Royal Mail

So sorry I have been away so long. Topics abounded and I happily wrote them down, but the ideas being safely written down and thus captured, the impetus for completion slipped my grasp. My studio practice follows this pattern on occasion; I have lists upon lists of projects yet to be begun, but with all the wonderful work I am seeing online I am constantly reminded, lists are just lists, but work must be made to be fully enjoyed. Thank you all for providing the motivation. My studio is ready and waiting. . .as are you. Without further ado, a little news . . .

My dear friend in art, Jillian, sent me Royal Mail straight from the land of the Queen, England. She wrote the letter on a paper silhouette and included rubbings of praying women from a church in Kent. Love the spurs on one (reminds me of the Joan of Arc), and the flat floral design peeking through the folds of the dress on another.

...and my Aunt Suzanne has sent me this navy blue handkerchief hem skirt. Beautiful. Wearing it here a bit like a flapper dress, I must find a cloche.

At the museum on Saturday, I taught a class in bookbinding. We used the coptic stitch which was taught to me in school by a printmaker and I deviate rarely from it for my own sketchbooks. For a left-hander like myself, the way it lays flat is a blessing. Now I've made it a few times, I can churn them out relatively quickly.

As soon as I figure out how to photograph wax without too much reflection, I'll post about some studio experiments I've been working on.

Oh where have you been?

Designated missing in action for a number of months this young lady was finally excavated this morning from beneath a large stack of various images of beasts and lesser mortals. She just might be my new studio mascot as she seems may to have a bit to say after her travels.

Paper or Plastic?

This just makes me happy. A paper cut gown by Mister Rob Ryan. I like the idea of a whole narrative that could play out on this dress.

via rag and bone

Which reminded me of this gorgeous plastic lace wedding dress by Deborah Milner I spotted in the May issue of ID(where you can see better images). The "lace" is made by ironing plastic bags to melt and fuse in to large sheets. Hmm. . .

Speaking of unusual dresses, this is a piece I made a few years ago, Lisa Dwelling. I apologize for the image quality, the slide is about sixth generation, yikes. The piece is based on the idea of dress as shelter and inspired by African Musgum houses. Theirs are made of clay and look like giant textured beehives, mine is made of the fruit petals of a Chinese Parasol Tree.

Working