ACC Baltimore - elegance, design, and wild fun

ACC Baltimore was as inspiring as ever this year.  Part of that comes
from the amazing variety of work that is presented at the show.  You
can be overwhelmed by the incredible technique and sophistication by
work such as that by the ceramic artist Mariko Swisher pictured above.
Some of her elaborate geometric pieces takes over a month to
complete. Mariko's booth offers a serene environment and opportunity
to get to know this extraordinary and gentle artist: 

Or  be pulled in by the work of another ceramic artist, James Aarons
and  his "exploration of space" (James description of his new work.)
Intrigued  by urban spaces and movement within them, he says "the
main purpose of my work is to inspire curiosity and action". Movement
and action - not a surprise since James has also had an extensive career
as a modern dancer. 

Then, turn the corner to see funk and fun by Amy Flynn.  Her
one-of-a-kind Fobots  made from found objects are full of energy
and fun...reminding us not to take ourselves too seriously.

Or admit that serious fun is needed too.  A dramatic contrast from the
booths of Mariko and James, Amy's booth demonstrates how different
work requires a different approach to display.  Unfortunately I wasn't
able to visit with Amy at the show, hope to connect with her down the
road. I was able to talk at least a bit with Don Becker whom I met for
the first time at ACC Baltimore in 2010 when he had one of the small
alt craft booths. I  was pleased to see this puppeteer par excellence in a
full  booth this year:

By the time I took a photo of his booth, quite a few puppets and
sculptures had already lept off the shelves. One of Don's
puppets greets me every day as I walk into my studio.

And where does my work fit in the midst of these wild contrasts?
Perhaps somewhere inbetween. Here is an image of my booth
this year at ACC Baltimore taken by the photographer, Bob Barrett.

I had  Bob Barrett take some photos of individual pieces as well....I'll
share them in my next post.

Adventure on.    Wendy

HYCC community prayer flags for Obama

 Sorry for my delay in posting....I've just finished participating in the
Baltimore American Craft Council show and will post very soon about
its wonders.  But first, as promised, here are some images from the
Hawthorne Youth and Community Center workshop I helped with on
Martin Luther King day/Inauguration Day -  needless to say, quite a
day of celebration in our community.  Four years ago HYCC hung flags
for President Obama and his family wishing them well and sending our
hopes and prayers. We decided this second term, our President needed
our good wishes more than ever. 

      The afterschool children had been making flags in preparation
for this event.  Late afternoon on Jan. 21st., we invited the broad
community to come and create their own.  

It was a wonderful intergenerational event. Youngest participant under

2, eldest 80...which was wonderful for story sharing. 

 A lot of thought went into the flags.  Over 50 were created.

 

 

 

 

Once completed, we stitched them onto a  line so they could fly high

and send our thoughts to Washington D.C. and beyond. The evening

concluded with delicious food, song, discussion and more stories.

We hung the flags the following morning...a very windy day.so

we're sure our messages sailed on their way. 

 

Keep positive energy swirling....

and Adventure on.    Wendy

New friends, costumes and inspiration at Arisia

Reardon the Rambunctious rambled over to Arisia 2013 with me this
year where inspiration and creativity filled the air.  I was fortunate to
have my dealer table  next to that of  the Guest of Honor Artist,
Roger Dean .I was surrounded by his fantastic worlds and better yet
was able to get to know him and his equally amazing, multi-faceted
daughter, Freyja Dean. Freya and Roger had flown over from England
for the event. Friend Jud was manning his booth.  When talking to me
about my work, Freyja asked what sort of  environment I visualized
my creatures in. I had never  thought concretely about that. My
immediate answer, however, was that they very likely would exist in 
a world looking much like one of Roger's landscapes. What incredible
stories the scenes all hold. I have placed one of Roger's prints in my
studio to continue to contemplate the question. My words can't do
justice to either Roger or Freyja's work...so definitely check out their
websites. For a young person, Freyja has already explored many
roads. I'm going to enjoy seeing her path unfold in the years ahead.

As usual, creative costume design and diversity abounded at Arisia
from headdresses to hats

 
(Yes, that is one of my small dragon books finding a place to roost.)

to  entire outfits. Merida was there,a few satyrs and
other personalities

My favorite Batman was this guy with his 12 foot wingspread, opened
via a hidden lever.

Since I was set up  across from the booth of the Leather Lair
I was entertained by seeing Suzanne and Lithia entice
customers with cool designs.  Lots of great outfits
left .  It was also fun to see what outfits the Leather
Lair ladies showed up in every day:

I definitely could feel the presence of my costume designer brother,
Taylor.  He died over 20 years ago, but is definitely still around in my
work and challenging me forward.

During the art show opening, I was able to talk more to Eric Bornstein
of Behind the Mask  Going over to his studio in Sommerville to
explore activities there is definitely on my to do list for 2013:

Sales went well for me at Arisia.  Folks enjoyed my new boxes to keep
an "eye" on whatever you desire:

And I received some intriguing orders -like making a cover for a
customer's special edition of the Necronomicon by H. P.  Lovecraft. I
finished it today....A red/gold/black "shark" eye seemed appropriate.

 I also learned that my e-reader covers fit the mini I-pad and Samsung
Galaxy pad. Good to know that I'm keeping  up with new electronics,
even if somewhat by accident.

The last day of Arisia was MLK day and,of course, inauguration day.
So after packing up my table I was off to Hawthorne Youth and
Community Center to help with  a "Prayer Flags for Obama"
workshop and celebration.  I had worked with the afterschool kids
for the previous two Wednesdays, so by the end of the eve, we had
quite a wonderful selection.....Images of that in my next blog post.

2013 off to a good start here...I hope the same is true for all of you.

Adventure on.  Wendy

HYCC Sea Creatures in Boston's First Night Parade

Sea Creatures were the theme of Hawthorne Youth and Community
Center's contribution to Boston's First Night Parade this year.
Louie the Lobster (seen above) was our focal creature.  As for the
past few years, artist  Lisa Lee and I collaborated to facilitate
HYCC's  First Night Project funded through First Night.org 

We worked with HYCC's  after school program as well as led
Saturday workshops  including teens and adults. It's always a real
community effort to get everything finished and ready to parade.

Inspired by the organic crocheting structures of
Virginia Fitzgerald, I started working with the after school
kids ( age 5-11) teaching them to crochet in the early Fall
and was pleased to see all of them enjoy the process.(It's
rewarding to see a super active 9 year old go over to
his cubby and pull out his crochet hook and yarn on
his own. )  Thanks to a donation from Susan Thompson
of some of the yarn she received when weaver Theresa-India
Young  died, we had plenty of varied yarns and textures to
work with.  I think Theresa-India would have been pleased
with the use. Susan was happy to share and pass them on.

Everyone  loved making long chains.

Gradually a sea fantasy emerged with crocheted "seaweed",
fish, some jelly fish (made from shower curtain material)
strings of lights and more...all hanging from a hula
hoop. This is what the finished fantasia looked like in
the parade:

The children also each made individual fish or other creatures
to carry....made from a variety of materials....with of course
 glitter and paint. Large trash bags make great smocks. 

But as I said, our focal piece this year was Louie the Lobster.
Lisa Lee was the chief armature maker using chicken wire and
aluminum screen.  Made in two parts it grew and grew....In
the end Louie was a little over 10 feet long. The screening
was stitched with wire onto the chicken wire with inner
strong circular wire supporting it. 

Once the basic structure was set, it was time for glue and glitter:

Lots of people helped: 

Lisa mentioned our plans to the guys working on her apartment.  

They offered to construct a float with wheels to support Louie.  

A cooperative spirit is alive and well in our neighborhood.

We gave them specs and they were off to get materials.
Once constructed, the wooden frame was turned into
"water" for Louie:

and more detail was added. Louie wasn't bothered by

the hungry shark below.

Finally Louie was ready to move to the Hines auditorium
where the float assembly was completed

And last touches were added.

Louie's eyes are flashlights.  Blinking holiday lights had been
strung through Louie's body and claws at HYCC.  "Seaweed"
raffia was added,a few octopi, a bubble machine in the front
and a chair secured on the base so Sam Sadd, HYCC's coordinator
could ride and pass out Mardi Gras beads from boxes under Louie.
Finally Louie was ready to move outside:

Families and friends arrived, picked up their fish or other
creatures, and we went into the night to march with others.

There were over 40 of us behind the HYCC banner.
Walking in the parade is a long standing neighborhood
tradition, connecting  us to each other and to Boston at large.
Kids and adults have fun wishing everyone Happy New Year
while passing out beads and looking at all the other community
groups' parade items and costumes.  This year the Hot Tamale
Brass Band was behind us...great help to keep up our energy.

At the end we gathered to celebrate another successful
event. Then watched the family fireworks display!

Next year, Lisa thinks we should make something even bigger
for the parade.  Stay tuned for that! We're going to have to
work on HYCC's expansion plans.


Meantime, we're looking for a place to display Louie
for a while.

  Happy 2013 everyone...may it be a year filled with communities
working together!     Wendy