Catching Up

I haven't posted for a bit, so I need to catch up. I spent a lot of time writing my posts as guest blogger for the And Then We Set It On Fire blog. I guess I needed some time off. I have a couple of retreats coming up--one a guild retreat where I will be working on some traditional stuff and one an "art" retreat. For the art retreat, I will be working on several things--EQ7, an art quilt I have committed to make for a blog hop, some extreme embroidery pieces, and my hexagon quilt.

At the beginning of the year, there are lots of Block of the Month patterns. There are several I'm following, but only one on which I'm actively working. I am having a really good time piecing the little 3" finished blocks for the 365 Challenge. Right now I am working on the dark blocks for the sampler. I am enjoying this traditional piecing and love the look of these tiny blocks.

These are the blocks for January. (The blocks are in order by date--January 1-31. The first block you see is a January Bonus block.)

These are the blocks that I have finished for February so far. (The blocks are in order February 1-14. the last block is a Bonus block for February.) I'll be working on the remaining February blocks at my guild retreat.

Check out the number of pieces in some of these blocks. I realize I have missed piecing.

Awhile back I wrote a blog post about the Marie Webster exhibit for which I made this piece.

"Remembrance"

My entry was not chosen to be included in the exhibit. Was I disappointed? Yes. However, I am happy with the piece I made for the exhibit. There will be a place for it. After looking at some of the quilts that were chosen for the exhibit, I realize my piece would not have "gone with" those pieces. I know that jurors not only look for well-designed, well-executed pieces they also look for pieces that will make a cohesive exhibit. I'm going with that as the reason my piece wasn't chosen. :-) This exhibit gave me the impetus to make a piece I really like--for that, I'm thankful. I will be looking for some exhibits for which "Remembrance" will be appropriate. If you know of one, let me know!

I do have a couple of pieces that will be in a special exhibit at the Indiana Heritage Quilt Show in Bloomington, Indiana, March 3-5, 2016. Information about the special exhibit is below.

Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA)

Stretching Their Wings: Studio Quilts by Members of SAQA Indiana

This showcase exhibit encompasses the wide range of artistic interests, styles, and techniques by members of the Studio Art Quilt Associates in Indiana. Some of the artists are “newly emerging.” Others are professionals who exhibit their work throughout the state, country, and even internationally. Many would say their work lies somewhere in-between. ALL the exhibitors, however, have made the decision to allow the spirit of creativity enter their efforts – embracing the unknown, struggling with failure and rejoicing in success – to create work that speaks for them.

Come check it out if you get a chance.

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Guest Blogger

I have been a guest blogger over at the And Then We Set It On Fire blog since January 18. I was asked to update the blog readers on what I have been doing since I ceased being a resident artist on that blog. I spent four blog posts catching reader up on several years of work. On January 27 and again on January 29 I am presenting an extreme embroidery project. I'd love for you to stop by and check out all the posts, but be sure to check out the project. Here are a couple of pictures of some of the pins I've made recently (using "extreme embroidery").

January 18 Post--"In the Beginning; It's Scary"

January 20 Post--"This is What I've Been Up To"

January 22 Post--"More Happenings"

January 25 Post--"Current Work"

January 27 Post--"Gather Your Supplies"

January 29 Post--"Extreme Embroidery Project"

Let me know if you do a pin. I'd love to see a picture.

I'm linking up with Nina-Marie's Off the Wall Friday. Check it out here.

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Gallery Talk at Fiber Art Exhibit at St. Meinrad

I previously did a post about an fiber art exhibit at St. Meinrad, Indiana. It is a solo show by my friend Joanne Weis. If you didn't read that post (or don't remember whether you read it or not), click here. She is a great artist with a passion for environmental issues.

Well, she is going to give a gallery talk about her exhibit. This would be a GREAT opportunity to hear the artist herself speak about her work. I KNOW you would enjoy it as JoAnne is quite a passionate speaker. Here is the information as sent to me by her.

"A number of people have expressed an interest in meeting with me at my current art exhibition at St. Meinrad Arch Abbey. We have scheduled a "Gallery Talk" for Saturday, February 6, 10:00 a.m. CST, 11:00 a.m. EST. For GPS, your destination is 200 Hill Dr. St. Meinrad, IN 47577. The Gallery is in the Library. On the St.. Meinrad website, check the library location.

The show, entitled "Healing the Earth", consists of nine pieces that portray significant efforts to restore environmental damage. Both the art and the stories accompanying each piece have been amazing and I would love to share about the art itself and the hope that some of these stories have given me.

If the weather is questionable on February 6, check my Facebook page for notice of cancellation or rescheduling.

Joanne Weis"

Here is a picture of her work to refresh your memory or to inspire you to go to hear her speak.

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Exhibit Opening

The opening of the 44th Mid-States Craft Exhibition was held last night at the Evansville Museum in Evansville, Indiana. It is really exciting to see my pieces hung in a museum. I didn't win any awards, but I feel like a winner by being juried into the exhibit to begin with.

For an all-types-of-media show, I was REALLY pleased to see so much fiber in this exhibit. When I had a piece in the show before, there were only two pieces of fiber in the entire exhibit; there were lots of fiber pieces this year. I took some pictures to share with you. Needless to say, pictures DO NOT do the pieces justice. If you get a chance to see this show in person, by all means go. You won't be sorry.

My piece, "Black, White, and Red All Over," is the first piece you'll see when you come in the door to the exhibit.

I loved where they placed my "Metamorphosis I." It was next to Janie Kegley's "Unaimed Kinetics" ((92 X 92 X 6 inches) at least that is what was on the card--it wasn't 92 inches tall; mixed media and fiber). The pieces really complimented each other. (My piece is the one on the right. It measures 26.25 X 36.5 inches.)

There was lots of color in fiber. Top left-"The Wish" (27 X 31.5 X .3 inches, hand dyed and hand quilted fiber) by Marliese Johnson from Louisville, KY; top right-"Coming Unglued" (23 X 23 X 2 inches, hand dyed and over dyed wool hand hooked on linen) by Renee Ferrell-Dillard from Makanda, IL; bottom-"Messages" (41 X 70 inches, fiber art quilt) by Marti Plager from Louisville, KY.

There were fiber pieces in neutral colors. Top left-"Dissemination" (28 X 23 inches, handwoven wool with rayon, nylon, cotton and metallic) by Laura Nicholson from New Harmony, IN; top right-"Matrix" (26 X 38 inches, framed tapestry weaving created on a hand loom) by Cynthia Martinez from Hudson, OH; bottom-"The Escape" (17.5 X 44.25 inches, fibers) by Lisa Kriner from Berea, KY.

One of the winners last night was a weaving called "Festive Entrance" (76 X 46 X 2 inches) by Philis Alvic from Lexington, KY. It won the $250 Marc Amiguet Schmitt Merit Award. You might think the other piece (on the right) is fiber, but it is a piece of earthenware called "Scrapped: Shawl" (36 X 19 X 19 inches) by EJ Brown from Oxford, OH.

I really loved these next two pieces. On the top is "Thread Chart 6" (18 X 19 inches; found fabric, thread, ink and pencil on linen) by Jean Hess from Knoxville, TN. This was one of the pieces that made me want to see it really close up, so I included a detail picture of this one. On the bottom is "Observe the Rhythm" (36 X 36 X 1.5 inches, wool and silk) by Wendy Franklin from Indianapolis, IN.

These next two pieces were very interesting. I couldn't tell what they were made of until I read the gallery tag next to the pieces. Surface Play is the name of both pieces made by Susan Harrison in collaboration with Conrad Pressma both from New Albany, IN. The pieces are each made of two interwoven digital prints on canvas. They measure 18 X 36 X 24 inches and 14 X 36 X 36 inches.

Here are some of the non-fiber pieces I really liked. Top left-"Beach Landscape" (glass) by Benjammin Johnson from Cicero, IN; top right-"Druzy Agate Necklace" (jewelry) by Mark Needham from Louisville, KY; bottom-"Bench for the Platform at Fashoda Junction" (wood) by Graham Campbell from Smithville, TN. (I have a piece of jewelry made by Mark Needham. I think I picked it up at the gift shop in the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft or at one of the craft shows I attend.

This is a really nice show in a really nice space. There is lots to see at the museum and good places to eat close by. My husband and I really like The Dapper Pig (four minutes away). It is open for lunch and dinner, but it is closed in between--open 10:30-2 for lunch and opens again from 5-9 CENTRAL TIME for dinner on weekdays; Fridays-same hours but open till 10 pm; Saturdays-same hours but open till 1am; Sundays-only open for lunch/brunch 10-2. They are closed on Mondays. Check out the exhibit, go out to eat, make it a day!

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Notable Quilt Exhibit

There will be an exhibit at the Hite Art Institute on the campus of the University of Louisville in Louisville, KY, called "Capturing Women’s History: Quilts, Activism, and Storytelling." Put this exhibit on your "Must See" list if you are are interested in feminist history and the feminist art movements of the 1970s and 80s. (See the comment by Kathy Loomis.)

It features the International Honor Quilt (exhibited for the first time in its entirety). The International Honor Quilt consists of 539 individual triangular quilts produced by women and groups from around the country to celebrate individuals, women’s organizations, and women’s issues. In addition to the quilt, the Hot Flash Fan (1985) will also be on display. Initiated by Ann Stewart Anderson and Judy Chicago, the work includes the participation of 50 Kentucky artists and incorporates mixed media approaches to quilting.

The exhibition includes a rare opportunity to view historical documentation of the making of the quilts, to listen to stories about each quilt, and to learn how art can inspire social change. In 2013, the Hite Art Institute was gifted the International Honor Quilt by Through The Flower, a non-profit organization created by Judy Chicago in 1980. The Hite Art Institute in association with the University of Louisville is charged with utilizing the project to promote social engagement and inspire change.

You can view this exhibit at the Schneider Hall Galleries at the Hite Art Institute in Louisville, KY, from February 1 - March 19, 2016. The opening reception will occur on Friday, February 12, 2016, from 6pm - 8pm. If you can't make the opening reception but would like to see the exhibit, the gallery hours are Wed - Fri: 9am - 4:30pm and Sat - Sun: 1pm - 5pm. You can find a map here if you are interested in seeing this exhibit.

Some of the information for this blog post came from the Hite Art Institute show flyer.

 

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Retreat--Day 3

Today is the last day of the retreat for me. (Insert sad face here.) I have had a wonderful time and have met some very nice people.

I finally have something to show; I finished another pin today. The photo on the left is the piece before it is cut out and before the black outline stitching has been done. The finished pin is on the right.

I did get a row sewn together for my hexagon quilt.

Look at the cute, tiny scissors I bought. They are made by Bohin and are great for my embroidery and hexie work. My friend, Robin S, made me a REALLY cute scissors case for them (since one didn't come with them). Check it out.

Speaking of Robin S, look what her dog did to a spool of her silk thread. The dog now lives with the neighbors!

There were even more quilts shown today. These two quilts are two of five quilts made for Quilts of Valor at the retreat. Some of the ladies pieced these and others volunteered to quilt and/or bind them. If you'd like to check out the Quilts of Valor program, click here.

These were some more quilt tops finished today.

It has been a really fun three days. I sure hate for it to be over. Thanks Jean Shaw for putting on such a nice retreat.

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