Are You Listening? - Haiti Relief Song

The horrific loss of  life and tremendous physical destruction of Port-au-Prince are mind boggling. The video below attests to it with emotion and passion. No one with a soul can listen to or view it without being tremendously moved.

"Are You Listening: A Love Song for Haiti" - Kirk Fanklin & Friends

But there is also another unimaginable price that not only Haitians but the entire world of art will now have to pay...

A Cultural Agony in a Nation Where Art is Life
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jan/24/world/la-fg-haiti-artists24-2010jan24

Vibrant Haitian Art Vanishes in the Dust
http://www.miamiherald.com/416/story/1443999.html

Quakes Toll on Haitian Art, Heritage and Income
http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/01/29/haitian.art.lost/index.html

Unesco Urges Ban on Trade of Haitian Art
http://www.artinfo.com/news/story/33793/unesco-urges-ban-on-trade-of-haitian-art/

EXAMPLES of HAITIAN TEXTILE ART (sequined vodou flags are the best known examples):

Drapo Vodou: Haitian Vodou Flags (scroll down for many examples - click on pictures for close-up views)
http://www.indigoarts.com/news_drapovodou2008.html

Haitian Art - Voodoo Flags - click on pictures for close-up views
http://www.nigerbend.com/catalog.php?cat=42

The Power of Haitian Art - click on pictures for close-up views
http://rosalindcummingsyeates.blogspot.com/2010/01/power-of-haitian-art.html

Branding for Artists

"...branding is important because it allows your art, your lifestyle, and your passions to be displayed as a uniform strategy. It is a "holistic" approach to your art that allows a symbiosis between your personality and your artistic expression."  from How to Create an Artist's Brand 

How to Create an Artist's Brand - Kelley Stevens
http://www.nowpublic.com/style/how-create-artists-brand

Branding 101 for Artists: How to Create a Strong Brand for Yourself and Your Art - Gregory Peters
http://emptyeasel.com/2009/03/02/branding-101-for-artists-how-to-create-a-strong-brand-for-yourself-and-your-art/

Branding: The Importance of Name Recognition - Jennifer Walling
http://artcafe.net/?p=174

Is Branding Important for Artists? - Olga Slavkina
http://www.schmoozyfox.com/2009/10/is-branding-important-for-artists/

What Do We Have to Say? - Barrett Yeretsian
http://artistempowerment.com/what-do-we-have-to-say/

Diving Deeper in the Ocean of Your Brand - Barrett Yeretsian
http://artistempowerment.com/diving-deeper-into-the-ocean-of-your-brand/

The Artist and the Brand - Jonathan E. Schroeder (This is an abstract of a paper in the European Journal of Marketing - click the "One-Click Download" link at the top of the page to download the full article to your Adobe pdf reader).
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=690270

Social Media Branding for Artists - George Aiello

Part 1
http://www.artistpresentations.com/blogs/george/616/social-media-branding-artists-part-1

Part 2
http://www.artistpresentations.com/blogs/george/788/social-media-branding-artists-part-2

Brand Yourself as an Artist on Twitter - Lori McNee
http://www.finearttips.com/?p=1809

Print Your Own Fabric Resources

Textile artists have long bemoaned not being able to find just "the right fabric design" or "the right color" to suit what's in their "mind's eye" for their art. An increasing number of companies are using newly available technology to address these needs.

From swatch size to yardage up to 20 yards or more, having your own designs printed onto your choice of fabric is now a reality without the size, color, equipment expense and other limitations (or hassles) often associated trying to do this using home-based printers.

The choices for the type (as well as weight) of fabric on which your design can be printed are many, including cotton, linen, silk, polyester, rayon, suede, ramie, hemp and wool. Organic cottons, bamboo & cotton knits also are available.

Certainly its not inexpensive ($16.25 - $33.00/yard), but these costs are no higher than the hand-dyed and other specialty fabrics we often purchase. With exception of some of the specialty fabics (e.g., 100%bamboo and 100% organic cottons), there are no mininum yardage purchase requirements.

Following are the three companies of which I am aware that currently offer these services:

Fabric on Demand
http://fabricondemand.com/

Karmakraft
http://karmakraft.com/

Spoonflower - This is the first company to get into the field (in October 2008)
http://www.spoonflower.com/welcome

Textile Related Tutorials - Part 5

Despite my hiatus from blogging for the past few months, textile artists have continued to freely share their ideas, inspirations and techniques. So my return to the blogosphere begins with some great additional tutorial resources.

    Previously posted tutorials made available through the generosity of textile artists               Textile Related Tutorials - Part 4  
               Textile Related Tutorials - Part 3
               Textile Related Tutorials - Part 2
               Textile Related Tutorials - Part 1
 
Texture Magic Demo Book - Superior Threads has produced a 14 page tutorial on how to use the Texture Magic product (Texture Magic is sewn to the fabric of your choice. When steam is applied, the Texture Magic shrinks about 30% in all directions, causing your fabric to change into a textured material.
http://www.buffalums.com/Texture-Magic-Demo.pdf

Texture Magic Videos - in a 3-part series of demos (approximately 9 minutes each), Patsy Thompson shows how to use Texture Magic to create dimension in fabrics.
http://www.quilt-video.com/2009/10/16/texture-magic/

Water Soluble Fabric & Machine Embroidery - 24:14 minute video with Anne Griffiths - shows both general and in-depth information about her process with many examples of her techniques.
http://www.countrychannel.tv/player.php/?player=TheNewCountryChannel&ct=1&ids=299054

Landscapes Using Foils & Velvets - 24:53 minute video with Angie Hughes about creating landscapes using velvets and foils - shows both general and in-depth information about her process with many examples of her techniques.
http://www.countrychannel.tv/player.php/?player=TheNewCountryChannel&ct=1&ids=299153

Free Machine Embroidery - 24:40 minute video with Linda Miller - shows both general and in-depth information about her process with many examples of her techniques.
http://www.countrychannel.tv/player.php?channel=countrychannel&program=298305

Cold Water Dyeing - 24:51 minute video with Myfanwy Hart - shows both general and in-depth information about her process with many examples of her techniques.
http://www.countrychannel.tv/player.php/?player=TheNewCountryChannel&ct=1&ids=298898

Creating Surface Through Slashing - 23:36 minute video with Fay Maxwell - shows both general and in-depth information about her process with many examples of her techniques.
http://www.countrychannel.tv/player.php/?player=TheNewCountryChannel&ct=1&ids=297884

Melting/Fusing/Burning to Create New Surfaces - 24:31 minute video with Kim Thittachai - shows both general and in-depth information about her process with many examples of her techniques.
http://www.countrychannel.tv/player.php/?player=TheNewCountryChannel&ct=1&ids=297735

Creating Landscapes - 23:46 minute video with Gilda Baron - shows both general and in-depth information about her process with many examples of her techniques.
http://www.countrychannel.tv/player.php/?player=TheNewCountryChannel&ct=1&ids=296822

Silk Painting - 25:07 minute video with Jill Kennedy - shows both general and in-depth information about her process with many examples of her techniques.
http://www.countrychannel.tv/player.php/?player=TheNewCountryChannel&ct=1&ids=296704

Furoshiki Gift Wrapping - 2:44 minute video about how to wrap your presents in cloth which can be used again and again to avoid using wrapping paper which rarely can be recycled. Using it to wrap books, bottles, and a box of chocolates are demonstrated. Also demonstrated is how to create a no-sew carry-all bag.
http://vimeo.com/2321507

Textured Leaves - Carolyn Saxby - This is a step-by-step tutorial (with many close-up pictures) for creating very unique and interesting textured/dimensional leaves from mixed media including felt, fabric scraps, chiffon, organza, silk, plastic, carrier bags, metallic fabrics, etc. using machine and hand embroidery techniques.
http://carolynsaxby.blogspot.com/2009/07/mixed-media-textiles-tutorial-leaves.html

Making Beads with Tyvek, Cellophane, Angelina Fibres and Metallic Threads - Carolyn Saxby - step-by-step tutorial with close-up pictures
http://carolynsaxby.blogspot.com/2009/06/making-beads-with-tyvek-cellophane.html

Making Beads from Tyvek - Carolyn Saxby - step-by-step tutorials with close-up pictures
   
        Part I - http://carolynsaxby.blogspot.com/2009/04/tutorial-making-beads-from-tyvek.html
        Part II - This is the same method but shows how to add lustre & sheen
                      by incorporating metallic threads
                    http://carolynsaxby.blogspot.com/2009/04/this-post-follows-on-from-previous-post.html

Making Beads from Cello Sweet Wrappers, Angelina Fibres and Metallic Threads - Carolyn Saxby - step-by-step tutorial with close-up pictures
http://carolynsaxby.blogspot.com/2009/06/making-beads-from-cello-sweet-wrappers.html

Making Beads with Angelina Fibres - Carolyn Saxby
http://carolynsaxby.blogspot.com/2009/06/making-beads-with-angelina-fibres.html

Making Beads from Plastic Carrier Bags and Cellophane Sweet Wrappers - Carolyn Saxby - step-by-step tutorial with close-up pictures
http://carolynsaxby.blogspot.com/2009/06/making-beads-from-plastic-carrier-bags.html

Curved Binding - Sharon Schamber - video step-by-step instructions in 5-parts about how to apply difficult curved bindings.

Part I - 9 minutes
http://www.quiltstream.com/play/Sharon_Schamber_Videos/Curved_Binding_Part_1


Part II - 9:36 minutes
http://www.quiltstream.com/play/Sharon_Schamber_Videos/Curved_Binding_Part_2


Part III - 9:29 minutes
http://www.quiltstream.com/play/Sharon_Schamber_Videos/Curved_Binding_Part_3


Part IV - 9:49 minutes
http://www.quiltstream.com/play/Sharon_Schamber_Videos/Curved_Binding_Part_4


Part V - 4:36 minutes
http://www.quiltstream.com/play/Sharon_Schamber_Videos/Curved_Binding_Part_5

Beading by Machine - Terry White - This 9:12 minute video demonstrates her methods of machine beading
http://www.bonniemccaffery.com/wordpress1/?p=66

Lettering with Lisa Engelbrecht - This 10:06 minute video shows how Lisa adds beautiful lettering to fabrics
http://www.bonniemccaffery.com/wordpress1/?p=60

Photos on Fabric with Maggie Grey - In this 10:07 minute video, Maggie demonstrates one of her techniques for transferring photos to fabric
http://www.bonniemccaffery.com/wordpress1/?p=61

Demo! Flour Paste Batik - Bridget Benton
http://eyesaflame.blogspot.com/2008/06/demo-flour-paste-batik.html

Mounting & Framing Tutorials - Lyric Kinard
http://www.lyrickinard.com/tutorials.html

Katazome & Nassen - Akemi Nakano Cohn (a pre-eminent Japanese textile printing/dyeing technique expert) has started a blog in which she answers questions and shares information about these techniques.
http://www.akeminakanocohn.blogspot.com/

Wholecloth Facing Quilt Finish - Brenda Gael Smith
http://serendipitypatchwork.com.au/blog/2008/02/02/wholecloth-facing-quilt-finish/

Continuous Binding Without Bulges - Brenda Gael Smith
http://serendipitypatchwork.com.au/blog/2008/04/01/continuous-binding-without-bulges/

Mitred Facing Tutorial - Brenda Gael Smith
http://serendipitypatchwork.com.au/blog/2008/05/27/mitred-facing-tutorial/

My Favorite Quilt Facing Finish - Brenda Gael Smith
http://serendipitypatchwork.com.au/blog/2009/01/13/my-favourite-quilt-facing-finish/

Facings for Quilts - Jeri Riggs
http://jeririggs.blogspot.com/2008/02/facings-for-quilts.html

Art Quilt Binding - Robin Ferrier
http://quiltantics.blogspot.com/2007/06/art-quilt-binding.html

Zigzagged Edge Finish instead of a Binding - Terry Grant
http://andsewitgoes.blogspot.com/2007_11_01_archive.html

Escape Hatch Finish - Melody Johnson
http://fibermania.blogspot.com/2009/02/escape-hatch-finish-i-had-request-from.html

Machine Quilting FAQ - Melody Johnson
http://fibermania.blogspot.com/2005/12/machine-quilting.html

FAQ on Fusing - Melody Johnson
http://fibermania.blogspot.com/2005/12/qa.html

Steps to fusing a Pattern - Melody Johnson
http://fibermania.blogspot.com/2005/08/fuchsias.html

Fusing a Design - Melody Johnson
http://fibermania.blogspot.com/2006/01/psst-two-new-workshops-are-now.html

Using Teflon Pressing Sheets for Fusible Applique - Valerie Hearder
http://www.valeriehearder.com/teflonprint.htm

Fusing with LiquidThread (formerly Liquifuse) - Terry Grant
http://andsewitgoes.blogspot.com/2006/04/my-fusing-method.html

Portable Design Wall - Melody Johnson
http://fibermania.blogspot.com/2005/03/portable-design-wall.html

Quilt Blocking: A Short Tutorial - Nadine
http://www.dreamweavers-quilts.com/quilt-epiphany/2008/11/16/quilt-blocking-a-short-tutorial/

Batik for Complete Beginners - Lois Parker
http://www.thetextiledirectory.com/newsarticle/Batik-for-complete-beginners/image/6/

Fun with Shaving Cream & Tsukineko Ink - 8 1/2 minute Youtube video - Trish Stuart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJaFykdSL8A

How to Marble Fabric on Shaving Cream - 5 minute YouTube video - Mr. Marble shows how to use Tsukineko Inks on Shaving Cream to marble fabric and create original designs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhBJiQjn3zA

Machine Trapunto Part 1 (Preparing the Quilt Top for Trapunto) - 7 1/2 minute YouTube video - Pat Sern
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_wgE74Mro4

Machine Trapunto Part 2 (Machine Quilting & Embroidery) - 8 minute YouTube video - Pat Sern
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZracYi4ooI

How Not to Pack a Sewing Machine - Bob Bannen - This is a factual account (with pictures) of how an antique sewing machine he ordered had been packed.
http://www.sew2go.com/hownottopack.htm

Packing Sewing Machines to Arrive Safely - Bob Bannen - Instructions on how to pack antique and collectible sewing machines for shipment
http://www.sew2go.com/packingseries.htm

Safely Pack and Ship a Sewing Machine
http://www.instructables.com/id/Safely-pack-and-ship-a-sewing-machine./

Working with Difficult Threads - Linda Schmidt - Gives excellent information - Click on the "Filament Fantasy" link
http://home.comcast.net/~shortattn/filament_fantasy.htm

Textile Related Tutorials - Part 4

More tutorials made available through the generosity of textile artists

Textile Related Tutorials - Part 3

Textile Related Tutorials - Part 2

Textile Related Tutorials - Part 1

Needlepoint Lace Tutorial - This tutorial will show you how to create a small piece of needlepoint lace just using a needle and thread (mostly out of buttonhole stitches).
http://textiledreamer.wordpress.com/needlepoint-lace-tutorial/

Introduction to Extreme Needle Felting
http://www.quilterskeeplearning.com/Beths%20stuff/Introduction%20to%20Extreme%20Needle%20Felting-1.pdf

Faux Stone Effect on Fabric
http://www.quilterskeeplearning.com/Beths%20stuff/Stone%20Effect%20on%20Fabric.pdf

Photo Transfer with Hand and Brush Cleaner - Beth Wheeler http://www.quilterskeeplearning.com/Beths%20stuff/Image%20Transfer%20Tutorial-1.pdf

Foiling Fabric with Bonding Powder
http://fibreinform.com/documents/bondingpowder.pdf

Foiling Fabric with Fusible webbing
http://fibreinform.com/documents/fusiblefoil.pdf

Foil with Fusible Vilene
http://fibreinform.com/documents/basicfoiltutorialcarol.pdf

Guide to the Basics of Beading and Embellishment - Betty Blais
http://www.embellishmentvillage.com/UserFiles/File/free%20guide%20to%20beading.pdf

Using Adirondack Alcohol Inks on Fabric
http://www.joggles.com/alcoholinksonfabric.htm

A Primer on Gels, Mediums & Pastes - Jessica Rich & Barbara Strembicki
http://www.joggles.com/gelsmediums.htm

Working with Lazertran - Barbara Strembicki
http://www.joggles.com/lazertran.htm

Experiments with Lutradur - Barbara Strembicki
http://www.joggles.com/lutradurtutorial.htm

Image Transfer [rust dyeing] - Lois Jarvis
http://rust-tex.com/html/image_transfer.html

Mounted on Plexiglass – Lyric Kinard
http://www.lyrickinard.com/mounted_on_plexiglass.html

Mounted on Mat Board – Lyric Kinard
http://www.lyrickinard.com/mounted_on_matboard.html

Mounted on Gallery Wrapped Canvas – Lyric Kinard
http://www.lyrickinard.com/gallery_wrapped_canvas.html

Matted and Framed - Lyric Kinard
http://www.lyrickinard.com/matted_and_framed.html

Mounted on Stretcher Bars – Lyric Kinard
http://www.lyrickinard.com/stretcher_bars.html

Transfering Patterns to Fusible Fabric
http://textiletraveler.blogspot.com/2009/05/tutorial-transferring-patterns-to.html

Sashiko Tutorial – The Purl Bee
http://www.purlbee.com/sashiko-tutorial/

Bobbin Work Tutorial – 1: Cathy Breedyk Law
http://catharinablog.blogspot.com/2008/04/techniques-bobbin-work.html

Bobbin Work Tutorial – 2: Cathy Breedyk Law
http://catharinablog.blogspot.com/2008/04/new-piece-city-cat.html

Bobbin Work Tutorial – 3: Ribbon - Cathy Breedyk Law
http://catharinablog.blogspot.com/2008/05/bobbin-work.html

Free Motion Tutorial – 1: Cathy Breedyk Law
http://catharinablog.blogspot.com/2008/06/free-motion-practice.html

Free Motion Tutorial – 2: Cathy Breedyk Law
http://catharinablog.blogspot.com/2008/06/if-you-want-to-get-really-good-at-free.html

Free Motion Tutorial – 3 : Cathy Breedyk Law
http://catharinablog.blogspot.com/2008/06/free-motion-practice-3.html

Free Motion Tutorial – 4: Cathy Breedyk Law
http://catharinablog.blogspot.com/2008/06/free-motion-4.html

Free Motion Tutorial – 5: Trapping Sequins Under a Sheer Fabric - Cathy Breedyk Law
http://catharinablog.blogspot.com/2008/06/free-motion-tutorial-5.html

How to do Free Motion Quilting on a Standard Sewing Machine – Kimbuktu
http://kimbuktu.net/howtosfreestylequilt.html

Fannie's Fabric Paper Tutorial – Fannie Narte
http://fanniecarte.blogspot.com/2008/06/fannies-fabric-paper-tutorial.html

Tyvek and Lumiere Paint Melted Altered Art Technique - Allison Ray - Lots of pictures
http://www.sewfunpatterns.com/tyvek.html

Fiber Fusion Technique - Allison Ray
http://www.sewfunpatterns.com/tyvek.html

Tyvek Samples - Micki - Using Tyvek with stamps
http://sewcre8ive.blogspot.com/2007/03/tyvek-samples.html

Quilting by Tacking - Dena Crain
http://http//www.denacrain.com/blog/?page_id=674

Quilting Backwards - Dena Crain
http://www.denacrain.com/blog/?page_id=661

Fusible Patterns for Art Quilts - Dena Crain
http://denacrain.com/blog/?page_id=234

Richard Box: From Drawing to Free Machine Embroidery – 9 minute YouTube video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JWRtsyoLhQ&feature=related

Designing by Thread – Threads & Settings Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvx8Ni_bFNk

Designing by Thread – Threads & Settings Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaw19eoD5eY

Embellishmentality – Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAD1-p9hdts

Embellishmentality – Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT2VMIbPI4M

Curved Checkerboard Tutorial - Linda Matthews
http://inspire.creative-textile-and-quilting-arts.com/curved-checkerboard-tutorial/

Making Beads from Tyvek - Carolyn Saxby
Part 1
http://carolynsaxby.blogspot.com/2009/04/tutorial-making-beads-from-tyvek.html

Part 2
http://carolynsaxby.blogspot.com/2009/04/this-post-follows-on-from-previous-post.html

Recap - In case you missed it (July 2008 - June 2009)

Following are some of the topics posted this past year (July 2008 – June 2009)
that you may have missed or want to revisit:

Recap – In case you missed it (June 2007 – June 2008) – posted July 3, 2008

http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2008/07/recap-in-case-you-missed-it.html

Artist Residencies – Part II – posted July 10, 2008

http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2008/07/artist-residencies-part-ii.html

Shifting Gears: Trust the Spiral – Edward Winkleman – posted July 17, 2008

http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2008/07/shifting-gears-trust-spiral-edward.html

Textile Related Tutorials – Part 2 – posted July 24, 2008

http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2008/07/textile-related-tutorials-part-2.html

Business Insurance for Studio Artists – posted July 31, 2008

http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2008/07/business-insurance-for-studio-artists.html

Pano: Art from the “Inside” Out – posted August 7, 2008

http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2008/08/pao-art-from-inside-out.html

Self-Portraiture - Part II - posted August 14, 2008

http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2008/08/self-portraiture-part-ii.html

Textile and Yarn Shopping: New York & Los Angeles - posted August 21, 2008

http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2008/08/textile-yarn-shopping-new-york-los.html

Just For Fun – Presidential Campaign – posted August 29, 2008
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2008/08/just-for-fun.html

Updated: Arts Positions of Presidential Candidates – posted October 6, 2008
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2008/10/update-arts-positions-of-presidential.html

Petition to Obama for a Secretary of the Arts – posted January 10, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/01/petition-to-obama-for-secretary-of-arts.html

Newsweek Article re New Administration & the Arts – posted January 17, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/01/newsweek-article-re-new-administration.html

Artist Residencies – Part III – posted February 7, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/02/artist-residencies-part-iii.html

Textile Related Podcasts – posted February 14, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/02/textile-related-podcasts-part-1.html

Visual Artist Mentor/Mentee Programs – posted February 21, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/02/visual-artist-mentormentee-programs.html

Textile Sculpture – Part I – posted February 28, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/02/textile-sculpture-part-1.html

Textile Sculpture – Part 2: El Aantsui, Takashi Horisaki, Loren Schwerd – posted March 4, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/03/textile-sculpture-part-2-el-anatsui.html

Free Museum Admission – posted March 8, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/03/free-museum-admission.html

Estate and Legacy Planning for Artists – posted March 12, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/03/estate-and-legacy-planning-for-artists.html

Textile Sculpture – Part 3: Nick Cave, Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson, Lisa Lichtenfels – posted March 21, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/03/textile-sculpture-part-3-nick-cave.html

Writing with Thread Exhibit: Traditional Textiles of Southwest Chinese Minorities – posted March 30, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/03/writing-with-thread-exhibit-traditional.html

Demystifying Devore DVE – Dionne Swift – posted April 3, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/04/demystifying-devore-dvd-dionne-swift.html

Kimono as Art: The Landscapes of Itchiku Kubota – posted April 4, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/04/kimono-as-art-landscapes-of-itchiku.html

Tyvek Disintegration??? – posted April 8, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/04/tyvek-disintegration.html

Just for Fun – posted April 13, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/04/just-for-fun.html

Robin Barcus – The Making of Willow Creek Dress – posted April 21, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/04/robin-barcus-making-of-willow-creek.html

Textile Sculpture – Part 4: Carolyn Crump, Susan Else, Yoshimi Kihara – posted April 27, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/04/textile-sculpture-part-4-carolyn-crump.html

Textile Related Tutorials – Part 3 – posted May 4, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/05/textile-related-tutorials-part-3.html

Arts Action Alert – posted May 8, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/05/arts-action-alert.html

Public Art Handbooks/Guides – posted May 11, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/05/public-art-handbooksguides.html

Artist Residencies – Part IV – posted May 17, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/05/artist-residencies-part-iv.html

Raoul Dufy: A Celebration of Beauty – posted May 24, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/05/raoul-dufy-celebration-of-beauty.html

Quotable Quotes – posted May 31, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/05/quotable-quotes.html

Textile Related Postage Stamps – posted June 15, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/06/textile-related-postage-stamps.html

Textile Sculpture – Part 5: Ruth Asawa, Karen Searle, Sarah Hewitt, Olga de Amaral – posted June 22, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/06/textile-sculpture-part-5-ruth-asawa.html

.

Complete Textile Glossary - posted June 28, 2009

http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/06/complete-textile-glossary.html

.

Americans for the Arts Arts Action Alert - posted June 29, 2009

http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/06/americans-for-arts-arts-action-alert.html

Americans for the Arts Arts Action Alert

Arts Action Alert - Take Action Now!

Great news!

On Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a $15 million increase for both the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) for FY 2010. Currently funded at $155 million, this increase would bring both agencies' budgets to $170 million. Please take two minutes to write to your Senators and urge them to support this important funding increase!

Thanks to the arts leadership of House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Norm Dicks (D-WA) and Congressional Arts Caucus co-chair Louise Slaughter (D-NY), this House-approved funding increase for the NEA exceeds President Obama's budget request by $8.7 million and is the highest proposed appropriation for the NEA since its $176 million peak in FY 1992. On June 25, corresponding legislation in the Senate Appropriations Committee set NEA and NEH funding at only $161.3 million each.

Next Steps:
We must now put pressure on the Senate to match the funding level set in the House of Representatives. Please take two minutes to visit Americans for the Arts E-Advocacy Center to send a letter to your Senators:
http://capwiz.com/artsusa/issues/alert/?alertid=13627991

Complete Textile Glossary

Complete Textile Glossary - This free 211 page online book is a pdf file that is downloadable and printable. Compiled by Celanese Acetate LLC, this is the fifth edition and is an incredibly detailed resource with over 2,000 entries and is an illustrated dictionary of fiber and textile technology that includes coverage of advanced materials-composites, aerospace textiles, geotextiles, and new fiberforming polymers.
http://www.celaneseacetate.com/textile_glossary_filament_acetate.pdf

Textile Sculpture - Part 5: Ruth Asawa, Karen Searle, Sarah Hewitt, Olga de Amaral

More stunning work by fiber artists exploring different disciplines

RUTH ASAWA

Ruth Asawa - Ruth Asawa is renowned for her
wire and fiber sculptures. Explore all pages of her
website to learn about her creative process.
http://www.ruthasawa.com/

Oral History Interview – this is the transcript of
a 2002 interview that is archived at the Smithsonian
http://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/oralhistories/transcripts/asawa02.htm

Ruth Asawa: A Life in Art – an article by Pam RuBert
posted to the Ragged Cloth Café blog
http://raggedclothcafe.com/2008/01/30/ruth-asawa-a-life-in-art-by-pam-rubert/

YouTube Video – 8 ½ minute video – Daniell Cornell,
Curator at the San Jose Museum of Art talks about Ruth
Asawa’s exhibit, “Contours in the Air”. It includes an
interview by phone with her oldest daughter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir5vq7FogSg

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KAREN SEARLE

Karen Searle – knits and crochets into 3-dimensional
form any malleable medium, from linen to wire to hog
gut to telephone cable. Her predominant interest is in
exploration of the feminine form
http://www.karensearle.com/Fiber_Works/gallery.aspx
http://www.mnartists.org/work.do?pageIndex=1&rid=166329
– click image for large close-up

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SARAH HEWITT

Sarah Hewitt – “I choose to sculpt using fibers – using a variety of materials from jute twine from the hardware store to bark peeled fresh from a tree, and cloth purposed for commercial fishing. To build an object I use a variety of textile techniques – stitching, knitting, crochet, coiling, weaving – any form of joinery. My forms develop from the materials’ strengths and weakness. They border on the yonic and womb-like, referencing nests, bindings, and scarification.”
http://www.sarahhewitt.com/gallery.php?port=2

In her blog, Sarah goes into detail about her artistic and creative thought process as well as in-depth info about “The Love Armor” project
http://sarahhewitt.com/blog/
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OLGA DE AMARAL

Olga de Amaral is a Columbian Textile Artist
whose works often “…take the form of large
tapestries covered with gold or silver leaf…” [and]
“…is one of the textile artists who, in the 1960s,
first turned textile arts from a primarily two-
dimensional representational art form into a
three-dimensional, abstract art form.”
http://www.omahapubliclibrary.org/events/gallery/ml-textile-sculpture-alt.html

The Sun Queen – this is an in-depth 3-page
article about Olga de Amaral in TREND
(art+design+architecture) magazine – wonderful
pictures
http://www.bellasartesgallery.com/artistsstudio1.html

Landscapes of Imagination – gives details
and images of an installation of her tapestries
http://www.bellasartesgallery.com/amaral.html

More Images – click on images for close-up views
http://www.artincontext.org/artist/artist_images.aspx?id=3368
http://www.artnet.fr/Galleries/Artists_detail.asp?G=&gid=138&which=&aid=1443&ViewArtistBy=online&rta=http://www.artnet.fr

Textile Related Postage Stamps

Embroidery for postage stamps brings national RSA [Royal Society of encouragement of the Arts] award
http://www.hud.ac.uk/news/05_07/textiles/crafts/rsa_michelle.htm

Textiles has been a popular theme for postage stamps throughout the world. Here are a few of them, arranged by country.
http://www.allfiberarts.com/library/aa00/aa100200.htm

Gallery of Stamps with a Textile Theme
http://www.paivatar.com/AFA/library/aa00/aa100200.htm

Russian Stamps: Turkmen Picking Cotton
http://www.stamprussia.com/681b.jpg

Sewing Equipment for Army
http://www.stamprussia.com/841b.jpg

Textile Mill
http://www.stamprussia.com/1366b.jpg

Lace Maker
http://www.stamprussia.com/1994b.jpg

Israel
http://www.flickr.com/photos/karenhorton/3265285796/

Lace
http://lace.lacefairy.com/Lace/LaceStamps/LaceStamps.htm
http://www.caratexstamps.com/04_GALLERY/06_NonLoom/lace1.html
http://www.annmcclean.co.uk/LaceStamps/stamps.html

Embroidery
http://www.caratexstamps.com/04_GALLERY/08_EmbdSew/embroidery.html

Sewing
http://www.caratexstamps.com/04_GALLERY/08_EmbdSew/sewing.html

Bayeux Tapestry
http://www.caratexstamps.com/04_GALLERY/08_EmbdSew/bayeux.html

Carpets
http://www.caratexstamps.com/04_GALLERY/05_Woven/carpet.html

Spinning Wheels
http://www.caratexstamps.com/04_GALLERY/03_Spinning/spgwheel.html

Hand Looms
http://www.caratexstamps.com/04_GALLERY/04_Weaving/handlooms.html

Gee's Bend Quilt Stamps
http://www.usps.com/communications/news/stamps/2006/sr06_042.htm

Amish Quilt Stamps
http://www.usps.com/news/2001/philatelic/sr01_050.htm

Art of the American Indian Stamps
http://www.usps.com/communications/news/stamps/2004/sr04_053.htm

Knitting on Stamps
http://papercrave.com/2007-holiday-postage-stamps/

A Postage Stamp Commemorates Isfahan as the 'City of Polish Children' - "The stamp commemorates two things: a huge tragedy in Poland's history, and how Iran helped rescue some of the victims. But to understand the whole story – which today is largely forgotten outside Poland – one must go back to the very start of World War II.
http://tea-and-carpets.blogspot.com/2008/09/postage-stamp-commemorates-isfahan-as.html

Quotable Quotes

I don't think artists can avoid being political. Artists are the proverbial canaries in the coalmine. When we stop singing, it's a sure sign of repressive times ahead. (Theresa Bayer)

There is only one art, whose sole criterion is the power, the authenticity, the revelatory insight, the courage and suggestiveness with which it seeks its truth. Thus, from the standpoint of the work and its worth it is irrelevant to which political ideas the artist as a citizen claims allegiance, which ideas he would like to serve with his work or whether he holds any such ideas at all. (Vaclav Havel)

Art does not solve problems, but makes us aware of their existence. It opens our eyes to see and our brain to imagine.~ Magdalena Abakanowicz

All great art comes from a sense of outrage. ~ Glenn Close

Art hath an enemy called ignorance. ~Ben Jonson

Art is the struggle to understand. ~Audrey Foris

The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. ~Aristotle

Art is when you hear a knocking from your soul - and you answer. ~Star Richés

Art is not what you see, but what you make others see. ~ Edgar Degas

Raoul Dufy: A Celebration of Beauty

“My eyes were made to erase all that is ugly.” Raoul Dufy

"I don't follow any system. All the laws you can lay down

are only so many props to be cast aside when the

hour of creation arrives." Raoul Dufy
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"The subject itself is of no account; what matters is the way it is presented." Raoul Duffy

If you are lucky enough to be anywhere near Jackson, MS between now and July 5, make sure you take the time to beat a path to the Mississippi Museum of Art to view the international tour exhibit Raoul Dufy: A Celebration of Beauty, an exhibition that includes 100 antique silk fabrics and fabric designs on loan from the Bianchini-Ferier (Lyon, France) archives.
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During his lifetime, Dufy created over 4,000 fabric designs becoming one of the great innovators of 20th century textile design.

From the museum's website:

“Dufy transformed the face of fashion and fabric design,
formulated practically all modern fabric design between
1909 and 1930, and his style radically influenced the
popular arts and the commercial design of the Western
world. Even today, his vision informs the color, design,
texture, and imagery of a wide range of products such
as book covers, perfumes, posters and stage decor,
and textiles for furniture and clothing.”

Raoul Dufy: The Controversial Aesthete
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/comments/raoul_dufy_the_controversial_aesthete_030409/

Raoul Dufy: A Celebration of Beauty - Textile and Fashion Design
http://home.earthlink.net/~raoul.dufy/id2.html

Raoul Dufy: Créateur d'Étoffes [Raoul Dufy: textile designer; printing on Mulhouse fabrics] - written in French, but has some pictures.
http://www.cs.arizona.edu/patterns/weaving/other/mlm_dufy.pdf

Artist Residencies - Part IV

Artist Residencies - Part I

Artist Residencies - Part II

Artist Residencies - Part III

EDUCATION ARTIST-in-RESIDENCE GUIDES

Expectations for the Artist in School Residencies – Iowa Arts Council http://www.iowaartscouncil.org/publications_&_resources/program_models_&_resources/artist_residency/assets/expectations_for_the%20_artist1.pdf

Aritist-in-Residence Guide for Teachers & Artists - Tennessee Arts Commission Arts Education Program - Info for artists starts on page 12
http://www.arts.state.tn.us/ae_stuff/artist_in_residence_guide.pdf

Artists in Residency Handbook: Guide to Planning Successful Artist Residencies – Virginia Commission for the Arts – Note: Info for artists starts on page 10.
http://www.arts.state.va.us/grants/strengthening/Feb08arts%20education%20handbook.pdf

Artist Residencies: Evolving Educational Experiences - Lynne B. Silverstein
http://www.dana.org/WorkArea/downloadasset.aspx?id=8118

Handbook for a Successful Residency: For Schools, Community Organizations and Artists - Ohio Arts Council - Table of Contents in left-hand column OR Print Entire Handbook from link at bottom of page
http://www.oac.state.oh.us/search/AIE/ArtistsHandbook/

Handbook for a Successful Artist Residency - Pennsylvania Council on the Arts in Education
http://www.millersville.edu/~artsined/documents/handbook.pdf

Artist as Teacher: A Guide for Artists Working in Schools - Mississippi Arts Commission
http://www.mswholeschools.org/downloads/handbooks/ArtistAsTeacherHandbook.pdf

Keys to a Successful Artist Residency - a performing artist's thoughts - applicable to visual artists
http://www.nightheron.com/keystoresidency.html

Public Art Handbooks/Guides

Public Art Commissions are an often overlooked area of opportunity - but information about how to enter into this arena and/or how to have one's artwork seriously considered is needed. The following resources provide some very useful and insightful guidance:

Public Art Commissions: An Artist Handbook - North Carolina Arts Council - This handbook offers practical advice to artists seeking a public art commission and includes samples of "calls to artists," proposal letters and what to expect during the interview. Information about budgets and contracts also are included.
http://www.ncarts.org/elements/docs/PublicArtistHandbook.pdf

Managing Public Art Projects: A Handbook for Artists - Although written for UK artists, a wealth of information and exercises are included which can be very useful for artists interested in pursuing public art commissions anywhere. It notes that: "Public art offers many opportunities for artists, but it also challenges them to develop skills in addition to those required in many other forms of visual arts practice. Public art tends towards working practices which involve co-operation, negotiation and an interface with others, particularly professionals, who are not necessarily used to working closely with artists."
http://publicartonline.org.uk/resources/practicaladvice/adviceartists/documents/ArtistsHandbookOct2006.pdf
Notes for the Public Artist: What's expected of a public artist? - Douglas MacCash - this is a very short put pointed article about what an artist should consider trying to enter the public art arena
http://www.crt.state.la.us/arts/publicart/handbook/appendix/APX_Guide_Notes_Artist.htm

An Artist's Guide to the Phoenix Public Art Program - Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture - "This guide presents general information regarding professional issues that artists may encounter working in public art, as well as specific information how City of Phoenix public art commissions are managed by the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture's Public Art Program. This guide attempts to address the most frequently asked questions about the program."
ftp://phoenix.gov/pub/payf/artguide.pdf

Art in Public Places Public Artist Handbook: A Guide to the Commission Process - Washington State Arts Commission
http://www.arts.wa.gov/public-art/documents/Public-Artist-Handbook.pdf

What to Ask Before Applying for a Public Art Commission - This is an article by Regina Chavez Chapman that was published in the New Mexico Art in Public Places Newsletter
http://www.nmarts.org/pdf/nm_arts_junejuly.pdf

NOTE: Public Art 4Culture compiles a list of current public art opportunities available across the country and internationally. The Public Art Calls List provides brief project descriptions, deadline dates and how to receive more information about each opportunity. It is distributed approximately every 2 months. You can sign up to receive the list via e-mail on the following site:http://www.4culture.org/publicart/calls/default.asp

Arts Action Alert

From Americans for the Arts- Arts Action Alert - Take Action Now!
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President Obama today released the final details of his FY 2010 budget request to Congress which includes the nation’s cultural agencies and programs, including the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Institute for Museums and Library Services (IMLS), and the Department of Education’s Arts in Education program. Write your members of Congress and tell them to support funding for these cultural agencies:
http://www.capwiz.com/artsusa/issues/alert/?alertid=13297101
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As Americans for the Arts President & CEO Robert Lynch noted in a press statement, "The president's proposed funding of $161 million would take the NEA to its highest funding level in 15 years and will help continue the upward trend of budgetary growth that Congress established several years ago. In contrast to the previous administration, this year's budget includes funding for the Arts in Education program at the Department of Education at $38.16 million. We hope that Congress will build on these initial budget requests to secure even higher funding levels to address the needs of the arts and arts education community."
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On Arts Advocacy Day, artists Wynton Marsalis, Linda Ronstadt and Josh Groban joined Americans for the Arts and over 550 arts advocates from around the country to testify on Capitol Hill and to meet with congressional leaders to request $200 million for the NEA and $53 million for arts education. These requests are just some of the legislative priorities for the nonprofit arts community in 2009:
http://www.artsusa.org/get_involved/advocacy/advocacy_003.asp

A breakdown of the President’s budget request is as follows:
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Federally Funded Arts Program
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FY 2009 Enacted Appropriations (in millions):
National Endowment for the Arts- $155
National Endowment for the Humanities- $155
Institute of Museum and Library Services - $274.8 *
U.S. Dept. of Education’s Arts in Education- $38.1
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*includes $11 million in Congressional earmarks
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FY 2010 President’s Budget Request(in millions):
National Endowment for the Arts- $161
National Endowment for the Humanities- $161
Institute of Museum and Library Services - $266
U.S. Dept. of Education’s Arts in Education- $38.1

Next Steps
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As you know, the President’s budget is the first step in the appropriations process. While it serves as an important framework, Congress has the power to set its own priorities and change these funding levels. That’s where you come in.
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Arts advocates can make their voices heard by writing their members of Congress and urging them to support funding for arts and culture through the NEA and increase funding for arts in education programs. We have provided you with a customizable letter, as well as several talking points to help you craft your message. We recommend you add your own thoughts and stories about why the arts are important to you and your community:
http://www.capwiz.com/artsusa/issues/alert/?alertid=13297101
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Please help us continue this important work by becoming an official member of the Arts Action Fund. Play your part by joining the Arts Action Fund today -- it's free and simple- http://www.artsactionfund.org/

Americans for the Arts
1000 Vermont Avenue NW
6th Floor
Washington DC . 20005
T 202.371.2830
F 202.371.0424
One East 53rd Street . 2nd Floor
New York NY .
F 212.980.4857
info@artsusa.org
http://www.americansforthearts.org/
http://www.artsactionfund.org/