The Supercluster Boards Are Up!

Missouri Bank Artboards outside The Piper Lofts.

Last night was very special for our family. A few months ago I wrote about Rachelle's (fiber artist daughter) Superclusters. These two pieces were one of her first experiments with lace work. Back in October 2011 Rachelle submitted them for consideration for the Missouri Bank Artboards that are located in the Crossroads Art District (125 Southwest Blvd). She was one of the artists selected to have works displayed. 

The original pieces are about 4.5 inches by 9 inches--quite small in comparison to the billboards.

The works were finally unveiled to the public as part of the First Friday events. Rachelle also hosted a V.I.P Soirée. This event was the culmination of her Kickstarter campaign that she ran last summer.

Amber and Matt Crawley graciously hosted the event. They have a nifty loft in the Piper Lofts Building--fortuitously just across the street from the boards! Amber and Matt have a spectacular view of downtown KC and Rachelle's works shone just across the street with the Kaufman Center Buildings in the background.

Chef and cookbook author Amber Shea Crawley  created scrumptious and satisfying appetizers for the happy guests. A certain retired art teacher/bartender crafted the cocktail SuperCluster (based on Pomegranates) just for this occasion.

Rachelle's work will be up for three months. If you are driving near downtown KC, I hope it is convenient for you to drive East on Southwest Blvd. As you pass Central St., and going toward the intersection of Wyandotte, just look up!

Just A Little Of The V.I.P Event.

Rachelle's presentation about the evolution and process of her art.

Rachelle and her sister, Dr. Michelle.

Bartender mingling while mixing: she was grateful for her
evening assistant, Lark. 

It was a lovely evening, with superb food, animated conversation, and two very proud parents. The photographer was Michael, way-proud Dad and assistant doorman.

The boards during the day-they even show up better!

The Aspen Adventure: Casting Lace Sculpture & Kickstarter

Passion Pod-lace sculpture test-Rachelle Gardner

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2135210356/the-aspen-adventure-casting-lace-sculpture


The lace work of Kansas City fiber artist Rachelle Gardner is gathering notice. Her work recently was accepted into juried art shows in New York, Maryland, Colorado, Kansas, and Arkansas. This fall, one of her works will decorate a Kansas City Arts Board billboard in the Crossroads art district.


Rachelle continues to work on technique and ideas. She was accepted this summer to study under Lynn Richardson, fiber installation and sculpture artist at the Anderson Art Ranch. Rachelle's goal for this workshop is to turn her two dimensional lace into large three dimensional installation works. 


Rachelle says, "This project has already been backed financially by the ArtsKC Fund of The Arts Council of Metro KC (Inspiration Grant) and The Anderson Ranch Arts Center. Through the generosity of local residents, I've even acquired free housing for my stay. I've hammered project costs down as far as they will go, but the budget nail still threatens to stub toes...and snag my lace to bits."

Like many young artists, Rachelle works part-time to fund her full-time vocation: her creativity.


This is where Kickstarter comes in. Kickstarter.com is a funding platform for artists and other creative types. In just learning about Kickstarter, I see it as an opportunity for independent artists to become self advocates. Artists must submit a video explaining their projects and how the money will be used. This video is included on the artist fundraising site as an introduction to possible patrons. More of my impressions about Kickstarter are:

1. The artist and project must be approved by the committee before it goes on line for fundraising.
2. The campaign is usually never over 30 days.
3. Patrons are not charged unless the goal is reached.
4. The campaigns remind me of type of  PBS fundrasing. The patron gets something from the artist for different levels of support. The more money you give, the cooler stuff you get.

Here are a few of the thank you gifts that you could receive.

Tree of Yours-stitched work for $10 level

Bookmark-$15 level

Lace Brooch-$40 level

Can't See The Forest For The Trees-Craft National 2012 & Thought Splatter

Can't see the Forest For the Trees. Rachelle Gardner-2012

Two years ago, I gave my youngest daughter a $99 sewing machine so she could sew, mend, and what not. The what not has turned into some incredible stitched visions.  One of them is Can't See The Forest For the Trees. A link for the process of this technique is:http://rmgardner.wordpress.com/2012/01/18/1115/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rmgardner+%28The+Art+of+Rachelle+M+Gardner%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher.


This piece was accepted into the Crafts National 2012 at the Mulvane Art Museum in Topeka, Kansas.  The exhibition opened May 5th and will run until August 19th. 

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Rachelle with The Forest. It is  3' x 9'

Details of work-100% Gütermann thread