Play time done, for now!

finished and drying on a hanger.

detail

back view

full front view. I ended up making slits in the side so that when it is on, the front panels fall nicely. It is still damp here and hanging a little stiff.

Mid way through fulling.

I got impatient and took the piece off the resist quite early and immediately regretted it knowing it could all come apart. It was all in a heap and I could not let what part was what. I very carefully lifted shifted the piece to begin fulling careful to support the weight.

Wet out last flap

layout of last flap
I will post a picture of me in it when my photographer is done his homework!

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next step...

Pretty, Huh? I know it is difficult to tell what is going on, but it will all make sense!

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me wearing vest...as requested!

The resist ready for the nest one. This one will be all wool (no silk fabrics incorporated) a little longer and fuller in the bottom. I'm looking forward to getting started.

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Just for Me

Totally an "Andrea" vest

A little closer...

...and the back

It rarely happens that I create something with the intention of it being for me, for keeps. Yes, I sometimes make a piece for "me" that ends up being shipped out along with all the other things I fall in love with as I make them, but not this one. I do always love the last one I made the best. That being said, this is my new "love". I know I will enjoy wearing this when I teach. It took me forever to calculate the resist, as I am mathematically challenged. I also had to think what my silk ratio would be as this affects shrinkage. The next one I make will have more wool and with more overlap on the front and, perhaps I will play with some asymmetry. This took me a few days to complete in and out of the studio and I am hoping to get another done this weekend. Wouldn't that be a treat? (I am excited now!).

I am sooo sorry, you all, that I did not document the process. My camera batteries were dead and I knew I could not delay! I will for the next one!

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...and the pile grows

OMG. I have made thousands (seriously) of little balls of wool the last couple of days and am so glad to have all the fibre organized for my Queen's University Artist-Educator in Residence position (which begins in a couple of weeks). Still lots of equipment and materials to organize, but this was a major part.

I bought a cute little table top ironing board so I don't have to schlep my big one because, you know, I iron sooo much at home. Truth be told, I boycotted ironing non-felt items several years ago which mysteriously coincided with the receipt of an ironing board cover in my Christmas stocking. We have since worn only knit wear and yoga pants. The children are now outcasts, but it's a small price to pay really.

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Ready, students?!

This is how I will be looking at your felt! (I am totally kidding)

Some of the over 230+ kits I will be putting together for my Artist in Residence position

"kits" in progress...

Like little loaves of freshly baked bread, no?

I am not a fan of making "kits". I like variation and surprise, but teaching very short workshops for my Artists-Educator in Residence position at Queen's University means I must prepare as much as I can before hand. No pussy-footing around for my students if they are going to get any felting done! I will be teaching some wet felting, as well as needle felting and I am not sure what to expect from my students! I will teach 1-2 workshops a day and will likely be spending the remainder of the day cleaning up and setting up for the next day. The studio is a nice open space and I really look forward to moving in. I may just not want to leave! I have a couple of weeks left to prepare and I know that time will go very quickly, so I am not leaving things to the last minute.

I am soooo itching to felt right now. I have a couple of new ideas to play with as well as a couple of shows to prepare for. I feel like there is something out there about to come my way, hope my instincts are on track. I am back to my regular routine tomorrow (which is more often irregular) and have too many options. You know I will keep you posted....

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Footloose

Kevin Bacon in Footloose

A part of my spirit longs to be foot loose and fancy free. To wake each day with a stretch, birds singing beyond my window, and have the ability to carve each day as I make my way through it without considering where it will end. While this is a romantic notion, I also know that it would drive me crazy.

Perhaps this is where balance comes in. My life seems to have vast blocks of one or the other. Scheduling "unscheduled time" seems like a contradiction, but I begin my year with blocking out big spots of time to come up for air.

I bid 2010 adieu, with all it's hairs and warts (2011 currently promises to shave and pluck) and have things to look forward to in the New Year as well as a wish list to begin to plan:

2011

-Artist-Educator in Residence at Queen's University

-Work traveling Europe with The Climate is Changing

-Work traveling US with FiberArt International

-Another child becomes a teen while one begins to drive

- Teaching at New England Felting Supply

-Invitational shows in Pittsburgh and Boston

-begin to develop a new body of work

-submit work for the Agnes Etherington Art Lending bank.

-book a couple of more teaching gigs (U.S. likely)

plan

- A trip to Europe- teach? Visit? Both?

-Exhibition research

-develop a new body of work

Lets see how that goes for starters. Happy New Year to you all. Make it count.

"I just don't know if I believe in everything that you believe in. But I believe in you." footloose
(good one, huh?)

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com