Publication in fibreQUARTERLY

My new friend Joe Lewis, who I met at the Inspired Design Jacquard Weaving Conference in January, has released his newest issue of fibreQUARTERLY on the Velvet Highway. This is an online publication, which I have mentioned before, that aims to "Explore Canadian Textile and Fibre Arts and Craft History, yesterday, today and tomorrow, if it's spun, woven, printed or just quickly stitched up, we try to give it a voice"- Joe.

This issue focuses on the art and artist featured at the Conference. I had the honor of submitting a review of the Conference, and Joe included images of 2 of my woven works. Please check out my write up as well as the rest of the issue. It is truly inspiring!

fibreQUARTERLY

Jenna's Article

2009 Camry Car Picture

2009 Camry Car Picture

2009 Camry Car Interior

2009 Camry Car Side View

Nostalgia

I’m back!

I spent the past week in St. Louis, Missouri…my family’s hometown. I stayed with my Grandma and my parents came to visit as well. If you can’t tell from the hundreds of images of vintage vehicles I’ve already posted on my flikr or facebook pages, I have a nostalgia for eras that I’ve never experienced first hand. Visiting St. Louis reaffirms this nostalgia and helps me understand where this love developed.

My mom and I spent more time than usual visiting the parts of the city that remind her of her childhood. Most of this revolves around food: Pretzels at Gus’s, BBQ at Phil’s, Slyders at White Castle, and of course multiple trips to Frederhofer’s Bakery. It also involved the more traditional tourist stops: the Arch and the Museum of Westward Expansion in the Arch’s foundation, the NEW Busch Stadium, and the warehouse and brewery (Busch and Lemp) district where my grandparents and their parents worked long, back-breaking hours. The city is nothing like the hustle and bustle days that my parents and grandparents grew up in…the stadium has been completely rebuilt (twice), the New Cathedral is rather old, hundreds of thousands of square footage of factory and brewery has been abandoned.

Despite all the negativity that surrounds the city’s disrepair…you can catch promising glimpses of what the Gateway to the West might have in store for the future. Warehouse space has been converted into uppity apartment lofts for young professionals. The introduction of America's Center Convention Complex, Edward Jones Dome, Ferrra Theatre, and the Executive Conference Center are drawing huge professional crowds and encourage Cards, Rams, and Blues, fans nationwide to bring their business downtown. And fundrasiers and live music festivals on the Riverfront are increasing in number and popularity. Just this past Saturday, over 66,000 participants gathered downtown for the Susan G. Komen Race.

In the area where my grandma lives, about 30 minutes outside the city, its an entirely different world. While much has changed, so much has remained the same. Some of the largest grocery stores, pharmacies, auto parts suppliers, and restaurants are still family owned…as they have been for the past 100 years (or more)! Grandma’s house is on one the most prestidgeous streets in the area…or at least it was 60 years ago when it was built. She raised her family there since 1950 and many features of the house remain completely original. The houses being built just 10 minutes down the road have maintained high quality…but the 2500 or so square footage of my grandma’s 60 year old house, could fit in the basement of the multi-million dollar monsters down the road. Also 10 miles from Grandma’s are most of the food selections mentioned above, Laumeier Sculpture Park, and the historic Grant’s Farm. Grant’s Farm was founded by President Ulysses S. Grant in the 1850s. The Busch family purchased the farm from President Grant over 5 decades ago. The 281 acres is the home of more than 100 species of animals from 6 continents and now serves as a stable for the famous Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales and an interactive, safari-style park, which is open to the public to increase wildlife conservation and education.

And there is SO MUCH I am leaving out!

Now you know, just in part, where my love for St. Louis and the historic past comes from….but what does this have to do with automotive? For one, the rise, and fall, and new rise of the city, should bring hope to those in Motor City during these trying times. For another reason...well just check out my next post…and my flikr picture set (which will be added soon)…and I think you’ll be in for a treat! I certainly was!

Yaris 5-Door Liftback

Yaris 5-Door Liftback Side View

Yaris 5-Door Liftback Interior

Yaris 5-Door Liftback Rear View

Fast Lane Classic Cars

St. Charles, Missouri is home of Fast Lane Classic Cars Inc. This extraordinary garage house over 180 of the most beautiful classic vehicles still around. They only buy cars that are in pristine condition, many with all original parts. Cars range from a 1931 Studebaker at $38,995, to a 2008 Porshe Boxster Convertible at $35,995 (one of the least expensive vehicles on the lot). The highest price tags seem to be the 2005 Ferrari F430 Coupe at $149,995 the 2005 Ford GT at $159,995, the 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Twister Special at $199,995. Some of my favorites included the red 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster at $74,995, and the yellow 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster at $53,995 (with many upgrades and few original parts....but who could pass on this color). More favorites included the 1948 Indian Chief Vintage Motorcycle at $29,995, the 1953 Oldsmobile Super 88 Convertible at $57,995, the 1956 Ford Parklane Station Wagon w/Matching Teardrop Camper Trailer at $42,995, the 2 1970 Plymouth Cuda Hemis at blue $63,995 and red $79,995.

Details for the vehicles mentioned above are linked.

I've uploaded pictures on my Flikr photoset. This is linked in the right column.

But certainly check out the website for more information and a full inventory:

www.fastlanecars.com

Motor City, USA

I made it to Detroit!

Last week was dedicated to preparing for the upcoming 5 weeks of interviews that are intended to provide validity and insight for my thesis research. I had a trial interview with one of my committee members and it felt great! There were a few minor adjustments that needed to be made to my visual presentation materials and then it was just a matter of printing everything. Nancy also came back to the states (yey)! I had a run-through with her and we discussed how many different directions the interviews could go in and how to be time-conscious. This will definitely be the biggest difficulty of this process. I am interviewing some of the busiest people in the industry and recognize the value and generosity of their time. It is crucial that I guide the discussion efficiently in order to achieve the goals of this research and make the best use of their time as well as my own. I'm sure its obvious, but I am very passionate about my research. I think this will be a very entertaining, and perhaps enlightening process for all involved.

Last night we went to a movie and dinner in Royal Oak- which looks very different when its not in the snowy negative temperatures. We walked for a bit and ended up at a BBQ and Blues restaurant with a live band and walked outside to find a vintage Ford on the curb. Nothing too out of the ordinary, but a great photo op.

2008 Toyota Allion Wallpapers

2008 Toyota Allion Car Images

2008 Toyota Allion Car Wallpaper