Surface Art Association - "Fiber Stories"

I'm excited to have 2 pieces of art hanging in Surface Art Association's "Fiber Stories" at The Betsy Lueke Creative Arts Center in Burbank,  CA. If you're in the area, please stop on by!

The Betsy Lueke Creative Arts Center

1100 West Clark Avenue

Burbank, CA 91506

 Opening Reception:

Friday, August 3, 2018

7pm - 9pm 

Show Dates:

August 3 -23, 2018

Hours:  

Monday - Thursday 9am - 9pm

Friday 9am - 7pm

Saturday 9am - 1pm

Sunday closed

MRB - 8" x 8" mixed media

Infinite Possibilities - 30" x 50" fiber

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"Language" sketchbook journal - new sketches

I'm not a fan of extremely hot weather. This summer has been uncomfortable. I have been dreaming of cool rain and a tropical breeze.

"Language" sketchbook journal - "cool rain" and "tropical breeze"

close up - "cool rain" 7"x5"

close up - "tropical breeze" 4"x4"

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"Language" sketchbook journal - new sketches

The last few weeks my life has been consumed by car maintenance. I'm hoping that all of the issues have resolved. Fingers crossed.

"Language" sketchbook journal - "driven" and "riding the peaks and valleys"

close up - "driven" 8"x5"

close up - "riding the peaks and valleys" 7"x5"

 

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Journals with Two Needles Coptic Stitch

In my quest to master the Coptic Stitch and to make journals, I tried using two needles at the same time to make these two journals.The reason I wanted to try this method of Coptic Stitch is that I didn't want a long line of thread on the inside of the signatures. The thread can get in the way when creating in a journal.

The stitching in this first journal is a bit wonky. The second and fourth row of stitches are lopsided as compared to the first and third row of stitches, which have the nice braided look.

Red + Orange journal - 6" x 4.75"

I'm still going to use this journal for myself because the desire effect of having the pages lay flat is achieved. I used paper that I have monoprinted for the signatures so, I'm not staring at a blank page when I start creating.

My second attempt at Two Needles Coptic Stitch was much better. All 4 rows of stitching have the even braided look.

Blue + Navy journal - 6" x 4.75"

 As with the first journal, I used paper that I have monoprinted as signatures.

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"Language" sketchbook journal - new sketches

It's been one of those weeks. ***heavy sign*** This week's sketches reflect that sentiment.

"Language" sketchbook journal - "spinning my wheels" and "running in place"

close up - spinning my wheels 8"x5"

close up - running in place 8"x5"

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Nature Book with Coptic and French Link Stitches

Nature Book with Coptic and French Link Stitch - 5.75"x4.5"

I'm feeling pretty good about my skills with the Coptic and Long stitch so I decided to add another stitch to my repertoire. The French Link stitch is another pretty stitch like the Coptic stitch. I thought that using both of these stitches would make a pretty book. Also, learning the right amount of thread tension is key to this stitch.

I had some papers that I tried to Ecoprint but not all the prints were successful. Instead of throwing out the unsuccessful prints I lightly overdyed all the papers with amber and dark blue-green so each page had some interesting marks. I felt that leaving the book without a cover would nicely showcase the papers. It was a pretty good first attempt at French Link stitch. I am going to continue to practice it so I can get the thread tension correct.

Nature Book - spine

Nature Book - end pages and spine

Nature Book - page 1

Nature Book - last page

Nature Book - inside pages

Nature Book - inside pages

Nature Book - aerial view

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"Language" sketchbook journal - new sketches

These 2 new sketches created in my "Language" sketchbook journal were loosely inspired by the fireworks that I saw and heard all night on the 4th of July.

"Language" sketchbook journal - "boom" and "nuclear mindfulness"

close up - boom 4"x4"

close up - nuclear mindfulness 7"x4"

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Commercial Batik Fabric Book with Daisy Runner Stitch

Commercial Batik Fabric Book with Daisy Runner Stitch 6"x4"

I found two more pieces of commercial fabric in my small stash to use to cover a book. I love this floral batik fabric for the outside cover and wish I knew who manufactured it. This fabric paired well with the swirly batik fabric for the inside cover. It's probably the former textile designer in me but I couldn't add any additional stitching except to bind the signatures. I wanted to leave floral batik fabric as is so the colors and design will stand out on its own.

I am learning as I make more books to think about what type of thread and stitch to use so the book tells a story. With this batik fabric, I used Darice Hemp Cord in Turquoise using the Daisy Runner Stitch. The batik fabric and hemp cord conjured up a '60s vibe. The daisy runner stitch ties in perfectly with the floral batik fabric. I used resume paper for the signatures and tore the edges to look more handmade.

outside cover

inside cover

Daisy Runner Stitch

inside cover showing Swirly Batik Fabric and torn signatures

torn resume paper signatures

torn resume paper signatures

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Beyond the Edge Fiber Artists "Exploration in Fiber"

I'm a member of an amazing good of fiber artist called Beyond the Edge Fiber Artists. We currently have an exhibit called "Explorations in Fiber" at the Cerritos Library. The library located at 18025 Bloomfield Avenue, Cerritos, California. The exhibit will be on display through August 31, 2018. If you're in the area, please stop by. 

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