Umbria Day 3

Monday, we spent the day with artist Virginia Ryan.

We started at the museum Museo Pinoteca di Trevi where she gave us a private tour of her work begin exhibited there.

We walked to her studio where we were awed by her extensive collection of work!

I had programmed that specifically because her work is very much influenced by textile.

We drove over to her home for lunch.

Her garden and house itself is full of sculptures and interesting art pieces everywhere, collected by her from her travels and also art work from other artists.  There are gorgeous views of the valley.

In the evening we had a Show and Tell by Orsola, a local woman, of hand made items that are typical Umbrian.She showed us work from the mid- eighteen hundreds to the 1950's and a few from about 20 years ago.

Another great day, I'd say!

Studio Visit in Umbria

While in Umbria I visited my friend, Virginia Ryan,  in her art studio.

Acrylic paintings by Virginia Ryan fill the studio space.
Exhibit SHIFT, 2013

She is an established multidisciplinary artist. She is also a mother and an author.

She has lived for many years in West Africa and that influence is evident in her art work. Please read on her website "White is a Color" by scrolling 1/5th of the way down.

detail, Les Femmes de Gagne A'la' Rue du Commerce/4
160cm x 180cm
2013
acrylic on canvas

Eight years ago, I saw her multi-entry exhibit at the GCAM (galleria civica d'arte moderna palazzo collicola) in Spoleto. Photography, paintings, collage, sculpture, video and voice.

On this visit, I was particularly interested in her fabric-related work from her SHIFT installation.

fabric dresses as inspiration

She is such a wonderful person full of life and full of great ideas AND a great hostess! I find her inspirational to me as a person and as an artist.

Catalogue cover for SHIFT 

She will be giving us a tour of her studio and a presentation about her work on the Umbria Textile Trip I am organizing for August 2016.

Sandra Brownlee was in Town

Sandra Brownlee was recently in Toronto giving a workshop and also had her work exhibited at the David Kaye Gallery. The exhibit is on until May 25. Don't miss it! This is the last weekend.

"I am becoming"
2005, work by Sandra Brownlee
hemp cloth, fabric strips, sewing thread, stitching

I loved the journal of hers that was on display. I was able to flip through it thanks to the gloves provided. I keep a journal when I travel. I write poems. I sketch. I keep a page at the back entitled "Strange but True" where I jot down funny things I see. Hers has inspired me to continue. I can not keep a journal at home as I find my life too FULL FULL FULL and just can't stop and let my mind clear so that I can see my "other" thoughts.

Page from Sandra Brownlee's journal.
I like that she added photographed images.
I like that she is standing behind her art
 and the cloth is almost hugging her shape "becoming" her.

Her piece "I am becoming", 2005, was my favourite. The fabric being so sheer, so nothing and she is "becoming" through the words she stitches.

detail, I am becoming
by Sandra Brownlee

There is an article about her and her work and her latest recognition- The 2014 Saidye Bronfman Award in Studio Magazine, available at David Kaye Gallery or at the OC offices/gallery on Queen Street.

I was too late to sign up for her workshop...he who hesitates is lost. It was full by the time I decided. But I heard all about it from two of the participants, Judith Martin and Margi Hennen.

Art Class

Every year I sign up for some sort of class. This year I chose an art class from the Toronto School of Art. It is a sketching class.

My teacher, Iris Häussler, is a conceptual artist. Her approach and her way of teaching is very new to me.

We sketched for 1 minute and then the model changed position. I just had to keep sketching without thinking of the final product- there was no time. "Process" is what we were doing.

My first try.
One minute is too fast to sketch a person!

It was interesting to compare the first attempts
 at capturing a position and the later ones.
This one I did towards the end of the class. I did get better!

It is very energizing to try new things, learn new skills and new ways of thinking.

I am not sure how it will influence my textile work but I know it will.

French Linens

I'm in France right now and spent the morning at the local outdoor market in a small town on the Atlantic coast.

Of course I gravitated towards the fabrics!

I was tempted to purchase the top sheet...maybe use it on a bed for a bit, then dye it and stitch it as does artist Judy Martin. But it was 80 euro...

I may go back tomorrow as I hid it under other linens and it may still be there.
(photo credit: Sophia Reford)

Yummy Colours

Pierre Hermé is more than a French pastry chef.

Choosing the macarons at Pierre Hermé, Paris.

Vogue magazine has called him the "Picasso of Pastry".

I was immediately struck by the brightness of the coulours of the macarons.

His combination of flavours are inventive. So is his use of colour and texture. They are a treat for all your senses. He is a true food artist.

 We ate them in the Jardin du Luxembourg.

Blissful.

(photo credit: Veronica Gerson)

Weekend Art Show Visit

On the weekend I attended the opening of Sybil Rampen's 40 year retrospective, "Epoch of Stolen Moments".

I love what she said-yes, stolen moments of tranquility and calmness
 in a day of many responsibilities

Spirit House, with Marion Spanjerdt, 1976

Woodworm I and II, 2009, seen on the outsides
Burnt paper is incorporated with the fabric

detail, Please Write, 1999
wild cucumber filigree

My two favorites of Sybil's.
Top: Pico Volcano, 2010
Bottom: Red Cows, 2004
 It reminds me of a Frederick Verner painting
There is tissue paper in the felted background

Exhibiting alongside Sybil was high school student, Tsochoy Go. I met him two years ago at his school when I worked with his class on a community quilt. His exhibit is entitled "A Messenger from Outer Space". His drawings are amazing!

artist, Tsochoy Go stands proudly beside his work

I had a few favorites of his. Here is one below.

Rhythm Angel
It glows.
When you stand in front of it, the wings seem to beat

He gave me one of his drawings two years ago. Lucky me.

His class mate, Ron, performed during the exhibit.

Background art work by Meredith Horne

The exhibits run till August 12, 2012, at the Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre in Oakville.

The back property at the Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre