Where did April go?

First was helping man the SAQA booth at the Sew and Quilt Expo in Worcester MA from the 9th until the 12th.  It was a ton of fun because of the SAQA/MA volunteers who came, brought work to share and schmoozed.  We talked 'saqa' to SO many people…enjoyed two SAQA traveling exhibits, bought a few things, had some tasty dinners and generally socialized with old and new friends.  Not a bad assignment.

I was able to get to Boston to see Quilts and Color: The Pilgrim/Roy Collection.  It was STUNNING!  The layout…the installation…the lighting…the background wall color….where to start/end.  A gotta see for sure.

Then on the 16th I helped Diane Cadrain install Impromptu Fibers in the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.  This exhibit included contributions from three CT art quilt groups:  CT Fiber Arts Collective, Women Against the Grain and Sisters in Cloth.  It will only be hanging until Tuesday (2 weeks) as the Legislators are in session so the exhibits are of much shorter duration.

I did get some creative work done in the studio.  I have a series underway.  Flying Solo, above, is from the leftover schnibbles of a larger piece…still under construction.

Next week I head south to the DC area for the SAQA Conference.  SO many of our SAQA/CT members are going…and friends from all over.  I can hardly wait.

Hopefully my next post won't be so long in forming.

Self Portraits

On the "continuing to evolve" front, I have just finished another self portrait, titled "It's Just Me (with a slightly checkered past)". This one is for the newly formed art quilt group CT Fiber Arts Collective.

The third exhibit (!) for this group is coming up in November at a library in Middlefield CT. It's a small venue. The group has elected to put together a collection of "Identity" pieces that are small (12" on a side max) and displayed on small easels.

To further that sort of display, I gave a little demo on Saturday on how I mount pieces on foam core. I was able to save them time...at least I know some of the pitfalls.

This most recent self portrait seems a bit intense...in retrospect I think it might reflect my anxiety at having so much to say and, as I age, not enough time to say it all....forget about my ideals about making any real difference in this world.

The second one, Two Heads Are Better Than One was created in 2006 for an exhibit of "Sayings/Axioms/Truths in Fiber". I think I look a bit bewildered....

The last is still my favorite....where I'll stop without analysis.

Dyeing and Discharging

Saturday was another CT Fiber Arts Collective event. This time we were playing with grape juice and bleach. No, we did not drink any of the grape juice...fermented or otherwise.

Carol Eaton has dyed using natural ingredients. As Rosalind Spann is working on a venue for this fall, we are aiming for a "harvest" theme. Carol thought dyeing with grapes would be interesting...and it was. We met at her house (brave woman!) and dyed using both grape concentrate and Concord grapes. I'm not a "real" dyer and, therefore, preferred the more instant gratification of the concentrate. I have photographed my results in dyeing a vintage cotton napkin, some white on white Marimekko and some muslin. I'm hoping one of these

works itself into my harvest contribution but right now I'm un-inspired.

While we waited for the hour that the grapes would take to cook, Carol suggested we discharge fabric in her driveway. I told you she was brave.

Now that is more my cup of tea. I really enjoy the more instantaneous serendipity of discharging. This was much more inspiring for me.

After the dyeing and discharging we broke for lunch. Food too! Everyone brought goodies to contribute. Those meals are always the best. I got everyone together for a group shot.

In the group photo: Carol Eaton, top L, Mary Lachman, Roz Spann. Sitting Cher Hurney, Diane Cadrain and Toni Torres. Diane (aka the other Diane) chronicled the day much better in her blog post.