Open Studio: Thursday May 18, 4-8pm

A few people have asked if I ever have an open studio. Yes! Every December, during the Seward Frolic (Art Crawl) I have opened up the door, and had supplies on hand for printing a small make-and-take bag or napkin. Its free! This is one way I give back to the community, and the glee on the kids faces when they pull their own print is priceless!

On May 18th, 4-8pm, I will have a open studio of the more usual kind. I'm re-installing the work in my studio from the Traced and Transcribed solo show last January. Work-in-process will also be on view, and there will be some goodies to give away...

My special guest will be Marcia Anderson, former MNHS curator, and author of "A Bag Worth A Pony." In this new book, Anderson hopes to share a celebration, illumination and study of the spectacular beaded bags made by the Ojibwe of Minnesota. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

We would love to see you!

5 Best: Natural Dyes

Last November, I attended the Tenth International Shibori Symposium in Oaxaca, Mexico. I'll post several times about the conference, as it was packed tightly with illuminating and inspiring moments.

One such moment was a session about natural dye practices moderated by Master-dyer Catherine Ellis and Christina Roberts of Marafiki Arts. Beginning with "what's it going to take to make it [natural dyes] stick?", the open discussion followed a meandering path through technical information, the role of science for dyers (and how natural dyes can be used to teach science!), and the 5 best natural dye books and 5 best dyes for artists.

There are thousands of natural materials that could be used to dye fibers. One important note to acknowledge that these "5 best dyes" are identified for their light and color fastness, critical factors when creating archival art pieces. The intention of the user may be different however, such as dyeing with invasive plants to raise awareness about the environmental and economic impact of introduced plants. Artists may also want to reference their local environment and use foraged or cultivated natural dyes specific to their region to make a statement.

And they are...

Left to right: Indigo, Cochineal, Weld, Madder, and (not pictured) Osage Orange

140: counting the days

The 140 project records how depression is described, by poets and science, over the average length of an episode of major depression. Counting days is a popular method of looking forward to the end of something, and also to connect the present to the past. Thereare lots of examples: the first 100 days,  the book of days (1869), and a newer version (2004), Around the World in Eighty Days...

According to this article, the average duration of a major depressive episode is 140 days. Other sources suggest it is 6 months. The reality is its hard to pinpoint the exact day an episode begins or ends, and there's lots of variables involved. What is important: that people know there is an end to the darkness.

These are 'sketches' for how I will show the text with the indigo-dyed handkerchiefs.