Sunday, November 22, 2020

A New Day Arrives--exhibit and a book signing

 

The new days after the election are dawning with continuing upheaval and uncertainty of when this will come to an end. With votes counted, results announced--and in spite of continuing push-back from the current administration--history was indeed made as the first woman vice president-elect for the nation was selected. Now, let's hope for the best through the next fifty-nine days. And for all of the days to come after Inauguration Day.

Now, on to other news!

My exhibit at the Hambidge Weave Shed Gallery has been extended until December 19. I did a book signing on November 19 between 2 and 5:30 p.m. With masks and safe distancing, of course! The gallery is a large, open room and I didn't have hoards of visitors but there were a few. It was really nice to see old friends and to know that a few more books were sold. The gallery has a small sales area with lots of wonderful pottery and some of my niece's stuffed creations. There are a few of my books remaining and there are books written by other Hambidge Fellows, as well.

 A few photos of the gallery with my work installed:






And, happily I'm weaving again on something larger than a teeny tapestry. I'm using natural dyed wool and a wool warp. The image is based on a mixed media collage I made a few years ago. The working title is "Memories of Ferns"--that might change later but right now it seems appropriate.



Tuesday, November 3, 2020

More about The Nature of Things

 November 3, 2020--a day of reflection and hope. I think back to this blog post from four years ago. I was right... it was a historic day.

November 3, 2020 is important also for being the launch date for Rebecca Mezoff's new book, The Art of Tapestry Weaving: A Complete Guide to Mastering the Techniques for Making Images with Yarn. It's going to be a tremendous addition to the tapestry literature, joining several books published this year.  My copy should be here soon--but I've also gotten a Kindle version so I can already dig in! It's a beautiful book. 

Rebecca wrote the foreword for the book about design for tapestry I have coming out next May, Tapestry Design Basics and Beyond: Planning and Weaving with Confidence. I think both books will complement each other well.

Here are three other tapestry books published this year--with my book stacked along side them! Just wish the physical version of Rebecca's book was here so I could slip it into place with these.


Links to these books are:

Micala Sidore, The Art is the Cloth:How to Look at and Understand Tapestries

Jean Pierre Larochette and Yadin Larochette, Anatomy of a Tapestry: Techniques, Materials, Care

Mary Zicafoose, Ikat: The Essential Handbook to Weaving with Resists

There's another book that I haven't gotten yet and that will be a great addition. It's How to Weave a Navajo Rug and Other Lessons from Spider Woman, by Lynda Teller Pete and Barbara Teller Ornelas.

I also wanted to post a link to videos of presentations made possible by the Damascus Fiber Arts School in Oregon. You can read about the idea for these presentations at their website here. I'm happy to have been part of the series on October 27 when I discussed my book. 

One of the things that this pandemic has done is made it possible to share in this zoom-y kind of way. Of course, watching a talk online isn't as good as seeing it in person. But, the advantage is that everyone with internet access anywhere in the world can take part! So... is this a great example of making lemonade from lemons? I think so!

 Thank you, Terry Olson, for inviting me to be part of the programs provided through Damascus Fiber Arts School. I'm enjoying each of the presentations several times over.

Now... back to setting up my tapestry loom. The best distraction one can have on this distractible day.