Jafabrit's Art

Cutting out your own Stencil

2012-02-02T05:44:00.000-08:00

Can be a royal pain, especially when it's small, but it's worth it. I spent quite a few hours creating a stencil based on a painting I did of my daughter a few years ago.

Experimented in my sketchbook (the flower is a pressed flower I had glued in earlier). Lesson I learned after I managed to do a few nice ones on cardboard is never use a spray can that has gotten clogged up. From now on I think I will buy smaller spray cans and be mindful of keeping the nozzle clean.

I am happy with the final results and will leave this one out for Free Art Friday. I glued a little felt flower onto it, just thought it was a nice touch.

Tutorial on making your own stencils

Hutch Stencil Art and Videos

Playing with my Dolls

2012-01-31T06:35:00.000-08:00

The invitation for a solo show next year may have to wait as it seems this year is dedicated to exploring, playing and experimenting in my sketchbook or doodlecloth. I painted my troll doll in acrylic, took a pic and then manipulated it on Adobe. I think I may have to make a version for FAF.

Meanwhile on the subject of Shock Art
I have been thinking about Chawne's controversial quilt and some of the responses. Sometimes people dismiss work that shocks them and disparage the artist. What if it wasn't meant to be shocking though? History is replete with examples of master works that shocked many of their day. What if it was meant to be shocking, to challenge and make some uncomfortable, what is wrong with that? Why would it be wrong to shock a specific segment of the population and bring attention and a dialogue about an issue?
LINKS
Shock Art-Controversial or Ahead of Time?
Interview with Ai weiwei who talks about his art,and how people with different ideas are persecuted.

Ai Weiwei documentary get's middle-finger salute at Sundance - Culture Monster

Yit be his feiris he wald haue fukkit:

2012-01-30T07:26:00.000-08:00

Oh naughty! naughty! and this Scottish poet has the dubious distinction of being the first to publish the "word" in his, William Dunbar, poem "Brash of Wowing" back in 1503.

I bring this up because it seems Cauchy's guest post at whipup about her "give a F*ck" project has some in a flap. It's not so much that others don't have a right to be offended and say so, it's the insults, presumptions and vitriolic pouting. Ah, the power of words, eh!

Here is another example of the use of the word incorporated into textile art, only it was in morse code. It was done by a soldier in a Nazi prison camp and it must have given the prisoners a real chuckle to see it displayed in camps for several years and the German guards never noticed.
And before you get your knickers in a twist with umbrage, this is a REAL name of a village in Austria.

It's not my favourite word. If I do swear I tend to resort to British one's that many Americans seem to find rather quaint as I mumble in my Queen's English, ahem ;)

In the Studio

I continue to add elements to my doodlecloth, experimenting with stitches, etc. Who knows, I may add a naughty word if the mood strikes :)

Warning: Don't watch British video if you are easily offended.

Hanging Shows and Free Art Friday

2012-01-28T06:21:00.000-08:00

Trying to hang work by so many different artists and media is such a challenge. I was helping jafapal Nancy install the Yellow Springs Arts Council Permanent Collection on Friday at the John Bryan Gallery and it took us 5 hours, and we are still not finished. Have to go back today and hang 8 more pieces. I hate hanging from ceiling hooks, arg!

The black gothic shaped painting with the face is the one I donated a few years ago, called "saints of misinformation".

Label for Free Art Friday

I finally got around to designing another label for the Jafagirls Free Art Friday.

and left this little acrylic painted leaf in town, as well as a less formal piece.

varnished acrylic and collage on board

WYSO Interview

2012-01-26T07:49:00.000-08:00

Since Nancy and I are doing the Kiss for the LOVE IN weekend organized by the Yellow Springs Arts Council we were invited to talk a little about it along with Arts Council Arts & Cultural Part Time Manager Jo Caputo at WYSO Weekend with Jerry Kenney. It will be aired Feb 5th, at 10:30am.

Jerry felt the L♥VE

I don't think Jerry Kenney was quite expecting this when Jo suggested we take a pic lol! but he was a good sport, and really who can resist a bit attention eh!

Wordless Wednesday: Peek-a-Boo

2012-01-25T06:51:00.000-08:00

oil on wood painting manipulated on adobe

As you sew so shall you reap or is it

2012-01-23T07:34:00.000-08:00

so shall you rip.

Anybody that sews can relate to that horrid moment when you have to rip every blasted stitch out, grrrrrr. Thankfully since this is my doodlecloth for 2012, I don't have to worry about it, I can mess it up and experiment and just play.

Saw a beautiful feather in a National Geographic Magazine, and wanted to experiment and see if I could do an hand stitched version. I also used a wee bit acrylic colour wash on it to blur the lines between colours.

Going Dotty!

2012-01-21T06:52:00.000-08:00

Damien Hirst, loved and despised.

His spot paintings are featured in Gagosian Galleries and the globe trotting spot challenge was conquered.
spiffy riffs is what Jerry Saltz calls them.

Meanwhile I got a bit dotty playing in my sketchbook.

"Dribble Dot"
Paint, painted feather, wire

Hockney's Landscape paintings are a huge hit for Yorkshire folk. Perhaps it was the northern girl in me that felt a joy in his paintings. Whatever it is I have had luscious colour filled dreams inspired by them (not a dot to be seen).
G3SV58AFXUJB

Hockney on why art has become less

2012-01-19T09:07:00.000-08:00

Why Art has become 'less'

It seems his paintings wear art critic Adrian Searle out, hum! I like the reduction of the images to marks and colours and find them inspiring. I don't really do landscapes, but I thought it would be fun to play in my sketchbook. ONLY I painted with my non dominant hand and scratched into it with my right.

Women's Park, Yellow Springs, Ohio

LINKS
8 Drawing Exercises Every Artist Should Practice from today in art

I love the title of this article and advice
Creative Thinkering

Wordless Wednesday: Shark Attack

2012-01-15T07:02:00.001-08:00

Whitley Bay, England

Public Puckerings and Goings On

2012-01-14T16:31:00.000-08:00

Lol, Joanne Caputo took a pic for the paper for the upcoming Yellow Springs Arts Council Event in Feb, Love in. I love the title she put on it :)

Talking about LOVE
New Heart Painting

destined for the Village Artisans "Mysteries of the Heart" exhibit.

FAF: Making Felt Chocolates

2012-01-13T04:51:00.000-08:00

So I hung out in the studio and made chocolates out of felt for free art friday, free of calories and free art rolled into one, what a winner eh!

Very easy to make

Just cut out and stitch corners

stuff with a little fiber fill and sew on bottom piece. Then embellish. I did a little fly stitch,couching, satin stitch heart, and small beads.

grey and dull

2012-01-12T06:45:00.000-08:00

are the days in Ohio during the winter months

but I do seem to enjoy some of the scenery, I think it's because it reminds me of the bleak brooding moors I so often walked back home in the Northeast of England. Minus the castles, and roman walls though :(

Well, off to the studio to play with paint.

God in a Cup and no

2012-01-11T05:58:00.000-08:00

this is not a religious post ;)

I met Michaele in Puerto Rico and while our husbands were busy at a conference we goofed off. I think we talked each others ears off. I did hide my wee packet of instant nescafe lest I get clobbered with her book, which as you can see is all about coffee. I'm not really a coffee drinker, or an avid reader, but I have to say the book so far is fascinating (here is a review).

I had taken a little flower yarnbomb to Puerto Rico and Michaele didn't escape my yarny plans. I gave her my mini knit bomb to put up somewhere that day we spent in Old San Juan. There is a special tree in the cemetery in old san juan called the children's tree. At christmas time people hang little toys and presents for the lost children. When I took Michaele to see it it somehow just felt right to put it up right there.

Can't help myself, ahem!

2012-01-10T05:33:00.000-08:00

Yellow Springs, Ohio

I've been itching to do a yarnbomb that would compliment RAC's spray paint graffiti and finally was well enough to go out and do it.

Jafagirls have joined forces with the Yellow Springs Arts Council again, this time for "THE KISS" (we did it a few years ago and was very popular).

Nancy and I continue to be major supporters and part of the Yellow Springs Arts Council team in other ways. Nancy has taken on the role as Gallery coordinator, and I continue to help out with the website.

Good Riddance

2012-01-09T05:36:00.000-08:00

I'm finished with you you bronchial beast, I have things to do and can't have you hanging around.

Off to get my piccy taken for the paper with a giant pair of lips, a bit street art to do, a bit jafagirl plotting, and a heart painting to do.

Bronchial Boar

2012-01-08T07:30:00.000-08:00

or is it bore, for that's what being sick is. I lost all energy or will to start anything. Tried to paint, gave up, tried to draw, gave up and then I thought of the advice I have given others when facing lack of motivation or artists block.
Play, doodle, dabble. So I took my own advice and started a stitch panel for 2012, no planning, just stitch whatever, whenever. I also thought it would be nice to kickstart the year doing something I rarely do, take a workshop. The workshop (mixed media stitched journal) is with one of my FAVE embroiderers, Victoria at Freedom of Stitch.

I tried the chicken broth recipe with fennel and I can't believe I have never had fennel before. If you know me, you will know I LOVE licorice, in fact I am a licorice fiend. I have now a new title, fennel fiend. I shall be roasting some today.
YUM!

Lethargy and Tea

2012-01-05T06:45:00.000-08:00

seems inescapable as I fight off the seasons ills. Getting sinusitis and bronchitis makes a mockery of my flu shot, I still got sick. Worst of all I lack any creative energy grrrrrrr!!!!!!!!

So I rest.

Jafapal Nancy dropped by with her homemade chicken soup (yum) which has helped. I did find this wonderful recipe for another one here that I think I will try later this week.

Meanwhile

Monkeys got their tea :)

Monkeys Wait for Tea

2012-01-04T06:49:00.001-08:00

Compelled to Leave a Mark

2012-01-01T18:48:00.000-08:00

In a dark dungeon at Castillo de San Cristobal Puerto Rico someone found a way to leave their mark, their story, and here I was hundreds of years later standing witness.

"The room is labeled a dungeon but it's really a "room branching off a tunnel" from the main plaza of the fort. The legend has it that the ships drawn on the wall were done by "mutineers who seized control of the cannon of the fort in 1855 and held San Juan for ransom."

It was fascinating to look at the drawings and writings.I wondered if they ever thought their images would last so long, what they used to draw them, how long it took,what they thought.

Meanwhile in Old San Juan I left my marks,but ephemeral one's.

A local woman walked by and asked me if it was real and couldn't stop laughing when I touched it and she realized on closer inspection it was FAKE. I know, totally goofy, but it inspired a fun moment in Old San Juan besides the usual touristy stuff.

Back in the Studio Jafabrit

In between fighting off sinusitis and bronchitis (and being relived that my second mammogram gave me the all clear), I'm working on a small project. More about that later.

Oh, this gave me a good chuckle.

Somehow my yarnbomb image ended up being included in a book called blogging for dummies lol! A friend (thanks susan) tipped me off when she came across it the other day.

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T08:46:00.000-08:00

sick as a soggy chip BUT

2011-12-30T09:58:00.000-08:00

I've managed to finish a little embroidery piece that was easy to pick up and put down. I started it before going to Puerto Rico. I sewed on the plane, in the airport, by the hotel lake, and finally over the holidays.
I will print out pics and add to my travel journal. It's based on my sketchbook doodle of a hand of fatima I designed and then elaborated on.
How to Keep a Travel Journal

Mine isn't really very fancy or meant to be of interest to others, but I find it very useful when it's time to name photographs/places, or remember what I might need or don't need if I ever go back to the same place. I don't carry it around, but rather do what they suggest in the link above. I write notes on bits of paper, grab brochures or biz cards, and in those quiet moments in a hotel room update the journal. Flipping through the journal is also a fun reminder of the trip.

So I have two reminders, my book and my embroidery which brings up nice memories of quiet moments by the pond and the swans and funny little birds.

grumpy green heron

Don't leave home without it

2011-12-27T05:40:00.000-08:00

My camera that is, and my embroidery.It was lovely to sit by the pond in San Juan hotel and quietly stitch as the swans wandered by. Alas the trip was far too short, but sweet.

Meanwhile back in Jafabrit's studio, sniffle's abound. I had flu shots, but I haven't escaped a horrid little cold, so it's chicken soup time.

Mortal Fear

2011-12-26T11:55:00.000-08:00

but not the game, although it feels like it's a game of chance only it's my body.I came home from Puerto Rico to find a letter stating My mammogram had shown some anomalies and I should schedule a second one and possibly a sonogram. Too late to call, so I had a horrid night filled with fear and nightmares. Bingo tits rattled around my brain, and I heard Bingo your tits win, you got the big C.

Thank goodness I got to talk to the doc's nurse next day and it may be related to Fibrocystic issues. This was comforting enough that I could enjoy christmas day without being sick with worry.

Feliz Navidad

2011-12-24T05:40:00.000-08:00

Laguna Del Condado Bay fireworks

Our first night in San Juan we were treated to a fab display of fireworks and live music from our balcony.

Just sitting and looking at all the lights at night and hearing the waves was a treat, even if the visit was short.

Cheers everyone :)

Grumpy Koi in San Juan

2011-12-23T04:37:00.000-08:00

Koi at Caribe Hilton San Juan

And Mr.Fibbs said grumpily, "why do you come to the edge of the pond and give me hope when you have NOTHING to feed me?"

There was a wee tropical storm and I was stuck in and around the hotel for the afternoon so I decided to give myself a challenge. Can I find interesting things to photograph stuck in a hotel,Caribe Hilton,in San Juan.

Luckily the hotel had a FAB tropical garden filled with birds, fish, iguana's, geckos, frogs and the koi became my momentary obsession :)

Off to the Land of Cockfights

2011-12-15T06:09:00.000-08:00

I admit I was shocked when I saw this last time I visited. The thought of it makes me shiver, arg!

Instead I will leave you with this image as I fly off into the sunshine for a few days.

Playing with Wire

alas my wire face sculpture is nowhere as near as good as Alexander Calder's below, but

I didn't follow the method of using a continuous line drawing to base it on. I was kind of just goofing around with a spare bit of wire lying around the studio.

So two kinds of faffing will be going on in Puerto Rico, one that involves dithering about the place and the other Free Art Friday.

Happy Holidays

Embracing Process

2011-12-14T05:19:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I really have to remind myself that I'm not in a race, that I don't have to rush onto the next project.

My internet was down for a couple of days and I had no access to bbc radio, we don't have tv, so it was quiet around here. I rather enjoyed the solitude in my studio. I did watch a couple of old Bette Davis movies on DVD, and sketch out ideas for a piece, AND play in my sketchbook. I remind myself that the process of playtime in my sketchbook is important. That breathing space between projects gives ideas time to mature and grow.

I didn't know there was such a term as process art, did you? "the 'process' in process art refers to the process of the formation of art: the gathering, sorting, collating, associating, and patterning."

The Guggenheim describes it as art that "emphasizes the "process" of making art, (rather than any predetermined composition or plan) and the concepts of change and transience.

non dominant hand drawing

I am going to have to ponder this one as there is a piece I want to do that addresses such an issue.

Muff Protest March

2011-12-14T04:31:00.000-08:00

LOL! We had some spare to share from our Hairy Art Palace Exhibit for the Muff Marchers Protest walk organized by the UK Feminista's.

Yarnpainted Mannequin "Hairy Mary"

Kidding aside, this (vaginal cosmetic surgery) is a weird trend and I'm so glad UK Feminista's are bringing attention to it. Although this artist, Lilly Mae Martin was asking is pornography dictating pubic hair back 2009.

F is for Faffing

2011-12-11T06:43:00.000-08:00

As in Faffing about the studio

while I psych myself up to start my next major embroidery piece. So here I am experimenting with felt flowers for a fun wee project.

My next embroidery piece is going to require quite a bit preparatory drawing and planning. Nothing to share on that front at this point, other than it is a narrative piece.

Water Sparkles

Blow, blow, thou winter wind

and my! was it brisk in the Glen yesterday afternoon. The sun sparkles on the water, and frosty glitter on the ground was so beautiful.

Climbed the famous stone steps, and was totally fagged out by the time I got to the top, but what GREAT exercise!

FAF

The jafagirls left a couple of pieces out for Free Art Friday and mine was left on the beautiful ceramic bench outside the local library.

Links

Flickr Embroidery Set

Flickr Free Art Friday

E is for Egg Cozy

2011-12-09T07:18:00.000-08:00

Yea, I finally finished one for my Etsy Shop.

hand embroidery on tea stained linen

Slowly building up our inventory at our shop, yea! Takes time, especially since we are not rushing making anything just to sell. I had so much fun making a few for myself and a spare one for the shop.

FAF
Mark was so taken with the idea of Free Art Fridays after our radio chat that he created one for today and posted on Creative Mojo Facebook page. Here is mine.

Left somewhere in Yellow Springs, Ohio

D is for Dull

2011-12-07T13:51:00.000-08:00

which is the best description for the grey skies of Ohio today BUT life is not dull, thank goodness.

Besides adding new items to my etsy shop with jafapal Nancy, getting a lovely shout out for my F*ck embroidery at Cauchy's quilt project blog, I spent a few minutes chatting with Mark Lipinski on his Creative Mojo Radio show today about Free Art Fridays. I don't really know when it started or who started it, but it's been around for quite a few years. What inspired a radio chat was a photo Mark had posted of an felt egg pin cushion(if you google them they are all over the place). I have over the years created felt eggs to leave out for FAF, but had never thought to make a pin cushion out if it.

I have even attached them to yarnbombing.

No end of what you can do with felt eggs.

Flickr Free Art Fridays

C is for Colposinquanonia, Crafts and Christmas Stamps

2011-12-05T07:06:00.000-08:00

I must be a real BEAUTY then LOL!

Okay NOT, but my C is;)

Hand Embroidery designed by moi

Crafts

wheeeeeeeee!I won Mark Montano's Book The Big-Ass Book of Crafts 2 from Craft.You (thanks Margot), and can't wait to play.

Spuggy Christmas Stamps

tweeeeeeet
I now have REAL US Post Office stamps available at Zazzle.

B is for Breakfast, Bullies and Birds Nest Drinks

2011-12-03T09:49:00.000-08:00

Breakfast

Every now and again we like to have soft boiled eggs for breakfast; so my egg cups are not just for show. Can't have egg cups without egg cozy's though, so I designed and hand embroidered one for myself. If it works out will make a few more for the jafagirl etsy shop.

Muslin, hand embroidery
Bullies
A High School Student gets Threats from the Burzynski Clinic

Dealing with bullies
Legal Guide for Bloggers (US based)
Institute of Bully Free Living
in families
How to Stop Emotional Vampires from Sucking the Life Out of You
Whose the Emotional Vampire in Your Life
at work
at school
Cyber bullying

Bird's Nest Drink

A wee gift from my son's girlfriend. Yes I drank bird spit, supposed to be good for you. I didn't really know about it actually being based on bird saliva at the time, but then I am a spuggy, so I guess it's fitting, tweeeeeeet!
Bit of News
Oh deary me
Marmite Lorry Spill Causes Jam on M1
Some of the comments to the article are hilarious, puns galore. Glad to say the driver was okay.
If you are a marmite fan, check out Marmite Maggie's book, Mish Mash Dictionary of Marmite. Full of marmite facts and it's true marmite gets spread all over the place (besides on motorways;) even in Outer Space (story on page 130)
ps. there is a marmite facebook page
oh how cool! they also have a marmite recipe index

A is for Attercop

2011-11-30T06:12:00.000-08:00

an "ill natured" person

History of A
and
A for Alina Szapocznikow
wow!

Subversive Stitch: I didn't think I would do it

2011-11-27T06:16:00.000-08:00

but I did.

If you are easily offended then I suggest you do NOT scroll past this picture.

******
*********

*****

I have not been a big fan of using rude language or imagery in my work (although yes I did do that ONE embroidery but), but I was invited to participate in a project involving said word. I enjoyed the challenge of seeing if I could visually create a piece that added my own style with a very commonly used word.

so here it is, the f and c being my OWN design, U is by Giacomo Franco's from his Anthropomorphic Alphabet circa 1600's, and K from this book
and just for fun

ugsome or ugh!

2011-11-26T08:43:00.000-08:00

U is for Ugsome

and I'm sure that's what some may think of my Hand embroidered version of the letter u. Go for it, it's meant to be rather ugsome, especially when I put all the letters together.

History of the letter U

Really Liking this
Incomplete Manifesto for Growth by Bruce Mau.
Actually I am LOVING this list. I should print it out and stick it on my studio wall.

Getting a BIg Ass and it's not what you THINK!

2011-11-22T06:09:00.000-08:00

Wise Owl Says

"Courage is the commitment to begin without the guarantee of success".

It's not just the courage to be judged, or dismissed as an artist, but the courage of facing indifference also. The problem is if we start thinking everything has to successful (whatever that means), how will we keep trying, and growing and striving for that one creative moment that succeeds in ways we couldn't possibly imagine or plan.

K is for Keen

Alas I can't claim to have designed this (got it from this book) but it's my hand embroidered version of it.

History of letter K

I WON something, a book, YEA!!!! hand it over woman.I can't wait to get Mark Montano's newest edition of "The Big-Ass Book of Crafts 2" in the mail and start playing.

Thanks Margot (ps. check out her wonderful retrofab Holiday Card tutorial).

The F Factor

2011-11-21T06:20:00.000-08:00

F is For Facinorous

and that is what I plan to be with this next embroidery project :)

Diwali 2011 Springfield Ohio

We've been going to Diwali now for several years and each year is as wonderful as the last. Happy Diwali.

Clowning Around

2011-11-19T06:37:00.000-08:00

I have no idea what possessed me Saturday to buy this ugly 99 Cent little oil painting (circa 1974 signed Dartin)when I was at the charity shop. I hate clowns (even have a blog entry about it back in 2010). No! not scared of them, just never liked them.
I will admit I liked HOW it was painted with buttery loose brushstrokes that get a sense of the figure. Something weird must be going on in the air. THEN I go to the art section of Huffington Post and what do I see an article about CLOWNS LOL!
Found this strange little video but it's what the clown said that caught my attention. Fake Happy Mask made me squirm as a child.

Haters: I am LOVING this BLOG

2011-11-17T07:28:00.000-08:00

Internetiquette with Ms.Madge who deals with haters comments over the internet with a twist of wit.I have talked about haters before on here,but I like Madge's way of responding to them.
In the Studio
I seem to be obsessed with using pen and ink.
Oh those arty obsessions.

Those empty marmite jars come in so handy. I am keeping my ink in one.

Talking about Marmite
I know eating marmite is almost a religious experience, but this is taking it to a whole new level ;)
and by the way
Did you know, "according to the mish-mash dictionary of marmite (yes there is such a dictionary), marmART is serious business.
AND
To heck with the Turner Prize, there is the Marmite Prize. I wonder if you have to LOVE marmite to apply.

Now I Get It: Edward Gorey

2011-11-16T04:50:00.000-08:00

Edward Gorey

I remember seeing his work on PBS Masterpiece Mystery Theatre years ago and always enjoying the intro as much as the show.

but hadn't quite understood how the egg head I made with Nancy would be so reminiscent of Gorey's work. Then a fan of Gorey's, and a wonderful supporter of studio jafabrit (thank you) told Nancy and I why she wanted to buy our egg.

After doing some research, now I get it, and I feel quite honored.

Spirited Goat Cafe in Yellow Springs is now displaying Boom! Bang!

collage, acrylic, oil stick,

cell phone, wire on wood

and hand embroidery on linen face.

Available for Purchase

Mental Vitamins

2011-11-15T05:43:00.000-08:00

The Healing Power in the Act of Creating

Neuroscientist Kelly Lambert has shown in her research that "when you knit a sweater or plant a garden,...when you prepare a meal or simply repair a lamp, you are bathing your brain in feel-good chemicals and creating a kind of mental vitamin."

I found this info in great article on EcoSalon that talks about the link between Using Your Hands and Soothing Your Brain.

I like my daily dose of mental vitamins.In between drawing out an idea for an upcoming project,I continue to work on the cloth guest book pages. I'm enjoying weaving patterns (blue embroidery circles with sequins)around the guests doodles and writing, as well as embellishing their writing (yellow stitches on black text).

The quote that someone wrote, is by the champion of individualism, Ralph Waldo Emmerson and from his essay Self-Reliance. In the essay Emmerson talks about "the need for each individual to avoid conformity and false consistency, and follow his or her own instincts and ideas".

YES!

If you LOVE dong crafts or art, stop worrying about what others think, or that it has to be some masterpiece, or the need to justify it by proving it's worth in dollars. Something much more valuable is afoot, your well being.

Happy Creating

How cool! Amazon top 10 craft books list

2011-11-13T07:54:00.000-08:00

Gale and Joan's Craft Activism Book made Amazon's top 10 best craft books list for 2011, wheeeeeeeeee!

Here is a nice review of the book by Bead Nerd, and yes that's our jafagirl peace pole.

photo by Gale Zucker

Shadows and Inspiration

2011-11-12T07:07:00.000-08:00

I love walking past this garden, especially when there are beautiful shadows on the gorgeous blue wall.

My fascination with shadows goes back a long way it seems. I remember my first oil painting class with Marie Linnekin and we had to do a still life study. I was fascinated with the shadows and all the other objects seemed to become secondary.

There are a lot of things that inspire us, but I've learned that depending on it to create is a big mistake.

Chuck Close said don't "wait around for inspiration...all the best ideas come out of the work itself. If you're sitting around trying to dream up a great art idea, you can sit there for a long time before anything happens. But if you just get to work, something will occur to you and something else will occur to you and something else that you reject will push you in another direction."

5 Ways to Destroy Your Artistic Creativity

I have to admit I have fallen prey to creativity destroyer number one, but erm! well I have been rather obsessed with embroidery for a couple of years ;)

How to be Creative

Shadows

I wonder where it will lead today creatively?

Meanwhile I will leave you with this.

Crafty Pals and Why Inspiration Matters

2011-11-09T05:02:00.000-08:00

One of my FAVE long time bloggy pals, Margot Potter, has a new website called Craft.You. It's all about making lemons into really tasty strawberry fizzy lemonade and she sure knows how to do that with a zing and a flair. She has free advice, classes, tips, and interviews, plus she is a FUN read. It's not just about making crafts though, it's also about life crafting.

Why Inspiration Matters - "recent research shows inspiration can be activated, captured, manipulated and it has a major effect on important life outcomes".

When I draw I can get so lost in it, or go into the zone as some call it.

sketchbook study of metal ornament

Oh yea! I LIKE this.
I think it will make you smile.

That Elusive Image and FAB fabric markers

2011-11-08T06:06:00.000-08:00

I was planning on starting a project yesterday BUT then I got a bee in my bonnet because I couldn't find my photograph that is the inspiration for it. I became like an obsessed demon and for three hours searched my photo files, and the house. Five minutes before I leave the house to go to a meeting I suddenly realize where it might be.

RIGHT NEXT TO THE FLIPPING COMPUTER IN A FOLDER, grrrr!

Suffice it to say, I got no serious work done.

What time I did have in the evening was spent goofing around in my sketchbook

AND

started working on embellishing the cloth guestbook pages.

At our(jafagirls)opening reception we asked guests to sign, doodle or embellish pieces of muslin I had cut up and printed some images on. I love how Ben Hemmendinger added his accordion to the print of my egg head.

Thanks to fellow brit Kai who tipped us off about these wonderful fabric sharpie pens called stained. The colours are intense, don't bleed and are wonderful to write with. Finding them is another story, they seem quite elusive. Haven't seen them in the craft stores, or fabric stores.

Oh well, OFF to the gallery to take down the exhibit sigh! It was FUN while it lasted.

Inspiration exists, BUT

2011-11-07T05:18:00.000-08:00

I haven't seen the movie Modigliani, which some say is awful, but I thought this video clip and music lovely.

Played in my sketchbook last night and there must be some subliminal message about being wooly-minded ;)

However today my Monday Muse is telling me to get off the computer and start laying the groundwork for a painting and an embroidery. The ideas have been fermenting for weeks and are busting to get out.

Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working.

Pablo Picasso

I am not a speaker

2011-11-06T05:38:00.000-08:00

Trust me I just BLITHERED on and I think the salon talk was all over the place eeeeeeeek, BUT it was fun (more about that later) and a LOVELY finish to our Hairy Art Palace Exhibit. Thanks to The Yellow Springs Arts Council and their wonderful volunteers.

Meanwhile I am just working on being as lazy as possible today (although the studio beckons). I have been tossing and turning at night as ideas dance around my head and play out in vivid surreal dreams.

Anyhoo, back to the yakking issue, perhaps I best speak through my art.

If you like the idea of using craft to speak out and are interested in a kit, just email us at jafagirls@gmail.com for more info.

cheers all

ps. the screaming face is a sticker based on a reverse acrylic painting on lucite I did a while back.

I love to see recycling and this project below is more on the craft side, but essentially the same method for reverse painting.

Cloud Watching and Jafa's have a new meaning

2011-11-05T06:50:00.000-07:00

I love long drives, and cloud watching is one of the things I like to do. I saw this jet shaped cloud on the way to Penn State and had to take a pic (of course). I go nowhere without my camera. As with a lot of things I post about I thought I would do google search on clouds found this: The Cloud Appreciation Society

Oh yea! erm about the jafa's, well it's official, Nancy and I have been declared craft activists and now jafa also stands for just another f*&^%$ activist, ahem!. Now that is cleared up, we will be presenting a salon talk at the Yellow Springs Arts Council about Craft Activism AND our crafting a mini protest kits. More info on our website.

Meanwhile, the jafagirls continue to support the OWS non-violent ways of protesting and in our own unique way. We sent a knitted protest poo!

Not directed AT a person, unless you count corporations as people, err wink! wink!

rocks that make me drool!!!!!!!!!!

2011-11-04T18:24:00.000-07:00

Claudio Bravo Pastel Drawing 1971

Spent a couple of hours at The Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State, and what a gem it is. Yes, you read that right, the above is a pastel. I thought it was a photograph at first and was floored when I realized it was a drawing. In the reflection is an Alex Katz aluminum cutout called Anne. I REALLY enjoyed the faculty exhibit, very inspiring, and makes me wish I was one of their students. Museum visits are always energizing, especially when I can spend hours exploring images all to myself.

Of course being a jafagirl I had to leave a wee present for Free Art Friday outside the museum. I just can't seem to help myself ;)

They shouldn't get ALL the candy

2011-10-31T05:27:00.000-07:00

St. Andrews Parish Churchyard

built in the 12th century

Newgate Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England

2011

"Tis now the very witching time of night"

Hamlet's Soliloquy

OCCUPY HALLOWEEN

Craft Activism on CT Style TV show

2011-10-29T18:36:00.000-07:00

Craft activism: wtnh.com

To learn more about the book visit the Craft Activism Website

Meanwhile back in Yellow Springs it's Yelloween and I couldn't do a post without including a skull.

cough! cough!

Stencils in Felt

2011-10-25T06:47:00.000-07:00

Mr.Plato is taking a rest from reading craft activism and keeping an eye on the police hanging around the Hairy Art Palace exhibit. ahem!

Doing an exhibit can really challenge you to think of the space and how to present your work within it.I came up with the idea of doing my policewoman (based on a photo of my daughter) stencil in felt because I couldn't spray paint it on the gallery wall. Then I decided to do my flower, and a banksy rat too. He's directing the public to the

Easy to put on the wall too, just a few pins and ta da!

Salon Chat on Craft Activism/Craftivism

2011-10-23T08:15:00.000-07:00

Craft activism is a fairly new term and really took off after Betsy Greer joined the two words and coined the word craftivism in 2003. However the act of joining craft and activism has a long history. An example that quickly comes to mind is the Arts and Crafts Movement in which the focus was promoting economic and social reform.

Nancy and I will be at the Yellow Springs Arts Council Experience Saturday event talking about craft activism, as well as the book we are in (Craft Activism by Joan Tapper and Gale Zucker)

I found a great blog entry by Robin Wood that also compares craftivism to William Morris's Arts & Crafts movement with some great questions.

Some may wonder how on earth this

or this

fits in with being an activist.

We'll talk about it.

Decorations on a Budget: Halloween Table Decoration

2011-10-23T07:20:00.000-07:00

This has to be one of the simplest and quickest ways to decorate with very little and been one of my favourites for years.

Got any spare branches?

Paint them black.

Make little felt flowers or cut out paper bats, or pumpkin ornaments and decorate.

Branches from Harry Lauder's Walking Stick Tree

Currently it's part of a display in the "Hairy Art Palace" exhibit, so if you want to see it pop by the gallery on Oct 29th, 10-1pm.

Zombie Doll

2011-10-21T06:16:00.000-07:00

Not me ;)

No, it's for the Public Art Box.

We have zombie walk coming up in Yellow Springs and it seemed she needed to join in.

The Art Box is located on Corry Street

Trying to live the ArtFULL Life, Weird Clouds Over Ohio and sadness in Zanesville

2011-10-20T05:13:00.000-07:00

People often think it means being an artist and creative with some medium (well it can be that too), but what does it mean exactly?

I found this lovely site called The Artful Life and here the blog author explains.

I like the idea of doing a goals page like this one in my sketchbook, and I do find I need to kickstart myself. I used the word "trying" in the title because I am facing the post exhibit blues, although not really blue, just kind of blah-ish?

We had the weirdest storm and clouds last Tuesday in Ohio

Photo by moi

and I wasn't the only one that noticed. Dayton Daily News did an article titled Strange clouds cause a stir.

Don't even want to talk about the heartbreaking and tragic circumstances in Zanesville :( and the movie Elephant in the Living Room predicted something like this would happen.

Monkey Business: Security Camera Footage

2011-10-19T01:07:00.000-07:00

These little monkeys get up to all sorts while son is at college.

Today I wish I could smoke :(

2011-10-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

"It Sucks"

Not because I miss smoking, but because smoking was a comforting distraction during times of sadness.

Instead I will burn incense.

My sadness is not for me, but for those close to me whose hearts are breaking at the loss of a sister, a friend, a daughter, an aunt, a young woman who is now on a new journey.

RIP Lillian

Taiwan Funeral Rites

Gallery Sitting your Own Exhibit: the good, bad and the ugly

2011-10-17T07:06:00.000-07:00

can be a really humbling experience, and a valuable one too. Nancy and I gallery sat the whole day Saturday at our exhibit with a steady flow of visitors.
The bad and the ugly
Here is the humbling part, not everyone is going to like your exhibit or some of your work and some make it very obvious. Some just walk in and out immediately, some display the "sniff" (That "sniff" of derision is unmistakable), some don't smile or speak when you say hello, some complain about the gallery itself (not the work in it), and some make minor complaints that have no relevance to the work itself. Learning how to deal with that with grace, sifting out the useful information, learning how to talk about your work, and accepting that it's okay for some NOT to like your work is all a valuable part of the artistic journey. Putting yourself out there is tough and developing a thick skin is imperative for your survival as an artist. Here is some great advice on How to Develop a Thick Skin.

The Good
It's wonderful seeing people engaged with your work, liking your work (and buying it of course),asking questions, laughing, making observations and connections between your work that you may not have considered. Seeing what people doodle or write on our Cloth Guest Book pages is a real treat: We've been asking guests to sign, draw or stitch in our guestbook pages.

Theresa F, did the most adorable drawing that I'm currently embellishing a wee bit. As the exhibit goes along Nancy and I will be embellishing the pages and some of the text/doodles before it is bound and donated to the community.

Dogs with Mustaches,Attitude & Indifference

2011-10-16T07:06:00.000-07:00

Yep, even Miné (daughter's dog) has mustache envy. I got this lovely card for our jafagirl opening and it made me laugh.

HUM!

How can this cute little doggie (rufus) have such an attitude AND gall to nag the adults (4 of us) in the house to go to bed. He groaned and stared us down for an hour trying to get us all to go to bed lol!

AND

Bailey was totally indifferent, too busy munching on snacks to be impressed with the Dog Art at the exhibit.

Well as they say in Bengali

gugu

I got that from the Quack Project

Black and White Food

2011-10-15T05:37:00.000-07:00

That was the theme for our reception table at our exhibit, although I see Nancy snuck in something brown lol! Meg, the arts council intern did a brill job with the faces on the eggs. I am happy to see that my Australian licorice scotty dogs were gobbled up.

THANK YOU

to all those that came to the reception, helped out, arts council volunteers, and especially those who bought something and supported us ol' jafagirls.

Colourful Snapshots in the Neighbourhood and Mustache Envy

2011-10-14T10:05:00.000-07:00

Art Park in Yellow Springs,Ohio

Ah! you noticed, yes! that sneaky little U in colourful and neighbourhood. Well today my bloggy friends I am baking biscuits for the reception tonight and I don't mean these kind.

Here is a fun American to British/British to English translator.

Yea! mustache biscuits done!

I was just told mustaches are a new fad LOL!
There is even a flickr page for it, of course.

Doorway to the Hairy Art Palace

2011-10-13T05:40:00.000-07:00

It's as jafapal Nancy imagined it, and much thanks to Susan and Talitha for helping put up the drapery. The nose was made in 2008 and hung over a shop in town for nearly three years until a new owner wanted to redecorate the front. In the background Mr.Plato is holding a copy of Craft Activism and keeping an eye on the felt stencil policewoman ;)

Reception is tomorrow, eeeeeeeeeek!

More info about the exhibit.

Main Entrance to the Yellow Springs Arts Council Gallery

Photo by Susan Gartner

Just coming to see the building (a local architectural treasure) is a treat in itself and has been a labor of love by the owner, Alan Macbeth, for 30 years.

Photo by jafabrit

woolly headed, literally

2011-10-08T11:07:00.000-07:00

"Hairy Mary"

Yarn decorated mannequin

which is how I'm feeling as I prepare to hang the Hairy Art Palace exhibit on Monday. You know, this is what happens when one becomes obsessed with yarn and glue, and garage sale mannequins. If they are not covered in felt,like mr. plato, they are yarnbombed.

On the Washing Line: Hand Sewn Quilt

2011-10-07T12:18:00.000-07:00

Washing line in Northeast of England

It was fun to see a quilt I had so lovingly made by hand back in the 80's for my mother still in use, and still in FAB shape.

There is a story behind this quilt, a story of a young mother in Texas, whose heart ached with homesickness and wanted the comfort of knowing that her mother would touch the quilt and feel that thread of love even in a piece of cloth thousands of miles away.

2011-10-06T08:06:00.000-07:00

yep!!!!!!

2011-10-05T13:35:00.000-07:00

Life

sometimes a bloody mystery

sometimes totally magical

Talking about Surprises & Dealing with Naysayers

2011-10-05T13:09:00.000-07:00

Swoon: It's about the feeling about surprise in an otherwise dead space.

Saw this on Craftivism Blog and wanted to share.

Swoon's drawing and what she has done with it is amazing. Here is some info about her on Bit Rebels.

Dealing with Naysayers
(not talking about people offering thoughtful critiques and concerns).
I love this quote by Gandhi, "I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet". Nobody escapes the naysayers in our lives, and the more attention we get for our work the more naysayers seem to have this major urge to let us know how they feel. I am lucky because my need to create and the joys that come from that are so powerful that I don't care. I don't have time to indulge in letting others leave dirty footprints. If naysayers are bothering you then check out this link, 31 ways to Deal with Naysayers at The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur.

"excellence can be obtained if you care more than others think is wise, risk more than others think is safe, dream more than others think is practical, expect more than others think is possible" - unknown

Back in Jafabrit's Studio

Here is our Jafagirl Poster available at Zazzle.The bench at the bottom is the one featured in the book Craft Activism .

Crafting Hell and the German Connection

2011-10-04T06:27:00.000-07:00

The Hell of Handicrafts and one of the questions Alex at the Guardian News asks is, "why do women want to embroidery when they could be reading Hegel?" Perhaps instead it's because we are listening to Hegel wink! wink! Fun article! and her 10 rules for happier handicrafters made me laugh. I like rule number one.

My own crafting hell is why on earth did I suggest to jafapal nancy we yarnpaint a whole flipping mannequin. ARG!!!!!!!

I feel like ripping parts of it off, grrrrrr, in fact when I get off here I already see a part I want to change. grrrrrrrr!

I love this story, Not about crafting hell but hell and crafting. I love that this POW managed to sneak subversive messages into his work. It's also a reminder that sending stitched mail, and subversive stitch is not NEW. Check out what he wrote in morse code on one of his embroideries LOL!

Street Art: The Power of Surprise

2011-10-03T05:55:00.000-07:00

People often wonder what the motive for creating street art is. I can't speak for others, but I enjoy creating little surprises that people might not notice at first or wonder about when they do notice it. Thing's that blend in with the place it's placed, or look like it's supposed to be where it is BUT! A lot of people don't like street art, and some go into an apoplectic dither over a bit yarnbombing/knit graffiti, but they seem to accept the most obnoxious exploitation, occupation and cluttering of public space and ad creep by advertizers.

Image from Wooster Collective article about the Street Advertizing Takeover.

Such is life!

Angel of the North and Sting

2011-10-02T12:18:00.000-07:00

taken sept 2011
Angel of the North by Antony Gormley

It took a long time for locals to like this now famous landmark known locally by some as "rusty reg or rusty rita". There's something VERY comforting going back home and seeing it. I suppose not unlike New Yorkers who know they're home when they see the Statue of Liberty.

It's Sting's 60th birthday today, and since he's another Geordie, here's hoping you have a canny one pet.

Here's a pic of him unveiling artwork he commissioned for the Laing Art Gallery

image source Chronicle Live
Painting is by Stephen Hannock

In it you can see the Sage (the slug) where Sting has performed.

taken sept 2011

stupid thing torments me and oddities

2011-09-30T11:48:00.000-07:00

My embroidery that is! I'm hating it, it's just NOT working. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, I am cutting it UP.

Meanwhile I am LOVING these tattoo tights from Urban Threads. What a COOL idea for those of us who need anesthesia just for an upper lip wax.
Yep, so went for my early walk around the neighbourhood and saw this.

and later

got a pair of LOVELY slippers in my fave fabric from KAOS queen Karen Russell.
THANK YOU!
Here is the listing for the jafagirl exhibit in October, more info on that later.
A sneak peak can be had at the gallery during opening times.

"knit bomb"
plaster cast, yarn, and felt

What is Craft Activism?

2011-09-29T05:58:00.000-07:00

"The term craftivism was coined by Betsy Greer in 2003.

Mark brought up some great questions about what is Craft Activism on his radio show Creative Mojo 9-28-2011 podcast. The first one was how do the artists' in Joan and Gale's book fit it?

To be honest Nancy and I didn't think about doing knit bombing consciously as an activist statement (here is how it started) and I never really thought of myself as a crafter per se, although I've been doing crafts all my life. Activist, absolutely all my life one way or another, including with my art. I hadn't really stopped to think about it in the grand scheme of things, but looking back I realize just putting together the jafagirls and all our projects was a active statement against the supposed or normal way of doing things.

So is yarnbombing an activism of sorts? My answer is yes! It has challenged people's perceptions about yarn,public art, antiquated notions of what the homeless need, and their presumed knowledge of trees. It has inspired the young and old and brought together a community of sharing, learning and laughing.

Meahwhile in the studio

I am going bonkers with this one embroidery I'm trying to get done for the upcoming Jafagirl exhibit "The Hairy Art Palace" at the Yellow Springs Arts Council in October.

I know some of you deal with this. You have one of those days where nothing you touch is working and you want to pull your hair out, tear your work to bits, and hoy it out, grrrrrrr! So if you're wondering about the name of the exhibit, it's hairy as in causing nervous tension ;)

Creative Mojo Radio Interview

2011-09-28T05:55:00.000-07:00

Will be a guest on Mark Lipinski's Radio Show today. Mark is interviewing Joan Tapper and Gale Zucker about their book Craft Activism: People, Ideas, and Projects from the New Community of Handmade and How you Can Join In.

and

wheeeeeeeee! the jafagirls are honored to be included in the book.

I sometimes forget just how much Nancy and I have done, and then I'm reminded to update the jafagirl page and wham! I still haven't updated all the projects on the page. There was the time Nancy made me dress up as Queen Victoria (I named her Lady Muck)and sit in the local emporium window one Christmas and bemoan my loss, drink tea, and knight the occasional customer.

what a lark!

Street Stickers: Bunny at the Tyne

2011-09-27T05:35:00.000-07:00

At the Tyne Bridge (Gateshead side) near The Sage (or known by locals as "the slug") and the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art (used to be a working flour mill when I was a kid). It can be seen in a small part of the film "Get Carter" with Michael Caine. It was filmed when I was still living there, and a cousin of mine played an extra in the Oxford dance hall scene.

and here is a well known song about the Tyne

Eldon Square and the birds continue to sing.

2011-09-22T06:14:00.000-07:00

photo by jafabrit

Eldon Square War Memorial

Newcastle upon Tyne Sept 2011

Panoramic view used with permission

I LOVED spending a little time in Eldon Square, brought back so many happy memories.

Found this 1930'/40's postcard. Click on link here for more info.

As the site states, the statue "figure represents St.George slaying the Dragon."

FROM HERE ON OUT: Eldon Square from jamie allen on Vimeo.

Blog Break

2011-08-25T05:56:00.000-07:00

Off for a Month traveling

view from the Baltic

and how cool I may get to see Maurizio Anzeri's work. I love the complexity of the stitches over the photographs.

Most inspiring and a reminder of my dissatisfaction with what I'm doing.

I feel that gnawing in my bones to stretch and push the boundaries further.
Meanwhile for your viewing pleasure
Men and women view art differently,well at least according to this study from Norway.

Oh dear! How do you castrate a 746 year old painting?

and

Hum! Does Creativity Increase with Age?
Thanks to Joanne Matvichuk for this fun news video story about Yarnbombing called When Knitters Go Bad.

I saw this really awesome video on Two Coats of Paint

OH, and here is one of my new FAVE website's Cakehead Loves Evil

Art and Insomnia

2011-08-20T06:15:00.000-07:00

Sleep deprivation doesn't lend itself well to creativity, grrrrrrrrrr.

I actually don't feel like a Zombie today :)

YES!!!!

So in between working on a couple of pieces for an upcoming show in October, I plan to prepare something to work on while I travel overseas. I'm thinking this will make a good embroidery to work on. It doesn't require a lot of supplies, and is small enough not to take up too much room.

May refine the drawing a bit as I am not liking all the elements on the hand, but the overall theme I do like.

R u Disappointed

2011-08-16T07:17:00.000-07:00

Did you see me listed as an embroidery blog, guerrilla artist, or a yarnbombing blog? If so, you may be disappointed to see this is not a blog devoted to one medium. So here are my links for my Embroidery, Yarnbombing, and street art.

I weave between a variety of mediums/genre's to suit a variety of needs. Some you may enjoy, some you may hate,and some you may be indifferent to. Either way, welcome, explore, and hopefully you are inspired/or pick up a few tips. I do have a search box if you wish to explore a specific subject.

Today I am feeling the need to glory in the beautiful Ohio Sky

and wait for my jafapal Nancy to come over for our weekly artmaking/plotting.

Sunday Scribbles and Keeping a Sketchbook Useful

2011-08-14T08:20:00.000-07:00

Jafabrit's Playground

Watercolour, Photo of 3d yarn painted arm, Street Sticker, Collage

Beautiful Sunday morning, windows open, smell of fresh cut grass, a breeze, and playing in my garden of the imagination, my sketchbook.

I once had an art teacher who had a very derisive view of my type of sketchbook. For her the sketchbook was a formal place to practice "serious" studies, classical style.

POO to THAT!

PLAY!

And for those textile artists out there, check out Creating Sketchbooks for Embroiderers and Textile Artists by Kay Greenlees, looks really interesting. May have to put this on my present list :)

Keeping a Sketchbook Useful

Keeping a Sketchbook Useful from Open College of the Arts on Vimeo.