Art from the heART

I have lots of crocheted "infinity" scarves in Valentines' colors, along with lots of fiber art, fabric pins and silk scarves. It's an extra special open studios this Saturday afternoon at Western Avenue Studios. Many of us are participating in Art from the heART. You can enter a raffle for gift certificates by visiting various artists and collecting hearts -- all while you're seeing and purchasing great art and Valentine's Day gifts. You can find me in Studio 434 -- I'd love to see you!

122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA

www.margotstage.com for directions

Shawn's Sisters

I recently completed the latest of my "Memories in Cloth". Shawn's sisters contacted me to create a piece for each of them from the silk neckties and braces (suspenders) of their younger brother who had recently passed away. Once again I felt honored to do this kind of work, both as an artist and as a human being.

Artistically, the challenge was to create two distinct pieces from the same stash of fabrics. As a human, the challenge was to listen and hear who the person was, to translate that into a visual tribute.

Nikki and Melissa were delighted with the results, which delighted me! When Nikki came to Lowell to my studio to pick up with artworks, she said my timing was impeccable. I paused, not sure what she meant. "This is the week, one year ago, that Shawn passed away. And to receive these pieces now is just perfect." Divine timing, not mine!

Wild Apples

Tom Chambers: Aground Last night, we launched the 8th and last issue of Wild Apples, a Journal of Nature, Art and Inquiry. Started 5 years ago by Linda Hoffman, Kathryn Liebowitz, Susan Edwards Richmond and Sophie Wadsworth, this exquisite journal has inspired, captured and transported both its readers and contributors for many seasons. I've had the privilege of contributing as a writer and artist to several issues, and the honor of being on the Board of Advisors. Treat yourself to exceptional beauty and wisdom by purchasing a copy of Wild Apples. Both the new issue and back issues are available at www.wildapples.org

Fibrous Forms at Lesley University

Fibrous Forms

Works by David Crane and Margot Stage

now until November 6, 2011

Lesley University's Marran Gallery

located on the University Quad, between Mellen and Everett Streets in Cambridge, MA

The gallery is accessible 24/7

Popham beach art 2

The beach offered lots of seaweed this year so that became the material we worked with to create our installation. The spirals led down to the high tide line, in anticipation of the water's hand in the evolution of the piece.

Slowly, each high tide broke and moved a bit of the seaweed line... we imagine that eventually it will all be erased.

Popham Beach art 1

Rope is what caught me eye on Popham Beach, Maine this September. All colors and lengths of rope ripped from lobster pots, knotted and tangled up with large clumps of seaweed. I couldn't stop myself from collecting, then did "rope laundry", using this half-submerged log as a drying rack. A bit of art in itself....though all the rope came home with me. Eventually, there will be another incarnation.

Another view at Fruitlands

Matt Rasmussen, a young man who is working at Fruitlands Museum this summer took these photos of my sculpture Falling. Not only a great photographer, Matt is also studying chemistry at Bowdoin College. Thanks for the great images, Matt!

When you visit Fruitlands, be sure to follow the Sculpture walk map far enough to enter Alicia Dwyer's Dryad Grove. It's enchanting!