Art Work Back

I received my art work that was touring for the past 2 years.

My art work photographed from the catalogue.
Waves

"Radiation emits from objects at many different scales, from stars to atoms. This piece reflects my interpretation of emitted radiation waves interacting with other matter, including human bodies." (taken from the catalogue)

It is always nice to get things back.

 Waves, detail

The curator and her team packed up the work nicely. I usually roll my work. I was once told to avoid tubes for shipping because they often roll off trucks and belts. So I now use a long triangular box.

Waves, detail

Oddly enough from Germany it was going to cost a fortune to send to Italy! So she put the triangle box into a square box and it cost much less.

Waves, detail

Inside, there were a few treats! One of which was a catalogue of the exhibit and all the places it went (except for the last place as the opportunity came after the catalogue was printed.)

catalogue cover for the Radiation exhibit

I liked many of the other works. I liked reading what the artists said about their work and its inspiration related to radiation. All works are 60cm x 120 cm, measurements set by the curator.

Without natural filters life on earth would be impossible.

Merce Gonzalez Desedamas, Spain
Life Filters

When charged particles such as a proton pass through a cloud chamber they leave behind a trail of ions as they strike molecules of air along their path. Mist droplets form around these ions creating a cloud track.

Tonya Littman, USA
Particle Trails

Magnetic resonance images.

Rita Berghuis-Ensing, Netherlands
Diagnose Braintumor 1

A chemical reaction transforms 95% of a firefly's energy into light and only 5% is set free as warmth. Up to now no form of man-made light has met this level of efficiency.

Barbara Lange, Germany
Monochrom 8- Fireflies

There was a CD of the show works. There were a few printed note cards, postcard size, and a thank you note from the curator.

Since it is in Italy, I am going to submit it for the Ad Maiora member exhibit which is happening in November, even though most of the other works will be traditional quilts.

Redone

I redid the cover collage. I like it better.

If you want to see the changes I made click here.

People should know that not all the works that artists make are good. There are a lot of tries before the good version is produced.

Artists should post more about their "mistakes".

Korean Artist Lee Bul had an exhibit at Vancouver Art Gallery (October 2015-June 2016).

Lee Bul's early models.
photo credit: I. Reford

Her early models were shown alongside her ambitious sculptures.

Good to see. Also can be inspirational.

My Journal

I wasn't able to really "get into it", my journalling, as I was running a trip!

collage entitled Fault Line
We were in Umbria about 3 days after the big earthquake of Amatrice and area
My collage was also inspired by the contemporary work of artist Danilo Fiorucci I saw at Flash Art gallery while in Trevi.

But here in Verona I have gone back and added colour to some of the sketches,

I do remember the blue blue cloudless sky
while sketching the negative space
 the oldest olive tree in Umbria, 1700 years old.

....although I know it isn't the same.

I sat on the grass at the bottom of the small hill
and sketched the hammock I saw every day as I walked on the way to the pool.

Sitting in front of something and sketching it is better for the brain. You remember the place well when you go back and see the sketch.

I had already washed this page with green not knowing what it would become
but the wash was perfect for what I sketched-
the olive tree trunks.

For example, in one sketch I saw 3 shapes that reminded me of the cypress trees that are usually planted around the cemeteries. I automatically painted them green but then I remembered I had drawn three arches inside a wall! Had I been painting right in front of the scenery this wouldn't have happened.

I worked on a weaving inspired by our afternoon where we learned about silk making during medieval times.

The weavers often macrame their ends.

I worked on a collage.

I collaged over the yellow cover of the journal.
When I get back to my Toronto studio,
I will make a book wrap
using the colour palette of the Umbrian landscape.
There is everything in this collage:
the stone walls, the olive trees, the religious figures,
the vineyards, the entrance to the city, the medieval palazzi
(I am going to unstick that archway...it bothers me!..maybe it is the white beside it)

heard from the other travellers that are still in Italy exploring on their own that they continue to sketch!

Burlap bags on the floor of the paper making bottega.
They are filled with rags which were turned into pulp for paper making.
I stitched the side of the page like the edges of the bags were sewn.

 I am so happy about that.

We had to sew something into our book.
I sewed a hand-made paper, made using medieval tools
and washed with a local red wine.

I worked it so the red thread encircled the sketch
 of a dead moth I found on the terrace.

It means they liked their sketching experience in Umbria.

(images of some of the pages of my Umbria journal, summer 2016)

Umbrian Colours

Thanks for checking my blog while I and the group of 4 Canadians were on the Journalling Trip.

The travellers have a very good collection of memories in their journal. They definitely have plenty of ideas to pick from when creating their next art works- either quilted blankets or textile for the walls.

I am happy I had such a great group of ladies! That makes all the difference to the success of the trip.

I leave you with these lovely colours of Umbria.

If you are reading this and wish you had participated then you can think about it for the summer of 2018.

Sarebbe bello! 

Read some testimonials from my travellers:

"It was a most amazing trip, in an amazing region of Italy! Sandra introduced us to fascinating people that we never otherwise would have spoken with. She packed each day with unique activities. The beautiful accommodations surrounded by olive trees, history and art. I highly recommend it!" (L.P.)

"I have travelled in Italy several times. Sandra’s trip was by far the best organized and most interesting trip I have experienced. Bravo Sandra! I can’t wait to travel with you again." (C.C.)

Remember that I also do a trip for quilters and textile artists in Verona, Italy.

The next Verona trip is April 21-30, 2017.

Embroidery Festival

The Mostra di Ricamo is held in Valtopina every year on the first weekend in September.

Detail from Maria Grazia Giacomini
work exhibited at the museum
(it is a reflection)
area Trieste

 There are many booths where one can view the skilled workmanship of some very ancient embroidery and lace making techniques.

The mayor and the organizers welcoming
everyone to the opening.
Work above/below by Ilana Efrati

We also saw some innovative things.

Gorgeous work from Ilaria Margutti

There was some patchwork as well.

The town was lined with wrapped trees. Gorgeous!

We walked over to the small but impressive Textile Museum to see the "Il Filo Infinito, la Pace" (Infinite Thread of Peace) exhibit curated by Elvira Guglielmi.

There were 2 other exhibits to see on the walk back to the main area.

We stayed on the grounds for lunch and were ready for our 3 pm class with art therapist, Tiziana Luciani. She is an author and works in Assisi and Milano as well as collaborates with a university in Venice.

She taught an exhilarating workshop where we used the idea of a ball of yarn to express all the big moments in our lives.

We had a full day once again.

"In My Hands"
my piece from the workshop.

Today is our last day, actually!  I can't believe we are leaving tomorrow morning!

One of the travellers journal pages

Another traveller's first day entry

Still another traveller's second day entry

Carolyn's book is full!
She wrote some beautiful things!

People are packing as I write this. Outside there is some far away folk music.

Medieval Techniques

We had a day immersed in the past!

Bevagna was the location, a small walled town. The locals host a medieval fair, with costumes and food and  'careers' in medieval traditions at the end of June. So the town is set up for those kinds of presentations.

Francesco Proietto is the master paper maker in Bevagna.

Two of our travellers making paper with a master paper maker.

The town of Fabriano is famous for its paper making. It is just north east of Bevagna.

We had our hand at making paper using medieval tools which were remade to the exact specifications of the originals.

Originally rags were stripped and soaked and transformed into pulp which then became paper. It is linked to textile.

Signore Francesco's little shop had many gorgeous products to purchase, all hand made with such skill. Artegianale.

The next stop was Rita Trabalzo's silk shop. She demonstrated how silk thread was made using medieval tools from the year 1335.

The exact same mechanism is used today but instead of having two women operate it, it is operated by machine.

I think the travellers enjoyed these hands-on workshops. Says C...We certainly did!

We had lunch in a small, shaded piazza. Typical fare.

Instead of sketching we focused on collage since our morning was about paper.

We made a quick stop at the famous church, Santa Maria Degli Angeli.

We had to go through security first!

Back at home we had a relaxing swim and a nice glass of wine!