Mentoring

Mentoring, or encourageing creativeness as well as sharing knowledge and skills, is an important element in my creative life. I'm fortunate to have a number of people who welcome my imput, although there are occasions when maybe it's perceived as intrusion. Even then, I like to think that it's a possitive experience on both ends.

I'd like to share the most recent accomplishments of two young women artists who are close to my heart. I feel privileged to share experiences, resources, and supplies as well as the name "Durand".

Jeanette Jancius Durand is my daughter-in-law. Her piece, "Untamable Fire," was juried into "A Fine Art Quilt" show currently running at the Jay Etkin Galllery in Memphis, Tenn. Her piece was selected by the Memphis Commercial Appeal as the photograph to feature the article about the show in its newspaper. YEAH! Here she is at the opening:


Untamable Fire
$800.00 (See Jay Etkin Gallery website press release listed below for purchasing information)
Machine appliquéd, hand quilted; cotton fabric & batting, cotton & rayon threads
34 x 28 inches © 2005

Untamable Fire is a psychological landscape. The elegant beauty of our conscience is thrown into a tidal wave of flames. We strive to build an ordered and calm world, but nature has other plans for us. Chaos consumes our structures and replaces them with native landscapes once again.

Go to Jay Etkin Gallery site, to see a close-up and the rest of the show
VISIT Jeanette's site and blog. She'll be writing about her experience soon.
Her website is Embellished Visions (link is listed in the column to the right).

Diane Cross Durand is my neice-in-law. She and her family (husband, Peter, and 18 mo. old daughter, Lilli) left the cottage here at Macatawa this morning after a 10 day visit. During this time she "discovered" a technique that translates her style of drawing into fiber art. Diane designed and completed two pieces. Each looks like they are drawings straight from one of her journals.















Untitled - 13"x14"










Untitled - 16"x21"

























Lilli is helping






Diane sewing the binding on the last evening.


Diane plans to write about her experience on her blog, This Little Fish (listed in columm on the right)