Hairlock Painting™ & Other Stuff by Gale Bellew: 2011

Thursday, September 8, 2011

The Fryeburg Fair is almost here and the Fiber Center Schedule is full of great stuff this year!

Hope you will come by and visit.......

The Fiber Center Daily Schedule of Events

2011


Sunday, October 2nd

Exhibits and Educational Displays
Guest Artist Exhibit	9-9p	Weaving a Rainbow - Continuous Strand Weavings
Fiber & Fleece Sales	9-9p	Fleeces from Sheep, Alpaca, Angora Goats & Rabbits
Fiber Show	11am	with Fiber Judge Anne Gass
Fiber Wall	9-9p	Fiber Animal Educational Exhibit
Crochet Coral Reef	9-9p	Sample Display of the Maine Crochet Coral Reef Project
Mini Skeins	9-9p	Many Sample Skeins of various Natural hand spun Fibers
Natural Dyes	9-9p	Samples of Naturally Dyed Wool
Children's Weavings	9-9p	Children's Bicycle Wheel & Free Form Weavings
	9-9p	Woven Whirlygigs
Fiber Art Display	9-9p	Mixed Media & Felted Art

Demonstrations	9-5p	Dyeing for Rug Hooking
	9-5p	Felt on Soap - Just Ask
	9-9p	Drum Carding
	9-9p	Spinning
	9-9p	Tapestry Weaving
	9-9p	Needle Felting
	9-9p	Hyperbolic & Free Form Crochet for the Maine Reef
	9-9p	Continuous Strand Weaving on a triangle loom
	9-9p	Rug Making - Locker hooking & Braiding
	7pm	Learn about the Maine Crochet Reef Project!
	7:30-9p	Crochet or Learn to crochet for the Reef Project
Monday, October, 3rd

Exhibits and Educational Displays
Guest Artist Exhibit	9-9p	Weaving a Rainbow - Continuous Strand Weavings
Fiber & Fleece Sales	9-9p	Fleeces from Sheep, Alpaca, Angora Goats & Rabbits
Fiber Wall	9-9p	Fiber Animal Educational Exhibit
Crochet Coral Reef	9-9p	Sample Display of the Maine Crochet Coral Reef Project
Mini Skeins	9-9p	Many Sample Skeins of various Natural hand spun Fibers
Natural Dyes	9-9p	Samples of Naturally Dyed Wool
Children's Weavings	9-9p	Children's Bicycle Wheel & Free Form Weavings
	9-9p	Woven Whirlygigs
Fiber Art Display	9-9p	Mixed Media & Felted Art

Demonstrations	9-2p	Rug Making - Locker hooking & Braiding
	9-5p	Drop Spin
	9-5p	Playing with Color - Dyeing woolen fibers
	9-5p	Felt on Soap - Just Ask
	9-5pm	Working with long Staple Sheep Fibers
	9-9p	Drum Carding
	9-9p	Spinning
	9-9p	Tapestry Weaving
	9-9p	Needle Felting
	9-9p	Hyperbolic & Free Form Crochet for the Maine Reef
	9-9p	Weaving
	2-9p	Prepping a Fleece for Hand Spinning
	2-9p	Rug Hooking
	7pm	Learn about the MaineCrochet Reef Project!
	7:30-9p	Crochet or Learn to crochet for the Reef Project
Tuesday, October 4th


Exhibits and Educational Displays
Guest Artist Exhibit	9-9p	Weaving a Rainbow - Continuous Strand Weavings
Fiber & Fleece Sales	9-9p	Fleeces from Sheep, Alpaca, Angora Goats & Rabbits
Fiber Wall	9-9p	Fiber Animal Educational Exhibit
Crochet Coral Reef	9-9p	Sample Display of the Maine Crochet Coral Reef Project
Mini Skeins	9-9p	Many Sample Skeins of various Natural hand spun Fibers
Natural Dyes	9-9p	Samples of Naturally Dyed Wool
Children's Weavings	9-9p	Children's Bicycle Wheel & Free Form Weavings
	9-9p	Woven Whirlygigs
Fiber Art Display	9-9p	Mixed Media & Felted Art

Demonstrations	9-2p	Prepping a Fleece for Hand Spinning
	9-5p	Pygora Goats and Their Fiber
	9-5p	Dyeing Wool Fibers & Yarns
	9-5p	Felt on Soap - Just Ask
	9-5p	Drop Spindle Spinning
	9-5p	Fiber Blending
	9-5p	Tapestry Weaving
	9-9p	Drum Carding
	9-9p	Spinning
	9-9p	Needle Felting
	9-9p	Hyperbolic & Free Form Crochet for the Maine Reef
	9-9p	Weaving
	2-9p	Rug Hooking
	7pm	Learn about the Maine Crochet Reef Project!
	7:30-9p	Crochet or Learn to crochet for the Reef Project

Wednesday, October 5th

Exhibits and Educational Displays
Guest Artist Exhibit	9-9p	Weaving a Rainbow - Continuous Strand Weavings
Fiber & Fleece Sales	9-9p	Fleeces from Sheep, Alpaca, Angora Goats & Rabbits
Fiber Wall	9-9p	Fiber Animal Educational Exhibit
Crochet Coral Reef	9-9p	Sample Display of the Maine Crochet Coral Reef Project
Mini Skeins	9-9p	Many Sample Skeins of various Natural hand spun Fibers
Natural Dyes	9-9p	Samples of Naturally Dyed Wool
Children's Weavings	9-9p	Children's Bicycle Wheel & Free Form Weavings
	9-9p	Woven Whirlygigs
Fiber Art Display	9-9p	Mixed Media & Felted Art

Demonstrations	9-1p	Prepping a Fleece for Hand Spinning
	9-2p	Inkle Loom Weaving
	9-5p	Cashmere Goats & their Fiber
	9-5p	Kool - Aid Dyeing
	9-6p	Rug Hooking
	9-9p	Drum Carding
	9-9p	Spinning
	9-9p	Tapestry Weaving
	9-9p	Needle Felting
	9-9p	Hyperbolic & Free Form Crochet for the Maine Reef
	9-9p	Weaving
	1-5p	Drop Spindle Spinning
	2-9p	Fiber Blending
	7pm	Learn about the Maine Crochet Reef Project!
	7:30-9p	Crochet or Learn to crochet for the Reef Project
Thursday, October 6th

Exhibits and Educational Displays
Guest Artist Exhibit	9-9p	Weaving a Rainbow - Continuous Strand Weavings
Fiber & Fleece Sales	9-9p	Fleeces from Sheep, Alpaca, Angora Goats & Rabbits
Fiber Wall	9-9p	Fiber Animal Educational Exhibit
Crochet Coral Reef	9-9p	Sample Display of the Maine Crochet Coral Reef Project
Mini Skeins	9-9p	Many Sample Skeins of various Natural hand spun Fibers
Natural Dyes	9-9p	Samples of Naturally Dyed Wool
Children's Weavings	9-9p	Children's Bicycle Wheel & Free Form Weavings
	9-9p	Woven Whirlygigs
Fiber Art Display	9-9p	Mixed Media & Felted Art

Demonstrations	9-12p	Drop Spindle Spinning
	9-2p	Rug Braiding
	9-2p	Drop Spindle Spinning
	9-2p	Prepping a Fleece for Hand Spinning
	9-5p	Natural Dyeing
	9-5p	Pygora Goats and Their Fiber
	9-9p	Inkle Loom Weaving
	9-9p	Drum Carding
	9-9p	Spinning
	9-9p	Tapestry Weaving
	9-9p	Needle Felting
	9-9p	Hyperbolic & Free Form Crochet for the Maine Reef
	9-9p	Weaving
	9-9p	Rug Hooking
	2-9p	Locker Hooking
	7pm	Learn about the Maine Crochet Reef Project!
	7:30-9p	Crochet or Learn to crochet for the Reef Project
Friday, October 8th

Exhibits and Educational Displays
Guest Artist Exhibit	9-9p	Weaving a Rainbow - Continuous Strand Weavings
Fiber & Fleece Sales	9-9p	Fleeces from Sheep, Alpaca, Angora Goats & Rabbits
Fiber Wall	9-9p	Fiber Animal Educational Exhibit
Crochet Coral Reef	9-9p	Sample Display of the Maine Crochet Coral Reef Project
Mini Skeins	9-9p	Many Sample Skeins of various Natural hand spun Fibers
Natural Dyes	9-9p	Samples of Naturally Dyed Wool
Children's Weavings	9-9p	Children's Bicycle Wheel & Free Form Weavings
	9-9p	Woven Whirlygigs
Fiber Art Display	9-9p	Mixed Media & Felted Art

Demonstrations
	9-2p	Rug Braiding
	9-2p	Knit with Roving
	9-5p	Sheep and their Fiber
	9-5p	Natural Dyeing
	9-9p	Drum Carding
	9-9p	Spinning
	9-9p	Tapestry Weaving
	9-9p	Needle Felting
	9-9p	Hyperbolic & Free Form Crochet for the Maine Reef
	9-9p	Rug Hooking
	9-9p	Penny Rugs
	9-9p	Locker Hooking
	9-9p	Continuous Strand Weaving - Triangle Loom
	7pm	Learn about the Maine Crochet Reef Project!
	7:30-9p	Crochet or Learn to crochet for the Reef Project
Saturday, October 8th

Exhibits and Educational Displays
Guest Artist Exhibit	9-9p	Weaving a Rainbow - Continuous Strand Weavings
Fiber & Fleece Sales	9-9p	Fleeces from Sheep, Alpaca, Angora Goats & Rabbits
Fiber Wall	9-9p	Fiber Animal Educational Exhibit
Crochet Coral Reef	9-9p	Sample Display of the Maine Crochet Coral Reef Project
Mini Skeins	9-9p	Many Sample Skeins of various Natural hand spun Fibers
Natural Dyes	9-9p	Samples of Naturally Dyed Wool
Children's Weavings	9-9p	Children's Bicycle Wheel & Free Form Weavings
	9-9p	Woven Whirlygigs
Fiber Art Display	9-9p	Mixed Media & Felted Art

Demonstrations
	9-2p	Knit with Roving
	9-5p	Sheep and their Fiber
	9-5p	Natural Dyeing
	9-9p	Drum Carding
	9-9p	Spinning
	9-9p	Tapestry Weaving
	9-9p	Needle Felting
	9-9p	Hyperbolic & Free Form Crochet for the Maine Reef
	9-9p	Rug Hooking
	9-9p	Penny Rugs
	9-9p	Continuous Strand Weaving - Triangle Loom
	9-9p	Locker hooking
	7pm	Learn about the Maine Crochet Reef Project!
	7:30-9p	Crochet or Learn to crochet for the Reef Project
Sunday, Oct 9th

Exhibits and Educational Displays
Guest Artist Exhibit	9-9p	Weaving a Rainbow - Continuous Strand Weavings
Fiber & Fleece Sales	9-9p	Fleeces from Sheep, Alpaca, Angora Goats & Rabbits
Fiber Wall	9-9p	Fiber Animal Educational Exhibit
Crochet Coral Reef	9-9p	Sample Display of the Maine Crochet Coral Reef Project
Mini Skeins	9-9p	Many Sample Skeins of various Natural hand spun Fibers
Natural Dyes	9-9p	Samples of Naturally Dyed Wool
Children's Weavings	9-9p	Children's Bicycle Wheel & Free Form Weavings
	9-9p	Woven Whirlygigs
Fiber Art Display	9-9p	Mixed Media & Felted Art
Fleece Markdown Day!	9-6p	SALE - Fleece Markdown Day!

Demonstrations
	9-2p	Knit with Roving
	9-6p	Sheep and their Fiber
	9-6p	Natural Dyeing
	9-6p	Drum Carding
	9-6p	Spinning
	9-6p	Tapestry Weaving
	9-6p	Needle Felting
	9-6p	Hyperbolic & Free Form Crochet for the Maine Reef
	9-6p	Rug Hooking
	9-6p	Penny Rugs
	9-6p	Continuous Strand Weaving - Triangle Loom
	9-6p	Locker hooking

Please note that our program is presented by volunteers. Last minute changes and omissions are sometimes unpreventable.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Please note that while the Maine Reef Project is in process, I will be posting only to that Blog until further notice. Please visit me there to learn about this amazing project and how you can participate, see photos of works in progress, and get patterns to begin creating.

Hope you visit me soon!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Crochet Reef

Since being back in the states I have taken on a new and exciting project!

Turns out crochet is hyperbolic in nature and one can easily create free form shapes that represent corals and other sea creatures. Here is my version of the Christmas tree worm along with one that can be seen on google images. Aren't they amazing creatures?

I learned about the Institute For Figuring and it's crochet coral reef project and have been crocheting hyperbolic free forms that mimic the shapes of corals found in our worlds oceans. I have begun organizing Maine's effort to create it's own crochet reef, a satellite of the worldwide Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef project created by Margaret and Christine Wertheim of the Institute For Figuring in Los Angeles.

The Maine Reef project in simple terms is a Fiber Art installation that will be made up of hundreds, maybe thousands of coral forms and other reef related elements created by crocheting or other fiber art forms such as felting or knitting. The installation will be exhibited at the Fiber Center at Fryeburg Fair during fair week 2012.

Visit The Maine Reef blog to learn more about it and how you can become a part of this fabulous community, statewide project!

Here are a few pieces that I have had a blast making!

Here is a Giant Clam! I never knew these existed before!

Until next time.........

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2010 Schedule

January 11th - Winter Term

Teaching Fiber Art at Kaleidoscope

5 yr olds - 10 week program
8 yrs & up - 10 week program

Mom's & Children - 4 sessions

Adult Fiber Play Dates - 6 Sessions

February 12th - Friday , 4-6pm

KAF Themed Workshop
Children 8 & up
Valentine Shibori "Stitched & Capped" Pillows - Dyeing on Silk

March 11th - 27th Elliot Gallery - Art Show
"Garden Party"- Showing new work with Water Colorist & Fiber Artist Ronnie Chameau, and rustic furniture maker Ronnie Lopes.

March 18th - April 22nd - Group Show
The Art of Craft at the Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard

April 12th - KAF Spring Term Begins

Children & Adult Fiber Art Classes
5-7 yr olds - Mondays 4:00 - 5:30 pm
5 yr olds - Tuesdays 3:30 - 4:30 pm
8 yrs & up - Wednesdays 4:00 - 6:00 pm
Adults - Thursdays & Saturdays 6 Sessions

April 25th - June 4th - Juried Show
Member's Spring Show at the Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard

May 1st - Saturday 10 - 1pm
Adult Felted Flower Workshop at KAF

May 7th - Friday, 4-6pm at KAF
Felt Flowers for Mom - 8 yrs & up

May 8th - Saturday, 10 - 12pm, at KAF
Felt Flowers for Mom - 5-7 yr olds

May 29th - Saturday, 10 - 5pm at KAF
Adult Shibori Dyed - Nuno Felted Tunic / Swim cover up workshop

July 17th - 10 - 1pm
Adult Dyeing on Silk

October 3rd - 10th-
Fryeburg Fair Fiber Center

October 25th - 29th -
Fall Break Camp at KAF - 5 yr old & up
Exploring the Sea through Fiber Art

October 30th - November 6th -
4th Annual Bermuda Fibre Arts Festival at Kaleidoscope

November 8th - 10th -
Fall Break Camp at KAF - 5 yr old & up
Exploring the Sea through Fiber Art

November 12th -
Children's workshop - 5 yr old & up
Fiber and Wire Water Bird Sculptures

Hairlock Painting™

Hairlock Painting™ is an art form that I created and trademarked in 2007. It blends my years of raising llamas with my study of Sumi–e; Asian Ink Painting. Most of my work is monochromatic as is traditional with Sumi–e painting.I begin by creating the canvases which I paint on. Using felted wool as a background, I add a layer of paper pulp leaving an edge of felt to act as a frame. The painting is done using animal fibers; locks of hair, as my paints. They are carefully placed on the canvas and adhered into place with a paste that I make at home.A puff of air, a misguided hand stroke or a tangle in the hairs can ruin the image that I am trying to create. At the same time, a purposeful adjustment or a gesture of “splitting hairs”, can change the personality of an image instantly!It is difficult to appreciate that the photos of painted images are created with the laying and directing of hairs into just the right spot, at just the right angle, and at just the right density to create not only the right image but the depth, movement and personality of each piece.

The Fiber Center at Fryeburg Fair

“Fiber at Fryeburg is an educational exhibit to expose the public to natural animal fibers that can be produced in Maine and to promote their many uses. Our primary goal is to have people see animal fiber in the raw transformed into the yarns, cloth and felt that we use to create practical & usable finished products as well as purely artistic fiber forms. We do this through the visual arts of educational displays and actual hands on demonstrations. In addition, we can introduce new enthusiasts to the fiber arts by making fibers, items & equipment used in processing that fiber, and finished fiber products available for the public to purchase while maintaining the integrity of a highly educational exhibit.“

The Fiber Center at Fryeburg Fair has become one of the most popular exhibits at this event!In 1990 I began exhibiting my llamas at the fair to educate the public of their many uses to include their fiber. To help answer the question of what do you do with a llama as well as to pass time I began spinning my animals fiber in my animals stall. People were intrigued! As a result we decided that it would be fun for the exhibitors to expand this idea of fiber education. The following year we added a few more demonstrations including felting and fleece preperation. It was so well received that it took on a life of it's own!Five years ago, we moved from the many years of working in a tent into a fabulous new exhibition hall built specifically to house our incerdible educational event. During the fair week, there are more than 35 volunteers who share their passion for fiber art with the public demonstrating their fiber art. We offer demonstrations in spinning, weaving, wet & dry felting, dyeing, carding, blending, rug hooking, rug braiding, fleece preperation, knitting.crocheting and many other fiber art forms. In addition, the new building gave us a gallery space to feature a guest fiber artist each year allowing us to show Fiber Art beyond function. It acts as an incredible alternative gallery space which is presented to thousands of people during fair week. I like to say that "we are opening new eyes to art" since many of the fair goers might never step into an art gallery. It also acts as a perfect segue from the raw materials to finished art which lends itself well to people understanding an art form that they might never get in a typical gallery setting.We are open from 9am to 9pm daily during fair week and hope that if you are interested in fiber art that you will some day come by to say hello!

Bermuda Fiber Festival

My husband's job took us to Bermuda to live for a few years, Early after arriving I was introduced to the founding member of Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation and Elliot Gallery, Fiona Roberts. Fiona has a passion for fiber as I do and asked if I would be willing to help her to plan a Fiber Event similar to the one I have been planning and manageing at the Fryeburg Fair in Maine since 1990. I was game!The first event took place in December of 2007 and brought to Bermuda six Fiber Artists that exhibit and demonstrate at the Fiber Center during Fryeburg Fair week each year. The event offered public demonstration days where the Bermuda public could come to see the artists at work creating their Art. In addition a wide variety of Fiber Art classes were offered exposing many peoplt to Fiber Arts that they had never been exposed to before. The event was a complete success and expected to continue each year. The 2008 event will take place from December 4th through December 14th.http://www.kaleidoscopeartsfoundation.com/

Comments & Reviews

Comments & Reviews:

Reviews:
Charman Prize Competition Juror Comments March 2008:
“Interesting choice of mixed media. The Artist has a delicate hand ….”
“A rather original use of paper & fiber”
“Nice textures”

Other Comments:
“your work is beautiful, unique and really struck my daughter and I………” Saima

“loved your creations! … I could totally see them hanging in my rustic home. I wish time and the size of the crowd would have permitted me to watch you work more. They were delightful!” ……Melanie

“I would like to purchase one of your works before you leave ………There were so many to choose from at the fair that I liked – hopefully you have a few left……” ….. Carmen
“I know you painted those big pics, but with hair???........ It's amazing that it's hair… they were amazing. The animals were so detailed and I got a sense of Japanese influence or feeling with the Designs.” …. Deb

“I loved your new art form!!!! Very, very clever and I think you do a great job..... I would have bought any of the smaller pieces and hung them in my house anywhere I really LOVED the feral chicken and the lady slippers.. You have inspired me ……” …….Ellen
“Oh Gale.... Your artwork is fabulous!! I love the subtle reds in the artwork. It all works together. What fun! …….I am truly taken with the details of your work. I Love what you do and am excited to see your work next year……… Liz
“Everyone was interested in how the paintings were done and amazed that it could be done with fibers.”Lyn

“Your work is beautiful!!” Nina Fuller Professional Photographer

For additional comments go to:

“The Woolen Rabbit” website & Blog review
http://thewoolenrabbit.typepad.com/thewoolenrabbit/2008/02/a-true-woolen-r.html?cid=103795590#comment-103795590

My Resume

Exhibitions –
December 2008
Bermuda Fibre Festival, Elliot Gallery, Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation

October 2008
The Fiber Center, Fryeburg Fair, Maine

August 2008
Audubon Art & Fine Craft Show, Falmouth, Maine

March 2008
The Charman Prize Competition, at the Rick Faries Gallery, Masterworks Museum of Bermuda. Curated by Elise Outerbridge. Juried by Carter Foster, curator of drawings at the Whitney Museum of American Art and Molly Eppard, a Director at the Hollis Taggart Gallery in New York, Charles Zuill, Bermuda Artist and Art Critic, and John Charman the sponsor and patron of the Charman Prize.

Dec 2007
The Bank of Bermuda Foundation Fiber Festival at The Elliot Gallery, Bermuda. Invitational

Oct 2007
The Fiber Center at Fryeburg Fair, Fryeburg, Maine. Guest Artist
Juried by Susan Mills, Mixed Media Artist, Maine, US.

Fiber Arts Demonstrations –
1990-2007 – Ms. Bellew has been demonstrating fiber arts at the Fryeburg Fair Fiber exhibition since 1990

Commissions –
Sonia Whayman, Bermuda, Hairlock Painting titled "Skipper"

Amy Justice, Bermuda, Hairlock Painting titled "and Bingo was his name-o"

Richard Irvine, Bermuda. Hairlock Painting ™ titled “Duke”

Jack and Anne Chambers, Atlanta Georgia. Hairlock Painting ™ titled " Ready for the Ride"

Bibliography –

"Maine Fiber Artists Susan Mills & Gale Bellew to show at the Annual Audubon Art & Fine Craft Show, Falmouth, Maine" Maine Arts Commission Press Release, April 2008

“Maine Fiber Artist Wins Award in Bermuda Charman Prize Event” Maine Arts Commission Press Release February, 2008

“Hailock Painting™ - A New Art Form,” Maine Arts Commission Press Release, October 2007

“The Woolen Rabbit” website & Blog review
http://thewoolenrabbit.typepad.com/thewoolenrabbit/2008/02/a-true-woolen-r.html?cid=103795590#comment-103795590
February 19, 2008

Awards –
Cash Award. Charman Prize Competition. Masterworks Museum of Bermuda. 2008

Interviews –
Interview, Bermuda Broadcasting Radio, Bermuda, 2007
Interview, Mt Washington Valley Broadcasting, television, September 2007
Interview, Mt Washington Valley Broadcasting, television, October 2007

Forthcoming Exhibitions –
March 2009 -
Artful Organics: A Montage, Group Show, Elliot Gallery, Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation

Charman Competition & Show, Masterworks Frick Gallery, Bermuda

October 2009 - The Fiber Center, Fryeburg Fair, Maine

November 2009 - The Bermuda Fibre Festival, Elliot Gallery, Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation