Textile Arts Resource Guide: July 2010

Friday, July 30, 2010

Dealing with Procrastination

Last week there was a post about effective artist habits.

This week, the post is about a very ineffective habit in which many artists indulge - Procrastination

"I tamed my personal art demon – the tendency to think about painting rather than actually painting – by throwing the stuff on the blank paper and telling myself I didn't care about the end result.

I believed it and was saved."

Rich Hawk

"I don't wait for moods. You accomplish nothing if you do that.

Your mind must know it has to get down to work."

Pearl S. Buck

.
Procrastination Videos - You'll really enjoy these!

Video 1 - Procrastination - John Kelly - 4 minute video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXziurFkQxM
Video 2 - "Procrastination" Tales of Mere Existence - Lev Yilmaz - 1 1/2 minute video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P785j15Tzk&feature=player_embedded

Video 3 - Overcoming Procrastination - Susan Gregg - 3 1/2 minute meditation video
http://www.artofallowingclass.com/video/overcoming-procrastination

Video 4 - Here and Now: Procrastination - Ellen Degeneres - 3:50 minute video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU-0bF_sSas&feature=player_embedded#

Understanding and Overcoming Procrastination - Linda Dessau
http://www.genuinecoaching.com/articles/understanding-procrastination.html
.

Unlearning the Art of Procrastination
http://coachcreative.com/abigcreativeyes/2010/03/14/unlearning-the-art-of-procrastination/
.

The Little Guide to Beating Procrastination, Perfectionism and Blocks: A Manuel for Artists, Entrepreneurs, Academics and Other Ambitious Dreamsers - Hillary Rettig - 87-page free e-book - "The reason we have trouble overcoming procrastination is that procrastination is a sneaky, stealthy, doesn’t-fight-fair adversary. As you will see, it is expert at disguising itself and its effects, and at misleading you into trying the wrong solutions."

PDF version
http://lifelongactivist.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/The-Little-Guide-to-Beating-Procrastination.pdf .
Rich Text version
http://lifelongactivist.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/The-Little-Guide-to-Beating-Procrastination.rtf

Structured Procrastination
http://www.structuredprocrastination.com/

Monday, July 26, 2010

Hmong Refugee's Death Fugue - Sheng-mei Ma

"The author of this literary analysis pieces together accounts from oral histories, academic literature, popular works and Hmong storycloths to describe the 'death fugue' associated with the early narratives of the Hmong refugee experience in Southeast Asia and the United States."

The section on Hmong storycloths is pp. 14-29, but the entire article should be read for full understanding; includes pictures.
http://www.hmongstudies.org/MaHSJ6.pdf

Friday, July 23, 2010

Incredible Portraiture

"Fine Art" painters and sculptors have nothing on these artists...

CAYCE ZAVAGLIA - Incredible portraiture in embroidery - Cayce focuses on creating portraits of family, friends, and fellow artists. The detail and coloration she achieves are amazing.

by Cayce Zavaglia

http://lyonswiergallery.com/artists/cayce-zavaglia/
http://moderncraft.blogspot.com/2008/07/cayce-zavaglia.html

LISA KOKIN - Lisa creates incredible portraits by stitching together recycled buttons

by Lisa Kokin

http://www.lisakokin.com/buttonwork/ (click button icons on left to view more images)
http://www.myartspace.com/interviews/interviews/art-space-talk-lisa-kokin.html

JO HAMILTON - Jo creates crocheted portraits based on photographs

http://johamiltonart.com/htm/crochet.htm
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/07/jo_hamiltons_crochet_portraits.html

ILARIA MARGUTTI - Ilaria makes machine and hand embroidered portraits of women who are in process of literally either mending or creating themselves.

by Ilaria Margutti

http://www.ilariamargutti.com/cataloghi/ilaria_margutti_mend_of_me.pdf (text in Italian but many pictures)
http://www.ilariamargutti.com/progetti_mend.php

Monday, July 19, 2010

Effective Artist Habits

Periodically, okay I confess - frequently, I find myself simply spinning my wheels and not actually accomplishing much of anything. I'm fully aware that its mostly because I have acquired and practice some non-productive habits.

Hope that's not your modus operandi. But if it is, the following might be helpful:

Artist Habits of Mind
http://opd.mpls.k12.mn.us/uploads/T-ARTIST_HABITS_OF_MIND.pdf

7 Habits of Highly Effective People: The Art World Edition
http://www.fineartsla.com/7-habits-of-highly-effective-people-the-art-world-edition.html

Studio Thinking Framework: Eight Habits of Mind
http://www.pz.harvard.edu/research/StudioThink/StudioThinkEight.htm

6 Habits of Highly Effective Artists
http://www.artbizcoach.com/6habits.pdf

Ten Habits of Successful Artists
http://www.nyfa.org/level4.asp?id=162&fid=1&sid=51&tid=197

Overwhelmed in the Studio? Check Your Work Habits
http://www.finearttips.com/2009/03/overwhelmed-in-the-studio-check-your-work-habits/

Friday, July 16, 2010

Textile Related Tutorials - Part 8

Textile and other Artists continue to share their knowledge and expertise:

Textile Related Tutorials - Part 7

Textile Related Tutorials - Part 6

Textile Related Tutorials - Part 5

Textile Related Tutorials - Part 4

Textile Related Tutorials - Part 3

Textile Related Tutorials - Part 2

Textile Related Tutorials - Part 1

Working with Copper Sheet in Arts and Crafts [including fiber] - Belinda Spiwak
http://basiccopper.com/wowicoinarcr.html

Fiber Bowls - Misty - This tutorial shows how to create fiber bowls from unspun fiber thread.
http://poppytalk.blogspot.com/2010/03/artmind-tutorial-fiber-bowls.html

Handbook of Textile Design: Principles, Processes and Practice - Jacquie Wilson - "...there has been a need for some sort of text that covered the textile design process from initial ideas through briefing, research and design development, to finished fabrics being sold to garment designers and to retail. What follows is an attempt to provide such a text. This book is based on my experiences as a textile designer in industry..."
http://dc121.4shared.com/download/185516987/53e943ba/Handbook_of_Textile_Design.pdf?tsid=20100508-231913-9cd91b5

Tesselation Nation - Raymond Huston has begun a blog, Tesselation Nation - that is solely devoted to cataloging patterns that have been generated from a single tile. His focus now is to only create quilts designed by using this one tile - its amazing! Check it out to see how he does it.
http://tessellationnation.com/

Tesselation Tutorial - Kay Sorensen

Supply List
http://quiltspluscolor.blogspot.com/2010/06/tessellation-tutorial-supply-list.html

Fabric Choices
http://quiltspluscolor.blogspot.com/2010/06/tessellation-tutorial-fabric-choices.html

Lesson 1
http://quiltspluscolor.blogspot.com/2010/06/tuesday-tessellation-tutorial-time.html

          Lesson 2
          http://quiltspluscolor.blogspot.com/2010/07/tessellation-tutorial-lesson-2-woi.html
          Lesson 3
          http://quiltspluscolor.blogspot.com/2010/07/tessellation-tutorial-lesson-3-are-you.html

Marbling Fabric the Easy Way - Kay Sorensen
http://quiltspluscolor.blogspot.com/2010/02/marbling-fabric-easy-way-tutorial.html

Creative Cloth Dyeing: Scraping, Blending and Silk Screening - Leslie Morgan - 22+ minute video
http://committedtocloth.com/consider/

Rescuing Ugly Fabric - Judi Hurwitt
http://approachable-art.blogspot.com/search/label/mixed-media%20tutorial

Tsukineko Inks with Ink Potion No. 9 Tutorial - Judy Coates Perez
http://paintedthreadsprojects.blogspot.com/2009/09/tsukineko-inks-with-ink-potion-no-9.html

Mixing Rit Dye - Judy Coates Perez - Judy provides dye recipes for a yummy variety of colors
http://paintedthreadsprojects.blogspot.com/2008/12/mixing-rit-dye.html

Sewing Metal - Judy Coates Perez - this is a 2:48 minute video
http://paintedthreadsprojects.blogspot.com/2008/10/sewing-metal.html

How to Make Lace Knitting Charts
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/09/how-to_make_lace_knitting_char.html

Playing with Teabags and More - Judy Coates Perez
http://paintedthreadsprojects.blogspot.com/2008/06/paper-on-top-left-with-letters-is.html

The Artful Use of Teabags - Judy Coates Perez
http://paintedthreadsprojects.blogspot.com/2008/06/artful-use-of-tea-bags.html

Acrylic Varnish and Mica Powder Backgrounds - Susan Chong
http://theartfulmama.blogspot.com/2007/03/preview-this-finished-piece-uses-brown.html

Resin Knitting Needles - These are absolutely, stunningly gorgerous! - instructions are about half-way down the page
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=285832.0

How to Design Your Own [Knitted] Embossed Wash/Dish Cloth - I don't anticipate much interest in knitting wash cloths, but the technique is something art knitters might find appealing.
http://own-two-hands.livejournal.com/55657.html

Tortured Felt (with some molded UTEE tossed in) - Susan Chong
http://theartfulmama.blogspot.com/2007/03/tortured-felt-with-some-molded-utee.html

Four Mixed Media Art Techniques – Cloth, Paper & Scissors ebook – Note: you must register to access
http://www.clothpaperscissors.com/media/p/2162.aspx

Studio Redesign Tips – Cloth, Paper & Scissors ebook – Note: you must register to access
http://www.clothpaperscissors.com/media/p/284.aspx

Fun with the Flower Stitch Foot - Linda Matthews
http://www.creative-textile-and-quilting-arts.com/fun-with-the-flower-stitch-foot/

How to Stitch Freestyle Woven Bars - Sharon B
http://www.pintangle.com/journal/2009/5/14/how-to-stitch-freestyle-woven-bars.html

Taking and Editing Photos for the Internet - Vicki Welsch
http://threecreativestudios.com/freeprojects/photoediting.pdf

Charting Charts: A New Way to Keep Track of Knitting
http://techknitting.blogspot.com/2007/06/charting-charts-new-way-to-keep-track.html

How to Make Your Own Stitch (knitting) Markers
http://www.sheepinthecity.prettyposies.com/archives/000201.html

Liquid Starch Recipe Updated - Vicki Welsch
http://vickiwelsh.typepad.com/field_trips_in_fiber/2009/12/liquid-starch-recipe-updated.html

How to Center a Quilt Back on the Long Arm - Vicki Welsch
http://vickiwelsh.typepad.com/field_trips_in_fiber/2009/08/how-to-center-a-quilt-back-design-on-the-longarm.html

Make a Yarn Winder from Tinker Toys
http://www.folkcatart.com/blogs/jen/?p=742

How to Stitch a Not-Too-Crappy Feathered Wreath - Vicki Welsch
http://vickiwelsh.typepad.com/field_trips_in_fiber/2009/04/how-to-stitch-a-nottoocrappy-feathered-wreath.html

Sewing with a Twin Needle - Vicki Welsch
http://vickiwelsh.typepad.com/field_trips_in_fiber/2010/04/sewing-with-a-twin-needle.html

Basting with Mistyfuse - Vicki Welsch
http://vickiwelsh.typepad.com/field_trips_in_fiber/2010/03/basting-with-mistyfuse.html

Making Felt Using Yarn and a Layer of Tulle - Linda Matthews
http://www.creative-textile-and-quilting-arts.com/making-felt-using-yarn-and-a-layer-of-tulle/

Thread Reference Guides for Superior Threads
http://www.superiorthreads.com/page/330/

Texture Magic Tutorial - Superior Threads 3-part video series

Part 1 – 10 minutes
http://www.superiorthreads.com/videos/tmt1/
Part 2 – 9:35 minutes
http://www.superiorthreads.com/videos/tmt2/
Part 3 – 9 minutes
http://www.superiorthreads.com/videos/tmt3/

Thread Therapy Series - 5-part video series by Bob Purcell (Dr. Bob), President & Chief Threadologist of Superior Threads

Chapter 1: Metallics – 6 minute video - “Dr. Bob teaches everything you need to know about metallic thread.”

http://www.superiorthreads.com/videos/chapter1/
Chapter 2: Cotton Thread vs. Polyester Thread – 6 minute video

http://www.superiorthreads.com/videos/2-cotton-thread-vs-polyester-thread/
Chapter 3: Types of Polyester – 6 minute video - “In Chapter 3, Dr. Bob discusses types of polyester thread. He explains how spun poly, multi-filament poly and trilobal poly threads are produced and the characteristics of each type.”

http://www.superiorthreads.com/videos/3-types-of-polyester-thread/
Chapter 4: The Magic Needle – 5 minute video - “In Chapter 4, Dr. Bob discusses the importance of using not only a good needle, but the right needle. With so many options available, which needle should you choose for your project? Dr. Bob answers this and many more questions in "The Magic Needle."”http://www.superiorthreads.com/videos/4-topstitch-needles/
Chapter 5: Tension – 8 minute video – “Dr. Bob...discusses the importance of having proper Tension settings when sewing/quilting.”
http://www.superiorthreads.com/videos/5-tension/

Fusing Plastic Bags - the eclipse way
http://newtextiles.media.mit.edu/uploads/Main/fusing.pdf

Use Markal Paintstiks to Create Rich Surfaces for Embroidery - Ruth Issett
http://www.embroiderersguild.org.uk/stitch/projects/markal/

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

Artists' Shorthand: Water - Leni Wiener
http://blog.leniwiener.com/?p=318

Making Sense of Stabilizers - Threads Magazine
http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/4631/making-sense-of-stabilizers

Which Machine Embroidery Stabilizer to Use
http://www.embroidery-methods.com/machine-embroidery-stabilizer.html

Selecting the Right Stabilizer - Lydia Morgan
http://www.beaconfabric.com/vindex.html?SelectingtheRightStabilizer.htm

How to Make Your Own Stamps - Judi Hurwitt
http://approachable-art.blogspot.com/2010/06/how-to-making-your-own-stamps.html
''Stitching on Paper - Trish Goodfield
http://trishalandesigns.blogspot.com/2010/05/crafters-way-135-stitching-on-paper.html

How to Quilt a Face - Virginia Greaves
http://www.virginiagreaves.com/blog/2009/11/04/how-to-quilt-a-face/

Facings: An Alternative to Traditional Bindings - K Grace Howes
http://barnyardchatter.wordpress.com/2009/04/06/facings-an-alternative-to-traditional-bindings/

12 New Quilt Binding and Finishing Methods for Your Art Quilts - Larissa Davis for Quilting Arts magazine
http://www.quiltingarts.com/media/p/17544.aspx

More Tips for Designing Your Own Fabric Line - Larissa Davis for Quilting Arts magazine
http://www.quiltingarts.com/media/p/11882.aspx

Jill Kennedy's Instructions for Making Embellishments - Larissa Davis for Quilting Arts magazine
http://www.quiltingarts.com/media/p/6163.aspx

How to Create a Zentangle - Larissa Davis for Quilting Arts magazine
http://www.quiltingarts.com/media/p/17250.aspx

Felted Wool Dryer Balls - Judy Coates Perez
http://paintedthreadsprojects.blogspot.com/2008/10/making-felted-balls.html

How to Make a Tutorial - Misty - Step-by-step guidance on how to create an effective tutorial
http://artmind-etcetera.blogspot.com/2009/07/how-to-make-tutorial.html

How to Embellish Photos with Embroidery - Lisa
http://thecraftartykid.blogspot.com/2010/02/jazzing-up-photos.html

How to Spin Hemp Roving
http://windrosefiberstudio.blogspot.com/2009/03/spinning-hemp-roving-video.html

Fabric Flowers 101 - Pat Bravo
http://artgalleryfabrics.typepad.com/weblog/Rosette_Flower_Making_101.pdf

How to Make DuhBe Fabric Roses
http://duhbe.com/blog/?p=807

Spring Cleaning for Your Sewing Machine
http://craftnectar.com/2009/03/09/spring-cleaning-for-your-sewing-machine/

Fabric Preparation - Aligning Your Fabric's Grain - BurdaStyle
http://www.burdastyle.com/techniques/fabric-preparation-aligning-your-fabric-s-grain

Burned Fabric Flowers - BurdaStyle
http://www.burdastyle.com/techniques/burned-fabric-flowers

How to Create a Fabric Design (Without Using Photoshop or Illustrator) – 2:45 minute YouTube video - Spoonflower
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl50ZgL2ImE&feature=player_embedded

Fabric Paper Tape – Annekata
http://annekata.blogspot.com/2010/05/fabric-paper-tape-little-tutorial.html

Fabric Painting with Gutta Outline - yanghaiying - 3-4 minute YouTube videos

Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri3UBlOE90I&feature=channel
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLolrQvCBzM&feature=related
Part 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yjufF_DWek&feature=channel
Part 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=845fA-7rh8Y&feature=channel

Monday, July 12, 2010

The Contemporary Embroidery of Erin Endicott

Erin Endicott - Detail of Healing Sutra #10

Erin's work is powerful, beautiful and very moving. It is embroidered onto antique fabrics stained with walnut ink. She states that she uses "...contemporary embroidery on antique fabric as a canvas to explore the common threads that bind countless generations of women. Wounds - both physical and psychological - are given life using delicate, meditative stitches. Traditionally thought of as "woman's work", sewing is a time consuming and contemplative process, each thoughtfully considered stitch becoming integral to the whole."
http://www.erinendicottart.com/gallery.html

The Cutting and Stitching Edge - Erin Endicott
http://www.mrxstitch.com/2010/05/20/cutting-stitching-edge-erin-endicott/

Friday, July 9, 2010

Key Elements for Effective Abstraction

Moe Brooker is an acclaimed painter, but all of the things he says about abstraction during his lecture to the Philadelphia Sketch Club in this 7:21 minute video are relevant for any art medium.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hajiH1W1xMg

To learn more about Moe and to view his artwork:

A Morning with Moe Brooker (2.25 minutes)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYftzxpKVek

Cleveland Arts Prize
http://www.clevelandartsprize.org/awardees/Moe_Brooker.html

Sande Webster Gallery
http://www.sandewebstergallery.com/artist_pages/artists_brooker.html

Monday, July 5, 2010

The Mind's Eye: Psychiatrist-Textile Artist Uses Pigments and Processes to Create and to Heal

"Jay Rich, MD ’76, a practicing psychiatrist in Omaha, NE,

sees many parallels between art and science,

between the art of dyeing textiles and the practice of psychiatry."

The Mind's Eye: Psychiatrist-Textile Artist Uses Pigments and Processes to Create and to Heal
http://www.ndmedicine.org/article.cfm?articleid=252

Jay Rich, Shibori experimentor and textile researcher
http://www.jayrichfiberart.com/

Friday, July 2, 2010

Recap - In Case You Missed It (July 2009 - June 2010)

Following are the topics posted this past year (July 2009 – June 2010)

that you may have missed or want to revisit.

Recap - In case you missed it (July 2008 - June 2009) - posted July 5, 2009

http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/07/recap-in-case-you-missed-it-july-2008.html

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

Textile Related Tutorials: Part 4 - posted July 12, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/07/textile-related-tutorials-part-4.html

I took a hiatus from blogging from July 12, 2009 - January 10, 2010

Textile Arts Resource Guide

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