1980 NYC -Summertime the streets of old SOHO where artists painted in abandoned factory buildings and the aroma of turpentine from open windows permeated the streets. Andy Warhol was a familiar sight, walking his dachshund and holding onto his blond wig in the wind. Galleries were established like Leo Castelli, Gallery Henoch, Louis Meisel, and Ok Harris, where Ivan Karp was always in the back office chomping on a cigar and awaiting new artists to show him work. After three years of presenting my work he gave me my first solo exhibit.
As word got out, this idea turned into a nice sideline. Collectors paid me two hundred dollars to embroider a stamp, put it on an envelope, and mail it to them with no refunds if it didn’t arrive. Luckily all were delivered except for one stamp. An official notice from the United States Postal Service arrived requesting I cease and desist mailing bogus stamps and I was to arrive at any US postal office with the letter and reimburse them 15 cents .
I continued exhibiting hand stitched work in the form of everyday objects- for many years
*see reume page
click on thumbnails to enlarge
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Early Work
In my first exhibit, I created hand-stitched works on linen under a magnifying glass that appeared to be common everyday objects. I even hand stitched the title card of the exhibit, “Illusion with Thread,” and placed the ½” x 3” artwork on the gallery entry wall. Everyone read the card and began looking for the artwork, but upon closer inspection, they realized the title card was also an artwork!
While no one can copyright an art idea. I thought to use the US postal service to record the date I stitched a replica of a postage stamp by putting it on an envelope, and mailing it to myself. The envelope was delivered by the US mail, like any ordinary letter - cancellation date: 4th Sept. 1979!
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Portrait: hand stitched: 8"x10".