Thursday, February 19th, 2009
UNIFORM Studio, ink blot on linen
These are some experiments I’ve been doing with printing on fabric, inspired by Stephanie’s ink blots on paper. I’ve been thinking a lot about prints and how I can incorporate them more into my work. It started last summer with my summer prints collection. I’m naturally drawn to things that are more 3 dimensional and textural, but 2D visual texture has captured my interest lately. I’m especially intrigued by prints that are the result of a process, like the ink blots above, or the shibori like print that I achieved in wool in the mere collection.
UNIFORM Studio, ink blot on linen
Galbraith and Paul is a company that specializes in hand block printed fabric. I really like their patterns, but I especially love seeing the photos of their process on their website.
I would love to get my hands on this 1967 book by Steven Russ, called Fabric Printing by Hand.
Lena Corwin’s book by the same name is a fantastic modern resource for fabric printing and visually stunning as well.
This vintage copper fabric printing roll is beautiful, and I think printing with a roller would be super fun!
and thank you all for the nice comments about our little home!
Tuesday, February 17th, 2009
You guys know the story of the cobbler’s children having no shoes right? Sometimes that’s how I feel about our home. My husband and I are both architects, and I think most people (ourselves included) assume we would have a pretty great house. Well, we have a perfectly fine house that has a little potential and gets a lot of natural light. It also needs a lot of work, which we can’t seem to find enough time (or money for).
So recently when Sheri over at cafemom asked me if I would be interested in doing a home tour, I was a little hesitant. All that missing baseboard and chipped and peeling paint! But with careful photography I could edit that out, so I agreed. If you’re interested, go on over and take a look. You can see a bit of our modest project, and hear me go on a little about how we live.
Thursday, February 12th, 2009
Thank you all for your nice comments today and for your support of my work and shop. You guys are really awesome.
I am trying to source more fabric for the gossamer scarves, so if you’ve been waiting for one, hopefully I’ll have more in early spring.
If you’re on my mailing list, I apologize for the multilple (and then some) email newsletters you received last night and today. I’m not sure what happened, but I know it is scaring me a bit. I’m trying to find a newsletter service that will work for my needs, (I was using zookoda, which recently folded) but I haven’t found a good match yet. If you have one you like (and is easy to use) let me know.
Thanks again!
Thursday, February 12th, 2009
I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be updating my shop this afternoon (around 1pm CST) with some fall items that will be on sale at 60% off.
There will also be Gossamer scarves in 2 colors of grey and a new color for spring -a deep red/orange that seems to go with everything.
Please note that the new scarves are narrower and a bit shorter than the originals. The larger size seemed too bulky for spring/summer. You can still wear it as a shawl, but as a single layer, not folded over.
UNIFORM Studio online shop
Wednesday, February 11th, 2009
I know this has been going around lately, but I couldn’t resist posting it here. This has to be one of the best quotes I’ve ever read.
via noquedanblogs
Monday, February 9th, 2009
In Minneapolis there are so many great arts organizations and resources for artists. One of my favorites is Highpoint Center for Printmaking. It has a cooperative printshop for local printmakers, a gallery, a visiting artists program, and educational and community programs. Last year they worked with the Minneapolis public schools conducting workshops in their studio with various classes throughout the city. My older son was fortunate enough to be a part of one of the workshops where they worked at the Highpoint studio to make monoprints. All the student artwork was then displayed at an art opening at the studio.
Highpoint also hosts free ink days, where the community is invited in to use their facilities and try out the various presses for free. This past Saturday they hosted a free ink day at the Walker Art Center, in conjunction with the Walker’s First Free Saturday (the first Saturday of every month there is free admission and there are numerous programs for kids, including art projects, films, music and dance performances -I really can’t say enough about this fabulous program). My two sons and I went and they made these woodblock prints using blocks that Highpoint provided. They got to mix ink, use the rollers and print on the press. It was super fun. Highpoint’s next free ink day is February 21st, at their studio. If you’re in town you should definitely go.
Some of my favorite woodblock prints are from minimalist artists like Donald Judd. Here you can see some examples along with some beautiful screenprints from Richard Serra, Agnes Martin and Ellsworth Kelly.
I also really like the woodblock prints of Vija Celmins, especially this one titled Ocean Surface.
Right now I’m a little obsessed with Polly Apfelbaum’s work. Her prints are colorful, contemporary, and almost pop art like. Here you can see how her Wood Street and Lover’s Leap prints are produced. Facinating.
Wednesday, February 4th, 2009
The random number generator picked #74, which is epn, as a winner for the plaid readymade scarf. Congratulations, and thank you all for your sweet comments. Send me a photo if you make one of the scarves!
For me February is a time when I find myself craving new inspiration, but also a time for experimentation. The holidays are over, the new year is well under way, and I have alot of creative energy to burn. I’ve been out photographing quite a bit lately, and I feel an urge to start painting again. The above images are photographic motion studies and I really want to paint them.
I know many people find February depressing, so I thought I’d share some things I’m finding inspirational right now. I’m going to try to put up a few links or images every couple days in February.
One thing I really like doing is going to small gallerys in town that have shows that focus on one artists work. For me this is so much more enjoyable than museums, which are often too overwhelming. This past weekend we went to see Rapture : Recent paintings by Melba Price at Midway Contemporary Art in Minneapolis. I enjoyed the show, which was comprised of 50 gouash portraits (headshots) of young people, mostly for the sheer volume and repetition of paintings. It was interesting to see each different expression, one after the other, all the same size and mounted at the same height. If you’re near Minneapolis go check it out. If not, find a gallery close to you and go see a show:)
Another thing I tend to do in the winter is crave handwork. I recently came across an article featuring the needlework of Brisbane based artist Loani Lee. I haven’t found much online about her, but you can read a bit about one of her shows here. These images are from the article showing her delicate stitched pieces. The cotton is hand dyed and she uses a simple running stitch to create her minimalist geometric explorations. They remind me of Andy Goldsworthy and Donald Judd and make me really want to try embroidery.
