For the time being, continuing to make these little houses inspired by the Sheltering in Place project seems right and appropriate. There is something reassuring about making work that directly relates to this unusual time and that has the power to add a positive spin.
The in-process piece I showed you two posts ago is now finished. Here all the sides are laid out and ready to assemble. I planned the imagery so that it would wrap continuously around the corners.
The ferns in detail
It has been exciting to discover needle-weaving as a concise (although slow) means of creating richly textured images. It also serves to make the most of the color variations found in variegated threads.
The corner images of this shot and the next illustrate a fuller idea of the piece as a whole
As the ferns turn the corner, the dogwood branches add to the sense of woodland.
In speaking with a friend who is a plant expert, I was bemoaning the fragility of the branches I’d collected in our woods to make “Cocooned”. I wanted to find something more flexible to use going forward.
Cocooned ©2020 Elizabeth Fram, 20″H x 11″W x 14″D overall, house dimensions 9″H x 6″W x 4.5″D, Wrapped-resist dye on silk with foraged branches. I barely dare to take this out of the studio because the branches are so brittle.
I told her I had hoped to be able to use plant material from our property, but figured I was out of luck because we don’t have any willow trees. She suggested I try our red-twig dogwood. It was a great idea. The dogwood branches have made a world of a difference, resiliently bending and springing back as I manhandle the piece while stitching it together. Their lovely red color and the fact that my dogwood needed a good pruning was an added bonus.
Cultivating an Oasis ©2020 Elizabeth Fram, 27’H x 15″W x 16″D overall, house dimensions 9″H x 6″W x 4.5″D, Wrapped-resist dye and embroidery on silk with foraged branches.
Titles are often the last big hurdle to finishing a piece. I try to come up with something brief that conveys the spirit of the work while offering a window into what was going through my mind in the making. “Cultivating An Oasis” is meant to communicate how valuable it’s been to have a garden to tend in isolation.
Due to the overall repetition, and my struggle to come up with pithy titles, it made sense to choose a series name and then to number each piece within it. If that method was good enough for Richard Diebenkorn, it surely works for me.
After much thought, I decided to go with “Retreat” as an umbrella title for these latest little houses. After all, a retreat can be seen from two opposing angles: as a withdrawal from danger or as a quiet and secluded place of comfort.
And doesn’t that dichotomy speak exactly to our experiences at home these past months?
Retreat #1 (left) & #2 (right) ©2020 Elizabeth Fram, Wrapped-resist dye on silk with foraged branches
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It’s occurred to me that of the ten COVID selfie images I’ve completed so far, eight are those of artists. I feel very lucky to have found such a vibrant tribe of creative souls since moving to Vermont!
Michelle ©2020 Elizabeth Fram, 11 x 8.5 inches, Ink and colored pencil on paper
I’ve written about Michelle’s work before, ironically almost exactly a year ago. She is continually pushing herself and her process. I encourage you to check out her website and her Instagram account.
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And for those of you who may have missed this, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I love what you have done with this theme, especially carrying the images from one panel to another.
Thanks Carol. They’ve been fun to make.
This series as really grown on me. I love the colorful houses, the new stitches and the use of twigs. Something very powerful and yet playful for these unusual times.
“powerful yet playful” – what a gratifying compliment! Thank you Margaret.
Betsy, the branches I used for the Sheltering in Place project were red twig dogwood because of their blood red color. They are flexible but they dry out to completely brittle over time. That’s why I couldn’t move the SinP installation, it was just too brittle
This is helpful info Hasso – many thanks. Hopefully it won’t be too much of a problem on this smaller scale. At least they hold their flexibility during the making which is when it’s most important. I’ll have to do a bit of research….
Thank you. I love reading you first of all on Friday morning, before having to turn to whatever the daily horror is. That said, I so often think of how totally privileged these times are for me. Honestly so little to worry about on a personal level, at least when compared to so many others. I wonder what one of your houses might look like to represent those “others.” I’m not saying there would not be joy and color in the world, but also great fear, hunger, loss. Sorry to go off the rails with you here. Maybe it IS time to read the NYT! Regardless, thank you for your work.
This is such an important comment/response! I will take it to heart – my brain is already spinning. Thank you adding depth to the conversation.
I can feel your spirit of gratitude in these little houses. The needle-weaving really catches my eye as it adds definition and texture. Thank you for sharing your work. I always look forward to seeing it and hearing your thoughts on process.
Many thanks for noticing and appreciating the details, Lynn.
Love the series, especially the fern embroidery house. Keep up the exciting work. Dianne
Thanks Dianne!
I just love your house project, I can tell it comes from your heart.
Your selfie images are amazing! You capture the reality of now. I’m not sure, but I see a little anxiety or worry in Michelle’s face, a slight smile that really wants to be a full out happy smile. Looking forward to the end of this current period in our lives. Beautiful work!
I really appreciate your encouragement, Donna – re: both the houses and the selfies. Grateful to have both as a means of getting through this time. I’m with you, it will be lovely when this period is in the rearview mirror. Thank you!