Hello,
I suppose I can't ignore the big storm we experienced here in Connecticut at the end of October. We were hit with a terrible snow storm while the leaves were still on the trees. It was awful to lie in bed and hear the trees crack under the heavy weight of the snow. Each time it felt like it signaled the death of another tree.
We were without power for 8 days. Some other parts of the state were out even longer. Halloween was actually cancelled in our town as many of the streets were impassable. I had one day to recover before leaving to do the show in Philadelphia.
Being without power, water, phone and cell service makes you realize how much we take for granted. Even though we were able to adapt to the situation, I must admit to missing my computer more than anything else.
As we begin to celebrate the holiday season, I am thankful that things are mostly operating properly again. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and we were happy to spend it once again with my family in Maine. We look forward to the tradition each year- and the great food! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving too.
 
Since it is so appropriate to the season, I couldn't resist showing a couple of photos of one of my Tree Skirts here. It's called "Tree Skirt: Tail Feathers" and pays homage to the wild turkeys we see in our yard. The wood is from the Choke Cherry Tree which grows wild here in Connecticut. The tree provides food that the turkeys "gobble up" during the winter.
As the year comes to an end, we all look back and make plans for the coming year.
2011 was very busy for me. I participated in quite a few shows and felt like I was always on the go. In 2012 I hope to spend a bit more time working in my studio and hope to have a studio art / tag sale in March. Watch for details soon.
Hope you have a wonderful holiday season, and a safe, happy, and healthy new year!
Talk to you again next year!
Liz
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| Featured Work | |
Ripple: Lake Water
76" x 47" - Hand dyed, recycled and commercial wool on linen. Hand hooked. | |
One day I was thinking about the beautiful lake where we vacation in the Adirondacks and how I love being out in the water. Paddling the kayak I've had since childhood, I love to watch the changing colors as they are reflected in the water. The trees, the sun, and the color of the boat are all mirrored there. Then a fish jumps or water runs off the paddle and disturbs the stillness of the lake. The irregular rings created, and how they break up the reflection are intriguing.
I began to doodle the shapes of these ripples and eventually chose one to enlarge to a rug sized drawing. The colors were chosen spontaneously as I hooked, trying to capture the colors from memory.
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Fiber Art Now Magazine | |
The first issue of "Fiber Art Now" magazine features a 6 page article about me and my work with lots of photos, plus 2 pages of studio photos too!
View the entire article here.
Subscribe to the magazine here. | |
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| Recent & Current Shows | |
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Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show |
 | I displayed both my textiles and
sculpture together. |
This show opened on November 9th with an incredible preview party. Food and drink were in great abundance and the event kicked off another 4 days for exhibitors to sell their art.
Walking from the convention center to my hotel each day I passed by some amazing architecture. I was impressed by how much art (murals, statues, and even one of kind stained glass bus stops) there were.
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Curtis Gallery/New Canaan Library
I am exhibiting with friends in a three-person Hooked Art show in the Curtis Gallery at the New Canaan Library, New Canaan, Connecticut until January 1.
Have you ever been curious about how exhibits are planned and organized? I was interested to see this working drawing that curators Susie Solomon and Mary Maross were using when we delivered our work to be installed at the library. The curators used the dimensions of the artwork along with small photos, to plan before hand the placement of all the pieces. Once the work was gathered in the space, small changes were made to fine tune the selections.
An artists' reception will be held on Sunday, December 4th from 3 to 5 in the afternoon.
Hope to see you there! |
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Workshops in 2012 | |
In response to receiving emails inquiring if I will be teaching in the coming year, I've started to think about what I might offer and wondering if there is enough interest.
If you might want to take a workship with me in 2012, please let me know what type of class you are looking for and what you are interested in learning.
Also, please tell me where you live and if weekends are a good time for you. This will help me with planning.
Hope to see you in the coming year! | |
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Farnsworth Art Museum | |
I'm sorry to report that the Farnsworth Art Museum feels they are not ready to post videos on their web site yet, and will not be posting the video of my lecture "Contemporary Hooking: A Fine Art."
I've had lots of requests from people asking how they can see it, and I'm sorry to disappoint you. I'm hoping that I will have more opportunities to show the presentation again in the future. I'll keep you posted.
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| I'm Glad You Asked! | |
Rug Restoration & Conservation Resources | 
It seems that whenever I do a show I'm asked if I can recommend someone to repair or clean, an old (greatly treasured) hooked rug.
Most of these rugs have been created and passed down by a loved one and are of great sentimental value. Others are valued solely for their aesthetic qualities and have quickly become an integral part of the person's home.
I always feel good that I can recommend two places for high quality restoration and conservation. I also recommend these sources when I sell my own hooked rugs, should they ever be in need of cleaning or repair.
Jessie Turbayne is a friend who lives in Westwood, Massachusetts and works from her studio, a beautiful converted barn. Many people know Jessie because she has written quite a few beautiful (coffee table sized) books on hooked rugs and gives workshops throughout the country. I have seen Jessie take a rug that looks like it should be thrown away, and restore it to its original beauty. Jessie has been repairing rugs for 38 years, and has been called the world's leading authority on hooked rugs. In her words she has done work for "leading museums, Hollywood stars and starlets, Wall Street moguls, and folks that love the rug their Aunt Harriet made in 1945." You can reach Jessie via email at jessieturbayne76@verizon.net or phone 781 769-4798
The Textile Conservation Workshop is located in South Salem, New York in a beautiful old building that once was a general store. Patsy Orlofsky, the founder and Executive Director, is a scholar and lecturer on Judaic objects and American textiles including their history and care at museums and historical societies throughout the U.S. She is also the author of Quilts in America published in 1974 and 1992, and a Professional Associate of the American Institute for Conservation and Kress Publications Committee liaison.
Patsy works with a staff of highly qualified conservators. They have a fantastic web site (with great photos) that will answer all your questions and show the work they do. The best way to reach them is by phone or email, information you can obtain at their website: www.textileconservationworkshop.org.
If you have questions about my work, please email me at liz@lizalpertfay.com. |
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