Inspi(red)*
Now that we’re pretty much exactly halfway through 2007 now, tell me, what’s the most inspiring thing you’ve seen or experienced in the past six months?
Maybe it’s because today is [my loom's one-year anniversary](http://blog.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/2006/06/spring-has-sprung/), I’m feeling all sentimental and wondering what I’ve been doing all year and what I’ll be doing on this day next year. Between now and next June, I’ll be attending a month of lectures and workshops at Maiwa’s symposium. So far, I’ve registered for Michelle Wipplinger’s [Colour Institute II](http://www.maiwa.com/symposium/w_colour_institute_2.html), [Dabu Mud Printing](http://www.maiwa.com/symposium/w_dabu_mud_printing.html), [Ajrakh Blockprinting](http://www.maiwa.com/symposium/w_ajrakh_blockprinting.html) (including the [masterclass](http://www.maiwa.com/symposium/w_blockprinting_masterclass.html)) and [the Working Traveller](http://www.maiwa.com/symposium/w_working_traveller.html). I wonder if Charllotte will let me just pay rent and live at [Maiwa East](http://www.maiwa.com/stores/maiwa_east.html) for the month of October… the place is already furnished.
Charllotte is also looking at arranging a Maiwa trip to India in February 2008 and I’m hoping that I’ll be able to participate in that. They’ll be travelling to a number of different villages where the dyeing and textiles are made for Maiwa. I’m not sure how long the trip is for, but if it’s only a couple weeks, I may choose to stay a few weeks longer on my own. Who knows.
Also, I’ve been looking at the [Kawashima Textile School](http://www.biwa.ne.jp/~kts/index2.htm) in Kyoto and possibly spending some time there weaving, dyeing and studying. This is the same school that [Chisako Hisamatsu](http://www.silkweavingstudio.com/Chisako/Chisako.htm) attended to get a more in-depth education in Kasuri (an ikat technique). You could live, weave, eat, sleep, and dye there for anywhere from a few days to a few years. Dreamy. Possible? Impossible? Who knows.
Where else can I go? Indonesia? Thailand? Sweden? Denmark? Hmm… My desire to live someplace warmer (seriously, I’m sitting next to my heater and it’s nearly JULY) has me thinking about the [textile/fashion program at CCAC](http://www.cca.edu/academics/textiles/) in California too (although San Francisco is not much warmer than Vancouver, bleh). Hmm…
My time in London was WAY too short and I’ll have to find my way back somehow. I didn’t, unfortunately, get to meet up with Amelia and her friends and would love to do that next time. There was a knitting exhibition at South Wimbledon that I missed because I was running around quite a bit (even though I was at Wimbledon for a couple days, grr) and *of course* the one day I picked to visit the V&A is the one day the textiles room was closed. What _did_ I see…
The ["New York Fashion Now"](http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/fashion/new_york/index.html) exhibition at the V&A. The [DOBAG rug](http://www.returntotradition.com/html/dobag_project.html) woven for the British Museum. Some of [Preeti Gilani's](http://www.gilani.com/index.html) textile work… hand-dyed silk and Jacquard weaving. The [room full of massive](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2006/05/06/barothko06.xml&sSheet=/arts/2006/05/06/ixtop.html) [Mark Rothko paintings at the Tate Modern](http://www.tate.org.uk/servlet/CollectionDisplays?roomid=3543) (I went to see this TWICE, I loved it so much). [Helio Oiticica's Body of Colour](http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/exhibitions/heliooiticica/) exhibition at the Tate Modern as well. And something I _wish_ I had seen for real:
[Ptolemy Mann](http://www.ptolemymann.com/) completely floors me. [I'm absolutely in love with her work.](http://www.ptolemymann.com/pdf/2007/VOGUE.jpg) What are you absolutely in love with these days? What inspires you now?
*Okay, never thought I’d name a post after a GAP product, but hey, it’s all good. One of the only things I bought in London was a [product Red t-shirt](http://www.joinred.com/products/gap/)… african cotton made in Lesotho. It would make Jen proud.*
Tags: london, maiwa, ptolemy mann
Oh wow! All the possibilities you have before you. I say do them all! I can see how you will come back with so much more talent on top of the amazing talent you already have!
Don’t worry, you’re not actually naming a post after a GAP product….The Global Fund actually came up with the (red) idea and there are a lot of (red) products out there. Every time you buy a (red) product, a certain percentage of the profit goes to AIDS research and other AIDS programs. I totally want the (red) iPod.
I’ve seen the factories where those T-shirts are made and I bet you I know where the people live who made them. I’ve seen them going to work in the morning and leaving in the evening. Ironic, isn’t it, that (red) products are being made in a country with arguably the highest prevalence of AIDS in the world.
Inspiration? For about a month and half I found inspiration at every turn. I knit 120 miters and putting all the colors together just about blew my mind. But every square was inspired by something – and every square in turn inspired something else. It was quite an experience for me. I think that’s one of the reasons I haven’t sewn the squares together yet. I don’t want it to end. Although, once it’s a blanket, and I can knit under it all the time, it might be that much more inspiring.
It sounds like you’re having a blast! I’m glad to see you stopping in.
Oh my gosh, I’m inspired by you! The classes look amazing – and traveling. Makes me want to quit my job and move to Vancouver or Japan! seriously amazing stuff.
I hope you will get to do all the things on your list!
Creatively, my most thunderous inspiration was a book called _Quilts of Provence_, by Kathryn Berenson. I can barely type it without my hands shaking.
As a print designer, I am constantly inspired by the many ways people see the world around them. Textile designers, chefs, farmers, other graphic designers, my children—they each interpret the same experience differently.
It is wonderful that you get to expand your world view by seeing the way individuals in other countries live. I am appreciating living vicariously through you.
As a print designer, I am constantly inspired by the many ways people see the world around them. Textile designers, chefs, farmers, other graphic designers, my children—they each interpret the same experience differently.
It is wonderful that you get to expand your world view by seeing more of it. I appreciate living vicariously through you.
First, I love the Rothkos. I would love to have paintings like those in my home…something about reprints doesn’t really do it for me. The texture of the paint and brushstrokes gets lost in a reprint.
As for inspiration, there have been projects here and there on the web that have peaked my interest. The gorgeous shots of yarn definitely inspire desire. However, in terms of true artistic yearning brought on by something, whether its a project, yarn or experience, I think its been learning to work with fabric. In general, I knit with monochromatic colors (its just what I prefer to wear) but I feel like quilting in particular is successful because of its use of color. I would love to learn more about working with colors (not just in terms of fabric). You’re work and current experiences remind me of that quest for creating a combination of color and texture that makes the observer think. I can’t wait to hear more about your studies. Thanks for sharing!
I seem to find inspiration at the drop of a hat these days(what type of hat, where dropped from? why?), and am particularly inspired by all the lovely vintage fabrics/dresses/aprons I’ve spotted in person and on blogs. I have pages of ideas going, but off the top of my head I’d say I’m feeling the pull towards letterpress and wanting to practice more with the drop-spindle I bought a while back…
And of course, you inspire me, with your fabulous stories and photography and all those possibilities waiting to become reality…
All too often there is a beauty that is missed.
Glossed over.
The color and nuance within your style is truely beautiful.
And so inspiring … so … well-breathed and captivating.
Thank You.
Welcome back! I think you should take whatever classes your heart tells you to – one or all, you are the only one who can decide what you are capable of. I hope you found the time away restful and that you feel rejuvinated. The blanket you’re weaving is beautiful!
Sounds like you’re able to travel and stay to pursue some textile studies so, I’d recommend looking into the Lyon,France area. The city is a textile center – I remember being inadvertently side-tracked to Lyon and was very sorry that we were just passing thru. There were so many places recommended in regards to textiles, etc. Hope you find something wonderful
Wow, look at those colors! Color just does it for me, man. Whoa.
It sounds a lot like you’ve been recharging and nourishing yourself in a lot of good ways. The textile education stuff is awesome–it’s great how you’ve thrown yourself into this, and how much it seems to give to you.
Oh, I love Mark Rothko’s work in person. There is A LOT to be learned by his color layering, especially when you are a fiber artist. He taught me in one glance that you really need to pay attention to color theory and pigment saturation to get a result worth something.
I’m excited for you and your plans. I do have to say, living an hour south of SF is considerably warmer and still it’s not warm enough for me year round. The upside, when it’s cold, I actually can wear my wool knits. Other times, I fantasize about living in San Diego, but what would I do with my wool and cashmere?!