Well, maybe not today. Today has been orthodontist, drug store, groceries, and waiting for the dishwasher repair man. All important, sure, but not what I really want to be doing.

But Wednesday and Thursday were exciting, all right!

Wednesday was the test “erection” for the structure at the center of our Burning Man project. We had to dodge some raindrops, and do come head scratching, but basically got to a place that answered most of our questions before we took it down again.

First two legs attached to the center point

adding the third leg

half-way there!

all eight legs on–it’s only missing the horizontal pieces that will stabilize it

And it is so beautiful! Peter has done an amazing job. The attention to detail shows in every way. There’s still some work to do on fitting the horizontal pieces and the whole thing will get six coats of clear stain before it hits the playa. But wow!

Thursday in the dye studio was a big day, too. I got two of the 6 foot banners dyed leaving only one more that size to dye. I had help from Norma and John (and his daughter, Rose, too).  I’m still hoping to get to the studio today to dye the last 6-footers. Then I can steam and wash them tomorrow and have them ready for the eager sewers.

Norma working on a design from the Swat Valley in Afghanistan

and finished

a design from the Caucasus Mountain regions

the dye studio

There is still so much to do but it is exciting to finally see the project come together. I am so grateful for our amazing and dedicated crew, and also to all my friends who have been helping out in the studio and with sewing. I’m one lucky gal.

looking up from inside the structure

Things are happening fast these days! We got back from our annual trip to the Oregon Country Fair a week ago. It was a lovely time and some really good relaxation and connecting with friends in and among the chaotic beauty of the Fair. Above is a panorama of our installation there, Yew Are Here, a little idyll of a public park.

Back here in Seattle, Peter has been working double-time to get the structure for Playastan Crossroads up. Our new crew member, Charlee, is a rock-star addition and has been a huge help. They got a test “erection” up on Thursday and are installing the whole thing this morning. I’m headed over there as soon as I finish typing this update!

A quarter of the structure installed at Peter’s.

The happy crew, Giovanni, Peter Weston and Charlee

In the dye studio I’m busy trying to get banners dyed so that my ace sewer, Ann, can get back to work. I got four 6-footers done last week and will get to the rest of them this week. Here are some process shots of the banner I dyed yesterday. And I’m off!

I started with the lightest values.

added the reds

and finally filled in the darkest value, the red-violet to finish

It’s been over a month since I last posted here, but it’s not been because I have been twiddling my thumbs. No, indeed, I have been working away and putting in long hours on my Burning Man project. I’ve been drawing and waxing and having meetings. I’ve been emailing and plotting and planning and buying a cute little trailer.

I’ve also had openings for two shows, shipped artwork off to Michigan, written a proposal, and watched my daughter graduate from high school. Currently I’m squeezing in more work time while packing for our annual trip to the Oregon Country Fair. Life is full!

patterns everywhere

Life in the studio is full, too. I hit a bad spot a few weeks ago when I realized that, as designed, I didn’t have enough time to finish before I needed to leave for the event. I talked it over with my good friend, John Boylan, who gave me some excellent advice. He told me to think about how I could fulfill the original scope of the project and streamline the process without compromising the intent. When he said that I immediately knew that I needed to reduce the number of designs and make some duplicates. I’ve also reduced the size of the last set of banners from 10 feet to 9 feet. It’s a small time savings, but much easier to manipulate within the confines of the studio, especially given that I’m only a little over 5 feet tall myself.

some of the motifs in the banner patterns

In the end, I’m only repeating four designs but that translates to at least four days of work. Plus, I’ve been getting some great help. Ann Darling, fiber goddess and designer of custom wearables, is doing the sewing for the first set of 12 banners. In the studio, my good friend and studio-mate, Pam, helped out with the waxing last week and my former intern, Vivian, has been helping me with some of the drawing. It’s so good to have the help and the company keeps me going.

I only have five more banners to draw, then waxing the last nine and it’s forward to dyeing! I’m feeling much more encouraged, much more confident in my ability to get ‘er done. Every day I just keep rolling the ball down the street, every day I get a little bit closer to the finish line in Black Rock City.

Hubby and I with our new to us 1976 Trillium trailer