Tidal River Installation, Day 1

This was the day I had been waiting for: installation of my project at the new public library.  Shortly after 10am the crew had the scaffolding and all the necessary tools in place, and got started.

The first silk organza panel being leveled.  They hang on aluminum rods suspended on thin steel cables which are threaded thru eye-screws fastened to the ceiling.

The wall above the circulation desk is curved and the ceiling slopes, making measurements tricky and time consuming.

The second panel going up.

Watching the boys way up there was very nerve wracking!

By 3pm, 7 of the 12 panels were up and we have a sure shot at completing the installation tomorrow.  Please join me for Part Two and the finale in my next post.

An Extra Day

Monday was a holiday here in the United States, and so, a break from the Mighty Mighty Day Job.  I worked on my silk project at the studio instead. 

My calculations and notes from the prototype design stitched last week, hand-dyed silk organza panels on the left.

The panels dyed up really beautifully.

I drew the cutting line on freezer paper, and traced it onto the silk with pencil.

At mid-afternoon, one third of the panels were edge-finished, and the beauty of the early autumn afternoon drew Flossy and I outdoors.

Mushroom season is upon us.

My friend had a camp set up out the road, and we stayed for a hot dog picnic after walking the Dogs.

A Forest Spirit we met in the beach fringe.

I am beginning to get ready to travel a week from tomorrow.  

Lots of things on the list of things to do.  

Happy mid-week to all!

Change in Plans

Sometimes a plan doesn’t work out.  My big idea for big origami wearable art was unsatisfactory, so I have moved on to another scheme.  I cut up a rayon dress acquired at the last clothing exchange and started sewing, painting and pondering.   

The silk organza triangles I stitched together became dimensional in a surprising and much more interesting way than I imagined. 

 My goal for this project is to use only what I have on hand in the studio already.

Stewart Gill textile paints come in a glitter flavor with amazing properties of transformation.  I used them liberally to enhance the plain rayon.

Here is a glimpse of the front of the dress early on in the process this week.  The rest must remain a secret until after the wearable art show next month.

Ever have to change your plan?  I'd love to hear about it.  Happy weekend to all!

Installation

Yesterday was finishing day for the flames project.

First thing, I painted the wooden hoops the silk hangs on with acrylic paint. The diameters are 12, 14 and 16 inches.

 I did some experiments to figure out how to best finish the lower edges of the silk forms.  Angelina fibers adhered with a clear  fusible product called Trans-web was the way I chose to go.  (I remembered to take notes for a change)! 

 This morning my good friend S helped me hang the finished piece at our church.  This is looking from the rear of the church toward the alter.

This view is from our balcony.

Looking toward the rear of the church, we enter through the double doors, and walk under the sculpture.  Pentecost Sunday is this weekend, and we are ready!

Silk Organza Flame Project, Continuing

I want to show you the progress made on my Pentecost flames.  Last week I posted the silk resting in dye pots. 

The organza on the ironing board, with tissue lame adhered with fusible webbing.

Detail of hanging layers #1

Detail of hanging layers #2

Detail of hanging layers #3

Right now I have all three sections pinned on a clothes hanger.  Tomorrow I will attach them to circular frames at their tops and finish the assembly.  I hope to get it hung in the church by Friday.

Departures

The snow has been leaving over the past couple of weeks.

Today the Sailor left, too.

Both will be back in the fall.

Flossy and I will keep the home fires burning.  I have lots of projects to keep me from moping too much.

This pile of lovely organza is waiting to be dyed for a design I have in mind - a large hanging Pentecost fire.

I love organza, so cloud-like

and floaty.

What's New

What a busy week, finishing a big project!  Here was the morning sun striking Kupreanof Island across the Wrangell Narrows from our house when I got home from my morning walk at 6:20am.

I got right off to the studio, and by noon time, had all my 'personal use' jelly fish sculptures completed after many many intense hours over the last three weeks.

 'Green Jelly Fish'; 6" diameter at top, 24" long plus tentacles, hand painted silk organza and fibers

'Green Jelly', detail

 'Red Jelly Fish'; 4.5" diameter at top, 24" long plus tentacles, hand painted silk organza and fibers

 

'Red Jelly Fish', detail

 'Blue Jelly Fish'; 3" diameter at top, 24" long plus tentacles, hand painted silk organza and fibers

 

 'Blue Jelly Fish', detail

 

 Here they are all together, wafting in the wind over my studio table.

After all that hard work, a lovely late afternoon walk...

and a splendid sunset over Petersburg harbor.  Rest well, gentle reader - my dog and I certainly will!