Art Show Part Four

My first art show, Environmental Portraits, came to a close yesterday. What a life-changing experience. I must thanks everyone at LARAC,Candice Frye, Aray Till, Kori White, & Ellen Butz. Phil Casabona has been my champion from the beginning. (Check out his photography: phil.casabona.org) Former LARAC Gallery guru, Jenny Hutchinson (now with the Hyde Collection), was such a help. Her workshop on how to apply to a "Call for Art" gave me the confidence to take that next step with my embroidered portraits. (Check out her art: jennyhutch.com)

Thanks also to the talented artists who's work was featured with mine.

by Kamilah Campbell

by Susan D'Amato

by Teri McCans

I even sold 2 pieces, which I was not expecting. At. All.

"Saudade" now belongs to Maureen Poole

Hmm where should my new piece of art go in my office #ohyesidid #coffeemakesmehuman #lunchbreakbuy

A photo posted by Jenny Hutch (@jennyhutchinsonart) on Aug 5, 2016 at 11:06am PDT

Thank you to everyone who was able to check out the show!

I even saved some of the labels.

Happy Stitching!

Art Show: Part Two Point Five

Today is the day! Opening reception is tonight (July 8, 2016) from 5:00-7:00 PM at LARAC. I can't tell you how excited & nervous I am.

I found while getting ready for this show, that framing, hanging, mounting et al is... difficult. Especially when working with something like embroidery which is, usually, displayed a different way. That has been my biggest learning curve while transitioning from crafter to artist.

Getting ready to drop off pieces for my art show. I had to buy an iron. Lol #environmentalportraits #embroideredportrait #idabwells #artshow #embroidery #handembroidery #redwork

A photo posted by Tisha (@aprilsongstress) on Jul 1, 2016 at 8:16am PDT

Being that I am the local one in this show, I have been trying to drum up as much support as possible. I have been very active on social media...

My first art show opens this Friday. If you happen to be in the Glens Falls, NY area, stop in! Opening reception is July 8th 5-7 pm. Show runs July 8th through August 5th. #environmentalportraits #embroideredportrait #embroidery #handembroidery #redwork #whatisart #laphamgallery #LARAC #GlensFallsNY #artexhibit

A photo posted by Tisha (@aprilsongstress) on Jul 6, 2016 at 6:53pm PDT

Opening reception tomorrow 5-7 PM! Meet Teri McCans & me! @LARAC_ARTS #environmentalportraits #embroideredportraits https://t.co/bv3N1oq6Wu

— TishaDolton (@aprilsongstress) July 7, 2016

Preview of tonight's opening! I hope some of you can make it to Glens Falls to see the show… https://t.co/k9356avngw

— TishaDolton (@aprilsongstress) July 8, 2016

Hope to see some friendly faces, new & old!

Preview of tonight's opening! I hope some of you can make it to Glens Falls to see the show @larac_arts #environmentalportraits #embroideredportrait #embroidery #handembroidery #redwork #laphamgallery #LARAC #GlensFallsNY

A photo posted by Tisha (@aprilsongstress) on Jul 8, 2016 at 6:00am PDT

Happy Stitching!

Previous posts on this subject:
Art Show: Part One
Art Show: Part Two

Art Show: Part Two

As I mentioned in my previous post, my upcoming art show, Environmental Portraits features installation, along with drawn, stitched, and painted artworks that explore actual portraiture or present a portrait of our society or place runs from July 8 til August 5, 2016 at LARAC's Lapham Gallery in Glens Falls, NY.

I also mentioned I was in awe of the other artists I am paired with. Check out some of their work below & visit their websites!


Teri McCans

Teri McCans is an artist and firefighter living in Colorado. She is originally from New Jersey, and earned her BFA from the College of New Jersey. She served two combat tours in Iraq, as well.

Enigmatic, Equivocal by Teri McCans

From Teri's website: 

Teri transforms her interpretations into a visual language that is accessible yet befitting the world’s complexity. She finds immense joy when her work connects to those not accustomed to the world of Art. Although her work is influenced from personal narrative; her use of color, shape, and form is universal and recognizable.

Kamilah Campbell

Kamilah Campbell, originally from Philadelphia, she earned her BFA from Clemson University, and her MFA from Notre Dame University. 


The piece below is from an installation at Brozosport College in 2014, where Ms. Campbell taught Sculpture.

Ms. Lady by Kamilah Campbell

From Kamilah's artist statement: 

My work is an iteration of the African-American home where the beautiful and grotesque nature of its interior is represented in a physically and psychologically engulfing surface or space.

Susan D'Amato

Susan D'Amato earned her BFA from the University of Connecticut at Storrs and her MFA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is an Associate Professor at the School of Art at Syracuse University.

detail of The Taxonomy of Air; from the Ten Thousand Things by Susan D'Amato

From Susan's profile page at SU:

Susan D’Amato is interested the visual and conceptual relationships between the body and universal forms. She is the recipient of numerous national and international awards and has exhibited her work extensively in prominent venues throughout the United States and abroad.

As you can see, I am in some rather talented company! I can't wait to see the show. & I hope some of you will be able to come. 

Happy stitching!

Art Show: Part One

As some of you know, I am having my first ever art show. I am very excited & more than a little overwhelmed. I mentioned to my friend, Jon, that I was not sure if I should be scared, or flattered, to be featured with the three other artists, he said I should be both. & he is right (as he all too often is).

The show is called: Environmental Portraits & it runs at LARAC's Lapham Gallery in Glens Falls, NY July 8 through August 5, 2016. The Opening Reception is on July 8, 2016 from 5:00-7:00 PM.

Environmental Portraits features installation, along with drawn, stitched, and painted artworks that explore actual portaiture or present a portrait of our society or place.

Hopefully, if you are reading this, you are familiar with my work & are a fan. Over the next few weeks, I will share the work of my fellow artist, Kamilah Campbell, Susan D'Amato, and Teri McCans, with you. I have no idea what pieces they submitted in last year's call for art, but I can't wait to see their works alongside mine.

Here is a taste of a piece I am working on for the exhibition!

Trying to finish ip this piece to move on to the next one in the series. #embroideredportrait #embroidery #handembroidery #redwork

A photo posted by Tisha (@aprilsongstress) on Jun 9, 2016 at 4:25pm PDT

Happy Stitching!

Deep (needle)Work

Wow! It has been a really long time since I blogged. What is going on? Well, I could say...

"I've been busy."
"I'm in the process of buying my first ever house."
"It's the holidays."
"I have a teenager."
"I work three jobs."

But, you know what? These are all excuses. In the mist of all of this, I managed to get a promotion so I will only have two jobs. Plus, I have managed to find time to run every day for over a month. I have gone to concerts, movies, restaurants... I need to make time for embroidery. I need to schedule time. I need to be more productive. If I embroidery, I want to share it, like below. Has it really been 3 weeks since I've finished something? Uh, oh.

Finished the snowman. Now to wash & stuff & sell. #shopsmall #shoplocal #embroidery #handembroidery #redwork #snowman #pillows #toile

A photo posted by Tisha (@aprilsongstress) on Nov 18, 2015 at 10:38am PST

& I just read a blog post that got me thinking. The blog, Barking Up the Wrong Tree, is essentially a business blog, but most of the nuggets Eric Barker provides can translate into, well life. The particular post I read, "How to Manage Your Time: 5 Secrets Backed by Research", is based on a soon to be published book by Cal Newport called Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World.

So, how do I use this insight to help me focus on my embroidery?

• Don’t schedule distractions. Schedule deep work: I must schedule embroidery time! Time to design. Time to physically stitch. Time to complete the project.
• 
  
• Keep a scoreboard for deep work: I do this with running. I am currently running at least one mile per day, until the end of the year. I' keep ticking off the days & the miles (day 32, 61.2 miles). For embroidery, if I just start logging my hours, I could develop a better idea of my process.
• 
  
• Stop saying “yes” if you want to get things done: I just did this yesterday, before reading Eric's post. A friend emailed me about an upcoming craft fair, & wondered if I could do pieces related to the venue. I appreciate that she thought of me, & I considered saying "Yes." But, I did not. I would spend countless hours making things to sell, when I could be designing & embroidery my art. I said "No." 
• 
  
• Have a “Deep Work Ritual”: Hmmm. I will have to discover what this is. It may be running. I can't find the article right now, but I was just reading about how a quick run can help keep you focused at work. & another article talked about an increase in motor skills due to running which might help me prick my finger less. Ha!
• 
  
• Ask your boss how much time they want you spending on deep vs shallow work: Since I am the boss in this case- I would say 75%. I don't get a lot of embroidery related email, but I do have some basic business/bill stuff to attend to.

So, there you have it! My plan to be more productive embroidery-wise! With any luck it will spill over into other aspects of my life...

Happy Stitching!

The Big News: A Week Late... unless you follow me on Facebook

A great friend (Thanks Julie!) pointed out that I did not add my "Big News" announcement to my blog! Where is my head lately. Unfortunately, not in blogging mode. I had a lovely weekend in Vermont, as you can see below (images from my Instagram)

#meleenandcharlottesvermontgetaway on @aprilsongstress

& this weekend I am running a 200 mile relay from Saratoga Springs to Lake Placid with 11 other people I barely know. Crazy, right?

#RagnarADK 

& now for the big news...

My embroidered portraits will be featured in an upcoming art exhibition at the Lapham Gallery in Glens Falls, NY. This is my first ever art exhibition! My work will be shown along with pieces by three other immensely talented artists that I am humbled & flattered to be paired with. This is a major step in my, dare I say, art career.

I want to thank all of you for your support over the years. & a special thank you to the wonderfully supportive people in my life who inspire & encourage me to do things I never thought possible.

#embroideredportraits #artexhibition #embroidery#whatisart #bignews #imsoexcited

https://www.facebook.com/Aprilsongstress/photos/a.377598175642489.84854.377450278990612/871776676224634/?type=3&theater


I am so very excited about this opportunity!

Happy Stitching!

Announcement coming Monday!

Big, no HUGE, announcement coming Monday! I am so excited I can barely contain myself, but I want to make sure all of my ducks are in a row.

#bignews #imsoexcited

Happy Stitching!

A Movie to Stitch To: Part Two

You who have followed my blog for any length of time know that I stitch to movies quite a bit. I even use a hashtag #MovieToStitchTo that you can follow of Twitter, Instagram, & Facebook.

My tweets showing #MovieToStitchTo

 Below is an abstract piece I am working on for an upcoming gallery show I hope to get into. I shared it on Instagram, again using #MovieToStitchTo.

Tonight's #MovieToStitchTo is The Breakfast Club. #embroidery #handembroidery #abstractart #whatisart

A photo posted by Tisha (@aprilsongstress) on Sep 5, 2015 at 6:18pm PDT

For my previous post on this topic, check it out HERE.

Happy Stitching & Movie Watching!

Featured on another blog: Jane's Folly

My friend, & fellow blogger, Jane Weston recently asked me some questions about my embroidery & process. Here's a taste...

What was your favorite piece you’ve made?

“My favorite pieces are the embroidered portraits I do of my daughter. She takes great selfies. She’s so funny, sarcastic, smart, creative & beautiful. She inspires me every day.”

 

An embroidered portrait of my daughter, Fiona

 

Check out the whole piece on Jane's Folly.


Happy Stitching,

LocalFest in Glens Falls, NY in 4 days!!!

So, today I ironed many of my lovely embroidered portraits. Now to get them ready to sell at LocalFest on Saturday! I'm still working on the Sacagawea embroidered portrait & she should be complete. Plus I will be demonstrating my technique during the entire event. Each portrait takes 8-20 hours to embroider, depending on the level of detail.

Just some of the embroidered portraits you will see at LocalFest

For the schedule of events, including small business seminars, music, food, local authors, history lectures, as well as Shirt Factory studios & businesses, click HERE for the pdf, check out the Shirt Factory website, or see below! Guest vendors, like me, are not listed.

LocalFest 9/06/14 in Glens Falls, NY

From the Facebook event page:

Join us for our third annual LocalFest: Stuff Made Here, a celebration of all things locally-made!

The rain-or-shine FREE event is a diverse festival to honor the history and continued tradition of entrepreneurship and creativity that makes the greater Glens Falls region so special.

Click here to view the complete program: http://shirtfactorygf.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Schedule-of-events-2014.pdf

Here is what we have planned:

ARTIST DEMONSTRATIONS, SALES, FREEBIES & MORE INSIDE
Tour the four floors of The Shirt Factory and shop local and independent specialty shops, browse fine art galleries, view artists at work, and learn how this art is made. Free acupuncture, special sales and more!

LIVE MUSIC
We have a full day's lineup of acoustic local acts outside in our courtyard. Lineup TBA, but acts include Drew Wardle, Ramblers Home, Krishna Chandra, Luke Garrett, Cie M., Lilting Forward and Sonic Ascent. This is coordinated and emceed by musician and volunteer Stephen Gallucci.

FOOD & CRAFT BEVERAGES
Taste specialty foods and enjoy locally brewed iced tea, beer and wine.

GUEST ARTISTS, ARTISANS & BUSINESSES
Shop from guest artists and artisans outside on our lawn, and learn about your local businesses and what they have to offer. (This is where Aprilsongstress will be!)

FUN STUFF FOR KIDS
Area non-profits will be tabling the event with free children's activities, membership information and volunteer opportunities. There will also be a bounce house!

SHIRT FACTORY THEMED SHOW
Inside our Shirt Factory Gallery on the first floor, view Shirt Factory themed artwork by local artists in this juried show called "Shirt Factory @ 15," celebrating our 15th year as the arts and healing center we have come to be.

BENEFIT GLENS FALLS PLEIN AIR ART SHOW
In the hallway on our second floor, view and purchase art created "en plein air" (live, rather than from a photograph!) around the City of Glens Falls on the citywide Paint Out! 50% of proceeds from sales from this pop-up show benefit the Open Door's Code Blue emergency shelter efforts.

FREE BUSINESS SEMINARS
In Betty O'Brien's Watermedia Academy on our second floor, attend one or more free seminar to help small businesses. Presenters include SCORE, SUNY Adirondack, Edward Jones and others TBA.

PERFORMANCE STAGE
New this year: A second stage for performances! Acts include a dance demonstration by Adirondack Ballet Theater and a fight demonstration by the Society for Creative Anachronism. Note: We are still accepting additional acts for this stage!

HISTORY TALKS
In the Shirt Factory Gallery on our first floor, there will be local history talks during the morning. Presenters TBA.

AUTHOR READINGS
In Adirondack Quilts Too on the first floor, local authors will read from their works and sign books they have for sale. This is coordinated and emceed by author and volunteer Maury Thompson.

This event is made possible by our wonderful sponsors:

PLATINUM
• Adirondack Broadcasting
• The Post-Star
• Lawrence & Cooper, Inc.

GOLD
• Mannix Marketing, Inc.
• Glens Falls Chronicle
• Glens Falls National Bank
• Kingsbury Printing Co, Inc.

SILVER
• Irving Tissue
• Hill Country Observer
• Stewart's Shops

BRONZE

• City of Glens Falls
• PJN Photography
• Advokate
• SensibiliTeas
• Adirondack North Country Association
• Glens Falls Art, LLC. https://www.facebook.com/kateboyle.GlensFallsArt
• Craig Murphy Photography
• Rock Hill Bakehouse Cafe
• Glens Falls Farmer's Market
• Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council (LARAC)
• Mindful Massage @ The Lemon Tree Yoga & Healing Arts Studio
• Glens Falls Area Realty
• Downtown Glens Falls - Glens Falls Collaborative
• Ledge Rock Hill Winery
• Davidson Brothers Restaurant & Brewery

I hope to see some of you there!

Happy Stitching!

Batman Imagined: Embroidered portrait for Batman Day

Did you know that Batman Day is July 23, 2014? Well, it is. & one of our local libraries decided to do something about it. Crandall Public Library in Glens Falls, NY has a bunch of cool events lined up for Wednesday. Checkout the schedule on their Facebook page HERE.

OK, so what does this have to do with me as an embroiderer? Glad you asked. The Folklife Center sponsored a Batman art contest called Batman Imagined. I decided to enter an embroidered portrait of a Batman character. I chose Batgirl (aka Barbara Gordon, Commissioner Gordon's daughter) because 1.) she's a woman & 2.) she's a librarian (just like me on both counts).


My co-worker Dan thought this image would be great for an embroidered portrait. So, Using my typical method, I figured out the best lines & created my pattern.

Batgirl embroidery pattern

Next up, tracing the pattern with plain ole pencil onto white cotton muslin.

Tracing Batgirl onto white cotton muslin with pencil

Once the embroidery was complete, I tired a different technique for framing in the hoop. Using a 14" embroidery hoop, I backed the embroidery with purple felt & placed the entire fabric sandwich into the hoop. I like the effect much better than my previous method, however the felt is a bit thick. Maybe I will use flannel next time.

Finished portrait off to the show

Here is Batgirl, Superhero Librarian on display with some of the other artwork submitted to Batman Imagined in the Folklife Center Gallery of the Crandall Public Library. I went to check it out today with my daughter & a friend. Apparently, my piece is rather popular with the librarians!

Batgirl, Superhero Librarian in Batman Imagined exhibition

I didn't do it for the art contest. I did it to have one of my pieces on display in the exhibition. Awards will be handed out on Wednesday during Batman Day. I wish I could go, but I have to be a superhero librarian at my own library that night. (I'll let you know if I win anything..)

Happy Stitching!

Redwork Portrait Won a Prize!

Now that I have finished my newest work of art & submitted it to an actual, real-live art show, I figured I let you know how my last competition went. I don't mean to boast or anything, but isn't blogging about sharing? & I am so proud that my embroidery is getting some recognition now that I have stopped being scared & started putting it out there. This blog & you, my readers (& fellow bloggers), have helped me with that! So, "Thank you!"

Mom & I heard back from the DAR this week. Mom's Sunbonnet Sue quilt took 2nd place in the Quilt category in NY State! My redwork portrait pillow took 3rd place in embroidery. This was the essay that went with my piece:

Portraiture has been around for as long as art has existed. Pre-historic human figures were featured in the cave paintings of Lascaux (France), and the rock art of the Anasazi (Southwestern USA).  Throughout recorded history, wealthy people paid artists to render their likeness in oils, marble, and bronze. With the advent of photography in the Nineteenth century, and the subsequent advances in technology through the Twentieth century, more and more people, no matter their circumstances, were able to have their “pictures taken.” Because of the accuracy of photography, artists began the experiment with abstraction, cubism, and surrealism in portraiture. Today, my twelve-year-old daughter is better at snapping a “selfie,” or self-portrait, with her iPod, than I ever was at trying to capture her essence with my own digital camera.

As an artist, my media of choice are thread and fabric. I am an embroiderer focusing on redwork. A few years ago, after seeing the embroidered portraits of embroidery artist, Jenny Hart, I began stitching my own. I started out with a self-portrait, and then moved on to embroidered portraits of my daughter, and nephews. This particular embroidered portrait, Portrait of a Young Woman in Redwork, which I am submitting for your consideration, is a combination, and a continuation of all that came before. Based on a “selfie” taken by my daughter, this portrait is rendered in redwork by me. It is a modern representation of a girl coming of age through a traditional, folk art form popular from 1880-1930. By combining all of these elements, I am Honoring Our Heritage: Art through the Ages.

Below is the embroidered portrait I made of my daughter Fiona from the  selfie she took last year. Rendered in redwork, DMC floss #321, & sewed into a pillow using one of the fabrics from an Alex Anderson redwork fat quarter pack.

Redwork portrait pillow

My 3rd place certificate! My embroidery won't be headed to National this year, but I'm pretty proud of 3rd place. Let's see what next year's theme will be...

3rd place certificate