New tapestry released - video -

I know it is such a short video but couldnt wait to share it with you all. Congratulations Judy for this wonderful tapestry!

New tapestry released today!

The charcoal fallen from their torches, their fires, a few objects, bones and flint tools left on the ground are the remains of meals or of sundry activities. They are also part of the documentation unwittingly left by prehistoric people in the caves. From their study, one can say that in most cases painted or engraved caves were not inhabited, at least for long periods. Fires were temporary and remains are relatively scarce. (1)

It is precisely what motivated Judy to work on such a beautiful tapestry.

Today she had the joy of seeing it take flight released from its loom.

The gradation of her wools was superb and the combination of her hues and tones made the desired effect in the full piece.

The majority of human history is a history about which we know almost nothing. But we do know that something as uniquely human as artistic activity began to emerge on a grand scale nearly forty thousand years ago (Lewis-Williams & Clottes 1998). Staggering finds have been made in Australia, Africa, parts of Asia, and in various parts of Europe. We are dealing then with a universal phenomenon. While the spectacular caves of Southwestern Europe typically get all the fanfare, impressive finds of prehistorical artistry come from all over the globe. (2)

Cave paintings is an art that even now, after millions of years it still surprises us as well as creates such a fascination.

Some anthropologists and art-historians also theorize that the paintings could be an account of past hunting success, or could represent a mystical ritual in order to improve future hunting endeavors. This latter theory is supported by the overlapping images of one group of animals in the same cave-location as another group of animals, suggesting that one area of the cave was more successful for predicting a plentiful hunting excursion.

Daniel Quinn, in The Story of B, hypothesizes that the paintings were instructional in nature, created in order to communicate successful hunting strategies.

The techniques, so Judy comments- is not only painting on the walls.

On behalf of the Oakville Tapestry Studio I would like to congratulate Judy for her wonderful work. This tapestry is not only an inspiration for the technique but also to encourage us to learn more about this fascinating period of Human developement. Yes, we have advanced in techniques, but what we need yet to learn from these artists is still to come. Colour & composition dialogue side by side in these wonderful caves.

Way to go Judy. Cant wait to see your next project on assure techniques. Surprise us all again!

(1) Paleolithic Cave Paintings and Rock Art in France : Extracted from the Adorant magazine 2002

by Dr Jean Clottes

(2) THE SACRED CAVE: TOWARDS AN ASSUMPTION OF RELIGION IN THE UPPER PALEOLITHIC

John J. McGraw, Department of Anthropology, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093 (jmcgraw@ucsd.edu)

Finally, back on track.

INTERESTING SUMMER!
(better late than never)

After several months I decided to go back to writing in this space. Not that I did not want to, it is just so many thing happening in my life lately.

Interesting work projects, getting to know interesting people such as Nga from Virginia, USA. For me and my family it was so interesting to meet someone from Vietnam. From music, to traditions, to food, to even learning how to kiss...!



Sometimes it is only what you know about readings or movies that you have a rough idea, but sharing valuable time with Nga was one of those fascinating experiences ever. Sensitive lady with so many things to share.




She did a wonderful job not only in the plain weave but also in the exercises regarding spacial weaving or 3-D structure.




Kate Kitchen, from Toronto, was also another lovely encounter at the Studio. She shared with us her knowledge and skills in weaving, and of course her fascinating ideas for wonderful one-of-a-kind coloured scarves.

Kate developed a small tapestry during the course inspired in one of her pictures with sea theme. The composition of the picture was beautiful and we had the opportunity to explore different textures along the project. She did wonderful job, especially in terms of colour. The idea is not to copy, but to explore the essence of the image through texture.




This is a fragment of her picture and below is the piece in process.



All this happening through Summer, when suddenly my right elbow started having some problems in tendons, ligaments and muscles....

Great, just what i needed. I am in the process of creating a large body of works for for an exhibition in 2013, plus commitments and commissions and it is one of those things I just don't need right now.

Anyway. I prefer not to talk about that because weaving is what keeps me moving, breathing, loving....

Going back to creating, which is what keeps us alive, I can tell you that the progress of the tapestry inspired in one of my daughters pictures is coming really nice. Slow, v e r y
s
l
o
w....

but I really feel I am capturing the essence of the textures and the colour-composition.

The different materials I am using are amazing and even though is little by little, I am enjoying it so much!

Amazing encounter

Memories.....memories....


Today I was so excited!
I am going to tell you a story from long time ago.
Due to my Dads professional commitments, back in 1973 my family and I moved to Thunder Bay, in northern Ontario. He was appointed to be the Director of the Faculty of Music at Lakehead University and to be Director of the Symphony Orchestra. The experience for my Dad was amazing, for my brother, my sister and me was awesome. Being kids who wouldn't love to be playing in the snow all the time. And I mean, year round! they even made jokes about how cold it was: this year, Summer falls on Thursday...ha ha ha!

I guess the only one who really had a hard time was my Mom, who doesn't like cold at all. Especially being far away from her parents and raising 3 small kids. What a change.



If I think today I live far away from my Country, where Oakville is just 20 minutes away from Toronto, well let me tell you that Thunder Bay is still 1,798 kms still north from here!

The thing is that in the time we lived in Thunder Bay (which by the way is a very very cold City), where my brother and I would be ice skating in an outdoor rink at 10 pm when -40 degrees where a common temperature.

This is me and my sister outside our front door enjoying the snow.


















Well, why do I refer to this precise moment in time. Well, 40 years have passed and today I had a visit from Friedl Ballaban, a good friend and member of our Oakville Handweavers and Spinners Guild plus the Spinning Chair for the Ontario Handweavers and Spinners OHS.

She came with Diana Bockus, a wonderful lady from THUNDER BAY!!!! Yes, from Thunder Bay!






For many of you this does not represent any other than a random event. For me it brought back memories of my childhood, the memory of my Dad, the thought of so many great friends we left there.
My best friends, Kelly Piper and Leslie, the Cotton Family, the Sellicks....

Thanks to all those memories kept alive for so many years was precisely that now, with my husband and my kids we looked up to Canada to continue our lives. As some of you know, we moved back again to Canada 6 years ago. Now my kids, 13 and 15 are registering in their own way some of the memories they will share with their own kids.



Thunder Bay, I promise I will go back to you someday and I will bring my kids along.To show them my school, my house, my life where I grew up and had wonderful moments.
Take them to see the Sleeping Giant, and the kakabeka Falls or Centennial Park .


(Bye for now from this personal comment)

Suzanne Lee: Grow your own clothes | Video on TED.com

Amy Dover from the Textile Museum of Canada just shared this link which I thought it was amazing. I just couldn't wait to share it with you all.

Suzanne Lee: Grow your own clothes | Video on TED.com

Explorations in colour and texture

Explorations in texture and colour

Working in fibres is always interesting because the results of integrating different materials and textures are always different. Not only the incidence of light creating different shadow effects, but the materials itself tend to speak for themselves.

Excellent review created this exhibit in Mexico City.

Mexico is a country full of contrasts in colours, textures, tastes, ethnias...and for this reason the inspiration for some canadian artists when invited to participa

Participating in the Encounter Mexico-Canada 2 months ago, Canadian artist had the opportunity to share space with Mexican fibre artists creating a dialogue of diverse languages related to textures, colour and techniques.

Canadian Artist Stella Tang (Originally from Singapore)

had her piece inspired in a pre-Columbian image and reflected her tapestry in this theme. She has been an artist who has explored many varieties of textures, working in beadwork, painting, needleweaving, tapestry, quilting among others.

It was really interesting to see how the same technique can be translated in so many different ways, such as this interpretation of watermelons of Georgette with cotton, wool and silk as shown below:

Other examples shown in the exhibition at the Anahuac University in Mexico City, during the VI International Bienial of Textile Art where interesting because it showed textures from the heart of Mexico. Rough natural fibres that express themselves through natural colours such as this one from Carmen Tejada

or Claudia Gonzalez.

Other examples where from the Artist Thoma Ewen, who brought her Ribbons of Light diplaying all her wonderful colours woven in an exquisite tapestry:

There where displayed different formats and techn iques, like this one from Krystyna Sadej,

or others in other formats such as mini textiles from Lourdes Aspe or Stella Tang.

to large scalesuch as this one

: Nocturno, made by me, or

the largest tapestry displayed in this exhibition :Inspirations from a Birch Tree (4.5 meters W X 2.20 meters H )as shown here in the installation of the largest piece.

This is one of four tapestry series inspired in the Four seasons though fibre by Georgette Geddovious, former student of Textile Creativo almost 20 years ago. It was so nice to see old friends and peers and share works together again!

Of course, we could not have been complete without the pressence of Peter Harris, from Ayton, Ontario, who participated with this interesting and wonderfully woven tapestry: (above see detail)

Reflections on the Tapestry Course

I have been very lucky to meet wonderful weavers along the road. Through teaching I have experienced not only getting to learn from the participants new tricks and suggestions, but to find in them great sensible persons.

I would like to share some words sent from Michelle who touched my heart. Not only we shared time through the workshop but also we where able to know each other more. I am so glad I found not only a weaver that became my friend, but a friend who happens to weave as well, and that is the best gift of all. Thank you Michelle for your kind words.


A Dream Come True!!

I had first seen Ixchel’s tapestries on her blog site and loved her work immediately.
Her designs, use of textures, blending of colors, everything about them. I saw
techniques in her pieces I thought amazing and said WOW, I would love to learn
how to do that. So I e-mailed Ixchel to see if she taught classes. I received a lovely
and quick reply back along with a description of the 2-week workshop. Having
already used my vacation time for the year, I would have to postpone taking the
workshop till the following summer.

At last June arrived and it was time to fly to Canada. I was so excited. I would have
to say this was a life changing experience for me. I learned so much, more than you
can ever imagine in a 2- week workshop, and more than I can describe right here.
We did design work and Ixchel taught me several weaving techniques, (All that I
hoped to learn from seeing her work online.) different tips and tricks. We viewed
inspiring slides and videos. Ixchel has a wonderful book collection. We even had
a bonus class of how to dye wool. Oh and a double bonus, I was thrilled to see an
exhibit of Ixchel’s tapestries. All the pieces I was only able to view online, were right
there in front of me, in person. How cool is that!!

Besides being a Master Weaver and fabulous teacher, Ixchel is a very special and
giving human being. Her family, Juan, Sofia and Esteban are truly wonderful. I was
lucky to meet and spend time also with her mamma, Sylvia, who was visiting from
Mexico. I was able to partake in the Tuesday “Pot Luck” luncheons with friends
and students, what fun we had. And it was great to talk and laugh with assistant
weavers, Stella and Yamile. See, I can go on and on about this experience. One last
thing though I would like to say is a warm thank you Ixchel, for sharing with me
your love of music, dance, food and culture. But most of all thank you for sharing
your friendship.

Advanced tapestry Workshop

Amazing Experience.....

Traditional tapestry weaving is always fabulous. Selecting a design and then little by little letting the weave take shape. It is a slow but rewarding technique that alows us to have an internal communication with our souls.

No matter if you are weaving alone and you are well accompanied by great music, or you are with peers, students, friends or relatives. Weaving is an activity that can integrate us in a space transforming it into a special moment.

I wanted to share with you some results from our latest workshop at the Oakville Tapestry Studio.

I had the opportunity to meet a wonderful lady, Michelle, who came into the lets say "gears" of my constant moving family, especially at the end of the school year when everything seems to come together at once.

The location of the Tapestry Studio is a beautiful Town called Oakville, 25 km. outside the City of Toronto in Ontario. AAt the Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate you will discover 19th & 20th century history. It is situated in downtown Oakville in Old Oakville’s First Heritage District. Oakville, once a thriving port of entry for merchants and sailors, was well known for its majestic scene and welcome, featuring the Erchless Estate Family Home & Custom House.

Set on the eastern side of the Oakville Harbour and the shores of Lake Ontario, sailors & ship merchants would enter into the outpost of British North America in the early 1800's.

During this time Oakville was also a terminus for the Underground Railroad, and signified freedom for many African Americans who fled to Canada.

This is a plate of the founder of Oakville, Colonel William Chisholm.

Weather also helped us to walk around and get inspired. We visited the Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre where I showed Michelle where the large tapestry was woven recently finished.

Wonderful place in North Oakville.

For 50 years Sybil Rampen has had a vision. Her lifelong goal has been to establish a cultural legacy on her family farm for the future generations of Halton to be inspired. Located on Burnhamthorpe Road, 1 km east of Trafalgar Road in Oakville, the Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre serves the community as a place of gatherings—from creative media workshops, films, musical events, and lectures to weddings. The Centre serves as a place where individuals meet to learn, collaborate, and cultivate relationships with one another. This emerging cultural facility promotes local heritage, outreach and accessibility, with ecological integrity being central to the activities of the Centre.

Here we are together with Stella Tang, Sylvia my Mom, and Yamile Roa. Both assistant weavers of the Studio.

Not only we where able to have a wonderful outdoor lunch, but also to do some practices on natural dyes with cochineal, indigo and turmeric on our way back to the Studio.

Together we worked on tapestry techniques that allowed us to explore possibilities on different textures, volumes and shapes through weaving.

THE STUDIO

Michelle had the opportunity to meet some members of the Tapestry and Painting Studios.

It is important to work on exercises that are able to be put into practice, and what better example is to see tapestries on their locations. This one was a commission which Michelle happen to see on my website. She was happy to get to see the real one and to find all the different textures we where working on earlier in the first week.

On the weekend, we visited the Textile Museum of Canada and its interesting exhibition o Magic Squares from Muslim Africa.

Here is the link for the great review of "Magic Squares" which was in today's Toronto Star. I know some of you read the Star but it's easiest to just send the link to all of you.

Here's the link:

www.toronto.com/article/685940--magic-squares-at-the-textile-museum-god-is-also-in-the-details

Later on we went to the Toronto Music Garden. It is a wonderful place to enjoy great music while being in front of the harbor front.

The Toronto Music Garden can be appreciated on many levels - as a garden infused with the spirit of music, dance and artistic genius, as a public place for young and old alike to enjoy and learn, and as a meditative space to sit and quietly ponder nature. It is a symbol of Toronto's participation in the international community, and a place for everyone to enjoy.

The Toronto Music Garden: Inspired by Bach by Julie Moir Messervy

A beloved public garden celebrates a milestone: The award-winning Toronto Music Garden turns 10. To commemorate this momentous occasion, author and landscape designer Julie Moir Messervy has released The Toronto Music Garden: Inspired by Bach. The book is an in-depth guide to the creation and completion of the three-acre public garden with a design based on the “First Suite for the Unaccompanied Cello” by J.S. Bach. Readers will enjoy the books’ comprehensive tour of the garden’s six “rooms” – each an interpretation of the traditional dance forms featured in the cello suite’s six movements. Gorgeous color photographs and sketch renderings transport readers to the many paths and gathering places along the musical journey.

The annual Summer Music in the Garden series produced by Harbourfront Centre in partnership with City of Toronto Parks Forestry and Recreation, with the generous support of Toronto Culture, and Margaret and Jim Fleck. Summer Music in the Garden is curated for Harbourfront Centre by artistic director Tamara Bernstein.

Concerts are Thursdays at 7pm and Sundays at 4pm (weather-permitting) and are approximately one hour in length. Bench seating is available, but limited, so please feel free to bring a lawn chair. We also advise bringing a hat or umbrella and sunscreen as shade is limited.

The Project

Italian background, Michelle was born in California, and after living quite number of years close to the dessert, she thought the idea of translating some images of cactus into tapestry projects would be interesting.

This is one image processed from one of her photographs.

2 weeks is not enough to finish a medium tapestry, especially when introducing different exercises and weaving parallel samples in the woven notebooks. However, I am so glad she is following up for she wanted to finish her project and took it back home to finish it.

Thank you Steve for the picture and for the loom you prepared for Michelle!!!

You have made her a very happy person, especially in this moment of her life.

Who wouldn't be inspired and happy with that fabulous garden you have back there?

Thank you Michelle for sharing part of your world with us. Hope to meet with you some other time. We where all happy to have you as our guest. Enjoy the rest of the Summer.

__________________________________

ADVANCED TAPESTRY WORKSHOP

NEW IN LATE FALL

For those interested in participating in the next Advanced Tapestry Workshop at the Oakville Tapestry Studio there is another opening in the Fall:

Space still available!

Dates: November 7 - 18, 2011

Advanced Tapestry Workshop

Welcome to the Oakville Tapestry Studio.

Founded in 2007 by Ixchel Suarez, the Studio has been educating Art Groups and General public about the traditional techniques of Tapestry weaving and its role in the Contemporary presence in the arts.

For those who are staying at the Studio, arrival arrivals for the Summer course may be Sunday July 10th and leaving Saturday July 23rd.

I strongly suggest bringing any sample of previous work (or images) and if you want to bring ideas of ongoing projects in order to review interests.

Tapestry

** Please note that all materials are provided. However I highly recommend to bring different kinds of "bits and Pieces" of yarns (i.e. fabrics, textured acrylics, raffia, paper, etc.) to make more interesting the class. The techniques are developed to demonstrate diverse textures in contemporary weaving.

Workshop week 1:

Morning session from 9:00 am. until 12:00...lunch break... 1:00 pm. until 3:00 pm. (full program) Tutor/student

Evening session 6:00 pm. until 7:30 pm. (required to advance on exercises and/or to watch support videos) individual work.

Total hours: 30 Hours

Tapestry:

Introduction and principles of Design and composition.

Cartooning and project design.

Selecting materials.

Project description and analysis.

Work on woven notebook through samples of textures.

Analyze different materials with similar techniques. An overall view of

tapestry's historical background, as well as contemporary tapestry, will be presented to you. Upon successful completion of this course, you will have learned the basic design and technical skills necessary to design, weave, and finish a tapestry

Select videos, slides and images to support project.

Handouts will be provided with supported bibliography

* Suggest bringing sketch notebook and scissors.

Workshop week 2:

Morning session from 9:00 am. until 12:00...lunch break... 1:00 pm. until 3:00 pm. (full program) Tutor/student

Evening session 6:00 pm. until 7:30 pm. (required to advance on exercises and/or to watch support videos) individual work

Total hours: 30 Hours

Applied diverse techniques on defined project.

Presentation of related exhibits on Contemporary textile Art.

Register sampler of materials.

Prepare samplers for cutting.

Certificate of participation.

Meals: (please advice in advance on dietary restrictions and/or preferences)

Breakfast: from 8:00 am. until 9:00 am. (Please advise any food instruction or restriction)

Coffee or Tea

Yogurt

Cereals (granola bars or advice on preferences)

Mixed Fruits

Toasted bread

Lunch: from 12:00 until 1:00 pm

Dinner: between 5:00 pm. until 6:00 pm.

____________________________________________________

Weekend lodging is provided if necessary. (Included in the cost of the workshop)

Saturday & Sunday (free).

Suggested Tours for visitors from outside Toronto Area not included in the fee: (ROM, BATA Shoe Museum, Niagara Falls, etc.)

For more information regarding the Workshop, fees, lodging and programme details please do not hesitate to contact the

Oakville Tapestry Studio

Instructor Ixchel Suarez

ixchelsuarez@gmail.com

ixchelsuarez.com

1121 kestell Blvd,

Oakville ON. L6H 1A1

905 845 3357

289 242 8685