Swap time!

I can finally post this now that my partner received the piece.  I was in another Phat Quarter swap through flickr.and the theme was books.  I had to send to the awesome Bex!  I based this piece off of the book World War Z about the zombie apocalypse.  I love this book and was so glad it was on her list, too!  You should really read it.  I struggled a bit at first though of what to do.  I had several ideas including Patient Zero or the part where they kill the zombie with a crow bar in the snow.  But I decided to go in a different direction and stitched up this piece about Phalanx, the drug that was used to cure "African Rabies" which, in the book, was what the zombies were thought to be afflicted with.

I was going for an ad for the drug, with pretty flowers and trees and the saying "Piece of Phalanx Peace of Mind" from the book. It's telling you that everything will be fine. 

Just take this pill, and you will not start to eat people. 

I included the small print also, "May prevent some viral infections."

 But there is still a small threat with a zombie hanging in the shadows.  

Overall, I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out.  I hadn't done a swap in so long hat I forgot how fun they are.  They really get the creative juices flowing to think of an idea based on a general theme.  I look forward to doing another one really soon.

Craft Book Score!

Look what my Grandma gave me!  A buttload of craft books including all these cross stitch books.

There's some great ones in here.

These great alphabets.  You can never have too many alphabet patterns in my opinion.

This one has a bunch of fun, small designs that will be great for holidays.

This one is in German.  Trusty google translator says Stickmustertucher means "sampler."

It shows some fabulous historical samplers...

...then follows with charts that you can stitch. This is a really interesting book.   I wish I remembered more of my high school German.  There is also this book "Cats of the World in Cross Stitch." 

I thought it'd be full of cheesy tiger and lion stitches that I would probably never stitch, but then I opened it up.

It's got several house cat charts that are really pretty ( like the Abyssinian above), so who knows, maybe I'll stitch one up.  

 There are a few random books too, some on beading and crochet. 

Also, a pretty nice how-to book that includes tatting which I've been wanting to try.   So yay for Grandma's!

Florida thrift finds

Here's a few things I found at the thrift while on vacation in Florida a couple weeks ago.  I found some great stuff!

 

Two curtain panels with awesome lace houses that I can't wait to use in my art work.

This mix of stuff...

Including this vintage crewel kit, never opened!

All this floss, aida cloth and a few small hoops for $4!  I would say it was a successful day in FL. 

Inspiration: Eva Hesse

I first discovered Eva Hesse in college taking my Fiber Art classes.  Her work is beyond compare: so tactile and raw.  She had a wonderful sense of materials and space.

"Contingent" 1969

There was always sensuality to her work that I just couldn’t quite put my finger on.

 As a female artist ( and a sculptor at that) working in the 1960’s, I can only imagine the struggles she had, especially with some of the materials she chose to use, like fiberglass and rope.

"Repetition Nineteen III" 1968

To say I’m a fan of her work doesn’t seem like enough praise—she transcends that for me and is a true inspiration.

"Right After" 1969

This is a great video about her work.  If you'd like to see more of her work please go here. 

Old thrift find

I don't think I've ever posted this embroidery that I found a couple years back of these lovely cats with flowers.  I just love it and the stitching is superb, especially the satin stitching on the flowers.  This was a real find.  

Vacation time

Well the hubby and I got back from Florida last week.  We had a nice, relaxing time.  We chilled on the beach, caught some great live music and went to a Rays game ( I even scored a few things at the thrift).  It was great to get away for a bit. 

Back to reality......

Inspiration: Julianne W. Sterling

I was strolling through etsy like I usually do when I'm a bit bored and uninspired and came across a wonderful artist, Julianne W. Sterling.  She has some amazing work in her shop. Her artist statement is fantastic:

"I paint about the realities, complexities and absurdities of life as a woman.  With some bittersweet humor I explore the place where I rub up against the gender conditioning of my youth and the expectations of being a woman, wife and mother.  My paintings are about little secrets women keep to themselves.  As Cornelia Otis Skinner said “...Women keep a special corner of their hearts for sins they have never committed.”  I’m drawing from the rich history of portrait painting with this work, creating a likeness but also musing on cultural norms and ideals of women.  My subjects are drawn from the women and children in my life."

She obviously is concerned with the "Princess" culture of girls and her "Pushing Fairy Tales" series explores that.  

"Waiting for Snow White..IV"

"Waiting For Snow White"

The "Mommy Assassins" series is another fantastic commentary on modern motherhood and identity.

How amazing are the tinker-toy guns?

"The Mommy Assassins III"

"The Mommy Assassins II"

I love her layering.  The subtle colors and layers leaving something just under the surface.  And she draws damn good figures.  I've never been that great with the figure so I'm always jealous of those that are. 

"How To Live With A Man"

"Slip"

Really fantastic pieces. Please check out her other pieces on her site

and read through her bio. I'm so glad I stumbled across her work.