April

I made a deal with myself this year that I would keep to a monthly newsletter schedule, and I almost missed the most important one! April is my birthday month, and somehow it is always the busiest for me. April is when we have Easter, our "Testing Month" at school, and I am in the middle of final projects with my college students. It's really all happening. Somehow I also found time to make/frame 6 new pieces for an upcoming show this May. I have also started some commission work for the summer and applied for some fellowships and grants. When will I have time to pull all those pesky weeds?

At the end of March I started my newest series of pieces where I am trying to change "Color and Weave" structures like houndstooth with dyeing techniques. When the yarn is bound with plastic tape, I can make these white stripes in the yarn. When the same colors of yarn intersect, you should see a "tooth". These color schemes were based on the fashion work of Stephen Drake, who is my collaborator for our show "Connecting Threads". He created different "upcycled" pieces for the show using reclaimed blankets, and even some samples from my weaving and made new, wearable artworks. I started this series after we talked and messaged back and forth about our progress.

I first met Stephen Drake at Summit Artspace at one of their openings, and then we started talking online. Stephen has a taste level that I can't compare to, and he apparently likes my work, so it's a fun match. I love getting these little behind the scenes texts with captions that just say "look!" or "is this working?"...

"Connecting Threads" will open on Friday, May 16th at Gallery 202 at 78th St. studios in Cleveland's Gordon Square neighborhood. The show will feature new works from Stephen and I combining fashion and textiles. Hopefully we will have a good turnout!

In other show news, my work was accepted to the "May Show" at Mansfield Art Center this year. I was in such good company with many artists from the area that I love, and lots more that I have seen from a distance. I was humbled to have my work chosen by juror Mary Urbas, especially after I found out that only 80 of the 800ish submissions were chosen. My piece, "Don't Tell Me" seems to be a show favorite, having been picked for 3 different exhibitions so far. People seem to like the shiny neon glow.

Also last month, I was asked to Jury the "Artists of Rubber City" open entry show at Summit Artspace. I don't envy anyone who has to choose what will go into a show with an open call. I have been on the other side of this process so many times. I did my best to let one piece from each artist go through, and my only curatorial vision for the show was that it be joyful, thoughtful, and genuine. The 45 artists whose work made it in are all so talented, and I appreciate that they were willing to share these talents with Akron!

And finally, because it's my birthday, you get some more face pics! Here's me with my personal "American Flag" my students had printed, Me at a "soft goth" dance party, Me out with friends for my birthday dinner, My bday gift from my brother to keep all my "art supply money", The birthday crown my college students made, and finally me staring into the Jenny Holzer sculpture at Akron Art museum. I can only hope that 40 will be just as eventful and fulfilling as 39 was.

Thanks for reading!
-Stephen