art + craft

City scape

2012-01-27T08:00:00.001-05:00

New work, a photo by Lorie McCown on Flickr.

microbe 14

2012-01-22T08:49:00.001-05:00

microbe 14, a photo by Lorie McCown on Flickr.

Heading to the fair

2012-01-06T12:57:00.001-05:00

"memory verse" will be included in the Mid Atlantic Quilt show in Feb. It's included in the SAQA regional show 'Bending the Rules" More info coming! It's about 26x28" all overdyed and re-dyed fabric, mixed media. And a little poem from Emily Dickinson.Too..

Painting 2011

2011-12-31T17:07:00.001-05:00

Painting 2011, a photo by Lorie McCown on Flickr.

A selection of paintings done this year..

microbe 10

2011-12-26T21:59:00.001-05:00

microbe 10, a photo by Lorie McCown on Flickr.

Merry Christmas to all!

2011-12-24T15:11:00.002-05:00

dark landscape

2011-12-20T22:21:00.001-05:00

dark landscape, a photo by Lorie McCown on Flickr.

A snow scene

2011-12-16T06:44:00.002-05:00

Acrylic on canvas 18x24"

A word interlude.

2011-12-15T09:22:00.000-05:00

If this is the time of Time itself, it's a mean and lean season. Reason and hope find little to say in the jingle jangle news of the day. Patience with unanswered prayer runs out. Maybe even God prefers a little peace and quiet. But before it's too dark, too sad or too late, teach us to pray. A haze of holiday habit conceals the bottom line. Holy absence makes a heart grow hard, then harder, without a purpose or design. Teach us to pray, lest we who know the story best become accustomed to this restless season. Teach us to pray for a sign.

Scatter proud powers that refuse to imagine. Shatter the loud towers of Hate, the high walls of Forget. Lift the homeless whisper, the sigh that says, "Alone?" Fill the hungry emptiness that echoes in the marrow of our bones. When times are tough, a rumor of angels is never enough. We need holy terror to startle expectations, and altar/alter us with outrageous grace. Wreck our rational designs with celestial encounters. Let us hear the rustle of wings as we take out the trash. Teach us to pray.

A small essay from my friend Carole DuBois, an amazing writer and thinker. I am honored to call her my friend.

night journey

2011-12-13T08:16:00.001-05:00

night journey, a photo by Lorie McCown on Flickr.

December Views

2011-12-11T17:22:00.000-05:00

december views

Friday

2011-12-09T14:25:00.000-05:00

Knitting, the briny deep and sketchbook.

and this.. I hope it shows here.

Quiet Sunday in the studio

2011-12-04T16:05:00.000-05:00

Gorgeous chawan, love everything about this..

december views

December Views..

2011-12-03T17:50:00.000-05:00

It's that time of the year again, to become quiet and peaceful. I am participating in December Views, going to stick to pictures only for the month of December. Silence the din of the year.

a little Waterhouse to start off..

December views

Dress series continues

2011-11-28T14:05:00.000-05:00

New art dress entitled "Sackcloth and ashes'' Hand dyed fiber, discharged fabrics, hand and machine sewn, embellished.

About 65" long.

November color

2011-11-15T15:20:00.001-05:00

Because really, in the end nature is the best colorist.

Even the grays are better

A feeble attempt to duplicate.

Have you seen what Jude is working on?

waterdress

2011-11-08T08:22:00.002-05:00

waterdress, a photo by Lorie McCown on Flickr.

One of 4 art dresses I've made based on the 4 elements of earth, fire, air and

water. Made of hand dyed fabrics and fibers, each one took me over 2 weeks

to make. Hand and machine sewn, embroidered and appliqued. This dress is a

bit 'fish' shaped, with positive and negative kelp and fish shapes all over.

It's over 70" long and wearable. I have made hangers for all of them as well.

Here's a detail shot of the dress..

Maybe a 'wave' dress next..

fire dress

2011-11-04T08:21:00.002-04:00

fire dress, a photo by Lorie McCown on Flickr.

Here's a close up of the fiber and the stitching. Sheer overlays and overdyed silks and cottons..

earthdress

2011-11-01T06:59:00.001-04:00

earthdress, a photo by Lorie McCown on Flickr.

One of four art dresses I've sewn, based on the four elements, earth, air, water and fire.

Fiber Art Now Magazine

2011-10-24T13:04:00.000-04:00

There is a nice, new magazine out now "Fiber Art Now". The first issue is out, and my work and words are in there. Take a look..

It's a good mail day! If you like to see the rest, here's the link.

encroachment

2011-09-26T21:13:00.000-04:00

a bit about this piece...

Slowly but surely, the suburbs are coming together, like tectonic plates, moving toward the center. Houses are built; shopping centers are placed on top of hallowed battlefields, erasing all that once was. Abstracting two aerial views of my area, I've synthesized a coming together of the worlds. By enclosing the wild areas of our world, we are corralling the wild into the tame. I am again, striving for a meaningful piece of art, which encompasses my current concerns, as well as striving for an interesting and beautiful piece of art to view.

Finally Autumn...

2011-09-22T15:17:00.000-04:00

It was a very long and trial filled summer, and I'm glad it's over. I've been working on submission for shows, and also the Lazarus series of work, combining fiber and paint.

Lazarus III fiber, paint, canvas 20x20"

I hope the fall is a quiet, comtemplative time around here.

The last of the coneflowers are being harvested by the bees..

New work at Studio A

2011-09-01T15:25:00.000-04:00

It's always a sense of relief and unbelief to hang a show. All those hours of work, all that over thinking. Then it's hung, and pray to God it all looks good. My new solo show opens up tomorrow, Sept 2, at Studio A, in Fredericksburg Va.

It's been a summer of extremes, but at least I've made my studio time a priority. Fall is always a busy time with shows, art festivals and such. It pays off to be consistent in the studio.

"Lily" acrylic on wood 14x14"

Besides pricing, I think keeping the mojo going when all your work seems to be in the 'ugly' stages is the most difficult. Staring at a painting or fiber piece looking for it to start to 'sparkle' is agonizing sometimes. I feel most insecure about my paintings (today, ask me tomorrow). Maybe because it is what I was trained in, or maybe because painting has been so over analyzed, but it takes me as long to make a good painting as it does anything else.

'Moonrise' fiber 37x23"

If you are interested in any of the pieces, let me know, I've priced them very reasonably, and have a good supply on my hands. I'm also going to be participating in the Baltimore Inner Harbor Art Festival this month, check the side bar for more information.

Getting ready for a show

2011-08-20T16:42:00.000-04:00

My show at Studio A in F'burg opens on Sept. 1st, and the ensuing chaos is now in session.. So much on the to do list, I weary of it. But onward I go..

Work still going on, it will be done!

piles of stuff, ok, never going to be featured in "Studios' magazine! I know I know..

Art quilts and paintings.. all in a row.. not!!

On the easel (floor) right now..

And my son took a great class on street art, and has gone and done some work..Wonder where he gets his art gene from? :D Love it!

Etsy shop sale..

2011-08-15T15:30:00.000-04:00

Through the end of August! Here.

A story is like water

2011-08-06T10:57:00.001-04:00

A story is like water, a photo by Lorie McCown on Flickr.

Etsy store sale!

2011-07-23T12:14:00.001-04:00

The whole rest of July, I'm offering everything at 50% off, I need space! Go have a look, I'm listing new art every single day.

Art + Craft

up close and personal..

2011-07-22T07:09:00.000-04:00

Hand dyed and commercial fabrics. Hand and machine stitched, appliqued, quilted and embroidered. Going 3-d for these latest pieces.

city on the hill

2011-07-17T07:40:00.001-04:00

city on the hill, a photo by Lorie McCown on Flickr.

raising the surface

2011-07-13T10:20:00.001-04:00

raising the surface, a photo by Lorie McCown on Flickr.

seaside quilt

2011-07-12T20:27:00.001-04:00

seaside quilt, a photo by Lorie McCown on Flickr.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-07-06T21:40:00.000-04:00

microbe II

2011-07-02T20:55:00.001-04:00

microbe II, a photo by Lorie McCown on Flickr.

Words do matter

2011-06-28T21:34:00.000-04:00

Many many thanks to those who stop by and comment, look and keep up with this blog. It's not much of a word blog, there are plenty of those, but more of a visual and image blog. I do try and explain some of the thought process that goes into the making of the art. Much of my work is word related, if not exactly with text directly, but by books, movies and poetry. I have much admiration and a bit of envy when it comes to those who are, as the Irish say, have the gift of gab. Musicians, poets, and writers amaze me with being able to evoke a feeling or scene, merely by using words. Over simplified, perhaps, non the less, still an amazing feat.

I am very fortunate, that the well does not run dry for me. I do not have 'blocks' or lack inspiration. I do get lazy, and lack direction, occasionally. When this happens, I go back to the basics, line, form, shape, color, etc.. working in my sketchbooks, going back to black and white. Simplifing. Luckily, it does not happen a lot.

I work on several series at once. It does not confuse me to do so. I am lately very interested in bluring the line between 2-D and 3-D. Very interested, as well in dark to light and contrast, both in color and shapes.

And always hope for a little (or a lot!!) of narrative and story telling in the pieces.

Raising the surface and the bar a bit.

..and a little poetry to go on..

When my love comes and sits by my side,
when my body trembles and my eyelids droop,
the night darkens, the winds blow out the lamp,
and the clouds draw veils over the stars.
It is the jewel at my own breast that shines
and gives light. I do not know how to hide it."
Rabindranath Tagore

Lazarus II

2011-06-27T06:32:00.001-04:00

Lazarus II, a photo by Lorie McCown on Flickr.

Mixed media, acrylic and metalic paint, fiber, thread, fabric on wood. 20x20"

Farewell

2011-06-20T22:47:00.001-04:00

Farewell, a photo by Lorie McCown on Flickr.

Prairie poetry

2011-06-15T06:44:00.001-04:00

Prairie poetry, a photo by Lorie McCown on Flickr.

chesapeake color [explored]

2011-06-07T22:10:00.001-04:00

chesapeake color [explored], a photo by Lorie McCown on Flickr.

Library Show is up..

2011-06-03T10:56:00.001-04:00

My June show at the Central Rappahannock Library in Fredericksburg Va. is hung, and looks great. It's nice to see them all together in a great, well lit spot. It will hand the entire month of June. Normal library hours.
All works are for sale.

http://www.librarypoint.org/arts

Detail shot of "Prairie Poetry" hand and machine stitched, appliqued and embroidered.

New work

2011-05-29T19:44:00.001-04:00

"Taken refuge" 24x30" fiber/mixed media/hand dyed fabrics

Adding fiber and paint

2011-05-21T22:31:00.000-04:00

Mixing the media..

aspects of the 'lazarus' series

June Library Show

2011-05-17T14:13:00.000-04:00

Next up is my show at the Headquarters Library in Fredericksburg. .. Lots of new work going up! Here's a sample..

Acrylic on canvas 36x24"

Mixed media on board 18x18" Paint, fiber, thread, fabric.

..and of course some poetry!

When I kiss your face to make you smile, my darling,

I surely understand what pleasure streams from the sky in morning light,

and what delight that is that is which the summer breeze brings to my body

---when I kiss you to make you smile.

Rabindranath Tagore

Fredericksburg Art Festival

2011-05-13T15:16:00.000-04:00

If you are looking for something to do this weekend, come out to Hurkamp Park and visit the Festival. I will be there with new fiber work, and knitted items, tent #6. Sat. 10-5, Sun. 11-4.

Sketch book for May

2011-05-10T10:39:00.000-04:00

Doing pretty well keeping up. Lots of painting in it this week. Here's a peak. All of these are water color.

I don't always get to it each day, but I'm pretty consistant, week by week. No rules, just marks.

To the paint studio

2011-05-04T08:34:00.000-04:00

Also sewing some as well.

With all the news and world events, I retreat somedays to block out the constant chatter. The wonderful transitional season of Spring is here and with it, the blooms and green that can't help to inspire.

Nice way to start a Friday!

2011-04-29T08:01:00.000-04:00

That was fun to watch... Good luck!

New work

2011-04-25T18:28:00.000-04:00

The studio has been buzzing! I've worked on two new series of paintings. One is abstract and organic, one is figurative and moody. I love painting and I'm never giving it up. I have my sights set on a few shows to enter, so if I can get these done, photographed blah blah, I'm going for it. Painting is so personal for me, for some reason. Maybe just because I love it so. Here's a few studio shots. All of it is work in progress.

And of course, always something going on the sewing table. Lots of color.

Monday poem

2011-04-18T11:51:00.000-04:00

Love

My river runs to thee:
Blue sea, wilt welcome me?

My river waits reply.
Oh sea, look graciously!

I ’ll fetch thee brooks

From spotted nooks,—

Say, sea,

Take me!

Emily Dickinson (1830–1886)

From Jane Campion's movie "Bright Star"

The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef

2011-04-15T22:49:00.000-04:00

The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef exhibit in D.C. is coming to a close next week, still time to see this beauty! It's at the National History Museum.

An amazing display of nature and art coming together..

Words cannot describe the work done here. Hours and hours of crochet. With every type of fiber or non fiber you could imagine. Cassette tape, twist ties, every sort of yarn possible.

Color color color

These 'towers' were treasures. Fiber sculpture. Unbelievably beautiful.

All iridescent beads on this one

And a 'toxic' reef all made of plastic stuff, bottle tops, beer cans, netting, all types of trash.

Ends April 24th..

Poetry April

2011-04-11T08:59:00.000-04:00

WHEN I HEARD THE LEARN'D ASTRONOMER
by: Walt Whitman (1819-1892)

HEN I heard the learn'd astronomer,
When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in columns before me,
When I was shown the charts and diagrams, to add, divide, and measure them,
When I sitting heard the astronomer where he lectured with much applause in the lecture-room,
How soon unaccountable I became tired and sick,
Till rising and gliding out I wander'd off by myself,
In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time,

Look'd up in perfect silence at the stars.

Epiphanies

2011-04-08T12:54:00.001-04:00

Epiphanies , a photo by Lorie McCown on Flickr.

40x42" art quilt, made with hand dyed fabrics and fibers.

A visit to my LibertyTown studio

2011-04-05T09:08:00.000-04:00

Even though it's small, it's workable. This is my studio (#7) at LibertyTown Arts in downtown Fredericksburg. All the studios there are open, so people can stroll by and watch and talk to potters, painters, jewelers etc..

The whole building is a converted garage.

Obiviously, a working studio! No pretense here. This is the work in progress area..

Almost every single thing in here is for sale (well, not the sewing machine) And I try to put new things in every single month.

DC museum visit

2011-04-02T22:34:00.002-04:00

museum visit, a photo by Lorie McCown on Flickr.

I was very tired at this point! Hit The National Art gallery and the Textile Museum..

Just for today

2011-03-31T16:32:00.000-04:00

Because today has been an exceptionally trial-filled day, I want to reverse this. So for the first 5 people to comment on this post will receive something hand made from me. A freebie. Because I believe the universe works this way.
Please email your address to me, LHmccown@verizon.net , and I will get it to you. The bad ju ju ends now.

The wave of goodness is going to wash over us!

a quiet time for now

2011-03-29T12:35:00.000-04:00

Still working daily, although my photo taking has slacked off. I'm trying to limit the online time, and photo editing really does eat up a lot of time. Good to keep track of the work, though, since my brain tends to forget these days.

Watching the blooms start to do their thing. And taking in the season of change and growth. New work postings soon. A small sample of work going on . Mostly textile and paint.

..and some new growth here too.

Then he found the sea

2011-03-23T07:24:00.001-04:00

Then he found the sea a photo by Lorie McCown on Flickr.

Farewell

2011-03-19T15:17:00.001-04:00

Farewell a photo by Lorie McCown on Flickr.

Working on smaller works lately, as well as in the painting studio. Spring finally seem to be here, so farewell to winter.

Then he found the sea

2011-03-16T08:38:00.001-04:00

Then he found the sea a photo by Lorie McCown on Flickr.

Because it looks very watery out there today..

Up for auction..

2011-03-13T22:12:00.000-04:00

A traditonal quilt I did is up for auction for a worthy cause, if you are so inclined, here.

a bit of textile history for a friday.

2011-03-11T08:18:00.001-05:00

I had the great pleasure of seeing this in person, back in the 1990's. It's enormous. It's about 230 feet (yes) long. It's in amazing condition, considering it's 970 years old, and a textile. The Bayeux Tapestry is really not a tapestry, but a long, narrative embroidery. It documents the battle of Hastings in 1066, and was commissioned and made shortly after that. If you'd like to read more, there is a nice link here.

abstraction

2011-03-07T17:34:00.000-05:00

How do you feel about pure abstraction? I'm finding it very hard to completely eliminate any sort of narrative from my work. I always want to go beyond the form/line/color formal elements of art making. Always. So since I'm uncomfortable with this style, as my year of stretching my boundries continue, I am tackling this one. So how does..

Mark Rothko's work do for you (not his life, now, just his work)..

Jackson Pollock's work... or

How about Richard Diebenkorn's work?

Friday!

2011-03-04T06:30:00.001-05:00

At last! Here are a few pieces I've been working on. Smaller, this time.

This is 'Farewell" about 14x20 with a lot of hand dyed fabrics.

and a detail..

Looking forward to first Fridays at the galleries tonight! Looks like some good are to view here and here.

"Viewpoints" National show entry

2011-03-02T08:46:00.000-05:00

New piece that was juried into "Viewpoints" National show at the FCCA, here in Fredericksburg. Looks like a lot of great art. I'm looking forward to First Fridays! "Do as I say" is about 36x52", fiber and fabric, hand and machine quilted, appliqued and embroidered.

Mid Atlantic Quilt Festival.

2011-02-26T21:27:00.000-05:00

If you are on FaceBook, I've posted a bunch of photos of the quilts on display there.

Album of work here

no words wednesday

2011-02-23T14:44:00.000-05:00

a new home

2011-02-20T21:07:00.002-05:00

For this piece, thank you for purchasing real art! I love these landscape pieces. This scenery is all around me here in Va. Sadly disappearing, but there are still hold outs..

and more

'The Lazarus Effect' Film from (RED) & HBO

2011-02-18T14:55:00.000-05:00

heart

2011-02-14T15:01:00.000-05:00

Ah February, what is it about this month? It makes me crazy. I think it's like August, because it comes at the end of a long season. Anyway, been sort of working on some yarn love.

and I'm not sure what this is going to be yet, but it is shaping into something nice, I think.

this picture is hanging on the inspiration board, holes, tatters and all

japanese boro

no words. just art today.

2011-02-09T09:43:00.000-05:00

color

2011-02-03T23:15:00.000-05:00

Color, beyond what it is, it's the thing we all seem to have an opinion on. I remember teaching a class and a student said she had hated the color green. At the time, it didn't occur to me to ask why, but I suppose it is because she equated it with an unpleasant memory. An interesting thought, to eliminate an entire color based on a feeling. One that may need to be explored, perhaps?

I can confess that color is an area where I tend to show absolutely no restraint.

Maybe something to consider in this month of colornessness. To make work with no color or at least to limit the color choices.

But not here.

small reading break..

2011-02-02T11:48:00.000-05:00

Just a day or two to read Karen Marie Moning's latest.. then back to work. I loved her "Fever' series, and am sorry to see it end..

more work

2011-01-29T19:13:00.000-05:00

I've updated my website with new work..

http://www.loriemccown.com/

thankfulness..

2011-01-28T10:55:00.000-05:00

I'm loving Valerie's 'Thankfulness project' what wonderful, tactile way of expressing our thankfulness.

Read about it here

2011-01-25T16:07:00.000-05:00

more shots from the FCCA show, ends this weekend.

2011-01-22T17:04:00.001-05:00

two together

2011-01-19T17:55:00.000-05:00

I thought it might be nice to see these two together, since they are of the same place..

More moving water

2011-01-14T07:20:00.000-05:00

"A story is like water" fiber hand and machine quilted,stitched and embroidered. 37x30" available.

moving water

2011-01-12T09:00:00.000-05:00

my fiber work

2011-01-11T09:41:00.002-05:00

my fiber work
Originally uploaded by Lorie McCown

a small sampling of stitches I have laid down on cloth and paper.

FCCA show preview..

2011-01-07T09:15:00.002-05:00

Here are some shots of my show at the FCCA in Fredericksburg Va. Opening is tonight 6-8:30pm and goes through the end of January.. it's a mix of new paintings and art quilts.

I made 4 element dresses, air, water, earth, sky. A slightly selfish symbol of the clothing I used to sew. Old habits don't die, they just become art pieces. I enjoyed making them, and breaking away from squares and rectangles. I'm exploring the art quilt/sculpture form, I love the idea of it.

"My earth dress" .. can you see it?

"My air dress" wonderful hand dyed fabrics and ribbons.

"My fire dress" and "My water dress" again, countless stitching hours spent on these.

I really enjoyed working on this show. To anyone who is in a show, START EARLY! It takes 10x more time than you think in will to do. On top of that, I broke my ankle in early October, so I was becoming quite clever at scooting around my chair from easel to work table. I was not quite done hanging when I took these, no tags etc.. but I have a tendency to forget to take the pictures. All pieces are for sale and will hang all January at the FCCA.

...and more to see

2011-01-04T12:32:00.000-05:00

after months of house neglect, christmas-y things and countless hours spent in my cold hole studio..

a forest fire..

seeds sewn by the wind

and a stroll through the grass

Solo January show..

2011-01-02T18:17:00.001-05:00

Is finally getting hung tomorrow, I'll post a bunch of stuff, here and on my facebook page.. a few previews..

Equal parts new paintings and fiber art quilts.. PLUS an installation of 4 'dresses' !!

"Benevolent Field" acrylic on canvas 30x30"

"On the riverbank" acrylic on canvas 12x12"

Makoto Fujimura

2010-12-27T09:34:00.004-05:00

Makoto Fujimura - The Art of "The Four Holy Gospels" from Crossway on Vimeo.

God Bless Us Everyone!

2010-12-24T10:27:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas!

December views

2010-12-23T15:21:00.000-05:00

quiet of winter

2010-12-21T06:58:00.000-05:00

working in the studio sewing and painting away.

Winter studio time

2010-12-19T18:25:00.000-05:00

2010-12-16T13:53:00.000-05:00

a little colorful knitting!

snow poem

2010-12-14T07:27:00.001-05:00

december views

Perhaps a cup of java with that stitching?

2010-12-11T11:56:00.001-05:00

Two of my favorite things!

december views

colors of the land

2010-12-09T22:54:00.001-05:00

december views

my favorite

2010-12-08T08:58:00.003-05:00

december views

first snowflakes

2010-12-05T08:45:00.001-05:00

but didn't stick yet.

december views

tonight!

2010-12-03T07:16:00.000-05:00

studio inspriations

2010-12-02T08:51:00.000-05:00

december views

In like a lion

2010-12-01T07:56:00.000-05:00

december views

Silence in December

2010-11-30T17:39:00.001-05:00

I don't normally post twice in a day, but I am participating in "December Views" which I will only post visual images the whole month of December. I loved doing it the last two years, and can't wait to get the camera out again.. I may break in for some shameless promotion of my show starting in January, but you can handle it, right? So enough of the chatty chat.

http://www.hippyurbangirl.com/december-views/

working hard...

2010-11-30T14:10:00.000-05:00

Lots of studio time.

which is good..

nice shot of the Rappahannock river, in many of the new pieces.

water, land, earth and sky.

State of grace

2010-11-22T08:03:00.001-05:00

My new January solo show I'm working feverishly on is entitled "Elemental Grace" and is based on the four elements, fire, water, air, earth in as many ways as I can muster. Mainly focused on landscape and organic forms. The works are paintings and art quilts. The show opens Jan 3, 2011... here in Fredericksburg at the Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts.. here are a few pieces of the chaos ( I am a chaos creator, not an order creator) that is ensuing

All pieces are available for sale..

wave action, the movement of water

no excuse, but hey it works and it's all in one spot

I am quite happy with how the painting is going.

and listening to them, because they are full of grace.

I believe 2011 is going to be a very busy year...

in the studio

2010-11-09T10:50:00.002-05:00

After a bit a of taking care of health, hearth, and home, I have moved to the studio for some cloth and thread therapy and dreams. Of wide open spaces, clear blue skies and fields as far as the eye can see. You have driven past them all your life, haven't you? I have.

And the rivers, streams, brooks and creeks, wending their way around the earth. All the elements moving, moving and moving. We tend to think of them as static and unchanging, I think. But water, in particular, is such a force, even when still on top of a lake.

yes, even in the quiet shushing of the shoreline wave. Still moving moving moving.