What's Gnu...

My goodness. Where do I begin?

 Last weekend I taught a 3D bags class at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum. They have a wonderful workshop space and with the help of Kay(and Ray)  and Jean (and Michael) who organized and entertained me.

I love Almonte...really do. Also came home with a beautiful new teapot by Chandler Swain from the General Fine Craft Gallery (you can find my work there too!)

My New piece "Cleaning House" is getting some attention from curators and publications including here: Architect Annie Coggan "Chairs and Buildings"
Annie and I have quite a bit in common and I so appreciate her words and perspective.

last night I headed to an opening for an artist I greatly admire:
Dorothy Caldwell at the Art Gallery of Peterborough. Lots of fun and in as much awe of her work as ever.

In posting another video, I found this: My advice for artist. I did not even know I was being filmed so was so surprised. It was from 4 years ago, but I still stand by my advice.

Annie Dunning, Kevin Rodgers, Andrea Graham

Finally...a friend/writer/author/editor/ all 'round great guy and dad, Alec Ross offered to film me speaking about "Cleaning House". It was such a surprise he kept in the silly/hammy bits, but glad he did.

On Wednesday I depart for Yellowknife, but need to finish a proposal before I go. I will keep you posted!


www.andrea-graham.com

Images...Cleaning House

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

See You Saturday!

Whoa.

What a day. My work is usually made in the studio...completed in the studio. Yes, installation is involved but not usually any actual assembly. Today was a departure. Half an hour before I was ready to deliver work to the gallery for my show here: Modern Fuel

I had an email from the Agnes Etherington Arts Centre giving me permission to shoot the work in their pretty, pretty (did I say pretty?) atrium, so I had to switch gears, call photographer and beg (Daaave? can you come...tomorrrrrow?), change direction.

I spent 4 hours shaping steel wool and not much else knowing it would all be taken apart the next day to be relocated. It could not go by quick enough. My reward was playing with my mops! I like my mops.I like them for art, not cleaning, to be clear.

in progress!!

 I will now have to assemble the pieces twice in a short window, but I will 1.) have fantastic images and 2.) the experience of assembling once already behind me when I get to the Modern Fuel tomorrow!

I came home so frigging tired and wonder how my art friends that do this fly-by-the-seat-of-the-pants thing manage.Then again, I do it too. I  just do it in a different way. I am feeling upside down in the best way possible as it is these experiences that challenge us and confirm "you can DO this". I am not quite there and cannot wait until the a.m. when I can dig back in and make some art. life is good. I will keep you posted, always.

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Looking Ahead

To be installed beginning this week at the Modern Fuel

 

Intrigued? Confused? Oh, good!

I had a fantastic meeting yesterday with a smart young woman who is going to take time out of her busy life to write a piece on my work. I am moving forward in my goals to reach a new audience and grow as an artist and these are exciting steps. Nothing like feeling like you are in control of your own direction and being clear where you want to go...the last part being vital, of course!  In the quick hour + that we met she tossed out a handful of names and bits of information/resources that fueled lots of research today. I had a list of things to follow up on and calls to make and while I have sat on my ass all day, it has been very productive!  

This week, I will be schlepping my new 7 ft. sculptures over to the Modern Fuel gallery to complete assembly and installation. This is a new process for me as I don't usually (o.k., ever) complete work on-site. Not sure how long it will take, but I know I am in good shape.

Ah, Yes! Easy for YOU to say. Looking ahead for me right now feels a bit like the start of a marathon. I have a Crayyyzeee travel schedule ahead in 5 countries that will take me to the end of June. In between I will do my best to get other work done and reintroduce myself to my children! Either they are going to starve or learn to be very self sufficient. This all begins next weekend then a break and then off to Yellowknife....

Isn't it lovely.

Maybe, just maybe I will see the Northern Lights. I will keep you posted.


Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Back on Track. A New Track.

Okay,
How many months have I been saying I have been in limbo? Many.
How many months have I been in this annoying holding pattern waiting to share? Many.
How happy am I to be over the hump and have this show hung and shot? Very.

The opening of "Transformation" at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum was yesterday and in spite of the snow the turn out was great. I had some wonderful conversations and it was nice to speak to some people with some fiber and art knowledge. I love hearing how people view my work as I then see things with a new twist. I is also nice to know that my work makes people think and reflect and that they relate to it in a personal way.

Bulbi II on the right is sold :o)

Curator, Michael Rikley-Lancaster speaking about the work

Chatting in front of "Seeds"

A collector in the making (nice job, Mama)

 As soon as I received images from my new friend, Shawn De Salvo
I had a long list of things I needed them for. A few deadlines were promptly met such as sending them to Russian felt magazine "Felt Fashion". This is a very nice magazine...well done. Will share once it is out with a link (in a month or so) where you can get this. I also sent images to a woman who I am hoping will write about my work for some other submissions. I was also contacted by a couple of enthusiastic young curators in NYC that have submitted a proposal for exhibition based on their vision, a specific space and my work. I love how that process evolved and it was fun to do the back and forth meeting deadlines with someone else...I am usually solo in the process! That in itself was fun. If it proceeds, even better.

I applied to an Artist in Residence call in a far away land of mist and sheep...a long shot, but was really (really) drawn to the prospect. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I have another call to apply to, but need "new", not shown before work. hard to fudge that with my work and practice of sharing everything ;o)  This will be on my agenda this week along with working on my 3 large (7 foot) sculptures for the Modern Fuel Gallery here in Kingston for March. I think they will need to be assembled on site mostly, so I have decisions to make in this case! No wool, if you can believe, but definitely fibre. I now have website updates to tackle, a proposal and a grant application to complete.

I am fielding teaching inquiries and filling up my limited spaces. 2014 is largely full as I am leaving some space open waiting for some confirmations that hold my priority as well as time for my own work with a solo coming at the Canadian Guild of Craft (2015). Once the schedule is settled in the next couple of months, I will fill you in on the website.

So...that said, I have a lot of things going on. not only am I feeling back on track, but I am also on a new track and am feeling that my career is in a period of "Transformation" in such a positive way.

 Website:  www.andrea-graham.com

Finally!!

Well, finally....for me, anyway. I have been waiting to have this work shot to feed half a dozen commitments/application/proposals and can now *finally* move forward. I am a very sharing person and love to share with my fellow makers and students what I am doing and being in this holding pattern has been difficult for me.

My work is in transition...it seems appropriate that the new work is themed "Transformation" because I am at a stage of transformation professionally and personally. I have new pared down work incorporating unexpected materials and seeking a broadened audience, I am experiencing changes personally as my oldest is paving his way and I am feeling reflective, confident and strong as I am moving forward. I will not lie...I have suffered recent doubt and insecurity, but having come to the other side, stronger than ever in my art practice and direction. I have never shied away from a challenge and this is no exception. As my photographer sends images, I will share. In the meantime, I will share what I took while he shot!! The opening at the Museum is Saturday Feb 1st from 2-4 p.m. I hope to see you there.

 Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

New Work. New things on the horizon...

 Last week I delivered work to the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum and first priority was the installation of "Rescue".

I knew how the pieces needed to be executed and assembled and in the couple of days prior I set to work with finishing the components. Silicone needed to set, connections sealed, tubing filled. It all seemed "relatively straightforward", which if you have ever used the term, you know is the kiss of death and a determiner that it will just not be so. In the end it was a success piece and I am very happy with the completed work (The image here was a quickly, but will be professionally shot next week)

You would NOT believe the mess my studio was in. It seriously looked like a crime scene. Feeding the coloured water into the long tubing with one end sealed was a exercise in patience and buffoonery. I would try to straighten the tube to allow it to glug down only to turn around and see a red shower from the other. Fine if it happened only once, but it happened repeatedly. I really needed an extra set of hands. When I clamped the other end, I carefully positioned the clamp and collar, holding the tube in one hand and the clamping tool in the other only to realize that I needed 2 hands to get enough leverage to squeeze the collar shut with the tool...the tube that was filled to the brim was quickly emptied of the last 8 inches. Add this to the fact the kitten was fascinated and Patti was very thirsty for red water and the mess was ridiculous. Even I did not take a picture because I was freaking out that the mess could not be cleaned up. I did not want this red mess on my floor (table, arms, ceiling, etc.) for the spare second it would take to capture. You will have to imagine!

The rest of the work was left in the capable hands of the curator and his assistant and I shall see it all hung soon!


Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com