Saturday, October 29, 2011

Finished today....

Back view of one option...
Tied...
A little bag ready for straps to be sewn. made with C-1 and some silk fabric and fibres.

A more funky view...
for the "handbag and glad rags" show coming up. Now that these are complete, I am trying to decide what to do with the rest of my day. The house needs to be tidied, but that sounds like no fun at all. I think maybe some more coffee first and then I can decide!

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Makin' stuff...

Fun lil' sampler...


I had a wonderful student by webcam this week. We broke our "one day" instuction into 2 shorter days and I cannot believe all the stuff we covered. I answered lots of questions, made a 3d piece and also a sample with elements she wanted to explore. I really enjoyed it. Yesterday, I made a little bag. You can see the shrinkage as it is on it's resist. The tacky tie dye stretchy fabric is what is on the surface. The wool is corriedale. It's cute...nothing too exciting. I have a wild wrap laid out right now ready to wet and felt. Now, if I could wake up and warm up, I would feel motivated! I think a big mug of coffee or chai is in order, heater on in the studio...I Post images of the wild wrap when it is done (Pink, turquoise, black and white...we shall see!!)

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Monday, October 24, 2011

What's New....

New bag...
Back view of a new wrap. I love purple/pink/red together. Call me crazy.
Back of new bag (c-1 pelsull) Channeling my inner cavewoman artist, perhaps.

surprise under flap. (Me cavewoman. Gather food in my felt bag.)
Flap.
A bag that my 13 year old son made entirely on his own yesterday on a whim! :o). I am so proud.

I have had a great couple of days. I, as usual, have donned many hats of the non-felted variety. I am now working on some pieces for a show at the John H. Parrott Gallery in Belleville. They are having a December show, "Handbags and Glad Rags". How fun does that sound?! I am having some playtime, for sure. I made a wrap yesterday and in between machine rolling managed to get a bag going (while middle son got busy on a bag of his own) I had a lovely student by webcam today and between working together, I was able to get it fulled and then finished it this evening! I am feeling so efficient and smug. I have another student this week and lots of my own work ahead. I have materials organized/sorted for 3 more wraps and look forward to getting them on the go with some bags in between. I'll keep you posted. Hugs all around.

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Cranking it out...

Not quite sure how it happened, but I have a lot going on in the next couple of months. I finished some work for The Guild Shop (wraps, hats, bags) and then finished and delivered the took-much-longer-and-more-work-than-anticipated installations for the Wayne State University show ("Oh, Canada"- to hang next month). I had some other invitations in between and, while I have not done a tally, I think I have 6 shows with work in. I am hoping this will generate some sales...novel idea, actually selling art.

I am very excited. Also, in the next couple of weeks, I have web cam students! A new chapter begins. Oh, I feel so savvy. This is a great option for those who want to spend some one-on-one time with me and travel is prohibitive. I have a $30 webcam and I am good to go! I just have students download the software and the day is spent demo-ing, watching by me, checking in and out, all for the price of a regular workshop, payable by paypal. Of course, I am still traveling to teach and welcome students in my studio, but for those that can't get to me, it's an option!

My week ahead will be about a bit of art, teaching, and a lot of dancing zombies. I'll keep you posted.

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Monday, October 17, 2011

New...



Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Wired

Hanging devices done on all 7 "Ghost Trees" ready to go to Detroit and hang from the 10 ft ceiling. Issue: No time/space to hang pieces for photography prior to delivery next week. I will need to hire a photographer in Detroit to shoot the piece and keep my fingers crossed. I am very particular how things look and, not only will the images be up in the air, but the installation is also. I do, however, trust the curator and gallery! The other piece, I made some attempt to shoot on my table and, well...not happy. I may be too tired, or unfocused, but will need to attempt again in the a.m.. I am very pleased with these pieces and, thanks to Anna Gunnarsdottir and her instruction, I am exploring some new shapes and ideas. I will try to shoot these on the floor tomorrow and will post images here and on my website. Then...off to Toronto for a swanky art "do", and deliver to the curator that will take the work on to Wayne State University.

Tomorrow will be spent wrapping the trees in sheets and pinning them to protect them a little, maybe finding something to stuff inside for transport, and photographing and boxing up the other piece. Oh, and making a stunning wrap to go with my little black dress for the event in Toronto. Oy!!

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Thursday, October 13, 2011

So unbelievably bummed.


Yes...there were many entries for not enough spots. It is, however, little consolation to me that this piece did not make it into a juried exhibition (one that is , or was, very important to me). It is felted in a single piece on a complex template (what looks like three is really one...titled URBANITY) I am totally bummed. I'm not seeking pats on back or expressions of incredulous shock and awe...just feeling sorry for myself...and then mad at myself for feeling sorry for myself. I tried Sherbert (rainbow) and it was not quite enough. Washed dishes to distract myself...hmmm, now I am p.o.ed. Like any rejection, I will get over it, but despite reaching really high, I have been on quite an amazing winning streak. I suppose I was due to get some wind knocked out of my sails. Really bummed, nonetheless. It will have to be short lived because tomorrow the focus must switch to the installation for Detroit. The work will go on.

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Monday, October 10, 2011

What's up...

A bag I made on FELT UNITED day in the appropriate colours made with c-1 and c-1/ pelsull.
I needed a break from the neutrals of my tree installation...
bag in progress (above)

4 of the 7 trunks. Thankfully, they are all felted, glued (with half weld-bond and half water) and the last 3 all hanging to completely dry before I deliver them to the curator for the show at the Elaine L. Jacob Gallery at Wayne State University. They are going to be a bit unwieldy for transport at 9 feet long and stiff as 2 x 4's, but not much I can do about that. hanging devices for them are to be addressed next week and my genius hubby is one step ahead.

I am now working on the other installation "Canadian Mosaic" (for the same show) and must have all the pieces complete and drying by Saturday. I will post an image when I have them all done. I am teaching 3 workshops with 7th and 8th graders this week and need a day of prep, so time is tight. Working on statements comes first....yikes. So much show stuff seemed to pop up so quickly and I have others I have had to pass up. When it rains, it pours.

Well, sorry not much of an earth shaking post...all my creativity today went into a felted piece now drying on my table. I'll keep you posted. Happy Canadian Thanksgiving. Thanks to all you followers (who now number over 500!) you are so encouraging and keep me connected in such a wonderful way. Until next time very soon... Andrea

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

time to relax

time to relax
Liberatio Captivus