Morning Painting #168

Morning Painting #168, 9"x9" © 2012 Fannie Narte

Morning Painting #167

Morning Painting #167, 9"x9" © 2012 Fannie Narte

I've made so many morning paintings, many of which were not posted to my blog.  The last recorded number posted to my blog is #66.  So I'll call this one #167.

Besides overcoming the fear of the white fabric, my Morning Painting practice has given me a colorful stash of fabric perfect for my current pojagi work. Magic!  I can't wait to cut this piece up and use it in my next piece.

Have a great weekend!

Pojagi -- An Interview With Chunghie Lee by Liz Cooper

This video is how I first discovered pojagi and Artist, Writer, Lecturer, Teacher Chunghie Lee.  The following text is from the description section of the above You Tube video:

"Not satisfied with traditional folding cloth methods alone, Chunghie Lee embraced the classical art form of Pojagi, and further expanded on it with a line of wearable art clothing, wall hangings, and multi-dimensional textiles, often incorporating old photographic images of simple peasant women peering out at us alone and in groups, as Lee puts it "in order to recognize and pay homage to the contribution they made to this traditional art form over the centuries."
"Liz Cooper caught up with Chunghie Lee and interviewed her at the 2009 Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, England.

"Filmed and Edited by Andrew Galli • Translations by Donghoon Ryan Lee"

Since viewing this video, I've researched the web and bookstores for more information.  Unfortunately, there wasn't much information, and I'll share what I find here in upcoming posts.  Enjoy!

What is Pojagi?

Pojagi 1  © 2012 Fannie Narte

EXPLORING POJAGI 

POJAGI (poh-jah-ghee) is a traditional Korean wrapping cloth used to cover or carry household items, food items or gifts.  They can be square or rectangular and of different sizes based on their specific use.  Traditionally, remnants from clothing such as Kimono or scraps of salvaged fabric such as silk, organza, cotton, linen, hemp or ramie are used to make pojagi.  The way the patches are connected and stitched is a part of its unique design and makes the pojagi a two-sided work of art.  The translucency, simplicity and drama of a hanging pojagi is artfully beautiful. 

Chunghie Lee is a fiber artist, lecturer, teacher and writer whose study of pojagi influenced her students and many artists to create pojagi-inspired traditional and contemporary artwork.

Blogger "A Seamstress in Kyoto" thoroughly describes the pojagi in her blog post.

Leonie Castelino is an artist who creates pojagi-inspired art.

Although pojagi is not a new art form, it is new to me, and with each new daily discovery I make through reading, study, research and working in my studio, I feel like I'm getting closer to home.

Violet Eyes and Playing With Piping

Violet Eyes, Mug Rug, 7.75 x 8.25" © 2012 Fannie Narte

What am I doing now?  Learning to make my own piping using Susan Cleveland's technique as explained in her book Piping Hot Curves and using them in quilts and mug rugs like this one, featuring one of my fabric panels.  The black and white piping and border is a nice companion to the colors in this quilt.  What do you think?

Set of 2 Violet Eyes, mug rugs for sale in my Etsy Shop.  Give a gift of remembrance and say "Happy Mother's Day," "Happy Birthday," "I Care," "Thank You," "I'm Glad We're Friends" in an extra special way . . .

Thanks, Susan!

Why Quilts Matter?

Why Quilts Matter?
Caryl Bryer Fallert, Quilt Artist, From Episode 3

If you are interested in traditional quilts, contemporary quilts, art quilts, quilts of any kind, you may enjoy

Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics
a nine-part documentary series that explores quilts in fresh new ways

I bought this two DVD set and watch it on my TV often, and when I'm in my studio, I put it in my computer and let it play while I work.  I feel like a sponge in an art history class.  Understanding how quilts have evolved and how the industry continues to grow and more is inspiring and exciting.

Enjoy!

Angelina Cat

 Angelina Cat, AAQI Quilt Donation, 9" x 12"© 2012 Fannie Narte

THE STORY

"We made memories that changed the both of us during the brief time we shared together.  She shared her dreams and her dreams became my reality.

"Now she can't remember me . . . she can't remember us ."

THE INSPIRATION

Finding a story and a name for each of my AAQI quilts are a joyful part of my process.  Once in a while, I come up empty, no ideas, no thoughts, no name or story . . . like with this quilt.

Waiting

This angel cat quilt looked at me each day waiting and waiting to find meaning in her existence, but nothing happened.  Each morning I entered my studio, I smiled at her and remembered every stitch and every loving brush stroke.  She told me she loved leaves, and I gave her leaves.  She told me she wished her eyes were hazel, and I did my best to please her.  We made memories that changed the both of us during the brief time we shared together.  She shared her dreams and her dreams became my reality.

And at the end of each day, I turned off the lights to my studio . . . still not knowing her name.

Although this is a narrative of my experience in creating "Angelina Cat," if you ponder each sentence and its symbolic meaning, you might find that this story also parallels the stories and experiences of Alzheimer's patients and their families.

Alzheimer's destroys memories and histories and relationships which were nurtured and developed over a lifetime.  Cruel and sad . . . 

 KIKI TOLD ME HER NAME -- 

INSPIRATION FROM CANDY WRAPPERS

My five-year old granddaughter, Kiana, we call her "Kiki," likes to spend time with me in my studio. The first day I pinned my quilt onto my design wall, Kiki sketched her . . .

and yesterday, she made another version, inspired by two pieces of gold foil wrappers from her Easter candies.  She held her picture and said,

  "Look, Mimi, Angelina!"

Thanks for telling me her name, Kiki! 

KIKI INSPIRES ME

With pencils, markers, crayons and recycled papers scattered all around her, Kiki profusely draws the stories dancing in her head, like . . .

the cheetah who was walking near a pond one day . . .

and thinking about catching one of those yummy fishes playing in the pond . . .  

 and -- uh-oh -- his friend was thinking the same thing.

Sometimes Kiki sings her stories and draws the characters in her stories while she sings.  I sing with her too.  We take turns adding lyrics to our song.  Most of the lines are silly and sometimes they rhyme and make sense.  While we sing/play, she draws and I work on my project.  We dream together; we dance together; we sing together; we make music together; we make art together.

I love creating with Kiki.  She's fearless.  I watch her in awe.  She produces a pile of images every day.  She is an example of the kind of artist I hope to be . . . someday.  She inspires me beyond her comprehension.

We love you, too, Kiki!

Making sweet memories with my Kiki . . .