Sunday, August 22, 2010

Good Karma

Sometimes I feel like I'm giving too much of myself to others.... and then out of the blue, someone donates two perfectly wonderful table looms to the Center for the Arts - and they are entrusted to me for their rehab, care and feeding. What is given freely, comes back, doubled (I need to enhance my limited understanding of the Karma principles). I am humbled and giddy with excitement and looking forward to my next volunteer opportunity.

The little darling on the left is named Dorothy. She's still in production and retails for over $600. Dorothy's hidden bonus is that she folds down for easy transport (with a project on the warp) and will make a great road show/demo/show & tell loom - set her up in a minute. Dorothy has already received a detailed cleaning and wax job and is ready for her first warp.

The loom on the right lost his ID tags but is clearly an old Dick Blick/Art Craft loom. Solid as a rock, if seriously rusty & crusty in spots and needs a new warp beam. He'll take a little longer in rehab, but will be good to go in a couple of months... and be a good weaving companion for decades to come.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Tall Soy Latte Loom

After nearly a month of Summer Art Camp, I was able to spend most of the last week recharging my creative batteries - an interesting blend of yoga practice, mindfulness readings (Thich Nhat Hanh) and long walks (in DC, visiting museums and galleries). I feel great!

Not having access to all my usual toys, I was forced to improvise a creative outlet: a tall soy Latte cup, some red thread and little fingernail polish did the trick, at least for now.


Though there were many DC gallery highlights, the one that really kicked me up a notch was the Chuck Close show at the Corcoran Gallery.
Here is a link to just one of a number of reviews of his work. Enjoy!

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Summer Art Camp

Seems that I've been a little distracted lately.... 4 weeks of summer art camp can do that I guess. But, it's been a blast! I was able to help well over 100 kids (1st to 4th graders) learn the fundamentals of weaving on a 4 harness table loom. We made simple mug rugs the first 2 weeks and then got more creative exploring desert landscapes and oceans (of woven plastic bags).