Exhibition Packed for Surface Design Conference in San Antonio TX

Yesterday I got my installation pieces all crated up and shipped to Parchman-Stremmel Galleries in San Antonio TX.

The crate of the figures feels like a packed slave ship....

24 individuals made of cast paper are when shown collectively are called Conscription. The installation creates a conversation between and among the individuals - and of course the viewer to embody a powerful repetition of forms. 

The exhibition will be a the Parchman-Parchman-Stremmel Galleries 110 West Olmos Drive, San Antonio TX.    I will be at the exhibition on June 6th, in conjunction with the Gallery Day tours at the International Surface Design Conference. If you are in town, please come visit.

Some photos of an earlier installation of the exhibition:

 These are cast using a positive mold with abaca paper pulp and stitched using sinew.

Here is a brief artist statement:

I work to create a level of interest and emotion paying close attention to the development of pattern and repetition within the pieces so that there is the need to slow down and focus attention to see subtly and textures of message and materials.  My intention is to present an image, an emotion, or a place for the viewer to step into a moment in time where they can fill in their own interpretation, memories, and story.

The title of the installation; Conscription, carries layered meaning.  Beginning with the obvious definition of the "ideal" form that women are urged to emulate and the diminution of women, 
 their perceived desired place in our culture, and the power and strength that come to the individual when in a group of aligned women.

I hope to see you in San Antonio.  -janet

A quick view of my exhibition Unintentional Development

Hi everyone.

Since my website is under construction I thought I would up load some images of my MFA exhibition.

Here is a brief artist statement that goes with the exhibition:

The depiction of children in the process of developing their ego and self-esteem are recorded in the mundane tasks of Doll’s competency scale developed in the early 1950s. The child is unknowingly in a power struggle with the caretakers and peers for the definition of their self-image. The children also learn to be watched, and risk becoming objects that fit into the watcher’s desires. As the child develops and incorporates the desires of the watcher, the child will continue to be influenced by the watcher – even if the watcher is no longer present.

In the corresponding exhibition of hand-embroidered narrative on tropes of domestic safety and tranquility, it is my intention to encourage the viewer to reflect on the act of being the objectifying watcher, but also to examine our own development and self-objectification. The final exhibition is a series of twenty images in which the viewer, through empathetic memories, is caught inside the image and at the same time is uncomfortably watching – even the watchers.

Here are some photos:

Great News! I am completing my MFA

New Beaded work at Red Sky Gallery

Great News!

The Red Sky Gallery in Charlotte is showing a collection of my beadwork! Click over and search for Janet Lasher on their search tab!

This collection of beaded brooches using large cabochons, Austrian crystals, semi-precious stones, and pearls.

Each piece is unique designed to accentuate the cabochon stone. These vary in size from about 2.5" to 4" across. I start with the special stone and a small collection of beads, crystals, pearls, and stones - beading a bezel around the stone to hold it firmly in place, and then begin to embellish the piece until it feels done. Then I finish up with a beaded picot edge and back with coordinating deer leather.

I love to work in this small scale playing with repetition and color. One bead at a time.

Natural Turquoise, coin & baroque pearls, Swarovski Crystals

Chinese Chalk Turquoise, coin, baroque and rice pearls, glass mirror, Swarovski crystals

Chystaphase, glass mirror, baroque & fancy pearls.

I am happy to expand the collection of brooches that started using small divine feminine faces- like this one I worked on this past fall.



I usually work on this type of embellished beadwork a few hours a day, so the series will continue. What fun to play with such small pieces of beauty.

Texture & Fiber Art for the Visually Impaired

Late last month, I was asked to teach an art workshop for the Charlotte Art League that was in conjunction with the group's October exhibition: Beyond Sight.

I had exhibited a few pieces of my fiber work including: a hand stitched and bound book. I have been working using the book form for awhile and find that it allows me to present to the viewer an intimate experience with the work - similar to the one that I have when making the pieces.

The book is meant to be read by the touch of the hand - and all the pages are either stitched with textures and patterns or mediums are used to make texture. All the pages were then encased in encaustic medium. The encaustic is a combination of beeswax and resin and makes the paper translucent and sturdy while allowing all the relief to remain clear to the touch.


While the intent of this book was to create a piece that is pleasing to the touch it is also quite interesting to look at.

In the class, I taught fiber knotting techniques used in ancient Peru and stitch on paper. We all made stitch patterns similar to the ones in my book.

We all had great fun and made amazing pieces. I had a great time and really enjoyed the opportunity to "see" fiber art from a whole new perspective.

I have been working using the book form for awhile and find that it allows me to present to the viewer an intimate experience with the work - similar to the one that I have when making the pieces.

Artists' Forum at the Mint Museum tomorrow night

Please come hear my good friend Susan Brubaker-Knapp and I at the

Mint Museum 2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte
tomorrow evening December 1st, 7-8:30pm for a discussion of our fiber art.

This program is presented through the Mint Museum's First Tuesdays forum and is free to all. We will be talking about our artistic approach, techniques and slides of our work. Q&A will follow the slide presentations.

More about Susan at www.bluemoonriver.com and more about Janet at www.janetalasher.com

This program is being offered in conjunction with the exhibition American Quilt Classics 1800-1980: The Bressler Collection which will hang through February 6th, 2010.