Rachel Beckman » Weaver & Textile Designer

A Collection

What follows are images of the work I made at the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts this past June. With the exception of the last piece, which measured around 15 x 15,” each is a small table-top sculpture measuring no more than 5″  at its longest or tallest . Instead of talking about the work, at the end of this post I have included the 27 lines Warren Seelig asked us to write. I will let that speak for the pieces.

to swallow
to gulp, slowly, then frantically
a pounding (rocks)
to pounce, and leap, the way pathways are made winding through geographic puzzles and mazes
i sat and the waves tried to erode me like everything else but i wouldn’t let them; still i sat still
we surge, ebb
laughing, an open mouth, having invisible eyes and faces
playground, a playset, a rollercoaster, jungle gym, emphasis on the jungle
spirits
the ghosts, ancestors
prayer till three in the morning
a caricature
to flicker: flicker of a smile or a wink
or the tilt of a hat (a very small hat)
as moss, lichen
growths
arching backs and rolling necks
posing (for portraits)
curiosities, looking, being looked at, to stare
stillness- to freeze and hold one’s breath
a priest
a queen (or the queen)
a table and a confidant
gathered
a conversation, a conversation with a collection
chatter
taking form, being born, coming into being, the act of

One Crafter’s Trash

Is another’s shiny, shiny treasure!

Yes, those are googly eyes in a film canister!

Thrift Find: Designing with Dusan

I come from a long line of Thrifters, so I know that there are beautiful things hiding in the corners of the Salvation Army and Good Will, sometimes it just takes awhile to find them.

I found this wonderful kit while I was home on Spring Break with my family:

From what I can tell, the box looks pretty complete, which is exciting for me because while I treasure it as a funny little piece of history, I expect it to help me out when I get in a pinch putting together the dresses I (will someday) make.

That is a very flattering picture.

Curtains!

Step one in a multi-step program in which I transform our small one-bedroom apartment from a hodge-podge of things my mother gave us and/or were in our dorm rooms into a livable space for two working artists/ adults. First to go were the curtains which, one, didn’t match, and two, were a little plain for my tastes, so I hopped on over to Tonic Living and ordered this beautiful fabric. The large print fills the space beautifully and brings much needed color to our living room. Pillows are next, but my sewing machine needs a break.

Final Thesis Crit- Fall 2010

Here are a few photos of my set up for my final critique of the semester. I cleaned up my studio and arranged things according to the narrative. Additionally, on Thursday during my crit I will be modeling a new costume, but since I’m still putting a few finishing touches on it I will post pictures later.