Series workshop assignments 4 and 5

The series workshop is completed, and was a GREAT learning experience. I hadn't posted about the last two assignments, but Lisa Call wrote about my work in the workshop on her blog today, which motivated me to post the assignments. Thanks Lisa!

The fabric dyeing for each assignment became overwhelming due to time constraints. I have been dyeing circles for awhile, with the thought that someday I would figure out what to do with them. The workshop helped me realize I needed to do more planning ahead, and dye for composition.

One of the options for exercise number 4 was to use lines in the composition. Lisa sent links to many artists that used lines and made me really think about how to add lines into my work.

I had an Alexander Henry fabric that was white with black lines. I had already dyed some of it multi-colors. I used a curry dye, and clamped circles of different colors in an arc. Getting the lines onto the ground of the design meant I'd completed that part of the assignment already. Ever the conscientious student...

 This is what the fabric looks like - it's a great fabric, huh?
For the 4th assignment, I broke the design into three sections, adding a strip of a pole dyed shibori, and a small piece of red. The arc of the circles needed more definition, so I added arcs in black tulle. Members of my critique group gave me some great feedback. Adding red, was one suggestion, which I really liked. Here's the assignment that I posted for that week:

In progress composition

By the next week, I had company for the week that I hadn't figured into my studio scheduling, so I decided that instead of starting from scratch, I would develop assignment 4 into a completed composition for the last assignment. I really wanted to play with transparency and depth, and see if the lines could be accentuated. I spent a lot of time standing in front of the wall with various size arcs and circles, in tulle and organza. I finished it, photographed it, and am ready to try for some juried exhibits.  I added a black binding, because I felt it really made it pop with the black on the edging.

Going In Circles c.2011 32" x 38"

I'm very thankful for Lisa having the foresight to design this workshop, and to always be one step ahead of the class and their journey. I'd recommend the workshop to anyone who is hoping to find their own voice, institute better studio habits - and grow in their art. The other class participants were very helpful too - watching what others do is always good for inspiration.

New Series

I signed up for an online workshop with Lisa Call several weeks ago, and it's already been a fruitful endeavor. The workshop is on "Working in a Series", and Lisa is walking us through the steps of focusing on a subject, and setting design parameters.

Lisa is very tech savvy, so she has set up a website for the workshop, and we each have our own site and pages. It's pretty user friendly. I'm keeping a journal so I can keep track of my ideas, and all the things I've tried - whether they worked or not.

My series is going to focus on circles. I've been intrigued by all the possibilities there are in clamping circles as resists. The choices for dyeing in different hues and values seems to be - unlimited. But it's not! I will be learning about color and dye forever...

My initial thought was to use analogous colors and white, and to organize the circles as I would a family portrait. That was a way for me to get started on the design. I did stick with the colors - yellow, orange, red, and love the way white brightens up everything. Since my art training was in photography, it is still easier for me to think of looking through a viewfinder, and organizing the composition that way. Whatever works to make the design process a little less painful. I'm not sure this looks like a family portrait, but it helped me to figure out a way into the design.

I plan to design tops - and sew them together if I can. Since the assignments are due each week, and I dye my fabrics for each project, I know I may not get them sewn together. But if I photograph them, and pin them to a backing, I can finish them at the end of the 8 week workshop.

It's helped me to be better structured in my day - and in the studio or dyeing everyday. Lightens my mood, and stirs my juices. Worth the cost already!

Here is my first composition. The back ground is pieced, except for the middle seam. The rest is pinned. Can't wait to see where these circles lead me.

composition in progress 33" x 38"