Exercises in Radial Symmetry

In order to make a series of coloring pages which reflect the kirigami papercuts I make, I've been fooling around with radial symmetry lately. For the past two weeks I've made eighteen circle borders like these:

I intended to add the centers later, perhaps making a mirror image, like I do in my combination cuts but after a couple of attempts, I've decided it is too difficult to make centers for my circle borders so I'm going to leave them as they are for now.  It is simpler to integrate the center into the whole drawing from the start.  So here is my first one. It has a thistle motif, although the leaves seem to have morphed into something else. As with my kirigami mandalas, it is sometimes difficult to tell which angle looks the best. I decided to place this one with the thistle on top but it also looks good with the wreath or leaves at the top.

Gown in the field

Life has been busy with travel and community events. But I was able to work on some book art to enter into the local show and to complete the gown I had started several weeks ago. I photographed it among the newly blooming daisies.

Paintings at the Chandler

Here is an excerpt from Dian Parker's review of the current Area Artists Exhibit at the Chandler Gallery in Randolph, VT where I am exhibiting plein aire paintings.  I am pleased that my painting, "Swimming Hole on Locust Creek" was singled out by her for favorable comment...


"Saturday, June 11, 2011
REVIEW: 50 Area Artists on Display at the Chandler Gallery in Randolph

Every spring the Chandler Gallery offers an opportunity for area artists to exhibit their work. This year 50 artists display more than 140 pieces of their art in the expanded gallery. You’d think it would be impossible to show that many pieces without the gallery feeling crowded, a mish-mash of art. Instead the show is a wonderful surprise. Not only is the show pleasing as a whole, there are also many different genres of art displayed. To consider each of the artists is not possible so I have selected only a few.

"Swimming Hole on Locust Creek"

12" x 16" - oil

Two landscape artists, Kathleen Fiske and Katherine Ravenhorst-Adams, have 3 paintings each in the show and they alone would be worth the visit. Fiske’s Swimming Hole on Locust Creek, oil, is striking with its meandering stream with sunlight splashing across the water, and when seen from a distance takes on new dimension."

This review first appeared in the Randolph Herald on June 9, 2011.

Here is the link to the complete article....  http://vermontartzine.blogspot.com/2011/06/review-50-area-artists-on-display-at.html

Tea bag gown

After a busy week with visitors I was very happy to have more time to work in the studio. I decided to try to make a gown out of (yes.....) tea bags. I found a pattern that gave me the basic shape and I extended it to make it floor-length. After sewing the dress together in white muslin I began gluing on torn tea bags with a great (new to me) glue called Fabri-Tac.

As I worked my way up from the bottom it became necessary to create a sort of mannequin out of an easel, bubble wrap and masking tape that would keep the shape of the dress while I glued the layers on. Here's how it looked a couple of days ago (I am closer to finishing it now):




Initially it was to have straps and be displayed on a hanger, but I am liking the strapless version. It means I'll have to create some sort of mannequin to display it, maybe from an old discarded floor lamp or tripod......all part of the challenge that keeps me engaged.

Kirigami Mandala for an award winner

This is the kirigami papercut I recently cut as a commission for a person who won the Lambda award for Jewish writing.  This is a combination cut (outer edge is a multicut and inner is a bifold.) It depicts two Jewish youths balancing on a tightrope, hanging the Lambda award. Stars of David are at the cardinal points. Stylized doves surround them. Between the birds are palm trees for California. A tree of life grows between the youths.