Planning a series of small fiber art pieces

When I'm not creating work for a specific show it can be difficult to decide what to do.... I've learned that I work well with deadlines and plans, for example: stitch 10 small composition study pieces by next week (or something like that). Then I can gather supplies and sketch out my ideas. Once I have the framework down, I can get the work done. Sometimes the longest part of it is planning out ideas by sifting through the materials and sketching - even then some ideas change as a piece starts coming together. To me, these pieces are all about composition and balance - something I feel I learned well from my years in black and white photography - only now, there is the added challenge of balancing colors and textures as well.
The pieces here are framed in black and behind glass (gallery pic below) - but I'm creating some new pieces that are on stretcher bars, so there will not be a black border or glass. I'm curious to know what you think....

more Daily Visual Journal giveaways

Inspired by this post by Chris Guillebeau  at The Art of Nonconformity, I am giving away more copies of my Daily Visual Journal ebook .pdf and iPad version. I have 30 more coupons for the iPad version of the ebook and I'll give away 30 more of the .pdf to make things even. 

Daily Visual Journal provides techniques and inspiration for you to create your own art journal. Being creative everyday is simple and fun.

The idea of my daily visual journal began as a challenge to myself to create art everyday and generate my own inspiration. This book illustrates some of the techniques used to create my daily visual journal pages and how you can incorporate these techniques into your own daily visual journal.

In addition, each technique is followed by a self reflection prompt for you to think about and write about on the backside of your visual journal entry.

I first created the book for the iPad and that is available on iTunes here: Daily Visual Journal for iPad.

If you would like a free copy of either the .pdf or the iPad version let me know in the comments and I will contact you (make sure you include an email address for me to contact you or send me a message on Facebook). Update: all extra copies have been given away - thanks to all who expressed interest.

My actual Daily Visual Journal practice is chronicled here: Daily Visual Journal blog.

Communicating through art

After reading Seth's Blog post, With A Sure Hand I began thinking again about how visual art is a way of showing something that you don't have words for; a feeling; a way of knowing something, and your choice of materials is part of your way of expressing it. I understand why artists (me included) sometimes have difficulty explaining their work.

The embroidery work I am currently working on is a way for me to explore the feeling of comfort that I get from textiles - the feel, the texture, the lines, and the process of creating a fiber piece. I am working on a variety of pieces and with some of them I am using minimal colors with lots of texture created with repetition of the same stitch. I am also using vintage cotton and new natural cotton washed to be softer. I am hoping that the feeling of comfort that I get from the process and materials translates to a feeling of comfort for the viewer.

Daily Visual Journal ebook pdf version can be yours free!

Would you like a free copy of my ebook, Daily Visual Journal, as a pdf? I am looking for some more feedback - so far I've heard, "Absolutely inviting and accessible.  Your daily visual journal book is a total delight.", "what a great resource!", and "Very inspiring. Recommended for anyone and everyone". I'm hoping this enthusiasm for the book continues. Here is a brief description:

Daily Visual Journal provides techniques and inspiration for you to create your own art journal. Being creative everyday is simple and fun.

The idea of my daily visual journal began as a challenge to myself to create art everyday and generate my own inspiration. This book illustrates some of the techniques used to create my daily visual journal pages and how you can incorporate these techniques into your own daily visual journal.

In addition, each technique is followed by a self reflection prompt for you to think about and write about on the backside of your visual journal entry.

I first created the book for the iPad and that is available on iTunes here: Daily Visual Journal for iPad.

If you would like a free copy of either the .pdf or the iPad version let me know in the comments and I will contact you (make sure you include an email address for me to contact you or send me a message on Facebook).  Update: all available free copies have been received - thanks to everyone who expressed interest.

My actual Daily Visual Journal practice is chronicled here: Daily Visual Journal blog.

New work : white embroidery on pink cream cotton

Work in progress

MOCAD Monster Drawing Rally!

Inside / Out solo show for Heidelberg Project Emerging Artist program

Detail

Work in progress - fiber art for Heidelberg show in December

Lots if stitching and texture - I love the process of each piece and looking at them together is inspiring. The pieces for this show have various textures and embroidery stitches and when shown side be side look amazing :)

Inspired Detroit show review

Thanks to Michael Hodges for reviewing the Inspired Detroit exhibit at the DC3 Accelerator gallery, curated by Katherine Maurer. I'm so thankful that he took the time to go see the show - the article, Visual Grab Bag at the DC3 Accelerator gallery, makes mention of all the artists in the show and the diversity of the work. The article also features a picture of one of my pieces!

The show is up until Oct. 31 - location:
DC3 Accelerator Gallery, Taubman Center for Design Education, 460 W. Baltimore Ave., Detroit


Artists in the show: Gilda Snowden, Topher Crowder, Colin Darke, Yvette Rock, JenClare Gawaran, and Kelly Darke