Sunday, November 22, 2015

Lilac Muscles / Smoke Stars

Purple
Purple
Lilac Muscles / Smoke Stars
various fabrics, puffy stars, beads, fiber fill, piping, ribbon
9' x 4'

______Last week, I took a week and a half off to take a beading workshop in a tiny town in North Carolina. I lived Thoreau-style in a cabin in the woods that possessed absolutely no Internet or cell service, and it was quiet, quiet as could be. The only thing I heard at night was the occasional hoot of an owl and the rushing stream just yards from the cabin. And also this cracking noise the heat made whenever it cranked on that sounded like someone was trying to break in through the glass front doors. But that's just a detail.

______Though there wasn't much around the cabin itself, there was a Walmart some 20 miles off, fully furnished with all a human needs to survive. Even better, there was a creepy man loitering around the drink isles. Upon seeing me place a six-pack of diet root beer in my cart, he floated over to me like a bee to a flower, his yellow mustache wiggling as he spoke. He proceeded to tell me about how he makes the best alcoholic root beer floats ("not your daddy's root beer float" as he said... thanks for that, bro). I kept trying to slowly pull away but he kept following and managing to make eye contact. Strange men, y u gotta be like that?

     PurplePurple

______Upon signing up for these classes, I was afraid it was going to be super hokey, but it was the most relaxing, fun, and immersive experience I had. I don't care how cheesy that sounds. Immersive! Relaxing! Fun! I sound like an advertisement.

______At night, the school always had some kind of event going on in the common area, whether that be story telling from students, local legends with their banjo music plucking up a musical storm, or square-dancing for the more socially-inclined. I'd usually just sit with my laptop in a cozy rocking chair at night in front of the coffee machine, greedily sucking up their wifi and their decaf. Because that's the kind of terrible person I am.

PurplePurple

______Anywho, here is my most recent project that I'm sure most of you all have seen on Facebook, Instagram, or some other social media that we're acquainted on. Normal blogging shall resume!

Purple

8 comments:

ravenlocks said...

That looks so cool! I love the colors you used...and the different textures :)

xo Azu

www.raven-locks.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

cool!

www.bstylevoyage.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Ugh, why are strange men always so eager to have unsolicited conversations with people minding their own business?
In any case, glad that the beading classes turned out to be relaxing for you! Also, I love the colors in this new piece you created :)

sampzandsuch.blogspot.com

Lily Fang said...

Ali, this is exquisite! I'm in love with the shades of purple, particularly the lavender. The silver details are the perfect touch.

This class sounds like a cleansing, resonant, and useful experience. To be honest, I've always wanted to get away and live outside of civilization for a bit. The nights sound quote cozy and vibrant--I would've devoured the wifi as well, haha. I'm sorry to hear about the creepy man--glad you escaped!

Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving week full of love and joy :)

imperfect idealist

Lostvestige said...

That sounds like a really fun experience! This is so pretty, I love it!

LyddieGal said...

Glad you had such a positive experience at the workshop, and the glimpse i saw of your beaded creations was stunning!
Chic on the Cheap

E said...

This sounds like such a magical escape (aside from the stranger danger of course). And I love your art. I could totally see it alongside the installations I saw at the Renwick Gallery today!

District of Chic

angelina said...

Woah that's amazing! Before I read the post, I thought that this was an art exhibit or something, especially with the lighting. You're so talented, and I can't imagine how much work went into this.

It's too bad about the creepy guy, he definitely sounds like he has a bit too much free time if he's hanging out in Walmart freaking out people! It's great that the retreat was so good though, I'd love to try something like that for art, but it's hard to find the time.

Angelina Is | Bloglovin'