Exploring Texture & Pattern

I have neglected my blog lately because I have been busy with several things—deadlines for shows, a quilt retreat, company, travel, and an embroidery class. The class is what I want to talk about today.   

I follow www.textileartist.org and receive their newsletter. Check that out here. It is a great resource. If you have never checked it out, you definitely should. They have such wonderful fiber art articles. Anyway, they recently offered a class called Exploring Texture & Pattern taught by Sue Stone. This class is NOT a “how-to” class. Each student works on a project (challenge) totally their own. So far, I have worked on projects (called a Creative Challenges) for the first three classes. There is a private Facebook group for the class where students share their questions, concerns, and pictures of their projects. It is really fun to see how each student interprets the challenges.

For the challenges, we are not to work for perfection; these are samples only. We are to explore and see what works and what doesn't. We are to experiment with each of the concepts presented in the classes.

Right now, we are concentrating on the simple running stitch. For the Class 1 challenge, we were to explore the potential of the running stitch. To vary the look of each of the four squares on the cloth, we could change the threads we used and change the spacing. We were limited to using ONLY a horizontal running stitch. Here is my sample.  

For Class 2, we still used the running stitch. This time the challenge was to vary the look of each of the four squares on the cloth by mixing the threads in the needle. We were still to limit our stitches to horizontal running stitches. In the first square we were to use different tones of threads, in the second we were to use threads in complementary colors, in the third we were to use threads that are texturally different, and in the fourth we were to use threads that are texturally and totally different. Here is my sample.  

I am currently working on Class 3 and the Creative Challenge that goes with it. I’ll report on that when I finish my sample(s). I am enjoying this class VERY much. I like the structure, design limitations, and challenges of the class. It is really stretching my thinking about the simple stitches I use in my work. If you think you might be interested in the class, check it out here. You can find out about the class and what is covered in it (and start saving up your money). Registration closed as of June 23 for this run of the class, but I'd think it would be offered again.   

Form, Not Function 2017

Form, Not Function: Quilt Art at the Carnegie is a MUST SEE exhibit held at the Carnegie Center for Art and History in New Albany, Indiana. That is what I said in a blog post about last year's show. I'm doubling down on that statement this year because I have a quilt in the show!!! My piece, Scorched Earth, was chosen. Here are some pics--in progress and finished. (The finished photo--the last of the four--has terrible lighting. I apologize. The right side looks really dark; it isn't. The piece was hanging on my design wall, and I took a quick pic. Come on out to the show to see it in person.) 

I can't even tell you how excited (and humbled) I am to be in this exhibit. This year's show will be held July 21-September 16, 2017.

"Form, Not Function: Quilt Art at the Carnegie" explores the world of contemporary art quilts. This annual, juried exhibit draws works of art by artists across the United States and celebrates innovation and creative thought in the increasingly popular medium of art quilts." Again, that was the description of the show from the Carnegie's website last year (I shared this with you on this blog last year.) I have been informed that this year, 284 quilts were submitted for consideration and work from 26 artists was juried in. 

The Carnegie has now updated their website with information about this upcoming exhibit. There is a list of artists included along with dates for specific activities concerning the exhibit. If you'd like more information about this exhibit and to see the list of included artists, click here. Please make an effort to see this exhibit and let me know what you think.

I have to tell you a funny. When I got an email that "said" my piece was chosen for the show, I couldn't believe it. I sent an email to the curator of the museum just to make sure. He reassured me by saying, "Yes, it was accepted, Beth. "Scorched Earth" was unanimously voted in by all three jurors." I whooped out loud!!! I did another big whoop today when I saw the list of accepted artists. I have been following the work of many of these artists for several years. To be included with them is quite an honor for me. A couple of days ago I took my piece down to the Carnegie. I took the acceptance letter with me "just in case"--like I might have to prove my work actually belonged in the show. LOL! Thankfully, I didn't have to show it to anyone. My name was right there--listed as an artist for the exhibit. (I wish you could see my BIG smile.)

A great time to see the exhibit would be to come to the opening reception on Friday, July 21, from 6-8 Eastern time. Music will be provided by the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Quartet and there are usually light refreshments. I don't know how many of the artists will be there, but it is a chance to meet and talk to some of them. I'm planning on attending.

There are other activites put on by the Carnegie during the run of the exhibit. One of those occurs on August 15, from 12:00-1:00 (Eastern time) there is a Lunch and Learn with "Sunshine" Joe Mallard. I have met Joe and can't recommend this Lunch & Learn enough. The postcard describes the event this way--"Come meet this local treasure and learn about his life and work as a quilter, fiber artist, and teacher." You must register for this event, but I believe it is free. You can register by calling 812-944-7336. I've also been in contact with SAQA IN (Studio Art Quilt Associates of Indiana). They will be having a meeting at the Carnegie followed by a tour of the exhibit. I'll be there for that meeting (tentatively scheduled for 1:00 pm (Eastern time) on August 29). Anyone interested in finding out about SAQA (or just to see what it is all about) is welcome. There is also a "Mix & Mingle" on the last day of the exhibit, September 16 from 1-3.

I sure hope to see you at one of these events!!!

Catch Up

I've been to Memphis for a week, Arkansas for several days, and at a retreat for four days. I HAVE been busy, but I (personally) don't have much to show for it. I DO, however, have pictures from the retreat.

 Enjoy!

 I worked on some 365 Challenge blocks. These will finish at 3 inches. (I also worked on a "top secret" project that I can't show right now. I WILL show it to you later. It is adorable!)

These are my friends.

They got LOTS done!

I'm working on my hexagon projects in my spare time (and while traveling). Hopefully, I'll have something to show before too long.

The Making of a "Protest" Quilt

I have never made a "controversial" piece of art. I probably never would have; but with things as they are today, I felt compelled to do SOMETHING--ANYTHING. I needed SOME way to express my frustration/disdain/disappointment. Because I'm worried about how things are going in our country and how out of control things are, I needed a way to have SOME kind of control over SOMETHING. 

I'm surprised at the disquiet I feel about this quilt. It isn't the quilt itself; it is my fear of the reactions of my friends who have VERY different political views than I do. I do hope it makes EVERYONE (friends and foes) think.

Women have been making quilts of protest and political quilts for a long time. There seems to be a BIG divide in the quilting community about whether these "protest/political" quilts should be displayed at quilt shows and whether they should even be made. (Fiber art is my only artistic outlet, so I really have no choice of medium.) Check out this really good article from the Chicago Tribune on quilts and quilters expressing themselves through their art.

First, let me say that, to me, the flag represents freedom, justice, and pride (as it does to many other Americans). I realize and am thankful for the sacrifices made on behalf of the US by the veterans of all our wars. I mean no disrespect to them or to the flag. I DID, however, feel that the flag was the best way for me express my (I'm not sure what to call it.) "dismay."

I've heard it said that art should provoke conversation/thought/discussion. I hope that is what my latest quilt will do. I think you can zoom in on these pictures to see what the quilt actually says. I quilted Trump's words (in orange) in the red stripes. I quilted quotes by Presidents in the white stripes. The quilt is called Compare and Contrast. I have included the quotes I used at the bottom of this post in case you are interested.

Close up of quilt.

My quilt was not one chosen for the Threads of Resistance exhibit. Once I saw what quilts made it into the show, I realized my quilt was probably really tame compared to many that were chosen. See one of the quilts here--"Poisonous Words" I had intentionally made the quilting subtle (rather than "in your face") so the viewer would see it as just a patriotic flag. Upon closer inspection, the words would come into view. I like that "surprise" aspect in art--that "hidden-message" effect. I'm glad I made it and hope I can find a place to display it.  The quotes quilted into the flag are shown below.

Trump quotes--

Red stripe 1-Grab them by the pussy. Such a nasty woman

Red stripe 2-They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists.

Red stripe 3-He's not a war hero. He's a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren't captured.

Red stripe 4-The FAKE NEWS media is not my enemy; it is the enemy of the American People.

Red stripe 5-The only kind of people I want counting my money are little short guys that wear yarmulkes every day.

Red stripe 6-I know Mark Cuban well. He backed me big time, but I wasn't interested in taking all of his calls. He's not smart enough to be president.

Red stripe 7-Look, in the meantime, I guess I can't be doing so badly because I'm president and you're not.

Presidential quotes--

White stripe 1-Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.  Kennedy

White stripe 2-The American Dream is something no wall will every contain.  Obama

White stripe 3-There is nothing wrong in American that can't be fixed with what is right in America.  Clinton

White stripe 4-Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.  Kennedy

White stripe 5-I don't think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday. Lincoln

White stripe 6-Absolute freedom of the press to discuss public questions is a foundation stone of American liberty.  Hoover

Paducah 2017--NOT Losers

Paducah is one of those quilt shows where you are a winner just by being juried into the show. I tend to take pictures of quilts that didn't win awards at the show. I figure everyone will see all the winners numerous times in magazines and at other shows. There were LOTS of quilts that did not win awards that I thought were fabulous. If you have been to the show at Paducah, you will know that getting good pictures is VERY difficult because of the angle at which some of the quilts are hung. I apologize up for that up front. Also, if the tag is visible in the picture it includes the name of the quilt, the maker, and the city and state in which the maker lives. You can enlarge the pics to see any of those more closely. Generally, the full quilt is pictured on the left; the detail picture is on the right.

The machine quilting on this quilt is fabulous (as you can see). It makes this relatively simple quilt spectacular. The same is true of the next couple of quilts.

In this last picture, all the circles and flowers you see are quilted--the colored quilting makes the design in the background.

The circular quilting designs in this quilt definitely enhance the piecing.

The top left picture is of the full quilt. The other two sections are detail shots of the quilting. Although the quilting is spectacular, it really doesn't change the look of the quilt itself.

I really liked this quilt. I think the orange dots drew me in. (Orange is my favorite color you know.)

I'm a cat lover, so this quilt was definitely one of my favorites. The thread work on the cat made it look like you could pet it. The fur looked SO real; I could almost hear him/her purr.

I liked the unusual colors and geometric nature of this quilt.

I really liked the vibrant colors of this quilt.

I LOVE this saying, "Art does not have to match your sofa!" Many traditional quilters (and others) don't understand the concept that art doesn't HAVE to match ANYTHING. I have actually had more than one person say (about a piece of art I had made), "That doesn't go with the colors in your house. What are you going to do with it?" I think I replied with something like, "Well, I doubt if Picasso worried about whether his art matched his sofa!" (Insert smiley face here.)

 

   

Show & Tell--Paducah Spring 2017

One of the things I look forward to the most when my friends and I attend a quilt show is the "show & tell" after we get back to the hotel. We "show & tell" all our purchases with each other. It is always fun to see what different things we have found. I'm amazed by the things my friends purchased that I didn't even see. How did I miss them? Usually, we have to go back to the show the next day to pick up some of those things we missed. This year I didn't buy much. I really didn't buy anything I'm excited about. Part of the problem is that "I have it all." Well, not really; but if you'd look at my studio, you might think I do. I bought things I needed for my sit-down long-arm machine and a few other things.

I know, this is kind of sad for a "show & tell" isn't it. Let me tell you about what I bought. 

• Beginning from the left-hand side, you'll see a "buggy" fat quarter. I thought I might be able to use that for some interesting fussy-cut hexies. 
• Above that are some "silk cloud minis"--silk waste yarn--that I will use for my extreme embroidery pieces. 
• On top you can see a Quilt Pounce containing pounce powder that irons off. I'm planning on using it with stencils I have purchased to mark quilting designs on my quilts. It doesn't come off until it comes into contact with heat. 
• As I said, I bought a few things for my sit-down long-arm sewing machine--oil, a bottle with a really sharp applicator for oil, needles, and bobbins. 
• I got some REALLY cute tiny scissors. The little lime green pair you see at the top has an attached blade cover which is so nice. I already have a yellow pair just like this and LOVE them (and they are REALLY inexpensive). You can never have too many scissors! If you know me, you know I love orange. I couldn't resist the little orange-handled scissors you see. 
• Last, I bought some back issues of Simply Moderne magazine. I think that is my very favorite magazine. It is expensive, but I think it is worth it.

Wouldn't you know, as soon as I took the above picture, I emptied another bag and found yet another purchase.

This is a small rotating cutting mat recommended by Sue Daley. She has several hexie tutorials on line and uses this mat when she is rotary cutting the pieces for her blocks. I just purchased a new hexagon book and am going to give this mat a try. I did make a purchase I'm excited about from Massdrop. I ordered the entire set of acrylic templates and paper pieces for The New Hexagon book by Katja Marek. (It hasn't come in yet but is on its way; otherwise I would have shown you a pic.) I want to try my hand at fussy cutting the fabric for the blocks in the book. Now I'm thinking I want to order the "add-on" acrylic templates and paper pieces to do The New Hexagon Millefiore Quilt Along Katja is running on her site. If you might be interested in this too, go to the Massdrop link here. Once you get to the "Inactive Drop" page, click on the "Requested" button" to show your interest in a "drop" for those products. Clicking DOES NOT commit you to buying; it just shows that you are interested. If there is enough interest (i.e. enough requests), Massdrop will create a "drop" for the products and let you know when the "drop" for the requested products occur. Once you see the price, you can then decide if you are interested or not. The more people that are interested, the more likely they will have a "drop" for those products.  If you can't tell, I LOVE EPP (English Paper Piecing). What about you?