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!