Quote:
"Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be
experienced."
-Soren Kierkegaard
Dear Students,
Recently I decided to try to weave something completely
different and it didn't involve a single pine needle! Using
polished hemp as a core and a variety of dyed yarns, I
experimented with different shapes and ideas, finding many,
many times what didn't work. This meant cutting off the
"failures" and tossing them in the trash, and starting over.
Fortunately a few years ago I learned that there aren't
"failures" in creating art. "Failures" are just as important
as successes, because they teach what doesn't work, then you
can discover what does. So the "new me" didn't stress over all
the countless hours of coiling, coiling and coiling only to
trash the result. Each piece tossed in the bin was bringing me
closer to something better. I'm exploring new territory.....it
feels good and I'm having fun. But a few days ago I was
missing my pine needles, touching and inhaling the treasured
fragrance, so I temporarily put aside my newest endeavor and
picked up an unfinished pine needle basket. It felt like I was
holding an old friend.
I keep in my personal library an assortment of basketry
books that I enjoy thumbing through from time to time. Among
them is a series of 3 books entitled Basketry Roundup produced
by a wonderful, creative basketweaver and teacher, Shereen
LaPlantz, who passed away in 2003. The books are filled with
insightful, inspiring articles, photographs and instruction.
The titles are Basketry Round Up 1, 2 and 3 and I love all
three books (available from basketry suppliers). Recently I
decided to re-read the articles. I want to share excerpts from
an article entitled "In Search of the Form" by Jude Silva in
Basketry Round Up #2. She speaks about the importance of
"failures."
"When you're learning to be an artist, you are learning the
elements of discipline...how important is the starting and
finishing, how to express an idea, respect your materials,
find your rhythm, and honor what you do. That means honoring
both the successes and the failures. This element of failure
is the key to what's important about being an artist. I want
the opportunity to fail, because it's only then that I know I
have taken a risk in myself and in my work. As an artist I
cannot survive if I am not taking risks. In the early years
when the vessels started to come forth, there were not enough
hours in the day to explore forms and materials. I was clear
very early about what the vessel was to me...the vessel held
my creativity. There are times when the ideas have a mind of
their own. The idea becomes the leader and I must follow and
learn whatever skills are needed to make the image/form
happen."
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This past year I was part of a volunteer group who worked
hard to get enough signatures to get on the November ballot a
proposition "Humane Treatment of Farm Animals." We're thrilled
to have succeeded and its Proposition 2. If it passes, it
requires that the cages, crates and pens holding animals will
be at least large enough for the animal to stand up and turn
around. Currently millions of animals are crated/caged that
don't allow them to move! Its unimaginable torture. So if
you're inclined, please vote Yes on Prop 2. The animals thank
you. http://www.hu
manecalifornia.org/
My website was recently updated with images of some of my
new woven vessels. I'm weaving up a storm and actually have
more that aren't photographed yet. Feel free to take a look at
my website www.nadinespier.
com to see some new work.
HOLIDAY SALE!!!!!!!!!!!!! This year I'm going to offering
my first-ever Holiday Sale. From November 3rd through December
31ST all the pieces for sale on my website will be discounted
by 25%!!! This would be a great time to indulge yourself or a
loved one. More info to follow in my October newsletter.
If there are any art events in your community you would
like to see listed in my newsletter, please send to lovetoweave@cox. net.
On Sept 22nd Summer ends and Fall arrives, can't wait for
those crisp mornings.
Hope everyone had a good Summer,
Nadine
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THINGS TO DO
ArtWalk on the Bay-September 13 and 14 At the
Embarcadero Marina Park North (San Diego), this juried fine
art festival offers a beautiful waterfront venue to browse for
art while listening to live music. www.artwalkon
thebay.org.
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Public Art on San Diego Bay Through December 31st,
"Walking Figures" Magdelena Abakanowicz installationHarbor
Drive and 8th Avenue, Downtown San Diego
Abakanowicz is
one of the best known and respected sculptors of the 21st
Century, having installed more than 120 exhibitions in museums
and galleries world wide since her debut in Warsaw in 1960.
Her "Walking Figures" portrays 18 iron cast figures in
suspended movement with one foot forward, a poignant
representation of individual behavior within group movement
perfectly placed to be viewed by people walking by.
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"Forest Surfaces"
Through September 13
La Jolla
FiberArts
www.lajollafiber
arts.com
7644 Girard Avenue, La Jolla, (858) 454-6732
Kathyanne White combines digital expressions from actual
forests with textures, colors and shapes, then printing them
to various surfaces. Her forest surface pieces explore the
textures of the world's woodlands, with a depth of imagery and
expression. In her artist statement she says, "My visits to
forests that are home to the largest trees on the planet have
been the greatest experiences in my life. As a result, I am
compelled to express my vision of these forests. Photographs
of trees and their surrounding areas have transpired into a
series of work that stirs my spirit; comprised of compositions
depicting my response to the rich environment of these special
places. When I imagine and create the textures from these
forests, I can feel the excitement of being there. Visually
stepping into the composition of layers inspired by the
forest, I am captivated."
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September 7 10am - 5 pm
"A Finer Art Affaire" - over
150 artists booths and music Located in the Park at the corner
of Paseo Delicias and Avenida de Acacias in Rancho Santa
Fe
www.ranc
hosantafeartguild.org
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National Fiber Arts Show
262 E. Grand Ave,
Escondido
August 28 - October 3, 2008
The
Escondido Arts Partnership will present their first annual
Juried National Fiber Arts Show.
Intermediate Pine Needle Basketry
Handwoven Lavender Sachets
Facial Scrubbie Sachets