New...

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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!!

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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.

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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

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In Progress

My original "Ghost Tree" from my solo show...
This is the beginning of a small grove of "Ghost Trees" that will hang at a gallery in a few short weeks. here they hang in my garage to dry (my husband will be thrilled) They are about 9 feet tall and there are several more, of varied sizes and details to come. I am just waiting some materials that I hope arrive quickly!

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Come on in...

From my sinks... behind the curtain is a storage area with resist materials, finished felt, more wool (of course), etc. Big heavy tables made by my dad (counter height). the two in this configuration gives me 8 ft. and a great little "arm" to keep dry fibre etc. while I work/layout.

from the other corner...difficult to see but the table along the wall is now turquoise :o). I am going to put fabric under to conceal the ugly, but needed bins. Line over my sink to hang wet plastic/bubble wrap. Spinner on floor.

enter!
another from the doorway
from the corner closer to the window...

I mentioned on my FB status that I had bought some new vinyl to cover the MDF counter area I have under my window beside my sinks (also my machine table area, which has plastic on top as the vinyl is not water "proof") and some wanted pictures of my space.

I am sometimes asked about how to create a studio space and it really has been a process. As you work, you figure out what you need and as what you do changes, what you need changes too. The biggest things for me are my double sinks. I, believe it or not, have not had them very long. I hauled a bucket of water (no big deal, really), and rinsed in the kids bathtub, and came back to the studio to spin. Being in the basement required a pump and it just seemed a hassle, but now I can stay in my studio to do everything!

This leads me to my must have: my laundry spinner/centrifuge (from Laundry Alternatives in California). To be able to spin it almost dry and iron the work means dry time is shortened greatly. My rolling machine (from Don Evans in Colorado) is a big presence in my studio. It is rolled out, on occasion, is table space is required, but it is used for scarves. It does not speed up the process and I still do most of the work by hand, but it saves a bit of wear and tear on my body. It has been well worth the investment. I just figured I had to sell 35 scarves or so and it had paid for itself. Not a bad way to think about it.

Today I begin work for an important show. I'll keep you posted!

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What's up

Purple beret ready for The Guild Shop...on fabulous hat stands made by my dad (thanks, Dad!)

Setting up to "shoot"
Green beret...


Well, I had hoped to head to Toronto this week to deliver work to The Guild Shop and have a good face to face chat with the manager about inventory and what-not, but my week is dissolving before my eyes and I realize it is a difficult time to try to miss a day in the studio. I have been quite impressed with myself as I have been very disciplined of late and on quite a roll. I even cleaned my house the other day. I kid not. Serious stuff going on here.

I have a juried show to enter this week and it has been so long since I have entered a juried show, that I had forgotten what a pain in the arse getting all the paperwork together is and trying to twist my brain to create a statement about a new piece. I have photographed the new piece and need to convert files, put on a disk and get it where it needs to be by Friday. Once the piece gets in...I mean IF the piece gets in I will post images of it then! Off to the studio to play! I need to begin on my piece for Detroit (10 foot tree trunks x 7, yikes), but think I will make one more wrap for Toronto...or maybe I will keep it to wear to a gala coming up :o)!

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com