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Monday, October 31, 2016

Leigh Square Residency week 4

It's hard to believe that I'm already almost half way through my residency. I'm really enjoying having the dedicated time and space to do my own thing. It's a bit of a pain to cart things back and forth all the time, but there's really no point in bringing my whole home studio out here, and there's no good storage space in this multi use facility. It's too bad, because it really is a pain to have to pack everything away at the end of each day.

Have I mentioned how big the room is? It's huge and there are loads of tables. A few people have asked if all that space has inspired to work really big. The thing about weaving is that it might be big, but all the cloth is all wound up on the loom so you can't really tell until the very end when you unwind it. It's one of the things I really enjoy about weaving: the excitement of seeing your creation in its entirety for the very first time.



Wednesday morning started with the last of the mini-workshops. This week we made small woven pouches. I love this design because the whole thing is woven in one piece and there are no threads to weave in or edges to finish, you just pop it off the loom and it's finished - other than the cord it hangs on, and I'm pretty sure there might be a way to weave that in as you go along as well.


One of the participants from last week's mini workshop "Weaving without a loom" brought back the piece that she started. She wove a whole bowl. I just love the colours. The varigated blue/green is sock yarn. I think it is gorgeous.


That's it for the mini workshops. I still have a full day rigid heddle weaving workshop coming up on November 17, 9:30-3:30, $135/person, and if people want to stop by to hang out and work on their own projects, they are welcome to come to open studio time on Wednesday mornings 10:30-12:30.

After the workshop, Jill from CreativiTEA came by to interview me and she took me out for lunch. 


I pulled out one of the backstrap looms that I was given a while ago. I've been saving them to play around with during this residency. It looks like there might be a few pieces missing from some of the kits and the instruction booklet was more amusing than helpful, with some really really bad hand drawn illustrations.. Fortunately one of the looms was already set up with a bit of weaving started on it, so I could tell what things were supposed to look like. It was an interesting exercise, but I'm not sure I like this type of "loom". I'll have to give some thought to how I might use these looms. Maybe one day, I'll visit some traditional backstrap weavers and learn more about their weaving.


I found someone in the heritage museum who was able to tell me about the Salish weaving that they have. It was commissioned for them and woven recently in Chilliwack. The river with the red fish references one of the possible meanings for the name Coquitlam. Another possible meaning is "the people who have hands that stink like fish". One of the other symbols (the person giving the explanation didn't know which one) means friendship.

I've decided to do a "Coquitlam: red fish in the river" weaving on my own Salish loom. This will be a prototype for a proposal that I'm thinking of submitting to create a large rag rug. I warped the loom with "mop cotton" which is about the same weight as the heavy wool that is traditionally used for this type of loom, and tore strips of rags to do the weaving. This is a much easier alternative to sourcing and spinning the thick "buffalo yarn" that is usually used. I'm pleased with how it is turning out so far. 

Coincidentally, I found a couple of books in the studio space on using scrap fabric to make new things - one is on upcycling sweaters and the other one is about rag rugs.



There's been more progress on the community weaving, and I've decided to weave in bits from my personal projects, so that there will be a "trace" of my time at Leigh Square left behind with the weaving. As you can see this week, I added some "rags".


The last thing I did before I left for the weekend was to set out a basket with some yarn and "warped" CDs with instructions for anyone who happens to find them to add to the display that I've started. I don't know how well used the space is when I'm not there. I'm looking forward to seeing what people have done when I'm back next week.


Friday, October 28, 2016

Living Room Art in the Heights

Living room art in the heights is a lovely community event. Every year, for one night someone from the neighbourhood offers to have their home transformed into an art gallery/performance space. This is my second year participating. Last year my daughter and I took one of our looms and did a community weaving with the attendees.

This year, we exhibted that weaving and made a new one. I also exhibited my Salish weaving. Since it was inspired by the view from my North Burnaby home, it seemed right. I had hoped it wold have been finished, but I like the way it looks on the loom.


 I also added to my collection of woven CDs. Since only one person can weave on the loom at a time, this was a great way to involve more people.

We were set up in the kitchen. At first this seemed like an odd place, but where does everyone end up at any good house party? It was a small area, and it was packed with people all night. It was great to have everyone come to us. One of the things I like about local community event is seeing people who I've met over the years, mainly through the kid's activities, but don't see often anymore. It's nice catching up with their lives.


Some of the other art. Christie Lim's embroidery, Bill Thompson's bird peeking in at us through the window, Sheila Chowhury's forest painting with dragon sculptures - I met the person who made the dragons, but I've forgotten her name (she didn't like it when I called her the "dragon lady" - I thought it was a compliment - you know, like 'nasty woman'), and lastly, Diana Hall's rug - wool crocheted over cotton rag strips and felted. She said it was her own idea. I think it's brilliant.



 Christie's interactive embroidery. She's going to sew the pieces together to display next year. Notice that it's all about perspective. I thought "never forge" was good advice, but an odd choice for an embroidery project, then someone moved the scissors.


Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Leigh Square Residency, week 3

This was another productive week. Wednesday morning started with the second of three mini workshops. This one was "Weaving without a loom".

While folks were working on their weaving, I finally finished weaving in the ends on a basket that I made many months ago. I also made a lid. It doesn't fit very well, so I think I'm going to find a way to make it into an attached hinged lid.


I got my display case set up. I'm pretty pleased with how it looks. I have some felted wrist cuffs that are for sale, but most of the pieces are just for display. I become way to attached to my weaving to sell any of it.

Lots of people wove CD's at the Living Room Art in the Heights over the weekend. I've brought them all back to Leigh Square and have them displayed on one of the art pods. I'm going to leave a tray of them and some yarn, with instructions and invite visitors to add to my collection. I want eventually collect hundreds of them and make a huge wall hanging.


There has been more progress on the community weaving. I decided that I would add some bits from all the projects that I complete during my residency to leave a "trace" of my time there.


I finally finished my weaving on the Salish loom. It has been hanging around for a while because I ran out of green yarn. The weaving is done from the top down, and as you can see, I needed a lot of green to finish the bottom. I finally connected with Debra Sparrow at the Dunbar Community Centre and was able to get enough to finish. This weaving is inspired by the view from my bedroom window. I woke up early one morning in August and saw the most glorious daybreak. I promptly went back to sleep, but the image stayed with me and is captured in this weaving.


I made a little sample pouch for the last of my three mini workshops. This one is a little pouch that is woven all in one piece - when it comes off the loom, there is no finishing to be done (other than adding the hanging cord). It's really quite an ingenious design.


 I came across another Salish weaving. This one is in city hall. There is a nice brass plaque that says it was donated by "senior staff". There was no information about the weaving or the weaver though.


As promised, there were snacks on Wednesday afternoon. We also got to enjoy the leftovers on Thursday.


I finished off the last of the student warps that are hanging around. This piece is going to be part of my 2016 weekly project. Last year, I made a little book each week, and this year I have a weekly textile project on the go.

I came across a statue of Terry Fox wearing a spiffy medal. At first I thought it was some sort of yarn bombing, but it turned out to just be a medal. Still, it's nice that someone took the time to place it around his neck.

I'm looking forward to week 4. I'm planning to play around with the backstrap looms that someone gave me, and I have an idea for a "Coquitlam" themed weaving for the Salish loom.

Friday, October 21, 2016

Positive Affirmation Art Jounalling

This autumn, I've been co-facilitating a series of art journalling evenings at the Hastings Branch of the Vancouver Public Library. We were inspired by Betsy Greer's craftivism project called "You are so very beautiful." She creates little pieces of art with a positive message that starts with "you are..." and leaves them around for people to find. When we were at the Vancouver Mini Maker Faire, I found a patch made by Monica Em the Vancouver organizer of You are so very beautiful, and I thought it would be a great theme for an art journalling series. These are important messages to share with others, and also to remind ourselves.
I'm keeping a record of the messages that people create over on my other website.

The next session is on November 22 6:30-8:30 pm at the Hastings Library (near Renfrew).

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Maplewood House Weaving Workshop

Despite a predicted storm (that didn't materialize) we had a good time at Maplewood House. What's not to like when you have a view of the Maplewood Farm animals next door?


People did some interesting and creative weaving. Even though the participants all started out with the same instructions and choice of materials, they all made different choices and tried out the techniques in very personal ways. Each piece is distinctly an unique creation of its maker. 

Sunday, October 16, 2016

Leigh Square Residency week 2


My second week as Artist in Residence at Leigh Square in Port Coquitlam started with a bit of a surprise. I arrived on Wednesday morning to discover that the nice cafe across the street had burned down. I ate lunch there the week before and really enjoyed it. They bake their own bread and make their own soups. I was looking forward to having more lunches there. In addition to the cafe, a few of the neighbouring businesses are also now fenced off. This really is a loss to the community.


Also on Wednesday morning, we had the first of three mini community worshops that I'm offering as part of my residency. This one was on making felt beads. Making felt is such a magical process to me. You start out with loose fluffy stuff, add some moisture and pressure and wind up with a solid object. I had a nice group join me and I enjoyed learning about the interesting classes that are offered at the nearby Wilson Centre. I'm especially interested in their serger class. My mother in law gave me her serger a few years ago. This would be a great way to find out how to use it.


One of the participants brought along an electric needle felter that she bought at Jeffersons. I keep hearing about this sewing supply wholesaler in south Burnaby, and the reasons to go find the place are accumulating. I think you have to spend a minimum of $50 there. I expect I'd have no trouble with that!


I made a sample for next week's mini workshop. I'm calling it "Weaving without a loom". Basically, it is the bottom part of a twined basket technique that I learned from Penelope's friend Terri. We won't have time to do a whole basket, but the flat round piece could make a nice coaster, or pendant or something.


I made some more woven CDs. I'd like to eventually collect hundreds of them, but I don't think I want to weave them all myself. I think this could be a fun thing to do at community events. I'll be trying it out at the Living Room Art in the Heights event on the 15th.



I also set up a loom for the event. We did a community weaving at last year's event, and people seemed to really enjoy it. We'll do another one this year. I tried out the "direct warping" method. It seems like an efficient way to measure out a shortish warp and put it on the loom at the same time. I think this would be a good method to use for workshops - like the one I have on the 15th. (I know, I double booked events for the same day. Not the best plan, but it will all work out.) I don't think I would use it for a long warp though.



 I came across this Salish weaving in the little heritage museum that is in the building where I'm working. Although there are signs describing many of the exhibits, I couldn't find any information about this piece, and there was no one there to ask about it.


A few folks stopped by and added to our community weaving. I must admit this is coming along more slowly than I expected. Quite a few people are reluctant to weave and say they just want to watch me. I think maybe the big floor loom feels intimidating or too complicated for some people .I don't usually have this problem with my rigid heddle loom.




Next week, in addition to the mini workshop on Wednesday morning, there'll also be a reception on Wednesday afternoon 2-4 pm. I hear there will be snacks. Stop by if you are in the neighbourhood.



Friday, October 7, 2016

Leigh Square Residency 1st week

The first week of my two month long artist residency at Leigh Square in Port Coquitlam was very productive. 

I managed to finish off the warps on two of the looms that I need for a workshop in two weeks. I've been procrastinating since June, thinking that "I have lots of time" and now the workshop is just two weeks away! 

The first one is the left over warp from AD's white blanket. I usually like to use a lot of colour in my weavings, but I loved how the blanket turned out so much that I decided to stay with the (mostly) white colour scheme.


I also finished an orange/white warp in yellow/orange/pink - it matches the colours in the room where I'm working perfectly!


I also made a few woven CDs. I've seen photos of projects made with masses of woven CDs and they look amazing. I have a community event (Living Room Art in the Heights) coming up in a few weeks and I think it would be fun to create a woven CD artwork with the attendees during the event.



Next Wednesday (10:30-12:30, $5) I'll be doing the first of three community workshops. We'll be making felt beads.


There is an exhibit with lots of Mongolian felted items as well as some fantastic photographs of the Mongolian countryside and people at Leigh Square right now. I love that connection to the work I'm doing!

Sunday, October 2, 2016

And it begins

Yesterday was my first official day as Artist in Residence at Leigh Square in Port Coquitlam. I particpated in their Culture Days event. I was one of several artists displaying their work at the event. Lots of lovely folks from the community stopped by to visit. My mom even came by and did a bit of weaving. It was nice to meet the other artists as well. One of them lives in my neighbourhood and is opening a gallery shop/studio nearby next month.

I'm looking forward to finding out more about her plans.

Our community banner is off to a very colourful start. The theme of the banner is "The Gifts of Community". I asked people to write down what they like about their community. Some people wrote their responses on strips of paper that were woven right into the banner, and others used tags. I think I'll tie all the tags to the bottom fringe.

I'll be working out of the "Outlet" at Leigh Square on Wednesdays and Thursdays in October and November. I'm hosting a "Textile Open Studio" on Wednesday mornings (10:30-12:30) - bring your own project and come and keep me company.

I'll also have a small project each week for people to work on if they like. Here's the schedule for October:

October 5 - weaving on CDs (for a community project)
October 12 - felt beads*
October 19 - weaving without a loom*
October 26 - making a woven pouch*
*$5 charge for materials and supplies - you get to keep what you make.