Mother's Day Photo Shoot: Red Paper Crowns

When my husband asked me what I wanted for Mother's Day I automatically replied, "French toast". But as the day drew near I found myself cutting simple paper crowns from leftover red construction paper. More suspiciously, as Sunday lolled on from French toast, to the little one's nap, to after-nap, I found myself making three red crowns and one small star wand. What I really wanted was a family photo shoot complete with handmade props. Fortunately, my husband agreed to play along. So we drove up into the Oakland hills and found a little picnic patch to call our own.

I donned us in our red paper crowns and we took to the picnic area and tall grasses. The little one was less convinced about his crown than he was the arsenal of small rocks and various narrow pathways. My dear husband wore his crown like any supportive father on a Mother's Day adventure--with some reservation but as much enthusiasm as he could muster. Our little one examined his crown quickly then tossed it aside and headed for the ample rocks and piles of soft dirt. So, I resorted to the number one lesson I've learned in my 19-months of parenting--stay flexible!

With that, we managed to frolic around the picnic tables, parking lot, and tall grasses until the sun had nearly set and the little one was weary with adventure.  It seems these lessons in parenthood and artmaking are colliding the further I move down this path wholeheartedly. The more I let go of expectations, the more I admit to my needs in the moment, the more I lay out the best damn plan I can manage and then respond to the environment and adapt as I go along. Then, the easier it gets. Which, of course, is not to say it's easy. It's just to say it's easier. Well, easier than resisting.

And, of course, sometimes the very best crowns are the crumpled crowns. The ones we dent, bend, wrinkle, and trample through our adventuring. My favorite photo is the one of Maxwell looking at his red paper wand, the dent in his crown glowing brightly from the afternoon sun, with my husband smiling approvingly from behind. Isn't it always the imperfection, the unexpected, the crumpled crown that proves to be our very favorite? Full of mishaps and opportunities to respond to a little magic along the way? Sigh. I'm just grateful they wore their handmade crowns.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mamas. 

xoxo,
k.

Dance Art Craft Collaboration & Closing Thoughts

My dear friends,

The show was a success! After working on this soft sculpture collaboration steadily for four months, the final performances were this past weekend and everything went even better than we imagined. I'm somewhat astonished that it is actually complete as my studio has been overflowing with anatomical drawings, stacks of blue fabric, and various fiberfill since January. Such excitement, relief, exhaustion, and contentment all swirling at once.

Failure of the Sign is the Sign was created by Hope Mohr Dance as part of her artist residency at ODC Theater in San Francisco. Hope brought me to the creative process very early when she commissioned me to create a set made (almost) entirely of fabric. We began through a series of conversations and brainstorming sessions and ultimately agreed that the dancers would physically (and conceptually) be placed inside the body. You can read Hope's thoughts in an article here and a lovely review of the show here. Hope was interested in creating a sense of interiority and enclosure so we agreed to use the major organs as a launching place and to conceptually stay inside the body with the scenic design.

If you look closely at the photos you'll see two huge brain-inspired clouds complete with protruding thoughts represented by childlike forest images--house, sparrow, tree-- constructed like hanging quilts. There are 18 individual soft sculptures scattered through the space including: a stomach, pancreas, spleen, kidney/ ureter/ bladder combination, thyroid, set of lungs, and heart (all hanging from branches); there are several sculptures that stay on the ground including 5 intestines, 3 livers, and 3 abstracted torsos. The torsos were inspired by Louise Bourgeois sculptures and each had a unique abstracted part: one had heartstrings, one had a small wing, and one had an attached infant.

The tree branches are wrapped with fabric to represent the skeletal structure, technically to add mass to the room and to provide a place for the lights to hang, but also more simply to add an element of surprise, material contrast, and hint to the landscape of a child's imaginative forest. Of course, there is a clashing of craft and fine art and performance at every turn. And, fortunately, the choreographer embraced and encouraged me to push my own aesthetic. The stranger, the more surprising, and the bigger I could push my own work, the happier she became. Of course, this was a blessing.

All the organs were created specifically for this collaboration. I studied anatomical drawings, sketched to paper, sketched to fabric, cut, sewed, stuffed, and stitched my way through most of the major organs. The quilts were technically the most challenging part--they are heavy, asymmetrical, and required multiple connective points to hang straight. The organs were the most fun to create--the anatomical heart was the trickiest but most rewarding and the various (mostly found, thrifted, or gifted) fabrics provided their own complications in construction.

All said and done--it was invigorating to work on this gigantic scale (the stage is approx 45 feet by 36 feet) and to be given the resources to work with an amazing team of artists and technicians for the installation. I was also very fortunate to hire an assistant at the very end to help finish the sewing and also make some repairs. (Thank you, Alex!) Of course, you can't really get a sense of performance-based work through still images. But I wanted to show you the finished project from my vantage point. So, thank you, to everyone who supported this project along the way and to those of you reading from afar, consider yourself supports of a very necessary kind.

For this entire experience, I am so insanely grateful. Phew! Now I will attempt to organize, purge, and tidy my studio before the next project begins.

xoxo,
k

You Are Invited & Please Wish Me Luck

 
My dear friends,

You are cordially invited to join me at this weekend's premier of Failure of the Sign is the Sign. We open on Friday night and I am head over heels excited for this collaboration. As many of you know, I was commissioned by choreographer, Hope Mohr Dance, to create and build a set inspired by the human body and built almost entirely of fabric. After much conversation we agreed that the dance would conceptually take place inside the body and most of my work has been based on anatomical drawings of the major organs. (You can read about the process over here and over here.)

Imagine 20 soft sculptures built from fabric, stuffed with just about every type of fiberfill imaginable, two large hanging quilts, and several tree branches wrapped in fabric and hung from the ceiling. We are almost there. Almost! The show previews on Thursday so my work must be done by 8pm on Thursday night--every last string snipped and every last stitch, stitched.

I will show you photos later in the week but for now, I just wanted to pop-in and invite you to join me if you are in town. The show runs Friday and Saturday night at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm at ODC theater on 17th and Shotwell in San Francisco. More details on the ODC website. And for those of you out-of-town--stay tuned. I'll be back with photos shortly.

Now, please do wish me luck!

xoxo,
k.

Quilting Resources for Crafty Folks

Source: megcallahan.com via Katrina on Pinterest

(Spine Quilt by Meg Callahan.)

I recently taught a section on quilting for the INTERWOVEN online workshop that I co-taught with the lovely and talented, Lisa Solomon. (We are brainstorming about offering this class a second time this fall--stay tuned for details.) After offering the workshop, my little inbox filled up with questions from students, friends, and fellow crafters asking about quilting resources.

So, I decided to share a tiny portion of what I shared one day in the private class here on my public blog. Of course, this is just a fraction of what we shared in the INTERWOVEN class as we shared video tutorials, interviews, contextualized each project in the art and craft worlds, and offered enough resources to make most of the wonderful students dizzy with links and lists. Admittedly, we realized we wanted to share everything we possibly could because we believe in the work that much. It's true.

I want to share just a sample of my quilting resources here for two reasons: 1.) I want this blog to be a space where I can keep giving you inspiration to make things with your own two hands and 2.) I believe in building community and sharing resources with like-minded folks. I'm also going to share some Gorgeous quilt images (Yes, that's a capital "G") that I've taken from my Pinterest boards. I've cited each of the quilters with links to their sites, so please peruse those sites too--I've shared quilt images from some of my favorite contemporary quilters.

Source: kathrynclark.com via Katrina on Pinterest

(Albuquerque Foreclosure Quilt by Kathryn Clark.)

I think it's a very exciting time to be a quilter. There are so many exciting fabric designers, quilters, communities, and resources that with some focused experimentation and navigation we can find our way to the heart of what we find most inspiring. The online quilt movement has a fierce and exciting momentum that I encourage you to join. It's endless!

Of course, there is no possible way I could list all the worthy bloggers, designers, artists, and crafters working with quilts (though I would applaud any of you who want to try--what an amazing website that would be for other quilters). But, I am going to share some of the folks making the quilt world a vibrant and exciting place, in my humble opinion.

Source: auburn.edu via Katrina on Pinterest

(From The Quilts of Gee's Bend.)

Quilts start with the designs, so I thought I'd start with a shortlist of fabric designers that you might consider when making a quilt. I think Lotta Jansdotter, Anna Maria Horner, Amy Butler, Heather Ross, and Lizzy House are probably some of the most exciting designers in the contemporary fabric world. (We should also tip our hats to Marimekko too, of course.)

I've seen wonderful fabrics designed by Lena Corwin, Leah Duncan, and Denyse Schmidt though I'm not sure they are producing fabric lines with the same consistency of the first list--but I could be wrong. If your local fabric store doesn't carry these designers you can find them online and typically you can order fat quarters (a 1/4 yard) or charm squares (5 inches) or other pre-cut offerings if you don't want to purchase by the yard.

Also, the world of solids is exploding. Many quilters are using solid colors to make gorgeous quilts as they argue that solids are timeless and also allow for more concentration on the handwork and stitches. Exciting stuff. For solids, lots of folks like Kona solids but I'd also look to the inspired work of Folk Fibers--she makes her quilts using mostly solids and they are gorgeous. And up-cycling is a great way to use fabric scraps like denim, linen, cotton t-shirts, or other solid fabrics.

Source: folkfibers.com via Katrina on Pinterest

(Zen Quilt by Maura Grace Ambrose of Folk Fibers.)

Okay, so the list of quilters is far too vast but here are some spaces to poke around online. I'd suggesting starting with one of the modern quilt master (that's quite a title, right?) like Denyse Schmidt. She's amazing. Her books are some of my favorites and her website is full of inspiration and anybody working with modern quilts should check out her work--it's inspiring. Check it out.

I'd also look at some of the crafter's featuring their own quilts on their beautiful blogs and this list is really, really huge but it includes folks like Bijou Lovely, Wisecraft, The Silly BooDilly, Make Something, Fussy Cut, Crazy Mom Quilts, Sew Katie Did, A Cuppa and a Catch Up, Red Pepper Quilts, Fresh Lemons Quilts, and West Coast Crafty to name just a few. (Many of those folks have books or have quilts in other books so I warn you that following those links will be amazingly inspiring but endless.) Phew! There are SO many more modern quilters--I'd love it if you add your personal favorites in the comment section too.

Source: bijoulovelydesigns.com via Katrina on Pinterest

(Two of a Kind, by Bijou Lovely Designs.)

And other websites that deserve to be mentioned include the PurlBee site as it's a treasure trove for all things textile. Also the Modern Quilt Guild as they offer a searchable database of the local modern quilt guild in your area and this search is global! I'd add SewMamaSew to the list because it's a great hub and then I'd also add sites like The Workroom and Selvedge and the textile posts on Poppytalk and then the list just becomes endless! Even in the quilting world the sites are endless but once we open that up to fabric and sewing in general? Well, then I completely lose my way because it's so amazingly massive.

Source: flickr.com via Katrina on Pinterest

 (Spring Fling Art Quilt by Victoria Gertenbach of The Silly Boo Dilly.)

ENJOY perusing all these glorious fabric and quilting sites--they are certain to inspire another project, or two, or maybe seventeen. Remember, quilting takes time so be patient with your sweet self as you work through the many stages of making your own beautiful heirloom quilt. 

xoxo,

k.

Road Trip: Big Sur, California

One of the things I love most about living in Oakland, CA is simultaneously having access to the vibrant arts community of the Bay Area while also having access to wilderness areas, coastal towns, and otherwise epic California destinations within just a few hours drive. Last week we took a mini vacation to Big Sur-- about 2.5 hours down the coast just south of Monterey and Carmel. We spent two nights in a charming cabin tucked into the redwoods and spent our days surrendering to the little one's schedule by traversing the river, combing the beach, and indulging in the many wonderful eateries and roadside restaurants along Route 1.

Big Sur is something of a mystery if you've never been--while the town of Big Sur seems quaint and cozy the Big Sur region actually refers to the 90 mile stretch south of Carmel and north of Hearst Castle. This is the third time I've visited and I still feel like I'm just scratching the surface of what the area has to offer. It's nothing shy of heart-aching natural beauty in seemingly all directions. The combination of the Santa Lucia Mountains on one side of the highway and the rocky Pacific Coast on the other makes even the drive majestic. (It's actually been designated an American National Scenic Byway and a California Scenic Highway, should you care to know about such designations. I mean, it's pretty, friends.)

Each time I've visited it's only been for a day or two so I've yet to explore the epic hikes up the mountainsides (though I hear there are natural hot springs to reward you for a steep climb). Years ago, I did have the chance to indulge in one of the public hot spring nights at Eslan--well worth the weary hours of a midnight soak. This time, we spent a few hours on the beach, a few hours exploring the river and parks, and a few more hours visiting the local restaurants.

Did I mention the food? The Big Sur Bakery & Restaurant and Deetjen's Big Sur Inn each deserve a few hours of food exploration on their own (and their hours are flexible enough to accommodate various schedules, even toddler schedules). Cabins abound from the rustic to the luxurious and everything between. In addition to the restaurants and gift shops there are several nostalgic roadside pull-offs worth exploring--like storybook collections of cabins dotting the highway where even the gas stations are somehow charming. How is that even possible? It's a gas station, after all.

Our trip was simply too short. But it was well worth the logistical jostling of our freelance schedules and my only regret was that we didn't stay for three or four nights instead of two. Ho hum. If you're able to make the trip--whether you're near or far--I'd add Big Sur to your traveling wish list. Do it! Or if you're already a believer like me, then I suggest you promptly pack up your car and go there soon. (Maybe I'm just talking about me here.) Leisurely stroll the beaches and fine eateries and gaze up into the mountainside with all the wanderlust a California coastline has to offer. It makes the heart twitch in the best possible ways. Even if you just have a day or two to getaway, I promise it will be worth it.

xoxo,
k

New Show Up for April (I Heart Oakland)

Hello friends,

I hope you are enjoying the onset of April. I always think of the lines from the T. S. Eliot poem, The Waste Land, when he writes, "April is the cruelest month..." and how I would nod in agreement when I read this poem on the east coast. But, truth be told,  I think April was much crueler when I lived in New York than it is in mild, sunny, sometimes-overcast Oakland, California. It does not feel so cruel here. It feels more like lilacs, wisteria, daffodils, iris, ranunculus, and anemones all blooming wildly across the yards and the promise of spring planted firmly in our farmers' markets, gardens, and the terracotta planters along our pathways.
 

All these thoughts of rain and flowers and the many promises of spring have inspired my new work at the Interface Art Gallery in Oakland. I'm thrilled to be the featured artist in the gallery shop for the month of April. So thrilled that I created six new original soft sculptures-- three hanging cloud mobiles and three monster friends-- to punctuate my excitement.

My collection of work is standing proudly inside the front door complete with letterpress and linoleum prints, notebooks, bookmarks, and note cards; decorative paper garlands; one tiny embroidered artwork about rain; and a smattering of new fabric sculptures. The prints have even received mini makeovers in the form of new packaging and a few handsome white frames.

 
I'm really honored to have my work selected to be the feature in the shop and I'm honored to stand alongside the notable artists that the curator at Interface has assembled. As you know, I have ever-evolving dreams of owning a community art space/ art residency center/ gallery/ indie shop/ craft workshop space/ gathering place for creatives. (That's quite a list, right? I know. I like to keep things interdisciplinary around here.)

And so I take careful notes when my attention is turned towards new and thoughtful spaces that exist along these lines or help to blur these lines into something innovative and new. Temescal Alley is an inspiring tiny shopping district in my dear Oakland full of indie designers, crafters, artists, and now this amazing new gallery is there too. We went to the opening celebration for the Art Murmur/ First Fridays and it reminded me of the many things I love about Oakland's art community including roadside tacos, acoustic guitars, and a gaggle of toddlers twirling madly before dusk.

My work will be up through the end of the month so stop in and say hello if you get a chance. And if you do stop by-- ask for the curator, Suzanne, and tell her that Katrina sent you. I hope your April is filling with the romance of lilacs, the promise of tiny lettuces, and all sorts of crafty inspiration.

xoxo,
k.

Apple Blossoms and an Easter Egg Tree

I decided my Easter table needed one more thing: an Easter egg tree. After last week's natural dye extravaganza, I did a bit of research, collected some images, and made my own last-minute Easter egg tree. My minimal ingredients were simple: living branches (I used cuts from our flowering apple tree), felt eggs on strings, one glass clip-on bird ornament, and a healthy dose of this-will-do-just-fine. A collection of small wooden eggs will have to wait until next year to be made into hanging ornaments. And I'm on the lookout for a set of hand-painted wooden eggs like these beauties I found at the flea market years ago. (Of course, I should have bought them. Hrmph.)

 

Every Easter my mother would decorate a small Easter egg tree in the corner of our kitchen. I loved taking the tiny ornaments from their careful wrappings to hang them one-by-one on a thin white branch as the parade of chicks, eggs, and bunnies came to twirl across the kitchen. Ours was a small bare tree spray-painted white and the decorations, of course, grew over the years to include a menagerie of spring characters.  (From my bit of research, it seems this is an Austrian-German tradition that started by decorating trees in the yard outside the home and one particularly famous tree has nearly 10,000 eggs! Now that's Easter inspiration.)

I considered finding some bare branches to spray paint white until I came across images of living branches and my heart fluttered her springtime wings. Living branches, but of course! I'm keeping simple and earthy with felt, wood, and smatterings of apple blossoms but I thought it needed just a little bit of shimmer so I added the silver glass bird at the last minute. I think she's happy to perch in our Easterly branches and something tells me she might resurface at Christmas too.

I think I'm sold on this Easter decorating kick. Bunnies, chicks, pretty dyed eggs, apple branches blooming on my kitchen table and small baskets full of chocolate candy--what's not to love? Even the offcuts from the apple branches were just too pretty to toss into the compost bin so I'm leaving them to dry on various shelves and trays around our apartment. So, for those of you who celebrated--I hope your Easter was happy. And for those of you who did not--I hope your homes are happily full of spring.

xoxo,
k.