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Lesley Riley

Art & Creativity

Welcome Back, Lesley Riley

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Attempt #2, which will be shorter because the art awaits. I have a longer post going but tried to add another photo and the program froze up on me. So this is the abbreviated, less poetic version.

I’ve been busy. Mostly day to day routine stuff caring for family and home. I did manage to get away for a blissful week to take Carol Soderlund’s dye class at Pro Chemical & Dye in Fall River, MA.  It was the most amazing class. The perfect blend of art and science. I LOVED it.

  Dye2

Dye 

We worked as teams to dye over 1000 (yes, 1000) colors. Then we worked on our own to create a swatch book of the colors – aka THE BOOK, or The Bible. Now I can, with confidence, duplicate any color in that book, and then some. Wait till you see what effect this has on my art….as soon as I get time to work on it. I am so excited.

 Artgirlz

The bonus end to the trip was a visit to the Artgirlz. Tracy has a beautiful home with lush gardens, chickens, bees and a studio to die for. In fact, their studio was just featured in the current issue of  Studios magazine, so check it out. It was the perfect way to end a perfect week. 

Next on the agenda is to try and create more studio time both here and at the beach. I’m soon off to the beach for our 2 week family vacation beginning July 4th (fireworks over the ocean!) Then, at the end of July on to idyllic Idyllwild Arts for a creative weekend teaching my new class, Image + Text = Textile. At the end of August I’m teaching the same class at the Fabrications Retreat in Michigan. Organizer Cathy Arnett has just instituted a fantastic economic stimulus package that will practically get you free tuition for a week of class. Check out the website for more info.

And last but not least, I’m nearing completion (I think) of my new website. That’s the other thing that’s been eating up my time. That and the new business TAP .  

Comments

  1. LUCKYYYY!!! Congrats, Michele, for the win!
    I’m consoling myself with the anticipation of receiving my TAP order in the mail. I won’t get to play with it till my 4th July show is over, though. Oh, well, more anticipation!
    ^_^

  5. Oooh, I would love to win that! I’m having to cut back on magazines these days, but I did just order a pack of TAP this morning. Priorities! 🙂 I am so excited!
    I’m just setting out on this fabric adventure (after years of intentions) so the phat 1/4 sounds great, too!
    So glad I found your blog, thanks to the TAP site. Someone’s going to be lucky. Thanks for the chance!

  7. Always enjoy hearing what you’ve been up to…hummmm…wonder what the new product is? Can’t wait.

  8. Welcome back, I’ve missed your blog. I’m looking forward to playing with your TAP and waiting for the new announcement.

  10. oohhhh – would you adopt me so I can have 2 weeks at the beach with your wonderful family?
    ok, I’ll “settle” to win your give away! 😉

  11. 1000 swatches! I’m very impressed. What a wonderful reference “THE BOOK” will be.
    Susan

  12. I arrived here because I have the Spring/Summer issue of Studios and it says to check out your studio. Like you I have found that much of what I bought is NOT me. I know what to buy now and the idea to create coordinated bundles for give aways is excellent.
    Elle

  14. Wow – you are busy, busy, busy!!! Have a wonderful vacation. Thanks for having a giveaway, they are always so fun to win.

  16. The fabric dying class sounds wonderful & comprehensive! I took a fabric dying class once, the teacher said “If you’re a good cook, you’ll be a good dyer.” I should have asked for a refund! I don’t cook, I have a kitchen because it came with the house!

  17. I keep looking at the Fabrications Retreat – sounds like a dream week! 🙂
    I finished my Fabric Memory Book, Opening, for my dd. It arrived to her yesterday so I was finally able to put up a blog about it. Hope you can come see it.
    Thanks for your help!
    Way cool on the big fabric dyeing workshop!! 🙂

  18. You are an inspiration. Thanks for sharing info on your blog. The class sounds wonderful. I too struggle w/ carving out studio time…nice to know I’m not alone. 🙂 Beth

  19. I took a class from Carol Soderlund a year ago — not the 1000 colors one, mine was one-day but still fabulous! Lucky you! Lucky me?
    Sandy

  21. Dyeing is addictive. I’m having so much fun playing about in the back yard.

  23. I’ve heard good things about the class. Wish I could take it myself, but I have a sleep disorder that prevents my participation in things that take place in “normal” hours. I’d love it if she would sell the “bible” and a DVD and/or book on her techniques for those of us who for whatever reason are unable to attend a live class.

  26. Hi Lesley…
    I envy your getting to work on “the book” – a dream of mine for many years. Maybe one day. And what a treat it would be to have a small piece of your colour play!Would love the Cloth Paper Scissors for our Textile Design Program here in Kingston, ON…

  27. It was tons of fun to have you in class! I am not entering the giveaway, because I am a subscriber, and I already have a few fat quarters around here,ahem! I’ll be watching, too for all the dye colors to find their way into the work!

  28. Carol’s class sounds like heaven for a color addict. Thanks for sharing a bit of the experience!

  29. There is nothing as stimulating as a Carol Soderlund class – unless it’s a Carol Soderlund class at Nancy Crow’s Timber Frame Barn.

  30. Can’t wait to see how you incorporate this new knowledge into your fiber art … but I have to because you are a tease!

  34. Hi Lesley,
    Had a chance to test out the TAP recently. Love it! I can see it appearing in many future projects! And thanks for all the guidance you offered during the process.

  36. What a wonderful experience with the class. And I just love your new TAP.

  39. Received my TAP in the mail. Now to figure out hou to use it. Would love a copy of Cloth, Paper, Scissors.
    Doni

  41. Wow! I am so glad you are busy creating, learning, and enjoying life. Have a wonderful time at the beach – inspiration at its best. Cheers.

  42. Thanks for the chance to win. I have the Cloth Paper Sissors (I have a subscription) but would love a piece of your hand dyed fabric. enjoy

  44. Happy 1st Day of Summer Lesley! It is very, very summer here in NC today.
    I took your class at Art & Soul, VA in 2003 or ’04 and have followed your work since, hoping I can take another class one day.
    Have a lovely vacation. I can’t wait to see how you use your hand-dyed fabric! Thanks for sharing.

  45. Hi Lesley,
    thanks for the quick shipment of my TAP, I look forward to any other product you come up with! Have a great summer
    Regina

  46. Glad you’re back. Gosh you manage to do a lot. Not only your art but your ability to do so many things with a large family as well is inspiration. Thanks, Deborah

  47. Welcome back, but don’t apologize for being away so long. It is obvious that you are doing some very creative things both from the right and left brains. Your posts are a joy to all of us trying to follow our creative outlets while being tugged by the world of must dos, have to dos and should dos.

  48. Have missed your voice! Know how busy family can keep one. It sounds like an inspiring summer ahead, cannot wait to hear more.

  50. Sounds like a busy and joyful summer coming your way..love to share in your giveaway..thank you

  53. 2 weeks at the beach sounds like heaven, have a wonderful restful, rejuvinating time. Too bad your Idylwild trip overlaps with IQF, it would have been great to get in a quick visit (I decided to go to LA for a family visit at the same time as festival). By the way your Idylwild link is not right. Carol Soderlund’s class looks so awesome, everyone I know who has taken it has loved it! It looks like you made it into a great trip too with a visit with Tracy and Allison. xoxo