Yes there are more workshops to be had! This time they are in Vancouver at The Window Community Art Shop. First let me tell you a bit about The Window; it's a pretty special place. The Window is a non-profit social enterprise which showcases local art and crafts. Part of what they do is offer people with barriers to the workplace an opportunity to learn art-making techniques which they might use to create products to sell in the shop. They also support local artists and are always looking for local work to sell so check it out if you have your own product line. It just might be the place for you.
Something else that is really special about this place is that it offers its space to sewers and ceramic artists. So, after offering sewing and ceramic workshops their space is available to use to experiment with your new found techniques. They have wheels, kilns, sewing machines and sergers right in the space! So convenient and accessible! Love it. I'll be offering at this wonderful space: 1) Beginner Knitting ~on August 8th, 15th and 22nd~ and 2) Natural Dyeing ~on August 9th, 16th and 23rd~. Both occur between 1pm-3pm on those dates. Beginning Knitting at The Window is for those of you who have never picked up knitting needles and are dying to learn. Participants willleave the three-session workshop feeling comfortable with casting on, knitting, purling and binding off - You'll learn that that's all you'll ever need too. Half way though the sessions students will have the opportunity to start a quick and easy project like this cowl (yes, by then fall will be just around the corner). Other projects can be discussed based on the wants and needs of the students. The Window has a community garden near by so I'm hoping to spend the bulk of the Natural Dye workshop there (weather permitting). Students will learn how to make dye stock solutions using both found plants and store bought natural dyes for immersion dyeing and eco printing, and we'll use shibori resist methods to create pattern and design. We will be experimenting with mostly silk but I'll have wool and other fibre there to sample with too.
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Here are some photo's from the lace knitting workshop at Unwind. Student shawls are still in progress and it's been fun to see how different yarns are knitting up with the same pattern. On the first day we began by knitting mini samples of the shawlette so the students were able to sample all the different techniques right off the bat, including seeing how the shawlette pattern progresses and takes shape. Above is Kim's sample in mohair. Isn't it cute?
Indigo Dyeing Participants will leave the workshop with the knowledge AND materials/supplies to begin their own in-home indigo vat. We will also be exploring the fascinating Japanese art of shibori which will achieve beautiful texture and design on your indigo-dyed cloth. Three silk scarves are provided, but students can bring their own silk, cotton or wool fabric/clothing to the workshop to be dyed.* It's a one day workshop on Saturday August 18th $75 plus $40 for the supplies which includes products for your own at-home indigo vat and 3 silk scarves. Additional silk scarves will be available to purchase at the workshop for $7 each. Call Unwind to sign up 604 886 1418 *we will try, but It is not guaranteed that we will have enough time or dye to dye all the extra fibre you bring. Please wash your fabric/clothing before the workshop to prep it for dyeing. This installation re-contextualizes my 2010 shag dress as an Egoskeleton. It's a play words, yes, which I pretend to shy away from but find myself going back to, hehe. In spiritual terms the ego often refers to the over-identification with the mind and the shedding of the ego, or realizing presence, is what Hinduism refers to as enlightenment, Buddhism, the end of suffering, and some Christ followers, salvation. This piece is about successfully shedding the ego, if only temporarily, the remains seeming not unlike an exoskeleton. I'm really happy with this use of the shag dress. Last year I photographed it just laying around my house and was really fond of how it looked laying face down. The back of the weaving is interesting, so I love being able to see it too. So, when I started brainstorming as to how I would depict the idea of the ego being shed it was obvious that this was meant to be used for it. It's so bright and showy after all. I'm also interested in seeing it exhibited hanging upside down from a cord, as a kind of reference to the throwing of shoes on telephone wires to commemorate victories or large life accomplishments. Yesterday I photographed it in this way, and as per usual I favoured the detail shots. This is one of my faves (below) Here are some of the silk scarves I've been lovingly creating these past few weeks. As you may be able to tell my favourite dye to work with is Brazilwood (the coral pink). I think it's the loveliest. My other faves are onion skin and logwood. There are some indigo one's on their way soon, as well as some lovely yellow with osage. I just put a bunch up on Etsy and they're on sale until the 22nd for half off, the best price I'll ever offer these at:) So, this is the time to get one if you've been eyeing them. I hope you're enjoying this long weekend. It is so nice and warm here in Montreal and is suppose to get as hot as 30 degrees tomorrow, yipeeeee. I'm off to knit in the park. xo Janna This is going to be a really fun workshop. Students will learn how to make dye stock solutions for immersion dyeing, using shibori resist methods to create pattern and design. We will also learn how to print on fabric using found natural materials. Multiple mordanting techniques will be covered, as well as discharging and rusting techniques to achieve a plethora of results!
FUN FUN FUN Three Tuesday evenings from 5:30 pm-8:30 pm August 7th, 14th & 21st $99 (not including $58 materials fee) materials fee includes 5 silk scarves and a selection of natural dyes and mordants to take home. There will be an opportunity to buy additional silk scarves at the workshop for $7 each. Unwind Knit & Fibre Lounge 1161 Sunshine Coast Hwy. Gibsons, BC 604 886 1418 To register phone the store to reserve your space! And if you're from out of town Kim at Unwind will pick you up and drop you off at the Langdale ferry terminal. We've already got some out-of-towners signed up! I've been busy in the dye kitchen since my semester ended, doing natural dye and resist tests. I'm loving every moment.
So I'll be offering these one-of-a-kind naturally hand-dyed silk scarves on my Etsy shop this Spring. I've already posted one sneak-peek item which should give you a good idea of the aesthetic I'm going for this season. Thanks for stopping by this space :) More listings soon. see it on Etsy xJanna Here are some pics of my piece, Leaves Are Falling II, in the current FBRS 480 year-end show. We are having a photographer come in this week to shoot the entire show, so keep going back to the show website to see those added soon (www.byhookorbycrook.ca). Photo below: works of (left to right) Emily McIntyre, me, Jessica Belanger. Leaves are Falling II
metal, silk, natural dyes, magnets, speaker, arduino and waveshield Tomorrow my class' year-end show opens!!! By Hook or By Crook is an amalgamation of artworks by 16 artists who all work with fibre. Some fun facts about the show: there are 5 works with sound components, including mine, 3 immersive installations and two experiential/participatory pieces. I think it's obvious when you see the show that our class has worked super hard on making the show happen, and that every artist put their heart and soul into their pieces.
So, it opens tomorrow at Eastern Bloc @8pm (metro De Castelneau), here's the website with all the info (courtesy of moi), and some killer photos of our artwork, taken by Riley Sparks. byhookorbycrook.weebly.com By Hook or By Crook is a part of En avril, the Montreal Fibre Art festival. It's a month of fibre shows across the island. The opening reception happens to be taking place tomorrow as well, just before our vernissage, so our class will all be there and we're providing a bus to transport everyone from Concordia's downtown campus to our show. I can't wait! hrmmm, I'm trying to think of a photo to add to this post, but can only think of this one, which I've already posted, and the one below which gives you a little insight as to how the final project has evolved. Come see it tomorrow :) -janna Here's a peek of an new piece I installed for the first time today. It's called "Michael is this a joke?" and is based on a nightmare I had. I haven't had much time to step back and decide how I feel about the piece as a whole, so I'm only showing a snippet of the part I'm excited about so far. Maybe more soon. The speaker plays the sound of an idling diesel truck when the viewer is close enough to cast a shadow.
It's been a busy week....as you can see by my outfit both these shows had happenings on the same day. WEIGHS came down today, and after a few days of install at Galerie Diagonale Don't Call it a Comeback is opening tomorrow. The vernissage is @ 2pm, I'd love to see some familiar faces there. Might it help that there will be a performance at 3:30 and gin and tonic served?
Also yesterday we mapped out the layout for By Hook or By Crook at Eastern Bloc, opening on the 30th. It's going to be a great show.
I forgot to get good photos of the installation, but there is one taken by a colleague here on my facebook page.
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