So goes the title of a 7-week class I have just finished at the
Indianapolis Art Center. I enjoyed it very much!
Each week our class of 3 touched on a textile technique: weaving, macrame, dying, crochet, arm-knitting were all included. I've done all of these technique in the past, except arm knitting. I enjoy them all as I do them, but crochet is the one that calls to me. I am an advanced crocheter and always have trouble finding a class to suit my needs. After 40 years at it, I am mainly interested in improving my art-making skills with
crochet.
I found the class truly worth the $279.00 I invested. (About $40 per 3-hour class). Our teacher Hailee Herron, a painter and mixed media artist, was quite inspirational to me. Not only did she introduce us to textile techniques, but she also always encouraged us to use non-traditional materials with each technique.
During each 3-hour class, we did a variety of activities: gathering materials, looking at slides of inspirational artists, talking and learning about our thought processes while making art, and we always had studio time to work on our final project. In 3 of the classes, Hailee gave us 30 minutes to create a mini-projects just off the top of our heads. Although thirty minutes is not that long, she didn't convey any sense of pressure to me. I appreciated that and think that it helped me to just follow my process and let my thoughts come to lead me toward my creation.
We used a simple frame loom; and I wove with rayon ribbon, plastic ribbon and fuzzy fabric cut into strips.
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| Weaving |
We dyed cotton fabric with onion skins, turmeric, blueberries and spinach.
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| Dying |
I used traditional stitches and jute rope for my macrame'. I did not put much energy into macrame and Hailee wasn't critical!
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| Macrame |
Being a beginner, Hailee asked me to give a tutorial on crochet. It was fun and I used my kids book for visual guidance.
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| Kid Can Do It Crocheting |
Selecting from a huge collection of fabric, plastics and all-around left-overs, Hailee gave us free-reign to create "something" in 30 minutes. It was somewhat challenging, fun but not scary because the exercise was geared to comfort and encouraging us to do what pleases us.
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| Sheer fabric stuffed, painted latex, cut pieces of knit |
For this project we went outside to the Art Center gardens to gather "junk." my collection turned out to be all natural findings. When I first saw the stick, it made me think of a figure pointing, so that's what it became.
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| Sticks, stones, bark, holly leaves, seed pod, "nail" polish |
During the last class, we had 30 minutes to create something with panty hose. I haven't had any of these in years! Hailee, the collector, provided as many as we needed!
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| Panty hose, bubble wrap, fabric, latex strips, "jelly" yarn |
We learned to make yarn out of t-shirts. It is not too hard once the secret is learned! I have a collection of shirts from past Crochet Guild conferences, so I decided to make something functional - a basket-because I don't wear those shirts anymore. When it's done, it will commemorate the many CGOA conferences I've attended over twenty-five years!
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| T-shirt yarn basket, in progress |
I mentioned the "project" we worked on all through the class series. My notes tell me I started the work and thought processes on this in June 2016! I'm refreshed after Textiles with New Materials and ready to share its story, background and pictures on my blog next week!
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