The Creative Process

MAKING PROGRESS

2012-01-26T17:29:00.010-05:00

I think

I paste

19 squares

snowy days &

snowy nights

click on photos to enlarge

previous wintry mix posts

GET OUT THE GLUE

2012-01-26T07:44:00.007-05:00

Thursday am

gluing snow on squares

late in the day

yesterday

I love my snow fabrics!

more this morning.

CHOOSING A DIRECTION

2012-01-24T18:53:00.011-05:00

I thought the snow squares, that I made this week, were sort of all over the place-design wise. Time to eliminate and concentrate. Choose a basic design I liked and go with it.

Remembering the Happy Houses I did back in October, I decided to pursue what happening design-wise in 2, maybe 3 of the wintry scenes. (winter squares in center photo)

Keep the winter sky the main thing. Keep the blanket of snow the same size in each & play with the colorful houses against the snowy day and night time wintry weather.

People think I shop a lot for fabric. NOT! I rarely if ever run out to the store for fabric. I have plenty! In this case, I've been collecting fabric that looks like snow for a couple years now. Last year I worked quite a bit with the wintry collection when I was making the collages for Waiting For More Snow.

I've had these projects in mind for quite a while. All my snow fabric, drawings, and other related materials have been in a box waiting for this moment since last winter.

GRAY THEN DARK

2012-01-23T17:16:00.008-05:00

It was a gray day.

I worked on the snow squares but by 4 pm it was dark & not good for picture taking.

This is a photo of the studio the other day when I was getting ready to start the snow project.

Recently painted papers, fabrics, glue, brush, pasting papers & sewing machine set up. Snow inspired art on the leaning shelves.

It's no longer neat and organized, now that I'm working on the project, dipping into all the materials.

SNOW SQUARES

2012-01-22T18:43:00.010-05:00

returning to 6x6 inch snow squares

some started

some cut - not pasted down

where is this going?

I don't know

will just keep making them

the art usually starts taking a direction of it's own

trusting the process

IT'S SNOWING

2012-01-21T17:41:00.013-05:00

As predicted, it was snowing when I got up this morning.

Nelson had Waiting For More Snow open to this page by the window.

It's snowing!

click on photo to enlarge

Click here to see the process of creating Waiting For More Snow by Marge Malwitz.

SNOW BOOK IS PUBLISHED

2012-01-20T17:18:00.008-05:00

Sent files to Blurb on Friday.

Wednesday it's delivered.

Published:

Waiting For More Snow

Marge Malwitz

Is that service or what?!

Expect to put online in

Share Your Blurb Book.

Will post when.

OK LET'S SHARE THE STORY ROPES

2012-01-19T18:20:00.019-05:00

1/5/12 seminar:
Going Cross-Culture with Art

the end of the day • one at a time • sharing their stories • traveling down • touching piece by piece • colors and patterns • telling their stories • never heard

SHOW 'N TELL

2012-01-18T07:52:00.012-05:00

1/5/12 seminar:
Going Cross-Culture with Art

coming post:

completed

story-ropes

accordion books

to see all Up from the city

seminar posts -

click on label below:

TODAY IT SNOWED

2012-01-17T17:48:00.016-05:00

It did - finally!

With the wintry weather outside, I began to work on more snow inspired work.

Began to paint paper and fabric today.

More layers of color to be added with additional paint and printmaking with rug scraps, sponges & corrugated cardboard.

Feels good to be creating again!

photos:

• sponge painted fabric

• paint table setup

* studio setup

click on photos to enlarge

CUTTING & PASTING

2012-01-15T19:00:00.016-05:00

1/5/12 seminar:
Going Cross-Culture with Art

a challenge

a story

their story ?

symbols ?

times of light & dark ?

whatever

4 pages

accordion book

create !

upcoming post-sharing their stories

PARTNERING AT HOME AND OVERSEAS

2012-01-13T16:44:00.012-05:00

1/5/12 seminar:
Going Cross-Culture with Art

It's an unusual partnership we have, an artist and a non-artist, collaborating & working so well together.

I've arrived in her part of the world with artwork, mostly quilts, that we've collaborated on & we've treked around sharing them with friends. We've traveled together to the 'back of beyond' to do the story ropes and art presentations with old and new friends.

At home we've been asked to share our combined experiences & know-how with other artists inspired to do the same but not quite sure how to begin. It was like that with our friends up from the city, as I've been sharing in the posts. The group observed there was a natural flowing working relationship between us. It's developed over the years. We've observed from our different working worlds, that it's quite unusual and not the norm.

My friend brought the pink heart along to the seminar. It's an object lesson - about the heart turned to God yet struggling with the old ways. She pulled all kinds of things out of the heart as she had our rapt attention! The heart needs some technical help so I'll be working on it before she uses it again.

photos of us at the seminar

READY TO PUBLISH

2012-01-13T06:49:00.007-05:00

Friday am

Sending book off today.

Another image wrap hardback.

4th to publish through Blurb.

On to the next book!

Some limitations in Blurb's BookSmart program. Book spine can only be white.

TACO SOUP & CONVERSATION

2012-01-11T16:20:00.012-05:00

1/5/12 seminar:

Going Cross-Culture with Art

A lunch of taco soup & salad was followed by a time of questions & conversation in the living room.

How are they using the arts cross-culturally?

What's been done in the past?

Who is their audience?

How do they connect with people?

After sifting through the conversation, I thought sharing ones own story, was still one of the best ways to connect with people.

Our two projects were all about personal story. We did the story-ropes just before lunch & they'd be creating accordion books that afternoon.

coming up: the heart

FINISHING UP THE SNOW BOOK

2012-01-11T06:23:00.010-05:00

Wednesday morning

Working on "Waiting For More Snow" this morning in BookSmart. Here's the title page:

Tackling the cover and another introductory page this morning.

Getting it ready for Blurb. They'll be publishing.

COMING UP......

2012-01-10T20:35:00.012-05:00

1/5/12 seminar:

Going Cross-Culture with Art

coming tomorrow:

eating

conversation

& a heart

PIANO KEYS?

2012-01-09T16:55:00.022-05:00

1/5/12 seminar:

Going Cross-Culture with Art

It was interesting making time-lines (AKA story-ropes) with young adults.

One of the guys was convinced there would be only three ties on his time-line. After all how much had happened in his life so far?

But then the ideas flowed and his time-line filled in with all different colors and patterns, thoughtfully chosen out of the scrap box, representing special markers in his life so far.

The core fabric he chose reminded him of piano keys. I was expecting to hear about some music in his story.

By the way, his story-rope, as you will see in an upcoming post, turned out great!

photos: making their story-ropes

seminar stories continue in next post

TIMELINES IN FABRIC

2012-01-08T17:57:00.003-05:00

coming tomorrow

CHOOSING FABRICS part 3

2012-01-07T07:05:00.014-05:00

1/5/12 seminar Going Cross-Culture with Art

After a short break, it was back up to the studio where we went through the how-to of making story ropes.

Simply put this is a story timeline, told with fabrics and other materials. In this case they were challenged to tell their personal journey.

I put out 2 big boxes of scraps, a table top covered with fabrics, plus ribbons, buttons, sequins, yarns, etc.

Look at the guys studying the fabrics, as they rummaged through, choosing specific colors and patterns for their timelines.

"How did it go in other workshops, doing it with guys?" they asked. I had to admit, I had never done it with them before!

Considering this looked to be a new experience for them, working with fabric, they were great sports and did very creative story ropes as you will see ahead !

Next blog post: making the story ropes.

LOOKING AT 7 QUILTS part 2

2012-01-06T16:23:00.022-05:00

1/5/12 seminar - Going Cross-Culture with Art

The day of the seminar, began up in the studio.

My friend and I, having traveled together cross-culturally, talked about 7 narrative quilts. Three of the quilts were shown to groups we met with as we traveled together.

Each quilt engages the viewer through the picture story that flows across the face of the quilt.

This first session was about the power of art that tells a story. After talking about the content of each piece, we also told of the audiences we showed each quilt to and their reactions.

Most discussion centered on the two quilts on the work wall, as seen in the photo. The group stood to get a better look while they listened & asked questions.

previous 2 posts picture the other 5 quilts.

next blog post: the group makes story-ropes

A GREAT DAY WITH NEW FRIENDS part 1

2012-01-05T18:42:00.013-05:00

1/5/12 seminar Going Cross-Culture with Art

7 friends came up from Manhattan early this morning. Two other friends came from another CT town to help me present contextualizing art in culture. With Nelson and I there were 11 of us. Quite a crowd for a seminar in my studio!

What a full & really great day of connecting, learning, challenging, creating, talking and eating! It is now evening. Going up to put the studio back together but wanted to share at least 2 pictures. I know some of you are waiting to see something of the day! I'll share more over the next few days.

Each person did two art projects, a story rope and an accordion book.

Photos show the beginning of accordion bookmaking. Click on photos to enlarge.

More tomorrow.

STUDIO IS READY

2012-01-04T16:48:00.014-05:00

I organized the studio for tomorrow's seminar, Going Cross-Culture with Art.

• quilts on the wall

• story-rope fabrics set out

• blank accordion books & papers

click on photos to enlarge

TWEEKING BEFORE BOOKSHARE

2012-01-03T21:27:00.008-05:00

Tweeking Zach's book

Kittykey's Party

• redid photos

• added labels

• reduced story font size

click here to see Zach making Kittykey's Party

click on photos to enlarge

GETTING READY FOR BLURB BOOKSTORE

2012-01-02T21:29:00.013-05:00

I am getting ready to put Kittykee & Kittykee's Party in Blurb Bookshare & Bookstore.

Tweeking pages in both books.

Changing some text in Kittykee.

When I asked Zach who inspired his first book, he smiled & said matter-of-factly, "Eric Carle and my grandma."

That was pretty special.

I put that in!

top: one of process pages in the back of Zach's book.

lower: my front page in BookSmart.

Click to see Zach creating Kittykee's Party

Click here to see Zach making Kittykee.

6 YEARS OLD & 2 PUBLISHED BOOKS!

2011-12-31T14:47:00.009-05:00

our grandson's second book

Kittykee's Party

front & back covers

Click to see Zach creating Kittykee's Party

Click here to see Zach making Kittykee.

3 BACK PAGES

2011-12-29T16:21:00.012-05:00

working on snow book

back 3 pages

inspired by winter

photo images

outside

inside

Blurb BookSmart screen shot as I'm working.

2011-12-29T16:21:00.001-05:00

CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF THE KING!

2011-12-25T14:01:00.005-05:00

Merry Christmas !

Celebrate the Birth of the King!

m.malwitz

mixed media collage

paper

fabric

painted papers

metallic threads

sequins

machine stitching

click for all collages in Advent Series

PAINTING PAPERS AGAIN

2011-12-14T20:08:00.011-05:00

1 to 1 & small group workshops coming up - getting ready.

materials for painting papers

watercolor paper

brushes

acrylics

carpet scraps

corrugated cardboard

paper plate palettes

sequin waste

PAGES FROM ZACH'S NEW BOOK

2011-12-12T16:56:00.012-05:00

2 page spread from Zach's new book, Kittykee's Party.

art & story by Zach.

Click on image to enlarge.

for creative process of making Kittykee's Party: click here

MULTIPLE BOOK OPTIONS

2011-12-11T07:09:00.016-05:00

I'm back working on the snow book - along with the latest Kittykee book.

Going to design the snow book 2 different ways. One for my grandkids, writing a Kittykee story and another with snow words and images connected & flowing across the pages.

Lots of ways to do this when designing a book on blurb.

• page from snow book.

• snow book pages on the work table.

BookSmart @ The Cape

2011-12-08T11:07:00.010-05:00

A great place to work on Zach's 2nd book, Kittykee's Party.

Putting it into BookSmart.

Nelson's working on the original scans for cover picture.

Cape Cod Bay out the windows.

Click for pictures of Zach creating.

Creating Together

2011-11-13T16:18:00.006-05:00

It's been working out that once a year my friends join me for a week of art-making in studio.

Going through aperture, I'm remembering our creative week back in the spring.

Pat from Atlanta, Marcia from Seattle & Martha from Hartford, all working on different projects.

FINAL PAGES

2011-11-09T17:40:00.012-05:00

I am back in CT now. Brought the little artist's newest Kittykee book home to get it into Blurb.

Our grandson was a bit distracted by his siblings at the end of the book. Those final pages are not as filled up as his favorite page in the beginning of the book.

But no matter! The book looks great!

Scroll back to see more of the creative process, making this book.

LOTS OF CATS!

2011-11-04T09:34:00.005-04:00

Not much time for working on the book.

The little artist has homework and sports after school.

But here's a few new pages.

Maybe the kitties are going to Kittykee's party?

KITTYKEE SERIES?

2011-11-03T00:06:00.011-04:00

My grandson began his 2nd Kittykee book. This time we are working at his house. Here are the first couple of pages.

Will the story continue where the last book left off?

Will there finally be a kitty party?

Check back!

click for 1st Kittykee book

GREAT IDEA FOR AN EXHIBIT!

2011-10-27T20:22:00.019-04:00

STILL RIVER EDITIONS

Fine Art Printing at Connecticut Photographics

The great people who do my prints. came up with a very good idea for an exhibit. My print, Painted Dye Vats*, is in the show. All prints are 16"x20" & will be available for sale at $100.

Affordable Art Print & Sale

Group Exhibition & Sale of fine art giclee prints - Nov. 1 - Dec.23, 2011

Opening reception: Saturday, November 19, 2011 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm. I'll be there.

*top row - 4th across

Still River Edtions-Connecticut Photographics, 128 East Liberty Street Danbury, Connecticut 06810

203-791-1474 • 800-287-4686

KITTYKEE PUBLISHED

2011-10-24T17:41:00.013-04:00

Our grandson's picture book, Kittykee.

1st published hardback edition. Story and illustrations are all his.

Zach's copy arrived in the mail on Friday. We hear he's very proud of it & has been carrying it around ever since!

Click here to see the process of Zach creating Kittykee in his grandma's art studio.

SKIFFS AT DOCK

2011-10-21T20:48:00.005-04:00

Rockport Dock

m.malwitz

photo collage

fall colors

AUTUMN IN ROCKPORT

2011-10-20T20:25:00.005-04:00

Rockport Autumn

shed

traps

buoys

skiffs

colors

salt water

"Wish I were there."

SEA GLASS

2011-10-14T08:21:00.008-04:00

treasures

washed up

softened edges

like jewels

in the sand

minimal

2 pictures

put together

on a page

IN THE DISTANCE

2011-10-13T16:32:00.011-04:00

sunrise
outermost house

biking

moors

m.malwitz

collage

mixed media

minimal

'HOME' WEB PAGE

2011-10-11T17:55:00.004-04:00

One of several houses that randomly come up on my website home page.

This one looks like fall.

house collage

painted papers

glossy pictures

Click for My website.

BACK TO THE CAPE

2011-10-10T16:12:00.005-04:00

Cape on Horizon

collage page in

The Outermost House.

Kolo journal

glossy pictures

painted papers

fabric

HAPPY HOUSES 5 - 7

2011-10-09T14:50:00.008-04:00

Plus 3 makes 7 Happy Houses.

HAPPY HOUSES 1-4

2011-10-08T16:56:00.007-04:00

7 Happy Houses

first 4

finishing up some projects

this is one of them

CAMBODIAN STORY ROPES

2011-10-07T17:33:00.016-04:00

There's Marcia in Cambodia teaching the story ropes this past week!

Amazing seeing what started in Rwanda, is now going to the nations!

Once I get the stories I'll be posting Marcia's Cambodian experience on Our Stories, my other blog.

Click Our Stories for 'why' and 'how' of story ropes.

SIX PEARS

2011-10-06T16:02:00.009-04:00

My friend, AJ Picard, exhibited 2 of his beautiful pear pastels in an open house art exhibit we had a few years ago.

I enjoyed his work so much that week, hanging in my kitchen.

During the week I noted that 3 'real' pears I had in a basket, had ripened to the same coloring as those in the painting. I could not resist setting up this shot.

This summer AJ had the honor of demonstrating portraiture at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY.

INVESTING IN MARCIA

2011-10-05T17:25:00.017-04:00

This past year Marcia came for a week to study with me. I taught her every story-telling technique I know. She made a story rope, accordion books, collages & gospel tags.

I invested a week in Marcia, confident that God would use her life story, shared in creative ways.

From here she went to Nicaragua & Hungary doing storying techniques with multiple groups.

Now she's in Cambodia. Her pictures are streaming in on FB. I do see Gospel tags. The stories will come later. (photos)

YES! She has taken everything she's learned & run with it & she does it all better than me!

Click here for the story of Marcia's week in my studio.

SIGN OF THE SEASON

2011-10-04T17:15:00.008-04:00

We passed some of these when we were out today.

Pumpkins at the Farm

collage by m.malwitz

photos

fabric

painted papers

sequins

buttons

stitching

YOU SEE SO MUCH

2011-10-03T11:07:00.010-04:00

You see so much on these cross-cultural trips. I'm thinking about that as my friend, Marcia, sends pictures back from S.E. Asia, where she is multiplying over and over what she learned in my art studio.

I was remembering something I saw on one of my own trips.

The orphanage was filled with throw away children. I will never forget the small boy, laying on his back, staring at the ceiling, with two tears running down his cheek. I felt so helpless standing beside him. My friend said, "Their little bodies are like prisons."

Silent Tears Silent Suffering m.malwitz

FALL AT STORM KING

2011-10-02T13:59:00.017-04:00

Sometimes it's good to get out of the studio & go someplace inspiring - a time to refresh body & spirit.

Storm King is that kind of place. An amazing sculpture park about an hour from where we live.

It's pretty mind-bending to see monumental sculptures generously spaced out over 500 acres - artists' work living in the Creators' world.

I took these photos a couple fall seasons ago.

2 pics: sculptures by

Mark di Suvero

lower pic: sculpture wall by

Andy Goldsworthy

Click for Storm King & go on video tour of the sculpture park.

THE OLD JALOUSIE WINDOW

2011-10-01T16:47:00.007-04:00

Our season of beauty begins.

Old Jalousie Window

mixed media collage

fabric

photos

fabrics

machine stitching

TELLING THE STORY

2011-09-30T17:16:00.014-04:00

After the little artist completed his book, it was time to tell us the story.

We took 2 videos (photo/1 frame) & wrote down a hard copy as he told his story 3x, pointing page to page.

I've edited the story, combining all three stories (slight variations) into one. It is totally our grandson's wording and story. I resisted making any changes. I am wowed by how his book pages look & story reads in Blurb's SmartBook program.

Click here for posts on the process of making this book.

THE LITTLE ARTIST'S BOOK

2011-09-29T14:34:00.010-04:00

Working on the little artist's book. All his own - pictures and story.

He created it here last summer. Click to see.

Putting in story next.

Blurb

HAPPY HOUSES

2011-09-28T13:30:00.007-04:00

Creating again. Painted scraps are on the table.

Started 3"x21" accordion book in the summer with bright grass & sunny sky.

Today adding houses & trees.

I think the houses look happy.

THE CASTLE

2011-09-27T18:03:00.006-04:00

Always inspiring for me to look back at earlier work.

The Castle

m.malwitz

collage of

fabric

painted papers

pictures

CREATING AHEAD

2011-09-26T19:19:00.014-04:00

Time to get back to creating!

Maybe I'll even cut up the paper paint palettes!

It sure is good to be home!

Great Africa trip.

Those 8 posts below.

THE FLOW OF SHARING Africa no.8

2011-09-25T09:16:00.032-04:00

On from Abuja, we traveled to Ibadan where I would do the story ropes on Saturday at my friend, Bisi's church. (top photo)

But the flow was not in the meeting as it always is. Why was that? Just a few made story ropes & shared, like the young woman in the bottom photo.

As I had some distance from the event, I realized why. I failed to send the guidelines that I set up for venues in Rwanda that worked wonderfully. I never thought about it being a large group.

So here is a teaching moment:

1. Limit the group to 12-15 women.

2. Seat everyone in a circle or around a table.

3. No taping or videoing of the session.

I learned something else on this trip. When using highly patterned African fabrics, it's good to add in colored ribbons. Also make a story rope of my life using the same materials I am providing for them.

Once again, my experience was a learning experience. There is always something to learn.

The joyful woman in this photo, came up to me after the story rope session,

"This was meant just for me.

You are here because of the Holy Spirit."

Maybe she was right.

Flow or no flow,

I was there for just for her.

MY DREAM JUST HAPPENED Africa no.7

2011-09-24T17:48:00.015-04:00

We had come to the end of our time @Movement for African National Initiatives 2011. The dream to pass the story rope on to all the African nations had not happened. It was OK. Not His plan.

It was dinner time, long lines, full tables. Got our food, hunted for a place to sit. 2 guys got up, cleared their dishes, we sat down.

Nelson introduced us to the woman across the table & she introduced herself as Dr. Emily Obwaka, (photo) the Continental Coordinator of the Pan African Christian Women Alliance, an organization passionate about restoring the true dignity and self worth of women who have been victims to gender based violence and abuse. THE opportunity I was hoping for!

"I have something you might be interested in. It's a way for women to tell their stories. I first did it with the genocide survivors in Rwanda. You might be interested, but maybe not."

"Oh but I think I am!" she said. As I rounded the table with my story ropes and cards, Nelson told her it is useful to help in situations of child abuse, domestic violence, sexual abuse, spousal abuse and depression. "Now I'm really interested!"

As we talked, she said the healing process has to start with stories & so they've been having the women do drawings of their stories but now they will do story ropes!

She looked at me and said. "This conference has been amazing for networking but something has been missing for me. You are the missing link." And my dream just happened!

THIS IS MY STORY! Africa no.6

2011-09-20T16:09:00.006-04:00

"Jane, tell me about your story rope."

September 8, 2011

Abuja, Nigeria

click: Jane answers on video.

JANE TIES ON HER STORY Africa no.5

2011-09-20T15:13:00.017-04:00

My friend, Jane, is from Nairobi, Kenya. She sat next to me all week at MANI*. When Jane saw that she could tell the story of her life using strips of fabric, she wanted to make her own story rope.

As she tied on appropriate patterns & colors to tell her story, she told me about her life. I reminded her that God Wastes Nothing. I'm sure she knew this already but something about those words grabbed her heart & she embraced that truth, making it her own.

Though there were dark strips throughout her rope, representing much pain suffered by her family, there were colorful, bright African fabrics & ribbons between the darks. In making the rope she saw the God of hope in those brightly colored areas and realized that he was always there, even in the dark times.

Early in the week Jane told me that she wondered why she was at MANI but then came the story rope. Now she knew why she was there. It was so she could tell her story when she got back home to Nairobi.

She was so excited about her story rope. For the first time she could 'see' God is in her story & He doesn't waste anything.

Coming...a video of Jane talking about her story rope.

*Continuing to report on our September 2011 trip to Abuja, Nigeria, where we attended the Movement for Africa National Initiatives, invited to come alongside of the Africans as they lead their continent in the Great Commission.

STORYROPES @TABLE13 Africa no.4

2011-09-20T15:08:00.029-04:00

It was a good idea. Materials were cut & packaged up to make 70+ story ropes. But it didn't work. Not in a conference venue with full schedule, short breaks, crowded tables, wall to wall sessions, long lines & long days.

One story rope was made at MANI. ONE! Well 2 if you count the woman who sat down at our table at break time and started to make one. I'm not sure she understood what it was all about but she was enjoying the process. (bottom photo)

The one story rope that was made & Jane, who made it...was God's story - the only story I needed to hear. Tomorrow.....

Continuing to report on our September 2011 trip to Abuja, Nigeria, where we attended the Movement for Africa National Initiatives, invited to come alongside of the Africans as they lead their continent in the Great Commission.

CAN YOU COME? Africa no.3

2011-09-20T09:20:00.020-04:00

There was no doubt in my mind. The story rope was the thing to pass along @MANI. It had roots in Africa where I first used it in Rwanda with the genocide survivors. Now I was bringing it back to Africa, humbly offering it as a ministry tool to African leaders - for healing, sharing the Good News & discipleship & it adapted to any culture!

This may sound a bit crazy but I actually had the dream of connecting with every African nation, passing along the story rope through conversation, hands-on-experience & 500 colorful cards linking to the new 'Our Stories' teaching blog. Then I would have fulfilled the task of passing it on. My times of traveling to Africa would be over...NOT!

"Can you come to Togo to teach this? Will you be coming to Jos? Please come & I will take you around to all the villages. Will you come to South Africa? Could you teach this in Ghana; Cote d'Ivoire; Kenya." & on and on! This was not the plan! It was about handing it off to them!

The most unusual invitation came from Dinah Ratsimbajaonam of Islands Mission, in Madagascar, the big island off the south-east coast of Africa. What a priviledge & learning exerience to meet him and his friends working in their homeland islands in the Indian Ocean.

"Please come and teach the story ropes." (Dinah)

"What would we use? Wood? Notches on wood?" "We have raffia. We could dye it."

"Oh, with roots." "Come. We have a small helicopter. We could drop right down into the rainforest."

I smiled & shook my head in wonder. (photos of Dinah in the helicopter & in the village.)

CONNECTING BEFORE Africa no.2

2011-09-19T06:17:00.020-04:00

"I planted... but God gave the increase." Corinthians 3:6

Before I went to Africa I contacted 9 women, who would be at MANI - Movement of African National Initiatives - 'planting emails' to connect ahead of time. Surely I would meet many more but these 9 would be a good start.

In reading their profiles, I thought these 9 might be interested in using the Story Rope in ministries back in their nations - perhaps even make one with me at the conference. I sure was prepared on that front!

Interestingly enough, I met only 3 of these women and spent very brief time with each, just a quick conversation & handing them the 'OUR STORIES' card with web links to the teaching blog.

So who did I talk to? Mostly very interested male mission & church leaders, who saw the potential of using the story rope back home in their nations, in their work, with their people - for sharing the Good News, in discipleship & in the healing process (photos w/2 bishops & other African leaders.)

It was interesting how differently things worked out than expected..but in the end "God gave the increase." That story will unfold in the next posts.

TELLING THE STORIES Africa no.1

2011-09-16T09:09:00.025-04:00

Nelson and I are home from Africa. It's time to begin telling the stories that come out of 4 highly concentrated days at MANI* 2011 in Abuja, Nigeria with people, mostly Africans, from 58 nations.

I bought my tie-dyed dress in Jos in 2005, the last time I was in Nigeria. All to say I have been to Jos, taught & shared my art quilts in many ministries there & even took a drive into the village area outside of town. At my assigned table at MANI I was seated with 5 Africans. One was from Jos.

As we introduced ourselves around the table, I said I was an artist & briefly told about the story ropes & art quilt experience I did in Rwanda with the genocide survivors & how I also shared art in Jos. The man across from me said he was from Jos & wanted to talk to me at the break time.

"Do you remember the genocide of the village outside of Jos last year? That was my village." I did remember. "600 tribesmen surrounded my village & murdered 500 people." He had been in Abuja that day but some of his family members were slaughtered. Then he asked, "Will you be coming to Jos?" I felt so badly saying no. I knew why he was asking. So the storytelling begins.

Just before & during the time we were in Abuja there were more brutal killings in Jos.

*Movement of African National Initiatives

(photo) With my friends, Bisi & Comfort, after presenting the story rope to their women's group.

SPACE FOR AFRICAN STORIES

2011-09-02T21:29:00.017-04:00

To leaders coming to Africa, from the outside, to MANI* 2011 consultation:

How can we create space for the African stories to be heard?

*Movement for African National Initiatives

Tomorrow our journey begins.

"We're coming, Africa, to come alongside in your process, to listen & help you think creatively - outside the box, in order to reach your goals for each country & beyond."

More trip thoughts: Our Stories blog.

Creating story ropes in Rwanda at World Relief Headquarters.

'OUR STORIES' Came Today !!!

2011-09-01T14:28:00.016-04:00

The box of 500 business sized cards arrived this morning from Modern Postcard in California. THANK YOU, GOD! And I love how they came out!

Their timely arrival looked pretty dim a day ago. The UPS website located them stuck in a Chicago warehouse overflowing with boxes, all held up because of a natural disaster. That would be the infamous hurricane, Irene.

Prayers moved the impossible & OUR STORIES cards showed up on our doorstep today!

Shortly they'll be going to MANI 2011 in Africa with me! I'll be handing them to African leaders & global delegates interested in using storying techniques for healing, sharing the Good News & discipleship.

The design coordinates with the current header on OUR STORIES blog. Blog address & story rope uses are on the card's reverse side. Click on photo to enlarge.

Thank you to a special friend for her totally unexpected gift of funding these cards to be made & inspiring me to create them at all ! May God give the increase!

ALL PACKAGED UP

2011-08-29T17:07:00.022-04:00

The pre-cut story rope fabrics are gently rolled, packed into little bags & ready for my carry-on. I have enough for 70 people wanting to learn the process to take back to their nations. And if I run out....I can 'show 'n tell the rest'!

Thank you, Amanda, Dante'ya & Careece for getting the strips of fabric ready to go! You 3 are on my sending team! And here they are!

MANI* 2011 Consultation in Abuja, Nigeria begins on Monday, with 1000 invited leaders coming from almost every African nation & 24 nations outside of Africa. An honor to be invited to listen, learn & share. MANI* Movement for African Initiatives

DELIGHTFUL AFRICAN FICTION

2011-08-24T15:34:00.010-04:00

Listening to The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency series on CD's...takes me back to Africa.

You have to have been there to catch the subtle humor. Some of the lines are quite funny.

Continuing to network the Abuja consultation attenders list.

AFRICA ON THE TABLE

2011-08-23T17:07:00.015-04:00

Putting out some of the Africa stuff for packing. Cut strips & buttons ready for story ropes. Sample story rope. African jewelry. Rwandan dresses to iron.

Check out my new blog! Our Stories

WRITING POSTS

2011-08-22T20:03:00.011-04:00

working on new blog

Our Stories

writing a bunch of posts

getting it up to speed

sharing info in Africa

post on transparency

DEEP BLUE & ORANGE

2011-08-21T17:08:00.010-04:00

I have a new piece of art work. A little gem of an abstract acrylic painting by Jacquie Gouveia, titled DEEP BLUE. It said sky, sea & sand the moment I saw it on FB! It has a touch of orange at the horizon line & I love that it's a square piece with extra deep stretchers.

I'm enjoying it with other deep blues with touches of orange - my book, RAIN & two fabric collages, AERIAL ROCKPORT 1 & 2. It's fun moving art around - making one piece work with another.

Click to see more by J.Gouveia

SO VERY DIFFERENT

2011-08-20T14:24:00.021-04:00

On thursday afternoon, my Indian friend, came over to do her story rope.

She told me her life story the last time she was over. It was so culturally different from my own. It had 2 distinct parts - the years lived in India and the years lived here in the US after she married.

All we had a chance to do last time was cut a very long strip of filmy orange sari fabric. Orange, the color on her flag.

On thursday she cut ribbons & sari fabric strips to tie to the filmy orange 'rope'. Even how she assigned color choices to communicate each segment of her life story were exotic & unfamiliar to me.

It was fascinating sitting with my friend, listening once again to her story as she cut and tied pieces. She pinned it to the work wall for the picture.

Much conversation came out of our time together & our friendship deepened. It was a good afternoon.

• creating at the table with sari fabric, ribbons, metallic effect threads, organza, shiny metallic fabrics

• the finished story rope

3 DREAMERS IN THE MORNING

2011-08-19T17:50:00.013-04:00

Two great art people visited me yesterday morning. Amanda & a new art friend, Siovhan. We did a lot of looking at art work, dreaming of possibilities & yes, talking non-stop!

Siovhan is a mosaic artist. Beautiful work! Incorporating broken pieces of stained glass really makes her work stunning. We got along famously-on same page about a lot of stuff.

Amanda and I go back just a couple of weeks. We clicked from the get-go & started dreaming about using art experiences with Danbury's immigrant community. She has amazing connections & speaks a bunch of languages!

Of course it all came round to a conversation about the story ropes & the myriad of venues this could be used in.

Teaching blog on story telling coming.

WORKING ON A NEW BLOG

2011-08-17T17:15:00.011-04:00

Through my own & friends experiences, the blog will teach how to use storying techniques with people.

Story ropes, accordion books & altered books are some of the techniques we'll share.

Needs to be ready for Africa. Keep you posted.

• story rope with African fabrics & buttons

ARTIST DOWNLOAD!

2011-08-16T18:38:00.020-04:00

My art buddy, Pat Butler, came over today-fresh up from Hot-lanta which has cooled off like it has up here!

When we get together it is a non-stop download of: sketchbooks, tags, photos, cross collages, books, new postcards, hearing about latest travels & art team leading - this time into the world of graffiti in Hungary, updates on Om & GEM & how is so & so and on & on!!!

Good thing she is coming back in another week before she leaves to go back home. We didn't have time to cover it all!

• looking at collage materials & thinking about possibilities.

• tags !!! labels !!!

Some years back, I shared the idea of tags as a surface to create on. Pat has since taken the idea and run with it! Several years ago it was lino block printing on the tags. This year she created a creative slide of tags inspired by her world view! Many of the collage materials were found on her trip. Totally a WOW!

• Pat's awesome sketch book! She is a writer & she can draw!!! On many pages words are incorporated into the art work. On the left side is the graffiti design one of the ArtsLink participants came up with.

I made 2 videos of Pat talking about her sketchbooks last spring in my studio. One of these days I'll get the video clips into IMovie to share with you.

MARJIE'S QUILT STORY

2011-08-15T18:10:00.021-04:00

Last year my friend, Marjie McCandless, came over to see my quilts & studio. I sent her home inspired with 2 giant bags of African fabrics.

Last week we met up at the 2 day Leadership Summit. She told me about the quilts she made with the fabrics. "Please! Tomorrow bring the quilt you still have & I'll put it on my blog!"

Marjie's daughter, Kate, spent a year in South Africa as an assistant to the house mom at an orphanage with 12 "Little Kids". Out of that experience comes Marjie's quilt story:

"It was a world view changing, upside-down world turning, foundation building, heart enlarging and spirit engaging year.

We all discoverd SKYPE and communcated often. Kate would place the computer at the dinner table and we would sit with the "Little Kids" get to know their names and what they liked and who they were.

The quilt shows 12 beautiful

rescued children with happy button faces. Above them is the source of the rescue the heart of the God who so loved and poured his spirit of grace and love upon them.

Quilting has been a part of me for 19 years. It was my expression of the creativity inside me ---- colors, textiles, shape and design ---- a visual combination from inside.

After I met you (Marge) another dimension burst into the dynamic. What was my spirit saying? To quilt from that expression - to quilt with spirit was as an expression of worship."

STILL A LOT OF SCRAPS !

2011-08-11T19:41:00.015-04:00

I took this photo when I was preparing the wordless story book for the young man in Uganda. Here's that story.

Yesterday we used a lot of the African fabric scraps for the story ropes and strips. But the pile is still looking big.

I've been at something called the Leadership Summit today and have to say I was challenged by the last speaker, Steve Furtick, to 'dig more ditches'. I translated that to mean: prepare more story rope materials! & watch God use all of them in Africa.

OK. I will!

art on ledge: G. Andersen; F. Booth; M. Malwitz

CUTTING FABRICS FOR STORY ROPES

2011-08-10T17:07:00.015-04:00

My friend, Amanda (in black), came over this morning with students, Dante'yh (in blue) & Careece (in yellow).

We worked on getting the strips ready for 'story-rope' making when I go to Africa. Together we chose fabric scraps, ironed & cut strips - lots and lots of strips of African fabrics.* Thank you, ladies! We got so much accomplished!

Amanda will be bringing the girls back. I want to hear more about their hopes & dreams for the future, show them my art work & probably make some collages.

*the African fabric scraps are from my seamstress friends at Amani Ya Juu (peace with God) the Christian sewing cooperative for marginalized women in Kigali, Africa.

A LITTLE ERIC CARLE ?

2011-08-09T17:10:00.020-04:00

All 14 pages.

My grandson, the artist, was quite proud that his storytelling collages look a little like Eric Carle's picture books.

Kind of does!

What's next?

• Write the story.

• Think up a title.

• Photoshop smudges.

More to do before publishing.

click on photos to enlarge

CATS & CLOUDS

2011-08-08T20:19:00.007-04:00

• The accordion book is finished & the little artist is on his way home.

• Here's a couple pages & the completed project.

• The rest of the close-ups tomorrow.

• Zach & grandpa are working on the story as they travel back to the West Coast.

click on photos to enlarge

MORE PAGES ON FRIDAY

2011-08-07T19:23:00.017-04:00

In the morning the little artist created a couple more pages in his accordion book.

Then an outing up to Kent Falls, CT.

7 pages completed.

7 more to go.

NO ART ON THURSDAY

2011-08-06T19:09:00.014-04:00

A trip to NYC on Thursday.

No art work that day.

Where did we go?

Top of the Empire State Building.

The little artist with his grandpa.

We were beat after the 3 hour wait on line!

ANOTHER CAT

2011-08-03T18:06:00.010-04:00

A little cutting & pasting before we take the little artist to the Maritime Aquarium.

Working on page 2.

click on photos to enlarge

THE ARTIST IS BUSY

2011-08-02T22:00:00.012-04:00

....but not in the art room.

Went to our friend's organic farm,

the supermarket,

played board games,

the pool,

read books &

squeezed in some art.

Did only one page in his accordion book.

Tomorrow?

The Maritime Aquarium, Norwalk, CT

Will there be any time in the art room? Stay tuned....

GETTING INTO ART

2011-08-01T16:53:00.016-04:00

A night of missed sleep? Didn't matter to our grandson!

He just flew in this morning with his grandpa after taking the red-eye from the west coast.

He wanted to get right into the artwork shortly after coming in the door!

The painted papers, rubber stamps, scissors & glue sticks were all set to go. No instruction needed. He started right in!

The artist is taking a long nap this afternoon. When he gets up I'll ask him to tell about this piece.

Click photos to enlarge.

4 COLLAGE ARTISTS

2011-07-31T17:44:00.011-04:00

A few piles of painted papers,

rubber stamps,

scissors

& paste.

Tri-folded white strips

or design on a rectangle.

Each came up with their own design.

So here's work

by mom & kids....

THE WHOLE FAMILY CREATES

2011-07-30T17:44:00.021-04:00

My new friends seem like old friends. I first got to know them through STATIONS, an invitational art exhibit in Paris. I wasn't able to be at the opening but they attended & turned up in this photo looking at my piece "TOUT" "ALL".

We've been building a friendship on FB, blogs and emails for over a year now. Today we finally met in person & did what we've been planning for months...creating in the studio...the whole family !

While cutting, pasting, & rubber-stamping we talked about their experiences in Paris & I shared some of the art I've done cross-culturally. Time slipped by so quickly. So much more to share and create. It ended too soon.

After lunch, I sent them off with my postcards and big hugs. Once again I feel so rich having all these wonderful relationships being built through art.

Tomorrow I'll post their finished pieces.

EMPTY STUDIO ? NOT REALLY

2011-07-29T17:24:00.010-04:00

Actually my studio is not so empty but I like this shot, taken last year. Today I was out and about-so nothing creative happening.

Tonight I'm setting up to do collage with new friends coming through in the morning.

Check back tomorrow to see the creative activity.

FRIENDS FROM INDIA

2011-07-28T18:01:00.023-04:00

My friend, called to ask if she could bring her family over, visiting from India & Florida. Of course!

I brought out the big National Geographic Atlas and located where each is from in India. We eventually made it up to the studio where I shared the Creation quilt, they discoved their language in the design of For God So Loved & of course they wanted to see the story ropes having heard so much about them from Mina.

That called for telling my story. I brought out the suffering collages to show, as I told about the dark pieces of fabric on my story rope - my long dark depression.

Much conversation up in the studio. Before leaving, I gave them postcards of the quilts - enough to share with their friends back home. I love these women from India & feel so rich with all my friends from around the world.

ZACCHAEUS QUILT lesson 2

2011-07-27T18:29:00.018-04:00

We began designing a little quilt top for practice today, learning how to simplify images (buildings) and try out techniques (heat bonding material & zig-zag stitch) that will be used in the Zacchaeus quilt.

At home Nilce wrote a contextualized version of the story of Zacchaeus, which takes place in a city with high buildings. Working with colorful scraps, Nilce & Raquel created buildings & a street with a cross-walk. Next class we'll add windows, doors, maybe some trees.

Nós começamos a projetar uma superfície de quilt simples para a prática de hoje, a aprender a simplificar as imagens (edifícios) e experimentar técnicas (material de colagem de calor e ponto zig-zag) que serão utilizados na colcha de quilt de Zaqueu.

Em casa Nilce escreveu uma versão contextualizada da história de Zaqueu, que acontece em uma cidade com edifícios altos. Trabalhando com retalhos coloridos, Nilce e Raquel criaram edifícios e uma rua com uma faixa de pedestres. Na próxima aula vamos adicionar janelas, portas e talvez algumas árvores.

'HOW TO MAKE A STORY ROPE' video

2011-07-26T17:28:00.011-04:00

I developed the story rope in Rwanda as a way for genocide survivors to process their stories. Since then I've taught many how to use it in their cross-cultural work. Most recent 'how-to' requests have come from people wanting to use it in India, Uganda & Australia. Pat Butler & I partnered in making this video to share the process.

'How to make a Story Rope' http://vimeo.com/26931171

Please let me know where in the world you are making story ropes & I'll put a pin in that spot on a world map. You can contact me in the comment area.

ZACCHAEUS QUILT lesson 1

2011-07-25T16:15:00.032-04:00

My new Brazilian friends, Nilce & daughter Raquel, came over for their first lesson in making a picture quilt.

How do you make a quilt that tells a story & where do you start? That's what we talked about today, looking at examples & materials to stimulate creativity.

Nilce wants to make a quilt about the Bible character, Zacchaeus. She plans to use it when teaching immigrant children. Contextualizing the story to make sense in our culture will be a creative challenge. More after the next lesson.

Hoje minhas amigas brasileiras, Nilce & Raquel, vieram para sua primeira lição de como fazer uma colcha de imagens (técnica de Quilt).

Como você faz uma colcha que conta uma história? Por onde começar? Foi sobre isso que nós falamos hoje, olhando para exemplos e materiais para estimular a criatividade.

Nilce quer fazer uma colcha sobre o personagem bíblico Zaqueu. Ela vai contextualizar a história para fazer sentido em nossa cultura, com os filhos de imigrantes com os quais ela espera para trabalhar. Continuaremos na próxima lição.

RAINY PAGES

2011-07-23T14:35:00.009-04:00

2 spreads from my book, RAIN.

Thinking about next book.

Did you see the cover?

Click - to see yesterday's post.

Next post on Monday.

ON MY BOOK SHELF

2011-07-22T16:19:00.022-04:00

A new book has appeared on my shelf of children's picture books. Mine!

RAIN

by Marge Malwitz

My husband, Nelson, used the online Blurb program to create this beautiful hardcover book from the scanned pages of Sketchbook Project 2011, RAIN.

A wonderful birthday present! Thank you, my dear!

Some book pages tomorrow.

As always-click on photos to enlarge.

I blogged the creative process of making RAIN. Click to see.

CONQUERING APERTURE

2011-07-21T17:50:00.008-04:00

Finally organizing my photos, which we moved from I-Photo into Aperture a few months ago. Conquering the new program is a challenge - hours of time.

The painted papers & glue are pushed to the back & collaging put on hold, while I work on my laptop.

HIGH TIDE OVER BOARDWALK

2011-07-20T06:12:00.017-04:00

As I looked through the scraps with the idea of sea, sky and sand, I found a little scrap of striped fabric. Ahhh-a piece of boardwalk, I thought.

Look at this photo, recently shot by photographer, Karen Amendola. It's the little piece of art come to life! High tide splashing over the boardwalk - Brewster, Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts.

Thanks, Karen, for letting me use your spectacular picture!

WORKING ON VIDEO

2011-07-19T18:00:00.009-04:00

Been working on putting together a 15 minute video of my artist friend, Pat Butler, making a story-rope. We shot the clips earlier in the year. Editing done. Just need to make an intro. Coming soon.

What's a story-rope?

Stay tuned.

Click here for previous story rope posts.

BAYSIDE HORIZONTALS

2011-07-18T18:22:00.015-04:00

at the Cape

sky, sea & sand

1 painted paper strip

4 fabric strips

minimal

collaged in Kolo Journal