Ascending
Ascending #1(working title)
Textile Painting
©2009
8" x 8" – To be mounted on stretched canvas
In progress
Ascending
The other day I was browsing facebook and came across a note that Martin Puryear had a fan page.
I started looking through photos of his work, which I love, and came across this piece: Ladder for Booker T Washington and it reminded me that I was going to do ladder themed art way back in 2001 but got side tracked by fences (my structures series, which currently is comprised of 111 textile paintings and still growing).
I wrote a note (ie tweet) about this on twitter. Encouraged by a friend who saw the note (thank you Joanie) I headed straight to the studio to get to work.
It’s taken a few more studio sessions to work out the kinks but Ascending #1 (still working on the title) is above. It’s not yet got the surface stitching so the texture, which will soften it a bit, is missing. I’m loving what I see so far. Much to explore in this new series.
Why Ladders?
It feels like the right transition from my Home series,which might be over, or it might not, we’ll see, right now I’ve got ladders on my mind.
This year is about expanding and growing. Ladders are all about moving up. And I’ve certainly looked at plenty the last few months during construction.
Not to mention the original inspiration behind ladders, which was my growing up in Northern New Mexico. I spent many hours at Bandelier National Monument climbing up the ladders to hang out in the caves.
We used to tell the tourists we were native Anisazi – er – make that Ancient Pueblo People – apparently Anasazi is no longer correct according to the Bandelier website:
This outdated term has a Navajo origin and can be roughly translated as "ancient enemies," thus the term is no longer used.
Hm – guess I missed that update.
Anyway, back to ladders, a popular hike in Bandelier is to the ceremonial cave which requires ascending a very large number of ladders to get to it. Or at least I recall it being a large number as I was terrified of heights and of those ladders. Every time we did this hike I’d be stressed about the ladders. So part of the appeal of doing ladder motifs is about courage and doing things anyway, in face of the fear.
Ascending – expanding – courage. That’s what the ladder series will be about.
The Studio is Painted
And speaking of going up – look at my studio! The paint went up today. I’m am dancing with joy over this.
They are scheduled to finish the electrical in there this week (well maybe not lights, they aren’t here yet) and I can move in (without carpet) by the weekend! Yay!! It’ll be another month before I bring in all my studio furniture and really set up but this is the first huge exciting step.
I’m going to do a series of post about building a new studio, I think in the month of march, so I’ll talk about paint colors and all that in more detail later. Everything is white except the stairway wall, which is a pinky/purpley light brown color, which ties the studio into the rest of the house as it’s all open.
It is absolutely beautiful!
Habits in a Construction Zone
Last week I was very disciplined, got a ton of stuff done. This week I’m just going with the flow.
My post about starting the habit of walking, well, out the window that went. It’s 9 degrees here in Denver. Who am I kidding, I’m not starting a new habit in 9 degrees.
I’m still thinking about habits I want to put in place, but when your kitchen moves around your house every month or so, it’s hard to have any sort of habit.
As you can see my latest construction photos – the kitchen is now in the entry way – which used to be my son’s bedroom until 2 days ago. New front door, many walls are gone and the place looks awesome (although maybe not finished): January 27 Construction Photos.
Four Days Remaining
I have been absolutely thrilled with the positive response to my announcement that my prices are going up on February 1st. Thank you to all of you for the positive comments, thoughts and a big huge thank you to those buying my art this month.
There are only a handful of pieces left on my small artworks for sale page. Thank you – it’s so exciting to sell my artwork.
I plan on focusing my effort in the smaller works to pieces mounted on stretched canvas and am not sure I’ll be making these little ACEO’s anymore. I like the look of the little textile pieces mounted on canvas so I might phase these guys out for a consistent look in the smaller sizes.
I still have a few available if you’re interested in owning one of these. [ACEO stands for “art cards, editions and originals”. Originally known as ATC, Artist Trading Card, and are traded between artists. When sold to the public they are referred to as ACEOs. The primary rule for an ACEO or ATC is they be 3 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ - the size of a trading card. They are created in many different mediums and are collectible, trade able and affordable art for everyone.]
Available ACEOs [Update - they've all been sold] (I’m going for the world’s longest blog post here it feels like):
ACEO #28
©2008
2.5" x 3.5"
Sold
ACEO #19
©2008
2.5" x 3.5"
Sold
ACEO #21
©2008
2.5" x 3.5"
Sold
ACEO #23
©2008
2.5" x 3.5"
Sold
ACEO #24
©2008
2.5" x 3.5"
Sold
ACEO #25
©2008
2.5" x 3.5"
Sold
Posted by Lisa in: Abstract Contemporary Textile Art
Tagged: ACEOs, affordable art, ascending, courage, fences, for sale, habits, Inspiration, remodel, stitching, structures, studio, Textile Paintings, texture
I love the symbolism of the ladders, and I love the reflection in this first piece.
Bandelier is one of my favorite places on the planet. I went there every month for the entire 10 years I lived in Santa Fe. I miss it badly!
(“Anasazi” went out about 5 years ago.)
Thanks Cynthia – my lack of exposure to the media, I think I miss these important vocab updates. Too bad – anasazi is a really cool sounding word and was a part of my childhood. Oh well – Ancient Pueblo People it is.
I grew up in White Rock – minutes from Bandelier – so it is also one of my most favorite places. Backpacking there is stunning – did you do any of that?
I love the Ladder concept – great start of a new series. The name Ascending is fabulous too – it has some ambiguity which keeps it interesting.
interesting to hear your thoughts on the evolution of your work. I like this start for the Ladders / Ascending series. I’m particularly drawn to the “block” at the bottom. It fits in perfectly, but to my eye, it’s so different to see in your work a solid piece that’s not functioning as negative space. Cool.
I know about opening walls in cold weather. Only here it was the 12 foot bay window in the living room and it was well below zero. But it had to be done when help was available.
When the front door was replaced it was probably almost up to zero!
Kay, who is glad it’s your turn and not mine again!
Indeed, we knew the back country well. I had a faithful Great Pyrenees companion (with his own backpack) and we spent many weekends wandering all over the Monument. It is a place of great peace for me. I’ve only been gone 2 months and it feels like years. It would have been great to grow up within bike riding distance!
I don’t have a TV and miss a lot of those cultural vocabulary updates as well, but signs changed sometime in the last 5 years and I noticed that!
That LONG LONG post was great to read – you have so much going on. Perfect name for the new series, the beginning of the first piece is great!
If you are going to be without flooring for any length of time in the studio – you might consider putting down a quick coat of deck paint – it really seals in the dust (from the plywood base) and makes it easier to sweep/clean.
:-D eirdre
Puryear’s ladder in his show at MOMA was enthralling. I loved looking at it from every level of the museum, as well as observing other people’s responses, especially children.
Ladders are such a rich theme, all about ascension, aspirations, bravery (getting past that fear of heights!), desire. They can be fragile, or they can be strong and solid.
The colors in this piece remind of the reds and blacks the Obama family wore on the night of the election.
You did it! Great start, looking forward to seeing it finished!!
i think i’m going to really love your Ascending series… oh and your new studio? to die/dye for…
Lisa – I saw the Puryear “Ladder for Booker T” on Sunday at SFMOMA and was so moved. The ladder to the heavens, the ladder to the next place, so moving. I cannot wait to see your ladder series.
Nic – thanks for the + vote on the name!
Vivien – I’ve been thinking about your comment and you are right – I’ve been working with lines as my figure for so long – very unusual to have a big shape in there for me. Thanks – always good to think about my work in different ways.
Kay – wow – brr!
Cynthia – you bring back such great memories. I need to go visit again, soon!
Deirdre – really great idea about the floor up there – it’ll help the carpet last longer also – keep all that drywall stuff out of it.
Bonnie – I can just imagine getting to see it in person – I’m sure everyone’s responses were fascinating – very cool.
Joanie – yay you for inspiring to just go do it.
Thanks Natalya!
Lisa – you are lucky getting to see it in person!
I really, really love the ladder piece! The strong graphic nature of it makes me think of an old Playbill or book cover (this I mean in a good way, like it’s a narrative image). I also like the symbolism of ascending upward rather than using the ladder to come down from something.