Dot's Dream House

On the left: my rug and painting, the right: watercolors by Lisa Manning

 Last night was fun at Nido Art Studio.  We had the opening of Dot's Dream House.  I posted lots of pictures, and I have even more posted on our FB page.  Feel free to ignore two thirds of them or scroll through them quickly.  Here is our statement:
 

Dot’s Dream House 

 “I don’t eat off anything else. It makes washing dishes a pleasure. It makes preparing food a pleasure. Your relationship with an object somehow transmutes all those other things.”

Michael Stevenson commenting on the ceramics of South African artist, Hylton Nel.

Our world is filled with objects with which we interact constantly.  What if these pieces no matter how humble were well crafted, truly beautiful, and inspiring?  What if they made our homes cozy, joyful, unburdened, and fun?  Could we feel free to be ourselves, then? The Dots dare to dream . . .

Row House Print on Tote Bags

My Stash Baskets

Row House Print on Tea Towels

Rag Rug

Table display featuring various vessels

Stash Basket and Vases

Hanging Pot by Lisa Manning

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Rag Rug and small collage paintings

I sold the painting on the left.  I finished the night before the show--literally last thing made.  

 

Succulents in Joanna Goss' April pot and in a bunny pot by Lisa Manning

Groovy Bar

Cozy Corner of random pillows and rag rug

Joanna Goss

Lisa Manning

Lisa Manning

Joanna Goss--recipe cards

Lisa Manning--ceramic wall vases and shrines

Hand Printed Fabric Swap

 This is my first attempt at hand printed fabric.  I designed and carved stamps and used speed ball fabric ink to block print cotton fabric.  I will send a fat quarter to four recipients around the world and await reception of their pieces.  I already received a lovely print from the UK printed on Irish Linen.  (I'll get photos up after I receive the other three) I have plans to tackle a quilt made from this motif after the Dot to Dot show this weekend!  Speaking of the show, I printed tote bags and tea towels for our house themed event.  I discovered each ink handled differently.  Red seems to be a more difficult color to work with.  I have long term plans of acquiring a screen and printing fabric for more quilts.  So, printing is great, but heat setting the fabric with an iron is not so fun.  I think it took me longer to iron everything than to print it.  I hope my efforts were successful and the ink sufficiently made permanent.  

PS Her is the link to the blog post of the making of the fabric I received from the UK: Elephino

Stash Basket Pyramid

 I had fun taking photos of 8 up-cycled, woven stash baskets.  They are going to be part of the show on Saturday. You can find more info about the show here.

yay scraps!

Woven Cushion Chair

 One last work inspired by my trip to the Bay.  This chair belongs to my friends, Mary and Jakob. Mary hinted that it has some history, and I regret not learning more about it.  The patterns are referenced from my bathroom floor, an Ikea seat cushion, and a beloved purse from my youth.  The purse (pictured below) I obtained at a Pow Wow in Aurora and used it until the strap gave out.  I just adore it.

Radio Child

 Yesterday, I was reunited with my childhood prized radio.  I must have been gifted my purple STEREO radio when I was only six or so which I settled neatly on the shelf by my bed.  Other than popping my Beach Boy or  Madonna tapes into the cassette deck, I would adjust my tuner carefully to invoke the oldies, classic rock, Beatles into my bedroom.  It was the most sacred of seances.  I'd play back our kid produced radio shows listening for all of the sound effects (fart noises) and DJ humor.  If I ever dig these precious homemade recordings out of my parents' attic, I'll be sure to air them on my own podcast.  To this day the radio is my constant companion.  It's an intimate relationship I hold with WBEZ and WXRT.  I realize now that my affection for this medium is rooted in this early perfect, purple radio.  Sometimes I dream of producing my own programs (sans fart sounds---maybe) and produce a podcast that might explore the motivation, method, and studio space of artists. 

 PS  SAVE THE DATE:  Next Dot to Dot Show coming March 23rd!  It can't be beat!

Behold the Magical Bandana - Part 3

Time Rocks - Lisa Manning

Catnip Bottles

Birch Logs--Joanna Goss

Branch Weaving -- Iris and Olivia Manning

Plaid Dishes - Lisa Manning

earings - Joanna Goss

Head bands - Joanna Goss

Kitch

Totem

Rattle - Peg Lentz

Play Tents - Joanna Goss and Don Picton

Wooden Mushroom

Flora