'Tis the Season…

’Tis the season…for giving parties, giving presents and giving thanks. Personally, anything that involves sparkly lights is okay with me. I am especially thrilled to be participating in the East Prospect 2 Exhibition: Art for the Holidays happening Thursday, December 6th from 5- 8pm and Saturday, December 8th from 11am to 4pm at 545 East Prospect in Fayetteville, Arkansas, not only because I am in awe of the work of all the visual artists involved but also because Craig Colorusso, who brought his amazing Sun Boxes to the summer east prospect show, is back with a Cube Music installation. (I've been told the lights do not sparkle, but glow with the music, which sounds wonderful.) I will be showing some of my textile paintings and I’ve got a new batch of scarves perfect for gift giving or holiday party wear.

Cube Music • Craig Colorusso • photo ©2012 Megan Chapman

My scarves are also available in my new Etsy shop, if you’d like to take a look. I’ve been experimenting with some new dying techniques and things have gotten wildly colorful—perfect to brighten up those dreary winter days. And, as always, if you are interested in giving a gift of my art for the holidays, or any time, please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions you might have. I am happy to ship anywhere in the world.

Scarves for the holidays • ©2012 Jennifer Libby Fay

More exciting news, I’ve been invited to participate in the Snowflake Salon: biennial invitation 2012 at the Art Bridge Club of Center City, 1616 Walnut Street, Fourteenth Floor, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The exhibition runs from December 14th to February 8th 2013, and there’s a reception Friday, December 14, from 5 – 8 pm. If you are in Philadelphia I would love for you to stop by and let me know how it all looks. I may have to figure out a way to get there myself…

Snowflake Salon works in progress • ©2012 Jennifer Libby Fay

Scarves R Us

Earth & Sky Scarf • 10" x 72" • ©2010 Jennifer Libby Fay

It's all about scarves here at the studio these days. Scarves R Us, you might say. I started making them back at the beginning of November and haven't really stopped. Fortunately I've had some help. My friend Dee came by one Saturday and offered her services. I started calling her my elf. We joked about how we were working for Santa. She made a couple scarves to give as gifts, but mostly she helped, and we had pizza. It was a great day. Here she is at the press.

Dee at the Press • November 2010

By the First Thursday opening at the Fayetteville Underground I had forty scarves made. Dee was there to help, she sold a lot of scarves, including the one she was wearing. I think I rested on Friday—it's a bit of a blur, but I was back in the studio on Saturday replenishing the stock. 

Grey is the New Black Scarf • 10" x 72" • ©2010 Jennifer Libby Fay

I must admit I love the process of dyeing the scarves. I like to choose the colors and think up new ways to create texures and designs. When I am finished painting them they are stiff with dye and thickener. Over and over I think, ugh, these won't be very nice, I must have made a mistake. I take them home, put them in the wash and wait, discouraged, until the bell rings. Why I do this every time I will never know because each time I open the washer door, there they are, colorful, soft, shimmery fabric confections. 

Peach Snakeskin Scarf • 10" x 72" • ©2010 Jennifer Libby Fay

I photograph them, sign them and try to put them out for sale. My friend and fellow studio mate, William Mayes Flanagan, says that to him, his paintings are like kittens, he just loves every one of them. I feel that way about my scarves. Except, if they really were kittens, I might be known as the crazy cat lady. I'm not going to tell you how many I have in my drawer.