Looking back at sticks and stones

Driftwood loom

Driftwood Loom detail

I recently was going through an old journal from my first-ever artist residency (1996) on White Island. To be able to look back is so important – it gives me perspective and assures me that  - yes, I have been on a very focused path for decades. It is curious to me that over 20 years ago I was pushing my belief that art can be made from anything.Here is a peak at my journal and photos from those 8 days alone on a rock with an automated lighthouse (yes…. the fog horn does blow every 30 seconds ….night, day, fog, sun).

Journal from White Island

Line of bricks

 As I continue to make art using not only natural objects – but simple tools, and minimal materials – I am affirming my belief that art is simply personal, creative expression.

Spring is bursting forth!

Each One: The Button Project at the 9/11 Museum

NOW: Letters By Hand

After the coldest spring I can recall in decades, we finally have the delicious days of spring that we dream of all winter.  Not only are the buds luscious and full, but my calendar is ripe with shows, new art and other events. Here are the highlights:

• “Well Used, Well Loved”. – this two year community project will be exhibited at George Marshall Gallery. Opening May 26 from 5-7. 
• Artist Talk - Sunday June 24th, 3 PM, George Marshall Gallery
• Members Juried Biennial, Fuller Craft Museum,  Opening May 20th, 2-5 PM
• Monhegan Island Artist’s Residency - I have been awarded a 5 week residency for the fall!
• “Each One:The Button Project, a 9/11 Memorial” is on exhibit at the September 11th Museum and Memorial. I was finally able to visit the museum last month.

In the studio,  I am exploring new works, weaving, stitching and dyeing. More images and updates will follow soon!

Samples with indigo and rust dyes

I’m glad I wore a T shirt today.

Each One: The Button Project – detail

Sitting in the brilliant sun, lap top in my lap (how ironic) in the waiting area of a windshield replacement shop – I am feeling grateful for small measures. I am glad that I wore a t-shirt today – it’s hot here. Life offers multiple opportunities for gratitude – and I’ll certainly step into this simple gesture right now.There are a many of other things I am grateful for as well – and that’s where this blog post will go.1. “Each One: The Button Project: a 9/11 Memorial” has been invited for exhibit at the September 11th Memorial and Museum in New York City! The curator Jan Ramirez reached out to me this winter – and the piece will travel to NYC for exhibit from March until September. I’ll post more information when the details are settled. Thanks to the City of Portsmouth NH (who owns the piece) for graciously loaning the work to the 9/11 Museum.2. “Well Used, Well Loved” my current and on-going community art project is in a winter phase – meaning I am germinating ideas and closure – even though there appears to be not much happening on the surface. Check out the blog link to learn more about this long term community art project that focuses on age, beauty, attachment and impermanence.

Detail of new art with Shifu embroidery

3. Pecha Kucha is a local presentation of 10 area creatives who each get 20 slides for 20 seconds each image. I will be a presenter this week – February 23rd. 7:30 at 3S ArtSpace My topic is “Across the Divide: community art in turbulent times”. It’s free, it’s local and it’s creative. Hope to see you there!4. New art – Last month I was an artist in residence at the Vermont Studio Center in Johnson VT. For an entire month I had the space, time and opportunity to focus on my work. In preparation,  I spent time last fall weaving works that I hoped to complete with embroidery and other details during my time at VSC. I was able to complete two large works as well as 5 smaller pieces.  I hope to have these news works up in my gallery soon.

Shifu paper prior to cutting and spinning

5. The process of making thread from paper – Shifu - continues to fascinate and motivate my work. The act of writing or drawing on kozo paper – then carefully cutting it into strips and spinning it into thread has held magic for me for over a decade. Most of my current works employ this thread – so each piece has some hidden text or image embedded into the cloth. This technique is also an easy way for me to include the thoughts, images and words of others into my work. And this work is portable – when I travel for the next month I will be taking my drop spindle and papers to spin.

Drop spindle and papers for spinning

Enough is enough

For the month of January I am an artist in residence at the Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, VT.  I get three meals a day, a studio that is spacious and well lit and a comfy room in a house only steps away from everything.

Enough is enough

This retreat is a true gift. Each week there are visiting artists who present their own work as well as visit our studios for conversations and critique. It’s been decades since I’ve had this opportunity.This morning I had the opportunity to speak with VT Studio Center visiting sculptor David Hess about Well Used, Well Loved.

Text on kozo paper prior to spinning

He loved the simplicity of the Shifu spun threads wrapped on the mat board – with each persons name – the elegant beauty and unique character of each bundle of threads.“Why do anything with them?” he suggested “— they are perfect just as they are.”I am reminded of this poem by David Whyte:ENOUGH -This few words are enough.If not these words this breath.If not this breath, this sitting here.This opening to the lifewe have refusedagain and againuntil now.Until Now.”With these words – I will honor that these threads are ENOUGH. They will stand on their own as beauty and wisdom.

So many loose ends

Sometimes there are so many loose ends that it is hard to know where to begin.

Shifu threads, spun and unpsun

This summer has been a season of intense family highs and lows and as a result my art work has taken a backseat.  Here it is October, with many loose ends left from projects, news to catch up on plus a shift in my professional and creative focus.

Mary Louise Williams Haskell

Where to begin? Perhaps a word about my personal transitions. This June I lost my dear Mother, Mary Louise Haskell, who died on June 19th just days shy of turning 95. I had been one of her part time caregivers for over 2 years, living with her and sharing the challenges of growing old. Her passing has left a large space in my heart.In September our son Robin married his long time sweetheart Becky. My husband officiated the ceremony in Prescott Park, Portsmouth, NH. The reception was held in our backyard with a New Orleans style band. Creating an environment for 150 people to gather, celebrate, eat and dance was a huge effort and joy!

Oh happy day!

Shifu spinning is so portable

Well Love and Used towels, journals and shifu papers

Work in progress: One of Many #2

For a few years I have reduced the amount of time I spend presenting school residences and workshops. This year I am officially stepping back from teaching. HOWEVER -  I will always be an educator and my arm might be twisted to do a special project for your school or community.  This shift will allow me to focus on my community art projects such as “Well Used, Well Loved” plus my own creative journey. Check out the project blog to learn more. Currently I am working on a series I began last Spring – continuing to explore the human form in silhouette, stitched on to my hand dyed/woven indigo cloth. I am grateful for every day – thank you Universe for this amazing life! 

Unfolding lives, color effects

color effects our well being

Jacob Hiatt Community Mandala

Last week I was artist in residence at Jacob Hiatt Magnet School in Worcester, MA. I worked with 150 1st and 3rd graders to create a Community Mandala Weaving. This school community is rich with diversity and enthusiasm from principal Datta all the way down to the pre-K students, including all the staff and faculty. We worked hard for three days to create this magnificent, radiant Mandala which will adorn their school walls for generations to enjoy.While I was at Jacob Hiatt School I was snowed in for one day – and enjoyed the time to catch up on other on-going projects – including Well Used, Well Loved This community art project has brought forth a deep engagement among many of the 43 participants. We have a (closed) Face Book group where we can safely share photos and words in response to my prompts and questions.We also have a blog that is where I anonymously share stories and photo. Some of the questions I have asked are ~What/who in your life do you perceive as old? What/who do you perceive as beautiful? Do you see any connection between feeling attractive and feeling loved? The answers have been wide ranging – some surprises too!

creative response to Well Used Well Loved prompt #1

“I found prompt #3 a challenge.”

Prompt #3 was -What connections do you see between being attractive/beautiful and being loved?If I feel beautiful/attractive/appealing to others – will this mean I will be loved? Here’s a quote from one of the project participants “I encourage everyone to ask young children and the men in your lives what their response was to writing prompt #3. My family’s responses were drastically different compared to my response. Tonight i realized that the passing of time, our society, and our own inner demons create our insecurities related to female beauty.” 

Back at home

Fall leaves on hand-woven linen

I am back from a transformational trip to the hills of northern Georgia. I had the good fortune to be selected as a fellow to The Hambidge Center in Rabun Gap, GA, where I was an artist in residence for 2 weeks.While I was at Hambidge I was able to complete “Now” Letters by Hand” – a 22 month project using the American Sign Language alphabet as a platform for inner reflection. This project is a 13′ by 3′ installation – so a photo of the whole project is a bit of a challenge. I will be posting a link to a  video link soon.En route to Georgia I stopped at The Bancroft School in Worcester, MA. I spent a day working with the Middle School to complete an installation for the school entry way. Here we all are at the end of a very successful day, sitting underneath the prayer flag installation!

Bancroft School installation

Now back here in Maine, I am diving into new projects as well as connecting with continuing projects. My favorite season is approaching – snow season – when I can settle inside my studio, warm and cozy while the snow piles up outside.Be sure to check out my Face Book art page – Sarah D. Haskell – and give it a thumbs up! Thanks! 

Georgia on my mind

Hambidge Center

I’m off to Georgia! I will be at The Hambidge Center in Rabun Gap, GA this month for a 2 week residency. I am SO excited and pleased to have this opportunity!

Installation materials

As I travel south I will stop for a one day workshop at The Bancroft School in Worcester, MA. Working with the Middle School, I will guide the creation of an installation for the school entryway portico. We will use marine buoy flags, ribbons with messages, wire, zip ties and markers to create a colorful and positive way to greet everyone as they enter The Bancroft School campus.Then I will drive south taking 4 days to travel to Northern Georgia. While down there I will be working on the series “Now” Letters By Hand”. This past month I wove ten yards of white linen to mount this alphabet on to. I also plan to hike, draw and just be available for new ideas and fresh insights. This is truly a gift of time and space.I almost to forgot to announce – I have been selected as a finalist for the NH Charitable Foundation’s Artist Advancement Award. Feeling happy and pleased!

eight woven, two to go

ten yards off loom

Mandalas in Maryland

El Salvador pride

Community hands

Placing out the people

I am recently back from a week long residency in Chevy Chase MD at Rock Creek Forest Elementary. With a student body of nearly 600 plus staff and teachers, we created a large all school Mandala Community Weaving that will be stunning when fully assembled. The parent volunteers and organizers were amazing – and even with the large workshop sessions we cruised through the week with ease. At the end of the week, I left the final gluing assembly of the Mandala in the capable hands of the two parent organizers – thanks Tricia and Erica! I can’t wait to see it all together!!  

Pride and progress

Bridgeport Neighborhoods

detail – Bridgeport neighborhoods

Hands at work

Bridgeport shoreline

This week I was artist in residence with the two 5th grades at Classical Studies Magnet School in Bridgeport, CT. We completed two tapestries that illustrate two of the wonderful features of this small CT city – the shore line and the many diverse neighborhoods. I loved working with these energetic and happy students! They have much to be proud of in their work and their community.In my portable studio work I have completed two more embroideries from “Now: Letters by Hand” Letter V and W. I’m closing in on the end of this series!!

Letter V

Letter W

Warmer days, bluer skies

Snow piled up above the windows!

In my last post, I spoke of the blizzard…and in case you haven’t heard, we just exited the snowiest February on record here in York. For about three weeks the snow just piling up and piling up. We’ve had the roof shoveled and the drive way piles are over ten feet tall now! Today is bright ans sunny, so there is the sweet sound of melting, gutters running with water and even a few birds singing a happy tune.  All of this snow time gave me the opportunity to be grounded in the studio – no complaints from this happy weaver! I am one of the few people who loves winter weather – I love to x-ski and I love how snow storms create a giant pause in my busy life.I have added a new piece to the gallery from my “Unhinged” series – check it out!

Woven Mandala

The winter residency at Lewiston Middle School is completed. I am quite pleased with the drawn and woven mandalas that these students created in the after school program.

Personal drawn mandala

My own work is progressing – a new piece in the “Unhinged” series almost ready to be off loom for the embroidery. And speaking of embroidery, I have completed Letter U in my project “Now: Letters by Hand”.I will be traveling for 3 weeks leaving March 12…heading to a warm island in the Caribbean, Bequia. I’ll have email – so feel free to keep in touch – I love hearing from you!

Letter U – “Letters by Hand”

Rhythm and blues, new work in progress.

Fresh start

Studio post blizzard

We survived the “epic” blizzard of January 2015 – 24″of snow. Not all that bad – there have been worse storms – and the power never even blinked! The best thing about this storm was that I was hunkered down in the stdio – with heat and power – and I was able to get four new blog posts on my Macomber Looms and Me blog. These new posts include many photos of installing new parts to old looms as well as a few maintenance tricks. Check them out!So now that these posts are off my “to-do” list I can concentrate on weaving! I have completed the third in my series “Unhinged” and I’m off the photographers tomorrow to get it shot. Here’s a preview – but the professional will do a much better job!

Inlay at work.

Unhinged #2 – detail

This month I am artist in residence at a Middle School in Lewiston ME. I’m working in an after-school program through LA ARTS. Working in collaboration with the math teacher, we are doing drawn and then woven Mandalas.

Drawing Mandalas

May days

Detail of Clothes pin people

Wonderful volunteers who assembled and glued together the Mandala Community Weaving for AW Cox School

Here are some  photos from the AW Cox Elementary School in Guilford, CT. We worked for two days with over 300 students to weave and make the clothes pin people. A few weeks later volunteers assembled the project. The completed Mandala will be installed in June.

This is how the Mandala got delivered to the school!

Lewiston Maine

I had the good fortune to work with a very small group of students at the Longley School in Lewiston, Maine this month. Rather than making a Community Mandala, each student made their own Mandala. In the center of their individual Mandala they put a clothes pin person to represent themselves. Then they created other clothes pin people to represent their “support system” – people that help them, love them, feed them, teach them, care for them. This was a very special project with a very special group of students.

Students are creating a Mandala to represent their support system.

Mandalas can illustrate a circle of love and support with us at the center.

Individual Mandalas show our favorite colors, and our favorite people.

Each Mandala has me in the center surrounded by the people who support me.

Our special class of individual mandalas!

Waterbury CT ~ Rotella Magnet School

3rd, 4th and 5th grade collaborative weaving, Rotella Magnet School, Waterbury CT

5th grade weaving, Rotlella Magnet School, Waterbury CT

3rd grade weaving, Rotlella Magnet School, Waterbury CT

4th grade map of Connecticut, Rotella magnet School Waterbury CT

Lower grade Mandala

A rainbow of hands on the Mandala Community Weaving

This spring I had the pleasure of returning to be artist in residence at Rotella Magnet School. I worked here about 12 years ago and the beautiful pieces we created hang in the main office of the school. Now 12 years later, I have been invited back to do an even bigger project!Over 300 students in the 3rd, 4th and 5th grades worked on a triptych. The theme was “Journey”. The 3rd graders tapestry was a journey in and around Waterbury, CT. 4th graders illustrated a journey through Connecticut. And the 5th graders explored a more personal journey of the past/present/future of their lives.The lower grades (Pre-K, K, 1 and 2) worked on a Mandala Community Weaving. There were over 300 students who contributed to this joyful collaborative piece. 

Community Stories

3rd Grade Rotella School weaving prior to adding details.

Waterbury CT ~ a 3rd grade view of the city center.

I am an artist in residence at Rotella Magnet School in Waterbury CT this month. I am doing two big projects with the whole school. Third, fourth and fifth grades are creating a triptych that will explore the school theme of journey.  The weavings are being created on beautiful wooden loom/frames built by Ben (my husband). I’ll have photos of the completed works after my return visit in 2 weeks.

5th grade weaving before adding the details

Phew! Summer!

People of Harvard MA

Wow!! What a busy and amazing spring and winter!I taught from Maine to New Jersey, small groups of two or three and large gatherings of over 1500.I guided weaving experiences for people of all ages facing grief, brain injury, aging, loss of mobility, racial discrimination and traumatic loss.We celebrated community, diversity, local history, our own inner beauty and the wisdom of  the heart. We talked about hopes, dreams, fears and worries. We made prayer flags, mandalas, small collage weavings and large tapestries.Here is a gallery of images that celebrate this work in community and love. Look for more news and photos now that I have time!

Boston Pubic Library April 2013

Weaving collage for elders. May 2013

Weaving collage by elder in CT May 2013

Weaving collage by elder in CT May 2013

Boston Public Library April 2013

Boston Public Library April 2013

“Good Grief” Community Mandala Morristown, NJ May 2013

Detail Milton Elementary School tapestry

Milton NH Elementary School Tapestry

Boston Public Library April 2013

Words of wisdom from Lewiston ME 1st grader

“Good Grief” Morristown, NJ Community Mandala May 2013

Diversity in Maine!

Lewiston, Maine First Grade Mandala

Silence

It is snowing again here in York Maine. I love the muffled quiet that surrounds me when snow falls. Deep, delicious silence.

Three Mandala Community Weavings from Harvard MA March 2013

Tomorrow I am off for a week of silence,  a Women’s Mediation Retreat.   It feels perfect to be heading off for this retreat. I’ve just completed a particularity busy month of residencies and ready to dip into this pool of reflection.These three Mandalas are from my 10 day residency at Hildreth Elementary School in Harvard, MA. These Mandala Community Weavings were woven by 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders, and will be decorated with about 100 clothes pin people each as well as ribbons with inspirational messages. Look for photos of the completed Mandalas at the end of March.I will be back March 15th. Thanks to each of you for your support of my work and your faith in my vision.Namaste, Sarah

Inspirational words from a 3rd grader.

Hidden talents ~ let your cat out!

After a nearly two week road trip all around Florida, I am back home. And it is frigid here in Maine. I have not yet come up with a sane reason why we hardy souls live up here when a few hours south (by air) the temps are more habitable. I do know that this indoor time makes for long hours of devoted attention to studio art making!Yesterday I began an artist residency at the Charles River School in Dover MA. We are using the Silk Road as a pathway of study. Stopping at three destinations along the Silk Road, students will learn about weaving and work on a project that connects with the culture of that region. Yesterday we explored the Chinese Taoist philosophy of Yin Yang and created this collaborative paper weaving that highlights personal strengths and challenges.

Yin/Yang paper weaving

When this community paper weaving was completed, one student remarked that on her strip of strengths she had drawn a picture if her cat. When the strips were woven together, the cat became hidden under another strip. She asked if she could draw another cat on her strip where it would show. I said “sure”.Later, I realized that part of the magic of weaving is there is an “under”. In other words there is always something hidden that we don’t see. We KNOW it is there, but it does not always show. We do not always share our strengths or our challenges/weaknesses. We hide our talents, we keep our perceived weaknesses hidden.So sometimes, as my student-friend did yesterday, we need to “flaunt” our own strengths… we need to let our cat show! So if you are hiding your strengths or not acknowledging your challenges, try letting them show today.We are all woven with these beautiful characteristics, the Yin/Yang balance of our humanity.

Collaborative Yin/Yang Paper Weaving hanging in classroom window.

Summer, sweet as…..

Summer is in full swing here in Maine. All winter I wait for these days when I can get up at 7 AM and have my tea on the deck in a 75 degree sultry heat. At the end the day I swim in the local cove with my dog, husband and perhaps a friend. As the big sign says on Rte 95 as you enter our state: “Maine, the way life should be.” But as with all things in life, this is a temporary time, and so the rule is to make the most of each day.

Siblings making a dream catcher in the trees

I am just back home from a 7 day Artist in Residency at Searsport Shores Campground in Searsport, ME. While I was there, I worked with all ages of camping friends from grand mom and pop to little ones and teenagers in between. It was such a delight see families and new friends working happily side by side.

A talented Mom weaves herself a belt

This campground is a unique and amazing place that is rich with gardens, animals, art and beauty, right on the ocean’s edge.For seven days we wove, shared stories of joy as well as sorrow. We became friends and expanded our concept of family. Each day I would share my food scraps with the goats in the pen right next to my studio. Each day I went for a swim in the cool ocean waters. Each night I slept in a tent inside the studio made from crocheted and embroidered fabrics.

A weaving family

On my last day, I went two miles up the road to the site where my dear brother Weston was killed last August. Although this site brings me deep sadness, it feels like holy ground to me. For the past 11 months I have decorated it with handwoven prayer flags from the Woven Voices project. I was so amazed and pleased to see how beautifully the old flags have weathered the seasons.I added a dozen more flags. Healing from life’s wounds is an unpredictable journey. I am blessed to have beauty, love and community as my companions.

My sleeping tent next to the rug loom.

Weathered prayer flags in Searsport ME

Michy looks for some fruit scraps

happy camper with paper plate dream catcher