by Mo on August 15, 2011
To stitch; a thread or line that holds things together – this is the literal translation of the ancient Sanskrit word “sutra”.
Erin Endicott, Image gallery
In the “Healing Sutras” I use contemporary embroidery on antique fabric as a canvas to explore the common threads that bind countless generations of women. Wounds – both physical and psychological – are given life using delicate, meditative stitches. Traditionally thought of as “woman’s work”, sewing is a time consuming and contemplative process, each thoughtfully considered stitch becoming integral to the whole.
Erin Endicott at Chelliswilson, Portland, Maine
by Mo on March 31, 2011
The first Friday of each month equals First Friday Art Walk in Portland, Maine. Picture streets packed with happy art walkers feasting their eyes on creativity spilling out of every nook and cranny. Darling Dina Varano has a sketchbook on view in The Sketchbook Project, which has landed there for another stop on it’s tour at Space Gallery. If I had a magic carpet I would swoop in and scoop up TrishDarling, we’d jump off at Otto Pizza to fuel our wandering, and then pop into some of these stops below. See the full listing of events here.
“Found” explores the lives of things after they’ve been discarded and rediscovered–the cast off, the first attempt, repurposed fabric, lost images–put together, these disparate elements unify each other and create a language of desire and acquisition. Featuring vintage Japanese indigo textiles, mid-century studio pottery, vintage snapshots.
Brook There
Corey & Co: If you stitch it they will come
Space Gallery
ICA @ MECA: Fracturing the Burning Glass: Between Mirror and Meaning
by Mo on November 5, 2010
The support for local designers in so many creative communities across the country just makes our hearts sing. We are behind every collaborative community in spirit, and fueled by inspiration from stories like this one about Detroit on NPR a few days ago. Another community chock full of creatives cheering and supporting each other onward is beautiful Portland, Maine. This weekend independent designer Meredith Alex, a.k.a MadGirl, presents a runway show of one-of-a-kind creations of re-worked hunter’s plaid, camouflage, and flannel; the models will be rocking vintage L.L. Bean boots – and yes, of course there will be live music, drinks and more. Portland darlings, I miss you, have a blast! Read more about MadGirl and the event in the Portland Press Herald.
Mad World on Facebook
madgirl, aka Meredith Alex is an eco-fashion designer and installation artist based in Portland Maine.
Meredith graduated in 1990 from California Institute of the Arts with a BFA in Performing Arts, Design & Technology with a focus in Costume Design.
Her installations, streetwear and one of a kind “artful” fashions have infused the masses with green aesthetics and whimsical style.
by trish on April 20, 2010
photo by Andrew Haviland
photo by Elise Bothel
photo by Jenny Lee Maas
poster by Liz Hardy
April 23, 6-8 pm Thinking Outside the Body
MECA students strut their stuff in an end-of-semester event. The Institute of Contemporary Art at Maine College of Art presents, Thinking Outside the Body, a series of events in April 2010 focused on “wearable art.” MECA students, Alumni and Visiting Artists will engage community partners and the public in conversations and art making processes that explore the personal and cultural meanings behind what we wear.
April 21, 12-3 pm Form and Function Sculpture students and Faculty Ling-Wen Tsai critique their final projects: wearable and portable constructions crafted from recycled medical fabric. 2-5 pm Patterning and Sewing MECA Director of Continuing Studies and apparel designer, Cheslye Ventimiglia leads pattern making and sewing technique demonstrations. 3-6 pm MECA Metalsmiths MECA Metalsmithing and Jewelry students and Faculty Jeffrey Clancy demonstrate deconstruction of old jewelry, reconstructing new forms.
April 22, 2-5 pm MECA Printmakers MECA Printmaking students and Faculty Adriane Herman lead silkscreen demonstrations, creating various wearable items. 2-5 pm Patterning and Sewing MECA Director of Continuing Studies and apparel designer, Cheslye Ventimiglia leads pattern making and sewing technique demonstrations.
April 23, 6-8 pm MECA Runway Show
MECA students strut their stuff in an end-of-semester culminating event.
$5 donation suggested for the viewing public. Free to MECA community.
Featured in the gallery will be a range of printed apparel, deconstructed/reconstructed jewelry, 3-dimensional body extensions, portable structures, and material samples from community partner projects. Members of the public are invited to make or purchase their own wearable art in the ICA with materials provided.
The ICA at MECA is located at 522 Congress Street in Portland. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and First Fridays until 8 p.m. Admission is free. Phone 207.699.5029.
by trish on October 7, 2008
Today’s interview is with jewelry designer Judy Babin. She is currently a librarian and artist residing in Portland Maine. Most of her free time is spent teaching printmaking and metalsmithing at Artascope Studios in South Portland Maine.
Trish: How and when did you start designing jewelry?
Judy: I started designing and making jewelry about 8 years ago after taking a class in metalsmithing at the Maine College of Art in Portland Maine.
Trish: When did you start your own line of jewelry?
Judy: The line I have now really started just over the last few years. I was working part time last year and that allowed me to spend a lot more time researching techniques and more of the history of jewelry design. Also just walking my dog at the beach got me really thinking about my design esthetic a lot more and a real cohesive line of work started to grow.
Trish: Where do you turn for inspiration for your designs?
Judy: Nature inspires me a lot, and knitting and weaving. I like to try and reconfigure techniques I see in knitting, crocheting and weaving with metals.
Trish: What fashion trends, if any, are influencing your jewelry?
Judy: Fashion doesn’t really influence my work although I constantly devour fashion magazines! SD: What does your average day entail?
Right now my average day entails answering emails and checking for orders,
walking my dog and new baby and then getting to work on any orders and new pieces.
Most of the day I work on pieces and then check the computer. I’ll surf around on Flickr and Facebook, troll Craigslist and then try and post new images. Mostly I just try and create. I get too bored on the computer.
Trish: What does the future of your company look like?
Judy: I’d like to keep it small and manageable. I love just having sales from the internet because I can be pretty shy and that way I don’t have to face anyone! But really I’d like to get into a few local shops and just increase my internet sales. In the far future I’d like to have a my own tiny store front with a work bench in it.
Trish: Do you have a company mantra that helps you run your business?
Judy: Keep it simple.
Trish: What is the hardest part about being in business for yourself?
Judy: Doing taxes and keeping from slacking off. You do get lonely and find yourself talking to your pets more than you think is normal.
Trish: Who are your fashion icons (past or present)? Do you think they influenced your personal style?
Judy: Jackie Kennedy, she dressed so cleanly and simply. Always elegant. I guess I could say she remotely influenced my own personal style in that my clothing taste is simple to show off my jewelry designs. Then again I always loved Debbie Harry when she was in Blondie, so I’m a mix of tough and classy. But lately more tough.
Trish: If you had the choice of any jewelry designer in the world to work with/for, who would that be?
Judy: Arline Fisch, amazing metalsmith.
Trish: When you aren’t designing, what are you up to, any other things you are involved with you want to shout out?
Judy: I volunteer at a local art co-op called Artascope Studios in South Portland Maine. Everyone there teaches, sells their work, does the marketing and cleaning and just about everything else. It’s a great place to learn and share.
