Yesterday began at the ungodly hour of 3:45 as started to journey by plane, car and boat. There were a few small glitches which can be expected with several tight airplane changes and Air Canada. My luggage was lost for a time and I appreciated the sympathetic glances from my fellow flight mates as they, one by one, collected baggage leaving me at the spinning carousel empty handed.

On the upside....the journey well worth it. Flying in over the islands, the Jurassic Park theme played in my head. So beautiful and the misty ride by ferry was magical. My camera cord got missed in my packing, so images will await until I return. I know the suspense is unbearable ;)

I am at a charming B&B, that does not actually serve breakfast...so it's just more of one "B". I am in the little "cottage" with my fellow felt sister and instructor, Marjolein Dalinga and it is more of a tiny charming house. We will host a few visiting feltmakers, Rosie Godbout (you may know her work from the cover of 500 Felt Objects), and Elzabeth Wannaz for a dinner and wine this evening. I will pretend to speak French.

I will keep you posted.

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

...and so it all begins.Baby, I'm back

Yes. yes, I know. I have neglected you, my loyal followers. I am NOW back to (mostly) daily posts as I have reached the summit of the mountain that was my epic summer and have now begun my fall travels. Such an exciting time. I still have mega work to do to prepare for my winter.Spring exhibitions, but a bit of the pressure is off after some creative time and introspection. 

I depart bright and early tomorrow for the FELT::FEUTRE event in beautiful Salt Spring Island. There will be an exhibition of felt work from the best all over Canada and this will tour and meet us next year for the next event in Halifax. The creator of this event, Fiona Duthie is first class. I will post images throughout the week so you can all be with us vicariously.

Upon return, the excitement continues. I hope you will join me as I go to the Canadian Canoe Museum,a workshop in Peterborough Ontario and in a few weeks to Italy. Ciao, Bella!! Stay tuned. It's going to be a wild ride.

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

If I were an Ewok

Hello All!
I have been busy making art and enjoying this fabulous summer. This weekend I head to Montreal to teach a wonderful group of fun creative women and will update you soon! In the meantime you can read a recent article on a site you may find interesting. I hope you will all follow them as there is some pretty useful and interesting content!

 http://www.textileartist.org/andrea-graham-interview-feltmaking-a-spiritual-experience/


Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Laundry List

My wheels are spinning and I keep waiting to hit the ground rolling:

- Images of new work for a Magazine article...can't get the lighting right so redo.
- Sample for workshop in the Fall in Italy (woot) create and shoot
- Box up work for exhibition in Italy (again...woot) to measure and weigh
- Write exhibition grant application- deadline soon!
- On-going work for upcoming exhibitions..in big spaces!
- Work for my commercial gallery in Toronto
- Complete final piece for a commission
- quarterly tax filing

...and other important stuff.  I cannot share images of my new work quite yet and I do not think you will be thrilled with images of paper work.As you can tell from recent posts, I am feeling a tad stretched. With 3 teenagers and the end of the school year and one graduating, there is a lot on my plate. I find I will work for a bit and leave the studio to get something I need or check email and get side tracked with other matters. Tomorrow is a new day. Fresh start.



Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

No Place like Home

When I speak of "Home", in this case, I am speaking of being true to my artistic self. I have been stepping out of my comfort zone a bit (yes, a good thing) and have been making new work. Some are process pieces and will continue to be worked and played with...and likely never seen. But they are the ground work for what will be seen. I am a confident person and a confident artist and have for many years now had ideas, I execute them and move on to the next, so this feels very foreign to be out of my usual process. When I toss in all the events revolving around home and family and I have been out-of-sorts.

Last weekend I had a trip "home" and made a small series of sculptures that is so true to my work, yet is new and exciting for me. Yay! I will share with you...eventually. I am creating work that will be revealed in a publication that deserves to have the initial "reveal". So, while the work is not a big secret, I will be sharing less images of new art until the appropriate time! I am also making decisions about my other functional work and will likely discontinue making anything wearable or, at the very least, focus only on my fine art for a long while.I will keep you posted...




Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Updates!

Hi All...
I will begin with this image...to find out where they are going you will have to read to the end...

Oh, my! Things have been wonderfully adventurous. I have been a traveling fool and now that I am  at home I continue to feel the wanderlust. Where next? Where next?!

After Rochester, I managed to cobble some information together for a writer I was meeting in Montreal, visited one of my galleries and taught for 2 days for a F A B group of women that I now consider friends. Such a great time...can't believe I get paid to have so much fun.

Our workshop space...My hosts do costumes for TV and movies (how COOL!)

Working

I love the urban graffiti vibe out the window.

Dinner with my friend Celine (I drank all her wine)

more work ;o)

While in Montreal I received the news that 3 of my sculptures have been acquired for the Claridge corporate art collection. This is an important collection and I am, of course, thrilled.
Now home, I have the next couple of months laid out making work. I made some more sculptures for Montreal...they can be purchased here: The Canadian Guild of Craft where the sculptures for the a fore mentioned collection were purchased. I will also have a solo show there in September 2015

So, if you find yourself in beautiful Montreal, you may see this in "person".
On another note...(Wah? More news?!) I will also be completing a commission of some sculptures from my new series. I will post images as they evolve. I will keep you posted. You know I will.

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

What's New

The last couple of weeks have flown by. I had a fabulous weekend with my favorite feltmaker, Chris White, in my favorite venue, New England Felting Supply. My students made some amazing pods and we had lots of fun with a big group of 12. Always so much fun.

 quick scarf commission I fit in between things for a dear friend far away.

This past week I was in Rochester, NY with a private group followed by being hosted by the very professional Weaver's Guild of Rochester for a lecture and a 2.5 day vessels workshop. I had 15 (yes, 15!) students that were mostly either very new to felting or just flat out new. I had one with lots of experience, Marie, who was also my very generous host. I really had an amazing time and I just fell in love with Rochester. It helps that it is Spring and absolutely everything was in full bloom, unlike at home. It was raining petals everywhere...just amazing. I had been before for the opening of Fiber Art International and really love the vibe of the city...lots of old houses and giant trees.

I was treated to an 8 course Ukrainian dinner with some interesting folks, an intimate potluck with great conversation, and so many more little treasured moments. I have friends that tell me I should demand a hotel, and I know of other artists that do. Yes, you often do not know what to expect and it means for long days being social, but staying with a student host can really be the highlight of a teaching gig. This one was great all 24 hours of the day and, hey, I am a pretty social person!
 

Dinner under the fruit trees at Deb's

Deb's piece in progress.

The "Unlandscape" using the same technique. Perfect.

Now...on to workshop #2...

My lovely host, Maries door...Welcome!

While walking the doggie...lovely Rochester!

The vessel collection by my fearless students from the Weaver's guild of Rochester. Thanks, Ladies. You were so great!

Now that I am home, I have a statement to write... for a writer... for an upcoming feature in a major fiber publication (I'll keep you posted). This will feature all new work that will be kept somewhat under wraps until publication. I will give you snippits of my process, however.  I must plan and pack to teach in Montreal this weekend for a private group and try to make a couple of small pieces in between. too bad I need to sleep (and I do love my sleep!).

Well, I guess I better get a move on. I'll keep you posted!

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com