Sewing and thinking about Mom

 Everytime I work on the sewing table I got from my mom I remember all the dresses she made for me and my sisters.  And while she always thought she wasn't an artist, she definitely had her style!

Fuchsia, hand-felted, shibori dyed, Kentucky alpaca, Texas merino and silk.

Fire Rage and Art

Use Rage.  Create raging art.  Be outrageous

New Inspiration

There's nothing like working with a bunch of artists to get inspired to create more and more wearble art.  The best thing one teacher ever said to a class was that we were prolific.  We are I thought?  I then  decided to get busy.  The second best thing I ever heard was from a man who worked in a factory.  "The way to produce results is to work to fill trams," he said, "not to finish a piece."  That meant there would  always be silk prepared to be wrapped, wrapped silk to be painted, and painted silk to be sewn. 

Art comes in many forms

To be worn, gazed upon or heard.  Shibori silk head wrap, raw silk duster, music by Larry Vogt, performed at Cross Gate Gallery, Lexington, KY

Sunset Alpaca and Merino Vest, Sold

Handfelted and shibori dyed. Now it's time to make another.  Also time to pretend it's spring and start walking the dogs three times a day.  I need that exercise!

Merino and Alpaca and Locks

I admit it.  I can't stop touching this piece or looking at it.  Now to take it to another level is the challenge.

Hiking for Color

For me, it’s all about color. After using the Shibori technique of manipulating fabric by wrapping it around a pole or rope, I always place at least three colors, or shades of one color of dye on the cloth.  The fabric resists the dye and creates a pattern.  Many of my wearable art designs consist of several strips of hand dyed fabric which have been torn and serged before sewing them together. Through this process I frequently recover memories contained in the 5/8” seam allowance I learned when my mother taught me to sew. In her own way she also taught me that the art is in the ironing.  

Some of my newest designs are created by felting alpaca and merino wool to silk before Shibori dyeing the fabric. It is my intention that My Truly Wearable art has a performative quality.  When you wear it, not only are you only one hand away from the artist, you become the art.

Currently I live in a cabin in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, hike the mountain and try to figure out how to formulate the colors I see around me.

Shibori Prayer Book

First there was writing.  

"Tell your own story," 

Adrienne Rich said.  

So I wrote.  

Then there was publish.  

"To publish is to make public," the dicitonary said.  

I began to read my work fearlessly.  

"You should take a silk dyeing class," a friend suggested.

"Then you can cover your poems with silk and your art will be come performative."  

I signed up.  

Two weeks after enrolling, 

my son had a paralyzing accident.  

"You should quit school," I said to myself.  

Myself answered, "No.  We will both learn to adapt."  

I became obsessed.  Everything became an opporturnity to make art.  

As I waited in the intensive care waiting room, 

I covered muy journal with sequins.  

I learned Shibori silk dyeing.   

Shibori is manipulating fabric, placig dye upon it and surrendering.

I surrendered.  

When I visited the capel at the hospital, 

I wrote in my journal.  

It became a prayer book, 

covered with silk.

Shibori Poetry Skirt with Taffeta Sash

Remember taffeta?  I titled this a poetry skirt because it has rhythm, texture and movement.  Just like a poem, one size fits all.  When worn, it becomes performative and you become the artist.

That Red Dress

Equally fit for the First Lady.
Design by Soreyda Begley
Shibori Silk by Laverne

Shibori and Pieced Bolero with Black Dress

I didn't mean for the dress to be so risque.

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Think Green, Think Local

Thinking green is about more than just the type of paint an artist uses.  It's as much about the work she creates locally and sustainably, and the artists with whom she collaborates.

POETRY SKIRT DETAIL WITH MOVEMENT

First I wrote about art to move through raising teenagers when I was up late, into the wee hours of the morning.  Next I wrote about making art to move through menopause.  Now I make art to move.

Think Green, Think Spring

Wrap around mini poetry skirt with shawl

Wear art.  Make art.  Become art.  Perfomative art. 

Buy art supplies.  That way you'll have them when you need them.

Handfelted Coffee Alpapca and Merino Wrap, 40" x 47"

This morning I wrap myself in Coffee, drink mate
and ponder
do I make art to make a living
or
is making art my living simply?

Red is for Warmth

When it's 12 degrees outside and you're cold, think red!

Handfelted Shibori Merino Bags

Keep Warm on a Snowy Day

Wrap yourself in a Shibori dyed, Hand Felted with locks, Silk, Kentucky Alpaca and Texas Merino Pelt

Soreyda Laverne Shibori Gown

Art happens when collaboration occurs.
Design by Soreyda Begley
Shibori Painted Silk by Laverne Zabielski

Scarves and Shawls and Headwraps

There a many ways to wear your painted shibori wearable art; tied or wrapped or slung over your shoulder.

Painted Shibori, hand felted wool, steamed and dried. This piece will be part of a body of work, "Pelts" to be exhibited at Mary Rezny's Gallery in Lexington, KY on Novermeber 19 during Gallery Hop. Guest artists will be Laura Cox, Sarah Estes, and Soreydo Begley.