bonding

Bonding is a very rare circumstance here, one can say it hardly ever occurs such a family oriented society all the emotional and affective needs are supplied within the family circle and you have friends in the outward circle. Friends are hardly ever found in the inner circle since friendship is more of a social nature.In fact there is no one word in Spanish for bonding. There are expressions that come to mean the same, but sounding somewhat academic they lack the warmth and closeness associated with the word in English.

So it is a rare treat when one as an ex pat finds a group of locals and we all bond.
These are the Japanese class mates. We all come from different backgrounds but we are all more or less otaku-i Japan crazy.


neki desu

Tags: day to day, japanophilia

ao

This is the latest of the kana series.I really wanted shibori visual texture in those orderly white squares so that they would somewhat visually pick up the shibori border pipping and the scrunch dyed bit.
The challenge was to bring it all toghether without making it too busy. Cohesive not busy.


Here's a close up of some of the resources used.The kana here is blurred because here it was less about reading. In the end I also decided against ironing the squares flat.

neki desu

Tags: surface design, shibori

happy easter

Gosh, it took forever to log on to blogger, seems that instead of Easter egg hunting everyone is in front of their computers. So am I instead of studying and getting ready for class on Wednesday.
This is clematis one in bloom on the blue zone of the terrace.There's a white zone and a red zone too and no, my terrace does not look like old glory.

Clematis two is a pretty strange cultivar which won awards at the Chelsea flower show some years ago. I found it at a neighborhood garden center and since it is somewhat capricious and I have been moving the pot around to try and find a suitable spot for it.

Well, how's this for an Easter post?
Forgot to mention that we rode the bus downtown to the beach and walked around after brunch.It was gloriously warm and sunny.

neki desu

Tags: gardening, day to day

spring fever

Always gets me. Energy surge and I can't stop.Although finished I still have to do some garden work in the terrace. But the clematis are already blooming and so are the yellow climbing roses.Planted the the New Mex hot chiles and tomatillos courtesy of dear friend Holly. Have promised green salsa to all the ex pats so I foresee a long line in front of my door this summer. Not a bad take if one is in need of attention. Better than fainting in a formal dinner.
Tried grilled salmon served with a sweet paprika -wasabi cover last night and my husband wanted to re-marry me. I usually try to get the tail end because it is less fatty and the flesh is firmer.
Tonight on to spring lamb with fresh peas,baked baby potatoes that catch all the lamb's juices and fresh asparragus. I dribble balsamic vinegar on the lamb before putting it in the oven to cut the lamby taste-smell. Oh and lots of fresh thyme.Especially the lemon one.
Meanwhile the whole of Spain is indulging in processions amidst a riot of incense music and fino wine.

Check out the runner in the photo. It's also from the home shop.

neki desu

Tags: food, weaving

transfiguration of the commonplace

Finally got my hands on this book by Danto. It makes you think about art from many different angles, so full of information that it is definitely a slow reader. But every page feels like a good steak dinner for the brain. So far I am into his discussion of Duchamp's urinal compared to an ordinary one. Why one is art and the other isn't.
I love Danto.The way he discusses the most complex subject matter in accesible language and gives you leads to think and question those subjects.

Completed yet another kana work. This is turning to be more fun than what I anticipated. However the speed will slow down now that spring is here and I have pending gardening chores. And the classes are starting on the 19th.
The loom is also warped and cueing.

neki desu

Tags: surface design, inspiration

rant

Why are textile pople looked down on? Why is it considered "women's work"? Why do we feel apologetic about our work?
Take Rauschenberg for example-let me clarify beforehand that I love his work and it has been a constant source of inspiration-he has always used textiles and textile vocabulary in his work. And no one seems to oject. On the contrary, everyone loves it. The highest sum commanded by a quilt was a Rauschenberg workover of an actual quilt. Mind you he didn't make it himself, he just found one and worked it over.
But my point is that no one seemed to care about the medium.
Now Lola, try and get one of your quilts in a fine arts gallery and good luck.
The first thing that a conscientious reader will note is the qualifiying adjective in front of the noun.
The medium has been plundered by people who make the distinction that they are ARTISTS
So here's to us textile artists, yes , TEXTILE artists. Cheers

neki desu

Tags: textiles, day to day