Migrating along with the Salmon...

October 6th and 7th I was featured in the "Artist in Action Showcase" at Salmon Days in Issaquah, WA where I previewed my fall collection.

Much to my delight, I was awarded "Best Artist in Action" by the judges.

There were many talented fellow artists, but I was informed that I received the recognition for my work because I am involved in the entire process from its raw form...the beautiful mohair locks are from my goat

Barista which I shear and hand-pick his fleece...the hand-shorn alpaca fleece are from a friends herd...the luxury fiber is received in its natural color...to it's transformation where I choose the color palette, dye to that palette, combine the

fibers and then evolve it into a purse ...scarf...pillow...shawl...jacket...table runner...

As if winning a prestigious award and being recognized as the "38th annual Salmon Days Artist in Action" wasn't enough, a film crew from Los Angeles was at the fair doing a tv series pilot called "On The Map" where they interview people across the country from small towns. They spent a half hour with me, interviewing and filming. It so happens they were standing next to my booth when I was presented the award from the Director of the festival.

They shared that the story they saw was that I grew up in a fairly large city, Bellevue WA, and chose to move to a small town, Duvall WA, with my family so that I could pursue my art which is extremely contemporary yet functional, but uses all the skills from the past (pre industrial revolution) which I sought to learn as an adult and am now teaching my children as well as others.





Mindy, from the production company, promised to keep me informed and to send stills from their filmed interview.



So, perhaps I will continue to migrate from the spawning grounds of the Salmon Days Festival in Issaquah to a television series spanning the entire country.


Catherine

I'm Branded over Breakfast...

There I am, larger than life...

While having breakfast with my husband at the local cafe, we started thinking about logos.

Fortunately the table was covered in white paper so I asked the server for crayons...she said I was an adult, I could use a pen. I declined and said I prefered the crayons. I have no idea why, but a pen didn't seem appropriate.

We drew F's all over that paper, different fonts, sizes, positions, words until our eggs and bacon were nearly finished. "What about horns?" My husband looked at me like I had lost my mind, especially since I was not given the gift of 2-dimensional art. "Why not horns? I use the mohair from my angora goats and our buck has lovely horns?"

With much enthusiasm I childishly drew a logo with my crayons. I tore off the paper, stuffed it into my coat pocket, my husband paid the tab and then I thought...now what?

In my pocket is where that piece of paper remained...

A few weeks after that inspirational breakfast, I participated in the Evergreen Classic Equestrian Art Show in Carnation. Alongside my booth was a talented glass artist who had purchased a pair of my gloves, but had asked that she have the cufflinks replaced with some that were not equestrian themed. We set a date for coffee one morning, and in the mean time I made her a matching scarf as a gift to thank her for her support which was inspirational and infectious! Another one of those people that God brings into our lives to give us encouragement and direction.

That sunny Tuesday morning while sitting at the sidewalk cafe, I showed her my logo drawing to get her comments. She immediately offered to create it for me once she saw the concept.

So, again, with a lot of help from my friends, Barbara took my idea and transformed it into something even more special than I could have dreamt. What a lovely pen and ink artist she is. It took and still takes my breath away!

This logo is now found on all my work. I incorporate it into the fiber of my fabrics to remind me of how important and inspirational time with my family (that breakfast), time with my friends (that coffee) and time with my animals (horns) is.

Catherine

Expanding My Horizons...

I never thought at the beginning of summer that by fall I would be featured at two locations at the same time...but I was! The entire month of September I have been the featured artist in Tuxedo's front window. I cannot describe the sense of awe one feels when they see their heart in a window for all to view...I feel a bit like the star-struck starlet who sees her name in lights for the first time!

It was exciting to work with Jeffrey , a set-designer for the Seattle Opera, as he gathered coordinating colored vases to accent my work and to reflect the colors from the afternoon sun into the store. Jeffrey commented that it was a challenge for him for my work is fluid with color and is traditional yet new so it didn't lend itself to being housed in a "box".












Last Saturday I was asked to participate as one of 6 on-site vendors at Olson-Mills fall kick-off sale. Again, what an honor to be have my work showcased in an exclusive store in Bellevue, Wa.

While I was setting up my area, my phone rang and it was a customer just wanting me to know that she loved her purse, had given out all my cards she had on her and wanted to see how I was doing and where was I going to be next? Wow! That is all I can say...how supportive!

It is those calls, emails, conversations over coffee that still keep it exciting to buckle Paris into the passenger seat of my truck and set out with her 1920's steamer wardrobe trunk, that houses her "wardrobe".

I made custom purses, purse hangers and keychains that were designed and commissioned for Olson's clientele.

I had great fun showcasing the horse since I have an old 26 yr old retired pony horse from longacres that I wouldn't trade for anything...a great babysitter for my 7 year old horse enthusiast daughter!

Alongside my textiles I displayed my hand-poured goat-milk soaps that I include with my bathcloths, in my felting kits or on vintage dessert plates.
"long after the last bubble, the memory remains with the vintage plate"


After having a memorable day at Olson's, they invited me back for their "artist" open house in December. Can't wait!