Fabric, Layer, Stitch, Repeat

It seems this last year of my life has been about rediscovering art.  I've never given up working with my hands, but it has been in a more practical way.  Planting, harvesting, preserving, caring for animals, perhaps creating the occasional greeting card, or putting together a few scrapbooks have been the extent of my creating things.  It appears I left having art in my life when I left college. Until this last year, that is. 

The last 12 months I have been rediscovering the art of creating in many different media through classes at Two Twelve Art Center and Quilting Season.  I've worked in creating acrylic paintings, recycled sketchbooks, needlework and embroidery, felting, mobiles, glass, photography, drawing, collage, paper weaving, encaustic, and quilting.

In that time, I have discovered  an affinity for encaustic collage and fabric/fiber collage.  I've used my sewing machine more in the last 6 months than I did since owning it in the last 17 years!  I've enjoyed the process of experimenting and collaborating with other artists on their techniques.  This fabric collage I am working on currently is from verbal instructions I received from fellow artist, Kat, a gracious teacher who is always willing to share her knowledge with others.

This is not a finished piece, mind you.  It is still a work in progress.  As I continue to put my composition training to work, and experimenting with different textures and color theory, I have a long way to go!  This piece is taking a bit more time as I have been working with all hand sewing and embroidery.

Here are some details:

Here are my first steps in the project:

I'm hoping to work on a series of this type.  I'll post more as it unfolds.  If you have any tips or comments on what I've done, please post!  I welcome all comments and critiques.  Happy Creating!

Recycled Banner Tote bag

After the Self Portrait Show at Two Twelve Art Center, I received the portion of the used publicity banner bearing my self portrait.

So I created a tote bag!

Using old colored canvas material I had on hand, I created the tote based on the size of my banner piece and some borders.  then I created a log cabin block to the same dimensions for the back side.

I also tried my hand at my first log cabin block.

  The extent of my previous tote-making has been out of recycled dog food bags and bird seed bags.  Pretty basic as you can see.

However, there are some really good tutorials online.  I recommend this one. 
These are the instructions I used and can be made to any size.  Happy creating!

Perfectly Balanced

I took a fantastic class today at 212 Arts Center - you're shocked I'm sure!  Friday night Mike and I went  to the WSG Gallery in Ann Arbor to view Valerie Mann's show, "The Real Cinderella Dress and other Recent Work"  It was inspiring.  Which brings me back to today's class...

Val Mann herself taught us how to create our own Calder-esque mobile.  Everything we used was found or repurposed material - which I love. Since I also love rocks and have been collecting them for as long as I have been walking, I decided to use this for my inspiration.

My love of all things rocks and minerals led me to purchase this fabulous fabric :)

I took this idea to a three dimensional  form by cutting out various plastics, aluminum pans, old black rubber pieces, and screen in the shapes of rocks.  Although it was difficult to photograph, here is what I came up with...

Photo Friday: Environment

This theme is right up my alley.  I am passionate about the environment and using recycled and upcycled materials in my mixed media collages.  This photo was taken of our conservation land and layered under a recycled envelope window, newspaper, lace, fabric, and pattern tissue.

This is the original photo of our conservation land.

Every Inchie Monday: Girl

I'm a tad late posting my Monday Inchie, but better late than never!  This week's theme is "Girl"
Rather than using a photo or cutout of an actual girl, I decided to let people figure out the subject by using no illustrations, only graphics.  Of course several of the materials are recycled!

Recycled embossed paper, ribbon, lace, cardboard packaging, and dictionary page. Also used: ink, glitter, grommet,     acetate overlay with graphic ampersand