What a Incredible Web They Wove

While doing an internet search for textile and fiber art exhibits in Chicago, I came across something that stopped me in my tracks. Okay, as you know, the making of silk from the cocoon of the silk worm is a fairly demanding process. Imagine if you will extracting silk threads from over one million Golden Orb spiders, who by the way were not harmed and were released into the wild after the process (not kidding), and turning those threads into an amazing hand woven brocaded textile. Conceived and manifested by Simon Peers and Nicholas Godley in Madagascar, the golden textile, often referred to as the "8th Wonder of the World" is on loan to the Art Institute and it's the last opportunity to view this incredible piece before it leaves the United States. When will you ever have something this extraordinary cross your path, so go, now!!!

For more information about the exhibit and the artists, check out www.artic.edu/aic/exhibitions/exhibition/spidersilk and www.godleypeers.com

eak

Marimekko's printing factory

Step inside Marimekko’s printing factory for a look at how its iconic textiles come to life.

Here's a slide show;
http://www.dwell.com/slideshows/helsinki-ink.html?c=y&paused=true#ixzz1VVHtRZQA

Here's an article.
http://www.dwell.com/articles/helsinki-ink.html

YOU'RE INVITED

Summer 2011

This time I want to write about this summer. It was a good summer. I had the fortunate opportunity to work with two amazing young artists: Scott A Carter and Gyun Hur. I helped Scott install his work at the Lexington Art League. An installation that gives you a surrealistic experience, changing your perspective of the architecture of its site. These images will give you a better idea.

I also helped Gyun Hur in her installation“I Dreamed Your Utopia” a gorgeous installation at Hotel Florence 11111 S. Forrestville Avenue Chicago at Pullman a beautiful neigborhood in the south of Chicago.

For more info visit these links:

lexingtonartleague.org

www.scottacarter.com

Mosnart: http://tallskinny.com/mosnart

www.gyunhur.com

Fall Open House This Saturday- Free Tshirt Printing Workshop AUG 27 : 1-2pm

Lillstreet Art Center will be hosting a Fall Open House this Saturday, August 27th from 12-5pm.  There will be free workshops in all departments, so you can make a day of art-making with friends and family!  

Our very own Textile Department will have a PRINTING T-SHIRTS WORKSHOP, which is scheduled from 1-2pm.  The workshop is limited to 8 students, so please get to the studio early to sign up at the door!  Students should bring in their own t-shirts or fabric blanks to print (ex: tote bags, onesies, etc), and Lillstreet will provide the inks, screens and tools to get your shirt printed.  We will also have t-shirts available for sale through our sales locker, as well as some other fabric blanks.  

Please note:  Open studio for currently enrolled students will have limited hours from 2-5pm.

If you really enjoy the idea of learning how to print, and want to print your own designs, sign up for the PRINTING T-SHIRTS class, or the FIRST-TIME SCREENPRINTING ON FABRIC class scheduled to start the weeks of September 12 and October 17.  This class fills up fast, so make sure to register early.

Lillstreet's early registration discount ends August 29th, so be sure to register before then to get $10 off your 5 week class, or $20 off any 10 week class.  

We have classes in printing, dyeing, embroidery, sewing, knitting and so much more!!!

It's Repeats time again!!

Hello All!

I know you've been bored all summer long, sitting around twiddling your thumbs, eagerly awaiting September when you can rush to sign up for the Repeat Patterns on Textiles class Wednesday evenings beginning 14 September here at Lillstreet. Well wait no longer, my friends, as the phone lines are now open and our cheerful staff is standing by to ably assist you in registering. Here is a small sampling of the Basic Repeats student work from the 4 week class, so imagine what will be in store for you during this 10 week session.

I look forward to seeing you soon!

Elizabeth

YOU CAN RE-INVENT YOURSELF AT LILLSTREET

It wasn't that long ago that I was trapped in the corporate world.  Although I'd always fantasized about starting a tee shirt business, it was realistically out of reach, blocked by the promise of another nice paycheck and really good benefits.  The workload and stress from my job had made it impossible to even think of starting a new business.  And, in the current economy, turning your back on a good job just isn't the thing to do.   But the current state of things caused my company to downsize, rolling my division into another, thereby eliminating my position and forcing me into early retirement.  I remember so clearly the day I was told I was being let go.  Within the hour I had completely cleared my desk and tossed out anything having to do with my job.  I hadn't seen the top of that desk in a long time.  The corporate world carries a lot of stress, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a burden had been lifted from my head, and my creative urges were released to find their way into my life.

I decided it was time to act on my dream, and I looked online for somewhere to learn silkscreening.  The name Lillstreet came up, and I remembered driving by the school many times and thinking I should check it out.  As it happened, the very next week a class was starting for adults on Beginning Silkscreening, and I signed up immediately.  With very little down time being unemployed, I was on a path to a new life.

I, of course, showed up early for my first class, and listened avidly to the agenda presented by the instructor.  In a matter of minutes, I was cutting out a stencil to make my first silkscreen, and printing a primitive shape on fabric.  I was so, so proud of myself.  If I still lived at home I'd have made my mom put it up on the refrigerator.

I was also told that not only did I have this class once a week, each and every day had time allotted in the studio to go in and practice.  This was like a dream come true and is the bonus you don't know you're getting until your first class.  I became a regular in open studio.  I was able to go in and practice my craft and also talk to other students, teachers and monitors and pick up bits and pieces of advice on how to try different things.  Like any endeavor, practice is how you hone your craft, and I saw my images become more consistently right.  There really is a thrill when you lay down that screen, squeegie your ink, then lift it up to find this wonderful image looking back at you.

One day in open studio, I spent hours and hours printing all my latest screens, then hung them up to dry.  All of a sudden, I looked at the group of images I had created and my line was starting to take shape.  It had a look, and made sense.\

I took a second silkscreen class with a different instructor.  This was recommended by my first teacher, since everyone approaches things from a different angle.  I was able to add to my repertoire of skills.  One thing she said stuck with me.  After showing us how to pin the fabric and how to register (match up) images, she said she had one student that didn't pin or register anything... he just winged it, with good results.  The bottom line is that every artist finds their own way.  Instruction in technique is mandatory to get professional, consistent results, but in the end, the artist decides the best way to achieve their goals.

I'm aiming at launching my website at the end of the month.  I am doing a complete product line with a Serbian Orthodox theme.  This is my religion, and also my ethnic background.  Up til now, the only Serbian tee shirts to be found were pretty uninspired... basically a Serbian flag on a white tee... and done as a heat transfer, often with glitter.  My line is silkscreened iconic Serbian images.  I now have 26 screens that I've created at Lillstreet, and just did my first show at a Serbian festival.  Although the traffic wasn't that great, mostly due to the weather, I had an overwhelming positive response to my product.  And, I had interest from all age groups, from young teens to grandmothers.  I think everyone has an appreciation for art, and this is personal for our people.

I know I've always had a creative side.  I did realize it somewhat with various projects and crafts, and working with kids on fundraiser ideas.  But I never really had a platform to develop it to it's full potential.  Lillstreet has helped me fulfill a dream, and what I've learned there has helped me re-invent myself and shape my future.  Besides developing a source of income, it's helped me changed something I've only dreamed about into reality.  Now when people ask me what I do, I tell them, "I'm an artist."

Kathleen Zevkovich

Inspiration from Marimekko

(Slideshow of Marimekko's Factory Process.)

The textile/design company Marimekko has been a source of beauty and vibrant color since the 1950's. Despite being located in chilly (and monochromatic) Finland, their inspirations evoke lush natural themes: florals, landscapes, and color palates that are more likely found in a summer garden than in snow.

(Slideshow of Iconic Marimekko Patterns.)

The company has had it's ups and downs over the years but, thanks to some keen business minds and a persisting partnership with Crate & Barrel, Marimekko is at it's height of success. Check out these two video peeks at their factory processes!

I totally want the job of throwing the ink into those giant printing machines! It's like screenprinting to the MAX! Let's print some yardage!



We may be at the height of summer now but I have a feeling that keeping Marimekko's joyful outlook on life will be especially handy come February in Chicago!

FREE SWATCH DAY SPOONFLOWER

Spoonflower's Third Annual Free Swatch Day
Starts Thursday, Aug. 18th, 2011

Get a single free, custom fabric swatch for 24 hours between  
noon EST on Thursday, August 18, and noon EST on Friday, August 19
  
click here for more details 

 

Quilt National

Spotlight: Riffe Gallery: Quilt National '09


Featured artists: Bob Adams, Lafayette, IN; Sue Akerman, South Africa; Sue Benner, Dallas, TX; David Brackett, Lawrence, KS; Pat Budge, Seattle, WA; Beth Carney, Yonkers, NY; Shin-Hee Chin, McPherson, KS; Liz DeBellis, North Canton, OH; Gabriella D'Italia, Newburgh, ME; Pamela Fitzsimons, Australia; Andree Fredette, Canada; Barbara Oliver Hartman, Flower Mound, TX; Anna Hergert, Canada; Ann Johnston, Lake Otswego, OR; Jessica Jones, Fayetteville, TN; Catherine Kleeman, Ruxton, MD; Hsin Chen Lin, Taiwan; Shulamit Liss, Israel; Kathleen Loomis, Louisville, KY; Kathleen McCabe, Coronado, CA; Judith Plotner, Gloversville, NY; Clare Plug, New Zealand; Judy Rush, Bexley, OH; Joan Schulze, Sunnyvale, CA; Anne Smith, England; Christine Tedesco, Pendleton, SC; Karina Thompson, United Kingdom; Kent Williams, Madison, WI; Erin Wilson, Brooklyn, NY; Kathy York, Austin, TX.

I'm in Lurrrve

In the previous four week session, I took Beginning Embroidery with Camille. I can't believe I waited so long to take this class. I AM IN LUUUUURVE with embroidery! While I obsessively tried to master each stitch taught in class (not quite there yet), I also did some research on alternative applications of embroidery. I ran across an Italian artist named Maurizio Anzeri, who creates "photo-sculptures" using vintage photos and embroidery. Check out some of his graphic, yet organic work. 

what i have been up to....

i have been working with 3D programs a lot lately in school (getting my master's in interior design). i never thought of applying this tool to patternmaking until recently, when i was startled by the abstracted compositions i saw in my 3D drawings. i am excited to sketch in CAD and rhino. i included some drawings i am excited to convert to work for the textile studio.....

Hit the Road

Summer is almost over but there is still time to get out of town and see some shows. For quilt lovers (and textile lovers of all stripes) there are quilt shows galore to be seen just north of Chicago through September. Though not widely advertised in Chicago, the Northern Illinois Quilt Fest is going on now (www.northernillinoisquiltfest.com) and small museums, historical societies, and city halls of the northern border counties from Lake to JoDaviess have unpacked their quilt collections and there are dozens of wonderful shows to be seen.

A few weeks ago I made it up to Lake County to the Discovery Museum (www.lcfpd.org/discovery_museum) to see a show of mostly historic quilts (and, yes, a few of my own contemporary pieces). This exhibit is clean and lovely and full of wonderful explanations of various quilting techniques and styles. It also includes some of the strangest Victorian Crazy Quilts I have ever seen. Check out this detail from one of the included quilts.

Later that same day we made our way to McHenry County's Historical Society (www.mchsonline.org) which has integrated it's quilt collection into it's usual exhibits of historic farm equipment, home furnishings, etc. The museum is a must see, full of textiles of all kinds (there is a fantastic display of vintage aprons on-going), and so much more. Even if you can't make it for the quilt show, it is worth the trip.

There are even Gee's Bend quilts on display at the Rockford Art Museum (www.rockfordartmuseum.org, I haven't made it to this show yet, but I will!). The Quilt Fest is on through September 25 so don't miss it.

Once you've seen the quilts, and feel inspired to make some work of your own, consider taking one of my quiltmaking classes this fall. Hope to see you at Lill!

Somebody to watch.

Hi everybody,

My name is Young Cho. I will be starting my residency in the textile department at the beginning of September.

While introducing myself, I also wanted to introduce you to another artist/designer that I became aware of recently, named Kwang Ho Lee. Kwang is doing amazing things using unorthodox materials. Take some time to look through his site and see some of the things he is doing.

If you are interested in working with alternative materials, you might be interested in my class starting in October. Check the class schedule for more info!

NEW & UPDATED!!! OPEN STUDIO SCHEDULE FOR SESSION II: August

Check out our blog for the latest updates:

www.lillstreettextiles.blogspot.com

Textiles Open Studio and Class Schedule
August 8- Sept 4

***Please note: Open studio is for currently enrolled Textile students. Please sign in with a monitor every time.***

MONDAY:  10-1 (every other Monday) Custom Embroidery     (sewing studio)
                     Open Studio  2-6pm : Kathleen (print studio)

                     Open Studio  2-9pm : Kathleen (sewing studio)


TUESDAY:  6:30-9:30pm:  First Time Sewing- Nora  (sewing studio)
                     Open Studio  2-9pm : Kate (print studio)
                     Open Studio  2-6pm : Ally (sewing studio)


WEDNESDAY:  7-10pm:  Digital Print for Fabric- Allison  (digital and print studios)
                     Open Studio  2-6pm : Gabriella (print and sewing studio)
                     

THURSDAY:
                    Open Studio  1-9pm : Frances/Ruby (print and sewing studio)

FRIDAY:  4-6pm:  Custom class- Camille (print studio)
                   Open Studio  6-9pm : James (print and sewing studio)


SATURDAY:  10-1pm:  Crazy Quilts- Gabriella  (sewing studio)
                        2-5pm:  Patterns and Tailoring- Amanda  (sewing studio)
                    Open Studio  1-5pm : Mera (print studio)



SUNDAY:  2-5pm:  First Time Sewing- Johana  (sewing studio)
                   2-5pm:  First Time Screenprint on Fabric- Nora  (print studio)

                    Open Studio  10-2pm :Gabriella (print and sewing studio)


PLEASE NOTE: NO OPEN STUDIO SATURDAY, AUGUST 13 DUE TO COLOR REMOVAL WORKSHOP.

SEE CAMP SCHEDULE.  OPEN STUDIO WILL NOT BE HELD WHEN CAMPS ARE SCHEDULED IN TEXTILE STUDIOS.

August 8-12: 9-1pm, Screenprinted School Clothes (print room); 2-5pm, Plush Monsters Camp (sewing room)

August 15-19: 9-1pm, Lights/Textiles/Action (sewing room)

August 22-26: 9-1pm, Quilt Camp (sewing room)

Katazome and Indigo class, 2011

All of students worked hard in the Katazome and Indigo class. We cooked rice paste, cut stencils, prepared fabric. Then we put rice paste through stencil paper on fabric. Next day, we made a indigo dye vat. We dipped pasted fabrics (paste was already dry), and hung to dry. We added rice paste with stencil paper and/or Tsutsu on indigo dyed fabric, then dipped in to indigo dye vat again. It created two shades of blues. Please take a look at the images. (by Akemi Cohn)

craft fair application: art vs. craft

i may have said this before but i love art vs. craft and the good people of milwaukee. you should apply to this craft fair! ....it's due friday!

New Work

Just thought I'd put up a photo of my latest work. Putting together some table runners with matching napkins. This one has vintage recipes from an old newspaper. Everything from how to cook cows tongue to coconut drop cookies! A good conversation starter at the dinner table.

Lillstreet-Inspired New Work & New Skills

Underpinning (32" x 84"); screenprinted, pieced, hand-pleated, and embroidered cotton, cotton batting, hand-stitched and embroidered.

Underpinning (32" x 82"); detail image.

This image of my most recent finished work, which some may have seen in person in the Artist In Residence show in the Lillstreet Gallery, is posted here as a kind of illustrated thank-you to Lillstreet for the great opportunities I've had during my residency. Working at Lillstreet among so many great teachers, students, and monitors has inspired new techniques and directions in my work.

This new piece, titled Underpinning, marks a transition from the kind of work I was doing when I came to Lillstreet in January to the kind of work I'm engaged in now. It uses piecing, stitching, and layering techniques that I brought with me from my background in quilting, but it incorporates screenprinting and hand-pleating which I have learned and fallen in love with since coming to Lillstreet.

This work uses elements of fabric collage, embroidery, quilting techniques, fabric manipulation, and screenprinting - the Lillstreet textiles department offers classes in all of these techniques!

I'm looking forward to further developing the screen-printing skills I've learned, as well as pushing the sculptural capacity that fabric manipulation adds to working with textiles.

Thank you Lillstreet Textiles!