TheFamilyChicken

Beaked

2011-10-28T11:08:00.002-05:00

Publish Post

Beaked
8x15'
Fabric Applique

Trees for show.

2011-09-05T17:55:00.000-05:00

My trees are drying. Too bad the rain came and slowed down the progress.

Lots of bluebirds.

2011-09-04T11:42:00.000-05:00

Thesis Postcards

2011-08-11T22:42:00.003-05:00

Hey everyone. Thesis postcards have arrived. Look for them around Savannah or give me a ring to get your hands on one.

Thesis Show!!!

2011-08-11T22:39:00.002-05:00

I made this for my website. www.thefamilychicken.com

Sketch for big piece.

2011-07-26T11:04:00.000-05:00

Sketch print out for a 7x14 feet piece to be included in the thesis show.

Fabrics for large piece

2011-07-26T11:02:00.000-05:00

Sketch for large applique

2011-07-26T11:01:00.000-05:00

Trojan Deer FInished - birds

2011-05-31T10:28:00.002-05:00

Trojan Deer: Skinning

2011-05-25T21:43:00.003-05:00

Trojan Deer Casting

2011-05-12T07:28:00.000-05:00

I started a new project, a life-size Trojan deer for my birds to ride around in and claim their next victim. It has been slow process. Deciding exactly how I was going to make this happen was the hard part. My dear uncle, avid hunter, let me borrow his target practice for a while. Luckily it is the off season. Above you can see me wrapping it up for protection. It was much harder than I imagined.

My friend Mary Cale helped get me started with the plaster gauze. I think her high school students are better at it than I was.
First round done.
Second round I decided to make my own gauze and in hind sight I should have just ordered more of the real stuff. I made a huge mess.
But it all worked out and released from the original without issue.

Turtle Transportation Finished

2011-04-04T20:57:00.003-05:00

Turtle Transportation in progress

2011-04-04T18:43:00.001-05:00

Finished Commission

2011-04-04T18:27:00.004-05:00

I finished the piece I have been working on for my dear cousin. I finished a baby present for her not to long ago and she liked it enough to have me make one for her cousin that is expecting a baby girl. Guidelines were: Zebra print, hot pink, chartreuse, and bling. I think I got it right.

Commission in progress.

2011-03-27T00:22:00.001-05:00

"New Do" in progress.

2011-03-20T20:40:00.000-05:00

I'm spinning.

2011-02-16T23:53:00.000-05:00

I am working on a new piece called "the new do". I think i posted a sketch a while back. In summery, the birds sheer a sheep and make aristocratic wigs for themselves from the wool.

I needed a specific color and style for my "wigs" so I decided it wa worth making it myself. I haven't spun in years and even then didn't do it much. It took me a bit to recall the process. ( I must take time to include a shout out to the undergrad that just happened to be in the room and helped me out a bit) i was lucky enough the store (Wild Fiber) had the perfect colors i could mix. the product is chunky and uneaven but it will be perfect.

Turtle trans. Progress

2011-02-04T08:48:00.000-05:00

Beaking blue birds this morning.

Yard sale treasures.

2011-02-01T13:32:00.000-05:00

David and I ventured out saturday morning looking for some yard sales. It was my lucky day. A cross stitcher was cleaning out her stash. So I got a very full very organized box of floss for 20$. Wow!

Automata and mechanical toys

2011-01-28T11:55:00.001-05:00

Just flipped through my new book, and wow, it is amazing. Wish I didn't have so much to do and could start soaking up all the goodness inside. There is much less "how to" and more contemprary history. I am too excited.

Trojan deer sketch

2011-01-19T14:33:00.001-05:00

New piece in the works.

Fabric ornaments

2011-01-04T22:43:00.000-05:00

Found these great ornaments for my tree next year.

New fabric

2011-01-04T00:42:00.001-05:00

We have been cleaning out the house and a mattress had to go. Couldn't help salvaging the fabric. Now what to make. (After a good wash.)

Crow berry.

2010-12-30T01:10:00.001-05:00

Sent via DROID on Verizon Wireless

Sketch for Crow

2010-12-28T13:29:00.001-05:00

I did a lot of holiday sewing. This is a sketch for a picture I made for my grandmother.

Eight geese a laying.

2010-12-23T02:18:00.000-05:00

All the babies are getting a goose for Christmas. If I can get them finished.

Art Sale!!!!

2010-12-11T01:32:00.000-05:00

I was able to take part in a wonderful art sale last weekend and we are doing it again. Sat. 10th. Lots of good stuff from great folks.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

2010-12-08T13:44:00.002-05:00

Christmas Cards

2010-12-08T03:41:00.000-05:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Lightenin' Bugs

2010-12-04T17:55:00.001-05:00

This is a new piece I made with my new electronics knowledge. Nostalgic scene of fireflies caught on a summers evenin'. They flicker in the mason jar and never die (well until the battery does, but it can be changed).
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Electrical Station

2010-11-10T23:26:00.001-05:00

Now that I sorta have a general knowledge of circuits, LEDs and switches, I felt free to spread out and dive into this project full force. The odds and ends look a little different than my fabric space. There are still spools but they are covered in wire instead of thread.

My new electrical tacklebox.

"New Do" Sketch

2010-11-09T22:02:00.000-05:00

Layers for "The Crusade"

2010-11-09T21:19:00.005-05:00

I have been working on re-working my mechanical toy, "The Crusade". You can see older post on what it looks like to date but soon it will take a new form with more sophisticated layering and stronger working parts, and lights. Here is a quick look at the lasercut layering.

Drawn Layers

Lasercutter in action

Lasercut Layers

Cut Acrylic

Turtle Transportation: Shell

2010-11-05T12:47:00.000-05:00

The turtle shell is Done! and the birds are on their way to take over their new ride.

The shell before it is glazedBefore it is glazed. (what it looks like underneath)Under glazed shell

Glazed and fired shell!!!!

Locating my inner Electrician

2010-11-04T12:11:00.004-05:00

I have been working on incorporating light into my work for a while now. You may remember the shadow boxes I took to the American Craft Council show. Those were cool and all but they just tore through batteries. I needed to figure out how I could make lights last longer and incorporate them better into my work. I had already been thinking about the "Creatures of the Night" and had them pretty much finished when I got the bright ;) idea to use them as guinea pigs. (are guinea pigs nocturnal?) So here my journey into the world of electronics begins.

First step was figuring out how the light effects the piece. What needs to be lit. what is too much light. things like that. I really wanted white light but found it hard to find flickering white lights in town.

This is the final combo. Checking all the connections with alligator clips. I found this fascinating. I think i might start making my artwork with them. White paper is great for dispersing the light. Or diffusing it. This is my embroidered star with the light.

Creatures of the NIght (unsewn)

2010-10-31T16:55:00.000-05:00

The next step in the process is done. Usually I would stop here, put on the back layer and get them ready to hang. The end. But not this time. These pieces have a greater purpose. Stay tuned to find out what.... If you dare. Mmwwhahahahahah. ( That is my mad scientist chuckle. Happy Halloween!)

Sketches for "Creatures of the Night"

2010-10-29T10:15:00.005-05:00

The "Creatures of the Night" for a gallery in WV, Taylor Books/Annex Gallery. Here are the sketches from my sketchbook. Now I have to get them ready to sew, frame, and possibly illuminate. (If I can figure out what I am doing and get the more technical side of my brain to work.)

Fiber Options Post Card

2010-10-24T16:47:00.003-05:00

I just recieved some postcards for the Fiber Options Show.

Fiber Options 2010

2010-10-19T16:22:00.003-05:00

I just mailed a piece to an fibers exhibition at the Maryland Federation of Art in Annapolis, MD. "Happy Thought Vacuum" has been around my studio for a while and I am excited to show it. I did a makeover on it before it left, adding a wooden frame and a permanent light source.

Making Geese for "Wild Goose Chase"

2010-10-07T17:10:00.000-05:00

Making Plush Geese was an interesting process. I didn't have a pattern so I had to figure out the piecing for myself. I ended up making fifteen for my installation. I loved stuffing them. With no pattern they all ended up with their own unique character. These are the cut fabric pieces readed to be sewn. (I need a new iron!!!)All these feet.

Catching the Big One

2010-10-06T11:59:00.000-05:00

I am going to have a nephew!!!!"Catching the Big One"

My baby brother, Scott, and wife, Beverly are due to give birth later on this month. We are all so excited to welcome Michael Leon Carlisle into the family. I made this picture for the nursery. They settled on a cute turtle theme for the decor. I figure Scott will pass on his love for fishing to his son so why not get a head start on how to catch a big one. Beverly and Scott

Sketch of the piece.

Night Owls

2010-10-05T20:11:00.004-05:00

This is a piece I made for a dear old friend and a new one in celebration of their union. Seems like I have had a lot of occasions to make for, but It's a really nice break from school to make things specifically for someone.

Turtle Transportation

2010-08-18T18:58:00.004-05:00

While on our trip up north, David and I made a little detour through Richmond and spent some time scavenging thrift stores and looking for books. I found some really cool stuff, but I think I like some of his treasures best.

In one of the book stores, Richmond Book Shop, David found two Brownie books. Having been to the Geppi entertainment museum earlier this year, I have been exposed to Brownies and become fond of the illustrations of Palmer Cox. I had never seen a full story or looked through a book before. What a treat. They are so fun.

I found this drawing.

And was inspired to draw this one. I like it so much I am working on a 3d sketch. in order to work things out for a larger sculpture.

I will keep you updated on the progress.

Wild Goose Chase in Easton

2010-08-15T14:15:00.006-05:00

I was invited to design a window display around my flying machines for The Little Yellow Paintbrush, a gallery in Easton MD. It was a lot of work and a lot of fun.

Easton is host to a huge waterfowl festival every November so I decided a boat full of geese would be the next victims for these blue bird search party.

The display will be up until the end of the month. Maybe longer. From the outsideFrom the inside.I think they have caught one.

I think this is my favorite flying machine so far.

A boat full of geese.

Geese booty.

Waves crashing against the boat. Making these wave layers was tough. Sewing this sheer fabric is a battle, but it really looks great when the sun comes through and one layer shows through to the next.

Artwork for Adeline

2010-08-11T16:04:00.007-05:00

Seems like everyone in my family got together and decided to have offspring. Some of us didn't get the memo but for those that did Congratulations!!!! Here is the first of the artwork made for Adeline Creel Bailey, Daughter of cousin Lauren and Chad. And if all goes as planned today... Happy Birthday Adeline!!!

Lauren and our Granny

Work sent to WV

2010-08-11T15:15:00.002-05:00

1000 Artisan Textiles #2

2010-06-09T11:00:00.000-05:00

I just got my copy!!! I think they included everything I submitted. The book is great, (not just because I am in it) but there are so many creative pieces covering all areas of fibers. Here is a picture of my pages.

The Garden 2011

2010-05-24T22:59:00.007-05:00

Signs I made so I can remember.

Cucumbers and their new trellis.

Blackberry bushes in back, strawberry bush and squash in the front.

The garden has been planted for a while now and I have just seen the first signs of fruit. I built this raised bed last year over spring break. This year I planted fewer plants because things got a little crowded. I also made fancy signs and a trellis for the cucumbers to grow their green canopy. I planted several varieties of tomato to see what grows best. Serano peppers, bell peppers, squash, cucumbers, bannana peppers, jalopeno peppers. I know I must be forgetting something. Oh, Strawberries. Maybe things will do well. We shall see.

New Pots in etsy shop.

2010-05-18T11:05:00.002-05:00

They have been there for a little while. I really enjoyed getting back into the ceramic studio. After being knee deep in fabric work it is nice to escape for a moment and let my brain focus energy on something else for a while. After a few weeks away from one medium I can return to the other refreshed and ready to take on new challenges.

New Branch for Birdies.

2010-05-17T10:48:00.003-05:00

I was accepted into a show with a recycled theme again. This time at Picture This Gallery in Hilton Head South Carolina. www.picturethishiltonhead.com.
The show is titled A.R.T. Art recycled from trash.
The show runs May 15th to June 30th.

I decided it was time to make a new limb, the previous one is pretty beat up from its excursion to Baltimore and back. I modified it a little and I am sure the flying machines will find this new home just as lovely as the last.

The new. The old.

Dock Walk

2010-05-12T13:00:00.002-05:00

My dear friend Rubi included my balloon vases in her artical on Custom Creations in the May 2010 issue of Dock Walk Magazine. I am so excited to see one a vase in print. I am just as excited about the little bird vases. A big thanks to Rubi!

1000 Artisan Textiles

2010-05-10T10:10:00.003-05:00

A book I contributed to 1000 Artisan Textiles is released today!!!

I haven't got my copy yet so I don't know exactly what of my work they chose to include but I did notice I have a little space on the back cover.

In the middle below there is a piece of "The Duplex".

"The Search Party": A Video Collaboration

2010-04-20T10:02:00.002-05:00

Here is a video by Laura Eagin that was inspired by my work. We met, came up with a story, I made backgrounds and textures, the rest is history. I love how it turned out. She is truly amazing at rendering.

The Search Party from Laura Eagin on Vimeo.

A film noir starring predatory birds - they're cute but they're out to beak you!

Inspired by and in collaboration with fibers artist Kristie Carlisle Duncan of http://thefamilychicken.blogspot.com

American Craft Council - Baltimore Show

2010-04-08T15:15:00.004-05:00

This is a long overdue update on how the show went in Baltimore. Savannah College of Aret and Design and RISD were the two schools participating in the School to Market Program created by the ACC to allow students experienc in all aspects of exhibiting at the show. I along with 11 other students who were selected to be apart of this show worked hard to develop a body of work to present in our SCAD booth. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet and pick the brains of so many established artist in the field selling their work. Here are some pictures I wanted to share.

This is John, our wonderful professor of furnature design, after a long drive trying to figure out what we are going to do with all these pieces of booth.

I spared all the pictures of the set up and got right to our well organized, decorated space.

This is my friend Katie Glusica's weavings. The lighting was perfect and they never looked better.

This is our booth in relationship to RISD's

This is Jamie Galloway's work in organic cotton.

This is a view of my work.

A close up of the small shadow boxes.

A closer look at the flying machines.

The set up crew.

from rt to left: Katie, Me, John, Jamie, Johanna, Nicole

WEBSITE

2010-02-18T09:45:00.004-05:00

Hey Everybody!!! I am pleased to announce that the website is back up and running. Lots of pictures of everything I have been making lately. Stop by and take a look. Don't forget to sign my guestbook.

http://thefamilychicken.com/

Screen printing Packaging (round one)

2010-02-18T08:54:00.003-05:00

I am still getting things ready for Baltimore. I made some boxes for for the flying machines and found some bags for the small stuff. I really am liking the way things turned out. Only the bags gave me a bit of trouble. The handles keept getting in the way.

Hand cut boxes from chipboard.

The first color of my two color print.

Printed boxes.

Printed bags. I thought I might have to change out the ribbon handles but now I think they look fine with the color I mixed.

I will post pictures of the second color (gold) after they are finished. Also can't wait to show off boxes after they have been cut some more and put together in all their cagelike glory. I think I am spending as much time on the boxes as I did the work. Not really though. Once I got the template worked out it didn't take too long.

Open Studio

2010-02-17T09:10:00.003-05:00

My Desk

Flying Machine Installation

We had open studio at Pepe (the fibers building) last Friday night. It was a fun time to show of work to anyone who came through for a visit. There was fantastic work all over the building. Here is a picture of my studio.

A Little Light

2010-02-16T12:20:00.006-05:00

I am only a few days away from heading to the American Craft Council (www.craftcouncil.org)trade show in Baltimore. These are some little pieces that I am taking with me. They are wood frame boxed I made with hand cut paper frames on front. The inside is a wonderland of paper, fabric, ink, stiches and LIGHT!. The birds are at it again trapping all creatures that they can trick into believing in the beak.

Watercolor Cages

2010-01-28T23:44:00.003-05:00

Sometime this fall I made these papercut watercolors for a repeat pattern.

I just ordered a book called Slashed all about contemporary artist and designers using papercuts. Inspiring. Can't wait until it arrives at my front door.

Buswater 2009

2010-01-27T23:21:00.010-05:00

Catching up.

2010-01-26T22:45:00.005-05:00

I have been busy with this or that and I will not try and make excuses here but I do want to catch anyone up on the goings on and makings that have happened in the past six months. It will be a gradual process so sit tight.

Here is a picture to prove i have been doing something.

Ok you got me. This proves nothing. Except... Kitties love to pack.

More to come.

All of the Above

2009-05-08T13:40:00.005-05:00

All of the Above MFA Fibers Exhibition.

Some shots from the opening.

Cupcakes I made for the occasion.

New buisness cards.

Above "The Last Crusade" are pictures i took from the inside.

The Garden

2009-05-08T13:20:00.003-05:00

For the last couple of months I have been working on a raised bed for vegetables. One of the apartment complexes down the street put in a new fence a while back. I stopped by and ask what they were going to do with the old fence. Instead of having it all go to the dump I decided to re-purpose it for my project. The wood set unused forever in the back yard but finally it is put to use.

In progress

The huge pile of dirt that was delivered to the house. All I could think is "what have I done?"

Finally the plants are in. Five kinds of pepper, cucumbers, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, okra, squash, and cantalope. We may have to get a booth at the farmers market when it all comes in.

When we bought all the plants the bed wasn't big enough so I added an additon for the cantalope.

Hopefully my thumb is green enough for all of this.

What I did over Spring Break.

2009-05-08T13:12:00.003-05:00

David's parents and grandad came to visit and helped us put in a new fan, backsplash for the new oven, a working light in the kitchen and other odds and ends around the house. While they were doing the hard stuff I found time to make some pillows for the couch and curtains for the kitchen.

The Wrath of Kahn

2009-03-22T19:39:00.006-05:00

My final project for History of Fiber. Based on the story "The King and His Hawk". http://www.salizah.com/genghiskhanandhishawk.html

Identity

2009-02-24T13:23:00.005-05:00

This is a piece I created for my second project in History of Fabric. We were asked to identify a tribe we were a member of and I chose my extended family. We have a unique drawing of a chicken that has been passed down for four generations now. We call it the Carlisle Family Chicken. (It is where I got the name for this blog) The drawing made with one continuous line apart from the legs, even though we all know the technique every persons chicken is very unique.

We are a very close family and I wanted to express the support we all give each other by having them send me a piece of fabric they found significant. I expected curtain scraps or random fabric they had laying around from past projects but i got much more. Lots sent pieces from clothing my grandmother had made them making the project extra special. Each of the pieces is kind of like a poi trait of the person it represents. It is made from the fabric they sent me and their drawing of the "Carlisle Family Chicken" is stitched on the front. I chose to frame the pieces with a fabric I found that looks much like a tablecloth my grandmother would have on her kitchen table, something that brings us all together. Most of our gatherings incorporate food and end with us playing games around that table.

I had to rely on others to make this work possible. Most of the decisions were made for me after the initial idea. All I did was respond to the fabric. I chose to display these pieces side by side surrounding the viewer in an intimate space to signify the support system that surrounds me.

The Crusade

2009-01-29T12:24:00.015-05:00

I have been researching mechanical toys and automata and created my first moving piece of art for my history of fabric class. The starting guideline for the piece was Resistance and and could be interpreted however we saw fit.

I chose the narrative story of the rabbits resisting capture by the birds. These sweet little blue birds most often seen as creatures of happiness, prosperity and renewal are preforming this task of "beak and release" upon the rabbits in mob-like fashion. Something has caused them to react in great numbers with great conviction. I chose rabbits not only for their cuteness and my desire to get away from bird on bird violence but also because they are often viewed as tricksters. The rabbits might be seen as the ones bucking the system of this little forest, but is that stereotype what provoked such action?

I have been dealing with influence and control in my work and have adapted the cage and the beak as my symbols. The cage, as a symbol of control, is pretty self explanatory but the beak can reference so many other things. I am think of the mouse ears used to promote the cartoon character we are all familiar with. I am also thinking of things we use in emergency situations. Oxygen mask, Gas mask, Respirators, we have to breath so I am also taking the other side of the argument. Maybe the birds are trying to help the rabbits, because they think the rabbits can't help themselves.

Ok I have gone on for long enough. The piece is called "The Crusade".

In progress

Initial drawing for the idea of resistance. Felting birds. Felting rabbits.Our cat, Bunny, is disappointed to find out I didn't make this for her stage show. No beak bird discovers he is being watched. He informs his friends.

Finished Piece

In Action

What I did over Christmas vacation.

2009-01-09T13:59:00.004-05:00

Organize. My studio has been a mess and this has been a long time coming. I bought these cubes to store my fabric more logically and rearranged the whole room so the space is more open. It feels good. Now I am ready to get in and mess it up.

Gizmos Book

2009-01-09T13:44:00.009-05:00

I have been doing a bit of research on mechanical toys and automata. Several books and many youtube videos later I am feeling confident enough in my knowledge of cams and crank shafts to start on my first art piece including motion. But before I did I wanted to make one of the projects from a book David bought me for Christmas called Gizmos by Rob Ives.

This is the book along with the paper toy I made today with the punch out paper parts provided. I think it took about two hours to sort it all out. The mouse flys back and forth while flapping his arms. Amazing.

http://www.flying-pig.co.uk/

Stitch Spectacular

2009-01-08T10:20:00.005-05:00

I am excited about this upcoming show!!! I can't wait to see all the wonderful artwork.

This is the piece I have entered in the show. "The Last Happy Thought". You may recognize parts from the earlier eye candy post.

What I did over Thanksgiving.

2008-12-04T17:36:00.008-05:00

PaPaw and MaMaw looking through pictures

I have taken a break from some of the projects to think about things for a while and decided to start a new adventure. For several days I have been scanning all of my grandparents pictures. It has been fun playing historian learning all about ancestors and hearing old stories. I am not sure what the final form all of this information will take once it is all gathered, for it is a much bigger project than I imagined. Here are two of my favorites so far.

MaMaw being baptised in the river

My First Easter (May explain why I insist on using birds as my subject matter)

Eye Candy

2008-11-02T23:33:00.005-05:00

Finally here are some details of a piece I have just recently finished called "the last happy thought". The story is based around this one character who's only purpose is to create happy thoughts, being he is the only one left capable. I have finished the piece and will post a picture of it later but for now I will leave you with these.
The process: Loose wool roving, thread remnants from past projects, synthetic filling, and leftovers from my studio mate's, Jamie, spinning have all been captured between sheer polyester fabric by means of machine embroidery. I loosely plan composition before sitting down at the machine, but I change thread color often and let the fabric, loose threads and other materials dictate most of my decisions. I then go back into the piece and do a lot of hand stitching, cutting, and applique following the same mindset. After all the "nonrepresentational" work has been laid out I then add the character. At least that is how this one went.

Christmas Time @ Shop SCAD

2008-11-02T20:25:00.001-05:00

I was over at Shop SCAD on Saturday night and ran into these beautiful wreaths. They are wrapped in the most fabulous yarn. Katie Runnels is the artist and she can be found on her blog at http://theconstantgatherer.blogspot.com/ (she also has a flicker account of past work that I found interesting as well.) I thought they were so lovely I had to share them. Go look at the large ones in person.

a trip to the fair

2008-11-02T20:25:00.000-05:00

So for a week now I have been debating about whether to take a break and go over to the coastal empire fair. I saw a billboard advertising a petting zoo that peaked my interest, but on Saturday morning when I read this on their website I knew I had to go see some hatching chickens.
"We are Hatching Eggs. You can view eggs hatching in their incubators. Chicks will be hatching daily through Saturday and children can watch the chicks break out of their shells and learn to walk and eat. With adult supervision, children will be allowed to touch the newly hatch chicks. Visit the Fair until Saturday to see this fascinating exhibit."
I walked the entire fair (or so I thought) looking for the animals. Turns out I missed them and they were in the front. Cows and goats getting a fresh shave and brush before the judging began.

Goats in Uniform

Stripe and his kid

I wondered into the building where they were hiding the baby chickens. Although I didn't get to witness any hatchings there was clearly evidence of past hatchings and hatchings to come. I was not so patient.

The Incubator

While looking at the chicks a small girl, her mom and her grandmom came and stood by me and the chicken tank. The girl wanted to touch them (it was allowed, I touched them). The mother said something to the fact that now the child wanted to touch something but at the petting zoo she didn't want to touch anything. I said to the mother where is this petting "zoo", knowing the only animals i had seen were goats and cows and that hardly defines a zoo.

Kissing Cows

She told me it was around the corner and I decided it was time to go home. As I was driving around the fairground to get out to the main road I looked to the left and there stood a camel. I don't know how I missed it from the inside, but I have to say i was a little disappointed in my observational skills. I may need to have my eyes checked again. Anyway, It was a good time none the less and here are some fun pictures of baby chickens to prove it.

Halloween and the masked bird

2008-11-02T19:53:00.006-05:00

My Costume, made a year or so ago and embellished this year.

Cutest little mummy dogs ever!!!

Small Works 2008

2008-10-28T15:18:00.005-05:00

Stand Up Strait

The Duplex

Pretty Small Cage

Here are three works I entered in the Small Works Exhibition at SCAD's Red Gallery.

They measure 10 x 16" and are stretched on brick molding frames I built myself. I enjoy working with a more elaborate cage structure and can see them becoming more and more intricate. "The Duplex" also presents the opportunity to address living arrangements and architecture that either inhance those arrangements or work against them.

Spy Pigeon

2008-10-21T10:32:00.003-05:00

I am in the library doing some research and I thought I might share a picture or two.
David and I along with our good friend Jeremy took a trip up to Bethesda for the Small Press Expo. While we were there we took in some sites, among them and by far the most interesting was the new International Spy Museum. I was completely inspired by this picture of a WWII Spy Pigeon. It not only makes me want a pigeon of my very own but it also makes me wonder what this pigeon might take pictures of on his off days.

A Few more commissions.

2008-10-09T09:06:00.003-05:00

The Handmade Market

2008-09-02T01:03:00.004-05:00

Months ago David and I traveled up to Raleigh NC for my first Handmade Market. It was right before Mother's Day and the crowd was almost non stop so it made it hard to shop for my own gifts, I was very happy to see a familiar face at the table next to me.

SewOno! We met at Ice in June 2007 and I was so excited to see her again. You should check out her blog at http://sewono.blogspot.com/ and her Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5156498

After the show we loaded up the car and hit a few thrift stores on the way out. where I purchased what would be the basis for my first piece featuring the birds in cages. I took a picture of the fabric while i was in line at the store as a part of my embellishment class I was taking at the time.

Reincarnated

2008-09-02T00:32:00.004-05:00

I was asked to participate in an art show sponsored by the City of Savannah put together to promote the new recycling program and center. Anne Robinson coordinated everything so well and really made it a great show. I use mostly fabric that I find at rummage sales and thrift shops in my work and she saw some of my work at Mutation and Loop Link and Tangle last year. I wish I had got more pictures of the artwork there was a lot of clever artist using resources in a way that promotes reuse.

Buswater 2008

2008-09-01T23:19:00.004-05:00

The end of June was my second time to be a part of a West Virginia show called Buswater. Here is a look at the work I sent to them.

Yeah, they are all birds in cages.

Here is an artical from last November's Buswater. I don't think I included it in the blog from last year.

http://www.dailymail.com/Entertainment/200712060235

Here is this years Charleston Daily Mail:
http://dailymail.com/Entertainment/200806190221

Some Commissions

2008-09-01T22:55:00.007-05:00

I remember showing a drawing a while back for a commission I did for a nursery. Well, three months later here is the finished product (the work has been sent and received long ago I am just late as usual with posting). The picture is not so good on this photo but it gives you the idea. Kat, the woman who contacted me as a result of The Handmade Market in Raleigh, wanted these specific animals. It is always fun working with guidelines like this it forces me to work with characters that I probably would not otherwise.

As a result of that one of her friends had me create this one. Speaking of working with characters I would not normally. These are both done in three panels and I was excited to use the octopus in that format.

The sketch.

The Fabric

Caged Birds

2008-06-05T23:40:00.008-05:00

I have started a new series of Illustrations. Birds in cages. They involve free motion embroidery on a sewing machine, hand stitching, and a dash of imagination. Here are some of the smaller ones.

Shadow Box Birdie

2008-06-05T23:34:00.002-05:00

Wings and Things

2008-05-28T09:57:00.004-05:00

I was in the winter Society of Illustrators show here at scad a while back ("Things with Wings")this was the piece.

Ice Atlanta

2008-05-28T09:40:00.004-05:00

It is that time of year again. I will be traveling to Atlanta on June 7th for Ice Atlanta. So many fantastic artist all in one place. Click on the title to go to their website. And come see me if you are in the area.

Ps. the website is back up and running.

I made this a graduation present for a family member that just lost their cat Shiloh.

Sketches I am working on for a commission. I have to make a few adjustments to the owl.

I am just finishing up a fibers class and cant wait to post some of that work. I am also working on two gallery shows for west virginia. Things have been busy lately.

I just wanted to get a few pictures up because I haven't been keeping up with the blog like i should.

The website is down.

2008-05-06T14:29:00.002-05:00

Not forever. I let the time laps on the domain and they took all the fun down. Until I can find the disk that the website is on or find time to make a new one (my prefered choice) we will just have to live without it. I still have this blog, and etsy (thefamilychicken.etsy.com). I need to do better keeping up with both. I am still making things and going places, but i feel i can't do them justice right now. I will be back later with lots and lots to look at.

The Handmade Market

2008-03-13T10:55:00.004-05:00

http://www.thehandmademarket.com

I signed up for The Handmade Market on Monday.

I was on the fence about driving, but as I feel asleep on Sunday night I felt a little disappointed when I thought I had missed the deadline. Thinking a little harder I remembered my Little Twin Stars planner, David bought me while he was in Japan, starts it’s weeks of on Monday and not Sunday. It wasn’t too late after all.

So that is where I will be Saturday May 3rd.

Fabric Paintings @ ShopSCAD

2008-03-13T10:39:00.009-05:00

These are just a few of them. Small Space Bird (sorry it is such a bad picture)

Hedgehog with bird balloon

http://shopscadonline.com/

Geets at ShopSCAD

2008-03-13T10:29:00.005-05:00

Four of each color. I don't know if they got them up on the website yet.

http:shopscadonline.com

New website drawings.

2008-03-06T19:08:00.005-05:00

A lot has happened since the beginning of the year. Shop SCAD is carrying some of my fabric paintings and geets. I am involved in an art show sponsored by the City of Savannah. One of my fabric paintings was in the SCAD Society of Illistratosr winter show called "Things with Wings". And I have set off on an adventure through the vast art of cake decorating. But I don’t have pictures of any of that right now so you will have to settle for a drawing of this bird I would like to animate for my new and improved, flash driven website. I have high hopes but I don’t know if it will ever happen but I like the sketches.

Small Works @ Red Gallery

2007-11-28T22:33:00.002-05:00

I have five works from "The Great Heart War" in this upcoming show.

Nov. 28, 2007-Jan. 1, 2008 "Small Works" - An Annual Exhibition For the Holiday Season Featuring Unique Art by SCAD Students, Faculty, Alumni and Staff Priced at $500 or LessRed Gallery, 201 E. Broughton St., Savannah, Ga. The Savannah College of Art and Design presents the 2008 "Small Works" annual juried exhibition for the holiday season featuring works on sale for $500 or less and measuring 18 inches or smaller. The exhibition highlights an exceptional range of media including photography, painting, ceramics, collage and mixed media by SCAD students, faculty, alumni and staff. This exhibition is free and open to the public. For more information, contact SCAD exhibitions.

Bus Water Show

2007-11-28T22:19:00.000-05:00

Trapped and Confused

Take-out Tonight

Rabbit Ears

Possum Finds Heart

Paratrooper

Nut Hunting

No!

LuLu Hedgehog

Bird Hearts Deer

Acorns

These are the Fabric Paintings I sent up to an invitational show in West Virginia called Bus Water. I cant attend the reception, but I know it will be a blast. I can't wait to see pictures of all the other artwork.

Mutation Craft Fair Fall 2007

2007-11-28T21:39:00.000-05:00

I had alot of fun this year. I met a lot of nice new friends that are full of talent. I have more pictures, but I will have to post them later.

Here is an artical featured in the Savannah Morning News. They wrote a little about me. (you can click on the title of this post to go to the website and see more pictures.

Call 'em mutation misfit crafts

This one was in the paper.

French crepes, organic tomatoes and fiddle music mixed with created creatures with crazed countenances.
The season's final Starland Farmers Market shared the midtown parking lot with Mutation: The Venue for Misfit Crafts on Saturday. The craft fair, minus the tomatoes, herbs and a few other vendors, continues today.
At the time of year when craft fairs abound, these tables hold the unusual.
Julie Lake's jewelry invited a hands-on approach, where touching "warms the art." Some of her pieces incorporated foam insulation for an exhibit coming up at the Museum of Contemporary Craft in Portland, Ore.
At the table with artwork from the community gallery Indigo Sky, Asa Chibás invited people to their opening reception Dec. 1. Jerome Meadows, Judy Mooney and Luther Vann are a few of the well-known names among the 16 listed who will be a part of the afternoon holiday fundraiser exhibition at 915 Waters Ave.
Chibás said they hope to raise money to support programs for children and the exhibition of their work alongside that of the professionals.
Business names under the craft fair tent reflect the nature of their owners, such as Pandora's Button Box and Landgoats Junkyard, with "all the junk you've always wanted."
Other names are fairly straightforward: Danielle Demasi sells bags. Betsy VanderVeen Rutz sells her handmade books and papers. Karin Soderholm designs quilts.
Leslie Geer stood behind the table of little potted succulents from Greenware Design. She's the planter, and Irene McCollam's the potter. Geer, a graphic artist, has a familiar story: "I moved away and came back."
Kristie Carlisle Duncan tells her story on TheFamilyChicken.net. Her logo came from a bird her great grandfather drew. Her little sachet sacks of lavender- and honey-scented rice developed faces with button eyes. Originally called drawer monsters, they have grown into "Geets."
She also sews free-motion designs on cards for holidays. She liked the back better than the front, "a happy accident," and turned them backside out.
A crew from HGTV's show "That's Clever!" filmed her in April working on her ceramic pieces formed from balloons dipped in slip, then popped. She hopes to be on a segment next spring.
Mary Singleton Curley was part of the Saturday Farmers Market with her herbs, jewelry and fabric painting. The 1957 graduate of Beach High School left for Seattle for 20 years, then came back home to be with family.
Aunt Alice brought her Homemade Soaps.
Margie's Gone to Pot is the functional pottery of Margie Thompson. She had a new, bright, greenish-blue that "feels good in your hands."
Maria Fernanda Castro was handing out information about recycling Saturday. Green Lifespace consults about recycling and picks up material from 10 restaurants. They pick up recyclables from the Telfair Art Museum and some public events for free.
Yvonne Jouffrault was working behind a mobile yellow stand turning out crepes, "the French hot dog." She was working behind the hot plate where husband, Olivier, can usually be found. The Nutella crepes were usually the best seller, but Saturday, lemon reigned supreme.
Joe Nelson, alternating on fiddle and banjo, played with James Pittman on guitar. They had my attention when they played one of my favorite shape-note songs, "Angel Band."
Meghan Shannon and Amy Nieto are the organizers of the mutation craft fairs. Shannon said this was their sixth seasonal fair.
"We all work," she said, so craft fairs are created in the in-between moments. The fair continues today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. between 40th and 41st off Whitaker or Bull streets.
Adam Levine donated a couple of his quirky stuffed dolls called Adimals to raise money for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization. The Adimals will be adopted by the highest bidders in a silent auction.
After all of that creative fantasy, it was good to stop by Nita Dixon's restaurant for ribs, squash casserole, beans and rice.
That's a Savannah day at its best.

Find Rexanna at rexannalester@ comcast.net, or by calling 912-897-0641, or write to her at 201 Battery Way; Savannah, GA 31410. Columns are posted at http://new.savannahnow.com/in_print/column/rexanna_savannah/

Loop, Link and Tangle

2007-11-07T22:10:00.000-05:00

This post is way overdue, but I have been busy. The show was in the middle of November.

"The Battle" was chosen to be a part of a juried show at the Dimensions Gallery here in Savannah. Here are some photos of all the nice work taken at the opening last Friday night.

This is Cory and Jessica. They were in charge of all the hard work, and great at it too.

Mutation is coming again!!!

2007-10-25T15:18:00.000-05:00

Yey!!!

Back to West Virginia

2007-10-23T09:21:00.000-05:00

It was a pretty trip before but now that the leaves are changing it is even better.

First Fibers Project

2007-10-23T08:31:00.000-05:00

Weaver Bird Basket made from natural wire. Needle Felted Bird with crocheted leg warmers. Wet Felted Sheets, one with appliqued bird. Hand spun yarn, and various eggs full of different knots and knitting samples.

New and Improved Black Dog Studio Website

2007-10-22T09:57:00.000-05:00

Last week I spent my time working on www.blackdogstudioinc.com. I think it is much improved and I am less embarassed to call it my design. This week I will spend more time on my Heart War Website. I have to rethink the format a bit to account for new works that will join the next showing. I sold all but six of the small ones in West Virginia so new ones will have to take their place.

A Review on TheGazz.com

2007-10-17T15:32:00.000-05:00

They went to see the show and said some really nice things.
I am truly flattered.

http://thegazz.com/gblogs/artattack/2007/10/16/sweet-sour-the-great-heart-war-and-land-matters/#more-327