A Picture is Worth 1000 Words...

 I am now home from Italy and had an extraordinary time! I really struggle for words that will express what I am feeling about the experience.I began my journey with a couple of  fabulous days in Florence. My next post will be all about Florence as I try to cobble together my images and get them transferred from ipad to computer and hope it will convey in some way my impression of this spectacular place.

From Florence began the second part of my trip...my reason for coming to Italy (I say "coming" because I like to pretend I am still there...and part of me still is!). As I have mentioned I was invited by DHG for a solo exhibition and a workshop and "day one" in Prato began with a tour.

So we begin. Get your coffee and your nuno felted throw blanket and get comfortable...


Arriving in PRATO! Love at first sight. Gaia, my wonder-host who "is" DHG zipped me around in her mini cooper Italian style... a master of spacial awareness as you need to be to drive and park in Italy.

And here I am below arriving at "the dye house". The group of companies operates more than one, but this is where the fibres are dyed for DHG as well as many other clients




Welcome! This is the DHG Dye House. Up the winding road past olive groves. An beautiful old stone building houses the offices and where the chemists work at desks and the large additions are the dyeing area. 


Solar panels and Hydro power mean this is an eco friendly operation. The common fibre of tradition and innovation has found it's way into so many aspects of my trip. 

 A whole team of chemists are responsible for determining exact formulas. This is an Art and a Science and perfect balance of skills and dedication of the DHG team. 

 A chemist gets to practice his English (way better than my Italian) and is kind enough to explain to us, in lay-person terms,  how they begin to determine what precise combination of chemicals will be required for guaranteed success. The computer plays a vital role as does the expertise of the chemist. One cannot do the job without the other.

 ...This is then all made in a sample all computerized for absolute precision! A tiny mistake in the sample equals a big mistake in the larger scale, if you can imagine. They dye many very precious fibres....no margin for error!

  

carders for the samples...During the busy season the teams works around the clock so clients can get their collections out on time.

Care is taken with each sample to create a yarn, knit, and felt sample for the client.

How a scientist makes felt (lab coat required) This machine spins and prepares the fibres for the felting process.

I would add less water, but that is me! Love the spray bottle. This clamps down and kind of oscillates to create a softly felted sample. More than one way to felt, I always say.

 
Rrrrr...Rrrr...Rrrr... (as accurate as I can be)

Gaia (right) takes Lizbeth (left...friend, kind and patient translator!) and I through an area where dying takes place. Safety is if vital concern for those who work there, of course, and with technology they can automate all the addition of chemicals with computers and pipes to the pots vastly reducing exposure. Gaia has a huge passion for her business and for people and clearly loves what she does....an innovator with the tradition of the industry in her blood. 

 
Depending on what is going in the bath, the framework holding the fibres varies. For the roving, it is structured for uniform results (as they all are, I suppose!) allowing the dye to penetrate all the way through.

 Roving gets a special trip in the microwave. This, as you can imagine, is very easy on the fibres. At the other end, workers must handle these with gentle hands. Woman workers are ideal, but gentle-men work too :o)!!

 

I call this "the fluffer". I am sure it has a proper name. If named by an engineer, maybe it is the XJ943-6. I prefer "the fluffer"

Huge containers of roving in the superwash area. Hard not to paw!

 

Wool. Wool. Wool.

Taken from this DHG page...I love this image so much. I think as a feltmaker, I too consider the "roots", the tradition of the makers before me. How do I carry this with me in a contemporary world creating contemporary art? What do you carry forward and where do you innovate?

No matter what for me it is about the material and need for the making and, on par, it is about people and communication. It is about love too...something you feel so deeply and are so driven by that you are compelled and consumed. So much to think about and process!

My next posts (today and/or tomorrow) will take you through Florence AND the rest of my unforgettable DHG experience. Stay tuned!

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Ciao, Baby.

 David awaits.

Tomorrow I depart for Florence, Italy. I will spend a couple of days drinking in the beauty and history before I head on to textile centre, Prato, where I will have a solo exhibition at the DHG Gallery.  I will attend my opening and then teach for a couple of days before I head home. I know I will leave with plans to return. Just looking at images of this stunning part of the world has my heart leaping. I think I will be hooked. I am especially looking forward to meeting all the people who have worked very hard to make this possible and thanking them face to face (kiss, kiss)

The bag (yes, you read that correctly. Singular. One bag. You may kiss my ring) is packed with art (primary) and rolled up clothes (secondary) stuffed in the voids. Hoping all the wire, marbles and miscellany do not cause security alarm. But all placed on top in hopes I am not asked to recreate my epic jigsaw of wool and undies.

Tomorrow a.m. I will attempt to distract myself cleaning the studio before I begin the journey. Ipad mini (I can't be the only one that thinks "mini pad") has my Hugh Howey books (Dust and Shift), Ender's Game (thanks for the recommendation), and a couple of art themed movies in the event I am not able to sleep upright with my knees tucked around my ears. What are the odds.

I will keep you posted. Ciao, Baby! (beep, beep)

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Double the fun...

It has been a long time since I posted on my blog twice in a day. What can I say. I am on fire.

Kidding, of course.

I have been in the studio this eve shooting some images of work that I am getting ready to take to Italy for my solo exhibition there. I did ship work of course, but they will take more and since I will have it back for my Jan show at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, I can take these pieces with me.Perfect.I'll keep you posted...I'm packing the big bag.


Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Count down...

When booked, it seemed very "last minute"...6+ months notice for an exhibition and teaching at an overseas venue was unexpected...welcome...exciting.

I had a challenge in that I am preparing for a large joint show for January at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum that has tied up any new work. So, it was agreed, that I would send what I could from some older, but still relevant, work on to Prato Italy. I have now found I CAN now take some new work, so hope I can please those who will travel to see me. 

I was asked if I could teach "fashion". Well, those who know me are aware that I have to ability to set broad perimeters. Hmmm, wearable sculpture? Perfect. I whipped this (above) up, inspired by the challenge.

With leaving on Monday looming, I am focused on my teaching and the desire to make to experience for my Italian students as positive as possible. I created this over the last couple of days...I will give my students instruction on sculpture on wire and also this form...The short fibre merino is like magic and will be our collaborator in this process. I hope that my students will be inspired by the material and the potential for sculpture.

I thank my model son for the use if his back to display my work...skin was called for to shoot this piece, so I thank him (and pay him handsomely)



Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Check List

I have had a very productive day in the studio today. I had several pieces assembled and ready to felt that complete 2 small series',  so I had a lot to show in what felt like a short time. I have begun making a list of work I will deliver to the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum in December for the show in Jan. and I know the time will go fast! I depart for Prato, Italy where I have a solo show and teaching in a short week and with last minute details. I will spend the week making a couple more samples for my students and going over the materials lists again to make sure everyone will come prepared (me, especially). I may photograph some work and if I do will post them, but if not the week will be spent preparing and deciding what to pack! I'll keep you posted!
Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

UPDATES!

Corugosa

I spent part of the day getting the studio put back together and then buckled down and made some needed website edits. I have new work. I am beginning a new chapter in my work and a new look is soooo in order...so I hope you will go here:  www.andrea-graham.com

I think you will like it! Much cleaner and a site I don't cringe when people say they have visited. You will note I removed the landscape, wearables and student work pages. It just was really not the place for them anymore. I will continue to share images of my teaching here on my blog and update you on all my travels (Florence, Italy in a couple of weeks!) and..well, the other stuff has been so widely shared and "pinned" there is no need to include them on my site. Now to order some new business cards and postcards and I am good to go!

This weekend...

I have arrived at the Canadian Canoe Museum...on the International day of felt themed "WATER" to deliver a keynote address "Paddle your own Canoe"...how appropriate!

Bathroom...how cute is that?

the museum!

Arriving at the home of my host I am greeted by "Ruby". What a sweetheart! A Berner/Poodle

Fresh flowers over delightful conversation.

Riding along to take my hosts daughter to swimming past TRENT university...Homecoming week.

AMAZING Mexican dinner. Fish-something. Very yum.

Ooooo, wool. Workshop time.

A great home setting with some lovely women.

Lunch of cheeses and squash/apple/pear soup. So good on a rainy fall day.

Exciting discoveries with our 3D sampler.

Rub. Rub....Rub.

...and done! Afull day of fun, friendship and adventure

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com