A Quilter's Thumb: Making this Possible

So I've been spending my time embroidering the WWI portrait. Thanks to my Quilter's Thumb, I've been able to work on it day after day. I think that little piece of leather with a small round metal bit in the tip is the best invention in the world! I actually started writing an ode to it the other nite when I couldn't sleep, but sadly I forgot all those wonderful words when I woke.
But here are some not so fabulous webcam pictures of the work in progress. I know the quality isn't great, but it's a webcam, and it was accessible. Got a lot to do, so back to the grind.

Where is the upload cord for my camera???!

A PONY

I was so happy today to take some pictures of my new studio and the piece I am working on for "Archetypes" and I have only just realized that I have no idea where the cord for my camera is. Accordingly, I will upload some random and non pertinent pictures to CATCH YOUR EYE.
As I work with my invented archetype "Scientist/Warrior", I am forced to dig in and define what this means to me. Yes, it's true. I fantasize about a world where people are running around in loin cloths toting 12 foot spears and manufacturing lasers after dinner while reading "A Brief History of Time" but this piece is also about a duality I seek (unconsciously) in my friends and partners. A lustful combination of curiosity about the world, the thirst to acquire know-how, and courageous guts that propel one forward headlong into whatever is coming down the pike. Setting aside my surface level zeal for fighting and my science fiction based interest in HOW THINGS WORK, I am finding the creation of this archetype to be surprisingly relevant in many areas of my life...more later...and now, RANDOM PICTURES!


TIMI CIRCA A LONG TIME AGO

Weaving the Stories

I've been thinking a lot about the performance aspect of the my piece. I feel like I've been neglecting it as I try to finish the physical work. I have been using the concept of Grandmother Spider as inspiration for my piece. I have been rereading one of my favorite books, Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko. The book is written as a ceremony and emphasizes the importance of change and flexibility in order for the people to thrive and grow. It's a tough lesson, but necessary. The 'wise ones' (in this case, the matriarchs) have to change the ceremonies in order to keep the family safe and moving forward. Anyway, I have also been doing some online research to find other stories featuring Grandmother Spider. Below is an excerpt I found on this website http://www.herbshealing.com/herbal_ezine/September05/goddess.htm

THE WEB OF LIFE
by Taino Ti (I share the Spirit of the Earth with you)

When the Universe was still so dark that not even shadows could be seen in the night, Grandmother Spider sat in her web in the Sky World, waiting and watching. No one knows how old Grandmother Spider is, or how long she sat waiting for the Universal Mind to awaken. But, every Creature Being who has ever lived knows her song and dance as the weaver of the Web of Life.

From her web, Grandmother Spider observed the first thoughts as the Universal Mind awakened from the dream. Seven energy beings floated out from the shining light in the center of the Universal Mind and solidified into bright, shining stars who went out to take their places in the Sky World. Grandmother Spider took a very deep breath and softly began to sing her weaving song while she danced across the Sky. As she spun her thread, Grandmother Spider envisioned the Web of Life. Within moments, she had woven her web connecting the seven stars and creating the Spirit Doorway through which all of the rest of life would enter.

In Flux

Just when you think you're on the right path, Life pulls on the brakes and you find yourself making a U-turn. Or so it seems with me and Life at the moment. The New Year started off on a high note. I was feeling settled, safe and thankful. The previous year was pure chaos with many hills and valleys. I found myself holding my breath and wondering often, "What next?" The road seemed to even out over the holidays and the sun even peaked out from behind the clouds...I thought I spied a silver lining. And maybe I still do. Maybe Life is saying,"Well you tried plan A and it has brought you back to the same place. Why don't you try plan B this time?" Plan B takes a lot of courage though. Plan B involves mango trees, island time and immigration. I'm happy I have my artwork to distract me and my collective members to encourage me. The road is going to be a bit bumpy the next couple of months, but I'm trying to enjoy the ride.

A Productive Morning...

.... Leads to warm fuzzy feelings of moving forward.
So far today:
-I bought color cards and color knitting books from knitpicks. This yarn is the perfect weight and has a huge selection of colors, so I'm sure to find just what I'm looking for!
-A flower press that you put in the microwave to dry and press in one step, and they say the color retention is good. I'm now thinking that if I pre-press and dry the petals they will be easier to manipulate into my image. Now I just need to decide on the proper backing material and finishing coat. But I have a friend asking a friend who works in the floral design field for an professional opinion, so let's hope for a good answer!
-Plus i got some quilling paper and 2 books from amazon too, so i now have my materials for that piece too and I was totally inspired by this quilled typography that DJ sent me the link to

Plus the fact that as of this weekend I have the final layouts for each of the 5 portraits, which means I can start the pieces. Time to pick one, and begin. I'm thinking of starting with the embroidered one, since I have all of the materials here. Once I get the outlines penciled onto the fabric, it's just hours worth of stitching to go.

Hope everyone else is starting to feel that forward momentum towards their goals for this show!
-Meghan

"Working Woman"

I have finally figured out how to use this blog application. I am happy to report that I am a (fairly) new member of One Stone Collective. So far, I have found a great positive team and am thrilled for the adventures that lie ahead. So, a big shout out to fellow OSC members. Thanks for embracing me. I am busy thinking about the upcoming exhibition, These Role(s) We Wear exploring the idea of "Working Woman". I remember the first day I started college, my Mom telling me to become a nurse, while in the back of my head, I kept thinking about how my father said to become a construction worker. Somehow these words still permeate my thoughts and feed my work as an artist.

For this upcoming exhibition supported in part by Lehigh University, I am exploring "Working Woman” archetype using Rosie the Riveter as a point of departure. I am looking at the feminine and masculine aspects of the “Working Woman” in relation to my own experiences. My mixed media diptych, Shades of Tiffany Blue and Gun Metal Grey, includes nuts, bolts, nails, wood, watercolor, enamel and oil paints. Through this selection of industrial materials and stereotypical colors and my process of drilling, I am claiming traditionally male materials and processes to explore my personal notion of gender and stereotype. I use the drill as a tool to freely “draw” with—exploring the ideas of machine vs. aesthetics. I am transforming the act of “work” from male to female—the materials from male to female—the aesthetics of utilitarian and the everyday into beauty. Through this self-portrait, I hope to break down my own perceptions of society’s imposed gender ideals.

The image posted is a study for the diptych. Colors and materials will vary. I will post work in progress in the coming weeks.

Here is some info...

I don't have any imagery for you right now but here is a little of what I have collected as background and press release information for my piece...

Merissa Sincavage Seminara

"Multi-Tasker Mother"

Strength, Warmth, Energy, Energy, Energy

Silk, Acorns, Buttons, Wood, Leaves?, Wool, Cotton, Stainless Steel, Dyes, Pigments, Wax...

There are 2 components to this piece.

Both of them have objects, existing or created, symbolizing "strength, warmth and energy".

The hanging piece is a mobile representing air, heaven, future, creativity, thoughts, imagination.

The standing portion stands for earth, bound, stable, balance, grounded.

The piece developed from reading the myth of Persephone... and looking at the balancing she had to do between the worlds... heaven, earth, underworld. This resonated with me. I feel like a mother/multi tasker has this kind of juggling act.

masculine vs feminine and materials--

Well, my work tends to be very autobiographical. I seem to sick to what I know and who do I know best? myself (most of the time), a women, artist, mother, human... this is the work that I always seem most proud of and connected to. I love to make beautiful things and for others to view them the same but life is not always pretty and so neither is my art.

This piece is still very much about me but is outside my comfort zone in the fact that it is three dimensional. I tend to work 2D sticking to one surface and building on it in layers through surface design techniques. Strength, Warmth, Energy, Energy, Energy emerged on its own ,seemingly to me in the beginning. But has come to make some sense as a wade through all the materials I have been drawn to, the techniques I am employing, and life I have been experiencing. The materials have been chosen based on intrigue and my necessity to create objects that are symbols for key things in my life. These symbols are my own creation but with the knowledge that some of these objects already have strong symbolism, which I will try to be build upon and grow. I am going to use my objects to build three dimensional layers to stick to something that is familiar to me.

The piece grew from one piece, the mobile(1st component) to two after laboring over the idea of cyclical life. Persephone's life and how cyclical it was made sense and seems to be how most life is lead now. Day to day, beginning to end, life to death. Everything seems to have a start and and a finish. I wanted to be able to illustrate that idea in this work. It will be present in the gradation of color. This is something that is very obvious to me in the change of the seasons. Color changes, temperature shifts, life/daily chores change... another link to the myth of Persephone and and her seasonal life changes.

The grounded piece(2nd component) is an extension to the idea of cycle. The color gradation will continue through this piece linking them together but in some ways it does have a masculine feel to it. It will hold objects that are heavier, darker and more masculine in feel. It is more about strength, which in society tends to be a more masculine trait. So, that is my only link to masculine I am feeling/ feeling at the moment but my work really tends to evolve, especially this piece, so more may come up. I will let you know.

I hope you were able to take something away from all of this and make sense of it.

Happy New Year!

Progress

Well, it is the second day of 2010 and already it is 100% better than 2009. I was happy to host 3 One Stone Collective members and their families for a traditional sauerkraut meal. To be blessed with good food and good friends is something I'm eternally grateful for. And this little holiday vacation has been the best gift. I spent some time in PA with family and was able to come back to Brooklyn refreshed and inspired. I even got in some much cherished studio time. The second 'net' is well underway and things are looking lively. It's not the easiest to photograph so bear with...but I think you can get an idea of what's developing. Until soon...peace and wellness...