why cloth?......

i've asked myself this question many times.  Why cloth?  What is it about cloth that attracts my eyes so?  Why is it that my hands has a mind of its own when it comes to the touch of cloth?

Why not metal?  wood?  glass? ceramic?

With the exception of glass, I've tried my hands with metal work, wood and ceramics.  They all required strict precision which was not compatible with my inner core.   Due to the strength required to work with such materials, my creative flow often comes to an early halt.

so why cloth?  A two part answer.

I often think back to one of my many favorite novels; "Memoirs of a Geisha" by Arthur Golden. The synopsis is about Sayuri - a fisherman's daughter born in a little town called Yoroido and how she became to be a Kyoto geisha.   Sayuri is described as "having too much water in her personality."  Too much water that the other four elements were hardly present.

How I can relate to such element.  Water.  Fluid and pliable.  Has the ability to adapt to whatever elements and situations it runs into.  No corners can halt its movements.  A tendency to go with the flow.  It provide a sense of peace and calm but when provoked, can lash out and overbear its crossings.  Pre-ordained to have more Water in me than other elements, how I think & create may not be controllable.  It simply flows out.

Second part of why cloth.

Cloth is a necessity for all.  The moment a baby is released out of a mother`s womb, it is immediately wrapped in cloth.  It is a soft physical barrier against the harsh conditions of the weather & environment.

A tactile material that can bear precious memories, tell a story when displayed but can be silent, folded and tucked away from wandering eyes.  The simple fact that a single piece of cloth, however decorated, pierced, stripped, adorned, coated or worn can hold a conversation, but does not have to take up any physical permanent space speaks of why I chose cloth over other materials.
I can spend a lifetime working, teasing, manipulating the simple material of cloth in a 10`x 10`space and not have to expand.  I can easily fold away cloths and move accessibly as I please.  

Water flows wherever it pleases.  It never stops and situates itself to a single space.

That`s why cloth.

Inspired by Roksanda

a few years ago, I came across the photos below.  Instantly captured my eyes.  Everything about the photo screamed inspiration.  Organic. Soft lines.  A play in composition and weight of the drapes, density and sheerness.  Without a seconds thought, I had filed away the photo in my library.  Today, I've decided to release it, as a jump start to this blog. :) see? accountability does work!

Roksanda  Ilincic - fashion designer.  Graduate of Central Saint Martin,   London.
http://www.roksandailincic.com/

While her women's fashion line is quite different from her work above, Ifthe essence of her designs can still be distinguished.  Her luxurious quality fabrics, her soft lines combined with straight cuts allows her works to appear almost.....effortless.  Combination of fabric use, casual with elegance allows the wearer to feel elegant but still comfortable.

If only I knew where she sources her fabrics from!!!

my apologies! i know this post is short, it'll get better eventually!  Stay tune for more!

organically reborn

I've titled this blog "organically reborn" for a reason.

Currently, I work at a corporate retailer, head office level, as a lead to a project that would in affect change how the business will work, hopefully for the better.  While I am overcoming challenges and gaining experiences through this project,  it cannot replace the ache I feel, constantly scratching at my back. 

Prior to entering into the corporate world as a salary woman, I dabbled with my creative juices.  At a very young age, since money was hard to come by, I began to hand-sew my clothes & accessories.  In high school, I focused my studies in arts & fashion.   My limitation to money then was not a road block but rather a push to truly explore and create something beautiful.   Determination, hard work and passion paved my way into the creative industry.  

I majored in Textile Design at Sheridan College, pocketed a few awards during the 3 year program. Right after graduating, I applied and received a rent-free scholarship to the Harbourfront Center; Craft Studio - Textile Residency, renewal up to 3 years.  This studio space provided emerging artist a studio space, which allowed them to freely explore their work as a full-time textile artist.  It was these 3 years that was the best and the worst.  

The best being, it allowed me to truly explore my specialty; creating one of a kind piece of fashion products, both functional and non functional through new discoveries of materials.  I was in my element.  I was happiest in the studio.  My abnormally big hands create products for art shows, fashion shows and boutique stores under my label . . q u e e n i e . . . 

While all is good in my creative world, reality hit me hard.  My work was not bringing enough money to feed my mouth or pay my bills.  As an independent individual with no available financial cushion, every penny earned went to support the basics of living.  There were good months and there were bad months but financially, it was tough!  Bills piled high but up until the 3rd year of the residency, I turned a blind eye and focused on my passion instead.  It wasn't until a life changing occurrence that happened that I decided to retire my creative work and find a full time job.  

Since working full-time 4 years ago, I have not touched my creative work.  I've ALWAYS thought about getting back into it but perhaps its the fear of the unknown that held me back.  While I am no longer struggling financially, I do not want to give up the salary job just yet.  I have to complete this project and see it to the end.  I have to conquer new experiences given to me corporately.   

What I plan to do is, during my free time, ease into the creative industry slowly.  This blog will be my starting point.  "organically reborn."  Organically - because my work has a natural tendency to look very organic, fluid lines, soft & light with no constraints. 

Reborn - well, that would be my creative self, reborn after a hiatus.  I will use this blog to post my researches, my influences and eventually some new work of my own.   

I am the author of http://thekitchenrunner01.blogspot.ca/ and found that I like holding myself accountable to my audience.  Here's to not giving up! 

hand-dyed silk, discharge print corset, 2006

discharge print on silk, merino wool felted on silk, 2005

Commission to create a collection of accessories for Annie Thompson 25th Anniversary fashion show
necklace piece - merino wool felted structure, beaded detail, 2006