Conversations

This marks the beginning of a series of drawings that I am working on utilizing text from my internet correspondence with a mentor about anxieties as a student and artist.

Object and Power

Waiting for me, it collected dust. A burden. I held on to it hoping to fix it or salvage it in some way. It was not the most intellectually stimulating piece. It was however, the most technically challenging piece I have ever made.

Tactile Satisfaction

Two friends sit in a small room with an excess amount of bubble wrap and the goal of popping it all. The enjoyment gained from this seemingly therapeutic action is quickly exhausted as time passes and hands grow sore.

My first attempt at the non-visual, depicting my relationships with three different men simultaneously. Many thanks to those that participated.

Doodles

These diptychs contain drawings copied exactly from doodles found in my sketchbook from the Spring of 2006 paired with text chosen at random from the same page in the book. This represents a small selection from a series containing all of the doodles from this sketchbook.

Sheet

Samples From Three Years Past, fabric cut from a flannel sheet used by the artist and her former partner during the winter months of a relationship lasting three years

Tea Paintings

Engage in an activity that generates a record of itself.

On Saturday September 26th at approximately 10:30pm, I glued two squares of canvas to the sole of each shoe, one at the heel and one at the toe. I then left home and went to a dance party. I returned home at 3:00am and removed my shoes.

On Sunday September 27th at approximately 8:50am, I glued two squares of canvas to the sole of each shoe, one at the heel and one at the toe. I then left home to go to work. It was raining outside which caused the pieces to fall off almost immediately.

Later on Sunday September 27th at approximately 10:00 am, I glued one square of canvas to the sole of my right shoe at the toe. At 12:00pm, I removed this canvas and replaced it with a clean square. This action was repeated every two hours during my 9 hour shift until approximately 6:00pm.

On Monday September 28th at approximately 6:30 am, I glued two squares of canvas to the sole of each shoe, one at the heel and one at the toe. I then left home to go into Boston for class. In walking from the Mission Hill building at the SMFA to the main building and back, all but one square fell off before 9:00am.

Thus...13 "paintings" were made.

Studio

Some images of my new studio at the SMFA!

InsideOut Sale

These pieces were entered into an annual sale that takes place at the SMFA's Gallery to benefit student scholarships.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/insideoutsmfa


Sample (Warmth), feather from the inside of the down comforter found on the artists bed. 2009


Four Samples From Three Years Past, four pieces of fabric cut from a flannel sheet used by the artist and her former partner during the winter months of a relationship lasting three years. 2009

The Desire for Evidence: Documenting the Ephemeral

A performance by Marylin Arsem, documented by her class at the SMFA.


The performance began outside the main entrance. Marylin gave the class instructions.

1. Don't talk.
2. Follow me.


We followed her across the street, photographing and videotaping as we went. We came to a stream, next to which was a large tree.


3. Join me one at a time behind this tree, but wait until the person ahead of you leaves the tree before you follow.


Kirk went behind the tree and walked away within a couple of minutes, Daisy followed, then Sarah, followed by myself and finally Jody.


Once behind the tree, standing with Marylin face to face we were given more instructions.


4. Close your eyes
5. Listen
6. Think of the question you've been asking yourself
7. When you've found it, ask yourself silently

She then placed her hands in her pockets and agitated what sounded like multiple small objects. She pulled one object from each pocket and held them in each fist.

8. Choose a hand

I chose the hand that was occupied by her wedding ring. We were each handed a small round object.

The last instruction...

9. Walk back to the atrium, don't look at the object until you get there and you can choose to share the object with the others if you want to.

The objects were small wooden disks each with its own inscription. Mine said:

"What did you overlook?"

Paper Girl Project Northampton

http://www.papergirlnorthampton.com/project








All hair and thread on paper. Work made over the summer for the Paper Girl Project.

Page Markers from the Library of...

I have a show up in the Paul M. Scott Library at Montserrat College of Art. On display is a new installation of the piece Page Markers from the Library of a Deceased Sculptor and His Daughter.




I began collecting these page markers while working for a local painter. Her father was a fairly well known sculptor of the 1950's and part of my job was to organize her and her fathers library. I began to think about the history behind these small pieces of paper, the pages that they marked, and the person who placed them there. The library seemed an ideal place for these to be displayed. I am not sure how long the show will be up at this point, either until the end of this week or next. Many thanks to Chelsea Sams for the opportunity.

Artrageous!23

Hello-

My work will also be on display in Montserrat's Artrageous!23 auction this year. The auction is May 9th at 5:30 pm at 75 Sylvan Street in Danvers, MA. Proceeds support scholarships for students at Montserrat College of Art.

Venus (Pattern: CB225, Color: Mocha)
fabric sample, upholstery, thread, fiberfill, 6" x 2"

Show in the Paul M. Scott Library

I will be showing some recent work in an exhibit in the library at Montserrat. The show will open on May 8th and I will be giving an artist talk in the library at some point that week. I will post more details as they come, if anyone is interested.

Coffee Cup Show

Conscience keeps more people awake than coffee (Author Unknown)
fabric, battery-operated light, coffee cup

Recently participated in the Coffee Cup Show in the Paul M. Scott Library at Montserrat College of Art. This show was the beginning of new programing using the library as a gallery space led by Chelsea Sams. The show was juried by Gordon Arnold and I won a lovely grand prize for the piece below.

A morning without coffee is like sleep (Author Unknown)
fabric, thread, fiberfill, feather, coffee cup

Domestic History comes down

After a month, I removed the work. While I kept the fabric for future projects, the stuffing became a fleeting installation of foam, fiberfill, and feathers inside the dumpster behind the building.

Postcard

I also need to give credit to Spencer Bowen who designed these beautiful cards for the show!

A Domestic History of Beverly, MA (comfort)

I recently had an installation at Frame 301 an alternative installation space at Montserrat College of Art. The space is curated by Maggie Cavallo.

Inside the Frame 301 window space, used fabric that I had collected over four months was hung in a grid or quilt-like pattern. These fabrics have been found specifically on the streets of Beverly and have been stained, worn, and discarded by their owners. The fabric has been removed from pillows and seat cushions.

Beverly is a haven for dumpster divers and trash-collecting art students. I have been contemplating why things are so easily discarded and replaced. How something, especially fabrics and cushions; whose intent is to make us comfortable and who have had so much contact with the human body, are so easily disregarded. Becoming a memorial-like window display, I hoped that viewers might have been able to reflect on the lives that these fabrics may have had, or that former owners might have recognized this material that once occupied their home. This piece evidenced a history of comfort, rest, sleep, human error, and anything that took place on or around these objects during their lives as occupants of a home in Beverly, Massachusetts.

For more images please feel free to visit: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=194934&id=822645343&l=7a92703d0f

For more information: Frame 301 Gallery Archives