Evidence

The Evidence

The Evidence

EVIDENCE is the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid.” 

No surprise, this word is currently part of our political climate.

Just back from a month long sojourn in warmer climes, I laid out and examined the “Small Parts”   that I created while away – examining the evidence of my own life.

Leaf with Blue Hole

Leaf with Blue Hole

These little works of art- the woven shells, embroidered leaves and netted horseshoe crab shells – are physical objects that are evidence of a period of contemplation and curiosity.

But these concrete things are really a gateway to the unseen, the invisible.

Here I am reminded of what the Little Prince says

Rusted Chip

Rusted Chip

“And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”

It is easy to get caught up in the evidence, the concrete and physical. Perhaps the truth lies in the invisible, not necessarily in the evidence.

When you know it’s right

This is right.

This is right.

I have been a weaver for more 49 years. No matter how many threads I have spun, dyed and woven ….each time I sit at the loom there is a sense of “rightness.”  The action of throwing the shuttle, beating it neatly into place and then doing it again and again……..row upon row, thread by thread. This feeds my soul.This linen fabric will be washed, rusted, bleached, embroidered and who knows what else.There is something sacred about this process of creating cloth from beginning to end.If you want to see a large collection of my work – please visit my show at Maine FiberArts in Topsham ME.

Fall harvest

Monhegan Sunset

Monhegan Sunset

I’m harvesting a bounty of creative projects and activities this fall. The highlight was my 5 week residency on Monhegan Island .

My island studio home

My island studio home

I’ve posted many images on my Instagram and FaceBook pages – so be sure to check those out. I suspect that this time and the work I accomplished out there will have significant affect on my work moving forward. I’ll do my best to share my work as it progresses!

detail of work in progress

detail of work in progress

Beyond my studio I am in shows this fall:  Cahoon Museum of American Art, Cotuit, MA. “Twisted, Twined, and Woven”  Opening November 2, 2018 4:30 – 6 PMCenter for Maine Contemporary Art, Rockland ME – Biennial Show   Opening November 3, 2018 5 – 7 PM

Lobstering on Trap Day.

Lobstering on Trap Day.

In an effort to bring closure to “Well Used, Well Loved” I have begun to return towels and journals to the participants in the community art project.

wuwl.returns

Well used and loved towels and journals going home.

And FiberArt Now magazine just published a feature article about my work. I am honored and so excited for this exposure. Thank you to writer Janet Mendelsohn for her well-crafted piece about my journey and vision.Now it’s time to get back to work…….

Slow down, it’s summer!

Threading is slow business

Threading is slow business

Summer in Maine is so incredibly brief ….. I just want to stretch each day and make time slow down.  Luckily when I thread the loom or weave, I am forced to slow down.  There is no fast way to do these activities – without making mistakes!I am currently weaving cloth that will be weathered, rusted and aged after it comes off the loom.  My experiments with ways to transformed my cloth continue!

Frieda comes running

Frieda comes running

This weekend we head off for a month of living aboard our beloved Witness. Frieda is getting better about living aboard – even if it means using a carpet on deck for “her business”!

I hope wherever you are you find a way to slow down and soak up these beautiful days.

Rusted text

Rusted text

Quiet anchorage

Quiet anchorage

So green, so blue, so old, so new

 Lupines!!   Wide washes of the deep blues and purples that I love can be seen everywhere in my garden. The irises, Centaurea Montana, violets, lilacs and lupine are all bursting forth. Ahhhh, June – perhaps my favorite month.EXHIBITS:

Well Used, Well Loved opening  night

Well Used, Well Loved opening night

Fuller Craft Museum (Brockton MA) – Biennial Members Exhibit – I won a Best of Show! Up until October 7, 2018.George Marshall Gallery (York, ME)  - Group Show – until July 8, 2018. Artist’s talk June 24, 3 PMPortsmouth Music and Art Center (Portsmouth, NH) – “Tiny Enormous Art Show” Opening June 22, 2018 5 – 7.IN THE STUDIO

IMG_5750

Rust sampler

I am playing with rust dyes, aging weathering my woven linens – making them appear old and worn. These experiments are a natural outgrowth from “Well Used, Well Loved.”I recently “downsized”my 56″loom. I removed 8 harnesses and the dobby system. You can read about this on my Macomber blog.These delicious long June days offer time for art explorations, gardening, outdoor play and reflection.I hope wherever you are you are finding the same.