February 12, 2011 — Back at work and finishing up

The studio is fully back to work even though it is Saturday. Projects are being finished and more than one unveiling has taken place. I just finished my three part project and plan to do a few technical experiments at the end of the warp before cutting off.

Jean Pierre and Yael finished up their lecture series this morning with a great demo of how Yael goes about creating her cartoons. We also discussed earlier modes of designing versus current trends. The prevalence of small format tapestries being created introduces many changes for the designer/weaver. We also discussed copyright policies and contract issues. It was a good way to wrap up the discussions for a very special last session. Have I mentioned that the Larochettes are going to take at least a two year vacation from these retreats. They definitely deserve a rest from all this effort, but we're all going to miss it. The trip to Mexico City is a super way for eight of us to celebrate and finish up. The partner of one of our group from Canada is going to join us so JP will have some male companionship to fall back on if we get to be too much for him.

In the early days of these workshops we used to spend some time having meals at "Altamira," a charming partially outdoor restaurant several miles to the south of town. Sadly, the property was sold and the whole place has been turned into a Disney Land type group of buildings with a high security wall surrounding the entire parcel. We've heard not so great reports about the food being served there now, but we've decided to give it a try tomorrow for Sunday late lunch. If there is no alternative to valet parking or if the atmosphere isn't up to JP's standard I actually suspect we'll make a fast retreat to town and have lunch at Mario's. Will keep you posted with the details.

Thanks for your nice comments Nancy and Elke. So good to hear from you. And thanks for the book and recipe links, Nancy. The reports from Fort Bragg regarding the last details left undone when I left for Mexico are really good. I left a checklist of things that needed to be done before we would pay the last five thousand dollars. I've just been told that everything on the list has been done and that the driveway has been very nicely rerocked. If you're reading, Mary or Bryan, THANKS SO MUCH! So now we have our own little textile arts campus. Karen and Roberta have been reporting back to me about the progress being made in taking out the carpeting in the new library and the larger classroom. They've done the small room off the library and are about to start on the library. Thanks guys. I really appreciate it and it will make it so much easier when Stephan and I get to work on the Baltic birch floor we want to install before moving the bookshelves and looms in. This will help distribute the weight of these heavy items. Most of you have heard of all the musical chairs type activities that will take place as we move the books from their present location and the looms into the large classroom. It's been a long time in coming and we are so grateful to those who have made donations to this cause.

It's odd to be thinking about these things that I've been so obsessed with at home. Being down here has given me just the rest from the project that I needed. I'll be ready to work on that floor the minute I get back. We're beginning to think about how light we can travel and what we'll take with us for the trip. I'm back to feeling positive and good about it all today. The weather is turning warm here so we hope it won't be too cold in Mexico City.