Thursday, March 17, 2016

workschoolartworkschoolart

The back of the quilt looks so very calming from this angle

It's been a very busy past couple of weeks right now, and while it's slowed down a little, there's still the undergraduate thesis looming over my head that I need to have done in order to actually graduate. But a couple of exciting things happening/happened:

  • I got a position I applied for at the library I currently work at! This is very exciting for me - I've been working at the library for years, but now that this arc of schooling is coming to a close (if all goes well and that thesis writes itself, of course! what do you mean, theses don't write themselves?), I finally applied for the position. While it's also rather bittersweet (changes are underfoot), I am very happy about this step for me! Especially since I will be staying at the current location, which means I get to stay with a group I love.

  • I am currently part of a Juried BFA show at Gallery 1313, Queen St. W., Toronto! From what I understand, all of the participants are graduating students. The reception is this Saturday, March 19, from 3-6. This was very last minute (I only found out I was going to be in it last Wednesday), so I haven't had a chance to go see it myself just yet. This was a very pleasant surprise though, since I had been working on my own things not really too much a part of the print studio per se. (I was the one-student textile department beginning and probably ending with me once I graduate. That being said, I incorporated my work into my print practice to work alongside it, so I was technically still in the print studio...) My quilt & the accompanying book, The Plainest Weave, are currently in the show.
  • In addition to #2, I am also very proud to have been chosen to be a part of the Toronto Printmaking Coalition Exchange Print! More details on that later, but the exhibition of all the exchange prints will take place June 8 - July 3 @ Graven Feather, Toronto. I am happy to say that I am done my part for that, and while there was a hiccup or two along the way (as with much of print, really), I'm incredibly pleased with how they turned out. They came out better than the vision I had in my head when I started - love when that happens. I still have to deliver them to the organizers, but they're almost out of my hands now, hurrah!
  • More applications are due soon that I have to work on! 2 that I can think of right now, but that's not counting all the applications for gallery space & a grant that I've already sent out, in addition to the one for the job posting above (nevermind the fact that I also went for the interview).
  • THESIS. That's coming up. And while I have everything I need to write it up, there remains the fact that I have to actually do it. So I've been summarizing all the articles all over again, because I've forgotten much of what I read & wrote last semester when we had to submit proposals, and piecing things together. I think I'm at a good place right now for that though. And I do so want to graduate. I'm pretty done for now. A master's would be great... in a year or maybe three.
Most of this happened last week. Add a reception into that also. And the interview for the job. And Open House preparations for the Visual Arts department at York. It's been a long long week. It's been real fun, but I'm glad it's done with, and that most things are settled now.

In other news, I'm looking at my reading list this month, which has not flagged from January & Feburary (forthcoming). This is great! And we're only just 2/3 of the way through the month, which means there's time yet to be going through the pile of borrowed items and try to return some.


Guess what? I did end up needing that lifeline!

Also! After a couple of false starts, I've gotten past one section of my scarlet billows dress and started in on the next yarn. I'm really hoping once it's done it'll transition smoothly from one to the other, especially since I've only seen it in one lighting condition... I did end up needing to use the lifeline I cast through that increase row, which made it all worth it. And the chevron cardigan is done, done, and done! I haven't taken any pictures yet, but I have worn it out and about and gotten compliments, and I like the way it looks, but it's in sore need of some pockets. I'll be dedicating an entire post to that hopefully soon, but just a little sneak peak (in words): madtosh, while I love working with you, apart from the fact that you're superwash and I now have my reservations about that, I'd really appreciate it if you STOPPED BLEEDING ALL OVER MY OTHER CLOTHES. Unfortunately (fortunately?) it really only bleeds where there's also moisture, which means wearing it on a warm day + long day = can't take off the cardigan cause it's a 'lil obvious. I've tried soaking it in some vinegar & a couple more soaks to get rid of excess dye, and it's blocking out again now, so we'll see. I did soak it too long and the black buttons started to bleed onto the surrounding yarn, but hopefully it won't be too obvious. Madtosh. Whatever am I going to do about you?