Rowena Dring: Machine Applique Genius

Nha Trang lilly pond
No.2 2006 stitched fabric over canvas 100x135cm

A Place Apart - LA 2006
island 2005 stitched fabric over canvas 130 x 350 cm

Came across another amazing artist in my book, By Hand. Her name is Rowena Dring. Commenting on the contradictions of crafts, she has turned machine applique into a fine art. All the pieces are machine embroidered onto canvas. A large piece takes up to 1,200 hours. Honestly, these might be the most labor intensive pieces I have ever seen. Her colors and shapes are really quite amazing. Not only is her process impressive, but I really enjoy the forms and colors. I might hold a higher appreciation for her "A Place Apart" series because I am from California, but enlarge that landscape and take a really good look. Another artist to put on my list for when I am rich. jk (All you need is love!)

Btw, I saw one of Ashton Kutchers twitters today and saw a message I liked: Don't put your longterm goals on hold because of a short term economic problem. Just gather some cardboard boxes and make a sketchbook. I am so tired of talking about the damn economy. I guess it's preeety important, but, seriously. This is the time to dance around naked and paint and experiment. No, don't do that..... :)

Crowded Trains and Claire Oswalt

I'm on the train right now. Apparently, the train company is trying to cut operating costs which means less running trains which means me standing on the train instead of sleeping with my neck pillow! There's so much momentum with all the weight on the train on these mornings that I fall every time it brakes. It's a blast. Yesterday I drew the people on my train. It was pretty entertaining... If I feel snazzy later, I will scan and post. Ok... now for some serious art talk. blown away : 29"x24" : wood, twine, paper, graphite, and acrylic

pack of tightly-knit women : wood, graphite, paper, and acrylic

emma : 24"x20" : graphite, paper, acrylic on wood

I just remembered this artist I saw in LA. Claire Oswalt. She really touches me as a geuine person and artist (You know, I read about her so now I know her personally. Just like I know Britney spears and Brangelina so well.) Visually, her work is pure and clean and skilled, but she manages to give off this perfect eerie vibe. Many of her works comment on the mob mentality or cliquey(or copycat) nature of humans. Her drawn puppets with twine offer this conradictory idea of frozen time and extreme release. I love her. I looked at her work a lot last year. I would like to keep better track of her. Her observations in nature, older and newer work, are just breathtaking. When I'm rich I will buy something of hers. For now, I will blog about it :)