Studio project finally getting started ....

Working with welder Tom Sleeper to get metal work together. Using the concept of duality, I will use the rusted steel framework along with delicate threads. Fortunately, Tommy had found this very old, hand forged round hoop in the woods and was generous enough to give it to me for the base of the project. I decided it should open up in the center as to avoid any injury when entering the piece.

 I heated the rods to test for rusting, we added acid to the one on the left, on the right we heated and
 clear coated the top.  My thought is heat only on the rods because I would like the rust to be evenly distributed, but I am open. we will see how they looks next week with time to oxidize.

Down to the wire......

This semester has been challenging....working with the threads and sculptural pieces-tying them into my paintings and prints! Articulating the work into the writings....
In 2 weeks "critiques begin"!

Thread and Pulp

Thread, Pulp, Ink and Hanji,

Thread, Ink and Pulp

Woodcut in Progress

Harmony Hammond at the Rose Gallery at Brandeis

Semester is Winding Down!

As the semester is winding down I am trying to wrap up projects that have been started and work through the details of presentation.  I have worked on a few painting in reference to mark making techniques and implementing the materials I have used throughout the semester. I am not sure what I should call the sculptural boxes....assemblage, reliefs, sculpture or line drawings....one thing I am sure of is - an important part of these geometric shaped pieces is they create imagery on the wall when hung in a certain light.  I chose to keep the framework around several, not only keeping in mind the discourse of "fine art" but also of the confinement and containment.  The pieces without the framework also lend themselves to mark making though here it is the sense of fragility that accompanies this piece.

In my research I discover gampi silk tissue paper.....needless to say I loved the transparency and fragility (though it is said to be very strong paper)

~so I decided to experiment with it and mark making.

Acrylic Kozo Fiber on Panel

Acrylic and Thread on Canvas

Acrylic, Sumi Ink and Acrylic Ink on Paper

Thread and Pulp

Thread, Wood and Pulp

American Textile Museum and MASSMoCA

Textiles of Artists Picasso to Warhol:

One of many of Calder's silkscreen print fibers

Teresita Fernandez and Lee Boroson at MASSMoCA

In Fernandez's work the viewer enters the image.....

Plastics ....Boroson's installation....

Update....

Several pieces of pulp waitning to be sewn together

What remains....the shadow on the wall

Side View of finished piece

Finished paper weaving 

Vat with 40 x 20 paper weaving on PVC pipe

Ink, Pulp, Thread, and Silk organza

After inking the handwoven pulp and thread I printed it onto Arches 88 and a ghost onto silk organza.