Purpose

Material Witness will focus on extreme textile process. Images will be posted here showing the history of my work, new work, developing projects and inspiration.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Cherished Remnants



Chinese doll costume with bird embroidery approx. 100 years old


Tapestry remnant from the flea market in Paris- ancient


Russian shawl - a gift from Maryanne McAllister, Fort Nelson from her life in Russia.

Chinese doll costume-back view. Gold embroidery.


Worn boudoir doll from Montreal- approx 1920's resting on a felted shawl I made and dyed.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Focus!

Wells house in the cold!

My focus is now on getting the gallery up and running for the May long weekend.

The house is mostly set up but is not decorated yet. I could live there immediately if I spent a lot of time with my eyes closed. It has everything I need for a little comfort. That is the important part after all! But I want it a little yummy. I will be in there 6 months a year from now on. And I want the house to be an inspiring place and haven for my family and friends.

Truth is I am just thrilled about having running water, a toilet, a dry roof and good neighbours.
The rest is icing. I feel very fortunate.

So...I am digging through images of studios and shops I like and rethinking ideas for my own use. Now designing the gallery and looking for ways to make it appealing and comfortable.
Have been looking for showcases and shelves that would be nice to look at and live with.
Taking pictures and scouring antique shops, industrial storage places, and re-use stores.
Having everything custom built is an option. I have Kevin, my carpenter, who has time right now. Even some hacked Ikea pieces might work. In the meantime I found some great overhead light fixtures. Old ones that came from a factory. They might be out of scale with the ceiling height in the gallery area. But now I have some idea of what might work.

The building itself is painted tangerine and cobalt blue with touches of purple. It scares me to death but it can be seen for miles. It is also on a number of posters that already exist as advertisement for the area. And lots of people seem to like it. The whole town is painted bright colours! I will have to change it eventually to something slightly more subtle.

In the meantime I am working on my art, card designs, signage, advertisements and invitations.
Insurance problems might finally be solved. I am also interviewing B.C. artists and have three or four lined up for the summer. First little show is now being pulled together.

Today Wells is 34 0 below. Windchill makes it 50 o below. Colder than cold!

There is so much work and just enough time. 4 months and counting down!

Monday, January 2, 2012

Good Dog


My cousin Cassandra's dog letting us all know how he feels about Christmas! And he is twelve years old which is kinda my age in dog years...