Slip Back

Lately I've found a place for focus of a different kind. I'm not sure how to describe this place because defining it diminishes it somehow.

I wrote a poem - more of a canto really - that describes going there.

Perhaps it is a simple meditation. I don't know.

Here it is:

Slip Back

Slip back behind the words
Behind the I and the He and the Should
Find the stillness, the quiet calm
Be there without judgment
Without thought even

Slip back

Slip back

Slip back behind the words
Behind the Why and the What and the Who
Find the silence, the all and nothing
Be there watching
Only watching

Does anyone else out there do this sort of thing?

Patience is the hardest

A good friend wrote and asked me to share something I've been working on, so I've put up a sachet I embroidered recently. My friend and I used to paint together in Romania. She is a wonderfully brave painter, and I've never forgotten her advice to me… Paint as if you have no shame. Some would disagree with this, but the notion of leaving behind inhibition during the creative process makes sense to me.

Since I've moved to Seattle, I've not given myself much time for creative process. You know what moves do - all aspects of your life get packed away, jumbled up, and tumbled out when you reach your destination. It takes time to figure it all out, and it takes patience.

Patience is the hardest.

All the signs

On the Seattle waterfront - Washington

Lately I've been struck by all the signs I see out in the world. Remember the 1970's song that went, "Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?"

In Santa Cruz - California

Most of the signs I've come across are "No" signs - ones that tell you what NOT to do: no parking, no trespassing, no stopping. Depending on where you live, you may see "No" signs in more than one language.

In the Salinas Valley - California

Oftentimes a "No" sign conveys it's message with images. Some images are simple.

In the Oakland hills - California

Some are more complex.

On the Seattle waterfront - Washington

Perhaps more interesting are the signs that tell you what you MUST do.

In the Oakland hills - California

This simple, yet creative, one is my favorite.

In the Oakland hills - California

It communicates it's message well. :)

Seen any interesting signs lately?

Blossoms and a new camera

Roses at Turkenschanz

I've been playing with my birthday present, a Canon EOS Rebel T3i. It's a lot of fun. BUT, I'm feeling the learning curve. I've taken a lot of blurred photos!

A rose in the Volksgarten

Thankfully, it's summer and the parks in Vienna are full of blooming plants. I've been experimenting with flower shots. So much possibility; so much to learn...

In the Volksgarten - An orange iris?

Any thoughts on how best to learn about a new camera?

Discovering Mail Art

Mail Art envelope - back

This week I discovered another art genre - Mail Art. This art movement centers on the notion of art as a message. Mail Art pieces were originally illustrated letters or stamped postcards, but today they include  web pages, email, anything that "corresponds". Designs can take any form - sketches, paintings, collages, photos...

I've had a lot of fun exploring this form of expression.

I created this Mail Art piece titled, "Memory and Vision" from watercolor paper. Then I used a collage technique, combining images from magazines, greeting cards, and invitations. The background is painted with watercolor, and gold ink is used to highlight areas of the design. I have included stamped messages as well.

Mail Art envelope - front

For the envelope, I wanted to tell the story of how memories are “painted” by people and place: where we come from, and the persons we have known. The cover depicts a head opening, and a brush painting memories of people holding hands. In the background you see images that represent my origin – a USA map, the colors red, white, and blue, an old stamp, and an official government seal. You also see a partial stamp of the word, “confidential”. This denotes our tendency to hide things about ourselves.

Mail Art insert

The insert takes the theme of memories and flips it around to consider how memories are made. They come from the visions we have for our lives and ourselves. Notice that my colors have changed – I have added green and yellow to the pallet. The earth opens up and waves flow outward, carrying an old house along. These images suggest a vision of who I want to be and where I want to go. (I have traveled the world for the last 25 years and I want to settle now.) I have stamped “special delivery” on the insert to denote the importance of our visions and dreams.

Mail Art envelope with insert

I hope I've conveyed a sense of playfulness and movement in the piece. The paintbrush, the use of watercolor, and the pattern of waves all suggest movement. The words, “confidential” and “special delivery” are intended to play with the theme of mail. Also, the lips on the back of the envelope are a play on the notion of “sealed with a kiss.” When the envelope is fully open the lips complete the face on the cover.

Who's your favorite Mail artist?

Exploring Fantastic Art

Pencilscape - watercolor and ink

In the midst of planning for an international move, I'm indulging in another Coursera course. (Makes sense, right?)  If you have not visited this MOOC site, and you love learning, get over there now!  (btw, MOOCs are Massive Open Online Courses.)

This latest class is Introduction to Art: Concepts & Techniques, taught by Anna Divinsky out of Penn State. We've been discussing 20th century Fantastic art, and looking at some of my favorite artists - Rousseau, Chagall, Miró...

Not only are we examining works of art, but we are creating pieces as well! This is fun and challenging.

Above is my first piece titled, Pencilscape. Here's a close up...

Pencilscape - close up

There's a story behind the painting. I had as much fun imagining the story as painting the piece:

I am dreaming. I’ve traveled by ship across the sea to a new land, where my future lies. As we approach, a magnificent city comes into view. I see buildings of all sizes and shapes – tall, short, thin, stout – reaching upward. The sky is filled with clouds, and perhaps a storm is coming.

Our ship closes in, and I notice that the buildings are not buildings at all, but giant pencils, and the clouds are plumes of colors, that flow from the pencils. The sea is cool and clear, but my future city is a chaotic and frenzied unknown. I see possibility, but I am afraid.

If you know me, you know what's behind this story.

Shabby-Chic Sachets

Shabby-chic sachets

Now that my Mother's Day gift has survived our precarious international mail and reached Mom, I can share my creation - homemade lavender sachets! I'd been wondering what to make, when I came across some fabric and lace I'd stained with tea. Feeling nostalgic, I thought, "Why not shabby-chic vintage-esque sachets?"

To make the sachets, I cut my fabric into four rectangles, and finished one edge of each piece. Then I sewed on the lace and adored each lace strip with an old-fashioned button.

Adorning the rectangles

Lace and buttons

I sewed the pieces together to make two small rectangular pouches. I decided on French seams, which would make it easier to refill the sachets in the future.

Ready for filling

Finally, I filled the pouches with French lavender and tied them closed with a satin ribbon.

Voilà!

What did you give your Mom for Mother's Day?

Happy Mother's Day to all Moms out there!

Shared with nifty thrifty things.

Putting a lid on it

Hand dyed Coiled Rope Basket with Matching Lid by SquareCircleWorks

Goodness! Where's April gone?

I've been busy in my studio working on new designs for my Etsy shop - baskets with lids!

Hand dyed in Indigo Blue by SquareCircleWorks

Friends wonder at my limitless passion for basket making. This is the thing. Basket making is like gardening. Would you ask a gardener, Don't you get tired of gardening? Probably not. There are enough plants on this earth to last a gardener a lifetime.

It's the same with basket making. There are so many forms and textures and materials! It would take a lifetime to discover them all.

Baskets with lids in the Boudoir Collection by SquareCircleWorks

Here are more of my latest discoveries…

Basket with Lid - Fiesta Azul - Blue Festival by SquareCircleWorks

Arts and Crafts inspired baskets by SquareCircleWorks

Enjoy spring and happy gardening!

Expressions of rhythm and color

Tulip and Willow designed by William Morris, 1873

I am a big fan of the decorative colors and patterns from the Arts and Crafts period - swirling vines and twisting leaves of sage green and prussian blue, stylized flowers, birds, and fruits. So when Vienna's Museum of Applied Arts - the MAK - opened an exhibit on English textiles from the period, it was only a matter of time before I was there.

Wandle designed by William Morris, 1884

The exhibit is down in the MAK's basement, where the pieces are protected by glass and low light. The rows of fabric panels are breathtaking. Each piece hypnotizing.

Decorative fabric by Silver Studio, 1898

What an extensive variety of English textiles the MAK has collected! Most of the pieces were acquired during the very period in which they were produced, the late 19th century. Back then the MAK was called the Imperial Royal Austrian Museum of Art and Industry (or die k. k. Österreichischen Museums für Kunst und Industrie).

Decorative fabric, unknown

The MAK's textile exhibit is open until October 13, 2013. If you love textiles and are in Vienna this year, I encourage you to visit the MAK.

Exhibit entrance

See you soon!

A time for baskets

Hand-wrapped baskets from SquareCircleWorks

Easter is coming. This is a traditional time for one of my favorite things... baskets! I spend a lot of time looking at these lovely woven works. What captivates me? Color, shape, texture? Maybe it's the utility of a basket that draws me to it. After all, baskets are relatively light and they can hold lots of stuff!

Maybe there is just something primal about a basket. Did you know that basket weaving may be the oldest form of textile art on the planet? (University of Arizona)

Traditionally, baskets were made of natural fibers - willow, pine needles, and reed, for example. Many crafters still use traditional materials and methods.  Becky Bechtel of BrightExpectations makes beautiful baskets following this style.

Large Woven Reed Storage Basket from BrightExpectations

Deb Grenert of lureart takes the traditional and adds a twist. A basket woven around a piece of driftwood...

Coiled pine needle bowl with driftwood by lureart

Today basket makers have added non-traditional materials to the mix - wire, plastic bags, and magazines, for instance.

Check these lovelies out. How about a basket made of recycled plastic bags?

Recycled plastic bag basket from SARAHRACHA

Here's a cool basket made from junk mail.

Upcycled paper basket from Find Your Happy

I love the fun colors in this yarn basket.

Yarn coiled basket from JCStars

Now THAT's eye candy!

Have a great day, everyone...


Reference:

Womeldorff, Sara. “Basket Weaving: Old Tradition to New Art Form.” The University of Arizona, n.d.

Stephanie Levy - creativity and courage

Stephanie in her studio

When you have a passion for learning and creativity, you tend to meet wonderfully creative people.

Last year I had the honor - and pleasure - to meet American artist and illustrator Stephanie Levy.  Stephanie had traveled from her home in Munich to Vienna, Austria to kick off her ambitious interview project, 12 Countries in 12 Months.  I was lucky to participate in one of Stephane's first interviews.

Since then, Stephanie has developed and launched an online course - Creative Courage - and she has traveled to many of the great cities of Europe: Vienna, Amsterdam, Berlin, Venice, Prague, Lisbon, Barcelona, Budapest, London, Paris, Athens, and Stockholm.

"Vienna" by Stephanie Levy

I am happy to introduce you to this generous and creative soul...

Stephanie, you recently completed groundwork on a fascinating interview project called 12 Countries in 12 Months.  You interviewed artists from all over Europe. What new insights can you share about this project and your journey?

Starting the 12 Countries in 12 Months art + travel + interview project was a truly life changing experience. In 2011, I turned 40 and I wanted to do something special to celebrate that year. Since I was living in Munich, Germany at the time - and living right in the middle of Europe - I decided that I could take a series of short trips and visit a new country each month.

As you look back on those 12 months, what surprises you most about the experience?  

Of course I loved trying out the regional specialties in terms of food, and seeing the beautiful architecture and art of each country. But my travel experience was given the most extraordinary flavor by the people I met. In each place I visited, I interviewed 3-5 creative women about their artwork, and I asked them why they chose to live in the place they were living.

I'm now slowly posting highlights from those meetings on my blogs, and I would love to create a book based on my travels and those interviews in the near future.

On the road to Stockholm

Many women would shy away from traveling solo, even through Europe.  What was it like to travel alone as a woman?

Actually traveling alone was no problem at all. Lots of people mentioned this, but I found it to be easier than expected. Of course, I was especially careful at night, and I stayed in a centrally located hotels or bed and breakfasts. Occasionally, it was a bit of a drag to go out to eat alone - again - but I got used to that too. Often, I had my main meal of the day at lunch or in the late afternoon, rather than in the evening, and that worked quite well.

Most of the time I enjoyed wandering around by myself, going to museums, taking photographs, and being completely in charge of my own schedule for a few days. The scheduled meetings I had with the women I interviewed also kept me from getting too lonely!

How long did you stay in each city?

Normally, I stayed in each city 5-6 days.

As an artist, is there a city that you visited where contemporary art was flourishing?  What about traditional artisan work?

I would say that I felt a special creative vibe in London and Berlin that was very memorable. In certain areas of those cities, it feels like the air is crackling with excitement (which is one reason I moved back to Berlin during the past year!)

"London" by Stephanie Levy

Budapest was a delicious, artsy surprise that I think we will be hearing much more about in the next years. Athens was also wonderful, and I place I'd love to visit again.

"Budapest"

At the same time that you started your interview project, you introduced your Creative Courage e-course.  Can you talk a bit about the course and what inspired you to create it?

I love offering the Creative Courage e-course, and I have learned so much from my participants too! It is all about inspiring one another, celebrating our encouraging community together, and getting the motivation and tools we need to begin our creative projects.

Tools for creative projects

So far, women from over 30 countries from around the world have participated in this 6 week online adventure. Each week, we work on different themes which range from practical business tips to finding and following your individual creative path.

The course is packed full of guest interviews, exercises to get your mind and hands moving, and there is a wonderful supportive atmosphere that fills the class.

You can read more about the next session - beginning January 28th - here... Creative Courage.

Ahhh, the possibilities...

You recently moved to Berlin.  What are a few of your favorite things to do in the city?  What treasures have you discovered there?

I love walking around Berlin, soaking up the vibrant atmosphere, meeting my friends, visiting cozy cafes and fun ethnic restaurants. Berlin is my "soul city" and I'm happy to be living here again! It's hard to really explain why, it is like being in love, it's not completely rational... I have a true love affair with Berlin.

"Berlin"

You have spent many years living in Europe.  How do you think your environment impacts your work?

Yes, I've been living in Europe for over 16 years now (now that makes me sound old!) I still enjoy it, and I don't know if it impacts my work, but it has certainly changed my life.

I moved to Germany when I was 24, fresh out of college, so I've lived here for most of my adult life. It is hard for me to imagine my life without Europe. I'm certainly still American, but Europe has shaped my views about the world I'm sure. I think at this point I'm somewhat of a hybrid. Or a mutant :)

What three things do you miss most about the States?

Cranberry juice (although we have that here too now), going out for giant American breakfasts at diners with pancakes and the works (actually in Berlin you can supposedly find that now as well, I must check it out...), and good, authentic Mexican food.

Ok, so these were all food related answers, so I will add a fourth: many Americans have a certain relaxed, "easy-goingness" in everyday situations - like standing in line, or driving on the highway - that I sometimes miss here. Germany is very organized and efficient, but sometimes people can get very tense when things don't run as perfectly as they should. Americans also tend to be very optimistic. I like that!

Do you have a favorite artist or author?  Could you share some links?

I recently created a fun "heroes" board on Pinterest full of people I admire, mostly women. This list certainly doesn't include everyone, but it is hopefully fun to look at.

Who inspires you most?

Everyone I meet and have the pleasure of knowing in this crazy, wonderful life.

To learn more about Stephanie Levy and her creative projects, visit:

Creative Courage e-course
12 Countries in 12 Months
a studio with a view
artists who blog
Stephanie on Etsy
Stephanie on Facebook
Stephanie's boards on Pinterest

Fabric Christmas Tree Card Tutorial

Fabric tree cards

Ever wonder what to do with all those little scraps of fabric left over from a project?  Christmas cards!  This struck me as I was looking down at a pile of little triangle-shaped scraps left over from one of my basket projects.  The tiny shapes seemed to be calling me.  Make me into something!

A stylized tree

The little triangles reminded me of the "stylized" trees we used to draw as kids.  So, I gathered them together, along with some fabric glue and blank cards, and I started to play.

Each is unique!

What a fun project for kids too!

Want to try it?  Here's all you need:

• Fabric pieces in a variety of patterns and colors
• A fabric glue stick
• Blank cards with matching envelopes
• Stamps for a message (optional)

Tools and materials

The process is easy!

• Snip your fabric into triangle shapes.  
• Take a triangle and rub a bit of glue on it.  
• Place it at the top of your card.  
• Now take the next triangle, add glue, and place it just below and to the left of the first triangle, overlapping a bit.
• Continue building downward and outward, and before you know it, you have a tree!
• If you want your tree to have a trunk, just snip a little rectangle and glue it to the base.

You can go with traditional colors or mix it up with fun unorthodox combinations

You can build one big tree, or several small ones.  Soon you will have a set of a lovely handmade cards to send for the holidays!

Make a set!

You might enjoy some of my other tutorials...

Got a few minutes?  Come by to see what's new in my shop...

Happy crafting!