In 500 Baskets: A Celebration of the Basketmaker’s Art, Susan Mowery Kieffer undertakes the ambitious task of distilling the vast, multivalent world of basketry into a single, arresting volume—an endeavour that, on its face, might seem quixotic. Yet Kieffer’s curatorial eye and writerly sensibility ensure that this is far more than a mere “coffee-table” compendium. Here, baskets become more than … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – 500 Baskets: A Celebration of the Basketmaker’s Art by Susan Mowery Kieffer
Weekend Book Reviews: “Wild Color: The Complete Guide to Making and Using Natural Dyes” by Jenny Dean
Jenny Dean’s "Wild Color: The Complete Guide to Making and Using Natural Dyes" is a comprehensive exploration into the art and science of natural dyeing, offering both practical guidance and a deep appreciation for the natural world’s vibrant palette. From the outset, Dean establishes herself not only as a skilled practitioner but also as an … Continue reading Weekend Book Reviews: “Wild Color: The Complete Guide to Making and Using Natural Dyes” by Jenny Dean
La Belle Iseult vs. Woodpecker Tapestry
William Morris, founding member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood interpreted Medievalism in his work as an aesthetic devotion to the cultural expressions of that period. Influenced by the ideals of Ruskin and Marx, Morris saw Socialism as a path to counteract the ugliness of industrialized production, an ideology to promote the Arts and Crafts aesthetic of … Continue reading La Belle Iseult vs. Woodpecker Tapestry
My Autobiographical Pattern – All Together, It Could Be A Cozy Sitting Space
The Value of Art can be in the Love of Making “If I create from the heart, nearly everything works; if from the head, almost nothing.” Marc Chagall Current pandemic restrictions have highlighted the extent of consumerism experience in modern society and allowed us a moment of pause to consider how we value of our material possessions. … Continue reading My Autobiographical Pattern – All Together, It Could Be A Cozy Sitting Space
My Autobiographical Pattern – Minimalist Ottoman Redesign
The Value of Art can be in the Love of Making Only one sample printing was used for this… the bamboo print from the original pattern concept. It’s added here to tie in to the bedroom bench pattern. The other sides were original pattern choices to play with Pop-art ideas and leave in the innate … Continue reading My Autobiographical Pattern – Minimalist Ottoman Redesign
My Autobiographical Pattern – Table Runner Redesigned Into a Scarf
The Value of Art can be in the Love of Making Originally intended to be worn as a silly head covering (see sketch) for the installation, but was borrowed as a scarf and that is now what it is.
My Autobiographical Pattern – Shaker-Style Lamp Redesign
The Value of Art can be in the Love of Making The floor lamp was painted in chalk paint and antiques in finishing wax to match the bedroom-bench. The old shade was discarded and replaced with a minimalist modern shade to accentuate the pop-art feel. The scarf was added as part of the installation, and … Continue reading My Autobiographical Pattern – Shaker-Style Lamp Redesign
My Autobiographical Pattern – Colonial Bedroom-Bench Redesign
The Value of Art can be in the Love of Making The bench is repainted in chalk paint and antiqued with finishing wax… this retains the colonial details on the piece. The seat was reupholstered in a piece of hand-printed, raw canvas.
My Autobiographical Pattern – Moving into an Installation
What follows is the first draft of a proposal that is to be submitted for a final Fibres art project this year... It will surely change, but I wanted to share my thought process on this installation... My Love of Making is a Fluxus Affair Guiding Quotes: “If I create from the heart, nearly everything … Continue reading My Autobiographical Pattern – Moving into an Installation
My Autobiographical Pattern – Enough About Me, What Does This Say About You?
Over the last few days I've ranted about what this piece might say about me as an artist, a technician, a person, a creative, etc... I still don't think it says something about me... Let me rephrase that; it doesn't say everything about me, and only a little about me right now! I made it … Continue reading My Autobiographical Pattern – Enough About Me, What Does This Say About You?
The New Renaissance Mindset 