YAS contemporary lifestyle

(When I read a review of the exhibit “Good Work” by Joetta Maue on the Textile Arts Center blog, I knew that I wanted to feature the curator Tali Weinberg, artist and activist, on Tuesday’s Designer. Back in the day, in my creative community the crew were all artists and activists. Partially because of the time we lived through, partially because of a deep sense and understanding of the responsibility to tie our thread of then present day activity to the ongoing cloth of creativity and human struggle. Tali continues this weaving together. Today’s post centers on the exhibit “Good Work.” Tomorrow’s post will take a more personal look at Tali’s work. ) Tali Weinberg is a Brooklyn-based artist and activist. Tali on her practice “my practice of making is informed by my work in human rights and fair trade advocacy, community organizing, and grassroots development. Through weaving and stitching, I explore how labor rights, community, ecology, and meaning are shaped by the craft of tur...

Yes, it is a beautiful, sunny day in Southern California. I should be writing about salads and sea food. Today though, it's split pea soup. I eat beans of some kind six days a week out of seven. Bean soup, beans and rice, bean casseroles, bean loaves, beans, beans, beans. I like them, they are economical, tasty and with a whole grain a source of complete protein. I grew up eating beans cooked with pork. Tails, hocks, ham bone, bacon and lard. There is nothing in my memory to match the flavor of green split pea soup with ham hocks. Or so I thought. One day a few weeks ago I stopped by a Mediterrean cafe for lunch. The cafe was serving split pea soup. It was delicious. I'm pretty sure all of the left over ends and bits of vegetables went into the stock. The soup was thickened with what appeared to be ricearoni, or maybe not. When I cook split pea soup at home it is always either too thick or too watery. This week when I made my soup I added half a cup of brown rice and increase...

Today's Tuesday's Designer travels to France to visit Marie-Emilie of Belette Print .  I printed the kiwi fruit design with two of my hand carved linocut plates. Printed with Gerstaecker traditional oil based ink (permanent). Belette Print, Marie-Emilie  Marie-Emilie designs fresh prints using the lino cut or linogravure process. Her prints are created on both paper and fabric. The prints are available for matting and framing, as note cards, purses, bags, and accessories. Carte Toucan Toco card. Seven lino blocks (carved by hand) are needed to print this colorful Toco Toucan! Each plate is inked with a different color brown, yellow, red, black, green. Printed with Schminke water-based, linoprint inks. The print is titled and signed. Marie-Emilie, Belette Print From Marie-Emilie - "Young French woman, curious, inquiring mind, I practice linocut, drawing, clay sculpting as an amateur. I have a real passion for those activities!" "I've bee...

(An occasional post on exhibits, classes, calls for entry) The Noyes Museum of Art of The Richard Stockton College  Textile Arts Center Brooklyn, NY Seeking New Artists in Residence The deadline for the next cycle of the Artists in Residence program is fast approaching. Do you have questions, concerns? Attend one of our tours, or give us a call! Click here for more information on the application process St. Louis Artists Guild Summer Classes at the St. Louis Artists Guild Craft and Folk Art Museum – Los Angeles, CA http://www.cafam.org/globalbazaar.html Saturday, May 14 10 am - 5 pm The CAFAM Courtyard - 5814 Wilshire Blvd. Celebrate World Fair Trade Day with the Shop@CAFAM! Discover handmade treasures from around the globe, talk with local artists, and learn the stories behind exquisitely crafted goods! Join us as we transform CAFAM's courtyard into a bustling marketplace with the best in handmade goods from local artists and international vendors. Come enjoy...

When I first saw Aria, Erin’s sunflower pillow cover, I knew that I wanted to feature her work on Tuesday’s Designer. Erin is a surface textile designer working in silk screen. Surface textile design encompasses a variety of processes. Over the next several months Tuesday’s Designer will feature an artist/craftsperson working in one area of surface textile design followed by a blog later in the week with information on that same process. Now, on to Erin and her work. This is WIND . This is a 20" pillow inspired by the fierce coastal winds here in Maine in BAHAMA BLUE--every imperfection is hand drawn and created by me. Erin Flett Erin Flett is about bold, imperfect and organic shapes and elements that are collaged together for her unique hand drawn eclectic style. Erin is a wife, and a mother of two little girls with a passion for funky vintage finds and living and breathing design. She is a prolific graphic / surface and textile designer living and working out of her s...

There are many ways (this is generally true of every process or technique) of heat setting fabric printed or painted with Procion MX dye. I’ve included some links at the end of this post for other ways of making a steamer, steaming or heat setting fabric. This method works for up to two yards of fabric or several smaller bundles. Really, however many bundles you can fit into the pot loosely. These are wrapped fabric bundles after steaming. The first step is wrapping your fabric. Start with a bottom layer of blank newsprint, paper toweling, old sheets, or brown paper bags. This layer should be three or four inches larger than the fabric you are going to steam. Lay your fabric on top of the bottom layer and cover with another layer of what ever you used on the bottom. Roll all three layers together loosely. Steaming will set in creases, so do this gently. (If you have room in the pot, you can roll the bundle around something, like an empty, paper towel roll.) Fold your roll i...

My normal (kind of) work schedule has been disrupted this past month. The first of three green pieces. Yasmin Sabur, 2011, all rights reserved The little house, which flooded several times this year, and has mold issues, is getting a repair and, if the cash holds out, a remodel. This is good news. In order for the work to proceed, I have to move out. The little house provides shelter for Bella, the dog, me and is my studio. Moving out, even if for a short period of time, is an undertaking. This is one of the first three stencil pieces. The work got more complex as it went along Yasmin Sabur, 2011, all rights reserved My work schedule is to spend one week a month working on artifacts for the Etsy store and museum and art center gift shops – scarves, small collages, digitally printed yardage, lino cut cards, etc. I try to work in processes that are relevant to the larger and more significant work I’ll do in the remaining three weeks. (Larger always, though maybe only more sig...

This week's Tuesday's Designer is Alexandra Hart. In addition to creating beautiful and informed work, Alix is a neighbor and a role model.  She lives a creative life with principles and consideration for all beings and the earth we live on. San Diego goldsmith Alexandra Hart is known for her sophisticated and artful couture jewelry and metal sculpture using and promoting ethically sourced gemstones and 100% recycled metals. red, white and yellow red ruby set in rich yellow 22k gold bezel, with natural rough diamond offset to the side on bright white sterling silver and 22k gold hammer formed band. all designs copyright Alexandra Hart “I support underdeveloped countries by buying from the most reputable and conscientious companies who comply with the Kimberly Process, Fair Trade and who use recycled metals to reduce the impact of mining on the environment.” With an MFA in Metalcrafts and Jewelry, as well as professional experience designing Karl Lagerfeld and Givenc...