Layers of Meaning
commentary on design, fiber art, & modern embroidery from Serena Fenton
An interesting side trip - nothing at all to do with fiber art. Chronicle Books has released a new book by kid's author, Henrik Drescher. The official press release for the book reads:
"If you can write letters to Santa Claus c/o the North Pole, you ought to be able to write a letter to Jack Kerouac or Albert Einstein... Postal Seance is the result of Drescher's bizarre and ambitious experiment, in which the afterlife meets the epistolary impulse in the form of elaborately decorated letters to the dead.
By sending out 52 ornately designed cards and letters to deceased luminaries throughout history -- including James Joyce, Dolly the Sheep (in two letters), Chairman Mao, Saul Steinberg, and others -- Drescher puts his faith in the efficacy of the international postal network. In some cases, the letter is returned, bearing evidence of its lengthy journey in the form of international postmarks as it bounced from Singapore to Manchester, Sydney to Kentucky, or Madrid to Moscow, at last surrendering to the ultimate defeat, the "Return to Sender" stamp.
Of those not returned, it is deduced that the letter was successfully delivered. With a foldout map showing the post-life postal system and custom stamps for the reader's own far-reaching missives, Postal Seance is a uniquely imaginative presentation, and perhaps the closest we humans have ever come to contact with the dead."
You can take a quick trip to Henrik Drescher's site for more images, his bookmaking some writings on how he creates his images - plus links to antsandwich, a sketchbook.
Danny Gregory's Illustrated Weblog Journal is a regularly updated blog with pages from a wonderfully inspiring artist's journal! He jumps freely from medium to medium and pushes the box, trying a variety of styles. Best of all were the words that greeted me today about being fearless about committing to drawing in your journal: " January 01, 2004 - Do not fear mistakes
Marybethd sent me an email asking how she could go about finding her own voice. She also said she was reluctant to draw in her journal because "if I make a bad drawing, I am stuck with it...Forever!"
I wrote: Isn't it interesting that everybody has their own style of drawing and making visual things? It almost suggests that we actually see things differently. Perhaps each of us is looking through our own lense that has particular scratches and distortions that come from the years of accumulated experience. We may all be striving to capture the same reality in front of us and yet, despite skill and practice, end up with very different marks on the paper and the same sense of satisfaction that we have actually captured what was in front of us. Even if you change media and techniques or look at your work over a lifetime, it is still you."
Gregory also has a homepage with links to many of his books and interviews.
image:December 27, 2003- Destuffing my Life by Danny Gregory
Laura Breitman creates fantastically intricate photo-realistic collages using tiny snippets of fabric. This article by the Smithsonian Magazine describes her technique: "Breitman positions thousands of bits of cloth—from slivers to two-inch squares—onto her canvas, like so many overlapping brushstrokes. To get the variegated colors and graduated shades of light and dark just right, she often bleaches, dyes or block prints the fabric.... When a picture is complete, Breitman applies a matte varnish, which gives it a more uniform texture."
image: Green Path by Laura Breitman
Update: 11/23/04 - I received a note from Laura Breitman today. She simply says: "I am removed my presence from the internet because of a new direction I am taking." So, you can no longer view her work on the internet, but a new direction is always exciting.
Teesha Moore's art journals are on display in a magazine, play, that she published for a year. Play folded "due to high publishing costs", so back issues are available. Better yet - there are pages available on the internet that let us take a quick glimpse into her journals. A sample of play pages reveals intricate pages that combine painting, realistic drawing and photographs with some writing.
image by Teesha Moore
Individual journal pages are for sale online. These are more of separate works of art than a flowing monologue. Each piece is colorful with a central focal point. There are some delightful collages - really original ones, not just the pastiche of rubber stamps that seems to be sprouting up everywhere. Lots of symbols and imagery to explore - and striped legs!
They also offer something called "artfest" out on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington. Too bad it is so far - sounds very fun! "Artfest is a unique, camp-like experience where artists come together to create, share, learn from, and be nourished. We find the coolest artists to come teach the latest crazes along with fresh and original ideas and techniques. New friendships are formed and ideas are revealed, renewing your sense of self, your talents, your own creative vision, and a deeper understanding."
Alice Simpson - Handmade Books
An article from Crafts Report that documents both the technique and the business skills of a graphic designer turned book artist. Much of her work is inspired by dancers. The books reflect this obsession. One book has a line of dancers moving down an abstract hill, creating an entire neighborhood dancing.
image by Alice Simpson
KathleenField.com - Art Quilt Gallery
Art quilts made of collage on fabric. Current work is botanical in imagae and inspiration.
Field's statement at SAQA reads:
" From bits of photographic images, collected images, torn papers and text, I create a collage. I borrow icons and words from throughout the ages to illustrate my concept. Creating the physical layering of the elements in this medium brings upon emotional, spiritual and mythical layers as well.
By enlarging and manipulating my assembled construction, I print it to fabric. After the printing, the images are once again arranged and rearranged. This sometimes-final work is then stitched to produce a quilted union of color and composition."
