I’ve started a new series based on seedpods, the first of which was displayed at Foster/White in March.  This series is a departure for me from the vessel form. Although they became quite abstracted, the Vessels still held the idea of a container. This new series breaks from that altogether. They are different in both form and intention.

The seedpods, although the ideas are still developing, are a way of holding the image of containment of new life and ideas. The time when everything is held tightly, or just beginning to break free. I’ve been thinking about seedpods as a metaphor for a while and  I started the patterns before my trip to Hawaii. There I was excited to find several different kinds seedpods that I smuggled home in my suitcase. The are fantastically irregular, a whole world of variations on shape. I reworked what I had started and created new patterns. They are all variations on one form. These seven new pieces are less smooth curves than my previous work. They are bumpy and warty and I quite like them.

Next step, fabrics. I got some lovely new fabrics from Exotic Silks that I ordered when I was at the Reinvention conference. I’m in love with a silk/bamboo twill and a silk/linen double -weave. I also got a sample of transparent and translucent silks for the next work that’s just glimmering in the corner of my eye for now. Yesterday I dyed eight pieces of  fabric in reds and terra cotta. I’m ready for some color after all the earthy browns and greens in the last few series. Hard to believe, but it was first dyeing of 2010! I also “interviewed” my stash. At this point everything seems possible and I was surprised at how little went into the reject pile.