We don’t get snow like this in north central Arkansas…Its a big event when we do. Today was sunny, the snow has stopped and I was able to get out for a few pictures. I also have some snow dyeing going on, a first for me , and I will share the end results in a later post. It’s sure looking like Christmas here.
We are having a smidge of Indian Summer here before the temperature falls at the end of the week. There is that awful four letter word in the forecast. I’m not really into snow and ice dyeing so I will continue to long for the warmer days.
Here are 2 photos of fabrics fresh from the steamer, showing a corner of each. My friend Carol Suto sent me a box of eucalyptus leaves from California . I tried some on a previously leaf printed cotton and on a beaded and embroidered silk piece. There were more in the pot but I particularly like the way these turned out.
I am linking to Off The Wall Friday this Friday since this is the most creative I’ve been this week.
I am linking this post to India Flint’s blog giveaway. You can check it out here. I totally love her work and some day I’ll get great imprints like hers.
Ron and I had Thanksgiving dinner at Gaston’s Resort on the White River here in Lakeview, AR. People come here from all over the country to experience the serene beauty of the river and the world class trout fishing. The resort has its own airstrip and is a favorite fly-in for lunch or dinner. We were there earl so it wasn’t too crowded yet and I was able to get some photos.
The restaurant itself is a treasure trove of antiques of all kinds. I think they add to it continually. I found 2 sewing machines mounted with the rest of the guy-stuff. Here are some pictures for you to enjoy. There is more information and more photos on their website.
I was going back through some of my old posts, which I think we should all do once in awhile. After all, this blog is a chronicle of part of my life. On January 24, 2011 I wrote about my new word for the year. Along with that I talked about Wabi-Sabi and how that applies to my life. As a matter of fact, most of it still applies to my life…destashing has become an on-going activity….and my father was just here last month celebrating his 90th birthday. I’m glad I went back and read this and I think I’m going to post it above my desk to remind myself.
So, warts and all, here is the re-run:
“I will be working in my studio today, attempting to get something creative accomplished. My word for 2011 is Perseverance. This has recently been difficult because of a severe RA flare that began before the holidays. My father was visiting and I had no choice but to persevere through the pain. I decided to destash with Etsy and have been persevering getting started but it has a long way to go.
That brings me to how my Word and Wabi-Sabi relate. If you aren’t familiar, here is a definition of Wabi-Sabi:
“ Pared down to its barest essence, wabi-sabi is the Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfection and profundity in nature, of accepting the natural cycle of growth, decay, and death. It’s simple, slow, and uncluttered-and it reveres authenticity above all. Wabi-sabi is flea markets, not warehouse stores; aged wood, not Pergo; rice paper, not glass. It celebrates cracks and crevices and all the other marks that time, weather, and loving use leave behind. It reminds us that we are all but transient beings on this planet-that our bodies as well as the material world around us are in the process of returning to the dust from which we came. Through wabi-sabi, we learn to embrace liver spots, rust, and frayed edges, and the march of time they represent.”
I read an article that compared Wabi-Sabi personalities to NOT Wabi-Sabi personalities. I discovered that in the entire list given, I am Wabi-Sabi. Because of a few acquaintances who couldn’t possibly relate to this concept, I had been trying to accept their way and persevere. There I was in black and white! Maybe that makes me the odd man out, but that’s okay.
My word last year was Acceptance. I have finally accepted that some of the activities I was involved with simply weren’t working for me. I was persevering and trying to make them work but finally had to accept defeat. I don’t do that willingly.
My life will be much freer now that much of the toxic emotional clutter is gone. I am feeling great relief that I can get back to my creative life and continue to be Wabi Sabi.”
Here is one view of the booth as we were setting up. The big pillow was made from the back of a vintage linen Egyptian long robe. The rest of the robe was taken apart and the soft linen has been dyed with indigo for a future use. The scarfs are the ones I dyed with leaves. It was a fun and very tiring couple of days. Thanks to Liz, Jim and Ron for all their help and support!
JP Dawes Contemporary Artist 