Lost in Mythology

So, I am still not fixed on my idea for our them archetype. I have just been swept up in research. Mother, of course, speaks to me but from there I have been all over the place. I think I have chosen a window but am very hesitant to make claim to it without knowing what the hell I am doing. Aaaaaahhhhhh!

Strong Women of Wars

So I've had one of those epiphany moments that wakens you in the night and forces you to write it down. Well, except for the fact that it was an early evening nap, and not at night that I was awoken, but you get the picture.
I want to make 5 pieces for our next show. Each of them will be made using a "traditionally feminine" craft technique: pressed flowers, knitting, quilting, embroidery & quilling. I want these pieces to be portraits of womens' roles during wars and the way they've been "allowed" to change over time. I want to do: The Revolutionary War Water Pitcher Ladies, The Civil War Bandage Rollers, World War I Red Cross Nurses, World War II Factory Workers & The current Iraq War Soldiers.
My plan is to use each of the techniques to make one of the portraits, so right now I am at the point when I searching for good reference images for each of the portraits I'd like to do, as well as searching out the materials I will need and the style for each technique.
I'm really looking forward to our next meeting, in a few weeks, but especially due to the fact that we are planning on visiting the NYS Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck. I've been wanting to go for years, and couldn't think of a better group to go with. And right about now, it's all you guys you are so supportive, that is making all this job and house stuff easier, Thanks!
-Meghan

We've come to fish the herring fish that live in this beautiful sea

My studio mate made an interesting comment the other day about the piece I'm currently working on. She said that it reminded her of fishnet stockings. Hmmm...I said to myself...so very true. It looks very much like a fishing net rather than a spiderweb. My head filled with images of older women attempting to make themselves look younger by wearing younger style clothing often out dated, too tight or otherwise unflattering. I also started to think about the old addage, "There are always more (better, richer, wiser, younger) fish in the sea." My mind is reeling with ideas for how this piece can fit into our upcoming show. I've done my best to take a few pictures but it is a difficult piece to try to document and capture with my little camera. The shadow cast will be just as important an element as the physical materials. I'm hoping to exploit the stretchy nature of the rubber bands and display it in some very dynamic ways. It is all very exciting. I'm hoping the Collective can come for a studio visit to get the full impact of the piece. Until soon...

Musings in the Autumn Sunshine

As I sat drinking coffee in the late autumn sun today, I had a lot of time to reflect on the various new opportunities that are before us as a collective. I'm excited about this new journey and the many people who are supporting our efforts. Although we have yet to decide a specific topic for our next show, I am intriqued with this idea of evolving archetypes. I am particularly interested in exploring the archetypes of Matriarch or Healer/Shaman. I have been rereading my books on feminist theory and Native American studies and have found the recurring theme of 'Thought Woman' or Grandmother Spider...spinner of the people's histories and ceremonies fascinating. I've also been talking with family members and friends who have some revealing information about what happens to family connections when the matriarch is gone. Many have told me that the family literally becomes unraveled. In thinking about these ideas, I've begun to weave a web or net in my studio. It has become mediative and calming to work on. And as I work, I think about my own ceremonies/rituals/traditions and the roles the women in my family have played in keeping them alive.

The second archetype that interests me is the idea of the woman as Healer. I find it interesting that within the family unit, the woman takes on the role of healing/caring for the sick family members but the practice of medicine as a profession is still predominantly male. I'm also curious to explore women's inclination towards wholistic and "natural" healing treatments. I have a number of ideas for sculptures that would explore this theme, but nothing too tangible yet.

Apart from reading, I've also been looking for art images that speak to these ideas as well as critical art writings. Some of my favorite images are by collage artist Romare Bearden in which he evokes the idea of "Conjure Woman". Conjure Woman is a African American concept of Woman Shaman that was prevalent in Southern culture. I've attached some images of his work above.

I'm hoping to have some images of my work posted soon. Until then...peace and wellness...

Thinking in Circles

I just returned to the Grail this past Saturday to visit the show with my family. Despite the wet weather this summer, the work is holding up well. (En)Compass looks like it has been visited by many a wild critter and perhaps slept in or rolled upon, shuffled through and certainly walked around. There is a nice trampled path around the piece...I imagine the wild woman of the woods coming to visit for a game of ring around the rosey. I certainly played it with my son and parents on our visit. This piece, the visit with my family and our new theme has me thinking of cycles...life cycles in particular and the cyclical nature of well, Nature in general. Maybe it's my summer of stay-at-home-mom-dom sneaking in as well. It's generally assumed that women want to be mother's and reproduce...create a lineage and legacy. I have to admit that this wasn't a particular goal of mine before having a child, and I often scoffed at those who pressured themselves to produce "heirs" by a certain age. As a mother, I now understand (a little better) where these women were coming from. There is something incredibly beautiful (not to mention) powerful about being able to create life. It does link a woman to something deeper...primordial...ancient...No wonder we were worshipped once upon a time! Yes, Gaia, Demeter, Athena, Changing Woman, Grandmother Spider...she is in us.

I have been rereading two books "Women Who Run with the Wolves" and "Ceremony" to reconnect with the wild woman archetype. I haven't had much studio time in this "Summer of Cy" but I'm looking forward to exploring this new theme.

Meghan's Research...

... or lack there of.
Okay, so I admit it, I haven't spent a lot of time researching the Stillman's or archetypes the last few weeks. I took a look at the painting of the sisters at The Brooklyn Museum


Other than that I've been doing some mental research. I've been thinking about dichotomy's and 2 halves to a whole and those sort of thoughts that were all inspired by the sisters painting, and by knowing the one sister went on to be Thayers' model of an angel in his later work. So I've been thinking about good and evil, heaven and hell, left and right.

But I am looking forward to finding out more about the sisters. I can't wait for our historical society trip!
But one thing I haven't been able to find: what were the sisters names? I'm guessing one was Bessie G. Stillman, but that is only speculation.

So, I don't have much to report right now.  I just returned for teaching art summer camp in Pennsylvania.  That was a great experience and I hope to develop something career-wise from it BUT I can't wait to get started on our new project.

 ARCHETYPES based on STILLMAN SISTERS 

I must admit I have not done any research or had the chance to read any of the other member's research but I can say, the Stillman Sisters at one time owned the estate the Grail at Cornwall-on-Hudson is now located.  They have been refer to as "spinsters" yet seem to be very inspiring women.  Who were very involved in the arts.  Just my kind of ladies!

I would also like to report I spoke to my sister, Heather Sincavage-another one of our members, and she is working very hard to include us, One Stone Collective, in the women's identity events she is working on in conjunction with Lehigh University.  All of her programming will be going on during Women's History month, April, in Bethlehem, PA.  Heather was looking for a possible venue for us to be able to show our new works for that month.  That means, if this happens, we need to get our works together by the 3rd week of March so we can get into all the publicity and set up our works and hopefully put together a formal show brochure.  All of this is still pending and Heather is waiting to see if a budget is approved.  Once the school year begins we should know more on this front...

One more thing, Heather missed our last meeting because she was at an incredible women's funeral, Bernadette Cozat.  Heather had worked with Bernadette and 21 other women to create a piece/grant regarding their identities.  While meeting with this particular women, she had mentioned opening a lecture for a women's group in NYC kinda like this:

 "If you cannot look within the mirror and see Isis, Gaia, Athena or any goddess then it is time to find her.  It is not until YOU see your divinity that other people can recognize it."

Peace.