Many, many years ago I remember going to a quilt exhibition at the Smithsonian Textile Museum. While my friends were trying to evade the 'white glove' guards (if you touched one of the quilts an alarm went off - not surprisingly, with tempting fabrics in front of the quilting ladies, the alarms went off a LOT), in a prophetic moment I wandered upstairs and walked through Liza Lou's 'Kitchen' installation.
Every single item was covered in glass beads.
Quite extraordinary.
I thought at the time, this must have taken erm … a while!
Now I spend my time creating tiny, 6 inch pieces of beaded work I realise just how MUCH time.
And I thought I had OCD just a tad.
Covid-19 White Rose
Well I finished it! Finally my shabby rose is tied down to the dark, dark embroidered background. Just how I felt when walking my garden in June of last year. Very sad and shabby.
But isn't this a gorgeous way to channel grief?
Little things show hope - ladybugs, spiders, caterpillars and now I look out of the window and see tiny, tiny little leaves shooting on the same rose bush. Nothing brings us down - it's an amazing thing being human and on this Earth.
This piece will go off to the Museum of Beadwork in a week or so and be added to the incredible list of artists' works.
To read about WHY I made this piece go here.
To read about HOW I made this piece go here.
Aren't these colours gorgeous? Before our Western trek I used to spend time with Hollis and other artists. I enjoy reading her newsletter and imagine her in her studio, with the swimming pool outside, where they threw me into the water - WITH ALL MY CLOTHES ON! Ahhhh, those were good times. Snort!
Anyhow, aside from the entirely unnecessary personal interjection there, back to - isn't this piece gorgeous. Unfortunately there isn't a close up, but if there was, you would marvel. This is done in a technique called 'thread painting'. Yupper, this is thread. If you do get to wander around her website see if you can find a detailed image. You really need to see the stitching close up.
Yes, yes, I know - they were in the last newsletter. But this is different - no really.
We are on the other side of my online class for the Portland Bead Society so I can now offer you the pattern. Or, if you prefer not trying to source the beads, bits, and other stuff you can buy the kit. Learn a little somethin' new - the pattern is here (no shipping of course, it's a downloadable pdf). And the kit is here.
If you have any thoughts, worries, questions once you've got the pattern/kit then I am always happy to get confused with you. Just contact me through the website.
I'm sure you've heard of Portland, Oregon. But I bet you didn't know there is a cute little suburb right on the south border which is on the light rail system, buses into Portland downtown, an amazing new library and one of the best Farmer's Markets around. Yup, I live in Milwaukie. Have a walk around -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S62JtW0ki4Y.
Last newsletter I mentioned Studio Ghibli and their gorgeous animated movies. Now I find there is a Danish children's program about a man with a 'misbehaving' penis! This is Claymation movie making - rather along the lines of Aardman, the studio who created Wallace and Grommit. Only rather less erm, sophisticated ...
Dreadfully funny. I wonder what the Danish children think ...?
