Crafting a lifestyle : Mark and Sally Bailey

I kept coming across Mark and Sally Bailey's new book Handmade Home: Living with Art and Craft. Once I was able to crack open the cover, it was clearly a must buy.

Photo by Debbie Treloar

The book is full of rich photographs and descriptions of artist's homes. Not just any artists' homes but artists that clearly live the wabi sabi aesthetic to its' fullest. It showcases those rare homes that clearly show a creative genius in action.

Photo by Debbie Treloar

But then I became curious about Mark and Sally Bailey, as their beautiful home was included in the book.

Photo by Debbie Treloar

I learned this is their third lifestlye book. They also have a store, a gallery and are in the process of building a compound called Whitecross Farm to showcase artist's works in a domestic setting. I SO wish I lived in England right now so I could see it all in person.

Do you think they really thresh wheat in that barn? There's even a stunning tearoom nestled in the grounds.

Photo by Debbie Treloar

In their own words:

We were inspired to start our gallery/home after a long anticipated visit to Kettles Yard in Cambridge. We loved the late Jim Ede's simple way of living with art and his insistence that Kettles Yard should be a place that is . . . "not an art gallery or museum, nor . . . simply a collection of works of art reflecting my taste or the taste of a given period. It is, rather, a continuing way of life from these last fifty years, in which stray objects, stone, glass, pictures, sculpture, in light and in space, have been used to make manifest the underlying stability."

Clearly this is no fine art gallery, this is a lifestyle experience. And the work they feature is stunning. Here are Ray Key's polished vessels.

Photo by Debbie Treloar

Anna Hagopian's delicate paper jewelry is showcased in such a beautiful way I'd want the whole lot including the shoes!

I need to learn more about Jim Ede, the Bailey's inspiration. Hmmm, perhaps Crafting a Lifestyle might turn into a series. We'll see what turns up that I can pass along. In the meantime, find the book here. And check out their shop and gallery online or if you're lucky, in person. And take some pictures for me!

work table : Landgrabbing series

Okay, I hate doing this, sharing the early, early stages of a new series. When you are unsure of the direction to take and not sure if any of it will work out. But, this IS my work table this week so I'll just be honest: it's SLOW going here. But, I'm just doing it, going with the flow and slowly making progress. Now you understand why I posted earlier about Agnes Martin! I spent a fair amount of time cleaning my desk this week while trying to think.

I am still making more foreclosure pieces but I feel the need to start a new series. I learned last year about landgrabbing. Countries that are buying up land throughout the world to farm their own crops for shipment back to their own countries. This is happening ALL over the world right now, right under our noses. The countries that are selling off their own land are happy, because they're making lots of money. The local landowners are not so happy about having their land taken away by thier government.

My daughter wrote 'cool' on the flags she liked.

The US is guilty in both ways. We're buying land elsewhere and we're also selling out as well. Many countries are doing this. It's not good and it's not sustainable.

Hence, a new series around this issue: Landgrabbing. At the moment, I'm taking the national flags of the countries being sold off, rendering them without color. The map of the country is cut into them revealing the flags of the landgrabbing countries. We'll see if it pans out.

Landgrabbing study: Pakistan and the UAE, 2011. Kathryn Clark

These will be quite large I think, five to six feet across. I can make many of these, which is sad. The facts are there and need to be addressed. www.farmlandgrab.org has been an amazing resource to articles being published all over the world on this issue. It's shocking. More to come soon.

Artist : Agnes Martin

Okay, I know most of you are well aware of Agnes Martin's work by now. If not, you're in for a treat. Well, if you're willing to be open.

On a Clear Day, 1964 by Anges Martin. Image courtesy of Peter Blum Gallery

Her work and philosophy seems to appeal to very few for some reason. She is on my top five list of artists who really inspire me. Her dedication to her craft was intense and persistent.

Untitled, 1962 by Anges Martin. Image courtesy of Zwirner & Wirth

When I feel I'm in a slump, I pick up my book of her writings and open it randomly for some inspiration and for a good, practical slap in the face. What you walk away with is the encouragement to just go out there and make your work.

Untitled, 1960 by Anges Martin. Image courtesy of Zwirner & Wirth

Don't worry what others think, just make what you have to, what's calling to be made. You will find your voice this way. It's so easily said, so hard to realize, and so true. Thanks, Agnes.

Detail of one of Anges Martin's paintings. Image courtesy of Spencer Alley

I do recommend the book Agnes Martin : Writings but as I write this I'm in shock by how hard it is to find this book and how expensive it is when you find it. Okay, I'll take better care of my copy now! But while you wait to track it down, here's some instant gratification. An in-depth interview with her about her own work.

See more of her paintings at Zwirner & Wirth Gallery and some of her drawings at Peter Blum Gallery.

Artist : SooJin Kang

SooJin Kang's work defies categorization. Is it conceptual art, industrial design, fashion design or perhaps all of them rolled into one nice package? I first discovered her work over on DesignSponge's "what's in your toolbox?" feature. I was hooked when I saw the photo of strips of leather splayed out on a white cloth.

SooJin Kang's work table. Photo by Ania Wawrzkowicz

 And then I went over to her website where I discovered the most amazing chair deconstruction. Functional? Maybe. Beautiful? Yes!

Knitted Stool, 2011 by SooJin Kang. Photo by Ania Wawrzkowicz

From what I can see about her various series and the photos of her workspace, we certainly have in common the sense of order and place for things.

SooJin Kang's tools and wool. Photo by Ania Wawrzkowicz

 I just like how she 'tests the waters' for new ideas and isn't afraid to make something that hovers somewhere between function and pure art, likely pissing off purists within those camps. Yes!

Knitted Chair, 2009 by SooJin Kang. Photo by Ania Wawrzkowicz

Her work was included in the Cheongju International Craft Biennale in South Korea this year. I SO wished I would have entered that show, however unlikely it would have been that my work would have been accepted. There was a really talented group of artists included.

Dressed Furniture, 2010 by SooJin Kang. Photo by Ania Wawrzkowicz

SooJin's website is here. Be sure to check out other featured DesignSponge "toolboxes" for more inspiration.

Artist : Akko Goldenbeld

I'll let the video do most of the explaining. The title is "Sound of the City" and involves a city map and a piano.

Akko is graduating this year from Design Academy Endoven in The Netherlands. Well done! I'm looking forward to seeing more. I can imagine how different cities can 'sound' from each other. You can learn a little bit about his project here.

Artist : El Anatsui

I wish I could remember how I came across El Anatsui's work last week to thank whoever shared it in blogland. I've been chomping at the bit to share his work with you this week.

Gli (Wall), 2010
Photo: Nash Baker © nashbaker.com

El Anatsui, from Ghana, now resides in Nigeria. The story behind these 'cloths' is incredible. Ten years ago, he discovered a bag full of  thousands of aluminum screw-tops from bottles of whiskey, rum and gin thrown away by a local distillery.

Gli (Wall) (detail), 2010
Photo: Nash Baker © nashbaker.com

The bag sat in his studio for a few months while he continued his work as a wood sculptor until one day he started experimenting with the tops, bending and twisting them. They slowly evolved into a giant 'fabric' that resembled kente cloth, a fabric from Ghana, his native country.



Gli (Wall), 2010
Photo: Nash Baker © nashbaker.com

The material used is loaded with meaning from mass consumerism, re-use and questions why there are so many of these used screw-tops in the first place.

Gli (Wall), 2010
Photo: Nash Baker © nashbaker.com

To create something so beautiful and powerful out of something so mundane and ordinary is no small feat. Here he speaks in his own words about the pieces and you have the chance to see the work as it moves, amazing.

El Anatsui certainly has a gift. His work is in a traveling inagural exhibition with the Museum of African Art in New York City. Until the museum opens in 2012, this exhibit is on tour throughout the US. It recently opened at the University of Texas at Austin and will travel to North Carolina, Denver and Michigan before settling at the MAA. Read more info about the exhibition here.

work table : open

It's back to work in the studio this week. I've noticed around this time of year after reflecting on my work during open studios that I start looking for new ideas. I do this by remaining open to whatever I see and hear around me. In the midst of sewing the batting for a headboard for our bed I thought I'd throw on some of my foreclosure clippings that were sitting nearby.

The other day I asked my daughter to bring me something to read. I have a pile of unread books piled up by my bed and she brought me one that I started but put aside for some reason. Begin Again: A Biography of John Cage. This book certainly opens one's eyes to new ways of inspiration. Here's one of Cage's pieces for prepared piano.

I've had several ideas for a new series to work on concurrently with my foreclosure series. Bigger, more aggresive pieces and perhaps larger in scope. I'm not sure yet which one I'll go with but I spent some time playing around with ideas, making tools to experiment with the ideas. You have to start somewhere and I guess those nails Cage used in his experiments got me thinking about making a new loom.

And then after making my daughter's halloween costume (a shiny knit full body leotard I might add), I noticed the way the cut pattern pieces piled up with XL and L.

And that got me thinking about paper and mapping, which lead me to pull this book off the shelf.

I've heard others out in blogland saying they're inspired too these days for various reasons. You too?

Artist : Gabriel Russo

Last week you might have seen my article on Boro over at Handful of Salt. Well, there was one video that just didn't want to cooperate with the website. So, I'll share it with you here. This is bay area clothing designer, Gabriel Russo, and his work is also boro inspired.

He certainly looks like someone fun to work with. Notice the obligatory boro remnant hanging on his wall. It's a beautiful piece, and elements of it are reflected in his work. Oftentimes, as seen below, he repurposes the old boros and kimonos for his clothing. Normally, I would cringe at that comment but the way he reutilizes them ties into their very purpose, to be mended and reused.

Jacket by Gabriel Russo

He also is an avid indigo dyer as he writes on his blog. The ghost pocket was created by removing the pocket after an indigo dye dip . I just finished a five week green indigo dyeing class with Barbara Shapiro so I was immediately smitten.

Jacket detail by Gabriel Russo

More amazing pockets and remnant boro details. 

Jacket detail by Gabriel Russo

With some creative stitching, not enough to overwhelm a jacket. I wonder if he makes clothing for women?

Jacket detail by Gabriel Russo

Check out Gabriel's blog where he also shares some great stories about his life in the rag trade in Brooklyn. There is a great, in-depth review here. Gabriel is also a member of the World Shibori Network which features some of his wares.

Studio views

I'm going to apologize in advance for what I'm about to share with you. I think I know you pretty well by now. Just be warned you're about to spend a long time at the computer thanks to this review. In the Make offers amazing sneak peeks into artists studios and with incredible interviews to read while you gawk.

Linda Geary. Photo by Klea McKenna

Currently San Francisco bay area focused, the site was created by photographer Klea McKenna and writer Nikki Grattan. I love that I can learn about artists that are so close by. The in-depth interviews by Gratton hone in on an artist's daily practice and are insightful and observant.

Ido Yoshimoto. Photo by Klea McKenna

McKenna is the one behind all those wonderful photographs on the site. Close-ups and overalls give you a good sense of the studio space and capture how each artist works.

Jill Sylvia. Photo by Klea McKenna

As you can see from above, some studios are neat as a pin while others are barely held together. And seeing the artwork that goes with the studio space is rather enlightening.

Imen Yeh. Photo by Klea McKenna

And there's always at least one photo in each interview that captures the artist's personality. I love the one above. Haven't we all not taken on this posture at some point? There are links to the artist's websites as well after each interview if you want to keep surfing forever. In the Make. Don't say I didn't warn you!

San Francisco Open Studios

Thanks to everyone who stopped by for open studios this past weekend. Ruth Freeman and I shared a space with product designer EJ Tanu. Ruth has some great pictures of the weekend on her blog. The building was tagged over the weekend adding to the creative vibe going on inside. Here's EJ posing with the zombie and his awesome signage for the opening.

EJ Tanu by Ruth Freeman

It was wonderful to meet some of you in person as well as hang out with two other talented artists and 'talk shop' for two days. Much of the talk around my work was very political, of course. And just down the street, the Wall Street protests were happening at the same time.

Modesto Foreclosure Quilt, 2011.

It was incredible to watch peoples reaction to my work once they read the titles. Everyone was excited to share their own views on the issues at large. I had some great, charged conversations. Several people stayed for over an hour talking about politics with us. And the feedback was so helpful. Thank you for your support.

Handful of Salt

Be sure to check out the Handful of Salt site for my latest article, Inspired : Boro.

Asa Boro from Sri Threads

I've been following the website since the beginning and am thrilled to be a part of the Handful of Salt team. It's the only in depth website in the United States I've discovered that recognizes contemporary craft in the US and abroad. I'll warn you, you can easily lose hours digging through all the amazing in-depth interviews. Have fun!

San Francisco Open Studio this weekend

I'll have my 'temporary' studio open this weekend in San Francisco for those of you who are near! I'm setting up shop in my friend and fellow artist, Ruth Freeman's space at Clara Street Studios in SOMA. The address is 185 Clara Street at 5th. Studio 102B.

Here is a little glimpse of Ruth's amazing paintings.

I'll have four of my foreclosure pieces on display. Here are almost all of them in a little collage to refresh your memory.

I will also have all of my Idiom series which I completed last year. Remember these?

It should be a fun weekend. I hope to have another piece started so you can see me at work. That's the hope at least. We will certainly have some nice wine and food to go around and would love to hang out with you.

Artist : Josh Faught

I keep coming back to the work of Josh Faught for inspiration. His work simply astounds me. It's complicated, messy, honest, real and pure emotion.

Triage, 2009 Josh Faught. hemp, nail polish, spray paint, indigo,
logwood, toilet paper, greeting cards, pins, books, plaster, yarn,
handmade wooden sign, denim and gloves. 80" x 120"

 I was first drawn to his techniques he uses in his work. They all look so labor intensive: indigo dyeing, crocheting, knitting, assembling among other techniques. And the materials, just look at what goes into his pieces. They make a statement in themselves.

How to Beat the High Cost of Living, 2009. Josh Faught. Handwoven cotton,
nail polish, toilet paper, silk flowers, indigo, sequins, and ink. 92" x 72".

 But then I paused to read the reviews about his work and it all came together even more.

Untitled, Josh Faught.

And talk about politics, he's got it in spades. He's not afraid to make a statement, reveal his fears and his anxieties as well as his confidence. His work takes risks. We need more of this!

Untitled, 2008. Josh Faught. Hemp, sequins, pin, garden trellis.

You Can't Live Scared, detail, 2007. Josh Faught. Crocheted hemp, pin, plaster,
spray paint, and super 8 film.

See more of his work at Lisa Cooley Gallery as well as read some incredible reviews on his work.

Foreclosure Quilt : Atlanta

There's nothing like a deadline to make one motivated! I finished the Atlanta Foreclosure quilt just in time to hang it at the SOMArts Gallery on Monday for San Francisco Open Studios. I left all of my red thread at home over the weekend, brilliant! So there was a lot of last minute sewing to be done once I returned.

Atlanta Foreclosure Quilt, 2011. 19 1/2" x 19 1/2"
Recycled denim, bleached linen, cheesecloth, yarn and embroidery thread.

This is my smallest piece as the size was limited by the gallery. All of the materials are remnants from my studio. The backing on this piece is my remaining hemp napkin from my Inhabit Project with Vanessa Filley. Quilting with denim and thick hemp is not easy. My fingers were certainly sore, especially after working quickly at the last minute!

Atlanta Foreclosure Quilt detail

The color variations are a pattern that relates to how many foreclosed lots are located within a block. The more foreclosures, the darker the color. Given that I was limited with reusing my materials, it almost works out perfectly. You can see process photos here.

Atlanta Foreclosure Quilt detail

You can see this piece in person at SOMArts Gallery at 934 Brannon Street in San Francisco from September 30th to October 29th. Regarding Open Studios, I will be showing at Clara Street Studios in San Francisco's SOMA district with my friend, artist Ruth Freeman on October 15th and 16th from 11 to 6 pm. I used to work with Ruth over a decade ago in the architecture world. The address is 185 Clara Street at 5th Street, Studio 102B. I will have three of my Foreclosure pieces on display as well as all of my Idiom Series from last year. I hope to see some of you there!

Weekends

I haven't been posting as regularly as I like but there's a good reason. Remember this photo I posted over a month ago of a house we toured in Sonoma?

Well, it's now a picture of our yard! Yes, we had been thinking about finding a weekend home in Sonoma and this was the first house we toured but it was way over our budget so we walked away, a little sadly I might add. Well, it turns out by a few flukes, it practically fell into our laps. So it pays to dream a little sometimes!

This is the reason why I haven't been posting as much. Lots and lots of work to be done. It's all good, harvesting time and repainting rooms. It looks as if my new side art will be farming on a 1/3 acre scale. For when I'm able to finally work on art again on the weekends there's a separate artist's studio as well.

Well, actually I will be working on art this weekend. I have to finish the Atlanta Foreclosure Quilt by this Monday. I'll have pictures to share next week when it's done! I hope everyone has a wonderful and hopefully more restful weekend than us!