Thinking about titles, and other things.

http://elizabethbarton.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-importance-of-being-titled.html
An interesting blog about the importance of titles by master quilter Elizabeth Barton!

We were talking about titles in class today with Tamara Tweel, which got me thinking. I love titling my work. It's almost my favorite part of making something. When it's coming together, I have thoughts about it, whether to make it apparent what exactly I am thinking with the piece, or hide my intentions, or just go with the ever classic 'untitled' and let the public translate for themselves. I usually over think titles, and under think presentation. It's something i need to work on!

Reading so much about femininity and feminism, and everything that has gone into culture to bring women to where we are today, I am reminded of my luck. Reading the book The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf, written in the 90's but still very relevant, I can't help but think about relationships I have had in the past, where I would try so hard to be thin and made up and beautiful. It wasn't for me that I was doing these things, and I remember obsessing and stressing. I count myself lucky that today I am in a relationship where when I dress up, I do it for myself, and when I lost weight, I do it for myself. I am lucky enough to be in a supportive and loving relationship.

I know this blog is about art but I just thought i'd share what my research has got me thinking about today!

Arrowmont

Sitting at a computer in the BEAUTIFUL Arrowmont library. This whole campus is just amazing, very comfortable and peaceful. Who would think there is a street full of tourist trap goodness right down the driveway!
Just finished with an Abstract Quilt workshop with Elizabeth Barton. She was a very good teacher, helping all of us to achieve good design and teaching me the basics of quilting. She opened my eyes with a few new tools. I was especially amazed by the darning foot for a sewing machine which allowed me to sew a freehand pattern onto my first ever properly made art quilt. The dye process for the fabric was also incredibly exciting. I immediately went back to my room and ordered dyes so I can do it at home!

Being away from home and immersed in art is an experience everyone should try. I plan to come back here every year, finances willing, or try a different art institution to get my fix. It allowed me to work in a new and exciting way, to change my style and way of thinking about work. I also learned valuable skills that I will hopefully take into my thesis work.

Elizabeth was a big help in pointing me towards some great female artists. Here is a list of some that we used as information or learned about:
Sonia Delaunay
Lee Krasner
Agnes Martin
Julia Loffredo Triebes
Mary Fedden
Elaine De Kooning
Beverly Pepper
Joan Mitchell
Helen Frankenthaler
Yayoi Kusama *
Lee Bontecou *
Bridget Riley
Eva HEsse
Rosie Lee Tompkins (Effie Mae Howard) *
Pat Stein
Elizabeth Murray *
Amy Sillman
Rachel Whitehead
Tracy Emin *
Ghada Amer *
Tomma Abts
Tara Donovan *
Sun Kwak *

The ones with the stars next to them are the women I was particularly inspired by.
Also she suggested Diane Itter