September 1, 2014

The hats all loaded in my car, being transported
from the church to the gallery

Happy Labor Day! Set up for the gallery space took longer than anticipated, just as it always goes when it comes to art. Pat needed to decide on how she wanted to display her hats, a small curatorial challenge, considering the space and the mismatched nature of the pedestals and shelves she had at her disposal.

Ultimately, we decided to make use of three pedestals and two shelves. I gave the pedestals a coat of white paint, which freshened them up a bit. Most of the hats were hung on the walls using monofilament fishing line and nails, but the ones that were to rest on the pedestals and shelves marked a special design challenge, because Pat wanted them to be elevated off the surface. This was tricky because we needed to find something that would fit into the hats, support and elevate them, and be visually non-obtrusive. Ultimately, we came up with a good solution, which was to wrap hard cover books with white paper.

Pat was still in putting up hats when I left (which is a one person job, hence my dismissal for the day), so I have not yet gotten pictures of the finished gallery.

August 31, 2014

Today was busy day of many simple tasks. I cut up an assortment of colored papers into squares, which I then folded in half and stapled onto a string, to make a banner. Pat wants it for a decoration for her presentation.

I made a series of roses from gold foil, and a series of bows that were glued onto a wedding cake hat.

We successfully completed the Needle in a Haystack hat, which was mostly done with my efforts. It was challenging to get the hay to stick, but I think my technique was somewhat improved on my second attempt, today. I also benefited from a new, more heavy duty bottle of Elmer's glue. It was helpful because the spout was wider and allows for more glue dispensing while still being under control. Unfortunately, I seem to have permanently affixed several strands of hay to my pants.

To top the day off, I spent the last hour or so ironing the nylon banner. It seems that Pat is well prepared for her presentation & to install her work in the gallery. Tomorrow, we will be doing the install, and she says that it shouldn't take too long, so maybe we will both have the afternoon off to enjoy Labor Day.

I will put pictures up of some of the hats soon!

August 30, 2014

Before going over to the church, I stopped by Stop n Shop to pick up small brown paper bags, as requested for Pat. She has been going through a variety of largely paper based materials for construction of her hats.

My work today was primarily folding roses out of shiny red foil, and construction of a "Needle in a Haystack" hat. I made a series of long, skinny, isosceles-triangle type pieces of paper. I fixed the narrow ends all together to form a circle, and then the sides of the triangles met up to create a curved form. I had to glue hay down to the paper, to give it the look of being a haystack. It was tricky to get the hay to stick, and I'm going to have to do more work on it tomorrow. So far, I've used three bottle of Elmer's Glue on it. I managed to glue lots of straw to myself in the process.

We also made a run to the local True Value to get spray paint. We realized that they have free popcorn there, and so we like the store a lot more now.

While we worked, Pat explained the construction of her hats, and tips such as making overlap on the primary support band, so it can be torn open and expanded if necessary, to accommodate larger heads; or to use a perpendicular band to the primary band, so that if the hat is heavy, it will not slide into the wearer's eyes. I'm interested to see how we install the hats into the gallery. I will be assisting with that on Monday.

August 28, 2014

Today I came in for the first time since the soap box derby. The space looked very different because there was a variety of new materials spread out all over. She seemed happy to see me, and asked how classes were going before she showed me what she's been doing. She has made an assortment of hats, which she is making for WSW members to wear to the Mohonk Gala, and also to be displayed in the WSW gallery. She has been fairly busy with that, trying to make 30 of them by Sunday.

I folded up paper for her to use in her hats, and then I ran some errands for her. After, I ironed part a series of nylon flags which she is planning on displaying. I also drove her to the lake so she could go swimming.

While we were working, I asked her about her typical work flow and she explained how she normally works from project to project (she likes to call them "gigs"), how she initially made money by renting out her inflatables for parties and events, but now that she's more established, people often approach her with projects. It was interesting to hear her perspective and advice.

Pat's presentation

Put together a flyer for the WSW. Pat is having a presentation and we're hoping to
get some involvement and interest from on campus. Unfortunately, it's during my
class, so I know that myself and the sculpture group mostly won't be able to go.

Kingston Artist Soap Box Derby- other entries

Kingston Artist Soap Box Derby- August 24, 2014

We arrived very early and had plenty of time
to primp our friend here: zip tie his arm to the
cart, position his donation (which is watered
down paint) properly, adjust his shoes (one of
which fell off on the hill!)

Our vehicle is licensed and registered

Close up on one of the bridesmaid's faces: they are made of foam
that has been glued, sewn, and cut, over wooden dowels that are
inserted into a PVC pipe framework; their hair is of paper that has
been curled and layered; their bodies are also foam, with some
toile to give their bosoms extra umph

The lovely ladies!

In action!

Going down the aisle!

Attempting to steer the shopping cart