Sunday, July 1, 2007

Before and After

This just was not working. It felt "backwards" and awkward.




Now this works for me. Who would have thought merely changing the direction would make such a difference? I out lined the body with 20/0 beads couched down with black nymo. He has fresh water pearls for toe nails and the rest of the beads, so far, are 15/0 irridescent with dark gray for the legs on the back side put on with back stitch.

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Southern Nights

Southern Nights
Before the storms.

Title: Southern Nights

Artist: Dorris Cochran

Location: Hyattsville, Maryland

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Dimensional beading worked over peyote stitch using a variety of beads such as hex, tiny 15/0 s, triangles, antique satin glass bugles, and other items.

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Never having visited the Gulf I had rather romantic visions of sleepy towns, long humid nights, evening walks along the levees and beautiful riverboats. I have put this fantasy of nights on the Mississippi in my block. But, alas, death and destruction were laying in wait – see the pretty water splashed by the paddle wheel peeking over the edge of the strong levee? the insignificant super dome?

Lost Lives, Broken Dreams

Lost Lives, Broken Dreams
There is no silver lining.

Title: Lost Lives, Broken Dreams

Artist: Dorris Cochran

Location: Hyattsville, Maryland

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Freeform beading over brick stitch using many different types of beads. The tiny black kite shaped beads are antique Victorian mourning beads. Ladies out of deep mourning, but still required to wear black, would sometimes add decoration to their dresses with black beads such as these.

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Mourning beads seemed appropriate to honor the memory of the many who died in the storm and in the aftermath when people died waiting for help that came days too late. Who knows how many of the still missing people lay buried in the ruins that are still scattered through the Gulf region. Like those killed by the storms and the aftermaths the mourning beads are scattered through the debris.

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The levee is broken. Family treasures, pearls, antique satin bugle bead, and other lovely beads are scattered throughout the ruins. Lives, homes, jobs, envisioned futures- all shattered by the storms and the pain of their loss worsened by the lack of timely, organized rescue efforts. If you lift up the cloud and look behind it you will find NO silver lining.

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Designing and making this seemingly simple block was very emotionally draining. I hope it will cause the viewer to stop and really think about all that happened in our country before, during, and after hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Have you heard anything from Mississippi?

Have you heard anything from Mississippi?
Damage in Mississippi is invisible on TV news coverage

Title: Have you heard about Mississippi?

Artist: Dorris Cochran Location: Hyattsville, Maryland

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Brick and peyote stitch worked in layers using 11/0 hex beads and Toho beads.

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Despite the horrendous damage done to the towns in Mississippi coastal area there has been very little coverage of this in the media. I have seen aerial photos taken by a local Maryland photographer that show miles, and miles, and miles of desvastion. Some towns are just gone...empty scoured land is all that remains.

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While talking to a lady whose family lives in the effected area she told me that it seemed as if Mississippi had become invisible. Only New Orleans is covered on the news here. Her voice shook with pain, despair and sorrow.

Endurance

Endurance
Deep roots

Title: Endurance

Dedicated to: Zulma (KajunKritters-Bead-N-Supply)

Location: Hyattsville, Maryland

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This piece is worked on teal leather with bead embroidery, peyote stitch and freeform beading using mostly Delica 11/0 beads.

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Bald cypress, Taxodium distichum, is part of an extremely ancient species. Conifers have been here since before the dinosaurs walked this earth. For me they embody endurance and bring to mind the ordinary folk who have lived on the Gulf for generations. They will rebuild and farm their land and fish the Gulf, the river, lakes and bayous for generations to come because they BELONG there. They will endure despite the storms, the insurance scams, the government’s poor management and, for far too many, the hardships brought on by unemployment. These are the real people, not the politicians and businessmen, but the folks who have been there for hundreds of years or, in the case of our Native Americans, thousands of years. Like the bald cypress they have deep and enduring roots.

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My block is dedicated to Zulma who personifies the strength and endurance of this beautiful tree while she and her family struggle to start over after the storms.

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NOTE: Since the Tapestry was finished Zulma has lost her husband. He died in her arms from a heart attack as they waited for medical care that came too late. She continues to live in New Orleans caring for her elderly father in a damaged trailer.