Cecilia Paredes at the Artyard

On March 25, the Artyard located in Frenchtown, NJ hosted an exhibit of the work of artist Cecilia Paredes.  Yesterday, I stopped back at the gallery because I have been thinking about this work all week.  Please forgive my photography...you can see the shine of the light on the art but still I hope the beauty of the pieces show....

Urban Nature, 2008

This piece is described by the artist as a photo performance with body art.  It is a photograph printed on aluminum which is an interesting frame less look.

 

Forbidden Garden, 2015

"Forbidden Garden"shows a woman placed in front of the fabric with her arms uplifted to look as if she is holding butterflies in her hand.   

 

Both Worlds, 2011

 The one below is my absolute favorite from the show....the draping of this fabric, the fabric itself and the single design element replicated in body paint on the model is so beautifully done and photographed.

Corinthians, 2005

This is an Epson print on acid free canvas.  

In any case I just wanted both to remember this and pass it on.  Such a beautiful show there are still many others I did not photograph.  So if you are near Frenchtown in the next month or so stop in to see this work.

Tee Quilts

My friend Jean has been taking her kids t-shirts and making them into blankets for years....solving the problem of what to do with those t shirts that are memories of teams or activities .  Recently a client asked if I could do the same for 3 boxes of t shirts that she had been saving of her and her husbands t's as well as her kids.

Blending Miami U with the MD Terapins....!!

with some Phillies and Eagles added!

Bright colors put together

Cutting and piecing the major parts of the t's in varying widths breaks up the sizes of the rows in this quilt.

Multiple team shirts

Piecing together t shirts using rectangle spacers between

By placing the parts in different directions there is no top or bottom, so it looks right from all directions.

Binding is the back folded over then stitched

Polartec 100 a very lightweight version of this fabric is used to back the quilts.  It is washable and colorfast plus thermal so even though the front is made of t shirt material the back is very soft and snug.

Polartec folded over to make the edge

The backing on this quilt was pieced together from 2 colors polartec, black and grey.  Then it is folded over the edge and sewn through and through.

The finished quilt

Solebury Garden Details

Barn Details

Details, Solebury Residence

Max

My Favorite Rock Heart

So I'm not sure where this rock heart came from exactly, but I think it came with my house.  It was already here when I moved in 6 years ago,  think it was  from the old owners.    

Anyway, it is worn and smooth and cool to the touch... and has a lot of scratches on it and my dog, Ulli chewed on it, a little.  When I hold it in my hand I think of love.

It's is in the details....

This past weekend I had a chance to visit my old house in Solebury Township, PA.  After being away 6 years I had a chance to see this property with new eyes.  It is amazing how much work we did on this house.  It predates this blog by 15 years, but definitely deserves an homage as it is a major part of my design education. 

Circa 1805 Batchelder House

Giant Old Maple....this tree has to be more than 200 yrs old!

Front Yard

Front Gate Entrance

Side Gate Entrance

 

Open space detail

Porch on Smoke House

Master Bedroom Drape Installation

After the drape panels are sewn together the top has to be pleated to fit the width requirements so normally we will add a header to the top of the drape and pleat through all layers.  In this installation though, we will be stapling the panels directly to a small panel of wood.  We will form the pleats at the time of installation and staple them in, instead of sewing them ahead of time.  This will allow for maximum flexibility in styling the drape.  We will be working with the client to achieve a final look that will be determined on site.

Drape Panel

Giant Zig Zag Stitch

stitch line for stapling

The stitch line will be used as a guide to staple the drape to a board that will be screwed into the ceiling in this particular installation.  We will be doing all of the rest of the work on site.

Our work space

Upholstered board

Pleating to fit

Back of panel

piping will be closest to the wall

The top edge is evenly stapled along the zig zag line of stitching

1st photo of hanging panels

Little helper