#B223 Fibercation – A #ReFab Workshop | The Dairy Barn Arts Center
— Read on dairybarn.org/product/b223-fibercation-a-refab-workshop/

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Lets make handmade paper. Well you got a few days, a strong back, and a holland beater?

It took us 3 hrs and four days and two people. And we had all the equipment, materials and supplies.

First cut up jeans into small 1″ squares then soak overnight. Then put into beater for 2 hrs at least. We started with 843 grams way too much. We ended up using 453 grams of jeans.

Once pulp is ready then decide, do you want to add pigment or string fibers or watermarks, tons of options.

Decide which mold and deckles you will use? We used different sizes very fun.

Set up big tubs or use a bath tub. One for water and pulp and one for rack to support mold and deckles, so they can drain.

Each sheet couched on to pelon. 

Once all sheets are couched then put in press.

Once pressed then they go into dryer boxes over night with fans on them.

We ended up with 79 sheets of paper and only used about a1/3 of pulp.

We have extra to make more paper at PaperCircle, Nelsonville, Ohio.

Heart of appalachia.

We love paper at Paper Circle.

Recycle, reduce, reuse!

What I want for Christmas is nothing.

I want off the roller coaster

I have enough

Travel is how I get my stimulus

time is the gift

Sit still

Luxurious

Stillness

Be

As we age excitement is found in what is

At any age

Like visiting ole friends

and new friends

Friends

Thanksgiving is all this.

One stitch at a time

One moment now

What choice you make is fixable

Okay take scraps of fabric and twine, string, beads, paper, pins and assortment of needles.

Cut twine long to be able to slip over your head. Fold fabric over or attach to twine. Start adding scrapes make a scene or abstract using color to guide you.

Tie a slip knot at the end of twine.

Two scrapes of fabric sewn together makes it stronger.

Now let it go of all the judging the comparing the hoping the fearing let it go.

Around and around we go .

Remember who you are dealing with

Don’t take it personal

Want a relationship

My boundaries are act of love

I know a new sense of belonging

I can not give another self esteem but I can show up for me

I see myself as equal

I am unique

Others do not provide my self worth

I am lovable

I am loved

I release my self from shame worry guilt regret

I speak up for myself

I am kind

This is what good parenting good healthy relationships and life can look like. These are simple steps that much be taken everyday. To keep open with love and forgiveness to yourself and others.

Saturday’s workshop was not well attended! But we had a great time anyways. This time we used soy wax it was nice. Soy is renewable biodegradable and burns cleaner. We used all kind of metal tools and cut up styrofoam left from other workshops. Wait let it drip a bit and then press into the fabric. We used cotton but I’ve tried it on silk and it does work. It’s so easy and so fun and every time I give a workshop I learn more an want to try more things.

First image used a tool, second the styrofoam tool and last a simple stencil.

Watch for other workshops through here or dairy barn arts center Athens Ohio.

It’s happening again, reinventing my life is what I used to call it. Going through so many emotions. Crying uncontrollably and feeling such anger. This summer gave myself permission to do art. It was grand but now school is starting and suppose to go back to teaching, and I need the money and discipline. Trying constructing a segue into art career full time and aging. Trying not to intellectualize it but just feel it. Changes are tough for me, for anyone. Do not do transitions well, so need to be loving towards myself. Find it hard to handle it all right now. The business of art and how who where to make a living is overwhelming. Navigating it all alone, this is it! Just occasionally I’d like someone to help me. Not do it for me or decided, but fix me a cup of tea. I ask a girlfriend recently just that and she said yes. So there you are. Letting go of always being in charge. Relaxing a bit might help. Letting it unfold. It’s so hard when it all rest on you. But does it? Where to ask for help where to share the load of life? In learning that you think being brave you do not need anyone when in fact its brave to ask for help? Knowing who and where to turn. Since often it’s a family that you have learned to rely on and they are no longer there. Braving a whole new world.

Having so much fun painting larger.  So here it is.  Actually felt like I was flying when I was in the studio working on this piece.  Have a ways to go yet on it before I abandon it as DaVinci says,  “Art is never finished, only abandoned.” I started it just before I left for Colorado to visit my family and help with the first annual farm to table dinner for Grow Girl Organic, Arvada Colorado. https://growgirlorganics.com/  They have a farm stand at 12229 W. 80th Ave. through September open from 9-1, on Saturday. It was a huge success and tons of work.  What was I thinking?  Excellent adventure.

 

Baton twirler

1960’s

The thing to do!

My process is one that is organic in nature. First I had an old painting with a silk work my daughter had done years ago. The frame was in good shape. I took this piece off , tons of staples, ouch. Where’s the screw driver and pliers.

Then I had a large canvas also stretched on a frame but it had a tear in canvas, no good. so it had to come off, did I mention, a screwdriver and pliers?

Once I had it off I measured it and cut it, then stretched it on the first frame, that I had taken the silk piece off of.

Once this was done I painted it with gesso, then it had to dry.

Once dry I sketched the picture onto it, I was intending to paint and was happy I captured the faces good and with expression the first time. This is not always the case.

I started painting and started thinking I should have made the people larger.

Two days in, I finally decided to paint over the first and do just that make the people larger.

Once I had painted I was again waiting for the canvas to dry when, I started thinking about the color pallet. I have used six colors for all the snapshots I have painted thus far. I like sticking with these as my base colors. By mixing them I can triple my choices.

I decided to make little square samples of the possible color combinations for reference.

This was harder than I thought.

It took me a couple times. I am waiting for them to dry and I will cut them up, label on the back then scatter them on a large white sheet of paper so I can really choose the colors I like together.

Will it be all blues and grays or red and purples? Only by looking seeing can I decide.

I see that it is okay in fact encouraged to start over if you feel it or need to. Let go of the past, mistakes or ideas and grasp new ones. It’s all part of my process.

Yesterday I was struggling up the road with a large box a young man was walking towards me and was on his phone. I heard him say just a minute he put the phone away from his ear and ask me if he could help me with the box somewhere. Wow so kind! Must of had great role models. But kindness is always in style. I was so grateful and told him so. I managed on my own. But I appreciate it very much!

Kindness is always beautiful and appreciated .