I was so impressed by the percentage of artists at Art on the Avenue who were doing creative re-use. Usually I can find one or two soul mates at these things, but today I could have spent hours. However, it was very hot (90 degrees in October!) and even frozen custard from the Dairy Godmother could only keep the kids interested for a certain time. I had the pumpkin since it is October and it was great.
Seeing with Fabric
At a distance, this art looks like painting, but when you get closer, you can see the intricate work of Jamie Langhoff.
Her materials are all recycled fabric bits.
Jamie speaks in poems, honestly. I tried to scribble down things she was saying to customers as fast as I can, but it’s worth visiting her just to hear her talk.
“What I really focus on is movement and flow. When you see a great sunset, you know there is something bigger. I mean of course you know there is a sky, but something else. I get color ideas from the people I meet, the colors in their outfit. I love capturing the light bouncing off clouds – a moment that is strange and serene at the same time. When I walk around the world, I see it in fabric. Sometimes I have to just stop and enjoy the moment and stop thinking about how it would look in fabric. I remember where every piece of fabric comes from. I have scraps from when my mom sewed from when I was little. This fabric – the purple and orange one – is from a dress she made me. She would always put a pocket in the front where I could put things I found on the ground.”
See what I mean? She should record herself talking, take the transcript and make a book of what she says illustrated by her art.
You can follow Seeing in Fabric on Facebook or purchase Seeing in Fabric pieces on Etsy.
Jellyfish Jools
A few years ago, we saw this fabulous exhibit at the Smithsonian where people had crocheted coral reefs. Mostly they used yarn, but some people used plastic bags made into yarn. This was part of the Hyperbolic Crocheted Coral Reef Project, a global effort to get people thinking about how global warming is destroying coral reefs.
Linda Goetz Mierke was a docent at that exhibit, and it inspired her to keep making very cool stuff from plastic bag crochet. She even “spins” the plastic bags using a drop spindle.
She incorporates beads into bracelets and broaches. Jellyfish Jools was doing great business in the time I spoke with Linda!
You can see more of her work at Jellyfish Jools on Pinterest.
Cut Sew Create Studio
I had no idea that you could sew through the aluminum in a soda can with a regular sewing needle and sewing machine. Barb Boatman makes art pieces that combine strips of aluminum cans with thread, fabric and buttons. She sometimes makes things just with threads, held in place by water soluble stabilizer. She gets her frames at thrift stores.
Her work was so colorful and happy!
You can read about her art and method at her Cut Sew Create Studios blog.
What My Family Was Doing
So while I was grooving on the artists, my family entertained themselves with two key activities:
Oh! And we ate sushi and pork sandwiches. Can you believe both my kids love sushi? It is a miracle! A food that doesn’t contain cheese that they want to eat!
