Before I left this week for El Salvador, I participated in a memorial/action to honor the 72 workers from Central and South America who were killed by Mexican narcocartel thugs when they refused to join the cartel as drug mules and enforcers. The demonstration was at Northwest Vista College and was designed to educate the college students, staff and faculty about the impact of U.S. actions on the lives of others
Here is a link to an online story in this week's Vista Voice, the college e-newspaper.
72 Dead; Migrant Memorial Takes Place at NVC
The Vista Voice
An observer, Susie Monday, said the memorial also sheds some light on those victims who have died as a result of the demand for drugs in the US "The primary ...
More about El Salvador
A parade down a quiet street in San Salvador this morning -- raindrops on the window are testament to the weather here, thanks to the hurricane across Central America.
Think of this blog entry as a collection of personal research with links to sites with information and resources:
.:CIA World Factbook -- El Salvador
PS: El Salvador made the Lonely Planet's list of "the top 10 countries for 2010"
If it ever stops raining I think I will be able to see more! And we worked a lot today. If you are interested in more about schools and education in El Salvador, see the posterous blog, "What can a school be? Que puede ser la escuela?"
San Antonio to San Salvador
The first impression: green, low grey heavy sky (that's the flow over from the hurricane on the other coast of Central America), and, at the airport, a surprising scarcity of tourists as measured against folks headed to their homeland from US work and relocation. As my colleague, friend and sister traveler Julia said, "The Salvadoran experience really starts when you get on the plane to San Salvador." Full of families going home, workers returning, loaded with gifts, full of stories, children and elders. Once in the city, the landscape is mountainous, with the city and its suburbs wrapped around and climbing up the steep green peaks wreathed in whisps of clouds. And, surprising my parochial expectations, FULL of American companies -- every fast food imaginable, glass blocks of Citi-Bank, an expansive sprawl of Legorreto designed mall, well, you get the picture.
We're here (and in Guatemala) for three weeks of working, talking, sharing, finding ways to support the maestros and directores from those who've returned from their year of education in San Antonio at Alamo Colleges. For the past 11 years of so, I've spent anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months (as it is this year) working with the maestros as a special instructor/designer, mostly teaching technical and material and design skills matched to creative curriculum development.
This is my first trip to Central America, and I'll be blogging here, and also, with more work-related posts on the posterous blog I've set up to use with the teachers and in the schools that have internet connections. If you want more than the artist's impressions and inspirations that I'll post here, surf over to those little posts and pictures to see more of what's going on in the schools we visit.
Infernal Machines
Some interesting thoughts on copyright, creativity and technology in this TED Talk (you DO know about TED Talks, I hope).
P.S. I just found out that Larry Lessig will be one of the speakers at the TEDx San Antonio event on October 16. You can apply to be a participant at the event at the web site. TEDx is an independently organized (ie open source) event patterned after the TED programs in California. For more information go to http://www.tedxsanantonio.com/
Interweave Customer Appreciation Sale
It's the final day for a customer appreciation Sale at Interweave. If you've been waiting to purchase my Mixed Media Textile Art (Or another) Interweave DVD, you can get big savings today.
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Mixed-Media Textile Art (Download) Contemporary textile artist Susie Monday demonstrates how to create artful and original screen-printed fabrics. [more info...]
Item Number: EP2015
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Availability: Available Now
Was: $14.95
Sale: $8.97
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Mixed-Media Textile Art (DVD) Contemporary textile artist Susie Monday demonstrates how to create artful and original screen-printed fabrics. [more info...]
Item Number: 10QM10
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Availability: In Stock
Was: $19.95
Sale: $11.97
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Loving It Big City
A Labor Day outing to Houston has proved to be qn unusual and wonderous blend of image, taste, sound and fizz. We've been dog and cat sitters at a friend's house in the Montrose, so the everything in the inner loop -- musuems, music and more -- has been easy and accessible. The home of our friends makes a luxury hotel room look like a seedy second choice. Pool, kitchen, art and fabulous architecture have given us a home away from home without exception.
Amazing ancient textiles, mummies and incredible coffins shaped like boats were centerpieces in the Silk Road exhibit at the Museum of Natural History. The brocades and tapestry weavings were delicate and preserved by the dessert climate where they had been entombed -- colors still discernable after nearly 2000 years. The older tombs and mummies were hauntingly beautiful, speaking to us across nearly 4000 years of the lives and times of these families of traders and trade route merchants.
More to come later -- this post is interupted by yet another call to travel -- up to the Woodlands for dinner tonight.
Susie's Newsletter & El Cielo Flyer
Finally. My intent to publish a quarterly newsletter has been shortcircuited for about two quarters! But I have it back on track and back on the publishing schedule. This electronic only newsletter summarizes some of my recent activity, includes a two-page text collage exercise, and previews the dates and topics for my upcoming El Cielo artist retreats here in the Texas Hill Country. Here's a link for a one-time download for this issue of the newsletter.
If you'd like to get your own copy AND be on the list for future editions, send me an email through the contact form on the sidebar with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. If you don't get a newsletter today and think you ARE on my list, do the same, as I may have missed your email due to the vagarities of virtual and real life!
Meanwhile, in case you don't want the pdf, but do want to know more about the workshop schedule, here's the overview, details are availble as a downloadable pdf HERE and on the sidebar. You can also access the information on the sidebar link that says COMING SOON: Workshops.
El Cielo Workshops: Artist Retreat Calendar set for Fall and Winter 2010-2011
Continuing my on-going series of monthly workshops and retreats for artists, here’s the rundown for Fall and Winter, 2010-2011. Sign up early (at least 30 days in advance with a $25 deposit) for a $15 discount on the $175 fee. Email me at susiemonday@gmail.com for details and to receive more complete descriptions. Accommodations and meals on site, $15 to $30 (or free for the sofa or sleeping porch!) Limited enrollment -- 6 to 8 artists. First come/first serve/best bedrooms are in demand! Note that some of the recent workshops have been filling early.
FIELD GUIDE TO COLOR, November 12-14: Explore your personal palette while learning the "rules" of color harmony with hands-on exercises. UFO WORKSHOP, December 3-5: Bring along work that needs finishing (perhaps a gift or two, or work that’s stuck for need of constructive critique. Enjoy the resources of the studio and the advice and support of peers. ARTIST'S JOURNEY/ARTIST'S JOURNAL, January 14-16: This workshop has become an annual tradition. Join me for a weekend of reflection, goal setting, and information about how the habit or journaling can benefit you as an artist -- and make a unique journal cover and artist calendar for your new year of creative work. (HEART)YOUR INNER ARTIST, February 11-13: How do you nurture your creative self in a world that doesn’t always honor artists and artful work? This pre-Valentine’s Day workshop will provide that support while you learn more about your creative strengths with creativity exercises, learn simple yoga and breath work, and make an artist’s altar for your studio. NATURE-INSPIRED SURFACE DESIGN March 25-27: Find color, shape, form and inspired design for new surface design tools at this spring-is-sprung weekend in the blooming Texas Hill Country.
Workshops generally start with an optional Friday night potluck and fun activity or two, then continue through 3-4 pm on Sunday afternoon. Most supplies included.
Flying or driving in from afar for one of these weekends? Add one or two days of individual work in the studio for learning techniques that you are interested in -- dyeing, screen-printing, ink-jet transfer, soy batik and more. Each custom designed workshop and night’s lodging and meals costs $225 per person. Limit, 2 artists.
Drawing Together
Now this is fun. Anyone want to draw with me?? Send an email via the comment form and let's see what happens. It's an interactive by email drawing and writing collaborative tool.
http://www.imaginationcubed.com/
I think its got great possibilities for work with kids, teachers and colleagues!I found it while looking around for tools to use on my upcoming trip to Central America and an interactive, somewhat digital exhibit I'm designing.
Besides CREATE-ing, here's Chicago
On my way to the train, Rosemont lives up to its flowery name.
On my "off" time, I spent a couple of half days in the city. Chicago on a summer day is a beautiful place to behold. The heat had broken; the skies were blue; people were everywhere (can you tell I am now a real courtry mouse?) and I spent most of my time just walking and looking.
Here are a few more pictures:
Millenium Park sculpture -- The Crown Fountain -- by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa.
These young ladies at Cloud Gate were dressed in gowns for their performances of classical music in the park.
It is imperative to shoot your own photos in Cloud Gate's reflective surfaces, 5000 times is about normal.
The Palmer House lobby ceiling -- iced tea never tasted so grand. Why were all those people downstairs at Starbucks?
From a water taxi landing on the Chicago River.
Navy Pier was hosting the tall ships -- I didnt have time to get too close (or even to buy a ticket), and the crowds on Saturday were overwhelming!
Wowie -- A top rating with Interweave
Here's what showed up on the interweave newsletter today! My DVD Workshop was one of five products featured as a "top-rated product" from those who have bought the DVD.
"At Interweave, we strive to provide the highest quality publications and designs to help inspire your creativity. Of the thousands of products at the Interweave Store, these are some of the most popular.
But don't take our word for it, here is what our customers have to say:
"I really enjoyed this video! The artist is friendly and relaxed, and demonstrates her technique clearly. She creates a good balance of instruction and encouragement, skill and creativity. . . . It's a wonderful introduction to screen printing, and opens the way for experimenting and playing with the technique and materials."
— Jeanne D., Interweave Store Customer
on Mixed-Media Textile Art
P.S. I just looked and figured out it doesn't take too many comments to get that great rating! If you've seen my DVD, please follow the links above to the site and leave your comments. I hope to make this the first of many Interweave activities!
Creating in Chicago at CREATE
What was most fun ? Teaching, yes, then the great paint-a-thon with Leslie Jenison and Jamie Fingal (Dinner at Eight artists). Pics below of all the activities. (Next post, adventrues inside the Loop.) I'll add names later, my notes are buried in the suitcase. But All of the Artists did great work as you can see. Thanks to all of them for their work, creativity and willingness to learn a new skill - - and to haul all the big supplies needed!
Aren't these fabulous pieces of fabric? They are all water soluble media with silkscreening medium on paper or fabric, with stencils, drawings by the artists. We spent the day exploring and experimenting and getting everyone past a "fear of the screen." Apparently, that's a big one. NO NO, do not be afraid. Here's my DVD of the process in this workshop from Interweave Press --
Marilyn C. from Canada made some wonderful layered pieces.
Judy L. with one of hers. Look carefully for the bird shapes.
Mary Ann worked on fabric and paper and did some sophisticated abstracts to use in her mixed media work.
Fran played around with a lot of textures and layering
Francine (Fran 2) said this was her favorite of all, made with tape resist on the screen.
More after hours: Jamie Fingal, Leslie Jenison and Judy Coates Perez at the instructors' reception:
Artist Natalya Aikens was also in the workshop led by Jamie and Leslie. She's drying our big collaborative canvas. We all took home pieces of two canvases, ready to work into other art inventions.
Rainbow Printing for Free Download
I'm off to the CREATE mixed media retreat at Chicago/O'Hare and the good news is, I found the pdf for my rainbow printing handout that's been lost in inner space here on the Susie Monday macintosh! I'm sending it upstairs to the cloud for access, so if you've been wanting this handout (it's not as complete and as multimedia as the info I'll be sharing in the course, of course, but it will get you started I think!)
In order to download the three page document (the last page is just a schedule of how the workshop is structured) please to go to my public document folder at me.com
I have been advised that some browsers don't like the me site, use Firefox or Safari if you can! Otherwise, email me through the contact form and I will send an email copy to you. (I have tried a new non-compressed document, so this may work for you!)
If you can't make the link above work, try pasting this direct url into your browser:
The Breakfast Project
A tiny followup -- here are the pictures the Think Like a Pro New World Kids collected during their media project this summer at the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art. Would you believe that in only 4 days we got photos from literally around the world-- even Afganistan!
A Brief Intermission, a Big Breath
Don't you know? In betweens -- the breaths between two commitments -- are difficult to keep calm, and so important it is to do so.
I've just made it home from Dallas (after a brief stop in Waco to the see my parents) and am now packing supplies to take to the CREATE Mixed Media Workshop in Chicagoland. Breathe. Of course, a million tasks around the house seem to be screaming, a million "gee I should have done that earlier and had it ready for this big teaching weekend" thoughts are filling the head space. And all that is true, and all of it is rather irrelevant, too.
I am a working artist. I work and teach so that I CAN work and teach. I support my bad habits of eating, sleeping under a safe (and beautifully situated) roof and (seems like mostly) paying my health insurance premiums. So be it. And thanks to the universe for giving me employment, passionate attachment to my work, and support from friends, family and blog readers!
Right now, I am inbetween. The moment is what it is. What I can do, I will, including this short blog that is mostly a message to myself. (But one I suspect will echo though a few other people's psychic and physical spaces.) I also will breathe and look out at the hills, hot and dusty as they may be, with a tiny moment or two of realization that I am just a little dust mote in the whole of it. What I do is my part of the big creative swirl that is creation.
New World Kids in Dallas
The team (Susan Marcus, Dr. Cynthia Herbert and me ) is in Dallas preparing for a teacher training for Big Thought's afterschool programs. This is a pilot group of 25 or so teahers, and we've prepared a 9-week curriculum, with future units related to come. It's exciting to know that 25 or so groups of 5-to-6 year olds in Dallas Public School classes will be having a wonderful adventure with the Sensory Alphabet this fall.
New World Kids is our foundation class for creative thought, as described in the book of the same name - that one aimed at parents (or grandparents).
I'll be checking in daily with photos and other info on the NWK blog site. And then it's back to art quilts for a while.
P.S. The photo above is from the last NWK summer program at the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield, CN. We also had a similar progam run last week at the Dallas Museum of Art. Next-- the Exploratorium and Big Thought!
NOTE: I didn't checkin daily or even once. No internet connection where we were staying or where we were teaching. Boy, do I miss it when I don't have it! Even WITH a smart phone. Here are some pics from the week, though:
True Love Commission
I've been commissioned to make a little house shaped art quilt for a wedding gift -- I got carried away and made three! These are small -- about 18" tall -- and reasonably priced. If you have a wedding coming up and wish to give a gift of art, email me through the contact form for sales information. Or maybe you just like one for yourself. Support the arts.
How do I approach such commissions? It's always a quandry, as I don't exactly know how to make art to order. I prefer to do one-of-a-kind work and so looking at my other pieces only gives someone an inkling of what I can do. For larger work, I do make sketches, provide color samples and give clients a chance to weigh in on size, color palette, general topic and themes to be included. And I always have a "kill fee" if something doesn't work out that includes my out-of-pocket fabric and supply costs -- but since I assume I will sell the art to someone eventually, I don't worry about the time or effort involved. I'd rather have happy collectors.
But for small pieces like these little art quilts, I generally try to do more than one, especially if, as in this case, the commissioner was pretty open about what he wanted to give. I enjoyed working with an intensity to get these completed within the week -- I used some fabrics and central image panels that were already done -- and of course I had to fit this task inbetween all the other work of the week, including prep for my next two extensive teaching gigs -- next week in Dallas (a New World Kids training for Big Thought) and the week after at the CREATE mixed media retreat sponsored by Cloth Paper Scissors.
The pomegranate piece above, and the pear below both used the Rainbow Printing with Water Soluble Media technique that I'll be teaching in Chicago. (Whoops, I took the photo and emailed it from my iphone --its sideways and I can't figure out how to rotate it, so you'll have to rotate your head or screen.)
Here's more info:
Making an art quilt with an original image and multicolored screen print is one of the most fun and satisfying techniques I know -- the technique works for all kinds of images and styles, from hyperrealistic to expressionistic to abstract -- and although the supply list seems a bit daunting, the materials are probably mostly things you have in your studio. My blog has some examples and further information with this page link, if you'd like to see more.
The good news is that I will be teaching Rainbow Printing with Water-Soluble Crayons at the CREATE Mixed Media Retreat, sponsored by Cloth Paper Scissors, at the end of August. My one-day workshop on Rainbow Printing is Thursday, August 26 from 9-4 at the Rosemont Hilton near O'Hare.
Rainbow Printing with Water Soluable Crayons
(6 hours)
Date: Thursday, August 26
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Technique: Printmaking & Collage
Instructor: Susie Monday
Price: $140
Kit Fee: $5
Using all manner of water soluble media--water color markers, water soluble crayons and oil pastels, chalks and pastels -- you will create original fabrics using hand painting, screen printing, and stencils. Construction methods for a small wood-framed art quilt will be demonstrated, and many examples of use of the fabrics in multimedia work will be shared, but the emphasis will be on making a variety of textiles that can be used in work back at home. These techniques use textile paints and polymer media in interesting multi-color applications, with layering, tinting and color washes used to add depth and subtlety. The improvisational prints are similar to mono-printing, but can be used for highly detailed realistic imagery, as well as for abstract color field experiments.
(See registration for the supply list)
Date:
Thursday, August 26
Time:
9:00am-4:00pm
Technique:
Printmaking & Collage
Instructor:
Susie Monday
Price:
$140
Kit Fee: $5
Using all manner of water soluble media--water color markers, water soluble crayons and oil pastels, chalks and pastels -- you will create original fabrics using hand painting, screen printing, and stencils. Construction methods for a small wood-framed art quilt will be demonstrated, and many examples of use of the fabrics in multimedia work will be shared, but the emphasis will be on making a variety of textiles that can be used in work back at home. These techniques use textile paints and polymer media in interesting multi-color applications, with layering, tinting and color washes used to add depth and subtlety. The improvisational prints are similar to mono-printing, but can be used for highly detailed realistic imagery, as well as for abstract color field experiments.
Go to www.clothpaperscissors.com and click on the CREATE RETREAT LINK for registration.
I'd love to have a few more participants -- the max is 18 -- and time is short until the event begins. If you or someone you know lives near or close ot Chicago, or is looking for a fun artful retreat, please pass along this message to them via email. I appreciate your help with spreading the word.
If you have questions, or ideas for how I can get in touch with folks who might be interested in attending, please let me know! Thanks for helping me get the word out.
Beneath the Surface
Here's a link to a video of the "Beneath the Surface" exhibit, curated by Leslie Jenison and Jamie Fingal, as it appeared at the Long Beach International Quilt Festival. I have a piece in the show (above), "Powers of Ten." This piece, with its complex juxtaposition of many kinds of fabrics, was inspired by the Ray and Charles Eames film from the 1960s of the same title. The film looks at the similarities of structure and form of the microscopic and the macroscopic, cells to galaxies. I used a number of the inkjet transfer techniques in this quilt that I have been discussing on the blog lately. Here's a detail showing an inkjet transfer using polyester film:
My quilt isn't part of the video, but there are artists featured here whose names you'll recognize, including regional artists Barb Forrester and Linda Minton, and our own San Antonio curator Leslie!
If you'd like to buy the book catalog, you can find it at BLURB http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1478885?ce=blurb_ew&utm_source=widget. The pages will be included later in the preview, after the show in Houston. You can also see more of the quilts online at the Quilt Inc. site under Special Exhibits.
P.S. This quilt is for sale. If you are interested in it going home with you after the touring exhibit closes, send me an email and we'll talk turkey!
More About Dura-Lar
Several emails and messages have asked me about Dura-Lar. Here's my source for this wet-media film. See the previous post for one way to use it! Grafix is the company.
WET MEDIA DURA-LAR FILM
Grafix Wet Media Dura-Lar is specially coated to accept paints, inks and markers. This clear polyester film works well as a surface for planning painting compositions, as a painting surface, student brushwork practice and printmaking. Wet medias used will not bead, chip or run. Simply wipe with a damp cloth to reuse again!
See Wet Media Dura-Lar in action, check out
this online tutorial and video demo.
Grafix | 5800 Pennsylvania Ave. | Maple Heights, OH 44137 | www.grafixarts.com
You can also use other films through your inkjet printer and acheive similar results, but with more beading and fuzziness -- a nice effect sometimes. Here are a few of the things I've tried that work more or less for this transfer technique:
pocket protectors
the back side (shiny side) of inkjet transperancy film (this is pretty close to the Dura-Lar)
contact paper
the paper backing from stick-on labels
My general theory is if it's 8.5 by 11 inches I will try it through my copier/printer all-in-one (it's an HP older model). I usually put a strip of masking tape on the leading edge to help the copier grab the plastic (or fabric, or whatever).
Last Weekend -- and What's Next at SWSchool
A few After WORDS. We seven had a fabulous workshop this weekend at the Southwest School of Art and Craft. I, as usual, found it a challenge unmet to take photos while facilitating this workshop! I really must train myself to do so, as it would be a lot more interesting to show some photos after the fact.
Instead, I'll just share one or two images that I've been working with using the techniques that were covered in the workshop. I really love the painterly kind of images that using wet media polyester film allows -- whether in black ink only or with color copies. Sometimes the images completely disappear into lovely clouds of colors, and other times they come out incredibly clear -- its all a matter of the density of the ink and the wetness of the underlying fabric.
The quilt above, which I've shown here before, is one called "FAITH IS A LAW," and it uses several photos of my neighbors Century Plant in bloom. I'm beginning to think of this image as a true icon of the Hill Country summer.
Above: Injet print on tissue paper incorporated into paper cloth and fabric art quilt.
Below: Direct inkject transfer using polyester film (look for the wet media film called Dura-Lar for the best results.)
To make prints like these, put a thin, hardly wet layer of gel medium or a mixture of gel medium and water on a piece of flat weave fabric. Blot off extra moisture if you wish. Run a copy or print of your chosen image (the two above were text collages created for my online course Text on the Surface) onto the polyester wet medium film. Flop the image onto the damp fabric and use your hand or a roller to transfer the image. Careful not to move it. Peel off the film and immediated clean it off -- the film can be reused many times. When the image dries, it will be waterproof -- this does change the hand of the fabric since it uses the gel medium as a transfer medium. You can also transfer onto dry fabric and add water or medium on top to "melt" the pigment and make it permanent on the fabric. This gives a very painterly look to your transfer and also removes the size restriction for the fabric upon which you wish to print an image.
What's up next at the Southwest School of Art and Craft (downtown San Antonio)? I'll be teaching two offering this fall: Soy Wax Batik on Oct. 30-31
As one of the latest hot wax techniques to make beautiful multicolored fabrics, soy wax eliminates many of the environmental concerns of using a solvent-soluble wax. It can be washed out with hot soapy water! Special techniques allow the application of several dye colors at once. Discover your own vocabulary of marks and patterns. Bring 3 yards of natural fiber fabric (cotton, silk, rayon or linen), an assortment of brushes and stamping tools, and a lunch both days.
| 2040 | Soy Batik | $165.00 | Sat & Sun, Oct 30 - Oct 31, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
And a Monday morning course in October and November on preparing work, finding exhibits to enter, etc.-- a good course for those wishing to work on professional development, no matter what level of experience so far!
Have you ever wanted to enter a juried exhibition but felt intimidated by the requirements, the entry forms, the photography requirements? In this course, Monday will help you find an appropriate exhibit for your work, and your accomplishment level, critique your portfolio of work and help you prepare it for presentation, and guide you through the application procedure including photography, artist statement and biography requirements. You will also spend time working on specific assignments to produce work to fit requirements for a magazine submission appropriate to your media of choice. Acceptance can not be guaranteed, of course, but you'll have a much better understanding of the process. Please see SSAC website for a materials list.
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2600 | Surface Design Projects for Exhibition
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$185.00 |
Mon, Oct 18 - Nov 22, 9:30 AM-12:30 PM |
Think Like a Pro
Skip this one (too) if you are just interested in my fiber art work. I'm on location in Connecticut working with 7-9 year olds on creative projects. Here's a link to our BREAKFAST PROJECT.
And here (I hope) is a link to our movie: "Lost in Tiger Swamp"
http://vimeo.com/13775394
Lost at Tiger Swamp from Susie Monday on Vimeo.
Lost at Tiger Swamp from Susie Monday on Vimeo.