Monthly Archives: March 2007

New Art and New Paper Lace Web Site!

My latest artwork is taking a new and, I think, interesting direction. I haven’t stopped creating spin art– not at all! However, my spin art is something that I like to create outside, and lately the weather hasn’t been too cooperative. When it gets windy and cold (not that it’s that windy, or that cold, here in Santa Barbara), I tend to dream up new artistic ideas that don’t involve being outside.

So, I have a whole new body of work that does not include any spin art at all. I am really excited about it! I am not quite ready to post pictures of my new work yet, though. Don’t worry, I will! At this point I have submitted all the best pieces to a publisher for possible publication. So, I don’t want to spoil things by putting up pics yet. But soon enough I will have even more new work. I am overflowing with ideas for a whole new series, and I can’t wait to develop it further.

What I will do, however, is drop the hint that my new work incorporates paper lace. In fact, I am so excited about this new direction, that I created a whole new web site on the topic of paper lace. If all goes according to plan, the new site will feature interesting information about paper laces: artists who use paper lace in their artwork, information about the history and manufacture of commercial paper lace, info about antique valentines, postcards, religious cards, and other paper laces, and of course lots and lots of images of lovely paper laces.

In the process of researching paper lace, I also came across some information about papercuts and paper cutting. Needless to say, I am totally enthralled by papercuts. There are some truly amazing artists out there creating them. So, the paper laces site will hopefully feature some artists who are creating papercuts, too. Maybe I will even give paper cutting a try- I already have some ideas for it. Lots of good stuff to look forward to! 🙂

About the Author: Amy Solovay is a freelance writer with a background in textile design. She has been crocheting and crafting since childhood, and knitting since she was a teenager. Her work also appears at KnittingandCrochet.net , ArtsWithCrafts.com and Crochet-Books.com. Amy sends out a free knitting and crochet newsletter so interested crafters can easily keep up with her new patterns and tutorials. If you’re already an Instagram user, Amy also invites you to follow her on Instagram.

This page was last updated on 7-15-2019.

Thanking Teachers / Making Art History, One Small Step at a Time

A few days ago, I got an email that made me smile. It was an email from an 8th grader, who complimented my art and then asked permission to write about my artwork in his research paper. Apparently he had been given an assignment to research a contemporary artist. He included a list of questions for me to answer in the email.

I would really like to thank his teacher, and for that matter, all the teachers out there who are encouraging their students to learn about contemporary art and artists. Art history certainly didn’t come to an end when Pablo Picasso passed away!

Reminds me, how awhile back I received an email from a school teacher who asked if he could show my art to his class. Of course, I granted permission. Then I joked to my husband, “If only I could figure out how to get every junior high and high school teacher to show my art to their students! I’d be famous.” Hahahahahahahahaha!!

The truth is that art impacts lives. I remember being significantly inspired by the art I viewed in my childhood. I have teachers to thank for that, of course, as well as my mother, who had lots of original art hanging in our home. The art we had at home was especially important to me because it was created by members of our family. However, I was greatly influenced by all the art in my life- the art at home, the art in museums that my teachers took me to see, the art I found in library books…etc…etc…etc…I definitely think it’s important for kids to learn about art, and learn to appreciate it.

By Amy Solovay

About the Author: Amy Solovay is a freelance writer with a background in textile design. She holds a bachelor’s degree with a studio art minor; and she has also obtained another degree in textile design. Amy has been crocheting and making crafts since childhood, and knitting since her teenage years. Her work also appears at ArtsWithCrafts.com, KnittingandCrochet.net and Crochet-Books.com. Amy sends out a free knitting and crochet newsletter so interested crafters can easily keep up with her new patterns and tutorials. If you’re already an Instagram user, Amy also invites you to follow her on Instagram.

This page was last updated on 7-15-2019.