Saturday, December 31, 2016

It's almost here

I made this box before I left for the holiday and am still pleased with using up paper I had laying around for a while. There are still many, many loose ends but I've done about as much as I can before I head out for the night.

What about next year? If you want to be in nature in a very solo kind of way, apply to Montello! The deadline is at the end of January. In the meantime, hold yourself and your loved ones close and stay healthy! We need to stay strong for everything that is to come.

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Whoa like we're riding

I want the horse to slow down! This is Stefan's shot, much better than mine. I was supposed to be back home today (as of yesterday) but got so horrifically sick over the holiday that I had to change my flight. This has never happened: two different illnesses in the span of a month, over holidays, causing major travel/work disruption, and making me question why I'm so susceptible.

Then again, even the hardiest of us have moments. Our beloved Bridget of Cave Paper has suffered from a staph infection but is out of surgery and back home. As soon as the paper community got wind, they stepped up, and now the book community is in on the action. I am gratified to see how well we take care of each other. Some wonderful things never change about human nature!

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Boxing


Made this piece last night, part of a scale book inspired by a woven textile scale (meaning it was made entirely of woven fibers), and now am agonizing over trying to make a box for the whole thing. Normally I would not go to this trouble but here I am, going to the trouble. It's funny because I always have to re-teach myself box making when I get to it and often try to avoid doing it, but in the end, I'm always happy to have a custom box.

Flying tomorrow for family and holidays. Still so many tasks left undone, but boxes are good brain exercise.

Also! Until the end of the year, you can give a Hand Papermaking subscription to a student in your life for only $35—and you'll still get the calendar as a gift!

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Ovens and burners

I've been cooking a lot this week, in the kitchen, new recipes. It's an easy way to pass the cold snow wind weather and also a good way to keep home toasty warm. I think all of the books are done and ready to shoot next week (another flight already?!). Yesterday I found out that I got a small grant to work on a new book project! This means a TON of research all over the place, but a good way to focus on the positive in the midst of the darkest dark days.

Thursday, December 08, 2016

Hibernation resistance



Above: what I've been up to in studio work and musings. The admin load has shifted to being almost unbearable because it's so big but the impending snow and cold has helped motivate me to work as hard as possible during daylight hours. I admit that I've been doubling up on meals, though, and I say it must be animal instinct.

Tuesday, December 06, 2016

Another book

I keep forgetting to mention that Elizabeth compiled a beautiful book that celebrates a decade of her collaborative project that I was involved in for a few years called eyeseverywhere. Women artists from around the world submitted photos weekly according to themes set by each other, and the project has traveled the world in various incarnations. It includes essays by scholars and selected images from each artist. I'm proud to have been part of this!

Monday, December 05, 2016

Parallel time

I feel like I am still living in a separate time from everyone else, catching up, in disbelief about the speed of the year coming to a close. As I try to prepare for the known (lots of teaching starting immediately in the new year), new opportunities are arising. All good, but I'm not sure if this is the heart of my work or if it distracts me. For now, I'm saying yes because I like food on the table. The good thing is that a rush of books is coming out of my hands and I smell melted beeswax a lot these nights.

Friday, December 02, 2016

Support Arrowmont

So much was lost in the TN fires this week. Fortunately, Arrowmont did not lose any studio buildings and its staff and artists are safe and sound, but it did lose structures. Give what you can to help rebuild!

Thursday, December 01, 2016

Textiles in Korea

The 'table' in the corner is three walls of my hanji vat on top of two sawhorses. Yay! Yesterday I went to bed happy after marbling and waxing paper. Today I was happy to see that Youngmin and her colleagues are leading a textile tour through Korea next year! She makes beautiful bojagi and has been dreaming about doing this for a while. I like when dreams manifest.