I have been SO remiss...

I can't believe that my last post was April 27!  SO much has happened.  Pour a cuppa and I'll tell the quilt stories of the month+

We returned from our six week holiday in CA and my attendance at SAQA's Conference in Portland OR.  Immediately I needed to tackle the promised T-shirt quilt for Project Graduation at Guilford High School (remember, now, that I still haven't learned to say no).  The quilt will be won in a drawing by one of graduates.  It is twin sized and ready to hit the road with the new grad whether off to college or another brave new world.

The T-shirts were donated by the volunteer team managing Project Graduation.  While I was constructing the top, American Idol and GHS graduation Nick Fradiani (parents still live in town) visited his old high school and gave a hugely attended concert on the Town Green.  Of course, one of his T's needed to be tracked down and included.

It will be 'won' by one of the Class of 2015.

Project Graduation T-shirt quilt

 What I can't reveal yet are the other 3 pieces that I finished.  Two for Fly Me To the Moon challenge and this month's Viewpoints9-3 "neon" challenge.

Runner for Polly

Then, as I infrequently do, I decided to tidy my studio.  When I found some schnibbles remaining from a commissioned piece.  The fabric happened to be one of my all time favorites and deserved to be used.  I combined it with other favorites.  This table runner is quite plump as I added a layer of Insel-Brite with the batting.  I hope it will be happy in the dining room where the commissioned work is hung.  

To start off June with a big bang, one of my pieces was juried into SAQA's MA/RI Region's Art as Quilt Exhibit that will premiere at the Fuller Craft Museum in MA..and travel!  So exciting!!

For the Love of Three Oranges

Hoping I can manage my time better (with respect to blogging) and report more news soon.

Resolutions

I think I have bitten off more than I can chew (surprise? I think not)

As old as I am, you would not think I would be naive.  When I joined the SAQA Board of Directors last May, I forgot to ask what my job would be.  Ooops.  Membership Committee?  Wonderful!  My heart is with the Regions and their support of our membership.  

Then I realized there never has been a standing MC, issues were addressed on an ad hoc basis.  SO.  In on the ground floor, so to speak.

Can I just say that absolutely everything is related to Membership?  Okay, maybe not Exhibits, directly. 

Interestingly, I started loosing my hair this summer.  Doc is working on thyroid angle but admits it could be stress.

On the heavily positive side, I have had the opportunity of working with some WONDERFUL, committed, talented members.  Just that is a grand place to be.  After I took a deep breath, let go of my stress (step at a time philosophy seems to be working) I can envision how important this committee's contribution to its members can be.  Yep, a wonderful place to be.

This, in part, keeps me not-so-productive in my own studio....or blogging for that matter.  I have taken Work in Progress snaps of the two pieces that I've worked on this year.  "Where Have All the Cattails Gone?" is now completed and photographed.  The Heron is still a WIP with the background mostly quilted...many more layers will be added. But you get the idea.

Heron WIP

Where have all the cattails gone WIP

You MAY need to remind me of this at some point in the future....but...my resolution for 2015 is NOT to volunteer for another thing!  I have enough in the way of commitments.

Stop Me Before I Volunteer Again!  I used to have cocktail napkins (gift from knowledgeable friend) with those words printed on it.  I should have it emblazoned on a throw pillow, a tee-shirt, a bath towel, an apron, key ring....I have to remember it!  Resolved.

Local Color Goes Wide

Our Connecticut Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA-CT) group created a juried exhibit, focusing on our local landscape.  Titled Local Color, it traveled widely though out the state from a university, an art center, the CT Legislature Office Building to a very fine museum, The Slater Museum of Art.

After what we thought would be the end and time to return all pieces, we were asked to contribute eight, selected by Quilting Arts Magazine, to be featured in this August/Sept issue.  It includes work of Kate Themel, Ruth Anne Olson, Phyllis Small, Cathy Smith, Barb McKie, Kendell Storm, Norma Schlager and my own.  Yeah!

Kate, who was co-rep with me at inception, wrote a wonderful piece to accompany the mini-exhibit.  The two of us have had such a wonderful trip with Local Color.  Every step:  'let's put on a show' to this last 'hurrah' has been informative, interesting, exhilarating, frustrating, and most of all FUN!  Thank you, Kate for being my co-rep, partner-in-crime and cohort.  It was a blast!

A Tip of the Iceberg

This past week has been extraordinary!  Just, WOW!

In fairly random order:  Driving to DC with my buddy Vivika DeNegre to attend the SAQA Conference "Capitolizing on Fiber" last Wednesday thru white knuckle weather conditions with strange and frightening weather alarms coming from Maryland Highway Patrol over our phones.  Flooded streets.  Hydroplaning cars. Scary.

My first meeting as an incoming member of SAQA's Board of Directors.  Most of my fears about how I would fit in and make a difference have been allayed.  Well, maybe some of them anyway.

Attending the lectures, talks, meals (okay…this could have been better with respect to the food in the hotel but certainly not the company), networking, exploring galleries, meeting friends old and new.

Participating in the Spotlight Auction and successfully winning Pamela Allen's donation (!)

Avery Revisited

The crazy thing about this is I never looked at the artist statement on the back while I was busy bidding.  I was just going for Pamela Allen.  Later I did read the statement: "Fabric collage beginning with a fragment on fabric of a Milton Avery painting.  The pastel-close tones and simplified forms attracted me"  Milton Avery(!!), American 20th century Minimalist, is one of my very favorites!!  Here's a bit of what Wikipedia has to say "Avery was often thought of as an American Matisse, especially because of his colorful and innovative landscape paintings."

SAQA CT had a huge group of attendees.  We might have been the biggest.  Among them, of course, was co-rep Cathy Smith who brought along postcards for me of the "Inspiration Quilts: Then and Now", 25th anniversary celebration exhibit at the Windham Textile & History Museum.  I happened to be one of the artists invited to interpret a quilt from the museum's antique collection.  I chose Flying Geese Variation.

After adventures too numerous to relay, I drove home…this time a happily uneventful time with Vivika and Kate Themel.  Upon my return I found in the stack of waiting mail a package from Quilters Express to Japan.  Another Wow.  The fabric is vintage and beautiful.  Oh, and did I mention that I'm going with QEJ (Susan Faeder) on an amazing tour to Japan in January?!

My head is stuffed with inspirations!  Where to begin…...

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.

SAQA Annual Benefit Auction 2014

Autumn Years Squared

Autumn Years Squared detail

I am WAY ahead of schedule.  For me REALLY ahead.

SAQA has its Annual Benefit Auction in September!  And here I am.  FINI!

And, wonders of wonders…I like this piece.

The basis of it is a black linen vintage table napkin.  The tree was stamped on a piece of batik with a block that I recently carved.  The leaves are hand dyed cottons and the whole is both machine and hand stitched.

Too busy to blog !?

Yes, Oh my!  Aside from helping to mount Local Color at the Slater Museum (last post), I also helped install "Inspired by the Library:  Food for Thought" at the Guilford Library where Sisters in Cloth is invited annually to exhibit.  Then there are the preparations surrounding Sisters' traveling exhibit Double Take at its next venue, The Kershner Gallery at the Fairfield Library the first part of Jan.  

(Don't let the 'library' destination fool you.  The Kershner is a dedicated gallery space run by local artists…very nice location!)  There is a very nice bit of publicity provided by the Kershner in their local newspaper.

Southern Stars

Then there's the time I've been able to spend on my personal projects.  First, I bought myself a Christmas present!  I purchased this gorgeous piece "Southern Stars" by Australian artist Dijanne Cevaal.  It is in good company with my earlier purchase of "Eucalyptus Leaves".  I bought this piece when we visited with her in Geelong, Vic AU a couple of years ago.

Eucalyptus Leaves

Spring Time for Crow

On top of this I have actually had some productive time in my studio…surprise..being this time of year.  Pictured here is "Spring Time for Crow", my contribution to SAQA's 2014 Anniversary Trunk Show:  'This is a Quilt".  I cut a lino-block and printed the crow on commercial cotton, then stitched it to death.

I do like corvids…especially the American Crow and the Australian Magpie.  They are social creatures and very clever problem solvers.  Now, if only the Crow had a melodious carol like the Maggie.

I have also completed my Viewpoints9-2 challenge about taking risks (Yeah!)  I was worried, I can tell you.  But that is a subject that will have to wait until Dec. 27, the official reveal day.

A thread runs through it

Here are some photo notes from PIQF in Santa Clara CA this past Thursday where I 'booth sat' the SAQA table, chatting with whomever would  ;^)

We are visiting in CA visiting Martha Wolfe and some other friends and I was able to spend a day with Martha at the PIQF show.  Great fun!

I'm on my husband's laptop and not particularly adept...where, oh, where are my notes with quilters' names?

I do know that the second one is Hsin-Chen Lin, third is Susan Lee, fourth is a detail from one of several Betty Busbys'.  Apologizes to the others!!

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.

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!!

SAQA -Norcal Matting Party

Those Pixeladies know how to party...just sayin' ;^)  I tagged along with my buddy Martha Wolfe to a matting party hosted by Deb Cashett and Kris Suzaki.  The group matted and slipped into cellophane envelopes 50+ gorgeous 4"x 6" art quilts donated for the SAQA Conference in Santa Fe April 25-28.  It was quite a pleasure for several reasons.  First, seeing Deb and Kris again was great.  Second, meeting other members of the SAQA-Norcal group, including one of their new co-reps was a great pleasure.  Third, working with the art work up close and personal was a real treat.

Hard at work: Gayle Simpson and Martha Wolfe, standing.  Noelle Olson, Dee Danley-Brown,  Kris and Jenny Lyon

Feasting:  Gayle, Deb, Noelle, Dee, Chris, Jenny and Martha

And, fourth, Deb and Kris supplied a very yummy and colorful lunch.  Convivial company, lovely weather, gorgeous art work AND food!?   It doesn't get better than that.

I know where I will be Friday night, April 26 7-9pm, cash in hand:  at the Santa Fe Spotlight and Dessert Reception Silent Auction.  Art and food?  Are we seeing a pattern here?

So, if you are going to be in Santa Fe, plan on bidding!  You will be in for a treat.

Update on Beyond Comfort

"Promised Land" is 2nd from Right

I just received shots of Beyond Comfort from SAQA's traveling exhibit guru and curator, Eileen Doughty.  The exhibit has seen a lot of the US for sure.  It is now in Youngstown Ohio at the Butler Institute of American Art.  Next stop will be Texas A&M's Stark Galleries in College Station TX.  Check it out at SAQA Exhibits for more photographs.

Interestingly, I titled my piece as a reference to the hill country in the very area I am now visiting here in CA.  This time of year the hills are gorgeous spring greens instead of the yellow gold of autumn in my piece.

"Indigo" Goes Up Tomorrow

Mountain Rill detail

Mountain Rill

Tomorrow my art quilt group, Sisters in Cloth , will hang our annual exhibit at the Guilford Free Library.  The major part will be dedicated to "Indigo" inspired work.  A smaller portion will be reserved for our small works inspired by a talk by Jane Davila and US postage stamps.

These three I made from fabric that I had actually dyed myself.  The top detail I include because I was so surprised with the complex makeup of the commercial indigo dye that I used....brown and pink(!) Who knew?

I have a couple of others that I will take just to see what pieces work with the other members' art.  As I got all my indigo together, I realized just how inspired I must have been....there are five to choose from.

I will photograph the entire exhibit and post some of the images in the next few days.

Next Saturday is the regular meeting of SAQA/CT and we have invited everyone to the library to see the exhibit and have lunch with us.  We are calling it "Soup's On for SAQA".  Should be fun.  Stay tuned.

They Rode the Sparks to Heaven

Miyajima Nocturne

SAQA Auction Collection

Without intent, initially, I've started a nice collection of very interesting 12" square art quilts.  This past week at the SAQA booth in Houston at the International Quilt Festival I became the proud owner of two (!) new pieces.

Joining four others that I 'won' in previous SAQA Benefit Auctions, are Cathy Smith's Twins with Matching Hats, from her marshmallow hay bale series, and Vivien Zepf's Chilean Chair Whimsey.  I feel SO lucky to have such a wonderful sampling of art from five very talented fiber artists!

Twins With Matching Hats/Cathy Smith

Chilean Chair Whimsey/ Vivien Zepf

Happy Anniversary #2/Lutgard Gerber-Billiau

Collections #3/Debbie Bein

Leaf Litter/ Sandy Gregg

Waiting for Roasting/ Cathy Smith

Home Again, Home Again.....

I almost lost hope in making it to Houston's International Quilt Festival this year.  Hurricane Sandy had other plans for the day I had chosen to fly.  After several canceled flights, I finally, at 2am (!), arrived at my accommodations that I was sharing with my buddy Martha Wolfe whose gorgeous piece Stockholm Winter was included in the Seasonal Palette exhibit. (check out her blog to see it)

It was SO worth the harried hassle and worry to travel there!!  Friends...new and old!  Quilts!  Art! Vendors!  Photo Ops!  Food! ;^)  Oh, my, we had fun!

I have to say the SAQA exhibits were WONDERFUL!  Understandably, we couldn't take pics...even better there are catalogues....beautiful catalogues too.  (be sure to order yours from SAQA) I especially liked the added feature of the artists' process journals available to peruse at the Seasonal Palette exhibit.  Unfortunately two or three of the participating artists' journals had gone missing and were, therefore, unavailable...but those that were there were a REAL plus.

I took hundreds of photos and it's hard to choose which to post as favorites.  These three happened to get photographed more than once on subsequent meanderings in the exhibits.  That must mean something.

Next time I'll post the SAQA Benefit Auction 12" Square Art Quilts (yes, that's plural) that I 'won'.  I told you I had fun.

Amsterdam Alley by Leslie Tucker Jenison from San Antonio TX

Cold Winds by Takako Ishinami from Yamaguchi Japan

Moon Sisters by Stacy Hunt from Orange CA

Another SAQA Auction "win"!

Yeah!! I have been able to add Sandy Gregg, another of my favorite artists, to my growing collection of art quilts. This one is titled "Leaf Litter 9".

Okay, I have this huge collection of my own work...but that's clearly not a good thing. I need to find appreciative homes for them.

In the mean time, I can't think of anything that is more fun: collecting artwork, especially that of friends. That's a bonus.

Thank you, Sandy, for supporting SAQA's annual 12" square fundraiser.

SAQA Auction "Wins"

I was so happy to have "won" the bidding last week for Cathy Smith's wonderful piece in the annual SAQA fundraiser.

Titled "Waiting for Roasting" it is part of her "Roasting Marshmallow" series that incorporates digital images of her rural surrounding. The "marshmallows" refer to the giant hay bales that are wrapped in white plastic for storage.

I was also delighted that my submission to the auction "Shards of the Day" went to a collector in Bend, Oregon!

The last phase of the auction is on at this moment....go check it out. I am ;^) There are a couple I have my eye on. Click here

Accepted! August will be BIG.

I am SO jazzed. I got the "fat" email from The Brush Gallery in Lowell MA for Art Quilts Lowell 2011.

I love the Brush. It is an artists' coop that is a wonderful place to exhibit and to shop.

This year I almost did not even enter. The theme seemed so broad and, frankly, I only had one piece that I had confidence in...and that piece had been rejected too many times to count. I know, I know...the jurying process can be fickle. It all depends on the juror and the other entries.

Well, finally, Boats at Slack Tide found an arena in which it could "play nicely with it's neighbors".

I have always liked this piece. Once when it was exhibited locally a woman offered me 2/3 of the asking price and tried to purchase it by going around the dealer. Not a nice thing to do. And, not something someone who formerly made her living as an agent for other people was going to sit still for. Instead I gave it to my son in North Carolina. He's a graphic designer who LOVES it. It should be where it's appreciated.

I phoned him last night to tell him to ship it back ASAP. He wasn't totally thrilled. He is a teeny bit afraid someone will persuade me to sell it. Silly boy.

This piece started with the beautiful hand dyed background that I certainly did not want to see cut up. "Boats" is entirely pieced. The whole time I chanted WWRD under my breath. (What would Ruth Do?) Referring, of course, to one of my art quilt heros, Ruth McDowell.

I just discovered that another SAQA/CT colleague was also accepted. Norma Schlager.

So, again, I'm in fabulous company.

Earlier this spring, I was able to book a hotel room for the Lowell Quilt Fest, hosted by the New England Quilt Museum. Now I'm really glad that I did. I will be able to attend both Artists' Receptions...The Brush for "Boats" and The Whistler for "Diaspora" and "Dusk".

This weekend is such a wonderful time. The whole town is involved in it. It's an opportunity to have good food, good art, good shopping and catch up with old and new friends....gosh, it really doesn't get better this.

ART QUILTS LOWELL 2011: The Sea
An exhibition of the finest art quilts in Canada and the United States. This year the theme is "The Sea".

Opening Reception: Saturday, August 13, 3 - 5 pm, during the Lowell Quilt Festival.

Exhibition Entry Deadline: June 15, 2011

Juror: Gerald Roy, Member, Executive Board, National Quilt Museum, Paducah, KY; Chair, Acquisitions Committee; Member, of National Advisory Board, Administrator, Quilt Appraisal Certification Program - American Quilters Society, Paducah, KY; Acquisitions Board: New England Quilt Museum, Lowell, MA.

SAQA 12" Square Auction

Every year SAQA hosts a fundraiser auctioning 12" squares donated by members. The funds raised support exhibitions, catalogs and its outreach programs. It is always a favorite...and a wonderful way to start a collection of art quilts.

This is my contribution for 2011 and titled Shards of the Day. I THINK this will be my fifth year participating by donating and, IF successful in my bidding, my third year in adding to my art quilt collection. I can hardly wait for Sept. 12...at exactly 2pm EST.

Set your clocks. There's an app for that.