Saturday, January 31, 2009

Book Review


I got a nice surprise in the mail. A copy of Quiltmaker Magazine's January/February 2009 issue, with a review of my book "The Uncommon Quilter."

"Not So Common Quilting. Cupcake wrappers. Dryer lint. Construction Fence. These are just some of the inspiring materials used by Jeanne Williamson to make the small art quilts featured in The Uncommon Quilter. Full of anecdotes, ideas and insiration, this title can help you see the world in a fresh way."

Read more reviews.

Friday, January 30, 2009

New Work in Progress - Part 1

I've been working on four pieces pretty much at the same time. I started Orange Construction Fence Series #63 last Fall, and have also recently been working on #64, #65 and #66, all inspired by the same section of a building that was under construction a year or more ago. (Scroll to the bottom of this post to see the photo.)


Here is the front side of the fabric for Orange Construction Fence Series #63, which is the one I started last fall, before stitching, ready to go. I stitched it with two different blue-ish threads, to enhance the horizontal blue painted stripes. See the detail below.


Now I need to decide how to trim/crop this piece. I was planning on removing a few columns of the right (pink) side, but now I'm unsure. Here are some options thanks to photoshop.


Here it is stitched, but before cropping.



Cropped down to 5 columns on the right.


Cropped down to 4 columns on the right.

Will consider my options, and get feedback from my critique partner. Originally we both had agreed on 4 columns, but that was before stitching, which changed the look due to my dark thread choice.

After I started Fence #63, I got a lot of ideas for variations on the same theme, so that's why I've painted four in total. I actually have ideas for more variations, but decided to stop at four, for at least the time being.


Above is the photo from the construction of the Cloverleaf apartments in Natick Massachusetts, which was my inspiration for the four pieces. Imagine it flipped horizontally to get the right effect.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

More on Brandeis University's Rose Art Museum


Here is the latest news about the Rose Art Museum, as reported by the Boston Globe: Brandeis may keep art, says president. Reaffirms need to close museum," by Geoff Edgers on January 29, 2009.

Quoting the article: "Jehuda Reinharz, Brandeis University president, yesterday opened the possibility that the university would not sell its $350 million art collection but said he would not change his mind about closing RRose Art Museum and turning it into a study and research center." Read more.

If you haven't been following this, read my post on Tuesday January 27th to get links to different articles.

Then, to get some more background, read these:

"Museum backers seek halt to selloff. Say art should stay at Brandeis," by Geoff Edgers on January 28, 2009 in The Boston Globe.

and

"Crisis raises questions on Brandeis campus At issue are speed of cuts, other changes," by Peter Schworm on January 28, 2009 in The Boston Globe.

and

"Q&A with Rose Art Museum director Michael Rush."

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Caldecott Medal Winner!


I want to congratulate my friend Beth Krommes, winner of the 2009 Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children. She illustrated the book “The House in the Night,” (Houghton Mifflin 2008) which was written by Susan Marie Swanson.

Quoting from the Caldecott Medal website:

"Richly detailed black-and-white scratchboard illustrations expand this timeless bedtime verse, offering reassurance to young children that there is always light in the darkness. Krommes' elegant line, illuminated with touches of golden watercolor, evoke the warmth and comfort of home and family, as well as the joys of exploring the wider world."

Read about Beth (and other winners) in the New York Times.

See Beth on the Today Show.

“The House in the Night” is an absolutely beautiful book! Yeah Beth!!!! This couldn't have happened to a nicer person.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Brandeis University's Rose Art Museum


My heart kipped a beat last night, when I saw this headline: "Brandeis to sell school's art collection" on The Boston Globe's Boston.com, written by Geoff Edgers and Peter Schworm on January 26, 2009.

Quoting from the beginning of the article:

"Rocked by a budget crisis, Brandeis University will close its Rose Art Museum and sell off a 6,000-object collection that includes work by such contemporary masters as Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, and Nam June Paik.

The move shocked local arts leaders and drew harsh criticism from the Association of College and University Museums and Galleries. ..." Read more.

There was another article in the Boston Globe this morning: "Ailing Brandeis will shut museum, sell treasured art. No other choice, says president," by Geoff Edgers on January 27, 2009.

Read more in The LA Times, Big Red & Shiny's blog, HubArts.com, and The New England Journal of Aesthetic Research. As I find more info, I'll post more links.

It's a 20 minute drive from my house to Brandeis, and I visit the Rose Art Museum as often as I can. A few years ago, I was able to go on a tour, and see the art work that's in storage in their collection, and it was a moving experience.

Brandeis University is near and dear to my heart. A family member is going to school there now (not studying art), quite a few other family members have received degrees since the school first opened 50 plus years ago, and I know a few other young people who have recently graduated (and one was an art major).

The current US financial crisis, and Bernard Madoff's alleged Ponzi-scheme indirectly, have hit Brandeis. Hearing that the Museum will close, and sell it's collection, breaks my heart.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Collecting Art


I really enjoyed reading "Perfect Vision" by Ben Hoffmann in W magazine's November 2008 issue.

It was about Max and Dorothy Vogel, who are (non-traditional) art collectors from New York City. He was a postal worker, and she was a librarian, and over many decades, they managed to collect a thousand original works of art by many very important artists, and that are worth millions of dollars.

There's a documentary about them called "Herb and Dorothy," which I hope to get to see sometime in the near future. (Check out the website to read their sweet and interesting story, and to see a picture of them.)

They donated their collection to the National Gallery of Art, in Washington DC. Because the National Gallery doesn't have room to house everything they collected, there is a traveling show called "Fifty Works for Fifty States," which will make part of their collection accessible to every state in the US, since many people aren't able to visit the National Gallery. Check it out.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

The Artist's Valentine


Boston area artists, art appreciators, and romantics, if you're free from 2-5pm on Sunday February 1st, drive out to the Kalliroscope Gallery, at 264 Main Street in Groton MA for the 2009 Artist's Valentine sale. Prices of the valentines range from $4 - $200, with most under $30.

The money made from the sale of the valentines, which were all donated by the artists, becomes grant money that the participating artists may apply for. There's a jury process, and each year the work is reviewed by a Boston area arts professional.

See a picture of the Valentine I made for this year's sale here.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Fine Art in the Home


Last weekend I visited an art school friend who had a few issues of W magazine hanging around, and there were some very interesting art articles. I'll highlight a few over the next few days.

One article I read was "W Profile: Top Gund: Art-world doyenne Agnes Gund revamps her masterpiece-lined Park Avenue abode," by Julie L. Belcove in W magazine's January 2009 issue.

Quoting the article, "Most dog owners train their pets not to beg at the table, jump up on guests or bark at the mail carrier. But Tina and Giotto, both Wheaten Terriers, are art-trained dogs, and being that their mistress is Agnes Gund, they'd better be. The fluffy beige canines miraculously avoid crashing into the ancient Chinese and African sculptures ...... clustered on pedestals. More astounding, they disturb not one grain of rice poured in piles on a slab of marble in a floor work by Wolfgang Laib, even while alternating between barking, snarling, growling and nearly mauling each other, which Gund waves off as "playing." They are my favorite beings, these dogs," she says. "But we have a problem that they do get very excited."" The article then goes on to talk about her incredible art collection.

I found it interesting to read this article, mainly because I'm always curious about what art, if any, people choose to hang in their homes. During election season, I found myself in a few large, very expensive homes, of some people I don't know, but who were having local and national election events. One home had a noticeable lack of art, and one had a signed and numbered Roy Lichtenstein print in the living room, as well as some sculptures (by I'm not sure who). That was a home I wish I had had permission to wander around, to see what art they had in other rooms. That would have been fun.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Economic Recovery and The Arts


The Arts are being discussed as part of the economic recovery. It's hard to find information about it, so below is some information I've found in the past few days. This post is long, but worth reading if you're interested.

Posted with permission:

"House Federal Stimulus Bill Proposes $50 million for the Arts; MAASH to Advocate for an Increase

Dear Friends,

US Rep. David Obey (D-WI), Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, released yesterday a proposed federal stimulus bill that includes $50 million for the arts.  The bill will be debated on the floor of the United States House of Representatives possibly as early as next week.

If included in the final passed bill, this is an important step in our history of advocacy as it shows that the United States Congress understands the important role that arts and culture plays in our nation’s economy.

Americans for the Arts have been effective in advocating for the arts to be included in the federal stimulus package.  MAASH will be visiting Washington next week to meet with representatives of the Massachusetts delegation to petition for an increase in arts spending and to include cultural facilities as stimulus eligible infrastructure projects.

The new arts spending is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill, an economic stimulus plan proposed by the House to spend $825 billion for economic recovery, divided into $275 billion in tax cuts and $550 billion in spending.

To facilitate quick implementation, Congressional leaders are looking to existing programs and guidelines to allocate the money.  Consequently, the $50 million, if passed, will be disbursed through the National Endowment for the Arts under existing guidelines.

Under those guidelines 40% of the funds will pass directly to the state arts agencies such as the Massachusetts Cultural Council and 60% will be available under the competitive grant process.

The Senate has yet to release its version of the proposed federal stimulus package.  MAASH will be meeting with representatives in the offices of Senator Kennedy and Kerry to urge that the Senate include similar language and greater arts funding.

The proposed language in the House bill follows:

“For an additional amount for ‘‘Grants and Administration’’, $50,000,000, to be distributed in direct grants to fund arts projects and activities which preserve jobs in the non-profit arts sector threatened by declines in philanthropic and other support during the current economic downturn: Provided, That 40 percent of such funds shall be distributed to State arts agencies and regional arts organizations in a manner similar to the agency’s current practice and 60 percent of such funds shall be for competitively selected arts projects and activities according to sections 2 and 5(c) of the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities Act of 1965.”

Sincerely, Dan Hunter (Executive Director) and Hathalee Higgs (Development Director), Massachusetts Associates for the Arts, Sciences and Humanities (MAASH) on January 22, 2009.

* * *

Also, check out the Americans for the Arts' nine recommendations in "Economic Recovery & the Arts" (PDF doc) on their website.

Quoting the first paragraph:

"The arts mean jobs and tremendous economic activity in America and must be part of our country’s economic recovery. Nationally, 100,000 nonprofit arts organizations are members of the business community—employing people locally, purchasing goods and services within the community, and involved in the marketing and promotion of their cities and communities. Nonprofit arts organizations and their audiences generate $166.2 billion in economic activity every year, support 5.7 million jobs, and return nearly $30 billion in government revenue every year—proving that the arts are an economic driver in their communities that support jobs and generate government revenue. Every $1 billion in spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations – and their audiences – results in almost 70,000 full-time-equivalent jobs." Read more.

* * *

There are people who don't understand how the arts can affect the economy, as per this quote I found from Appropriations Ranking Member Jerry Lewis, R-Calif:

"I'm scratching my head trying to determine how items like $50 million in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts will create jobs or provide relief for families across the country," Lewis said." (from Money.CNN.com)

I urge all artists, arts organizations, and arts supporters, to pay attention to what happens with the Arts part of the Stimulus Bill, and to contact their elected officials as needed.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Blue Construction Fence-like Stuff


Last week, when I got my hair cut, I looked at the January 2009 issue of Vogue Magazine. As I was flipping through the pages, there was a photo with something near and dear to my heart. Behind a model, was an orange construction fence, and in front of the fence was some blue construction fence-like stuff, as pictured above. I have no idea what this blue stuff is, but if anyone can identify it, please email me at jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com and tell me what it's called and where I might be able to get a few feet of it. It's got great art possibilities.

Note: I didn't think it would be nice to tear the page out of a magazine I don't own, so picture me sitting in the salon under a heat lamp, taking a picture of the magazine page with my camera, and trying to be discrete.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Web Design Planning for Artists


I'm teaching a workshop called "Web Design Planning for Artists," at the Arlington Center for the Arts, and also at the Danforth Museum of Art.

Besides creating mixed media art, I also have a small web design company called "Thread Media." Most of my business is with artists, but I also work with small companies and organizations.

I've noticed over the years that most people have no idea where to start, when they've come to the decision that they want a website.

Because of this , I am teaching this three hour workshop that explains the basics of how to get started in planning a website. The information I'm going to cover will help anyone who wants to create a site on their own or can use as a guide if they hire a designer. Some of the topics will include general costs, web hosting, domain names, image prep, planning pages and menus, and also a little about blogs. No computer experience is necessary, since this is not a programming workshop. It's a planning workshop.

If you're in the Boston area, and don't know how to get started planning your website, check out the following information.

The Arlington Center for the Arts, in Arlington, MA. Look at their catalog (PDF), and scroll down to page 7 for more info. The dates are:

Sunday January 25 from 2-5pm
Saturday February 28 from 2-5pm
Sunday March 15 from 2-5pm

The Danforth Museum of Art in Framingham, MA. Scroll down to page 13 of the Danforth catalog (PDF) for more info. The date is:

Saturday March 14 from 1 - 4pm

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Inauguration Day!


How glorious that Inauguration Day is today, and we can finally say "President Obama."

Besides taking some time away from work today, to watch history in the making, I'm very interested in two art related things. One is I'm looking forward to hearing Elizabeth Alexander, who is today's inauguration poet. She will read a new poem, that from what I've heard, no one has heard or will hear, including President Obama, until the big moment.

Even though that President Obama is our forty-fourth president of the United States, there have only been three other inauguration poets before today. They are Robert Frost for John F. Kennedy, and Maya Angelou for the first, and Miller Williams for the second, of Bill Clinton's inaugurations.

The other thing I'm looking forward to, is seeing what Michelle Obama wears for all of the events. I love fashion, and I am very excited about our new First Lady's taste in clothing. When I was a little girl, my mother told me that Jackie Kennedy had good, timeless taste in clothing, and that I should try to consider that in my clothing choices. Looking back on Jackie, I think she was actually quite fashionable at the time, and it wasn't timeless, but she did have very good taste. Michelle Obama has great taste, and it feels like her choices are timeless, or at least at the moment it feels that way.

Phewy on Ann Coulter (someone that I think very un-highly of), who had some very not nice things to say about Michelle Obama's way of dress during the campaign. I love how she dresses and I'm going to enjoy four, and hopefully eight, years of watching Michelle Obama's clothing choices. Hooray for smart and authentic women who like nice, practical, affordable clothes, and hooray also for pearls (real or fake).

For everyone reading this, have a wonderful day today!

Monday, January 19, 2009

Movie: A Man Named Pearl


This blog is about art, and how it intersects with our lives, so I bet you're wondering why I'm posting about a movie you've probably never heard of, called "A Man Named Pearl."

A Man Named Pearl is documentary about Pearl Fryar, from South Carolina, who is a self taught topiary artist. He totally transformed his 3 acre property in to a wonderland full of amazing plants that he sculpted all on his own, with no prior knowledge about topiary.

Pearl's influence on the people who come in contact with him, and on his town, is very inspiring! What a wonderful person he is! Watch A Man Named Pearl, and learn about the art exhibit he was invited to have at a nearby art museum, and how the museum describes this work and the challenges of having an art exhibit with live plants vs art as most people "know" it. Also learn about how the small South Carolina town he lives in, has grown thanks to his art. You will not be disappointed.

Friday, January 16, 2009

12 x 12 x 12 January 2009


For the past two years, I've been working my 12 x 12 x 12 Series, which consists of making one 12" x 12" piece each month of the year. The image above is my piece for January 2009.

I was inspired by a building under construction near the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) in Boston, as I discussed on January 7th.

To make a 12" square piece, using vertical imagery as inspiration, meant I had to shrink the vertical down so I could fit the "important" parts (for me) down. I hope to use this building as inspiration for a larger piece some time, so I can have more pattern and detail than I can with a smaller piece.


While I was stitching this piece, I thought it was sort of funny to be using orange thread to create the illusion of the orange construction fences that are on the building, since the grid design was printed from an orange construction fence.

There's a new show opening at the ICA in February, which will be there through most of the summer. I'm looking forward to photographing this building the next time I'm in the neighborhood, assuming there's daylight.

If you want to know more about this series, you can read past posts about my 12 x 12 x 12 series here on my blog, or see all of the completed work on my website.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Fence 63 Fabric continued/critiqued


This is one side of the fabric for Orange Construction Fence Series #63 in progress, shown hanging on my wall since September. (I'm surprised it's not covered in dust, it's been hanging there for so long.) Please note that orangey color is not that bright on the actual fabric.


This is the other side, which I was leaning toward using.


I played around with the image in Photoshop, since it's pretty bland. I was considering painting the blue squares on the piece, after stitching.

Then I went to visit my art critique friend. It was enlightening to see my piece in her large studio, where I could get more than six feet away from it. (My studio is tiny, so I don't have that opportunity.) It was also interesting what happened when we discussed which side of the fabric was the best to use face out, and also the benefit of cropping the fabric down to a smaller size. More posts about how I'll finish this soon.

There's big value in having another set of eyes looking at your art in progress, not only when completed!

I'm planning on stitching Fence #63 very soon, as well as Fence #64 shown here in progress, and hopefully #65 which I'm hoping to get a start on in the very near future.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Fence 64 Fabric


I haven't worked on a large piece in many many months. I've spent my time either marketing my work, or creating smaller work which I had hoped to sell (more of) over the holidays. On Monday night, I started Orange Construction Fence Series #64, and spent 5 straight hours painting. How refreshing!

Above is the "front" side of the fabric, in progress, which is actually the side that has the paint on it. Because we're in the dead of winter, and the air in my house is very, very dry, the paint dried within a half hour or so after being applied. Because of that, I was able to paint more than I am usually able to in one evening. In normal circumstances, and during humid summer weather, what I was able to do in one five hour session, normally would take many shorter sessions over a few days.


This is the "back" side of the same fabric, which I will probably use for the actual piece, after I apply a little more paint.


This is the photo I am using as inspiration. It's from the construction of the Cloverleaf apartments in Natick Massachusetts, where I live, from a year ago I think.

Fence #64 is a companion piece to Orange Construction Fence Series #63, shown in progress last September. I'll post more about #63 shortly. It is long overdue.

I'm so pumped up about working on my Fence Series again, that I think I might start working on Fence #65 really soon, and finish all three of them together.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Art Consultant Visit


An Art Consultant stopped by yesterday and borrowed five of my 12 x 12 x 12 Series, and 3 of my Orange Construction Fence Series, for consideration of being purchased by a local hospital.

The picture above is the 5 12 x 12's waiting for me to mount them on canvas.


This is a picture of mounting in progress. Two already set, but drying, and three setting under the weight of heavy books.


Here are the five 12 x 12's ready to go.

The understanding is, the hospital will make a selection of work by various artists, and exhibit them for a number of months. During the exhibit, they will consider making purchases. The Art Consultant told me when they did this at the same hospital in the past, a few doctors, and people visiting the hospital, also made some purchases.

Seeing that I have a ridiculous amount of available artwork in my studio, I'm glad to be under consideration for the exhibit, and if they make a purchase, so much the better. Will report more if/when I have any news, pro or con. Let's hope for pro.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Danforth Museum of Art


Having just guest curated the show "Mixed Media Fiber Art, " now on exhibit at the Danforth Museum of Art (in Framingham, MA), I was very glad to read the following article.

"A believer in unsung art at a museum in transition, At Danforth Museum, working to protect an 'alternative art history'," by Sebastian Smee in the Boston Globe, on January 11, 2009, is about the Danforth Museum's Director, Katherine French, who I greatly admire.

Quoting from Mr. Smee's article:

"...... French developed a sharpened sense of what she calls "an alternative art history."

Just as the Boston Expressionists tended to be written out of art history as styles of abstraction gained the ascendancy in postwar American art, French believes many artists operating outside the main centers of art today tend to be overlooked by museums with national and international aspirations such as the ICA.

She wants the Danforth to be a place where people can connect with this alternative art history." Read more.

The Danforth Museum of Art is a gem. I am proud to know Katherine, and to do what I can to support the Museum.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Movie: Who Does She Think She Is?


Yesterday I went on an art date with a friend, and saw "Who Does She Think She Is?", at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

Who Does She Think She Is? is a film about women in the arts, and the struggles many of us have (or have had) negotiating between a art professional career and a family life. The movie highlighted a number of visual artists, as well as an actress, and a drummer. There are clips with comments from people involved in the arts in one way or another, about women in the arts and men in the arts. Some interesting statistics were presented.

There were probably 95% women in the audience when I saw it, some of whom I know because they're local artists. I hope men will find an interest in watching it too.

The movie was very moving! I found myself tearing up a number of times as some of the different women spoke about their need to be creative.

I was especially interested in the story of Janis Mars Wunderlich, a mother of five children, from Columbus, Ohio. I loved her work, and was amazed how prolific she is, even as she is raising her children. Read her thoughts on her website.

One added bonus of seeing a movie at the MFA is sometimes the director or producer is there to talk or answer questions afterward. This was the case yesterday. Pamela Tanner Boll, the Director, was there to answer questions afterward, as was one of the artists.

For a review about the movie, read "Celebrating mothers of invention", by Wesley Morris in the Boston Globe, on January 7, 2009.

Also, read "Q&A: From the director’s chair, ‘Who Does She Think She Is?’" by Eric Tsetsi in the MetroWest Daily News, posted January 6, 2009.

I hope this has sparked an interest for you to go see Who Does She Think She Is?, if you haven't already. If it's not going to be near where you are, I suggest adding it to your Netflix queue, so you can see it when it's released on DVD.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Studio Visit Magazine


My work is in the recently published Studio Visit Magazine Volume Four, which arrived in my mailbox a few days ago.

I am honored that I was accepted in this issue, by juror Carl Belz, Director Emeritus, The Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Definition of a Painter


I read "This painter uses an expansive palette," by Cate McQuaid in the Boston Globe, on January 7, 2009, with great interest.

Quoting from the article, "Andrea Myers considers herself a painter. You might not know it wandering through her show at Steven Zevitas Gallery. You'll see ripped stacks of paper and fabric collages on the wall, piles of fabric on the floor and on a pedestal, but nothing you might immediately think of as a painting. That's Myers's point. The Chicago artist intends to push at the edges of painting's definition. Sometimes she does that with wit and daring, and sometimes the leap she asks her viewers to take is just too great - but even then, her objects captivate." Read more.

See more of Andres Myer's work.

The Steven Zevitas Gallery is at 450 Harrison Ave in Boston. I'm hoping I can get in to Boston to see this show, which is open through Jan. 17th.

As an artist who uses painting and printmaking techniques on fabric in her work, I am glad to read that Ms Myers labels herself as a painter. Not only because she uses fabric in her work, but because some of her work is sculptural. I've been using Mixed Media for my label. Maybe I should reconsider?

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Mixed Media Fiber Art Exhibit


Yesterday I went to the Danforth Museum of Art in Framingham, MA, to see the show I curated, "Mixed Media Fiber Art," now that the show is open. It was soooooooo nice to see the work hanging in the Museum after months of planning. I'm quite pleased.

The pieces above are by (from left to right) Linda Colsh (Belguim), Merill Comeau (Concord, MA), Patricia Mink (Johnson CIty, TN), Angela Moll (Santa Barbara, CA), and me, Jeanne Williamson (Natick, MA).


The work shown in this picture above is by (from left to right) Barbara Watler (Hollywood, FL), Lori Lupe Pelish (Niskayuna, NY), Dominie Nash (Bethesda, MD), Lisa Call (Denver, CO), and Elizabeth Barton (Athens, GA).


And finally (from left to right), the work in this picture is by Barb Wills (Presoctt, AZ), Deidre Adams (Littleton, CO), and Linda Levin (Wayland MA).

You can read about the show, and my thoughts about curating it, on my January 5th post.

The show is on exhibit at the Danforth Museum, through March 1, 2009. I will give a talk, as Guest Curator, on February 7 at 4pm, followed by a reception 5-7pm. If you're in the area, I hope you will stop by.

If you're out of town, check out the show online here.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

12 x 12 x 12 January In Progress


I'm working on my 12 x 12 x 12 Series, which consists of making one 12" x 12" piece each month of the year. For my January 2009 piece, I am inspired by a building under construction near the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) in Boston.

This picture is one side of the building, the one that I thought was most interesting. While the colors are pretty muted, except for the orange construction fences near the edge of the open floors, I like how the white covering is sometimes in front of the structure, and sometimes behind. I also like the tannish beginnings of the facade.

To make a 12" square piece, using vertical imagery as inspiration, meant I have to shrink the vertical down so I could fit the "important" parts (for me). Because I'm trying not to spend the whole month on one of these pieces, it's important not to overly obsess about the details.


Above is what I consider the front side of the painted fabric, or at least what I consider the front at the moment. Below is what I think is the back side.


I have to pick which side I'll use face out, before I do the stitching. It's always something to ponder. In my mind, I consider which side does a better job of representing what I way to convey. With this painted fabric, it's a bit tricky to decide. The "back" side (above) has better/stronger color, when paying attention to the tannish facade of the building. But the "front" (second above) has a certain kind of subtle range of black/grey/white that I like, and I think I can enhance the tannish facade with thread to get the effect I want.

I hope to use this building as inspiration for a larger piece some time, so I can have more pattern and detail than I can with a smaller piece. If/when I do, I think I'll use the "back" side of the fabric as my guide when painting. I will definitely want the tannish facade to be more obvious in a large piece.

You can read past posts about my 12 x 12 x 12 series, while in progress or completed, here on my blog.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

On Exhibit - Art with +/or about Fiber


In addition to Mixed Media Fiber Art, on exhibit (and guest curated by me) at the Danforth Museum of Art, Framingham, MA, are the following two shows:

"Sedrick Huckaby: A Love Supreme," which is on exhibit through March 1, 2009.

Quoting from the Museum's website about his work "Sedrick Huckaby creates “quilt paintings” as a way to celebrate both his grandmother’s craft as well as the artistic legacy of the African American quilting tradition.  Huckaby has reproduced in thick, impasto paint the actual quilts produced by his grandmothers as backdrops for many of his portrait paintings of family and friends.  Now, for the current exhibition, he has elaborated on his use of murals and has created a painting installation in which the quilt paintings actually envelop the viewer and wrap themselves around you as you enter the gallery space." Read more.

Read the newspaper article "Blanketing the Danforth with Sedrick Huckaby's paintings," by Kristine Diederich/MetroWest Daily News, on Dec 21, 2008

The image at the top of this post is a detail of one of from one of Sedrick Huckaby's paintings.

"Faith Ringgold: Story Quilts," also on exhibit at the Danforth Museum, through March 1, 2009.

From the Museum's website: "Faith Ringgold has been creating narrative “story” quilts since the 1970s.  Combining acrylic painting on canvas, quilted fabric, and actual text that tells a story, these quilts have catapulted Ringgold to international fame.   Instead of stretching her canvas over wooden stretchers, Ringgold, in collaboration with her mother, a fashion designer, began to sew fabric borders around her paintings.  Working with fabric has been a strong part of Faith’s family history, beginning with Ringgold’s great, great grandmother, who was a slave and had made quilts for her slave-owners.  She later incorporated written text into her works that communicated the themes most important to her: stories of her own life, of African American women and artists throughout history, and of racial and gender inequality." Read more.

Read the newspaper article "Faith Ringgold celebrates African-American history in her artwork," by Kristine Diederich/MetroWest Daily News, on Dec 21, 2008

The Danforth Museum is full of art that is fabric/fiber/mixed media related, and it's a wonderful blend. I hope you can stop by for a visit.

Monday, January 5, 2009

On Exhibit - Mixed Media Fiber Art


Mixed Media Fiber Art, is on exhibit at the Danforth Museum of Art, Framingham, MA, January 7 - March 1, 2009. Talk by Guest Curator Jeanne Williamson (me) will be on February 7 at 4pm, followed by a reception 5-7pm.

"Mixed Media Fiber Art is a contemporary show that includes still lifes, landscapes, interiors, and portraits, by thirteen artists who work with fiber. The artist's work in a variety of styles, including abstraction, pointillism, and realism, and their mixed media techniques include collage, printmaking, painting, dyeing, stitching, and some traditional fiber techniques such as piecing, appliqué and reverse appliqué."

The artists included in the show are: Linda Levin (Wayland MA), Merill Comeau (Concord, MA), Dominie Nash (Bethesda, MD), Elizabeth Barton (Athens, GA), Linda Colsh (Belguim), Lori Lupe Pelish (Niskayuna, NY), Deidre Adams (Littleton, CO), Lisa Call (Denver, CO), Angela Moll (Santa Barbara, CA), Barbara Watler (Hollywood, FL), Patricia Mink (Johnson CIty, TN), Barb Wills (Presoctt, AZ), and me, Jeanne Williamson (Natick, MA).

As guest curator, I chose the artists in the show because I wanted to exhibit a range of contemporary fiber art that incorporated many different styles and techniques. "Mixed Media Fiber Art" is my fiber art version of fantasy football. I admire the work of all of these artists, and I'm glad that I was able to include them in this show. If I had not had a space limitation, there are a number of additional artists I would have invited. When I was planning this show, some of the artists I spoke to had work that was well over 40" wide, and I unfortunately could not include them. Hopefully I'll have other opportunities to curate, because I've enjoyed this process very much.

The piece at the top of this post is Orange Construction Fence Series #54, which is my piece that's in this exhibit.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

2008 Review of Boston Art Museums


I enjoyed reading a review about Boston Art Museums in 2008, "Bold Strokes at Mass MoCA; Inspiration at the ICA," by Sebastian Smee in the Boston Globe on December 28, 2008.

Quoting from Mr Smee (who I very much enjoy reading):

"This year saw the new Institute of Contemporary Art truly come into its own, thanks largely to two inspired exhibitions: the Anish Kapoor show in the summer and the ongoing Tara Donovan show.

Everyone in the art scene seems to agree: Boston needs the ICA to thrive. Exhibits like this - intelligent, original, seductive - are the best way to go about guaranteeing success. They are not easy to organize (both artists make complex, large-scale work involving unusual materials, and the logistics alone might have deterred less fearless curators). But when they work, the sense of excitement is palpable and has a galvanizing effect on the art scene across the region."

... and also a surprise quote I very much appreciate, since I know many many local artists who are deserving of high quality exhibition space:

"It's a lot to expect from a smallish institution with limited space. But ideally, the ICA will find a way not only to mount ambitious shows by artists of international stature, like Donovan and Kapoor, but to pay more than token attention to artists based locally."

Read more.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

How The Arts Can Nourish A Struggling Nation


I read a very thoughtful op-ed piece on December 26, 2008 in The Boston Globe, "How the Arts Can Nourish a Struggling Nation," by Thor Steingraber.

It's a very well thought out piece about President-elect Obama's opportunity to support the Arts via who may become his choice of the next Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts.

"Obama's campaign planted the seeds of change. As he builds his administration, he should follow in the footsteps of Roosevelt and Kennedy, considering the unique and historic role that the arts have always played in cultivating change. He should select a new chairperson who will lead the NEA with a commitment to the ways in which the arts can nourish the nation's economy and its imagination." Read more.

Mr. Steingraber is an opera director and Harvard University's Hauser Center fellow for arts, culture, and media.

Thank you Mr. Steingraber!

Thursday, January 1, 2009

2009!


Happy New Year!

I hate having my picture taken, but when I discovered the comic book option on my computer, I do admit to having fun with it.

This is a picture of me, in my studio with Orange Construction Fence Series #63, in progress behind me. I plan on finishing it soon, and also creating #64 as a companion piece, and other yet to be determined art work in 2009.

I wish everyone a very happy, healthy, and creative 2009!