New Embroidery in Progress

A detail of a new embroidery in progress.

New Studio Explorations

After finishing all the work for my thesis this fall I've found myself a bit at loose ends, which is a good thing, as it's allowed me time to explore several different directions.  I've been doing some more weaving, using similar imagery that I used in the rusted work, but using naturally dyed yarns instead.  Here is a small sample I wove using some wool I dyed at the end of the summer in Pittsburgh. The green comes from goldenrod treated with Iron.

Dappled (Green), Wool, 14" x 24"

Dappled (Green) detail

  I've also been working on more embroidery on paper pieces, completing a couple larger ones. 

Emergence I,  Embroidery on Paper,  20" x 16"

Emergence I detail

Emergence II,  Embroidery on Paper,  20" x 16"

Emergence II detail

Finally, I've been going through some of my early rusted woven samples that are beginning to deteriorate past the point of being able to show or even move easily.  I've decided to do some rust printing with these pieces, essentially taking an impression from the rust surface.  The printed linen on the left below will survive much longer than the original woven piece on the right.  I think this impression will be the first step in a layered  piece, and I plan to experiment with some embroidery and applique on top.

Impression, in progress

Transient Structures Sneak Peek

I'll be installing Transient Structures in just a few days.  Here's a sneak peak of some of the work getting prepared in the studio.

Deterioration Panels - New Weavings

 I have a few new large weavings that have been hanging around the studio...

 Deterioration Panel I. Mercerized Cotton, Iron Wire, Cottolin, rusted with saltwater. 80" x 28"

Deterioration Panel II. Mercerized Cotton, Iron Wire, Cottolin, rusted with saltwater. 24" x 80"

 

Salt crystals that form during the rusting process, beautiful in their own right.

Prepping for PMA Craft Show

I'm super excited to announce that I'm going to be exhibiting at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show next week.  SCAD is sending a handful of fiber grads and metals and objects students to the show to share a booth.  I've been busy for the past couple weeks getting some of my weavings prepped and ready to go.  A few of the pieces I'm bringing are samples that I've shared before, spruced up and framed, but a couple are brand new pieces from earlier in the semester.  If you're going to be at the show come by and say hello!

Reeds. Iron Wire, Cotton/Linen Yarn.  Woven on a Dobby Loom.

Reeds. Detail.

Arguta. Iron Wire, Cotton Thread. Woven on A Jacquard loom.
Custom Steel Frame.

Arguta. Detail.

Tangential Section. Iron Wire, Cotton/Linen Yarn.  Woven on a Jacquard loom.
Custom Steel Frame.  

Tangential Section. Detail.

Undulations. Iron Wire, Cotton/Linen and Bamboo/Silk Yarns.  Tapestry Woven. 

Undulations. Detail.

This last piece is a sample of my lastest explorations, using an iron warp on a tapestry loom.  It's a much slower process, but I can control the threads on a whole different level.  Having the threads cross the warp at an angle and on a curve for example.

I've also purchased a new camera since my last post, hopefully you can see an improvement in the quality of the photos I'll be posting from now on!