new ways of thinking and working - studio update - been a long while


So I have started this new project that I would like to see get really large, at least 6 x 8 feet or something crazy like that. I am curious to see how size can affect and transcend the medium of crochet. I think this is an important thing for me to explore right now. And this is a repeated idea I start with, it goes something like "I want it to be big." But I have never realized (until now) why I want it to be big or why big could be important to the work. And so it goes, without meaning, I always burn out and finish/quit around the 3 foot mark. Because, most likely, crocheting is tedious and time consuming and 3 feet can take 3 months. And without full understanding of what I am doing there is no point in continuing anyway.

So I'm trying something new.

Working on the new project I am accepting that it's going to take a long time and I am doing something I have never done before: I am pacing myself so as not to burn out.

Normally once there is something I'm working on, it is the only thing I can see or think about, I become obsessed. But not this time. I have set up rules about not working for too many hours in one day. And I'm still drawing and reading and getting out and not just holing up in the studio for days on end with a crochet hook in my hand. So I might be a little less productive than I used to be, but I'm all the more excited about reaching my goal because I am still not yet sick of the project. Wish me luck.

friday night in brooklyn

quite happy with this one.

My art is in this group show opening Friday night at littlefield.

Sadly, I probably won't be able to make it to the opening, but it's bound to be an awesome show curated by my friend Sergio, who makes some intense giant drawings.

New sketchbook = very exciting. I am back from Iowa where I had a lovely time as it is beautiful there and the air smells good and there are animals everywhere. (I saw deer, hummingbirds, turtles, frogs, fish, and a falcon.)

I can officially say now that I am very excited to have been chosen as 1 of 134 awesome artist types to have received a 2009 NYFA Fellowship.

my friend claire taylor made a website for her lovely art.

botanical gardens in des moines

airplane over iowa

love love love john casey's art

last weekend coney island

Leaving town on Saturday for the next 2 weeks.
Anyone know of anything good to do in Des Moines?

summertime

Been spending my time sitting in parks drawing in the nice weather.
It's hard to go inside and do the studio thing but I'm working there too.
Been buying lots of pens.
One can never have enough pens.

Big long post for lack of general postings

Filling up my time enjoying the good weather finally and good people in my life. Been making hundreds of tiny stitches on paper and going to see lots of art.

Loved Roxy Paine's Maestrom threatening to completely consume the roof of the MET. Gave me lots of things to think about concerning scale and interaction with the public. Ideas about structuring objects to appear organic even though they are intentionally made. Oh and alien root structures, which is something that's already on my mind.

Didn't really care all that much for the Martin Kippenberger show at MOMA. But I was happy when I wandered into the show Tangled Alphabets: Leon Ferrari and Mira Schendel. There was some really lovely mark making.

Super inspired by and been thinking about the artwork of Erin M. Riley (found through thelooksee.) The simple colors and shapes woven into fabric have a very nostalgic and emotional feel to them. I like that.

One more thing. I finished reading this book Night Studio: A Memoir of Philip Guston by Musa Mayer (who is his daughter). It is tenderly written and thoughtful and draws insight into not only Philip Guston's life, but what it is to be so close to someone who burns so bright. I would highly recommend anyone who is interested in being an artist read it. Or if you just need a good sad book to fill up your time.

Upcoming group show

Yarn Theory: Knitting, Crochet, Math, and Science
PS122 Gallery
April 25 - May 17
RECEPTION: April 25, 5 – 7pm
150 First Avenue
(Entrance on 9th Street between First Ave. and Ave. A.)
New York, NY

Curated by Martha Lewis

Ted Ashton, Emily Barletta, Sarah-Marie Belcastro, Nancy Cohen, Rita Cohen, and Anschel Schaffer-Cohen, Christine Domanic, Kate Fenker, Amanda Gale, Miyuki Kawamura, Martha Lewis, Margaret Oomen, Gail Rothschild, Daina Taimina, Daniel Yuhas

If you're in NYC I would love to see you at the opening.

This one is the color outside nyc in early april.

I will be participating in this group show Yarn Theory: Knitting, Crochet, Math and Science, more on that later.

I find this work really interesting and intense to look at on the internet. Wish I could see it in person.

The color of central pennsylvania in early april.

Inspiration - Valerie Molnar

Super duper inspired and wowed by the colorful knitted artwork of Valerie Molnar. You should take a look.

Hi friends. I'm slowly getting my life back to order. I have a new properly functioning computer. And thanks to my parents, I received the sweetest care package full of godiva chocolates and an awesome camera. So now I can share the best part of my new room, the big windows with lovely shadows in the early day. Sometimes there are birds in the branches, but I have yet to capture them with the camera. Now at least it is possible.

There is currently a spread of my art in this issue of this Russian online art magazine Moloko+. You can download it in English here (if you're interested). It features a bunch of inspiring artists, photographers, and designer/illustrators.

There is an interview with me in this issue of this magazine. You can read it online here. It's on page 107, the best way to get there is to click on the back cover and work your way backwards to 107.