It's been waaaaaay too long since I last carded fibers for spinning. I'm still getting settled into my new studio space and have finally unpacked everything- most of it stuff I haven't seen in a few years. I'm currently in the process of carding up ALL of my of spinning fibers. Not sure if these batts will make it on to etsy... I really want to spin them!!! I still have more to card up. I'm about half way through my stash I think. There's still a whole other stash of fibers for dying, and another for felting. Dye pots are next on the to-do list I think.

Sketchbook: Alutiiq Petroglyphs

Stencil, Stitch & Saw

Most of the pieces I've been working on are a combination of collage, sewing, stenciling and paper cut outs mounted on painted plywood.

Earth and Sky

Octopus Stencil

Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

I've cut several different sizes of this stencil and am making some prints with them before I use the actual cut outs on collaged backgrounds.

Octopus in Progress

Octopus in Progress
Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

Working on octopus stencils to use in some collages I'm working on. Referenced some unfinished pages in my journal for my stencil sketch. Trying out different sizes and can't wait to spray paint.

Taking Flight

Postcards made from recycled cardboard. I'm sending a whole flock of these birds out into the world. It will be interesting to see how many of them reach their destinations.

Completed Works

Post Card Art Show Submissions

Post Card Art
Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

I've been busy working my stitched collages into finished pieces. These three are for Kodiak's annual Post Card Art Show. Show opens 6:00 PM Friday, February 18th at the Harbor Building at 334 Shelikof Street. I am currently working up more of these in a slightly larger format. Stay tuned for photos!

Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

Trash Rescue

So last May, as I was completing my Artist in Residence job, I was busy trimming and mounting student collages for display in a student art show. I couldn't help but noticing all the left over bits piling up in the trash bin next to me. I had a hard time convincing myself that what I was looking at was trash, and that it should stay right there in that bin where it belonged. Despite telling myself I did not really need to bring home any more stuff, all I could see was color and texture waiting to be worked into something new and exciting...
Getting just a little bit side tracked yesterday, I dug out the sewing machine and threads and...
lost myself to several hours of stitching, stitching, stitching. And when finished...
found myself busily collaging and weaving strips together to create backgrounds for smaller works of art. Here are a few examples of the finished backgrounds I intend to use:


Now all I need is some plexiglass, wood, spray paint and a few tools and supplies from my arsenal to finish these little guys! Time to start sketching designs...

Exit the Black Hole... with vintage Sci-Fi Yarn

Haven't posted one of these in awhile. Actually I haven't really posted much of anything in awhile. Might as well have been living in a black hole as far as blogging goes. Having my life packed up in cardboard boxes and moving from rental to rental over the past couple of years has proved creatively challenging. Thankfully I had residency work last school year to keep me busy and explorative. Now that the moving is over, the boxes unpacked, I have permanent studio space! I still plan to spin yarns and create mail art, but I am definitely drawn to exploring more mixed-media applications involving fibers and recycled materials and putting more energy into the Tide Pool Project. Feeling a bit rusty and slow to start, but I'm moving again. Right now I'm working on assembling jellyfish out of recycled plastics and yarn for a gallery in Anchorage. More details and photos to follow soon.

Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

Playing with Sharpie poster paint pens on acrylic paint...

Artist in Residence: North Star Elementary

Some of the work I've been creating with students at North Star Elementary.

Artist in Residence: Peterson Elementary

Just finished my 3 week residency as guest artist at Peterson Elementary. This was the art walk we had on friday to showcase the students' work. Large collage panel was made with the 5th grade students. Smaller collages are the work of the 3rd and 4th graders. Sea Urchins were created by the kindergardeners and starfish by the 1st graders. Recycled jellyfish were assembled by the 2nd graders, crabs were made by the 3rd graders and the recycled fish were created by the 4th graders. Felted Sea Anemones were also made by 5th graders. Imaginarium creatures created by 3rd and 5th graders.

"Artists in Schools Program is made possible through partnership between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional support from the Rasmuson Foundation.

Artist in Residence: North Star Elementary

K-1st grade students helped with wet felting the background for this Tidal Zone Chart. All the creatures were needle felted and embellished by me. I've sewn magnets into the backing so that teachers can display the chart on their magnetic boards in the classroom, while using the chart to teach students about tidal zones and the various creatures that inhabit them. Laminated labels velcro onto the chart for student placement.

Artists in Schools Program is made possible through partnership between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional support from the Rasmuson Foundation.