Verona Tessile Prep

Everyone at Ad Maiora is lending a helping hand.

The tickets are assembled in packs of 50. It will help keep track of how many people visit the exhibits during this 3rd edition of the festival. The first year there were 3000 visitors in 6 days. This year there will be many more.

The works are arriving and being put in well-labeled corners of the studio to be delivered to the appropriate exhibit halls and galleries. We are doing that tomorrow!

Today I went to pick up the ribbons for the juried exhibit.

Tomorrow is my last day to finalize small things for the Canadians!

I have been working really hard. My goal for each traveller is that they have a "That's amazing!" moment every day. It could be a view, an art work, a new Italian friend, a great sleep (those apartments have amazing mattresses!)...

For one of the classes,  I have secured the room in the top of the Porta San Zeno, 1540-1542! THAT'S AMAZING!

(architect Michele Sanmicheli)

I took a day off yesterday to energize before the big week!

Lago di Garda

I went to Garda Lake and walked about 4 km.

I am psyched! It's going to be great!

Paper Making

What a fun workshop! I took a two-day paper making workshop at Paper House Studio.

sculptural paper made by one of the teachers

Great teacher. (thanks Flora)

ME making paper

I made about 50 sheets of paper using different pulps and adding threads and fabric inside some sheets.

my paper back lit

I signed up for a book binding workshop in September at CBBAG and I hope to be able to use my wonderful hand-made paper.

paper marked with "tear drops"

two layers of paper with a piece of hand dyed fabric inside.
It looks very different when it is dried.

I'll explore with stitching when I get back. Some of the sheets are very thick and I am sure they can take it.

the press used for the last stage of drying

Photo Diary, June 19

Train Travel

Paris- Montparnasse...

to Tours...

and back.

Inspirational Photos from Today's Adventures

Buttons.

Floors.

 Windows.

Garden.

Pavement.

Fabric.

Paris.

Magnetic Maps

I have had MINERALS on the brain lately.

I am planning a Minerals exhibit for the beginning of March. The works from the selected artists have been coming in and they are beautiful.

Naturally, today's postcard looked like a magnetic map used for mineral exploration.

Talking about Art

I met with Catherine Dormor and Judith Martin for breakfast this week before they headed up to Manitoulin Island. Catherine was Judy's advisor for her BA in embroidered textiles at Middlesex University. Dr. Dormor was in town from the UK for the World of Threads Festival.

detail, Shimmer, 2011

We had some good conversation. One of the things we talked about was slow hand stitching and getting in 'the zen zone' while working. I can get 'there' when I sew by machine...the sound of the motor, the repetitive motion.

Made of silk organza and silk satin

I miss having art people around me to talk with about art things. At the end of our time together, my mind was so full of ideas and questions to consider! I came home, got my journal out and put the words in my head onto paper then sat at the machine and sewed all morning.

technique: digital print

Shimmer, 2011
Made up of six panels.

I started a new piece- conceptual one.

detail, Shimmer

I only clued in afterwards, on the way home, that Dr. Catherine Dormor was the artist of Shimmer. I absolutely loved that piece! It was part of the exhibit Quiet Zone at the World of Threads Festival.

 These are two of the panels,
 one in front of the other.

I would have loved to talk to her about it!

Thanksgiving

Nine

Name 9 things you are thankful for.

This weekend Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving, a celebration which is tied to the harvest.

Lines

She says that I am experiencing success.

I say, "but it is horizontal success."

She says, "which is better than horizontal void."

I say, "Vertical success is what I was going for."