The Waterville knitting mill - from Nancy Bell Scott

[Marie Wintzer]

When I saw Nancy's work featuring on several blogs I was hoping to receive something from her, and I didn't have to wait for a very long time, her first envelope arrived this week, lucky me.
Nancy dug up an old box full of of antique print blocks and stamps from her attic, check out her blog if you haven't seen it yet, it is very impressive. She started to use and integrate them in her art and the result is quite unique.

 

The painted and stamped envelope with golden touch is beautiful. On the back of it Nancy used the stamp for the Waterville Knitting Mill (NY) - 103 Conger Ave. Google told me that it used to produce textiles in the 80's and that it is now torn down due to dangerous conditions within the building and trespassing. What an original stamp to possess! A true collectable!

The card is partly collage partly asemic (see both sides). But not as separate entities. More like a kind of Yin-Yang symbol, with a piece of the one always existing (embedded?) within the other, and sealed by thick waxy paint. The paper she uses is fantastic, maybe handmade. It is hard to see the texture from the photo, but it got plenty of it. 
Nancy, thank you for sending this beautiful piece!

 

[De Villo Sloan]

Definitely a great piece. My favorite is the second scan from the top. The Waterville stamps are so.. what is it? Sans serif? I think you should check out Karen Champlin, Nancy. She's done amazing things with stamps and overlays.

[Nancy Bell Scott]

I must need to befriend Karen Champlin, because I keep seeing her work all over this site and loving it.

It's great to have the knitting factory stamps appreciated.  They were packed away in a box all sad, poor things.

[Nancy Bell Scott]

Then you might enjoy what I sent off to you a few days ago, Katerina.  Hope so ~ and thanks everyone.

[De Villo Sloan]

Yes, I think this is a totally outstanding piece. I jumped on the old stamps Nancy used because I think they give the piece even more context - stamps from a defunct knitting factory - all the things that conjures - weaving, industrial production - I think it opens the piece for all kinds of potential to make stories. Karen Champlin uses a lot of industrial-era stamps to great advantage.

 

Sure Nancy, I know Waterloo very well - there is an old knitting mill in nearby Seneca Fall, which is of course considered the home of the Women's Rights Movements with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and all.

[DKeys]

I covet this MA

[Katerina Nikoltsou (MomKat)]

This is excellent,Nancy! I see so many layers and asemics, 'can only imagine the rich textures. Lucky you, Marie! and those stamps are real collectables, wow!

[Marie Wintzer]

Great! Thanks Nancy. I see it as a wax seal on some precious ancient document :-))

[Nancy Bell Scott]

Marie, you have no idea how much I love that you said "waxy."

[Nancy Bell Scott]

There is a Waterville, Maine. Nadine probably knows more about it than I do ... mine being a random and rare connection.

My mother grew up in Waterloo and we spent 4 or 5 weeks a year there.  14 Seneca Street, near the r.r. tracks, a few houses from the canal.  We'd take the train from Poughkeepsie or Rhinebeck.  I still have books from my grandparents' house, one of my all-time favorite places.

Thanks, Theresa ~

[De Villo Sloan]

Waterloo isn't far. Take the NYS Thruway Exit there. Isn't there a Waterville, Maine?