I'm EMERITUS!

It was a really wonderful experience being a Studio Art Quilt Associates Connecticut Co-Rep for the last few years.  Granted it did involve commitment... but it also afforded me the pleasure of meeting and working with some truly wonderful artists, curators, museum directors, gallery owners, shop owners, university professors and the list goes on.

For those of you who are members, seriously, consider getting involved more.  For those of you who are not members, go look at the new website and think about joining.

I feel this way in spite of, not because of, retiring as Co-rep.  Heck, I almost teared up at the prospect of leaving the position when I was presented with this grand crow puppet as my 'emeritus' gift.

Frankly, I think she will be very happy in my studio. I will probably need to name her.  Suggestions?

Crows have long been an image I use in my work...actually other corvids too.  I am intrigued by these intelligent creatures.  That and they are a metaphor for my advancing age:  no bluebirds here.

Serendipity Strikes Again

2013 Events

       

I am one of the luckiest people I know.  Saturday at 8am my friend Vivika DeNegre rang asking it I'd like to go to NYC for the day to participate in Quilters Take Manhattan, a celebration of Quilt Alliance.  Know how fast I said YES?  I was ready and waiting in an hour.

I took a bunch of pics...but they were all for other people, using their cameras.  Duh.  Finally I shot one of my own.  Pictured with Vivika (Editor of Quilting Arts...and much more) are Leslie Tucker Jenison and Jamie Fingal. You can tell they were having fun.

It was such a wonderful day filled with friends, new friends, fiber...fiber...fiber.  Oh, did I say that Hollis Chatelain was the Event Speaker with "An Artist's Journey" AND the four members of Semper Tedium spoke:  Paula Nadelstern, Robin Schwalb, Amy Orr and Katherine Knauer!?!

See, I told you I was lucky.  Doesn't get better than this.

Leslie Tucker Jenison, Vivika DeNegre and Jamie Fingal

Dark mid-day foreground with glorious background

Leaving NYC on a beautiful Sept day

SAQA Benefit Auction: Report Card

I am SO excited!  

Week One of the SAQA Benefit Auction is just complete and Week Two has JUST begun.  

Pictured here is how super Week One was for me :^)

I love the fact that I am able to add to my collection of OP (other people's) work.  I do have to admit, however, that 'winning' at auction is a value added thrill. 

Imagine, I have Holly Altman's hand prints...it will remind me of the time in Houston when she and I got horribly soaked...drenched...and she, of course, had a friend on the staff of a very nice, nearby hotel who, when she saw us, ran and retrieved wonderfully warm towels for us to dry with, not the least bit concerned that we were not actually guests.  Holly's friends, boy, they are good to know.

Cathy Smith is my current SAQA co-rep for CT.  I am on my last couple of months as rep...my spot will soon be filled by my friend Barbara Coleman Adams.  The way I figure it, this piece will be a remembrance of Cathy and my service together.  Now I have to work on Barb to contribute a 12" square for next year .^)

Tomorrow! SAQA's Benefit Auction

Hello, Sunshine!

Tomorrow SAQA's Benefit Auction begins at 2pm Eastern.  Click on the link to read how the auction works.  I always try to 'win' a piece.  There were a couple of years I was unsuccessful :^(

But I have persevered!  I figured out that I have been participating in the Benefit Auction for seven years now and I have a very nice collection :^)  It is such a satisfying way to support SAQA:  first making a 12" square piece AND then 'winning' other artists' work.

At this point my Auction collection includes work by Cathy Smith CT, Sandy Gregg MA, Debbie Bein NY, Vivien Zepf NY, and Lutgard Gerber-Billiau Belgium.  Now I will be trolling the pages again this year very stealthily....join me!!

Commission Accomplished!

Walk in the Woods II full

Walk in the Woods II detail

The 'autumnal' commission has been approved.  Sunday DH and I will install both pieces in the stairwell of a very happy man's contemporary seaside home's central stairwell.  My buyer left my studio this afternoon smiling broadly saying that now he had original art, totaling two.  It was a very satisfying feeling to make him so happy with my artwork.

Walk in the Woods I detail

Walk in the Woods I full

Camp DeeDee

Nothing...absolutely NOTHING happened in my studio today.  However, it was STILL a productive, creative day.

Granddaughter Claire and I picked raspberries yesterday.  I picked the most only because she will only pick 'perfect' berries.  Period.  AND she doesn't want them mixed with others :^)

The brass topped jars are "Awesome Claire's Perfect Raspberry Jam".  The others are a blend, "DeeDee and Claire's Wonderful Raspberry Jam".

Whilst we had the canning tub processing jars, we decided to make "Roasted Farm Tomato and Roasted Farm Garlic Pasta Sauce".  This used all of our tomatoes from our most recent CSA harvest, but I'm sure next week will bring more.

This week (only three days but it seems so-o-o-o-o much longer and I feel so-o-o much older) was our CT family's Camp DeeDee.  Those days just after camps and vacations...just prior to the start of school when the resident 'little people' have to prep for school....and be educated/inspired/engaged by the resident Grandparents.  Thankfully school starts tomorrow.  I need a nap.

Viewpoints9: Naturalistic Intelligence

It's in the DNA....Somewhere

Today is the reveal day for Viewpoints9's last challenge of the complete membership rotation.  It has been an exhilarating ride, to say the least.  Frankly, I've learned so much...having to analyze my process and goals more carefully.  Not my strong suit.  So, naturally, one that must be done.

Check out the entire reveal (Aussie Sue Dennis began at my 3 AM!).viewpoints9.blogspot.com