The New York dating scene

Word on the street here in Brooklyn is that the male-female ratio in New York City favors men, creating an environment where men have the upper hand in dating relationships, and can "get away with" unkind behavior. Is this true? I don't know, but I do know that dating does not always inspire the most truthful interactions. By truthful, I mean being true to one's heart.

The Embroidered Art Journal -- My September class at Pratt

Well, the artist talk at the Center for Book Arts last week was fabulous. I was in wonderful company, and was impressed by the other artists' work, and their public speaking skills. I really felt as if it were a communal experience: there were common threads among our work. One of the audience members wrote a lovely review on her blog. You can check it out here. 

My next adventure will be teaching at Pratt this fall in the Center for Continuing and Professional Studies on West 14th Street in Manhattan. I encourage you to sign up! Unfortunately, the Pratt web site is down until August 18th, so if you'd like to register, call 212-647-7199. Here are the details:

The Embroidered Art Journal: Embroidery as Narration and Illustration

This introductory workshop on embroidery and artist books will begin with making a sampler of 12 embroidery stitches and learning some basics about how to work with different fibers and fabrics. Your instructor will work with you to develop concepts for an artist book that incorporates embroidery and other media. Emphasis will be on the creative process, and the application and use of new skills and materials. In addition to experimenting with embroidery, you will be asked to record information in visual and/or textual form during and in between each class. You can do this in any way you choose: by keeping a conventional sketchbook or diary; writing a blog; taking photographs; making paintings or sculptures; even recording notes in your iPhone or through emails or text messages. The goals of this course are to become comfortable with embroidery and fabric; practice engagement with your daily visual and social environment; develop a project from initial concept to artistic execution; and participate in a group environment where new artwork and ideas are created and shared.

Topics include: 

A vocabulary of embroidery stitches; the basics of fabrics and fiber materials; 

conventional and unconventional materials in embroidery;

transferring images and text onto fabric;

drawing and writing with embroidery;

text as a primary artistic medium; 

an introduction to book arts, including blogs.

Prerequisite: No previous experience with embroidery, sewing, or book arts needed.

• Section 1: W 6:30–9:30 PM

5 sessions Sept 2-30

Iviva Olenick

• Section 2: Su 9:30 AM–12:30 PM

5 Sessions Nov 15–Dec 20

Iviva Olenick

PMDA 104 1.5 C.E.U.s $195

Antique fabric and what I'm dreaming of

I love when my artwork helps bring new friends into my life. Paula Overbay, a fellow artist I met at the recent Affordable Art Fair in New York City passed on to me a wonderful piece of antique, Irish fabric. The piece at left is how I am using this delicate lace.

This piece, when finished, will hold a collection of my aphorisms or "post-it notes;" my small-scale comments on fabric. I think of it as a text quilt.

So far, the piece says:

"I'm mourning the relationship we never had, and thinking

of the ways I would have loved you."

"I don't want to be the girl

you call for homework.

I want to be the girl you

go out with Friday night."

Somehow, as a single 34-yr-old woman, dating still reminds me of how I felt in high school.

 

Update on Social (Virus) Exhibit

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I participated recently in an exhibit at non-profit NurtureArt Gallery in Bushwick, Brooklyn. What made this exhibit special was the age of the curators. They are high school students in the Juan Morel Campos Secondary School. 

My piece consisted of two small narrative embroidery pieces (at left), and my blog entry. I left a small notebook where viewers could leave comments. Here is my favorite comment:

"I think this work reflects me in the best way possible. I think I should lose the glasses, too."

Social (Virus) exhibit

I found out that I will be exhibiting an entry from this blog in an exhibit held at NurtureArt, a non-profit gallery in Brooklyn, NY. The exhibit is unusual in that the curators are high school students participating in NurtureArt's education program. I'm excited to be working with people outside of the art world's mainstream. I loved high school and the intellectual and social energy I had at that age. I hope this exhibit reflects some of that. I am thrilled, also, that my blog is understood to be part of my art.

Check out my "Facebook, blogging, Twitter" entry to see what I will exhibit. And if you're in the New York area, the show opens on Thursday, May 14 from 6-8pm at NurtureArt: 910 Grand Street. Visit their web site for travel directions.

Image above is the cover of a notebook I created so that visitors can comment on my blog in analog format.