Crafts National & Shipping work

I am thrilled to be a part of Crafts National at the Mulvane Art Museum in Topeka, Kansas. 1089 works were submitted, and just 100 were selected. The work will be on display from May 5 - August 19, 2012.

This work, "Woven" was selected for the show. It is made entirely of patterned fused glass and then "rolled up" in the hot shop. The process of these works is what makes them unique, as these color patterns cannot be created with traditional hot working techniques.

So tonight, I am packing my work. Double boxing, of course.

After unpacking many glass exhibitions, I have always made it a point to pack my work in a very clear fashion. Unpacking considered & organized work is a TREAT. Your gallery will appreciate it.

Tips:

- Always double box your work. This means that there is a smaller, interior box that contains your artwork, surrounded by a larger box. The larger box also has padding/protection. If the big box gets dropped, it absorbs the impact.

- By including a picture of your work on the boxes, it makes it easier for the gallery staff to match your work with it's packing materials. It also helps them know what they are unwrapping.

- Things get separated. Write your name on everything.

- Organize your loan form/shipping label/whatever in an envelope. Place the envelope in a very visible place, inside the large box.

- Include printed instructions for packing/unpacking. Tape them to the box so that they are clearly found.

- While it is very important to pack the work securely, you don't want to make it impossible to decipher how to unpack everything. Someone else- who may not know what's inside- will be unwrapping it. Consider this as you're endlessly taping and wrapping bubble wrap around your piece. (picture & instructions!)

- Packing peanuts are the devil. They stick to everything, spill everywhere, and result in the gallery staff crawling around the floor trying to pick them up. Minimal use, please. Your gallery will thank you.

If you have any tips or horror stories about shipping artwork, reply and let me know about your experiences!

When I studied glass in school, I never imagined that I'd one day be so in love with textiles.

While working on this composition (clearly, this is not anywhere near finished) I can't help but be reminded of certain glass techniques. Though my working process to create the viruses is very different, I would love to make them with a pulled glass murrine.

Maybe that's next. For now, I'm rolling felt. And there's just something amazing about this soft material that I really enjoy.

Oh yeah- it's cold again in Maine. Thank goodness. I wasn't ready for summer in March... or whatever that was.

Almost April.

It's always astounding to me how quickly the semester flies by. Not to mention that my perception of the season has been completely skewed- Portland, Maine has been experiencing record high temperatures for the past week. It was nearly 80 degrees this week. Yes- 80 degrees in Maine, in March. It felt like a HOT summer day. Perfect for spring break.

The ice cream shop down the street opened on March 1st and was greeted with a snow storm and a snow day. Typical of Maine weather... but their opening so early may also have to do with their location- right next to an elementary, middle school, and a public library. Who could resist?

This made me really appreciate Maine's normal weather. I really enjoy the weather in the north east- Summers are darn near perfect with warm(ish) days and cool nights. True story: I've kept a down comforter on my bed year round.

These sunny glorious days have provided a good excuse to hop back onto my bicycle for the season. My partner and I have been taking some rides, ranging from 7.5-15 miles for each stretch (not bad for building up endurance). It's hard to find time, but the sunshine helps us to make it a priority. And of course he & I still take the dogs for their daily walks through the woods. The little one (Gunner), weighing in at just 5 pounds, loves the trips just as much as the big one (Silas, 70lbs). He's the smallest one at the dog park- and it's funny to watch him frolic around and explore the woods.

One day this week he got 3 walks and a little bit of ice cream. What a tired, spoiled pup.

Anyway, finally the weather has started to cool down again towards more reasonable temperatures. What a relief. I'm not ready for heat. (I can cycle when it's chilly, too)

Anyway, been in the studio making some more little viruses.

These buggers are 4" wide. Much smaller than the other ones, which are now ranging from 5-12" wide.

proposed installation (first draft) via photoshop.

Abacus - Thread Count

"Thread Count: Only the Best for My Best"

wood, thread spools

2012

About the Varicella Series

Through these studies, I am chronicling the incubation of the virus in the human body. Each day, the virus grows until it finally becomes contagious.

Many of us can remember a point in our childhood where we contracted a virus: Chicken pox. It lasted a few weeks, gave us a slight fever, and left crusty blisters in its wake. And it itched like crazy.

Once you have it, you’re granted immunity for life. Unlike many infections, the earlier you were infected, the less severe. For those adults who never had it, it can be deadly.

This shared experience of childhood is now disappearing, as more parents vaccinate their children with the chicken pox vaccine. Varicella Zoster Virus (chicken pox), a nuisance virus, is now so well extinguished by a vaccine that parents must go through great lengths to naturally expose their children.

In a world of seemingly limitless medical technology, we struggle to cure every illness before it arises. Until 1995, Varicella was the only major childhood illness to not have a vaccination. The vaccination lasts 7 years and requires a booster, which many people avoid- unwittingly making them susceptible to a more severe case later in life.

With the growing number of vaccines administered to young children, some parents are seeking other ways to gain natural immunity to the virus. While some parents hold “Chicken Pox Parties” to gain exposure, others are going to greater extremes: sending saliva soaked lollipops with from their sick children to help infect others.

My sisters and I caught chicken pox during the same time period – a modern day “pox party,” perhaps. We itched our blisters and my mother covered our skin with calamine lotion. We curled up in bed, into mountains of soft pillows, and enjoyed the week off of school.