Teaching a few classes

Sorry I have been absent. I have no excuse, but I have news.

I am teaching basic embroidery (March 31st) and Ukrainian egg dyeing (March 10th) at the Woman's Industrial Exchange.

Sign up online or stop by the store at the Woman's Industrial Exchange.

http://womansindustrialexchange.org/ukrainian-egg-dyeing/

http://womansindustrialexchange.org/basic-embroidery/

Apply!

What!? I applied to, what is this... ARTSCAPE! Yes! After seeing my true man of inspiration yesterday (Jean-Baptiste, Squidfire man) he kicked my butt into reality, and made me realize that I should apply to artscape and not mess around with the DC CraftMafia. After spending the time with Jean I looked up the due date for the application knowing it was soon. However, I didn't know it was due in 40 some hours. HOURS! So I booked it. My back is now in pain, and I feel like a mad man for making a mock booth in that short amount of time. I am proud of the out come! and more so glad that I applied. It made me realize I need to stop messing around. The reason I am unemployed is so I can dive full heartedly into my Mal's Pals.

Thanks JB for whipping me into shape, and for always being there for a helping hand!

-Ya'lls Pal Mal

Learning can be free!

I am assisting an artist at the Baltimore Convention Center this week for the American Craft Council Show. Yesterday and today are for wholesale items. Meaning gallery owners, boutique buyers, interior decorators, and magazine editors are all right at my disposal!!! Oh and the rest of the four days are for retail.

I am learning so much already though! I was surprised how easy and how quick it can be to make a booth look so professional. It seriously took us two (2) hours to set up his booth. That includes parking, unloading, putting carpet and setting up walls and artwork and driving away. Done, out of there see you tomorrow, and it looks like it is a gallery space.

Yesterday was the first day for the show. After seeing how easy it was to make a booth your own; I was able to have a keener eye to inspecting others booths. Today I will go around and take notes of the booths I like and those I don't and why. Is it because of the work? Is it the display? Is it the spacing, color, size, shape, texture, sound, placing of the displays and booths? So much is put into factor when it comes to a successful booth. Right now, I get all this information for free!

Not to mention I love the atmosphere! The idea of these fairs! It is all too great, and I have been away for too long!

Our neighbor is the best by the way. She is older, in her 50's, and so interested in me and my craft. I think it has to do with the fact that I am young. So she told me to bring in my felted toys today so that she can have a look. Then she went on telling me about the history of craft shows. Did you know it started when World War II ended? Well, it did! Well, officially that is.

So I am learning a lot and it's only the second day out of seven!

Oh and did I mention demos!? I am required to goto the three on felting. This is what the guy I am working for told me.

Gah! I love these events!

Follow me on another blog

This blog will be neglected for the season. This is due to the fact that mold and deconstruction are being put on the back burner while my Mal's Pals take off. Follow me in my travels to other states and my path invading the web by following me on the Mal's Pals blog.

Find it by clicking here.

Iz haz toyz!

Do you remember my post a few months ago with an image of dyed wool? Well, this is what that wool has become, Mal's Pals! Gender neutral, animal hybrid, and non-determined story (if I can use that as a term?) toys. They excite me to no end, and all I want to do is make them!... and of course a little bit of me still wants to weave. So look for them in the spring, for I will be selling them to the child inside of you, or look for them in two weeks at the SENIOR COMMENCEMENT SHOW in station. They have turned into my thesis show, and will be for sale there.

An artist in harsh conditions

Pray for Emilie Louise Gossiaux, over a month ago she was hit by a car while on her bike. Through news feds I found out that she is still in the hospital and able to speak now. She is unable to see though. This is very sad on many accounts. One reason why I post this on my blog is that this girl is a brilliant artist! and before the accident, had been through a lot. I met her when she transfered to my high school in '06. The reasons for her move was due to hurricane Katrina that hit New Orleans. She went to high school in the orleans aria at one of the top art high schools. She is now attending one of the top art colleges (Cooper Union), but instead of living the life of a normal college student she is in a hospital bed. Please prey for this amazing artist, and hope that she can get back on her feet once again.

Questions I ask after three glasses of wine

If artists constantly makes work that is a dissatisfaction to themselves, then why is it that we make a career out of unsatisfied things? How morbid is it to know that producing is satisfying but the final will never live its expectations? How do I enter into a career knowing my work may be better then the last, but will never be the best? This is the confidence I struggle to concur.

I am on paper

Yesterday I received a voice-mail from my mother saying my artwork was published in MICA's Juxtapostition. It was a great shock and a feeling of slight accomplishment. I had sent images of my work to the publisher way back in August, and my "deteriorated wine label" (the yellow weaving) got in! I am more proud of my work then of me; because I put this exact piece in a jurried show, and it did not get in. The chosen work for the show was mainly figurative. As we know my work is far from figurative forms. Subconsciously it represents the body. Therefor I am proud of my weaving, my baby, it has been published.

Here is the link to the magazine. I am on page 27, and a funny not Kevin Sherry is on page 25.
http://www.mica.edu/Documents/Juxtapositions/latest_juxta.pdf

BaaBaa Black Sheep

Baa, baa, black sheep,

Have you any wool?

Yes sir, yes sir,

Three bags full.

One for my master,

One for my dame,

And one for the little boy

Who lives down the lane.

I am noticing that children's rhymes have a lot of play on my life. Nursery rhymes often times will have a repeat pattern much like weaving. As I child I remember singing nursery rhymes all the live long day. Today I had the above rhyme stuck in my head (There could be a slight chance that I was thinking of this rhyme because I was dyeing and cleaning wool all day (shown in the above picture).). It is the interest in the repeat pattern in nursery rhymes that makes me love weaving. Nursery rhymes and weaving share repetition that my life seems to be comfortable with, and I am ok with that.

Calling all Generalists

Today I finally went down to the medical center and made an appointment for my nose. I don't know why it took me this long to get down there? I always said it was because I had no insurance, BUT I DO! I have the school's insurance!

Hopefully I will be able to answer the age old question, "why is it that you cannot smell," soon. Here is to luck that it is not a serious issue. Like a brain tumor or something.

I am not even concerned if it can be fixed... I actually don't know what I would do if I could suddenly smell. I think I am a little afraid of the sense now. I have coped with the fact that it is lost, but it is good to know why I lost the sense. So here is to knowing! Wish my nose luck.

Cheers to Excitement!

This weekend held much joy... mostly my smiles were for teaching peers how to weave. I was put in a one on one situation with two students whom missed the lesson on how to put their skeins on the loom. They were skeptical at first of the medium, but later had fun doing it and were excited about moving forward. Their reactions really mean a lot! The one student, and friend, I thought that she would hate the process, but she proved me wrong and ask that I show her the next steps to weaving. She and I were excited for the next move for the class.

I can't wait till the next student approaches me with a question about material, structure, and or content. On Friday and student and I were talking about the different possibilities in weaving, and she brought up a sample that I had made last semester. She was curious about how it was made and the possibilities that she could do with something like what I had done. I was more then happy to explain the depths of her new found interest. I am excited to encourage future students, and I am also excited to see what they will end up teaching me about me and my art.

See With Your Eyes

Haystack showed me so much while being there and by not being there.
Those who follow may recall my recent trip to Maine to attend a two week art course at Haystack Mountain School of Craft. Before my arrival I knew there was more for me to learn then simple rope making and plating. Sure enough Haystack proved me right. I learned so much about myself and what I want to do while being secrete for two weeks.

One that couldn't hit me any harder over the head was "Mallory, your a perfect match to be a teacher!" Those whom I had only known for 24 hours were asking me if I plan on becoming a teacher after graduating. Once the class saw my potential they really pursued the question, as did I. I told them of the pondering thought in my head, and for the rest of the two weeks they insisted on me pursuing the idea. It was really nice of them. I miss that boost of encouragement. I miss that feeling of "I have taught someone SOMETHING valuable!" Though this feeling wont be lost for long, because I am a teachers assistant come Friday!!!

Haystack also broaden my horizon to the art world. All I knew before was the art world of NYC, Baltimore and those who's names have become "famous." I now have contacts and connections with those in Chicago, New Mexico, California, Canada and France to name just a few. All of which are amazing people to have met and now call my dearest friends.

On the work end of Haystack I am able to see new possibilities (ways to create the work and ways to look at work). It was good to have a new set of hands to teach me and a new set of eyes to see my work. It has fueled me to continue with my body of work and to pursue getting the work shown.

I am so lucky to have attended Haystack and to have been apart of its history.
*More will be posted later... but at the moment I am on the outs of my Internet connection.
come back for more about Haystack

A U-Haul Full of Wool

A good family friend is handing me wool that he has saved for 5 years! I couldn't be any more excited to get back into the dye kitchen! Five years worth of wool... with a flock of 13 sheep! All a gift to me!!! All thanks to Jonny!

A little diddy behind this... the old farmer tells me he has a few bags that I may take. All I had to do was fetch it from where it was stored. I go into this thinking a few bags here and there with wool in the worst condition.

On the way to the barn I count the number of sheep. The total 13. Now, understand that earlier that week the farmer told me he had 9. You may ask where these extra 4 came from, but if you knew the forgetful minded farmer you would understand. Either way 13 sheep more or less... producing pelts for the past five years... = a LOT!

We arrive to the bags of wool, and there were just too many bags to count, and Jonny tells me he has more bags else where from prior years that I may have. He jokes that I will need a U-Haul to fetch it all back to Baltimore, but there isn't any joke behind this. I will!

I plan on getting back to Baltimore and start cleaning it right away!!! My hands are feeling way hot, and I need to get making making making!

It Happens For A Reason

Everything happens for a reason. I live by this phrase, and recently it has proven itself true. For instance Haystack! In order to understand this I need to start the story from the beginning.

In February (or maybe it was March) I decided that I would apply for two summer courses at Haystack Mountain School of Craft. This decision was made 20 hours before the deadline. I scrambled last minute to have the necessary papers. I completed everything on time by the grace of God, and in a few weeks I got the results. In a small envelope I was notified that I did not get into the school, but I was among the top to be considered. They were sorry.

I didn't let this put me down. After all I did decide this last minute. What was I expecting? Weeks later I received a phone call saying a spot opened up, but I wouldn't receive the scholarship I applied for. I figured it was meant for me to go, and I would find the means to pay... somehow.

Sure enough I would work for a month to gain the money to go. Today, only a week till the class, I was informed that I would receive a scholarship! A great amount that almost pays for the whole session.

This proves that everything happens for a reason. I am meant to go. I can't wait to see the true reason to why I am to be at this place. Am I to have a wonderful eye opener? Am I to create a new branch of work? Am I to meet someone that will help me in my career? Or am I to just meet? Or am I to just create? I am so excited! I can hardly wait!

The Stars Alining and Gods Speaking

Becoming a teacher has been a small thought brewing in my mind recently. Being a teachers assistant in the fall for a weaving class has kindled the fire. Along with reading "Thinking Through Craft" has made me think of ways that I would teach and the assignments that I would give.

While working the other day at the country club, Mariza (whom I call my second mother) asked me what I was doing with my art (she can never really understand what it is that I do, thus she asks me every year). I told her that I was thinking about becoming a teacher for college level students the craft of art. Her eyes brighten and her smile grew. She told me that she always thought of me as being a teacher. She saw the way I handled the kids and the members we serve and thought my actions were a perfect suit. I then became happy that my second mother thought that this path was good for me. My real mother also has mentioned me becoming a teacher, but she is always mentioning career paths that I should take.

All in all I am really excited for the class I am taking up in Maine, and I am ecstatic to be a T.A. within a month. Here is to an exciting future!

Life of an Artist

It is a funny thing to call oneself an artist. When announced the common thought is that they sit and paint all the live long day, but an artist is much more then just the act of creating.

An artist to begin with is a creator, but also an informer and an self-employer. An artist creates upon a reaction towards a pestering thought. The final product is to give directions to someone elses thoughts. Creating fulfills my personal legacy. All of creating is just a small window into an artists life and career. To bring life to the work, to give it respect, the artist lets it breathe by allowing the public to view it. In order to let it be in a space the artist much search for the proper atmosphere for it to live in. This leads them to do research, mingle, and travel just to find the right corner of the world that will give the work the proper respect that it deserves.

In all an artist maybe creating 60%? of the time (maybe less), and the rest of the hours are filled with doing research, exposing oneself, and informing the public of themselves and the work produced.

My Heart Craves to Create!

Upon reading "The Alchemist" I realized my personal legacy. My heart all summer has been craving to weave, to paint, to CREATE! I have had cravings in the past to make art, but nothing like recent. My eyes, my mind, my hand, my SENSES all have been wanting to be creative, but I haven't allowed it. All because I either didn't have the facility to do it, or I was traveling some where. Reading the Alchemist though made me realize that if you don't listen to your heart your heart will stop specking to you, and soon an unhappy life will be lived. Luckily I only have a few days left working at the country club, and then I can dive into fulfilling my personal legacy. Working on making art!

As an artist who is always questioning things. I asked myself "if manifesting makes my heart happy, why is it that I create decaying objects?" Pondering the thought all day and pulling out past thoughts about work; I realized that I choose this because it reminds me that to be grateful for the small things. Things like time, senses and the material things that we do posses.

The stars are alining so that my personal legacy can be fulfilled. Chrissy Day has told me "to do whatever it takes to keep your art alive." This has stuck with me ever since she said it, and after reading the Alchemist it is going to stick with me even more. Do whatever it takes to fulfill your personal legacy. Thus far in my life I have been given the tools and the know how to create anyway I choose. I just need to create from here on out.

Roles of an Artist

-Promoter

-Informer

-Creator

More will be explained later.

I Present to You an Artist

Portugal weaving artist Magdalena Abakanowicz caught my eye today while I was reading "Thinking Through Craft," and I think she can be appreciated by everyone. Here fiber work transcends the language to knowledge about fiber. I recommend just looking at her resume (if you don't like her work)! This woman wasn't messing around with her career. Here is a teaser 9 (that is NINE) Biennials'! I am just going to sit in awe over her work for awhile and take it all in. I am left speechless, so I have no words at the moment relating her work directly. I hope my followers take a look at her and enjoy.

Click HERE for her website and HERE for her weavings.