Identity

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.