soup pot

The American West Indian Health Food & Juice Cafe around the corner from my studio (left) makes the most wonderful soup, and in the winter one or the other of us often makes a soup run at lunchtime. Thursday morning just after 9:30, when I passed the place, the metal shutter was down. It worried me a bit that with the bad economy, they had gone out of business- especially since they rarely seem to have any other customers. Since it was cold and rainy, it was perfect soup weather, but when I got there, the metal shutter was still down. What a disappointment. Friday morning's police blotter explained it: I had just missed the narcs, who had raided the place at 9:am Thursday and confiscated $40,000 worth of marijuana. No wonder the soup was so good!!! And no wonder they stayed in business despite the paucity of soup customers - LOL. Suspects were charged with possession with intent to distribute, within 1,000 ft of a school, within 500 ft of a park, and conspiracy. They are being held on $75,000 bail. The police called it good teamwork but I am tempted to e-mail them and complain. There is another Caribbean place a bit further away but who knows if they have good soup??

On another note - I spent yesterday (studio) and today (home) dyeing and printing scarves. Here are three that are finished. They are 15"x60" china silk and have already been through the washer and dryer, so they are worry-free. Click on them for a closer look.

red and yellow are SOLD

one week later

This is what I see in the morning. If you've been watching the woods behind my house with me, you know what they looked like a week ago. The lush, vibrant leaves are gone and in their place, a whole different (and I think, more interesting) view. There is something about this spare, monochromatic scene that I find more exciting than the woods at any other time of year. Ironic, since I hate the cold weather. It is this view that speaks most loudly to my heart - and capturing its essence continues to elude me - although I work at it constantly. Is there something you keep trying to capture without doing it photographically? A scene? A concept? An image? A feeling? Or have you succeeded and moved on? I spent today in the studio, dyeing scarves. Most of them have only the color and are waiting to be printed. However, I did finish one --or at least it is finished for the time being. Deconstructed and dye painted, it makes me think of old wall. Tomorrow, I hope to print on the scarves I dyed today.

Unknown Halsman

Philippe Halsman Albert Einstein,gelatin silver print, 1947, ©Halsman Estate A poster of this picture hangs in my mother's apartment signed and given to my parents by Philippe Halsman, who was famous for his portraits of famous people. He had more covers of Life Magazine than any other photogrpher and made portraits of Marilyn Monroe, JFK, Winston Churchill, Salvador Dali and too many others to name here. When my daughter Jessica was little, she was afraid of this picture. I find it heartbreakingly sad. Halsman's portraits revealed the personalities of his subjects - he cared more about capturing the inner person than in just making a beautiful portrait. Philippe told us that when he was making the portrait he and Einstein were discussing the atomic bomb. As they were talking, Einstein's face reflected his sorrow over the destructive use of his theories - and at that moment Halsman tripped the shutter. The black and white picture won immediate acclaim and it remains the most popular likeness of the famous physicist. Einstein, who knew Philippe Halsman slightly, had saved his life by writing to Roosevelt to get him a visa so he could come to the U.S. in 1940 as the Nazis were occupying France. The books of his pictures are simply wonderful, from the Jump Book to Halsman Portraits - and I never tire of reading them. So what is this all about? There is a new Halsman book by Oliver Halsman Rosenberg, his grandson. Oliver found lots of brilliant, unpublished photos when he was going through his grandfather's archives: surrealistic, funny, quirky, shocking, weird, playful -- miraculous when you consider that there was no such thing as Photoshop when these black and white pictures were taken. Many were experiments and Philippe did everything in the darkroom. I bought my copy on Amazon. The author is currently in Paris for the opening of the exhibit (there is always an exhibit with a Halsman book launch) but I will ask him to sign it when and if he ever shows up in New Jersey.

We're home from D.C. and a busy, beautiful weekend. The weather couldn't have been better for November -- sunny and in the 60's. We had a lot of fun and it was great to spend a whole weekend with almost all of our kids and grandkids, plus people we hadn't seen in a long while. Here's a terrific picture of Marty and Jessica that shows the spirit of the family weekend. The other picture of him with Hilary came out blurry - boo hoo. Saturday afternoon was free so I walked around downtown Chevy Chase, where we were staying. As I left Borders (empty handed) I was struck by the colors and the sheer number of newspaper vending machines in a row! Even in NY city I don't recall having seen this many together. Which doesn't mean they are not there. Only that I hadn't noticed them. Sometimes you just observe things differently when you are away from your own territory. Chevy Chase is upscale shopping heaven. A little way down the road were Tiffany, Cartier, and Bulgari. And close to the hotel, Neiman Marcus, et al. There is a big Bloomingdale's across the street and as I walked over to see what they had that was different from the Bloomie's here, I encountered tons of this lovely grass. I made one tiny purchase and later, went back with my daughters and daughter-in-law to Neiman's because they wanted to check out the huge weekend sale. Jessica got a fabulous bargain on a skirt, so she was happy. The other two tried stuff on but nothing was right. Today I was so busy discussing something with Marty while I was on 95 that I somehow got on the wrong spur of 95 and ended up in Philadelphia instead of Delaware. Fortunately, I know my way around and we took the Ben Franklin Bridge to NJ. But it was a detour I would not have chosen to take. I got home to find a package containing several dozen scarves, so now I will be able to start printing some new ones. I'll let you know when they are available. Tomorrow - the studio!

Art or Craft?? Or does it matter?

Last night's art opening was packed and the panel discussion (with audience comments and questions) was lively. Most of the artists didn't seem to care whether they were labeled as art or craft, as long as they were exhibited and/or people bought/responded to their work. But the point was made that those of us who work in clay or fiber and come from the tradition of utilitarian/women's work are less likely to be regarded as making ART (except for the MEN in clay or fiber) Sigh... These pieces, made from rug canvas or some such, and onion bag mesh on one; screen on the other, used materials I would have printed with. Just goes to show you how differently we approach the same materials, depending on where we come from. Click on all of them to get closer looks. This piece is made from telephone wires and cables. The artist is a weaver who started in cloth, discovered this material, and never went back to traditional weaving. A gallery owner bought the first piece the artist had made like this and asked her to bring the rest of her work to the gallery so she could see it. The artist brought her regular woven things and the gallery owner said "Craft! go back and make more of the pieces with wire", which she considered to be art, even though they were made with the same technique as the cotton and wool pieces. I love these. Maria Lupo is a sculptor who works in a variety of materials and does some very cool work. She and I have exhibited together a couple of times. Incredible. Mid-November (well, almost) and in the high 50's - shirtsleeve weather and humid. We're in D.C. and getting ready to go to services and then dinner. Ciao for now.

Jan Myers-Newbury New Jersey workshop!

Jan is teaching a three-day shibori workshop at the Newark Museum on November 22,23,24. There are still a couple of openings left for this fabulous workshop so if you're in driving distance (NY/NJ/CT/PA), run to take advantage of this great opportunity! I'm so excited to be taking it! There is a Marriott Courtyard 15 min. from the museum and the "Gillman Hotel" has room for 2 people, if it will make a difference between your signing up and not. First come/first serve, e-mail me. I think the sun is trying to come out, but earlier, this was the scene on the deck. And the woods, as the leaves begin their descent to give us bare branches (which have their own beauty).

I am packing for our trip to D.C. for the weekend - driving down in the morning. And tonight, I have an opening. The show is called Bridging the Space Between: crafts-media artists crossing boundaries. All of the participating artists have to deal with the judgments of curators/jurors/gallery directors as to whether their work is art or "craft." This is true, not only for fiber artists but for glass/ceramic/collage/mixed media artists, as well. I will be on the panel to discuss these issues. So, lots to do today - including going to see my mother in a few minutes because I won't be around this weekend to visit her. If I have time tonight to post pix and write about the show, I will.

Thank you, America

for the best birthday present I could have had today!! with love and hope, Rayna

It's a nail-biter.

I'm listening to NPR's reports from all over the country. ARGH. Polls are closed in NJ but anybody who was in line before 8:pm would have been able to vote. Although I am glued to the audio, I'm blogging about as much frivolity as possible, as a distraction. We're leaving for D.C. on Friday to go to our granddaughter Rebecca's bat mitzvah and I needed a manicure/pedicure (because, while I won't be wearing my Birks, I will be in some sort of open shoes). Hilary took me out for a fabulous sushi pre-birthday lunch today and there was a nail salon/day spa next door I decided to try. Ended up treating myself to a wonderful facial and an afternoon of pampering. It was part I of my gift to myself; part II will be a haircut tomorrow with the head stylist at a new salon. No guarantees, but at least it should be a change: doing something for myself. Tonight's UPS delivery (above) was a birthday gift from C&T - a box of cookies and candies. Isn't that nice! And while I'm on the subject of goodies - I picked up a couple of items at Trader Joe's on Saturday and would like to read you the tasting notes from the labels: #1 An aroma perfumed with acid fruity notes and floral notes of acacia, with dairy and exotic wood tones. Mildly bitter taste with candied citrus, floral tones with a honey character. #2 A mild aroma with tones of exotic wood, dried fruit and spicy notes. Delicate, persistent flavor, well proportioned and full. Highlighting tones of cedar, tobacco and raisins. Wine? Nope, varietal chocolates! Better than a wine tasting - I have been alternating the two, trying to decide which one of these bitter dark chocolates I prefer. Gee, I just don't know - I guess I'll have to keep tasting. #1 Guaranda Forastero Arriba cocoa from Ecuador#2 Ocumare Criollo cocoa from Venezuela Is that enough nonsense for the time being? It's after 9:00 on the east coast and it's looking promising -- but Ohio is a horse race so I'm still glued, as I am sure you are.

vote early and often

I took my camera with me to the polls this morning but decided that after yesterday's debacle I would play it safe and not bother trying to take pictures. We were there at 7:am and while business was brisk, there was only one person in front of us in line at A-G. The electronic little green x's lit up right across line A and there was someone outside watching the machine to make sure they registered when I pushed the "register vote" button. They told us there was a huge line at 5:30 am waiting for the polls to open at 6:00 - I guess all the people who had to catch a train or a bus into NY to go to work.

Del Thomas borrowed my tree photo from last week to compare on her blog how autumn should look, vs. how it does look in southern California. In the meantime, I have been watching my trees turn. This is how my woods looked one week ago.

Here they are this morning .

In another week --- who knows?

I will catch up with you tonight. In the meantime, I had better get my day started! Sushi lunch with my daughter Hilary - a double treat!!

another art day

Today was our Studio Six meeting: Studio Six is our crit group. We met at Judy Langille's house today and I must say, we were more efficient than usual, actually getting through all of our critiques before lunch. Unheard of! Among the luminaries in our group are Diane Savona, whose domestic archaeology pieces are highly original, Joan Dreyer, whose 3-D fiber work is represented by Snyderman-Works in Philadelphia, and Joanie San Chirico, who has a solo exhibition at the J & J world headquarters in New Brunswick, NJ. After the meeting, Joan, Diane, Randy Keenan and I waltzed over to Johnson & Johnson to see Joanie's paintings. The security at this place made Newark Airport look like a piece of cake. Before we could go into the building, they had to see picture IDs, take our photos (which were uniformly ghastly) and then we had to wait for an escort to take us in to see the exhibit (for which we had made an appointment). Joanie had told us we'd have to get a photo permit, but fortunately, we had a substitute escort who didn't know we couldn't take pictures in the gallery. As usual, my photos are not especially good - but I expected to be arrested any minute while I took these. This tree is my favorite. Click on it to enlarge. and this, which is part of a triptich, is the only one I could get a good photo of before it was too late. But you can see Joanie's work on her website.Afterwards, we went across the street to the Hyatt to see more of Joanie's work and then walked through the J&J campus to get back to our car. While we were at it, Randy and I snapped pictures. This Henry Moore sculpture, Draped Reclining Mother and Baby, was sitting on the grass. Wow! Henry Moore! Here is Randy, taking a picture of one end of the sctulpture while I took a photo of the other end.

Gorgeous campus - we just kept snapping as we walked to the car.

These pods were creepy - I don't know what they are. I think we used to call them boxer when we were kids: the remind me of carob pods but probably are not. I picked some up to print with but left them in Joan's car by mistake. On the way out of the parking lot the security guard stopped us and told us it was forbidden to take pictures on the J&J campus and that if he called the New Brunswick Police we'd be arrested. We were waiting for him to confiscate our cameras but he only told us we had to delete the pictures. Fortunately, he did not insist we do it in front of him. I do not expect to see this sign again.

Tonight, I was too tired to go to my printing workshop. I shall have to try and figure out the next assignment on my own. Frankly, I believe this one hour-time change deal has done me in. What a wimp.

at the press

I spent the afternoon at the studio,printing, and then because the press was really in an awkward space, I decided to rearrange the studio. What a mess! After I pushed everything around, I hated it. So It went back sort of the way it was, but with more space around the press. Around 5:00 I was so tired that I left the place looking like somebody had broken in and ransacked it. It will probably stay that way for more than a week: this week coming up ls very busy. I found the missing collagraph plate I had made for my second print class (the one that the car ate?). I won't tell you where it was because I can't figure out how it got there. But anyway, I had made it with fabric (that was the assignment). Today I took it into the studio and got busy. I am really happy with these. So, I am posting them and then going to bed. Tomorrow, the eye doctor and then I have to drop off work for a show, the subject of which I will talk about in another post.

There were more, but this is enough for now. Each is a first print and a ghost.