HELP — Blog: What's new and on my mind

The house we rented.

This winter my husband Ben retired from both of his jobs ~ University teaching and part-time ministry. To celebrate we went to the Bahamas for a whole month. We rented a little house on Long Island - part of the Lower Bahamas. The island is a little rough and rugged – having born the brunt of Hurricane Joaquin last fall. But the people were wonderful and the beaches were outstanding.It was a fantastic month of swimming, reading, and yes -embroidery on my linens. I got two pieces finished and 7 books read!

“HELP”- Embroidery on hand-woven linen

Now I am back home, deep in to studio work, teaching a few residencies, dreaming about gardens (it’s very cold out!) and writing proposals for grants and fellowships.Since I’ve been back I have been continuing to guide Well Used, Well Loved – the community art project I launched in January. Check out the blog link to learn more. In April I taught a Shifu paper spinning workshop so that the Paper Team could spin their words and images into thread. I am working on creating a Shifu tutorial for those project participants who are far away.

Shifu spinning workshop

Happy beautiful New Year to all!I LOVE the month of January – it is a time that feels unencumbered by holidays (apologies to MLK) and the weather often shuts down the frenzy of modern life. This is a time I hunker down in the studio, dig deep, inquire within and seek fresh solutions to old sticky habits. This fall has been particularly busy with my part time care-giving for my 94 year old mother. I am away from home and studio for two full days a week – thus portable art work is vital to my creative health.

“HELP” Letter H Fire

My current portable project is titled “HELP”. It is a series of 4 panels of white hand-woven linen – actually a re-purposed piece from the 90′s. Each panel has a hand sign for a letter (H-E-L-P) and each panel has an illustration of one of the 4 elements ( fire, water, earth, air). The inspiration for this work grew from the emerging refugee crisis and the relationship of this crisis to climate change.I’m still working on this project – but feel ready to share the first two letters – H and E.

“HELP” Letter E Water

On January 6th I will launch “Well Used, Well Loved” a community art project that explores age and beauty. I will put out a call to participate on that date – seeking 8 households (individuals or families). Check out the project blog to learn more!May you all enjoy a healthy and happy year ahead!

“HELP” Letter E Water.detail