More Work in VCA Show

More Pics of the Show

Victoria College of Art Christmas Show

The show has been such a great success. On opening night 400 guests wandered in and out of the studios while they tucked into plates of steaming Christmas pudding and sauce, listened to live music and examined the art filled walls and tables.
Sales were brisk with 68 works going out the door with their new owners.

The 1st fine arts textiles class had a magnificent display of work in the lower studio. They had samples from their stitch dictionaries grouped by stitch on big boards.

It was hard to believe 12 students had produced so much in 6 weeks.

They spent the evening as docents talking about the work and demonstrating stitching and painting techniques.
The studio looked like a mosh pit at times.

Mark Making With Thread

The first Fine Arts Textiles course is nearly finished. We started with 2 basic hand stitches then spent 2 full days a week for 5 weeks exploring the qualities of many variables possible with these 2 stitches. And we barely scratched the surface.

Throughout the course different students often shared an area of expertise which added so much to the whole learning experience for everyone. Here Barbara Gilbert demonstrates to the class.

On Monday we spent time getting work 'hanging ready' then mounted samples and 2D projects on boards.....

... in preparation for the Victoria College of Art Christmas Show, www.vca.ca.
The last class is Friday. In the morning the students will work together to install an exhibition of their work and they will return in the evening in their role as docents while the college is full of guests invited to come and celebrate the students' work.
In the Textile Studio space there will also be demonstrations of stitching, fabric painting and felting.
The learning will continue for the students throughout the weekend as they practice talking about their work. They provide a personal connection with the work that many viewers look for.

Victoria College of Art Christmas Show

Last week Kate Cino visited us in the studio. She photographed and interviewed for a article on her Victoria Art Openings  website. 
Check this link to see what she found in the college. 


VCA Xmas Show

http://www.artopenings.ca/Art_Openings.ca/Welcome.html

This coming Friday, 17th she will visit again and do the same for the college's Christmas show.Check out the website for details of the event, vca.ca

Stained Table Cloth

The table cloth has been washed and ironed so now i can see the extent of the staining.
There are lots of pink and black areas.

...and a few holes. I like this area where there is a mended hole and now more holes beside it need repairing....

...or not.

Dialogue with a Maple Tree

Several months ago, just as the autumn leaves began to fall, i placed a table cloth under a maple tree.
I watched as it became covered with fallen leaves and disappeared.

Yesterday i decided it was time to find it and take it inside.

As I brushed the leaves away i found lots of black and pink! staining.

This horned animal skull shaped motif on the corners of this tablecloth is one i have been researching for my dissertation. The shape is known as a bucranium.
I will now gently wash the cloth. I'll show you the results when it is dry and ironed.

Self Applique

The students in the 'Mark Making with Stitch' class at Victoria College of Art may have looked and sounded as though they were just playing with a pile of textiles but they were in fact working.

They assembled a collection of different fabrics with potential for the Self Applique technique.
They collected samples of shot weave....

... considered the reverse side....

...and experimented with patterns.
Then they made samples using their own painted cotton.
They all decided it was a technique with great potential.

Snow and Cloth

During a break in a snow storm I ventured outside to check on how my art projects were fairing.
The cloths wrapped around the 4 trees were quite wet. If they are still damp during the next warm spell some interesting marks may emerge.

I am amazed at how well the men's suit jacket is surviving. It has been outside for 13 months now. It is made from newspaper bonded to a light cotton.

The cedar wrapped in cloth is in the forest where it is dark. There is lots of evidence of animals running over it and rearranging the loose ends.

Textile Arts Library

Here are more books for the Textile Arts section of the Victoria College of Art library.
These classics were donated by Marny and Barbara and are a great addition.
Thank you both.

Donations To Victoria College of Art

Students in the Mark Making with Thread course have been most generous in donating different things to the class sessions and the Textile Arts section of the college library.
Barbara donated this delightful collection of threads in an old Velveeta box. They look as though they have been treasured for many decades and now the students will put the threads to good use.

Barbara also donated this classic counted thread book, which still has much to offer the present day student.

Jo Ann donated another valuable classic - a Canadian edition of the Anchor Thread publication. Its clear drawings and well thought out collection of stitches make it a useful portable reference to carry in a stitching bag.

Jo Ann also donated 2 laminated, quick reference stitch charts that will handle being referred to by many students over the coming years.
Thank you both for your thoughtfulness and generosity.
I'll post about more donations later.

Exploring Negative Space

More explorations of opening up the textile with stitch from Victoria College of Art students.