New Work and Upcoming Exhibitions

I've been working on a new series of sculptural wall pieces that draw from a wide range of previous explorations, many of which have been featured on this blog in the past:

My studio wall of samples.

By looking at all these separate explorations at once I was able to begin to make connections between inspirations that felt quite separate at the time.  The work that has resulted feels almost like tactile collages.  

I am drawn to the way similar patterns re-appear again and again in the natural world and I address this by layering and combining similar imagery executed in different materials and processes, which lends the work an abstract quality.  The forms are still familiar, but they can be interpreted in many different ways.  There is a tension between structure and chaos in nature, in which very precise processes on a microscopic scale create unique, organic forms perfectly suited to a specific purpose.  I see a parallel between this construction of the natural world and construction in textiles, which often require tedious and precise actions, but result in soft and pliable objects.

 

Two of these new sculptural pieces, Emergent Geographies III and IV are part of a group exhibition up this month at Ground Floor Gallery in Nashville, TN.  The exhibition is called Touched and features a great collection of soft sculpture from some really amazing artists, all of whom I'm very honored to be showing with.  It opens tomorrow, Saturday October 3rd.

I will also be showing this new series as part of a solo exhibition next month at Blick Art Materials here in Savannah, opening November 13th.

My Newest Project: Sulfur Studios

Wow, it has been a little while since my last post, sorry everyone!  I have been a busy little bee working on a project that I'm super excited to share with everyone.

I am working with two good friends and fellow local artists to start an artist's collective here in Savannah called Sulfur Studios  The space will feature 14 affordable studio spaces, a large gallery space and a shared storage and workspace.  It will be the venue for community events, like lectures and workshops, group critiques, pop-up shops and trunk shows.

We are working on securing an amazing space for the collective, which needs just a little bit of TLC in the way of cosmetic upgrades- painting, a bit of electrical work and new floors, plus the specialized gallery lighting system.  The layout of the space is ideal for us though, with the central gallery space surrounded by individual workspaces.  

The Gallery Pre-Renovation

The Lobby/Event Space Pre-Renovation

Some of the Smaller Studios Spaces

Our goal is to make Sulfur Studios a hub of creative activity, which will attract talented and driven individuals and give them a reason to stay in Savannah.

We launched an IndieGoGo Campaign this weekend in order to raise funds to pay our security deposit and for the improvements to the building.  We hope to open our doors to studio renters in January, while finishing the renovation of the gallery, with the first exhibitions taking place in March.

If you are able to contribute to Sulfur Studios I would be immensely grateful.  We have some great perks as part of our IndieGoGo campaign, including some original work by yours truly.  If you can't contribute at this time but would still like to support affordable artists studios in Savannah, please share our campaign with your friends and family.

Long Overdue Workshop Images

Hold on everyone, this is a long one. It has been a crazy month, and it's still going strong! I am currently on a bit of a workshop teaching tour, which started at the Appalachian Center for Craft in Smithville, TN with a class called Expressive Feltmaking.  I had a lovely group that was really excited about learning all the possibilities that felt had to offer.  It was a lot of fun to have an entire week to work with the class and watch them explore different aspect of felting that appealed to each of them.

Alice's Nuno Felting Experiment

Dawn's Nuno Felted Scarf

Gloria's Bag and necklace with felted flowers

Gloria's wet felting sample

Jan's felted boots/slippers, which she lovingly called her Bears

Jan's Suncatcher

Keithly's Scarves

Maya's Sculptural Samples

Shannon's felted jewelry

Everyone on the last evening of class.


After leaving the craft center I made my way up to Michigan to visit family, and then made my way to Mackinac Island, where I taught a felting class that focused on Mittens and Slippers.  The weather decided to set the mood, feeling more like fall than the end of summer:

Everyone in the class made a sample swatch and then we dived in to the felted mittens and slippers.

Expressive Feltmaking Workshop at Appalachian Craft Center

I'm excited to be teaching a 5 day workshop called Expressive Feltmaking this August 4-9 at the Appalachian Craft Center in Smithville Tennessee.  The class will cover a lot of techniques including two and three dimensional felting, nuno felting, and needle felting.  Besides demonstrating the basics of felting I'm planning on working with individual students to help them design and realize their own projects, which could range from wearable art, to sculpture, to wall hangings.  The longer format of the class will allow for a lot of experimentation and fun!

To sign up or read up about the facilities, check out the Brochure. Scroll to the bottom to fill out the registration form, then mail it to:

Appalachian Craft Center
1560 Craft Center Drive.
Smithville, TN 37166

Ph: (931) 372-3051

I'm also going to be teaching a one day felting class on Mackinaw Island and a two day natural dye class at Contemporary Craft in Pittsburgh later in August.  Stayed tuned to future posts for details!

ArtFields 2014

If you're near Lake City, SC you can take a look at my installation "Overgrowth" as part of ArtFields, it will be up till Saturday May 3rd. If you like it, you can vote for it, my Voter ID #858652 but you have to sign up in person.

Also, if you're near Savannah, GA some of my new embroidery pieces will be up in a group show at The Sentient Bean, 13 E Park St. Savannah, GA 31401, the reception will be this Friday, May 2nd.  

New Embroideries on Paper/Wood

I've been spending the last few weeks working on this new series of embroideries on paper.  I like the contrast of the delicate thread and thick watercolor paper, and the way my planned and carefully pre-poked holes lead to chaotic floats of thread.  I also recently picked up some birch veneer on a whim and started some ideas in a new direction.  Again the material contrast is driving my exploration, and the contrast between the organic, naturally formed patterns of the wood and traditional geometric embroidery designs which act as a nature analog.

Emergence IV (Ithsmi),  20" x 16" Thread on Paper

Emergence V, 20" x 16" Thread on Paper

Emergence VI, 20" x 16" Thread on Paper

Sample, 10" x 8" Thread on Birch Veneer

Overgrowth In Artfields

My installation, Overgrowth, which was constructed during my residency last summer at Contemporary Craft, is on display in Lake City, SC as a part of the Artfields competition.  I drove up yesterday with my lovely assistant Lysa to install it in a really great space called Emerson Row.  The shop is full of beautiful pieces selected and often refurbished by owner Emily Richardson.  It was a great fit for Overgrowth, which grew down the brick walls and onto an antique hutch.

Artfields is an art competition in Lake City, South Carolina, which runs from April 25th until May 4th. If you in the are stop by and check it out!