wondercabinet

Morning discoveries

Good morning.
There is a nice feeling in the air. It's going to snow. Being a Boston transplant in Philadelphia, snow makes me homesick, melancholy and happy all at once. It doesn't snow much here. Just lots of icky cold rain.

A few finds this morning:

Ink and Spindle - I think a lot about starting to screenprint my Specimens on to fabric. I think I could make some beautiful patterns from them. I get lusty about it when I see pictures of this studio and the ink color swatches on the wall.  So many interesting alternate lives to lead....

Heavy Petal - gardening from a west coast urban perspective. Despite the snow I am already getting ramped up for my garden this year. This helps.

The Steno Pad - A sweet lil' blog.

The Ongoing Quest for the Perfect Uniform.

 

(image pamelatang.etsy.com)

Months ago I posted about my obsession with the idea of creating my own uniform patterns ("Insomnia Freakout Art Project of the Week" ) . I have 5 basic designs in my journals from the last 10 or so years and the eventual plan has always been to sew them in a variety of colors and textures and patterns for interchangeable use in all kinds of weather and events. Of course this would permanently end my need to shop or wonder what I was going to wear in the morning and permanently restore my creative relationship to clothing. The kind of creativity, of course, which results from strongly placed limits within which your artist brain can thrive (an idea which I wholeheartedly believe in but which is difficult to pull off in most forms of artmaking for me).

Keri Smith (fabulously interesting artist who has created a fabulously interesting art life) posted in her blog about a similar interest (uniforms) and it got me all fired up again. And she voiced some common sense that I have been toying with accepting in my own mind: sometimes, one does not have the time nor the ability to prioritize lots and lots of sewing when one is always working on 1000 other more important projects. So, maybe its OK to find those perfect items, those few perfect items that are interchangeable, and buy them in multiples, so they will last long.

The only criteria (other than that the items be perfect) is that they be hand-made, not mass-produced. A relationship to the artist as consumer is preferable and satisfying. Luckily, the handmade movement and internet make this possible. Long live H&M! H&M be damned!

That's what I am going to do. Here are the inspirations so far. Some are tips from Keri.

coocooricoo (not all of it, some of it)
kelgwo - yummy.
treehouse 28 - love her and have 2 shirts and some armwarmers she made. interchangeable, layerable, beautiful colors, etc.
pamela tang - especially the mustard-colored linen dress over jeans. a dress over pants look is critical for my uniform satisfaction.
laramie loom
yokoo
moop

Got any others for me?

My uniform project is taking an interesting turn because now I am pregnant and not sure how my (lanky) body will change in the next 7 months and what it will be like after the baby comes. For now, I am looking at ways to take my old clothes and magically expand their waistbands...

Joy.

So much. First, I wish a Happy Creative Healthy and utterly satisfying New Year to you.

Second, 11 weeks have passed, so good enough, I am ready to tell the world I am expecting a baby in July. I am especially ready to tell you because yesterday I heard this little creature's perfect, thumpity thumpity heart beat, like a puppy's tail flopping against the floor. Such a strong, regular, happy sound coming from such a tiny tiny person. I have been laughing ever since. I expected the sound to be some deep profound tearful thing for me - but instead, lots of laughter and joy. Go baby go!

Other things, less profound yet on my mind.

School starts (teaching) in a couple of weeks, much to prepare. But also a continued break to think about the larger picture of artmaking in my life. When I am done for the semester in May, I will return to focusing on art making and my online shop as a way to continue working while caring for the newborn through the summer and fall. I may teach in the fall again, not sure...depends on exacly when the baby comes, and who he/she is and how much seperation we can handle so early. It may become the beginning of  long stint of being a full time maker again...

I am taking two classes this spring: pottery, which I always promised myself I would do while pregnant, and I am thinking of making nothing but cups, and hand-painting them. Lots of ideas. And I am also taking a suitcase puppet theater class with the amazing Beth Nixon.

I am going to apply to a video show at a Philly Gallery focusing on feminist/female themes and the idea of superpowers. Seems like a good year for that.

I've probably way overcommitted myself for the second and third trimester of pregnancy. But, why not take this whole creation thing as far as I want? I feel like with 2 heartbeats in my body, I must have some extra fuel for art.