Barbara Murak

Hanging Surface

Today in the studio I worked on a new series that I think I may just call "Hanging Surface".  Using a similar technique like my vessels on my website, I cut up lots and lots of sheer fabrics in earth tones and using a Solvy water soluble sheet as a base for the stitches, I used metallic and rayon threads to attach all those hundreds of fabric bits.  Lots of machine embroidery.  I like the layering of color, and the color shifts that happen when the sheer organza and silk fabrics are overlapped.  I added a bit of Angelina fibers to the top layer near the end of all that stitching, and it gave the piece a further reflective quality.  Lastly, I snipped some copper colored string-like yarn bits over the whole length and called it a day.  Rinsed out the Solvy and now it is drying.  The surface is so textural it reminds me of a nature's hike in the woods. All that rust and shades of brown, gold and burnt orange.   Anxious to see how it dries!

A Little of This, a Little of That

I've heard the advice given at two different lectures by nationally-known fiber artists that it's very important to spend some time in your studio every day.  It doesn't really matter what you actually do in your studio, just that you spend time in it.  The theory being it's much easier to get started on an idea or finish up a project if you visit the studio every day, even if only for a short period of time.  I've been trying to take that advice ever since and visit my studio daily....even if I'm only sorting fabrics, winding bobbins, or just feeling the textures of my yarns and threads. 

Yesterday I had a few quiet hours and the sun was shining on my sewing machine, so I took it as  a sign that I needed to sit down and stitch for awhile.  I added a few more "grid" quilting lines to a pieced art quilt called "Road Trip". 

After sewing a bit more, I loaded up my tote bag and went to our monthly Fibre Design Forum Meeting.  We usually have about 10-15 fiber artists show up and have a very casual meeting followed by a program or speaker.  We discussed plans and supplies for next month's shibori workshop, and traded announcements of upcoming member's exhibits, and then had "show and tell".  Beautiful quilts were unrolled, then a sculptural beaded necklace, some woven items, painted silk scarves, one art doll made from an amazing purple and blue green dyed fabric, a whole stack of dyed shibori yardage, and a shoebox full of the new craze:  fabric art postcards from all over the world.

It was a feast for the eyes and very exciting and motivating as it usually is every month!  It is a very "giving" group -- we share ideas, techniques learned in workshops, gentle critiques of work in progress, bring new fiber books to peek at, and plan exhibits, field trips to galleries, and support each other at whatever stage we're at in our creative endeavors.  Some of our members are beginners, and some have exhibited in international and national juried exhibitions.  Some sell their work at local galleries and shops, and some do commissioned work, and some just simply stitch/knit/quilt/bead/dye & paint fabric because they love to!  I think we're in our 8th year right now, and our membership is capped at 30.  I feel so lucky to have such a creative and encouraging group so close by!  Anyone else belong to a fiber guild?