Notes May 14, 2014

Yesterday, I had an idea to change formats from an individual e-mail to a blog.  Then everyone can add what they want to share  and you can send the blog link out to others who might want the links & to see what we are doing. 

I'll put all the old newsletters on it so you can find all our great links.

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May 14, 2014

Priceless Pearls form the Circle

Bobbie Shared a spring poem to go with my Signs of Spring Embroideries

Spring by Linda Pastan Just as we lose hope she ambles in, a late guest dragging her hem of wildflowers, her torn veil of mist, of light rain, blowing her dandelion breath in our ears; and we forgive her, turning from chilly winter ways, we throw off our faithful sweaters and open our arms. "Spring" by Linda Pastan from Heroes in Disguise. © Norton, 1991. Reprinted with permission. (buy now)

Joan brought a photo from an article on Tunisia mine strikers ( p.A8, 5/14/14)

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Peggy brought Her wonderful tunnel books & the word Femmage, invented by Miriam Shapiro and Melissa Meyer, to describe her feminist collages. 

Definition of "Femmage:"

1. It is work by a woman. 2. The activities of saving and collecting are important ingredients. 3. Scraps are essential to the process and are recycled in the work. 4. The theme has a woman-life context. 5. The work has elements of covert imagery. 6. The theme of the work addresses itself to an audience of intimates. 7. It celebrates a private or public event. 8. A diarist's point of view is reflected in the work. 9. There is drawing and/or handwriting sewn in the work. 10. It contains silhouetted images which are fixed on material. 11. Recognizable images appear in narrative sequence. 12. Abstract forms create a pattern. 13. The work contains photographs or other printed matter. 14. The work has a functional as well as an aesthetic life.

From original document Shapiro and Meyer  More wonderful descriptions in this.

We talked about Kolams  from India  My former student, Radha Chandrashekeran describes them as “In Chennai, Southern India, where I grew up, women rose before dawn. It was their quiet time with the universe; free from their hectic schedule that they face during the day, women clean and draw geometrical rice powdered patterns on the ground, at the entrances of their home. This traditional ritual of creating sacred patterns with rice powder or paste on walls or the ground is a tradition that has been passed down from mother to daughter for over two thousand years.  It is known with different names in different parts of India, Kolam, Mandala in Chennai, Athipu in Kerala, Alpana in Bengal, Madana in Rajasthan etc.”  see image on her web site - click on her name above.

Leslee was at a  UW Maniacs book group for Orbiting the Giant Hairball a very fun book on creativity

They do great workshops, tours and discussions &  

lots of good stuff on their toolbox page

Bobbie brought a Buffet of Hankies

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She offered us each one to use and combine into a sort of Tibetan prayer flag.  She’ll bring them back May 21 if you missed this week.  “An amazing display”

  

Pamela N brought books from Ilze Aviks  

Workbook 1:  The Stitched Mark

&  Workbook 2:   Stitch and Monoprinting

Brenna wants volunteers to test her camera class on, I phone, I pad or point and shoot.  No date set yet.  I’m going- I’m just barely able to get photos in here!

 I think it was Maureen who brought QuiltingDaily.com –Hand sewing techniques printout.  You get lots free lessons when you sign up with them ( for email I think).

While there I found this retreat CREATE in Chicago August 15 It’s Cloth Scissor Paper people

Joan Lafazio is one of the teachers 

Lisa suggested Salley Mavor  Felted embroidered figures

     Her video is Rabbitat  She talks about her love of the process in it.

& Renee Harris (She still remains open to change, humbled by ambiguity and rewarded with fortuitous inspiration.)  Cynde see her birds!!

Poking around I found these artists too

Cindy Hickok, "My goal is to create a piece that will be enjoyed by others as much as I have enjoyed the process.  Mine is not an is-your-cup-half-full-or-is-it-half-empty question.   My cup runs over. "

Richard Saja, scroll down to see his tennis shoes

Katie Henry "Stitched illustrations"

Sherri’s work is part of DreamRocket’s kickstarter campaign

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She’ll be busy  planning the Frank Lloyd Wright road trip -

you can go June 6-7-8

Brenna found this butterfly project that is travelling the world

swarm the world  We could bring it here.

& This is her blog (- What is Beautiful Remains ( I was glad of her exquisite flower images when I lost an hour of my blog building - I went outside for a walk and looked at magnolias too)

 GOOD news/ BAD news / BAD news/ GOOD news

Jo got the job with UW Agronomy, but won’t be coming back on Wednesdays.

Brenna didn’t get the job in Milwaukee, so she will be back on Weds.

Today I just finished the very sweet book that Bobbie recommended

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

It makes you appreciate those around  you.

There are also several copies  at Hawthorne Library at East Washington and Johnson St.  On a table by the return desk. You have to go there to get them.

Introduction - What this is.

Last fall as part of  cafe allonge I started Making Memory Cloths, inviting others to join me in embroidering a memory while telling the story.  There was a wonderful response and many of the participants are continuing to meet with me at Lakeside Street Coffee House.  In this Blog we’ll put the resources, events and artists discussed at the weekly meetings.

The Memory Cloths I make always trigger the stories in the viewers. They start conversations that you don’t usually have with strangers.  At UW my job was serving the Wisconsin Idea, connecting the public with art.  Now I’m retired I see my purpose as connecting the public with art, only now I’m using my art to inspire others to find their own creativity and meaning in their life events.

A recent Salon.com article asked,  “How does art progress from irony and cynicism to something sincere and redeeming?”  I feel this work does that.

My Memory Cloths were inspired by an exhibit called Weavings of War. When I saw the Memory Cloths from South Africa, it was an A-HA moment.  They were brightly colored embroideries from the maker's memory with narrative paragraphs telling the story of the scenes depicted.  They were made to reclaim women’s experiences left out of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's official record of Apartheid. 

Since then I embroider my life on vintage textiles (mostly my Mother’s or Grandmother‘s) and write the story that goes with them. It’s become the way I process my life; joys, sorrows, discoveries,

As I worked I came to a forgiveness and peace inside myself.  I went to South Africa to ask if it worked that way there.  They said - of course – that was the plan.  They had been made in groups with talking, writing and sewing.  They were delighted that I had loved their process and said to share it with others. 

That’s what I’ve been doing.  And it’s been delightful!

I invite you to share this also.