Last Year's Creations

I have been quiet here in blogland this last year. One of the main reasons is that most of my online time is spent on an iPad ... which is not at all conducive to posting here. It's been easier for me to post a quick picture with a brief message on Facebook when a project was finished. Also, I haven't been all that productive in my studio(s). My energy has been a bit diminished since surgery a year ago August and what I do have has been directed to time and activities with family and friends and keeping up with two households.

In review, here are the pieces I have completed this past year ...

 "Smoky Mountain Sunrise" 20"x 16"

It won 3rd place in the Art Quilt category of the 2013 Smoky Mountain Guild Quilt show . To see the beginnings of this piece as well as others that present variations of my favorite view in the Smokies go here. It is for sale at the Cliff Dweller's Gallery in Gatlinberg, Tennessee.

 "Unraveled VII" 24"x 40"

The making of it can be read in the posts of February last year. This, too, was an award winning quilt in the SMG Quilt Show last spring. It is hanging in its new home in Memphis, Tennessee.

 "Trillium Patch" 18"x 18"

This is the first of the wildflower series wall quilts. It found a home in northern Indiana.

Trillium Patch #2 (16"x 13")

Trillium Patch #3 (16"x 13")

The two above are for sale at the Cliffdwellers Gallery up in the mountains.

Trillium Patch #4 (16"x 13")

 Trillium Patch #5 (16"x 13")

The two above are the ones that got pieces of real birch bark along with leaf skeletons included. They are available for purchase at Good Goods Gallery in Saugatuck, Michigan. The making of all the wild flower pieces can be read about here.

 "Moon Set on the Lake" (21"x 17")

This is part of the 100 lake series. I'm sure my goal of a hundred has been reached... I've lost count. However, I'm not finished with making lake pieces. There are definitely more moon set ones in my future. This one was sold to a Michigander.

There was quite a bit of creative time spent this fall playing with glass.  I'll post about that big project in the near future.

 

I'm looking forward to being more productive this next year. I've already got a start on that by participating in an online group endeavor. More about that in my next post.

PS: Add the cuddle quilt "Boxes of Color" that was written about in the last post) to this list of accomplishments for 2013.

At the Gallery

During a recent weekend I was one of three textile artists featured at Good Goods Gallery in Saugatuck, Michigan.  Dawn Edwards (on left) who makes fabulous felt hats is demonstrating felting to a customer (on right).

Sandra Adams who is the third featured artist is watching with me.  Sandra's medium is also felting and she, too, had a table out in Good Good's garden for demonstrating her techniques that result in scarves ... scarves that I would hang on a wall as art, rather than wear.

I demonstrated my "ortwork" collage technique in the upstairs gallery.

Above I was composing a small lake piece.  The foundation of which was made up of cut-offs from "The Lake" installation piece.

Two were completed that afternoon.  Each was purchased almost before I could get the back signed.  In fact, the first one was gone before I thought to take a photo.  Here's a picture of the second one.

"Piece of The Lake" 8"x 8"

Speaking of a piece of "The Lake", two of the five rows of my ArtPrize entry is hanging in Good Good's Gallery until next Friday.

Next Sunday all 5 rows will be installed in DeVos Place ready for the BIG exhibition that begins September 22nd.

Wired Fish

... screening wire, that is.  This is our latest art acquisition.

We had stopped in Asheville, North Carolina on our way to Charleston, South Carolina a couple of weeks ago and spent the afternoon visiting art galleries.  There are a lot of good ones and we found a new favorite, Blue Spiral 1.   It is the largest gallery we've ever seen.  It's located uptown in a large old building with three floors of fabulous art.  It's the sister gallery of our long time favorite, the New Morning Gallery in Biltmore village where we bought the table that doubles for dining and a desk a year ago.

There was a lot of interesting art, but the work that intrigued us the most were the structures sculpted with screening wire created by Janet Brome.  We had not a clue where we would put it when we got home, but we had to have one of the fish.

Initially, we thought it would be wonderful hanging in our kitchen.  However, it was lost among all the art in there.  So I dangled it into the living room looking for a place to hang it.  Looking up, I saw the spot.

Ever since we put up the metal mermaid sign holder I thought she should be holding something.  What it should be, I didn't know until I walked into the room with the fish sculpture.  It fits in perfectly with all the swimming and flying creatures displayed on that wall.  Also, the air flow from the register on that wall gentle sways and rotates the fish in the air.  We're delighted!

And here's an update on the Robins.  They are growing so fast.  The largest one's eyes are now open.  Both parents are constantly feeding and protecting them.  I haven't seen the mother Robin sitting on the brood in the last day.  I hope that nest holds them as long as they need to be in it.

SOLD!

"Come With Me to the Kasbah" has been displayed at Good Good's Gallery in Saugatuck, Michigan since last fall. Fifteen minutes after I had stopped in there to say "hi" to the staff this afternoon that piece sold. Woo Hoo! They think I brought good luck ... especially in this economy. Think I may stop in more often if that's the case.
To read about the creation of this piece go here.

The Last Bird

This is the last bird I'll be making for a while. There's a huge project that will be/is taking up my time that will be revealed soon.
I can hardly comprehend the number of people from all over the world who have shown interest:

10,857 have gone to the pattern site
1,132 have downloaded the pattern

If anyone has made birds from my pattern and would like to share them through this blog, please send me photos or a link. I find it interesting that even though all the birds I have seen start out from the same pattern, each one ends up being unique to its creator.

There are a number of birds that I've created and are for sale at three galleries:

Good Goods in Saugatuck, Michigan
Cliff Dweller's in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Morris Gallery in Sweet Water, Tennessee

Spring Gallery Gathering in Gatlinburg

Yesterday afternoon at Gatlinburg's "Spring Gallery Gathering" in the Cliff Dweller's Gallery I was one of seven artists demonstrating art. There was weaving, basket making, dulcimer making, pot throwing, marbleizing paper, and mixed media collage going on in the upstairs studios and on the front porch. I was set up in the gallery. My project was creating the base layer for my fifth mountain piece of the same view of the Smoky Mountains from Morton's Overlook.
Visitors were amazed that the one hanging on the wall for the afternoon began this way.
I got to the point of adding the finer details at the end of four hours.
"Silk Roses" along with several of my other quilts are among lots of art hanging on the walls. There are also four birds among the baskets and pottery on the shelves.

Birds, Birds, and More Birds

When this bird project began last April it was just to have a project to do with a visiting friend. Golly, has it ever taken off. Especially since I posted the pattern and instructions to share the fun out there in blogland as well as with my friends. There have been over 5,000 visitors to the Scribd site where the pattern and instructions are available ... there have been over 600 downloads. Whew! That's a lot of birds! Here are six that I've been working on this week.
I'm loving real feathers on their heads. There are pheasant ones on the "peacock" bird and cockateel feathers from my neighbor's bird on the other.
The red feathers are a new headdress for a bird you've seen before. If any bird sticks around long enough it may get stuff added. A fuzzy yarn mane seemed more appropriate for the red bird.
And a back view.
The blue Millafiore bird didn't get a headdress ... nor did his wings get quilted. I was engrossed in the process and forgot to quilt them. But with that fabric on this bird, it's okay. The stripes on the blue-green bird are from fish patterns in the fabric. See? Playing!
They all have pretty bottoms and breasts. I like choosing contrasting or coordinating fabrics for the backs of their wings, too.
Two galleries that carry my art pieces have seen the birds previously posted here on my blog and have expressed interest in selling them. It never occurred to me to offer my birds to them. I was just playing. These birds are destined for those galleries. So far after creating about 30 big birds and 9 small ones I'm still having fun. The question is, how many more before it becomes a chore? When that happens, I'll be DONE!

Cyber Fyber Exhibition Report

Golly! Where to start? First there was Susan Lenz! She was right there and visible both days I entered the Vista Gallery. The first day she was updating the show's site on her laptop out in the middle of the gallery, the second she was hand stitching one of her Decision series pieces. I was thrilled to meet her ... to actually talk to and touch her.
To quote the article written in a Columbia, South Carolina publication, "Cyber Fyber is not your average gallery exhibition. It is the culmination of a monumental, yearlong project developed by Columbia-area fiber artist Susan Lenz. The project was inspired by the sense of community she developed with other fiber artists around the world through her blogging experiences."

The postcard and ATC exhibits are amazing! While I was there, they were the major draw for anyone entering that showroom. Those small pieces of art drew viewers in for closer inspection. There were audible "ooo's and ahhhh's". There was wonder when they realized that Susan had made as many postcards and ATC's as were hanging to trade for all those exhibited in this show. I'm sure everyone treasures theirs from Susan as much as I do mine.
I have been online multiple times to study all these postcards and ATC's, but their photos do not portray the intricate details, colors, and textures that could be seen with my own eyes. I've voted (commented) on many of them and am glad to see that one of the ATC's I voted for won. To see a video of the people's choice awards go here.

I follow the blogs of many of the exhibitors. It was great to get up close to study the work that I've seen and read about online.
Arlee Barr is the cyber fyber artist with whom I've had the closest contact and interaction. It was wonderful to get to see and touch her Exquisite Corpse piece, "Shifting Gears". Although, I couldn't help but feel wistful that the original piece, "Rust Never Sleeps", designated for this show had gotten lost in the mail. I had contributed my work to that one. To read about the other exquisite corpses that have been created thanks to Arlee's organization and overseeing as the originator and "Grand Corpse Vizieress" go here. A third round that again includes fiber artists from around the world has just begun.

"Shifting Gears" by Arlee Barr

Another of Arlee's pieces hung on the wall opposite to one above.
This piece, "Cache", is rich in color and texture that can be seen in this photo. However, seeing those qualities in person is an AWESOME experience.

"Cache" by Arlee Barr

Arlee says of this piece, "It is a composite of techniques and ideas, many of which I was exposed to or shared on line, with my “Cyber friends”. Go here to read more.

I love to see artist's studios, the place where their creations "become". Susan's works in a space that is astonishingly small AND crowded.
In the center of her small space is the installation of her doors piece. Three walls exhibit finished pieces. There is hardly room for a stool to be brought up to her very crowded work table. Below is a photo of Susan's studio that I lifted from her blog.
As you can see, the fourth wall is shelves for containers filled with supplies.

Among all of the wonderful pieces hanging in Susan's studio this one spoke to me. There is a quiet elegance about it that I found appealing. The stitched birch bark pieces have the feeling of runes to me. It can be read about here.

Westport Island Series: Birch Bark
by Susan Lenz

I'm privileged to add that piece of Susan's to our home filled with art.
Susan is truly an amazing artist and person. Thanks to her more of the world has become aware of how the internet has positively connected, as well as affected, many of us artists separated by a lot of geography. The process of getting this exhibition together,as well as the exhibit itself, has extended and helped cement a world wide community of creative textile artists. Thank you, Susan.

Cyber Fyber Exhibition

I'm in Columbia, South Carolina and have been to the Cyber Fyber exhibition on two days. The exhibit is FABULOUS! There is so much to see within each of the pieces from the artist invited by Susan Lenz as well as her amazing work. And then there is Susan herself ... she is a dynamo of enthusiasm and creativity. I feel privileged to be here.

Cyber Fyber Exhibition

Many of you may have been keeping up over this last year with the creation of the international fiber arts exhibition CYBER FYBER by fiber artist Susan Lenz. The installation is complete and that show will open on January 8 - 20, 2009 at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios, 808 Lady Street in downtown Columbia, South Carolina.
Part of the show includes 225+ fabric postcards that Susan has exchanged with people all over the world. These are only two of five sections of wall space exhibiting them all. I think I see mine hung left of center in the the middle row on the left wall of this photo.
A feature of this show involves world wide online participation by having a voting contest for a PEOPLE'S CHOICE award for the postcards and for ATC's (artist trading cards). If you'd like to cast your vote(s) go here. It's the comments that count! The postcard with the combined "most comments" (votes) from the exhibition will be the winner. In case of a tie, a random drawing will determine the winner on January 17, 2009.

Just in case you didn't recognize mine in the exhibition on the wall in the above photo, this is it ... #113
I can't make it to the opening, but I will see this exhibition on the weekend of the 17th. I can hardly wait to see it and to meet Susan.

The gallery photos are Susan's. Go to her exhibition journal blog by clicking here, then click on the photos there to see larger versions. You will see that my postcard really is hung there.

SOLD!

Woo Hoo! Each time a piece of my art sells I feel great excitement that someone has appreciation enough to spend their money on it ... especially in this economy.

Vincent's Flowers - 33"x23" - 2002

As I've stated in my sidebar, I don't make art or quilts to sell, but I do sell ... meaning I create whatever pleases me rather than what either I or a gallery owner/curator thinks will appeal to buyers. I realize how fortunate I am not to have to make a living from my creations ... that I have the freedom to go my own way.

This piece sold from the Cliffdweller's Gallery on Glades Road in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It, along with nine other quilts, have been there since my weekend in the mountains a few weeks ago. One of the owners knew of my work and requested that I bring quilts to present to her other five partners. All of them enthusiastically accepted my art quilts to exhibit and sell in their gallery.

It pleases me that there are no rolled up quilts stashed away in my closets (except for the one that alternates on the wall in my living room with the other one I cannot bear to part with). All my creations are hanging in galleries in Tennessee, Michigan, and Illinois. Woo Hoo!

To read about my creating "Vincent's Flowers" go here.

My Weekend at Good Good's

Creating several lake quilts at Good Good's gallery in Saugatuck, Michigan this past weekend was fun. I was scheduled only for Saturday, but ended up there on Sunday afternoon as well.
Many people, both local and vacationers from surrounding states, came to watch the construction and stuck around to talk about quilts, quilting, and art. I was most pleased that Kay ("Out of the Basement" blog) drove up from Indiana to see my work in person. We have been emailing and reading each others blogs for several years and it felt as though I was greeting a long time friend even though we were meeting for the first time.
This "after the sun has gone down" piece was begun and completed Saturday afternoon.

Lake #62 (13"x 12")

The previously constructed lake piece that I had taken to demonstrate my quilting and couching techniques will be posted soon. It's one of three that represent the night storms in June.

Lake Art Demo

On Saturday I'm demonstrating how the lake quilts in my series of the goal to 100 are created. I'll be at Good Good's gallery in Saugatuck, Michigan from noon until 5:00 with all my scraps, yarns, netting, and sewing machine.
I stopped in the gallery this afternoon to see how the hanging of my pieces is going. A lot of them are up.
Included in this show that will be hanging through September are some of my "regular" quilts. I love how "Regeneration" is paired with this particular Sticks chair and ottoman.
To read complete details about my being Good Good's featured artist go here.

Lakes Created At the Gallery

I had a good time creating three pieces for the Lake Series during the Gallery Stroll at Good Goods in Saugatuck, Michigan. It was fun having an audience and being influenced by them.

Pulling batting apart to make clouds.

This one was inspired by a visitor's memorable day of the lake. It was a brilliant blue day with high winds. The lake was extremely rough, so much so that a kite surfing competition was cancelled.

Lake #47

Here it is before the machine quilting was done.
Winter was another visitor's favorite time of the lake. This one was a bit of a challenge for me. I know the lake with ice and cold from living near it in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for thirty-plus years.

Lake #48

However, that is not the lake I love and to which I have an emotional attachment ... it's the summertime lake from the shores of Michigan. The Wisconsin side of Lake Michigan is quite different. There are many rocky and clay cliffs on the west side of the lake as opposed to the sand dune shoreline on the east. Also, the water is most usually cold because the predominantly westerly winds push the warm surface water to the Michigan side.

Here's the icy, winter lake under construction. I added oil stick pastels and white paint to make it even frostier than you see here.
Many visitors responded to the large lake piece with a bit of a sunset. I was determined not to make obvious sunsets in this series ... or at least not yet. However, I kept pulling a piece of hand painted fabric (actually a clean-up cloth from another project) from that bag of scraps. Soooooo ... I relented and made this one.

Lake #49

The finished piece has black tulle netting laid over the surface making it darker than you see when it was being constructed ... indicating the sun has already set below the horizon.

Post Script Oct.20: I see a couple of kite surfers on the webcam that takes a picture every 30 seconds of Lake Michigan at the Holland channel.