Open Studios this weekend

 

The Lowell Sun posted a lovely slideshow  about Western Avenue Studios this morning.

Come see us this Saturday and Sunday, noon-5.

I've been making some extraordinary wool scarves, 

and I'll demo thermofax printing Sunday, 1-3, outside Studio 512.

Open Studio Preparation

Sing

The week before any event one's mind begins to run: do more work? finish stuff? clean the studio? send more email? This results is hours spent, during the dead of night, listening to crickets and wondering if keeping that file clerk job wouldn't have been more peaceful. Which just shows you how long it's been since I was a file clerk, that I can get sentimental about that job.

Today Lowell Fiber Studio meets. So many people express amazement that seven women share a space and work side by side, but why this surprise? They are colleagues, friends, a support system and an inspiration. They help me get things done. I love them.

Lost in the Garden

These photos are from my latest photo shoot with Joe Offria.

Unfolded Time (detail)

My studio is waist-high in small production ideas - scarves, purses, small art work. I hope the humidity drops soon.

Cast off the bow lines

 An artist of great talent, Ann Brauer posts today asking "how do you rage against the night?


Before my cancer diagnosis, I focused on production work. The disorientation of disease knocked a hole in that plan. 

Angry Quilt Linda Dunn

This piece came when I finally responded with my hands and my eyes to what was happening.  A journal page of sorts, for anyone to see.

The piece was a turning point. I still make work to sell, but I welcome the ones that are more personal, too. This quilt was made in response to my father's Alzheimer's disease:

Trying to Remember Linda Dunn

Most recently, I have been pondering change and age. My daughter is about to fledge.

Notes to My Daughter Linda Dunn

My mother's sister died in childbirth. My mom is nearing death. This painting is from a photo of my mother's sister, as a toddler. She died in childbirth when I was three.

Lost in the Garden Linda Dunn

Our lives are ephemeral and yet we are so intensely here. Memory is fluid, mutable, but it drives so who we are. It's all a mystery.

So is making art. I am never so here-but-not-here as when the paints fall on fabric.

Printing away

I'm taking advantage of these perfect fall days to play with discharge, paints, and printing.

This afternoon, after teaching, I'll work on black velvet.

The first results are on sale at Stebbins Gallery in Harvard Square, on Church Street. It's open regularly now, and full of work by local artists.  Check it out: Thursday and Friday 6-8, and Saturday and Sunday afternoons til 6.

Thermofax Demo

Two hands printing, photo by Steve Errat

I'll demonstrate fabric thermofax printing on Sunday, October 2, 1-3PM.  Find me outside Studio 512, Western Avenue Studios, Lowell, MA. You can watch, ask questions, give it a try, even buy a screen to use at home.

My demo is part of Lowell's annual 2-day, city-wide Open Studios. Lots of demos, lots of work, lots of fun.

Printing Session, photo by Steve Errat

Lowell Fiber Studio is in Studio 512, on the fifth floor of Western Avenue Studios, at 122 Western Avenue Studios. As always, free parking,  and  elevator service to the fifth floor - my favorite.

Another great opportunity to support local art.

ART FEST 2011

Bradford Common

Main Street, Haverhill MA 

Copyright Linda Germain 2011

This Saturday, September 10 10 AM to 4 PM, you can find lots of local artists ready with new work. I'll make a special effort to get there, because I love the work of Linda Germain. She takes the simple medium of gelatin printing and makes it leap to the stars.  Come Saturday to see her prints, fiber art, and more.

Rock Local Artists

While the sun still shines, take a walk over to 

South End Open Studios

 

 original art by Jessica Burko


Saturday and Sunday 

September 17 and 18 

11-6 both days

Jessica Burko, whose art I love, will demonstrate encaustic collage and paper quilting be happening throughout the day. The event features hundreds of artists working in the South End neighborhood of Boston.