Oaxacan Carpets

The other day when we were having tornado warnings here in New Orleans I decided to do some uncluttering, as I needed to unplug my computer (and other electronics). I sorted through some of the pieces of paper I have collected for this blog, but never gotten around to writing.

I confess I tossed a number of business cards and ephemera of other artists because they no longer spoke to me. Writing their stories no longer 'sparked joy', but not these cards... I still wanted to share these fiber artists with my readers.

I met the artists, Wence and Sandra Martinez, at the Smithsonian Craft show a couple years ago. On their web site they call that very show "the holy grail of juried national craft shows."

Their work reminded me of my time in Oaxaca because I bought myself a carpet while I was in Mexico.

Coincidentally that same afternoon, when turning my computer back on, I decided to unclutter some of my computer files, too, and came across some photos from my trip to Oaxaca back before 2008 or so. I swear, I did not go looking for them.

There was a confluence of images, which made me realize it was time to write this entry.

These images are poor quality because they were not taken digitally, they are photos that I scanned.

That's my rug, right there. The artists are finishing up my very carpet. (It's not like I commissioned the carpet... and it was a total impulse buy/souvenir.)



I love that you can see some of the other rugs they have in their studio. You can see, too, that I like bright colors... brighter than the more traditional colors. I love that carpet. It always makes me happy.



The town was very small. I hope all the weavers benefit from the success that the Martinez's are having.

PS - Happy birthday to both my Dad and my very good friend, Derek.

James Michalopoulos - New Orleans Painter & Sculptor

Whoa. Went to hear the artist speak at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. Mr. Michalopoulos is incredibly prolific and his paintings are fun! I probably respond as I do because in many cases the subject is architecture... and New Orleans architecture to boot. I love the colors and the Dr. Seuss-esque quality to the perspective.

You can find his bio on his website, but I will reproduce here:

Celebrated New Orleans artist James Michalopoulos was born in 1951 in Pittsburgh. After graduating from Bowdoin College with a Bachelor of Arts degree he pursued the life of a modern-day itinerate artist, traveling throughout the South while capturing its unexpected, everyday exotica in his paintings. He eventually settled in New Orleans, drawn to the city that would become his muse. He studied fine art at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Art and at the University of New Orleans. He began painting en plein air in the French Quarter, working in oil on canvas, and became known for his energetically distorted interpretations of vernacular New Orleans buildings. His paintings capture the life, movement and personality of his subjects. His has a uniquely musical, energetic style–full of color and broad brushstrokes. He lays paint on thickly, sculpting the paint with a palette knife until his subject emerges. “My style is an abstraction of the figurative. I like color, volumetric shape and graphic lines. While one may recognize the subject of my painting, through my work one discovers the spirit of it.”

Although he remains inspired by the duality of beauty and decay that is the heart of New Orleans, Michalopoulos’ recent canvases also capture the human form – both in portraiture and social scenes, abstracted landscapes–mostly of the woods and fields surrounding his home in France, and occasionally animals that have managed to catch both his eye and imagination.

His work has been shown extensively in the U.S. and abroad, including: France, England, Germany, Switzerland and Holland. He has been named Official Artist of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival six times, with his work appearing each time on the coveted poster, an unprecedented, and–to date–unmatched honor. Gambit Weekly has declared him “Best Artist of the Year” eight times. His work has been collected by such distinguished figures as: Jackson Browne, John Goodman, Linda Hamilton, Bonnie Raitt, Sharon Stone, Aaron Neville, Emmylou Harris and Bruce Willis.

Public and corporate collections include: the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, the Governor’s Mansion of Louisiana, Universal Studios, the New Orleans Museum of Art, Chevrolet Motor Corporation, the Chrysler Corporation and Northwest Airlines, among others.

I enjoyed hearing about his process and to hear about the daily life of an artist. Makes one think that everyone can do it, but also understand that it takes some serious commitment and a special life perspective to do it. I envy him.








It appears one can buy some posters or prints of his work... and he is also a very talented sculptor. Very colorful and whimsical.

Vicki Lee Fine Art (Another Lee, but not fiber art, either)

I came across Vicki Lee's work at "The Shops at 2011 Magazine". You know I had to promote her because a) I liked what I saw and b) her family name is Lee. A lot like this previous promotion of Victor Lee, who also is not a fiber artist.



I saw some of her encaustic abstract landscape pieces. I can see how they can set a mood in a room.

Given how many places she sells her art, I would suggest that she is a prodigious artist.


Here is what she writes about herself on her web site:

Thank you for viewing my artwork. My paintings express my desire to show a "less serious" side of life. I hope to transport my audience to an interesting and imaginative place where they can dream of future visits or remember the old ones.
Any of the abstract landscapes can be painted with other color palettes and sizes. Please contact me if you would like to view any of the paintings offered.
In New Orleans, my paintings are available for purchase at Estella's Home located on Metairie Road.
In Seagrove Beach, Florida, my paintings are available at Fouquet Design, 3723 E. 30A., Suite 6, Seagrove Beach, Fl., 32459, 850-534-0972 and Beau Interiors, 22 East County Hwy 30A, Grayton Beach, FL.
Thank you,
Vicki Lee

The sin of ‘cultural appropriation’

Ok, this doesn't have a lot to do with genealogy... maybe travel and fiber art, because of sources of inspiration. Mostly I just thought it was interesting. I found it here, from the Week Magazine.

Katy Perry dressing like a geisha in a music video. White American women learning to belly dance. The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston allowing visitors to try on kimonos made in Japan. All of these have been angrily attacked in “the new war on cultural appropriation,” said Cathy Young. Today, any artist or person who incorporates or experiments with styles, music, or ideas from another culture—no matter how positively—is condemned for committing “a creative sin.” The concept of cultural appropriation began as a justifiable critique of the literal cultural theft of art and artifacts by colonial powers, and of “glaring injustices” such as white artists getting rich off black musical styles without sharing the wealth. “But the hunt for wrongdoing has run amok.” Culture cops now rebuke non-Asians for wearing jewelry with yin-yang symbols, or the museum in Boston for engaging in “yellow face” by letting non-Japanese try on a kimono. “What will be declared ‘problematic’ next? Picasso’s and Matisse’s works inspired by African art?” Non-Asians cooking Thai food? To respectfully blend cultures is no sin. In fact, it’s the American way.

Cathy Young
The Washington Post

Michael Meads at the Ogden

Ok, this has nothing to do with travel, health, genealogy or fiber art, I just really liked the exhibit.

I am reporting on this exhibit a little late.... Only there until the 28th of February. You can find info about the Odgen here.

I heard Michael Meads speak about his art and the creative process the other day at the museum. So wonderful to hear an artist talk about their work. He spends a full day on his art - starting at the studio around 9 and ending around 4:30 pm. He says his hand cramps up. The size of his art is dictated by the size of the studio; such practical considerations.

I loved it. Such incredible detail; such beautiful colors, such a variety of media. Boy, though, does he love penises and round bottoms. For an example of his very colorful watercolors, go here.

Here is the blurb from the Ogden:

Here is an example of his work taken from his web site:

Pour La Pluie

Ok, I seem to have lied... I liked one fiber artist at the Bethesda Arts Festival - Lorene Drabo. She makes wonderful raincoats. She told me that she taught for many years and has designed these wonderful raincoats, totes and rain hats.

Wow, what do you suppose is the 'psychology of clothing'? I guess we can figure that out, perhaps. I mean, fashion and what that all means!

I am sorry that I can't 'grab' an image from her web site to display here. She has really wonderful pieces.

About Lorene
People frequently ask me how long I have been sewing. I actually don't remember a time when I didn't sew! I have vivid memories of hand-sewing dolls clothes under the guidance of my grandmother, an accomplished seamstress. While a young woman, she worked as a designer and fabricator in the family millinery businesss in Italy and later was employed as a 'tailoress' in this country. To this day, tailoring remains my favorite clothing fabrication. So, I believe design and sewing are in my genes!

During my high school years, I gained invaluable experience as an alterations apprentice in an upscale dress and bridal shop. I truly learned many 'tricks of the trade' from this informal education. My formal education includes a bachelor's degree in textiles and design from Framingham State University and a master's degree in psychology of clothing from the University of Massachusetts.

I am very enthused about my current on-line boutique collection, Pour la Pluie (French, meaning For the Rain.) Tired of the standard black or tan trench-coat, I saw a need for rainwear that would be exciting and make a statement. I have chosen to work with cotton fabrics that have been treated with a semi-gloss laminate overlay, rendering the fabric water repellant yet maintaining breathability. While I've incorporated a classic, tailored look to my rainwear, the uniqueness lies in the selection of print fabrics ranging from the whimsical to the sophisticate. An element of flirtation is added through the use of coordinating prints in exposed lapels and hood linings.

The fabrication of all my designs is completed by me in my studio in Fallston, Maryland.

Didn't get a postcard... or a painting

But I thought Suro Kim's work was wonderful. I wish I had purchased one of his pieces, but alas I was not fast enough. I love the street-scape, Dr. Seuss, and bright colors all combined. Again, nothing to do with fiber art or genealogy... can I claim travel, maybe?

Sarah Bean - 3 dimensional heirlooms

I found Sarah at the Bethesda Arts festival as well as Jason of the Marisol Spoon, featured yesterday.

Now Sarah's work initially appealed to me from a genealogical perspective. The first piece of her's I saw was based on James Joyce's Ulysses. The collage probably appealed to me because it images of Ireland. (Turns out the images are actually from West Virginia, but it could have been Ireland.) I have been exploring my Irish side, recently, so I would say Ireland and the Irish experience has been on my mind.

Sarah has been taking books and using them as the basis of her collages. She will also do privately commissioned work - which is intriguing.

Marisol Spoon Painting

I realize this is not fiber art, but their images spoke to me. I will confess to have not been overly inspired this year by the fiber artists.

I met Jason at the Bethesda Arts festival. They have recently moved to Charleston, SC and they got severely flooded; not as bad as people in Columbia, but Jason showed me a photograph of his front porch and it looks like he lives on a houseboat!

Taken from their website:

Marisol Spoon is a husband/wife artist team. We hail from the beautiful Appalachian mountains. Nature’s enchantment, vintage aesthetics, off beat tales, and classical painting are some of our inspirations.

Aside from our postcards, we produce everything in our shop by hand and in-house.

Southern Adirondack Fiber Festival

This will happen on September 26th and 27th this year. (The card below is old! I had picked it up in 2014, but was unable to attend.)
I went in 2013, but not since. It is a small festival, but growing, I am sure.
Check out their web site to get more information.



The Washington County Fairgrounds are only 30 miles from Troy, NY - where Herb grew up.

Van Gorder - Artist

I am gathering all my photos to go through them again and I came across this painting which was saved throughout time by my family members... So, a quick search does not help me discover who this artist was. It never struck me as a particularly fabulous painting... but it was saved, so it had to have meant something to someone...

So, was the artist special to someone in my family? Did a family member pick up the painting at a street fair? (When did artist street fairs begin?) Is Van Gorder a cousin of some nature?

I have sent an email to a living Van Gorder in wikitree. We will see if I get a response. Who knows what I might learn?



The painting measures a whopping 5" x 7".

Could the scene be upstate New York in the Fall? I am sure there are plenty of other places where this might have been composed.... but given where my family lived, I make the preceding guess. If anyone can help, I would be grateful!

Greg Stones, author

I can see no reason to include Greg Stones on my blog - no genealogy and no fiber art - but his paintings were so fabulous that I had to share him with my readers... I saw his work at the Central Pennsylvania Arts Festival in July 2015. Mr. Stones has a wonderful, warped sense of humor. He is also an author. His work and sense of humor reminds me a lot of Edward Gorey.

Edward Gorey drawing taken from this web site

And here are some of Greg Stones' work:

Penguins love balloons

Sock Monkey Meets Mummy

Zombies hate Sock Monkeys

His latest book is called Sock Monkeys Have Issues which can be purchased here.

Bahama Hand print

I have been incredibly remiss. I visited the workshop of Bahama Hand print back in January. I met the nicest people there and they gave me a full tour, let me ask all sorts of obvious questions and let me take all sorts of photographs - and even my first movie for the blog (which, of course is not the first I posted, because I have been remiss in writing this entry!)

Everything is designed and made in the Bahamas. The workshop is owned by two women. And you can always order custom creations, as indicated below:

At Bahama Hand Prints we offer a variety of ground fabrics that can be custom printed to your requirements. We carry fabrics appropriate for a multitude of applications including upholstery, drapery, bedding, indoor/outdoor furnishings, clothing and more… Choose from our repertoire and we can print any colour you desire!

Here you can see Rico creating the fabric:



The motivation for writing today is that I have finally started a project with the fabric I bought that day in January. I intend to post photos of the sewing project later...

In the meantime, I have many more photographs of my day in Nassau visiting Bahama Hand Print.

The frame and the screen before the paint is applied

Rico adding more paint - so as not to smear, he alternates panels

The trough with all the paint

moving the frame so Rico can fill in the pattern

Washing up

Removing the unused paint

Cleaning the screen

Clothing templates

You can barely see a seamstress on the right making a garment
Lots of pieces already made hanging

Industrial sewing machines

Removing the newly printed fabric for drying

Drying the fabric

Coming out the back end

the full length of the workshop

Adorable tunic top

Packed In A Trunk - the Art of Edith Lake Wilkinson

The other night I watched a wonderful documentary on HBO on Demand - "Packed in a Truck." A grandniece (though she might actually be a cousin, I think) went searching for the life of her ancestor, Edith Lake Wilkinson.

Edith was an unmarried and childfree woman, whose money was eventually embezzled from her as she was locked up in an institution and neglected. Horrendous circumstances. A wonderful story, though, about the research and the 'bringing home' of a very talented artist.

I am intrigued by this story, too, because, though my ancestors are not talented artists - at least not that I have discovered - they also deserve to have their stories told and not to be forgotten.

Here's how they describer the documentary on the website:

PACKED IN A TRUNK uncovers the story of artist Edith Lake Wilkinson, committed to an asylum in 1924 and never heard from again.  We follow the journey of Edith’s great-niece as she pieces together the mystery of Edith’s life and returns her work to Provincetown.

Here is a lovely example of her work which I took from the website:

Wondrous Creatures - Sandra Klink

The poor artist, Sandra Klink, was frying on the tarmac in State College in July. Once upon a time the street had been lined with tall elm trees, but they are gone; killed by the Dutch Elm disease or some such. Some of the other artists featured at the festival claimed to have made pieces from those very trees...

BUT, that didn't stop her creativity and the beauty of her work. She indicated to me that she uses silk scarves which she tears into strips and wraps around metal frames. It seems that Ms. Klink no longer has a web site, but the Central Pennsylvania Arts Festival had a few examples of her work. She had a lot of colorful insects and a few other creatures, as seen below.

The two above examples of Ms. Klink's work are unusual in relation to the rest of her inventory at the show, but they are incredibly playful.

Marge Luttrell Encaustic

I am sorry I didn't get to speak to the artist at the Central Pennsylvania Art Festival because Ms. Luttrell's works looked great. I noticed that she incorporated old photographs in her work. He art made me think of another artist from Tennessee, Beverly Hayden, who we met here.

I overheard Ms. Luttrell talking with another admirer about her process - encaustic - and the fact that she teaches the process - this August in Peter's Valley School of Crafts in New Jersey. I found this definition of encaustic at the Encaustic Art Institute.

Encaustic is a Greek word meaning “to heat or burn in” (enkaustikos). Heat is used throughout the process, from melting the beeswax and varnish to fusing the layers of wax. Encaustic consists of natural bees wax and dammar resin (crystallized tree sap). The medium can be used alone for its transparency or adhesive qualities or used pigmented. Pigments may be added to the medium, or purchased colored with traditional artist pigments. The medium is melted and applied with a brush or any tool the artist wishes to create from. Each layer is then reheated to fuse it to the previous layer.

Ms. Luttrell explains her process as such:

Featuring torn letters, maps, bits of script and old ephemera from bygones past, Margie Luttrell’s encaustic collages tease the viewer by awakening a desire for the rest of the story. Fascinated by language, symbols and the textures of all things aged, Luttrell builds levels of meaning and information into each piece.
The goal is to take images from one time period in order to construct another, then exploring how the mind jumps back and forth between the two and transcends interpretation.
Marge Luttrell hails from Tennessee by way of New Jersey. A collage artist for over forty years she discovered the inherent joys of wax painting (encaustic) seven years ago.
She is the recipient of a Fulbright, a National Endowment for the Arts Grant and A National Endowment for the Humanities Grant. Last year she lived and worked as an artist/teacher in Switzerland.

I took this image from her web site:


It turns out Ms. Luttrell was at Jazz Fest in NOLA this year with another artist we talked about earlier. I am sorry I didn't get the chance to see her work when I was there. Also, interestingly, she was in Turkey earlier this year as well, according to her promotional card.

Recycled T-shirts, turned into skirts - Loveworn

I met BJ McHugh of Loveworn at the Central Pennsylvania Arts Festival over the July 10th weekend in State College, Pa. BJ hails from Cincinnati, Ohio, where she makes new pieces of clothing out of recycled t-shirts. She will even make you a custom piece out of your saved t-shirts - you know those t-shirts you never wear but don't want to toss because they meant something to you once upon a time. (A skirt or hoodie seems more practical to me than a quilt, which is another idea for old t-shirts; or a rag rug, but you would never see the t-shirts anymore in the rug... Just thinking out loud)

Looking at her web site it seems that she has many more styles than she brought to the Central Pennsylvania Arts Festival. Here are a few images I took from her web site:

Little Girl's skirt - had to be fun piecing this together

Woman's jacket - wouldn't this be great made from your old t-shirts?

Women's skirt with a cute pocket

I was disappointed that she only had a few in my size - maybe that says more about me than her inventory - but I bought a lovely black and grey short skirt with a draw-string waist.

I am disappointed that I didn't find a post on another woman I stumbled upon in New Orleans who makes wrap skirts from neckties. I bought one of her fun skirts, too. I will have to see what  have in my files and introduce you to her.

Searching the term recycle, though, I found another of my fiber artists - MsCrochetJig - who uses soda top tabs in her purses.