Keeping me in stitches

A little while ago a package arrived at my house. The doorbell rang and I had to sign for a somewhat misshapen box covered in brown paper. I have been remiss in not thanking the sender and sharing all the treasures I found within. Fabienne Rey you are a peach! Frankly, I was struck speechless at first, so forgive my silence on this extraordinary gift. 

Actually there were several gifts, each one separately wrapped in brown tissue and tied with striped string accompanied by labels. On top were some cards and eco printed papers for Elizabeth Adams-Marks and I to share along with a gift of a precious blue pod for Elizabeth that she posted about on her FB page. Underneath those items were several more packages. The first one was filled with doilies.  

Ms. Rey gifted me some fabulous doilies some time ago and this box contained several new ones which I laid out on my glass topped coffee table to photograph (that's not a blue doily, it's a book on the shelf below). Below are some closeups. Perhaps I should take the time to pin them to my black board to get better pictures. 

Underneath the doilies was a package that contained two eco printed flags--one for Elizabeth and one for me. The flags are from Dharma. Once upon a time we toyed with the idea of displaying flags outside the gallery while the From the Inside Out exhibition was up, but couldn't figure out a way to secure them from theft. Mine is made of nylon fabric and it appears to have taken the eco printing well. I think I'll fly it by my outdoor studio this year.   

And then I opened the package at the bottom of the box with a tiny label that said "To Ms. Patsy who keeps me in stitches" and I couldn't see clearly for the tears. Speechless!

Really am alive and well and working on catalog

Chaos before the calm of the exhibition

Back in August 2014, the week of installation, the thought of producing a catalog for FTIO was still just something on the to do list.  It's now a reality, though not quite done yet.

I still have detail shots of two artists' works to plug into the layouts and some final writing to do, then it will be time to proofread.  Not that I haven't been doing proofing as I'm going, but mistakes pop up in the silliest of ways, so need some fresh eyes.  Not sure it will be possible to print out a draft copy.

Amazingly I have produced with Elizabeth's help a book that is approaching 100 pages!  We hope to make an announcement soon and get the book up on the Blurb website.  You'll be the first to know!  BTW, we hope to make the book available as print on demand and as an e-book. 

Stay tuned...

Beautiful Results!

Professor Laura Strand, Head of Textiles
at SIUE is wearing a jacket made from my
rusted silk dupioni.  She looks like a
million dollars!
Photo by Elizabeth Adams-Marks

It's been almost three years but finally Friday night at the Spark and Flame reception at Edwardsville Arts Center I got to see what happened with a piece of rusted yardage I made in 2011. A year or two after the fabric was rusted I donated it to the Friends of Art Auction at SIUE. As a board member of FOA, I was also soliciting work for the auction, so I approached Lillian Bates who owns By Design Boutique in Alton, IL to partner with me by promising to create something with my fabric for the high bidder --who turned out to be Laura Strand.

Click here to see how this piece began, and here for the results of the rusting.

Detail-shibori rusted silk dupioni

Laura's exquisite fiber work is featured in the Spark and Flame exhibit.

LAST CHANCE!

Elizabeth Adams-Marks, Irit Dulman, Fabienne Rey, Rio Wrenn, Patricia Vivod

5 pieces out of 52 in the From the Inside Out exhibit at SIUE. 

THIS FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY--then it's all over!

If you live within driving distance, please come see our show before it closes.  

Art and Design West Gallery

75 South Circle Drive

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Friday Sept 19 from 10-2 (at least)

Saturday and Sunday, Sept 20 and 21 from Noon till 3 or 4 

You can call office on Friday to confirm-- 618-650-3183

Office is closed on weekend but gallery is open.

 Contact Pat at shiborirust[at]yahoo[dot]com 

FTIO Reception

Rio Wrenn from Portland Oregon, our visiting artist and one of our participants in FTIO joined us at the reception Friday night.

Elizabeth and I are so proud of what we all accomplished and so happy that the response has been so positive. Follow this link to see other reception photos and some I took when I was alone in the gallery at SIUE.

Elizabeth and I are planning a catalog of the exhibition.  We'll keep you posted on our progress.

INSTALLATIONITIS

n.[in-stuh-ley-shuh n i-tuhs]

A condition of complete exhaustion when one is sleep deprived for days on end while installing 52 pieces of artwork.  Brought on, in part, by chronic procrastination regarding one's own work, and exasperated by all the little things that crop up in the process.  

Chaos of installation, ADW Gallery SIUE, in the midst of hanging From the Inside Out exhibition

I am continuing to deprive myself of needed sleep.  The reception was Friday--seems a lifetime ago--but only yesterday in my mind (although it's now the wee hours of Sunday morning which means it was two days ago).  

Today (Saturday) was the first of Rio's two day workshop and a while ago I could hardly keep my eyes open.  Now I am revived for awhile staring at the computer screen, realizing I hadn't posted anything on this blog since July 4.  Wow, this exhibition has taken so much energy.  Can relax now perhaps.  I will post some views of the the exhibition very soon.  

In the meantime - above - here's a teaser.  In the window is one of Irit Dulman's pieces called Pillar of Salt.  It is a breathtaking eco print on wool jersey.  To the right are two of Elizabeth Adams-Marks works on hand made paper.  In the foreground is the mess of what it's like to install a show…rolling step stool; black framework that will eventually hold an embroidered piece of Fabienne Rey's; A large padded table where we pressed virtually everything that came in the door before it was installed which reminds me of the incredible trust the artists placed in EAM and I to handle their work carefully.

I think she and I could write a book on this curating process.  It's been quite an adventure.  I could not be happier with this show.  I am so proud of what we've accomplished and hope that any of you living in the region can see the show in person.  For everyone else, be patient--a catalog will be made.  

From the Inside Out
Art and Design West Gallery
Southern Illinois University 
75 South Circle Drive (on campus)
Edwardsville, IL  62026

Gallery hours 10-2 Monday through Friday
Call 650-3071 to confirm hours because gallery is being staffed by volunteers right now.

A sneak peek of the show.  This area is directly opposite the main view of gallery and showcases all 5 artists.  From left is Irit Dulman's eco printed shibori felt dress; my largest and newest piece, The Feast of Saint Frackcis, layered rust print on the back wall; two of Rio Wrenn's Core pieces that are mounted on canvas, Fabienne Rey's eco printed and embroidered piece mounted on sheer organza and hanging between the two walls, and finally Elizabeth Adams-Marks large hand made paper construction.  

Woot!

Elizabeth Adams-Marks and I are thrilled to announce that we were awarded a Surface Design Association Small Events Grant for our international exhibition From the Inside Out that opens August 18 at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville department of Art and Design. Irit Dulman will be sending work from Israel, and Fabienne Rey of the Netherlands, and Rio Wrenn from Portland, Oregon will join us in Illinois for workshops and artist talks. We have a blog devoted to the exhibition at http://exhibition-fromtheinsideout.blogspot.com/ 

Had to update the flier with the announcement:

By the way, there are still openings in both workshops! 
Visit the blog or write me at shiborirust[@]yahoo[.]com for registration information.