Inspiration

”The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider's web.” -- Picasso.

I was thinking about inspiration today. I find inspiration in some of the oddest things. For example, I have been greatly inspired by cracks in the wall. For example the crack in the wall below absolutely fascinates me. Look at all those layers of texture and color. If I look closely I can see the head of a horse protruding from the bottom of the cracked frame, and, in a kind of reverse silhouette, it stands out against the back drop of a mesa with a partially cloudy blue sky. Look at it for awhile...what do you see? (you can click on the photos to see a larger image)


I also find inspiration in nature. I normally carry a small point and shoot camera with me so that when I see something that inspires me I can make an instant record of it. I don't aim to make a beautiful picture, I aim to catch it and record it so I don't forget it (I also carry a sketchbook and pencil so if I have the time I can immediately jot down ideas that result from that first inspiration). Below are a few pictures of a cloud formation I saw while driving home from a reception. I was caught by the wavy ripples of the clouds, so unique. I took the pictures with the point and shoot camera to be dealt with later when I wasn't driving (and again, so I didn't forget).



Here are two more examples of photos of things I found inspiring on a trip to the Botanic Gardens.


The many colors of the individual poppies in a field of poppies and the moss against the brick with the white flowers drooping over were a visual feast. I can see the field of poppies in a felt wall-hanging perfectly in my minds eye.

Inspiration can also be found in other artists artwork (whether they work in your medium or not). The reception I was driving home from when I took the cloud pictures was the opening reception for an artist I really enjoy, Rebecca Ringquist. She is one of the many artists whose work I love to look at for inspiration. She works with vintage embroidered items (such as tea towels) and then she cuts and pieces them and then machine embroiders and hand embroiders them until they become something new (and for me inspiring). Her show is at the Packer Schopf Gallery at 942 W. Lake St. in Chicago. The show is running until June 18th 2011. Below is a couple pictures of her work displayed at the gallery (pictures taken with the artist's consent).



So, now you know some of what inspires me. What inspires you? Please feel free to leave a comment. And, thank you for reading. :)

Memorial Day- Lillstreet

Lillstreet offices will be closed this Monday, May 30 and open studio for the Textile Dept will also be canceled.  We apologize for any inconvenience. 

In the Studio

I did some much needed rearranging in my own studio this past weekend, and I've been thinking about how important it is to have a good workspace, and how a good workspace is also a very personal space. I love to look at pictures of artists and designers in their studio- its a bit like peeking in someones diary. There's a spectrum that runs from inspirational clutter to factory efficient, and everyone falls in a slightly different place.
Edith Head with an unusual desk pulled up to the sofa arrangement. Note the desk drawer pulled out for added desk space when she ran out of room.
Paul Poiret. I have the feeling everything started out neatly organized, but by the end of every day there are heaps of fabric on the floor.
I am actually positive that Madeleine Vionnet did all her draping while sitting elegantly in a chair. The height of the doll and pedestal is set up perfectly.

Lucienne Day in a well-ordered studio.
If you'd like to check out some more modern studios, there's a great series on the Fashion156 Blog here.
-Amanda

OPEN STUDIO CANCELED THIS SATURDAY, MAY 28

There will be no open studio this Saturday, May 28th, due to Lillstreet's Open House activities. 

Amanda Franck will be teaching a **FREE** SCREENPRINTED HANKIES WORKSHOP from 2-3pm in the print room.  Space is limited, and you can sign up the day of the workshop.  Look for a sign-in sheet outside the studio in the hall.

Best,
Camille

First Time Sewing

We had a very sunny morning for our First Time Sewing class this Sunday ! I just want to show the beautiful fabrics that my students have chosen for their projects, and how hard they have been working to make their beautiful purses. I can't wait to see these beautiful fabrics become a nice bags!

What's on the lines

Here's what was on the lines this past Wednesday. Rene's colorful and meticulously printed silk scarves (I like her giant dots), Mera at work on some vat-dyed tea towels, and some napkins for a Hawaiian wedding reception. Aloha!

Coming soon... June Flags by Kevin Curry

I am excited to share with everyone a sneak peak at Lillstreet's first rooftop flag installation of 2011.  Artist Kevin Curry has titled this series "I will", which will be displayed June 1- June 30.  Here's what the artist has to say about this project:

"Much of my work deals with language, culture and storytelling. As I have done previously, I would employ the history of a simplified quilt in constructing each flag, the  5' x 8' body of which will be made from white bed-linens. Each letter will be made up of individual 2" squares of fabric in 4 shades of grey as a reference to the magnification of the printed word (see example below). 

All the material for this piece will be bed-linens reclaimed from thrift stores - the history carried with these fabrics being one of togetherness, family, communication, anger, loneliness, sex etc. and though it's story will remain unkown, each square of fabric will bring it's own dialogue to the rooftop.

As the winds change and the flags drift accordingly, so will the intent and impact of the wording - promises made and broken, emotions, threats and fear being blown back and forth as a reaction to their environment   *(when read from 'behind', the sentence will appear in an unintentional, but humorously welcomed nod to 'Yoda')"

Here are some images of the work in progress, courtesy of the artist.  Kevin would like to thank his two assistants: Logie Beck and Allison Harmon.  

Don't forget to look up this year!  Flag installations rotate monthly from June - December at Lillstreet Art Center.  Interested in submitting a proposal? Deadline July 31st.  Only 3 spots left this year!  

CLICK HERE for more info! Juried.  Cash Awards.

Indigo & Katazome

Indigo & Katazome intensive workshop will be on July 25 - 29.

Indigo blues are so beautiful and I like the best among all colors. Since I was born and grew up in Yokoham where is one of international port town, I always feel close to the ocean. Now, I am in the mid-west, these indigo blues remind me of colors of the Pacific ocean.

These pictures are done by rice paste resist, then dip in to indigo dye vat. Wash to remove rice paste and dry. I am sure you will enjoy it!

Block by Block

Greetings! Spring sure has sprung with all the nurturing water we had rain upon us this April, leaving everything ready to blossom and bloom, including the amazing creativity of all the students in the Block Printing class. We began with designing and carving positive images onto linoleum block then printing away! Many of the students had never picked up a block, let alone a carving tool, and look at what resulted from just one class.

Talk about beauty bursting from the dark, cold winter days! There really is a reason we go inside during those months, we're beginning to conceive the seeds of these amazing bouquets of color, shape and texture. I'm thankful to be able to feast my eyes and soul on this lovely work. And this is only week one!

eak

Seeing Red

Last March the the American Folk Art Museum hosted an amazing quilt exhibit at the Park Avenue Armory in New York City (http://www.folkartmuseum.org/infinitevariety). 650 red and white American quilts, all of which were on loan from the collection of Joanna S. Rose, were exhibited in an incredible floor to ceiling installation highlighting the endless variety possible even within the superficially restrictive premise: red and white materials only. I was stuck in Chicago that weekend but was able to peruse the installation and the individual quilts on a fantastic ap which is available for FREE to anyone interested in down loading it.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/american-folk-art-museum-presents/id427267140?mt=8
A full catalog is on its way.

So now I am determined to make my own red and white quilt. I have begun collecting fabrics (shirts from the thrift store, as usual) and I have begun designing. I am just beginning to work out the plan but can't help but notice that everything around me seems to be red and white. My son and I took photos today of everything we saw that was red and white. There were too many images to include on this little blog post, but you get the idea...

Update! Sunday open studio changed to 10am-1pm (print room)

Hello everyone,

Just a quick update that Sunday's open studio has been changed from 10am-2pm to 10am-1pm.  There is an IMMERSION DYEING CLASS that starts at 1pm, in the print room. 

We apologize for any inconvenience.
-Camille

Apply to the Renegade Craft Fair!

Renegade Craft Fair is a good venue to sell the creative wares you make at Lillstreet. The Renegade team offers two fairs a year–one in September and one in December. They start taking applications today for the September fair....so get yourself over there and apply!

Chicago 9th Annual Renegade Craft Fair will take place September 10 + 11, 2011, from 11am – 7pm – stretching along Division St. in Wicker Park between Damen + Paulina.