I'm launching a new online series

I'm feeling the need to make a commitment to something that will feed my inner artist on a day-to-day basis. I still have a corporate job that keeps me busy most days and leaves me tired most evenings. And yet, I'm also very committed to growing as an artist. Part of that growth is keeping the creative fires stoked on days when I'm not able to be in the studio. Several years ago my friend Sherill Gross (http://sagworks.wordpress.com) embarked on the ambitious project to created a completed work for art almost every day for an entire year. The result was a wonderful series of cut paper works and an accompanying book titled, "2007 one-a-(week)day." Sherill inspires me on many levels, high on the list being her dedication to her craft.

I'm setting the same challenge for myself, but keeping it simple. I'm totally enthralled with TileDeck, an iOS app that let's you create color doodles that you can then arrange in various different tessellation patterns. It's really cool; perhaps even a little addictive. So here's what I'm going to do (at least what I'm planning to do): I will create and post one new pattern every day for the next year. That's all--just one image each day; no narrative. I just realized that I'm holding my breath and sitting on the edge of my seat as I type this. That means something. I think it's apprehension. This project won't be demanding work. On the contrary, it's going to be fun. The apprehension I'm feeling is about making a commitment to myself that I might fail to keep. But, that's casting myself a bit too far into the future. For now, let's just make a start...

You can see the daily posts here or by clicking the "365 patterns" link under "Portfolio" in the menu bar, above.

"Illuminations" online gallery posted

The online gallery for the Art Cloth Network show "Illuminations" is now live. The show, juried by Bruce Hoffman, is one of our strongest ever. I'm so very proud of this group of artists, of what we've accomplished, and of how much growth I've seen since joined. Check out this fine exhibition on our Behance site at http://www.behance.net/gallery/Illumination/13426437.

Fallow time

The last few months have been a bit of a dry time for me in the studio. A mixture of happy and not-so-happy life events have combined to create an emotional roller coaster that’s left me feeling rather overwhelmed and unproductive. On the positive side, Dan and I got legally married and escaped to the Caribbean for a week of warmth with friends. That happiness stood in sharp juxtaposition to other events, such as the death of a friend, work stress, and the seasonal malaise that seems to be epidemic this winter. Given my temperament, unproductive and overwhelmed live just around the corner from guilt, obsession, and worry. Not pretty, but I’m working on that. Like most everyone this year, I’m eagerly awaiting the permanent arrival of spring—not this 70’s-one-day-and-snow-the-next stuff. Spring is about renewal and rebirth, and yet I’m trying to look at this not-so-great studio time as fallow time. Good stewardship of the land requires that a field not be planted every season or always with the same crop. Periodically, cropland needs to be allowed to regenerate, often through planting with a fallow crop that promotes soil enrichment. We too need time to regenerate. I feel that I’ve harvested a lot of good things from the my field—my studio—over the past few years, and yet it's so easy to fall prey to the expectation of continuous growth and continuous harvest.

So for now, I’ve got a commission piece is process, and I’m experimenting with ideas for a new series—and, I’m trying to be patient with myself. That’s easier said than done, but I’m trying.

Art Cloth Network accepting membership applications

I've been a member of the Art Cloth Network for several years. It's been a great experience. I've met some extremely talented artists who've helped me grow as and artist and as a person. We're currently accepting membership applications. If you're interested, please read the notice below and consider applying. The application deadline is March 15, 2014.

Art Cloth Network is open for new members! If you'd like information about the group, see our website at http://artclothnetwork.com.

Members of the Art Cloth Network find that the opportunities for community, conversation, sharing of techniques, inspiration and resources benefit our art and creativity. We have recently increased our membership limits to 30 members in good standing, including those on formal leave. When the number falls below 30, we accept new member applications. We currently have openings for up to eight new members.

The current deadline for membership applications is March 15, 2014, and you may send in your application materials at any time prior to the deadline. You will be notified by April 15, 2014 whether your application has been approved.

Send a request to jeanne@jeannesisson.com in order to receive detailed information and application instructions.

See ACN Interpretations online

The Art Cloth Network "Interpretations" show just finished what I've heard was a very successful run in the FiberSpace at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles. Now you can see the pieces from the Exhibit online by visiting the ACN portfolio on Behance at http://www.behance.net/gallery/Interpretations/10621347.

Festival was a big success

Although we loaded in while it was raining, closed an hour early on Sunday, and loaded out with sleet bouncing off our heads, last week's Festival of Lights was a big success. Many thanks to all of you who came out to shop and support the event. If you missed the event and are still looking for that special gift for yourself our someone else, please stop by my online store at shop.russlittlefiberartist.net.

Art+Craft Fair this weekend (Dec 7-8)

You absolutely must put this event at the top of your "to do" list for this weekend. See great work, meet the artists, and purchase original, meaningful gifts for yourself and others. This will be my 3rd year having a booth at this show, and it get's better every year!

Saturday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Sunday, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Click here for a map to the Greenbelt Community Center.

Can't make it to the show? Check out the online shopping opportunities at shop.russlittlefiberartist.net

Successful "Small Business Saturday"

Yesterday I hosted the first open studio event in my new studio to kick off the holiday sales season and mark "Small Business Saturday." I'm happy to report that it was a big success. It was great to welcome a few folks into the new space. It was also just the right kick in the pants that I needed to get me to clean up and put a few things on the walls!

New art cloth added to my portfolio

Illumination- Shockwave FULL

I've just added three recently completed art cloth pieces to my online portfolio. Click the images below to visit the individual pages in the portfolio, where you'll find more images and details about each piece.

Illumination- Stripped DETAIL 1

Illumination- Counting FULL

Buy my wearable art at the Festival of Lights

I'll be exhibiting at the Greenbelt Festival of Lights Art & Craft Fair, Dec 7-8 at the Greenbelt Community Center in Greenbelt, MD. This will be my 3rd year participating. It's a juried show with outstanding vendors, a great local event, and an excellent way to buy local and support small business. Hope to see you there. Click here for a map to the location.