block as there have been tons of ideas running through my head. I was just in a slump - I didn't want to move. I would have been perfectly content sleeping all day and most likely would have if our birds, cats and dog didn't need attention - not to mention doing for the other half. (He doesn't do well on a diet of fruit and vegetables - he needs that "man" food! Not to mention clean clothes....I digress) During the course of our conversation I told her I just had been doing nothing - she paused and then said, No, Laura you are working - you are doing a most important part of being an artist...... you are processing. I giggled at her statement and thought - yes, that's a good way to explain my lack of ambition lately - I'm not being a slug - I'm processing! I didn't think about it too much more until a few days later when my "adopted" mom said - honey I just don't know how you manage to keep everything in your head - you think and think and think and then it all comes out on fabric! In the instant of that statement I realized my dear artist friend was right - I just hadn't looked at my method of creating through another's eyes. I have been working, I've been processing ideas, designs, materials, what is to come next. And when the time is right, when all has percolated and I have an understanding it will all spill out for the world to see. I have a much better outlook after that realization. Perhaps we all need to give ourselves permission to process and not be so hard on our "not doing".

The photo really doesn't have anything to do with my post - I just like to see pictures in people's posts! This piece, Grove, is a recent small work that is now available at the Copper Shade Tree Gallery in Round Top, TX.

Tumbleweeds

2010-04-05T17:57:00.001-05:00

Tumbleweeds

Do you ever get that feeling that you are a tumble-weed being blown about the open plains? There doesn’t seem to be anything to hold on to, everything just slips by you as you are blown about. You are at the mercy of the wind with no anchor, nothing to ground you, no safe place. These past few weeks I seem to be that tumble-weed being blown about here and there. I have to stop and grab onto my anchor, my safe place. Art is my anchor… my ground… my safe place. I can count on the fabric being there - the dyes transforming my unrest into calm. There
are no expectations, only acceptance that I will transform it into something magical. I feel safe.

Accepted

2010-03-16T16:22:00.000-05:00

I really don't care how many times you find that you have been juried into, made the cut, passed the mustard - you ALWAYS have that wonderful feeling of YES....... So with a dreary day today I opened my e-mail to find that I had been juried into Art Cloth Network. This is a group from all over the United States that is dedicated to exploring and promoting art cloth. What a wonderful ray of sunshine today! I am very excited to be joining so many wonderful artists in this group. I think that Texas, especially south Texas, may have a majority of members! Susie Monday, Lisa Kerpoe, Peggy Sexton, Leslie Jenison, Mandi Ballard and myself all come from Austin/Houston/San Antonio area. My first meeting will be sometime in September in California. I am excited to begin this new journey with so many wonderful artists!

Spring Meadow

2010-03-01T11:03:00.002-06:00

Spring Meadow

6" x 18"

Silk Broadcloth, Hand Embroidery

This time of year is very exciting for me. The landscape is beginning to turn green again - a fresh clean green. The days are warming up. It is nice to go outside and soak up the sun's warmth. This is a time for new, fresh ideas. A time for growth.

I am finding that I have enjoyed keeping my hands busy with smaller items. Bits and pieces from larger works or from experiments done to find the right color combinations or textures for the next piece. I have an incredibly hard time tossing anything out - I just know it will be the "PURPECT" piece for the next project - needless to say my purpect pieces are stacking up! Time to use them up and give them new life - new growth - and while these bits and pieces are being rejuvenated I too am being given new life. Fresh clean ideas emerging for a fantastic summer crop. This is a very exciting time to be alive!

Spring Meadow - Detail

Happy Valentines Day

2010-02-14T09:24:00.000-06:00

Hold all that you believe in close to your heart. Love yourself first then spread that love out to infect everyone and everything you touch. A simple act, a small spoken word, a smile can send your love and touch others you may not know. Make everyday a Valentines Day - the world would be such a better place!

Listening to the Voice

2010-02-13T21:24:00.001-06:00

ORNIS - 31” x 22”

Hand made paper, interface, rug canvas, tea bag paper, textile paint, feather (Red Golden Pheasant) hand stitching using grasses for thread

This work came from my desire to showcase the magnificent beauty of the ornamental pheasants we raise. I have been reluctant to use feather's in my work as I felt it too realistic or too gimmicky. My love for these magnificent creatures and my desire to find a way to honor their beauty without being trite has been a driving force in finding a way to do that. This particular feather is from a Red Golden Pheasant - one of the most breath taking birds I have ever seen. I can't begin to describe the colors on these birds - I think they have every color in the rainbow on them. And not dull colors - bright vivid color - well I digress -

The work developed simply by playing with different textures and materials. I wanted to focus on the beauty of the solitary feather, to show it's importance. I am sure there is more to why this was important to me but I'm not one to go delving into the inner workings of my brain - I just want to enjoy the process and enjoy the outcome. I have been timid in actually finishing this piece as I felt I was betraying my desire to make Art Cloth - what I was really betraying was my artistic voice. I am slowly understanding that when there is a statement that needs to be made by this voice I should not try and control what medium is used to do so. There is no way that this piece could have ever developed into the finished work if I had refused that artistic voice it's right to complete it's statement the way it needed to. This piece was really freeing as I finally am understanding that my art is not limited to one medium. I am an artist and should not be concerned about using more than one method to express my voice. I am growing day by day, becoming stronger in my convictions. This is not to say that I will not continue to work primarily with fabric but it does mean that I will not be shy about using anything I find to express my voice. I was thrilled when I found that Ornis had sold! That alone validates that I made the right decision to complete it and show it.

ART CLOTH EXTRAVAGANZA

2010-02-12T16:03:00.000-06:00

Exciting news: Art Cloth Studios will contribute a bag for "Tote Tuesday"!

The members of Art Cloth Studios are putting together a wonderful "Art Cloth Extravaganza" for Tote Tuesday, the newest fundraising event for Fiberart For A Cause.

Here are just a few of the items that will be included:

A beautiful hand-made tote by artist Laura Ann Beehler, created from her own art cloth

Complex Cloth dvd by Jane Dunnewold

"Paper & Metal Leaf Lamination", a book by Claire Benn, Jane Dunnewold, and Leslie Morgan
Art Cloth created by ACS members Laura Ann Beehler, Linda Charleton, Jane Dunnewold, Martha Grant, Leslie Tucker Jenison, and Lisa Kerpoe

Prepared for Dyeing fabric

Textile Paint

Procion MX Dye

Thermofax screens & frames & squeegee

Plus, if "Art Cloth Extravaganza" receives the highest bid for the day, we will donate up to $1000 worth of members' artwork!

Stay tuned for photos and more info about when this fabulous tote will be offered!

The Art in Fiber

2010-02-01T16:16:00.000-06:00

Pease join us at the Copper Shade Tree Gallery in gorgeous Round Top, Texas, for the opening reception of "The Art In Fiber", a juried exhibition of 24 Texas fiber artists (juror Liz Axford). Opening reception is Friday, February 5th, from 5-9 pm.

I was thrilled to see my art work on the postcard as well as to find that it has also been used on the cover of "American Landscapes". This little book is comprised of those artists juried into the show interpretation of the "American Landscape". The book was created by Gerald and Debbie Tobola, owners of The Copper Shade Tree Gallery, specifically for this show. Copies are available for purchase on the gallery website: http://www.coppershadetree.com/

Frustrations

2010-01-29T17:10:00.000-06:00

I absolutly love technology - I just wish it loved me as much! Seems that I have spent the last couple of weeks getting my "work" computer working - and no, it is still not right! So a pause in my posts - I don't have access to my pictures nor my snippets of writings that eventually end up on the blog. Hopefully next week the computer gods will smile down and take pity!

I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I know that the world will go even though I am limping along - I just hope that I don't let it get to far ahead of me! Then looking on the bright side - I have more art time! Maybe I'll get pictures of all that fabric that I would like to share with the world so I will be ready when my "work" computer is!

Talk to you soon.

Stay True

2010-01-21T21:37:00.002-06:00

I have been wrestling with the question of why I feel it necessary to do more than needed on a piece of work. I guess I should clarify that statement.... I have been working on a piece that is hand stitched. I could possibly stitch on this the rest of my life and not be "done". I was thinking out loud about the necessity to do MORE stitching or if the piece was "done". The answer from others hearing my out loud "thinking" were that I should stop as I would never be able to charge or price the piece based on the amount of time I had spent on it - in other words the amount of work done on this piece would command a very large price tag to justify the amount of time or to even make 50 cents an hour! I began wondering if the piece could be called finished even though there are areas that could use more stitching. My fingers said - YES stop stitching! I put the piece down but it has been haunting me. My heart, my soul, my intuition say that I should add more to the areas that I feel are lacking. Thus the question of do I stay true to ME and do a bit more on the piece or do I listen to others and stop now. My artist will not be happy until the stitching that I envisioned when I started the piece is completed. I may compromise and not do as much stitching but I will do more in the areas that I feel need it. I realize that the dollar amount may never justify the time spent but the artistic vision needs to be complete. I MUST do more on this one in order to be happy with myself. Sometimes it isn't about the dollars but it IS about being true to oneself. Yes, it will take a bit more time. Yes, I can never monetarily recover the time spent. BUT I will be happy with the end results and THAT is what matters most.

Random Thoughts

2010-01-17T23:00:00.000-06:00

No pictures this evening - just some rambling thoughts......I've been thinking a lot about "plenty" about "space" about "time" ---- I'm thinking that I need to sort through fabrics that have been hand dyed and set them free - they are holding places in my mind that should be open for new thoughts and creativity ---- perhaps in the next few weeks I'll put up a few on the blog and my store to see if there might be another home for them - someone who can see the possibilities in these works - ----- In that same vein if some fabrics find homes with others that would free up more space - both in the studio and in the mind - more space for creating - and in the long run it would give me more time---- that seems rather odd as how can setting fabric free give me more time! Well I won't be thinking about what I need to do with these pieces - I have more time to create the things that I have been thinking about..... I'm finding that I need to let go of some of these so that I can think clearer about the paths I need to be following - clear the mind of thinking that I have to use these up before I can move forward....... yes, I am sure that I need to set these free ----- so stay tuned for some fabrics...... now I need to go to bed!

The Art In Fiber

2010-01-13T10:40:00.002-06:00

I was very excited to be juried into The Art in Fiber at the Copper Shade Tree and then even more so when I received the postcard for the show. My Landscape piece was used to develop the artwork for the postcard! Then today I received notice that the book American Landscape is available for pre-order. Again my artwork was used for the cover! I have not seen the book in person but it contains the work of all 24 artists that were juried into the show. The "landscape" pieces are all the same size 12"x 12"x 1 1/2". This was such warming news on a day that is dark and gloomy!

The show itself runs from February 5th through March 7th 2010. Opening reception is February 5, 2010 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Copper Shade Tree, 206 E. Mill St., Round Top, TX 78954

Mind Junk

2010-01-12T09:08:00.001-06:00

This past week has been filled with mind "junk". I really dislike all the clutter that tends to fill my mind - sorting things that need to get done, mapping a plan for the coming weeks/months, trying to figure out how to fit it all on the calendar-realizing that this month is gone!-, keeping up with the "honey do's" (or not). You know all the "junk" that takes up valuable thinking space that should be used for working on art! I am finalizing the last two pieces for The Art in Fiber show and am having a great deal of difficulty clearing my mind so that I can focus on the work. This particular piece seems to say it all - a rambling line going through the endless chambers - lots of side "sparks" flying off it - I'm thinking this must be a self portrait of what is going on in my head right now. Thoughts weaving in and out, bits of random sentences here and there - and of course the rambling line - going aimlessly through all the areas of clutter - Perhaps the last stitch will release the clutter and I can once again be more focused on the making of art.

The Art in Fiber
February 5th - March 7th, 2010
Copper Shade Tree Gallery
Round Top, TX

2010-01-02T18:17:00.002-06:00

I have been sorting through piles of fabric contemplating new beginnings - trying to decide what to let go of and what to keep. There are so many possibilities to deliberate on – so many paths I could take – which would be the best for me to travel down? I think this time of year we all sort through piles – what do we keep - what do we let go of? It will be fun to make those decisions – some challenging – some no-brainers – some we will look at in a few months and ask ourselves “what were we thinking”! Hopefully all my possibilities through the coming year will be as easy as sorting through the piles of fabrics. I just have to remember to keep it all in perspective and enjoy the journey and look forward to what is around the corner.

New Year

2010-01-01T18:15:00.000-06:00

A New Year......what a fantastic opportunity for new beginnings. Untarnished and eagerly awaiting our footprints. What paths will we take in this coming year. What footprints will we leave behind? Will you be making new year's resolutions, writing down your goals, preparing a course for the upcoming year? What new journeys will you travel on? Will you explore a new idea or technique or make improvements on what you are already doing? Will you strive to expand your mind, your skills or will you sit back and glide through the upcoming year.

This time is always so exciting for me - it is as if I have a new piece of fabric laid out in front of me just waiting for me to make my marks, to add color, texture, patterns. I think my life is very similar to the fabrics on my print table. It is up to me to decide what marks I want my life to make, what paths I choose to follow. It is up to me to decide how I will allow my actions or the actions of others to mark my life. Take a few moments and think about the path you will be taking this new year and the footprints you want to leave for others to see. It is an exciting time and I am anxious to begin exploring those new paths in front of me! I hope you will enjoy the journey as well.

Happy Holidays

2009-12-24T15:14:00.000-06:00

As Christmas draws close let us remember the reason for this blessed day. No matter what your regligous beliefs or non beliefs take a moment to be thankful for all the wonderful blessings life has to offer. Our freedom, our health, our abilities to forgive and forget. Our passsion for creating. Our ability to feel joy and saddness. Treasure each day no matter what your situation is - remember it could always be worse. Take a moment to smile, to laugh, to cry, to remember those that have left this world before us. Don't forget to tell that special person in your life that you love them, no matter what. Be thankful for those that gather with you and those that can not make it this time. Remember to be just a bit more giving - in time - in patience - in caring - through out the coming year. Relish this magical time and carry it in your heart always. Have a most blessed Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year. I'll talk to you next year.

Purpeck

2009-12-22T12:24:00.000-06:00

I realized that I probably should clue you in on why I keep refering to "purpeck". I wrote a feature story for Jane Dunnewold's Art Cloth Quarterly about "Arual and Friends". These were the names that I had given to those "little voices" that we all contend with on a daily basis. I am going to "re-print" the story on "purpeck".

PURPECK

       Ms. Dally has been very busy collaborating with her friends these past few months to find ways of detouring my studio time into “grandma time”. She seemed to think it would be an excellent idea for me to have my grandchildren, Ragen who is 3 years old and Sarah 11 months old, visit with me several times but most importantly over a long four day weekend. I argued with her about all the projects that needed to be worked on and how behind I was on them. I might as well have been talking to a brick wall! She knew that I could not resist those angelic little faces and all she would have to do is just remind me how much I enjoyed them – well that and having Ragen ask me as only she can do “Dawa, I need come Dawa’s house…..peas” Of course that sweet little voice was all it took to brake my commitment to studio time. Here I am thinking that I have lost a whole four days of work and how much farther that would put me behind in the projects that I have lined up. Then the hurried-ness and “must-get-dones” just seemed to melt away when I opened the door and Ragen ran up the walk with such excitement yelling “Dawa, Dawa” and gave me a big hug and kiss and then Sarah reaching out for me with her little face lighting up with a grin from ear to ear.
        Ragen, the 3 year old, has her own area in my studio and is a regular visitor there. She knows where her paper and scissors are as well as her paints, crayons and markers. She has gotten the fine art of cutting tiny little pieces of paper down pat. Her bright blue eyes just sparkle when she gets to “kuck” her papers with her own scissors. Today she asked me to sit down beside her and help her “kuck” papers and draw. In sitting with her and watching her create I was amazed at her confidence and deliberation. She would carefully select a colored piece of paper and just the right colored marker then proceed to make marks on the paper. With each stroke she would stand back, put her hands on her hips, cock her head to one side, look intently at the mark and exclaim “purpeck”! Then continue with the next mark. After each mark she made on the paper she would stand back and pronounce the mark “purpeck”. She told me her story about the “bad guy” and “Nemo” and of course the “mermaid” with “purpeck” strokes of her marker and confidence in her abilities. Now if you asked an adult to describe what she had drawn they would be at total loss to decipher what she was showing them. Why should there be any question as to what those little marks at the bottom of the “bad guy” were – of course they were his “dibing soup”. To her innocent 3 year old eyes her drawing told her story and it was perfect.
       While watching her that day I wondered at what point in my life did my marks stop being “purpeck” to me? What changed in me to diminish my confidence and the deliberation of making perfect marks each and every time?
        I’m realizing that perhaps Ms. Dally knew what she was doing and this was not “lost time”. As I thought about Ragen and her purpeck marks I decided that MY eyes and MY mind will see each mark that I make as “PURPECK”. There may be an adult out there that has no clue as to what MY marks are saying but they tell MY story to me and are PURPECK. I’m thinking that maybe we should all be making “purpeck” marks.

Ragen is now 6 years old and still has that confidence about her "purpeck" marks. And while she is very confident about her marks, I am still working on mine. I am getting better and am beginning to like a lot more of my work - but still have those occasional marks that go into the circular file as they are not "purpeck" to me.

Release

2009-12-21T17:26:00.000-06:00

As the year winds down it is time to release all those past mistakes, let them go and move on. We have yards of clean fabric in front of us waiting for us to make our mark on. What a wonderful thought that we can start each day, week, month, year with a fresh start - a clean slate. We are free to choose different paths, to explore new avenues, to make a difference. We are free to accept the challenge to grow in the coming days. If we stumble we have a new day just around the corner. Time to pick ourselves up and try again. Learn from our trials and enjoy the journey. Let our minds and hands begin to work as one. Transform those yards of fabric into magical places in our minds eye. Call upon the child to come play daily - immerse ourselves in the act of doing and being. Remember that EVERY mark we make is "perpect" Keep this magical time of the year in our minds and hearts all through the coming year.

RELEASED

19" x 106"

Cotton Sateen, Printed, discharged, gold powder, paper lamination

Available Here

Childs Play

2009-12-20T18:38:00.000-06:00

I am constantly amazed at the number of people that must have "instructions" before they can create! If you are following "instructions" how is that creating? While there are some guidelines if you are using products such as mixing dyes or discharge paste or photo emulsion---I don't believe there are any fast rules. I guess I create very much like I cook! Some of this and a little of that - and somehow it turns out. I know that I can never duplicate or reproduce what it is I'm making - I can come close but not exactly. Now I can't say this is a good formula to follow if you need to have a consistent color for production work - then yes you would need to know exact measurements so that the product can be consistent. BUT I will say that to me that is not creating - that is producing. This is one area where I would be in way over my head - I don't think I could make the same thing twice if my life depended on it! I don't like to repeat what I do - my work is truly "one of a kind". When I work it is as if I am transformed to another place - a place where rules go out the window. (Of course safety rules should never go out the window!) My child self takes over and boots the adult out the door slamming it behind her! Who cares if I didn't measure exactly or if a little bit of blue gets mixed with the red....or if the squeegee isn't at a perfect angle or pulled from top to bottom....who is going to know but me? If the end result is something that I like than does it really matter how I got there? Let your child out more often you will be amazed at the results!

Emerging

2009-12-19T18:32:00.003-06:00

This is the time of year when many begin to reflect on the accomplishments of the year.... where they are now from where they were a year ago... Did they move forward or stay in the same place? I don't normally do resolutions but I do look at where I have come from and where I want to go. What will it take to get to that point? I'm thinking that this year has been a tremendous year of experiences - I opened a Fiber Gallery with three other very talented ladies, only to see it have to close due to circumstances beyond our control - but the experience was there and is something that I would do again when the right time and place finds me. I entered several shows and was accepted (yeah - even won some awards!), I was invited to participate in an international show, I was in a group show, I had a solo show. I completed many yards of fabric. All these "accomplishments" are great but what did that really do for me? I GREW as an artist! I became more confident in my abilities, I actually started this blog (something that has been on the burner for a long time). I am learning that there is worth in some of my thoughts. I have realized that I can "run with the big dogs" and keep up. This past year has been very exciting for me in experiences. I can set my sites higher for the upcoming year and begin to EMERGE in a bigger way. I hope that everyone sets their sites just a bit higher for the upcoming year.

Art Work: Emerging, (detail) Cotton Sateen, screened, discharged, printed, textile paint, ink, gold powder 22" x 106"
Available here

Surfacing

2009-12-18T11:31:00.000-06:00

Surfacing after a few days with my grand children. It was a magical week but also made me appreciate young mothers who deal with little ones daily.

Not only surfacing from children but also from mind matters....trying to de-clutter thoughts to make room for new beginnings. This time of year is especially hard for me to do that. There are so many distractions, so many activities and "to do's" that time for thinking art thoughts is very limited. I gave myself permission to stop for seven days and play with the girls, to enjoy the season through their eyes, to see that even if the ornaments are all clumped together the tree is still beautiful. The two year old would stand and just "awe" in a breathless manner. She was taken to another place by the magic of it all. The older ones were excited and relished in the placement of the "special" ornament.

The energy expounded this past week would have been enough to power a small town! The enthusiasm for each activity was contagious. Their acceptance of the smallest, simplest task was amazing to watch. The minds going at full speed as they took in packages, lights, trees, cookies. I will try to hold it all in my mind so I can record it on fabric at some future point. For the present I need to get the "adult" things caught up and of course I will enjoy the quietness for a bit.

"Surfacing"
24" x 100"
Layered Silk Organza, printed, gold powder
Available Here

Horizon

2009-12-14T19:34:00.000-06:00

Horizons is a small piece done to remind myself to look forward....simple lines with sunshine.....filling the foggy, rainy days....6" x 8" x 1", hand dyed fabrics, hand stitching, gold foiling - a nice little bit of sunshine..... availabe here

The Simple Things

2009-12-13T18:18:00.001-06:00

The sun finally came out for a bit this afternoon. The girls and I took advantage of the sunshine and warmth by taking a walk along the creek. They quickly found how exciting it is to throw rocks into the water. It was captivating to watch the delight in their eyes as they watched the water spash up and the ripples expanding outward. Such an uncomplicated activity created lasting memories. The simple things we take for granted by far outlast all others.

Complete

2009-12-12T12:19:00.002-06:00

I'm feeling complete today - the house is full of laughter, giggles and little voices calling.....no time to think.....just to enjoy - even if there are spills on the floor or the dog is eating their lunch!

I noticed that "seven" appears in much of my work. In this one there are seven blocks. This is/was not intentional, it just happens. I did a little checking and found that the number seven means for one thing to be complete or full. It also is a magical number and deals with perfection. I'll be talking about seven more in later posts - what it means to me and why I think it appears over and over in my work. For now, I'm just going to enjoy the compelteness of today.

Completeness. Three layers of sheer organza dyed, over dyed, printed, gold leafing 22" x 96"

They are coming!

2009-12-11T09:09:00.000-06:00

In this most busy time of the year I always try to remember to stay focused and centered on the important things in life. To count on the pure joys of seeing, of hearing, of smelling, of tasting and of touching. We are so blessed to live in this world yet so much of the time become so involved in self that we loose site of the big picture. Today our three grandbabies come to stay with us for a week. Although it will be most hectic it will also be magical. The house is waiting for the little hands to help decorate, the oven is waiting for warm cookies to be baked, the quietness will soon give way to laughter, little voices, the pitter patter of feet running and of course the constant noise. I relish these times as I can experience the discoveries of life through children's eyes yet again. It won't matter to me if the lights aren't perfect or the cookies are a bit miss-shaped because in the eyes of the children they are all "perpect".

Is It or Isn't It?

2009-12-10T13:27:00.000-06:00

I am constantly telling people that "I do not quilt". I did join SAQA thinking that maybe I might venture off into some "art quilts" but still held firm to the thought that "I do not quilt"! A while back I was working on a small piece for a show that is completely covered in stitch. A friend looked at it smiled and said "what do you mean you don't quilt - that's exactly what you are doing"! My mind just laughed at her comment and I said - "No, I'm not, I'm embellishing with stitch". We both had a good laugh at our conception of quilting. I suppose that technically I was "quilting" after all the piece was three layers and I was certainly holding the layers together with stitch. I wonder how many of us play these mind games....the thought of me quilting was just absurd yet I could "embellish" with hand stitch with no problem! Doesn't it go back to our comfort zones and what our "adult" mind says we can and can not do? So why do we impose these restrictions on our artistic self?

Where Do They Come From?

2009-12-09T08:30:00.005-06:00

I am often asked "Where do you get ideas for your work? The short answer is....from everything I see, hear, touch and/or smell. Many times just a word or glimpse of something will fuel the fire for a new piece. Sometimes it takes a lot of percolating for the idea to surface and sometimes it becomes a reality in a flash. The piece shown was one of those quick inspirations. The title "Descent" does not really clue the viewer in to the inspiration source. I will share the short story of this piece with you......I was working at Art Cloth Studios with several ladies a year or so ago. We had been working very hard all week and were pretty stressed. The suggestion was made to "throw an orange out of the window...it's a great release of stress" - the short of the story is that the studio is on the third floor - Oranges began flying out of the window and yes the stress was gone! We laughed until we cried. This was one of those AH HA moments - sketch book came out and I jotted down a quick sketch to work on at a later time. Ideas come from all around - be ready to capture them for later use!

Descent 27" x 104", Cotten Sateen, mx dye, appliques, hand stitching

available for purchase here

It's the Small Things

2009-12-08T11:14:00.001-06:00

I am constantly reminded by my granddaughters to take time to enjoy the little things in life. As we grow older it seems that we get so absorbed in "responsibilities" that we forget to stop and really look at what is all around us. Perhaps our inner child has been buried by all that is going on and our adult continues to throw more on top. I think that we need to nourish that inner child, hold on to her - experience and view the world through her eyes. We need to put that adult away for a few hours everyday and let the child take over. She is not so critical of what is in her world. She loves every mark she makes and relishes in her discoveries. She is amazed at what the world presents to her and soaks it all up in her innocence. Her actions and words speak pure and lovingly. Her time is slow and direct, her focus is on just what is in front of her. Let's see if we can't find that inner child and let her out to play!

The Short Answer

2009-12-07T09:11:00.001-06:00

I am not one that generally looks “deep” into why I make the art that I make. I’m not sure if this comes from the ever present little voice (I call her Aural) that is constantly telling me “that’s not good”, “why are you doing that”, etc. or the fear of sounding like a complete idiot. A friend recently asked me several questions – one being “Do you find that the medium (fabric) adds a dimension to expression that you may not get with paint on canvas?” This made me stop and think – why DO I work on fabric? I have painted with acrylics and oils, worked with pastels, graphite pencil, ceramics and many other mediums so why am I drawn to fabric? I thought I was going to give a short answer but it turned out I had a lot more to say than I thought I did! I'll be short here. The short answer is Yes, I feel that fabric adds a great deal of emotion to a piece. I once explained what I do as "an abstract painting that has been released from the constraints of its frame". Yes, to me the fabric becomes alive, it has soul and movement, it is not static. I love when a viewer is looking at the work and the piece gently reaches out to them. The work follows the viewer as if to say come back, talk to me. I find that the flowing of the fabric is very difficult to resist, viewers instinctly reach out to touch it. There is a peaceful dance that happens between the viewer and the art work.

Thinking Stage

2009-12-06T07:50:00.000-06:00

I am in the process of doing some smaller works for a show in March. I have many bits and pieces of larger works that I am trying to reclaim and remake - So now I'm in the thinking stage - trying to decide what to use, what fabrics to combine, auditioning threads - even deciding if I am going to do any handstitching. My works come from lots of thinking (maybe procrastination!) so it is a slow process. I don't like to record in journals but perhaps with the blogging this will change. So for now you will just get to see this work in the embryo stage - together we will see how the third piece develops.

A cold morning

2009-12-05T08:22:00.000-06:00

Another "winter" type piece. Again, these colors are some I normally don't do. I have a very difficult time when things are rainy or gloomy - I need the bright sunshine to energize me! But after a drive through the Texas countryside the image of fields on a very foggy January morning kept haunting me - the only way to get it out of the mind is to put it onto the fabric! I did some experimenting with this piece. The "fabric" I'm stitching on is Lutrador - I burned, painted and stitched it. I also used graphic and pigment pens to emphasize the tree forms. The "fog" comes from a piece of sheer fabric painted/inked in grays that lays over the front, there is also a piece of black organza that lays over the back. That was the original plan for the piece. Since I have completed it I have shown it with the sheers hanging over the back so that you see the Lutrador first - also it has been shown from both the back side and the front side. Depending on how it is hung the whole feel of the piece changes! Three for one. I am happy to say that this piece now has been adopted out to a permanent home.

BRRRRRR

2009-12-04T11:36:00.001-06:00

Today is so gloomy! Yet holds it's own beauty. The skies are grey, folage is missing from the trees and the wind is gusting. I don't think snow will be in the picture - just cold. I tried to capture this feeling in Winter's Morning - the cold, misty overcast day - letting only the bravest of trees peek through.

This piece was done with graphite, inks, sheer organza, muslin and machine stitching. It is mounted to black felt.

Balance

2009-12-03T07:42:00.000-06:00

In many ways my work is merely a reflection of what is going on in my life. I think that many artists work this way. I find that trying to balance the everyday living and then making time for art is always complicated for me. Although I no longer have to report in at a "9 - 5" job, I still have several "jobs" I do from home. Trying to find the discipline to work is difficult for me. I am easily distracted by the "just one more entry to the books" or "it will just take 10 minutes to get these invoices out" or "I'll just throw a load of laundry in"...... the "JUSTS" seem to take up a lot of time and before I know it my intent to get in the studio and work is just a dream. I am making an effort to work everyday, be it in small steps or to be able to sit and stitch all day. (That only happens when deadlines are near!)

This small 12" x 12" piece was about balance - perhaps it wasn't balancing fate but balancing my life.

Balancing Fate 12" x 12" x 1"

Under Pressure

2009-12-02T09:06:00.002-06:00

Detail Under Pressure

Today I'm not feeling "Under Pressure" but thought I would share with you the piece that is title such. I was invited to be a part of an international exhibition in Australia last year - November to be exact. I was thrilled with being invited and looked forward to working on a piece for the exhibit. As human nature - or at least my human nature - goes I put off and put off the making of this piece. There were lots of "thinking" days, lots of "what if" days but nothing was being put on fabric. As the deadline loomed it all came together - in the nick of time. On top of producing a quality piece of art I also had to write an Artists Statment - I worried about that for a long time and just as the artwork came together so did the Artist's Statement - in the nick of time.
I am very happy with this work and even more excited that the Exhibition will be touring Australia until early 2011.

Under Pressure
118” x 32”
Silk Broadcloth
Deconstructed Silk Screen, Painting with Thickened Dyes, Dye Wash, Mark making with Pen, Burning, Gold Leafing
The photo is a detail of the piece.

Artist's Statement

A fleeting idea, a glimpse of color, a smell or perhaps the touch of an appealing surface will set my soul off on another journey across expanse of white fabric.

Under Pressure began as a distinct attraction to the rich warm bronze and cool blue color combination. My next piece was begging me to incorporate the colors that spoke so strongly to me. As the bronze and blue colors combined with serendipitous textures layered down the length of cloth, images of rock buried deep in the earth began to emerge. The cloth began speaking to me of waiting, of patience, of time. I explored directions the fabric could go, yet not feel any of the directions calling me, so I continued to wait. I studied the layers developing on the fabric. I saw similarities of the formation of this cloth to the formation of precious metal or priceless jewels. Both depend on layers, time and pressure. Layers are dependent on what comes before; yet push the previous layer down. Never destroying the prior layers, but needing them for support. Only under pressure do precious metal and jewels develop. Time. Patience. Pressure. The creation of my fabrics is so similar! As I waited with the pressure of deadlines looming, images of gold veins, cracks and fissures came to mind. It was the direction the fabric was calling me to take.

So with Life - time and patience are needed to permit layers to build, pressure is needed to produce the desired results. View Under Pressure in the literal sense, but also figuratively. Precious results take time and patience. We depend on layers of learning, time to digest the lessons and the pressure of life in general, in order to create these precious results.

Store Site now UP

2009-12-01T14:34:00.001-06:00

I was asked why the flurry of activity by a friend of mine - the only answer I could come up with - I don't feel good and it was easier to sit at the computer than to texture the bathroom wall! Not to mention that these things have been on the burner for longer than I care to admit! I am still working on the website - I get aggravated at not being able to change something so I have to back off for a bit. BUT I do have a URL to my "store". There are just a few items up right now but more to come. Plus I have to figure out how to put a permanent button on the blog. Technology - can't live with it - can't live without it!

New Store - http://lauraannbeehler.bigcartel.com/

Sunshine for a Dreary Day

2009-12-01T08:41:00.008-06:00

Today I thought it would be nice to bring a little sunshine since the day is so cold and rainy. This is a piece of Art Cloth created a while back. It is done on silk broadcloth using mx dyes and gold leafing. The color is one that I normally do not work in but you know if you don't get outside your comfort zone how will you ever grow?

Caliente, 2008, 20" x 78" Silk Broadcloth, Silk Organza, mx dyes, gold leaf.

Venturing out into Cyberspace

2009-11-30T16:08:00.006-06:00

Welcome! This is a new venture into uncharted waters for me. I hope that you will enjoy my successes and my failures as I share a glimpse of my world and my journey across yards of fabric. Although my primary love is in making Art Cloth I have ventured into some smaller works. The piece shown above is "Dance" and is 6" x 8". It incorporates found objects, hand stitching, hand dyed fabrics and gold leafing. It is available for purchase.

I will be posting pictures of completed pieces as well as works in progress. I welcome your comments and suggestions.