I was beginning the process of taking simple and natural flax fibers woven into a chinese practical textile, scouring it, pleating through heat processes, and using a shibori technique to add color over a spring green dye bath.

It was a crisp and clear day of possibilities and beauty. The geese and other migrating birds were making themselves known. Patty and I were enjoying the winter songs. I was excited to continue on a project that had failed to get funding from a grant I had proposed earlier in the year. I was going to do it anyway... bit by bit.

It involves the marriage of fiber. The meeting of weaving and color. The mixing of historical architecture found and created through the necessity of form as product and tool.

early stages of a new idea / the process begins

There was a beautiful day in early January before the big series of storms hit the east bay of California. I was still in Humboldt County and musing over an idea I had been thinking about since early autumn. Ian was excited about it and my friend Rich was going to help me execute it. Patty was spending the morning at the Wildlife Bird Sanctuary in Loleta helping install the first studies.This project was to help explain to my audience how my work is not so abstract, how it reflects very closely the realism on a tangible level of my textiles within nature.

little wee book arrived

and it is really wee. i cannot believe the weeness of it... but it is cute and could fit in your pocket. after shipping and tax it comes to $10...

if you want a bit of jennifer's imagery in your pocket just call me and i will order up some more!

707-764-3877 cheers... off to the studio where i am working on my spring / summer barn series

a few shots/sequoia

i attempted to get a grant this last year. two in fact. seems i am not a preferred candidate. it has put off a dream of mine that was to super impose my fabrics into older deteriorating humboldt county dwellings. barns and the like. i thought the modern textures moving within the older historical textures could both enhance the histories that are disappearing in humboldt and create a format for new innovative art installations.

i will do it in 2010 now, somehow. it continues the idea of my abstract work being more real than realism at times.

i leave realism to the gods/goddesses... or fabulous realists of which i am not in the traditional sense.

let me know if you have connections with owners of barns that are falling apart and gets lots of wind and light!

eco sequoia fabric shoot

as you might remember i just self published my first book called earth series. the response has been good and i was happy with it. it is a good first edition. i am still searching other papers and lower prices as it is quite expensive for me to produce and perhaps a bit pricey for my friends and family.

so, i was checking out the little book idea on iphoto. i am now awaiting 3 little books of just snapshots for this show i want to organize this year.

there has always been a question around my 'abstract' art. i call myself a landscape artist. few understand it. so my idea is to show people how my work blends directly with nature and in fact how strong the connection if between my work and what i see in the outdoors.

i decided it is merely a question of the proximity. that would mean in my case, seeing things through a macro lens instead of a telephoto lens. you know, up close and personal.

here are a few shots for the study. and the wee book is only $5 if you want one. i will get them soon...

cheers, and enjoy your local redwood! and your local textile artist jennifer...