Empty Spools Seminars

Leaving home for 6 days to attend the Empty Spools Seminars was a big adventure that I was waiting for! My friend Carlene came all the way from Hawaii a few days prior to the event and we started our journey together on Sunday morning.  

This time, I was taking class about bojagi from well know art quilter/ teacher, Jeannette DeNicolis Meyer. Her workshop was "Sheer Play: Painting, Designing and Constructing with Translucent Fabric". The most interesting thing for me was that she is going to use Bojagi techniques! I know how to do bojagi technique but curiosity was leading me to this wonderful teacher and I am so glad I signed up her class and get to know her! 

Fabric painting, fusing and designing with my fellow fabric artist classmates were FUN! I enjoyed every moments in the class room and had a taste of my goal-getting free from my own limits and set rules. Making bojagi with non-Korean traditional materials was my first attempt to getting out of the box. Second attempt was making irregular shaped bojagi. And Jeannete's class made me feel that I took another step to a freedom. Finally! 

Another thing that I enjoyed a lot was making friends. Camaraderie, curiosity and creativity made us have strong bond and I am so happy and grateful. You only see a few friends here but I made more :)

When I have a gut to share my 6 days of creative design attempt, I will post pictures of them. Someday~

Oh, I am so spoiled! I lived without making meals for almost a week and now it's time to go back to the reality..... What's for dinner, honey?

Lunar New Year celebration at the Oakland Museum

It is nice that we can celebrate New Year twice a year! I went to the Oakland Museum of California to participate in LNY celebration. Many people call this Chinese New Year but other countries are celebrating it, too. Koreans call the Lunar New Year's day Seollal. Making some special foods and give a respect to ancestors and wish for happiness, prosperity and good health of their family and friends. In Korea, many people visit their parents or grandparent to celebrate the holiday together. This causes big traffic jam in major highways in Korea every year. 

This year at the Oakland Museum, I met museum visitors by leading "community bojagi" activity. I cut Obangseak (오방색), the five cardinal colors silk fabrics. Yellow, Blue, White, Red, Black of 5 colors represent 5 cardinal directions. 

Yellow-Center

Blue-East

White-West

Red-South

Black-North

At the end of the day I got many pieces from many people and ready to make it into a big bojagi. Everybody put their effort, time and good wishes into this project and I am excited to share this powerful and meaningful bojagi soon!

Asian Art Museum 50th Anniversary Golden Gala

Asian Art Museum turns 50 this year! You can see how this museum was started from this link.

http://timeline.asianart.org/?week=20160208#_the-museum-comes-of-age

The first time I visited the Asian Art Museum, it was in Golden Gate Park. Now it is located in the heart of the city, across from the San Francisco city hall. During this golden anniversary year the Asian Art Museum has planned many celebration events. Golden Gala is one of the events and I was honored to be invited to participate in. I was asked to donate one of my bojagi work to an auction to benefit the museum's Education Department. I am happy that I can be a part of this good cause.

During the Golden Gala dinner, live performances like Bu Chae Choom (Korean Fan Dance), Chinese Bian Lian (Face-Changing mask dance), a Singer with Japanese Koto  and  Bhangra dance made the night more festive and fun.

Now I am at home and hope my bojagi's new owner's happiness.

Happy Lunar New Year!

Once again, we can celebrate New Year! Happy Lunar New year!
새해 복 많이 받으세요!

 

Linda came from ~

Indiana! Yes, she came to my class this week all the way from Indiana. She found me online and wanted to learn about bojagi. Luckily she has a plan to travel to the Bay Area. She came to my Tuesday morning class with her friend Cathy. Here's what Linda finished in my class! She even started her initials in Korean (ㄹㅇ!) at the corner of her first ever bojagi coaster. Thank you, Linda for coming! Next time when you visit the Bay Area, we will do Mosi ( Ramie) Jogakbo you liked a lot!

Thanks to 장혜홍 샘 for this wonderful jogakbo coaster kit!

Mark your March calendar! Upcoming workshop in Lafayette, CA

Mark your calendar for this jogakbo workshop! I will be teaching 'Abundance of colors' workshop on Saturday, March 12th at the Cotton Patch in Lafayette, CA. It is all day workshop so be prepared to have all day with me :)

https://www.quiltusa.com/march.html

Hope to see you there!

Bojagi workshop at Mendocino Art Center

I am very fortunate to live near the Pacific ocean. One of my favorite drive courses is driving up to Mendocino county along the Hwy 1 north. You can see the Pacific coast ( I would say West coast) on your side and it has a breathtaking scenic view. 

Mendocino is a small ocean front town with its beautiful botanic garden, art center, galleries and places to eat good California foods. Thinking about staying at the Victorian style B&Bs and walking along the Mendocino Headland trail makes me feel so relaxing. I would love to drive a few hours to get this serene and relaxing time. Last summer, my coffee and tea dyed bojagi was invited to the 'Natural Dye Showcase' juried by Yoshiko Wada. The exhibit was at the Mendocino Art Center and I was honored to be a part of it.

This year, I was invited to teach two day Bojagi workshop in Mendocino Art Center on March 19-20, 2016 and I'd like to invite you. It will be a wonderful experience to enjoy the nature and bojagi all at the same time!
http://www.mendocinoartcenter.org/Spring16/Lee.html