The Downfall of Iron-Ons.

Today I did the iron-on transfers for the last 7 panels. It worked, but it's not quite the look I wanted. There is an ugly outline around the whole area of the transfer and the dying only made it more visible.  It's bothersome, but not a total loss. It'll do.

Here are all 12 panels together before panels 6, 7, and 8 were dyed.

Here's a close up of panel 11:

I didn't like how shiny the iron-on was, but after washing it dulled down a bit.

I also starting the finishing on the panels today which consists of a a layer of thin fill in between the two layers of cloth and attached with fusible web. But of course, I ran out of fusible web on panel 8 so I have to get some more. Good thing I have a coupon for JoAnns!

The Dying Art of Communication

Before that shiny new diploma finds its way into my mailbox, I've still got two summer classes to finish up. There aren't too many classes being offered this summer that I haven't already taken (or want to take) so I'm doing an independent study. I could have just made more hoods to go along with my previous concept, but I think I'm done with that. I've said what I needed to say and I'm ready to move on to a new concept. This summer I'm working on three new pieces that are all about the dying of communication, especially the handwritten letter. I'll expand on that concept in future blog posts as I get more of the work done.

I started my first piece this week and it has definitely had its up and downs. Its a series of 12 panels that show the progression of writing from cave paintings to text messages. The first five panels are done with batik and that turned out wonderfully.

Here is the hieroglyphic piece with wax before dying:

And here it is after dying:

And here are the first five together:

The last 7 panels were intended to be screen printed. Unfortunately, I learned today that that isn't going to happen. After 5 screens and 2 tries exposing photo emulsion screens, it was apparent that the fine lettering was not going blow out and printing would be impossible. I first thought that I'd coated the screens too thickly with the emulsion so I tried some screens with thinner coats. Still no go. I don't know if it's the emulsion or my acetates or the light table or something else. Instead, I've decided to use the much less interesting route of iron-on transfers. Hopefully they won't look like something you'd put on a sweatshirt for your grandma. I think it'll turn out just fine since it's just a series of basic black lines. We'll find out tomorrow!

Goodbye, 3D!

After three tedious days, the moving process is finally complete. I walked down those three flights of stairs for the final time today. Goodbye squeaky floors. Goodbye green carpet. Goodbye leaky fridge. Hello, HHWW!

There's still a bit of settling and nesting to do, but the moving part is done. My anxiety has been so high for the past three (ok, four) days and so today I'm doing taking it slow. I can finally address those summer classes I've been ignoring during my move.

Goodbye after 3 years.

Guess what I've been doing for the past week?

Packing. I have a lot of stuff, to be sure, but I honestly thought I'd have more. Half of those boxes are kitchen stuff and then another third are books. The books are what make my room seem so cluttered. I can't keep myself from buying more. That's why I got a Nook. Now I don't have to curb my habit, but it will take up a lot less space. Unfortunately, there is no alternative to jigsaw puzzles. I have way too many of those. I'm not exactly sure how many I have, but it's probably in the ballpark of a gagillion. It's pretty bad. And no, I will not give any of them away. Yes, I'm the kind of person who does the same puzzle several times.

The move officially happens tomorrow as I make my way from 10th Street to 4th Street. Of course, the weatherman predicts rain for tomorrow. At least that means it won't be so stifling hot? Wish me luck! I'm strangely excited about a change of scenery. Also, good riddance to those noisy neighbors!

Remembering.

I like to remember things.

(...Wow, what a lame sentence to start with. Duh. Everyone remembers things. How do you expect to have a worthwhile blog with introductory sentences like that? Ok, let's expand on that idea and maybe we can redeem ourselves.)

Sometimes, moments from my past pop into my head and I will spend that next half hour or so just remembering that specific time.

(That's already better!)

Most often, it's places I've been and specific things I've done. For instance, two summers ago I spent a month in LA helping my mom clean out my grandmother's house after she passed away. I didn't really have much connection to that house and it wasn't an enjoyable time being there. Yet, every time I think about it I get this feeling like someone is standing on my chest and I am overwhelmingly sad. I get this feeling a lot when I think about the past. Maybe it's because I will never see that house again. Even if I did, it looks totally different now because new people moved in. That particular aspect of my past (and my mother's past) is gone forever. Maybe that feeling is because that time in my life was very stressful and my anxiety level was high. I had to fly alone for the first time all the way across the country. That alone sent me into an anxiety attack. Also, my poor mom had been in LA for months and was also anxious so that made me anxious.  Maybe remembering that time makes me remember that high level of anxiety.

Anyway, that's not the only time when I get this feeling. Any time I remember something from my past, like past places I've lived or vacations I had, I feel that crushing feeling. Surely I'm not the only one who is painfully reminiscent?

In a similar thread, I am terrified of forgetting things. I mean, our memories are crucial. Without them, it's like we're empty people. Our past is what makes us interesting. Sometimes I forget things that I previously knew so well. Like the address to that house in LA. I could have told you easily a year ago. Now, I can't remember. What if I forget something that only I remember? It's gone.

(Ok, calm down. Sheesh. A few more sentences and you would have gone emo on us! This isn't livejournal! Or that secret diary you keep on your shelf next to the Tolkien!)

The Art of Thank You Notes.

Now that is a beautiful sight. Finally I'm doing another name draft weaving. I've got about 3 or so more inches before I throw in a hem and cut off this beauty. I've really got to talk Robin into letting me weave just once more I have to give up my key. I love this stuff!

In other news, I just had to write thank you notes for graduation gifts. Thank you notes are always awkward. They start out with "hey so-and-so, thanks for the gift!" And then you're like, "crap. What now? I mean, that's the key point here." So, being the internet addicted person that I am, I googled how to write proper thank you notes. Turns out, the way the internet instructs me is the exact way I've been writing them for years. Apparently it's the most trusted formula. Thanks, Mom! I guess my 15 year-old self owes you an apology. Also, I sealed all my envelopes with Hello Kitty stickers. At first I thought to myself, "Leah, you're 23. Shouldn't you be over that phase by now?" Then I reminded myself, "Hell no! I've always loved Hello Kitty and I'm not stopping now!" I've got to stay true to my childlike heart and love of kittens. Childlike isn't a synonym for immature, is it? I'm willing to toe that line.

A Beautiful Sight

This is where I have spent most of my time for the past 2 years:

After this weaving is done, I have to leave the loom room forever. Unless my professor will let me sneak in and do a few more this summer. I have to start saving up for a loom of my own. As Richard said, "once you've known weaving, you can never not weave." So true. Even if I go into a field totally unrelated to art, I have to keep weaving. I love it.

I know that weaving looks weird right now, but wait until I weave the weft in. Pre-woven painted warps aren't my speciality, but I wanted to try it one more time. Also, you'll notice that I used orange! A first! I promised my professor that I would use bright colors just once before I graduated.