Category: field trip

February 17, 2016

Scoping out Albuquerque’s “other” fiber arts

Ostinato 1 and 2 by Katie Pasquini Masopust — “Ostinato 1 and 2” by Katie Pasquini Masopust

Since I had to make my monthly Target trip yesterday, I decided to combine it with a fiber arts show I read about in the Albuquerque Journal. Palette Contemporary Art and Craft is currently hosting the exhibit which features “textile paintings” by Katie Pasquini Masopust. One of these pieces to the right ran in the paper inducing me to visit the gallery and see her other pieces.

Katie is based north of here in Santa Fe – for now. Apparently, she’s getting ready to move to California. Too bad. As you can see, her quilts – not the kind you’d be putting on your bed! – look like paintings until you get right on top of them.

In this close-up, you can see the stitching that makes this piece a "quilt." — In this close-up, you can see the stitching that makes this piece a “quilt.”

The exhibit describes her work as “textile paintings.” I wouldn’t disagree. Painted pieces of canvas are stitched into the quilt with other fabrics.

"Mercato (Play with Emphasis)" by Katie Pasquini Masopust. — “Mercato (Play with Emphasis)” by Katie Pasquini Masopust.

mmmm — “Big Getty” by Katie Pasquini Masopust.

There were other items in the gallery. This is a painting I loved by Daniel North. It's called "Enso and the Modernist." — There were other items in the gallery. This is a large painting I loved by Daniel North. It’s called “Enso and the Modernist.”

Today’s errands about town involved a visit with my rheumatologist who’s based at UNM Hospital. Imagine my happy surprise when Tom and I entered the clinic and found these on the wall:

Tapestries by Linda Geisen. — Tapestries by Heather Gallegos-Rex.

I’d known that there was a tapestry show at the hospital, but I thought that I’d missed it. Certainly, had no idea it was in the clinic I use. (And if Tom had known it was there, I’m sure he wouldn’t have accompanied me to my appointment. Ha!)

Works represented several weavers.

Katherine Perkins's tapestry "Sirocco Sky Provence" was stunning. — Katherine Perkins‘s tapestry “Sirocco Sky Provence” was stunning.

"Iris III" by Letitia Roller was incredibly lifelike. — “Iris III” by Letitia Roller was incredibly lifelike and had a sparkly, gold background.

Series of night scenes from White Sands National Monument by Linda Giesen.

I have to say that Albuquerque’s more than met my expectations regarding textiles and fiber arts. They’re all over the city, and their exposure’s only growing. Saturday afternoon I’m hoping to attend a talk by tapestry weaver Donna Loraine Contractor at a gallery in the city’s Old Town. If you follow my Facebook page, you’ll often see her work. Before that, on Friday, I attend my first meeting of Albuquerque’s Fiber Arts Council as my guild’s representative. Bring on the fiber art fiber art!

Do you go out of your way to see other types of fiber arts? Or maybe you DO other types of fiber arts? Either way, please share with us how textiles other than rug hooking influence your art. That’s a blog for another day.

February 9, 2016

Playing a little hooky, creatively

It’s Tuesday, a perfect day for playing a little hooky. I know it’s also blog-duty day, but maybe we can fudge that a little in the name of unbelievably nice winter weather and creativity. Especially when I think of what I wrote last week vis à vis creativity and my re-burgeoning need to write.

This morning, while the kid was at work and the husband was out at some doctor’s appointment, I took up pen and paper and set forth to write fake stuff – fiction, that is – once more. I gave myself a prompt I’d collected (I keep them on my Pinterest page, if you’re interested) and wrote till I heard the garage chimes ringing that Tom was home. It was a good start. Tonight the journal comes out after the dinner dishes are cleared.

The afternoon hitting 60 degrees here in west Albuquerque (sorry to all those who might be finding their own climate a little chilly), after lunch Tom and the dog and I headed down to the Bosque (the forest along the Rio Grande) to check out the local wildlife. Got so warm, I had to take off my sweatshirt.

The Rio Grande as it flows through Albuquerque. Those are the Sandia Mountains in the background. I’m thinking that I’ll have to do a landscape piece sometime soon. See, playing a little hooky is good for one’s creativity.

Tonight it’s back to pulling loops. My March 1 deadline to have this current piece done is quickly approaching, and there’s still some project infrastructure I haven’t figured out. Just trying to get the major hooking done first.

Praying that the old Clairol will come through for me... — Praying that the old Clairol will come through for me…

Tomorrow’s creative endeavor: Early this morning, before I sat down to write, I did my monthly-or-so coloring of the grays. I hate dying my hair. Hell, I haven’t even tackled dying the t-shirts I hook with. Tried a new shade. And changed to L’Oreal when I had been a Clairol kind of girl. Very bad idea. I’m a natural redhead. Or I used to be. Currently, I’m more Lucy meets a violet crayon; the box called the color it “Ruby Rush.” Yeah. Made a call back to Maurice in Rhode Island: “What do I do?!!!?” Then took a trip to Walgreens to pick up the old Clairol. Back to the dying board tomorrow.

How’s creativity going for you these days?

October 20, 2015

Away from home…

Today I ran away from home for a couple of hours. I couldn’t take those people I live with any more. Truth be told, they were probably glad to be rid of me too. Almost three months ago we left Massachusetts for New Mexico, almost three months of undiluted togetherness. I’m a person who’s used to getting out: to work, to guild meetings, to writers’ groups, to networking nights. Not that I haven’t met anyone here in Albuquerque, but the going’s been slow. Or I’m impatient.

Okay, I know I’m impatient. We haven’t even been in this house a month. I’ve found area hookers; tomorrow’s my second guild meeting with them. I’ve already managed to participate in their monthly demo at the local botanical garden. A potluck with the neighbors Sunday provided info on a couple of organizations to join. And I’m gearing up for a job search. Things are actually coming together.

The reality is that I ~~want~~ need to take advantage of the downtime. To write, to sketch, to plan my next chapter. The past few years have been rough what with my mother-in-law succumbing to Alzheimer’s, planning this year’s move, and my kid’s bipolar issues. Concentration has often eluded me. Life being short and all, I have to remedy that.

So, at Julia Cameron’s urging, I ~~escaped~~ took an artist’s date. Old Town Albuquerque is filled with all things…old and artsy in a southwesterly way. Okay, and touristy too. Because I’m finishing up some packages to send back home to family and friends, touristy was what I needed. Day of the Dead here I come!

I poked here and wandered there. First up was San Felipe Church; it was established in 1706, though the current church dates from 1793! I picked up a pottery cross to send back to my boss at Saint Blaise in Massachusetts. A tourist trap provided maracas – perfect for two little girls with fall birthdays. Dream catchers too because I just love that idea, and because I suffer from hot flashes and insomnia, I appreciate catching all the good dreams one can. After that I investigated a little home goods-type shop that provided some good inspiration for rug-making.

Aren't they great? Not sure of the artist, unfortunately. — Aren’t they great? Not sure of the artist, unfortunately.

Fortunately, I’d found free parking near the art museum (a place I’m teasing myself with, waiting to visit till winter). On my way back, wending my way through a corner of the front garden, I revisited the statuary I’d seen when I vacationed here two summers ago. How could I stay cranky after seeing these two happy bears? I couldn’t. I was glad I’d gotten out, done something on my own. Even better, tomorrow I’ll head off to lunch and a guild meeting with new friends. It doesn’t get better than that.

Is your retired husband always home? Your kids? Sure, we love them, but how do you keep your own “space,” your soul time? Be honest, do you run away from home too?

August 25, 2015

Field trip to Santa Fe’s Indian Market Place

An artist at the Santa Fe Indian Market, 2015.

Who can resist a field trip? Especially to Santa Fe, New Mexico, on a lovely Saturday morning in August. Not me! This past weekend, Tom and I headed there – about an hour north of Albuquerque – to attend the annual Indian Market Place. A writer friend from Rhode Island who lived there for a few years insisted that I not miss it. We had no intention.

Contemporary glass works by Dan Friday of Fridayglass.com.

For those not familiar with the Market, it’s been going on in some form for 94 years. This year there were almost 1000 (!!!) Native American artists, most of them professionals, from all over the United States. There were potters, painters, jewelry and basket makers, weavers, glass blowers, sculptors of all kinds… It was hard to take it all in.

Sculpture by Cliff Fragua of Singing Stone Studio.

If you’ve been to Santa Fe, the plaza was covered with tents/booths as were the sidewalks and streets leading there. Tourists, indigenous folks, museum curators, and serious art collectors thronged, jockeying for good views and to speak with the artists. Suddenly, drums sounded and on the stage or on the street amidst spectators, traditionally clad dancers performed. Wafting on the breeze was the aroma of fry bread. Damn that I’m gluten-free and that I’d cheated (and paid for it later) at last week’s Rail Yards Market in Albuquerque!

Contemporary gouache by Benjamin Harjo, Jr., of benjaminharjojr.com. — Contemporary gouache by Benjamin Harjo, Jr., of
benjaminharjojr.com.

Ledger art by Dolores Purdy of dolorespurdy.com.

KIMG0104 — Offerings from Navajo (Dine) Weavings and Supply. Sorry, their web address doesn’t appear to work.

The only thing I regretted was not seeing more fiber artists. Sure, there were some Navajo weavers and even clothing designers, but they were few and far between. At least where I was. Maybe there were more in other areas of the market. I hope so.

Enjoy the photos I took. I tried to get artists’ names, but did miss a couple. Next year we’ll hit up the Indigenous Fine Art Market running about the same time in another part of Santa Fe. It’s a little smaller, but sounds good. It’s only a couple of years’ old, but getting plenty of media coverage.

What cool art or other markets are there around your home? What kind of field trip inspires your art – whatever it might be?

My little treat to myself. Pottery by Mel Cornshucker of Oklahoma.