In May and June 2018, I was Artist in Residence at the Madison Public Library Bubbler. I took over the ground level art studio and turned it into a papermaking and general fiber arts studio, where I did my own work and held workshops and other public programs.
Domesticated: A Fiber Arts Studio inspired by a Wild World
Bigger, brighter, softer, piebald, cuter, tamer, sweeter, less spiny, more compact: these are some of the characteristics that plants and animals develop as they become domesticated by human beings. Think of the difference between your pet dog and a wolf. During this residency, we will create works of art inspired by nature and domesticated nature. Objects will expand or shrink, grow harder or softer, explode outward or bind shut, become evenly patterned or patchy, spikier or smoother or more noticeable or more camoflaged. A book will go feral, extending longer and longer over two months. Sewing pins will sprout strange vegetation and disperse across the walls, spreading like milkweed. We will make paper from plant material and old rags, learn embroidery patterns and then let them go wild, and much more.
The root word of domestication is domus, which means home or hearth. This studio will reflect my own home, and I hope that visitors will be able to feel at home themselves. Make a cup of tea, bring a book or a project and nestle in for the afternoon. Additionally, this residency will emphasize reusing and recycling materials, but also conscious decision making around when new materials are the best choice.
Collaborative projects:
During the residency there were two ongoing collaborative projects.
The Longest Book of the Shortest Stories
This is a very long coptic bound book. We will be making paper during 6 different open studios to be used in this project. I will cut it down to size (probably 8 x 4”) and prefold it. Visitors will be asked to take a sheet and write or draw or collage on it, and then leave it behind to be bound into an ever-growing book. I’m planning on using different colors of bookbinding thread each day as a record of traffic through the space. (I also have plenty of paper to get us started.)
Dehiscence
This project is named after that tendency of wild plants to disperse seeds with no help from human hands--the most obvious example is milkweed. Essentially, it’s an installation of customized pins poked into the wall across from the bubbler room. I have several insulation foam panels that I’m planning on covering with canvas and installing on the wall--I’ve used heavy duty velcro for this before, and that’s my suggestion for this as well, unless you have a different suggestions. I want to use the foam because the pins will stay in better than if we just put them in the wall. I’m going to use regular sewing pins because they are far cheaper than the insect pins I use on the first floor.
I’ll have a collection of different fibers, paper bits and small objects for visitors to use to design a pin. I’ll have them do it on a piece of paper, and then I’ll use paper pulp to attach it to the pin head. At the end of the residency, people could come back and try to find their pin and take it home.
Open Studios:
Papermaking
Wednesdays starting May 9 6-8PM
Come and make paper to be used in one of the collaborative projects we’ll be making during May and June, The Longest Book of the Shortest Stories. You’ll get wet and messy and learn how to turn fabric scraps and raw plant materials into sheets of paper to draw and write on.
On these nights you’ll also have a chance to work on a collage, draw one of the objects in the studio, and create a custom pin for the other collaborative project, Dehiscence.
Embroidery and Surface Design
Three dates TBD
Bring personal projects you have started and work alongside other visitors, or get help on a project you’re stuck on. This is a great night for individuals who have attended one of the workshops to come and get extra input. We’ll also have some group projects to contribute your stitches to.
Workshops for Preteens (ages 7-13)
Soft Sculpture
12 youth+adult caregivers for those under age 11
June 16, 9-12
Make a small stuffed creature of your own design, using recycled fabric. We’ll start with a few drawing exercises and then move into designing a pattern and sewing. Participants will leave with a completed or nearly completed stuffed animal. If possible, bring a small sewing kit and fabric--no need to buy new fabric if you have old clothes or other unused fabric laying around. Please limit fabric to non-stretchy kinds! We’ll also have supplies available.
Adventures with Paper Pulp
12 youth+adult caregivers for those under age 11
May 26, 9-12
We’ll make sheets of paper with embedded threads and other inclusions, make string and paper drawings, and use premade plaster casts to make small sculptures. This will be messy fun, and aprons and rubber boots are reccommended.
Workshops for Teens and Adults (ages 14 and up)
Domesticated Threads I: Embroidery
12 participants
May 7, 6:30-8:30
Come learn ten stitches, basic and not-so basic. Then design a patch to decorate your backpack or jeans, or to incorporate into a project for the Domesticated Threads II workshop. We’ll make a good start on the project, although it’s unlikely you’ll finish completely during the workshop. Please bring an embroidery hoop (8 inches is best, but whatever you have should work.) Embroidery thread, small scissors, your own fabric and other hand sewing equipment would also be useful.
Domesticated Threads II: Sewing Small Containers
12 participants
May 21 6:30-8:30
Learn how to design and sew a small fabric wallet, cell phone case, lined Japanese style lunch bag, pencil case or other container. It’s nice to take the first Domesticated Threads workshop so that you can incorporate embroidery into this project but it’s absolutely not necessary. If possible bring about a half yard of non stretchy fabric (could be from old clothes or other found fabric), thread, small scissor and other sewing equipment. This workshop will include optional use of a sewing machine.
Sculpting with Handmade Paperpulp and String (3 day workshop)
10 participants
May 18 6-9PM(is this possible?), May 19 9AM-12PM and May 20 2-5 PM
This is a really special opportunity! Over three days, participants will learn to use paperpulp to make 3-D woven sculptures. We’ll experiment with natural pigments, and different kinds of strings. Each person will make at least one wall hanging and a number of smaller projects. This is a messy process--wear old clothes, an apron and shoes that can get wet. Bring geometric drawings (for ideas), an open mind, and a snack.
Wild Threads I: Experimental Embroidery and Surface Design
12 Participants
May 15 6:30-8:30
In this workshop we are letting go of all preconceptions about what embroidery is. We’ll use weird threads, incorporate found bits of things into work, and generally forget about neatness. Please bring small objects (anything! Don’t just limit yourself to buttons and beads--surprise me with new ideas), threads, rope, any kind of wierd thing you think could be incorporated into a fabric. Believe me, we can find a way to work with almost anything smaller than your palm. Also bring some fabric--a half yard of something substantial would be great. As with all workshops, a small sewing kit is awesome, but not required. This workshop is a great way to build on the Domesticated Threads workshops, but it also stands alone.
Wild Threads II: Making Soft Sculpture Patterns
12 participants
June 4 6:30-8:30
Bring an object made of a hard material that you’d like translate into a soft sculpture. It could be a fork, a stone, a radio, a carrot...almost anything will work.
We’ll start class by looking at a few soft sculptures and the patterns used to make them, as well as some artists that use soft sculpture in their work. Then we’ll use a variety of techniques to make the patterns--tracing, drawing, simplifying shapes, using a copy machine. Bring a sketchbook and an open mind!
Wild Threads III: Sewing and Embellishing Soft Sculpture
12 participants
June 11 6:30-8:30
In this workshop, we’ll work on completing the piece you made the pattern for in the Feral Threads II. A sewing machine will be available (as well as some help using it.) We’ll also talk about a plan for embellishing your piece.
In May and June 2018, I was artist in Residence at the Madison Public Library Bubbler. I turned the studio space into a papermaking and fiber arts studio, where I taught workshops and worked on my own projects.