Touching fabric, exhibition, and next meeting...

Earl ---and group, A response to the 'touching' aspect of fabric...

I think when I exhibit, I should have a table or an area where people can 'touch' samples of the work. Problem with touching fabric: it gets dirty and be stained, etc...potentially trashed- like a painting or sculpture would.

Also, part of the problem for people taking 'fiber/fabric' art less seriously (overall, not for everyone) is that it IS a part of our everyday life...cloth...yet even a painting, underneath, has a canvas/cotton/ base!

I participated in South End Open studios this past weekend...and I exhibited new work, based on the work I showed a month ago....response was very postive, and I cannot wait to show you all.

OK: we have to all start looking at this blog (myself included) otherwise we'll never meet again!!!!

We start a painting with gesso or white paper and then debate on where to put the first mark on it. Initially, the white painting by David gave me a feeling of not being finished. When I use charcoals or graphite it seems that the highlights are the paper itself. The parts of the drawing that are highlighted are push to the front of the painting and are the closest to you. this is the part of the images that gets the most light. After seeing the painting and then restating that to myself - I see that may be in this painting the absence of saturation of color and the subtle hints of lines and elements in the painting are part of it. Knowing that David uses much color in his works is a known fact to all of us. this transition is a change to me and seeing the new work. The abstract painting get you off the normal image and normal thinking. i have said it before that to judge and describe a painting right away is not good for me. If I had spent more time with it I would be discussing something else maybe more in depth or maybe not. right now though I feel David has changed somethings and moved other around on that painting.

Earl

The Door Series

I have been thinking of Laura's works over the past couple of weeks (since that time we saw them). I feel she is dealing with texture and color (more to what I think I am relating to). There seems to be an interesting hue and intensity to the staining of the fabrics and the color choice used. It makes your mind wander to the question of, should one touch them? I wanted to touch the ones on the wall but it seemed like not the right thing to do at the time. Wanting to feel the pillow look to them and registering if they are soft and smooth as they look. But in Art one of the main things is not to touch art objects. Even though we are in a sense having these private showings it is still one of the situations that you must n do. For me, my pottery is always about touching, so when I see the fabric on the wall, I feel like it should not be touched and looking is one of the main and only things that you are suppose to do. I do feel like (now) that this medium and the way that Laura is using it, some of the works should be touched. It is a hard transition to now be able to touch works that you think shouldn't be. We don't run or hand up and down a painting and then say it fells good. Fabric is something that we touch and use everyday, now that it is on the wall the feeling is still there but it seems like you are not suppose to touch it.
Earl

Next Art Group Meeting

I was wondering when the next art group meeting is and where are we meeting?
Earl

Monitor calibration device and software

There are a few systems that are high quality and not too expensive. You may be surprised at the cost but 5 years ago they cost twice as much for these hardware/software combos and were much harder to use.

You have to buy a colorimeter device and coordinating software.

Take a look at Xrite I-One device and software
http://www.xrite.com/product_overview.aspx?ID=846
Also consider competing product by Datacolor Spyder device and software. http://spyder.datacolor.com/index_us.php

Meeting This Sunday

Next meeting Sunday, August 17 @ 10AM. David's studio. Coffee, bagels and cream cheese will somehow magically appear. Others should bring additional food items.

David will show. Hannah has a quick item for in-progress feedback. Both Earl and Laura said they might have something to look at as well. Who else will be there?

Thanks!

Thanks, Laura, for setting this up!