New thoughts for a new year

As this year draws to a close, I realize how much I have work I have accomplished. I have made around fifteen pieces, exhibited in four national shows, and have nearly completed a sketchbook of tiny paper scrap clothing for the Sketchbook project out of Brooklyn.

But the best part of making my art this year has been meeting wonderful artists through shows, arts events and from participating in curating shows. I feel that this year has really helped me understand the ins and outs of exhibiting one's own art. It's also given me the wonderful camaraderie of belonging to a community of artists.

Have a wonderful new year!

Back again

I've been busy making new pieces and entering exhibit competitions. Here's a few of the new pieces. I've started employing other materials. The "lace" on the cami is packing material and the bottom image on wax paper.
Enjoy!

Taking a bite of the Big Apple

I got this piece in a show in NYC!!! It's at the Pen and Brush Gallery from May 26th to June 26th.

Success!

I heard from the Torpedo Factory in Virginia-and I got a piece in their figure show! I don't know which piece they picked but I thrilled!

One back, two out

I got my girdle back after over a week of anxiously waiting. The kind people in Colorado sent it with the postage that I provided, but were charged an extra $8. I guess it was heavier due to the thin air in Denver. I'm so glad it's back.

Tonight I sent out an exhibit proposal for a nearby university and an entry to a figure show at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, VA.

I love that place! I highly recommend going if you're in the DC area. It's a fairly short drive and you can even get a water shuttle. Alexandria is a very funky, artsy place with lots of great little shops, restaurants, bars and cigar stores. The Torpedo Factory is an old torpedo factory that was repurposed for artists studios and gallery spaces. They have live entertainment and they're right on the water. Here's their website: http://www.torpedofactory.org/galleries/target2011/NJA.htm

Hope I didn't jinx anything by talking about it!

Another stitch...

Just finished (almost) the latest piece. This drawing was one of my favorites last year, and I pondered for a long time on how to make it into a piece. I'm really happy with it. There are hooks in the back (but I need to put the eyes in to complete it). I really enjoyed making the lace -it was a challenge on the top, but it really adds depth.

Toilet paper tube feathers

This fringed slip has a lot of elements (cardboard toilet paper tubes for "feathers" and hole-punched "lace") and the newest piece that I posted with the hooks and eyes. I like the added dimension of the feathers. The cardboard is manufactured in a way that peels apart and becomes thinner at the top. It replicates the structure of feathers.

Denver Show

The "Bras, Bangles and Bunions" exhibit in Denver is now open. I had one piece in the juried exhibit and I was thrilled to see it on the opening page of the gallery website. The official opening was on February 4th and attended by more than 700 guests.

It's so much fun seeing my take on a life of its own!

Here's the link to the show webpage. Enjoy!
http://www.wcaco.org/showsCurrent.html

A New Piece

I finished this slip the other day, but just got around to photographing it. The back was actually the hardest part. It's difficult putting these little hooks in. It made me think that wearing a slip designed like this would require some assistance.

Exposure

I found a half dozen blogs and sites that picked up the story of my show in Beverly. They range from Fashiontrends to Weightlosingideas.com. It's so cool to see my stuff out there in the cyber world!

Victorian underwear

I've been researching Victorian underwear as inspiration for my clothing. Women wore chemises (lightweight slips) worn under the corset. They wore long "drawers", a forerunner of knickers, under their chemises. There were "combinations" that were a chemise with loose legs. The corset was laced on top of the chemise. Then a petticoat was tied over the other garments. It's amazing to think that women had to wear all of these garments, regardless of the weather or what chores they had to do.

New Pieces

Westward Ho!

I successfully packed up the paper girdle and sent it on it's merry way West. Hopefully it will make it without damage.

Small Works Exhibit

Here's the webpage for the Arsenal Center for the Arts "Small Works" show. My piece is the 2nd picture in the 2nd row. It opens January 12 thru Feb. 26th. Come on by and see the show!
http://arsenalarts.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=656&Itemid=1

Girdle Shipping

I'm in the process of figuring out how to ship my girdle to Colorado. Thank goodness I have access to bubble wrap and lots of cardboard containers. I haven't decided what's the best way to wrap everything. This is going to be a time consuming project this weekend. A long snowy weekend will be good to figure this all out.

Small Works

I'm geting ready to drop off my piece for the "Small Works" show in Watertown, MA. The piece is 12"w x12"h. The drawing is on bikini underwear attached to the back of the crocheted jute. The crocheting proved extremely difficult, especially towards the middle. I lost the feeling in my finger for about three weeks!

Boston Globe

I got a listing in the Globe West section today for my paper clothing. I couldn't find it online yet, but it's in the People & Places section.