trying to focus... some progress so far

feeling scattered and having difficulty focusing. I was able to be home all day today and thought it would be such a great time to work in the studio... I keep looking at my social media marketing and getting lost in facebook updates and links to articles, then getting on Pinterest and sifting through seemingly endless pictures... Then, I decided I should research some best practices for blogging... then I got hungry so I ate lunch, washed the dishes, cleaned the counters, made coffee, walked back and forth... now, I'm writing a blog post about wasting time............

let's look at some progress I made over the weekend:

An ambitious new embroidered "Burst"

I have been working on a series of embroidery pieces that I call "bursts" because they kind of look like an explosion (but burst sounds better - less violent). I finished this one today:

Now I'm starting this 50 x 50 inch burst. I am using a recycled fabric purchased at Arts and Scraps in Detroit during their recent fabric sale. My daughter and I spent almost two hours searching and filling our paper grocery bags for $8 each - an amazing deal! 

This might take me a while... :)

Work in progress - embroidery

I am working on a series of 8x8 inch embroidery "bursts" like this one. I have also started a 50x59 inch burst embroidery - that might take a while...

Please join me for an online embroidery workshop - Stitch Therapy - beginning July 22, 2013

Stitch Therapy - a self-paced online embroidery workshop

Begins July 22

This is a self paced workshop and class sign ups end Sept. 30th

4 Lessons/4 Weeks=$40.00 usd

Click Here To Purchase

Description: Using fiber art as a method for personal awareness and healing. I will show you my process and techniques for creating a fiber art painting using new and recycled materials.

The idea for this series of work began with a combination of my passion for fiber art and my practice of art therapy. As a therapist, it is important for me to remember that every person I meet has their own life experiences and processes those experiences differently. I never know exactly where someone is coming from.

I have also learned through my art therapy (and personal) experience that what we present to the world is not always consistent with how we are feeling.

I use this process to create some order from the chaos. To put together scraps and bits of everyday life. Repairing, healing, layering - slowing down, enjoying the relaxing and meditative process - to feel the materials and hear them as I pierce the fabric with a needle and pull thread through. It's about taking time, listening, feeling, and healing.


List of materials:
-fabric - any kind will work. I use a lot of cotton muslin (bleached or unbleached)

-embroidery needle - I prefer to use size 2 crewel embroidery needles, they feel sturdy enough to go through heavier fabric or painted fabric.

-Thread - regular sewing thread and colorful embroidery thread (collect all your snipped thread from other sewing projects)

-10" Embroidery hoop - I prefer to use wood embroider hoops

-Gesso and / or acrylic paint

Optional: yarn, paper, ribbon, ric-rak, sewing machine, stretcher bars
4 Lessons:
 * This workshop explores techniques, which I hope you will do - I will not give step-by-step instructions on how to create your final piece. The process is part of the discovery.
1. Gather supplies including scraps from your daily life (threads, fabric, paper, wrappers...)
2. Practice techniques and sketch design
3. Work on fiber painting: stitching, painting, stitching some more
4. Finish final piece: add any details, finish the edges, stretch onto stretcher bars, and wire the back for hanging

Fiber pins!! so much fun and all one of a kind : )

Pins available at my Etsy shop!!

Client installation in Chicago

Client installation in Chicago - the large fiber pieces, Thinking about Mary and Structure, hang side by side in a spacious room creating a peaceful atmosphere.

String Theory opening reception

Artists showing:

Laura Beyer - http://www.laurabeyer.com

Nicki Butler - http://www.nickibutler.com

Carolyn Catlos - http://www.carolyncatlos.tumblr.com

Kelly Darke - http://www.kellydarke.com

Levon Kafafian - http://www.urbanfolktales.tumblr.com

Liz Lewis - http://www.lizlewisfiberarts.bugcartel.com

Sheila Palmer - http://www.quetarahe.com

Amanda Thatch - http://www.amandathatch.com

National Fiber Show at Grosse Pointe Art Center

I am happy to be a part of two fiber shows right now:

String Theory
showing at the Detroit Creative Corridor Center
June 12th - July 19th

and

National Fiber Show
at the Grosse Pointe Art Center
June 14th - July 13
Opening reception is tonight, June 14th from 6:30 - 9pm

String Theory at DC3 Gallery - a fiber art group exhibition

I'm very excited to be part of another group fiber art show in Detroit - String Theory - presented by the Detroit Creative Corridor Center located at 485 W. Milwaukee Ave. Suite 100c, Detroit, MI 48202. The opening reception will be Wednesday June 12th, 2013 from 5:30pm - 8:30pm. The show will be up until July 19th during regular business hours or by appointment

Directly from the Facebook event:

The art and practice of working with various plant and animal fibers is among the oldest art forms, but it hasn’t always been elevated to a fine art status. In recent years, both traditional and non-traditional methods and materials have been implemented, sometimes in combination with other artistic techniques, in order to create new and exciting works of art.

String Theory seeks to bring together works by Detroit and Metro Detroit Area fiber artists, in order to showcase some of the wide variety that this medium – which is so often pushing boundaries and trying new things – has to offer.

String Theory features works by:

Laura Beyer
Nicole Butler
Carolyn Catlos
Kelly Darke
Levon Kafafian
Liz Lewis
Sheila Palmer
Amanda Thatch

Huff Post Detroit - review of Texture Intertwined by Colin Darke

In Woodbridge, Beauty Is in the Details

Maria Soledad Jofre