Jeanne Marklin

Racism exhibit at Williams College - Accomplished!

2012-01-16T17:44:00.000-05:00

The "Unspoken Truth About Color: A Dialogue in Art Quilts" was a successful exhibit at Williams College. What made it successful? It was displayed in a cohesive and attractive way (pat myself on the back there) and there were many comments from viewers. Betty Warner, another Fiber Artists for Hope artist came to help hang the exhibit with me, and meet and greet the attendees.

The viewers noted how different each of the art quilts were, the many techniques implemented, and that the subject matter was treated in thought provoking ways. Planning and hanging the exhibit for 2 hours seemed a little crazy at times, but my goal was that someone's mind would be awakened to new thoughts about race. That goal was definitely reached!

My piece about White Privilege evoked a conversation from a White woman who said she had never thought about her race, and recognized that privilege as something taken for granted. Never having to think about your race would not be possible for a person of any heritage other than White. The privilege is akin to the privileges gained just by being male, which all women are aware is a privilege, but men rarely recognize.

Here's a few photo's from the exhibit in the lovely lobby of the '62 Center for Performing Arts at Williams College. It was the first time the lobby had been used for an art exhibit, but I hope it won't be the last.

L-R: Work by artists Michele Flamer, Diane Bracy, Nancy Cash

L-R: Jancy McClellan-Ryan, Connie Heller

L-R: Sabrina Zarco, Carol Krueger, Betty Warner

L-R: Sue Walen, Jeanne Marklin

Betty Warner from Connecticut with her work. Betty came for the exhibit - thanks again Betty!

Diane Bracy on left, Nancy Cash on right

L-R: Work by Laura Gadson, Mary Scales, Sherry Boram


Taj Smith the MLK coordinator for the Williams College Multicultural Center and me.	Thanks Taj!

Pininterest

2012-01-13T23:10:00.000-05:00

About 12 SAQA members signed up as a group on Pininterest, a new (at least to me) website for posting images of design examples. It's also a place to post photo's of travel photo's, which I can never get enough of! Images from websites can be "pinned" to your Pininterest board, and then others pin things they like to their boards.

It's eye candy that is a quick way to get a bit of inspiration! Here are a couple of images I'm going to post to my board - sharing images you love is easy, and just might inspire someone else.

Light and shadows in NYC. Jeanne Marklin c.2012

Gray and Blue by Jeanne Marklin c. 2012

Light and shadow Jeanne Marklin c. 2012

Racism exhibit at Williams College

2012-01-08T15:27:00.000-05:00

The Fiber Artists for Hope will exhibit their art quilts at Williams College on Sunday, January 15th.

"The Unspoken Truth About Color: A Dialogue in Art Quilts About Racism" will be the opening event for the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at the college. The beautiful, light filled lobby of the '62 Center will have 24 art quilts that address racism. The '62 Center is the theater building for the college and the Williamstown Theater Festival, and is on Main Street in Williamstown.

This exhibit came about after the election of President Obama. The online group felt that there were many instances of racism raising it's hateful head, and the artists wanted to respond with a thought provoking, and inspiring exhibit. The works have been seen around the country, and for a short time, will be at Williams College.

The reception for the opening event will be from 4-6 pm on January 15, 2012. Another FAFH, Betty Warner will join me for the event, and we'd love to have you there too!

If you can't make it, take a look at the photo's on the FAFH blog, and watch for it to come to your area.

How long did it take you to make that?

2011-12-31T20:24:00.001-05:00

People always want to know "How long did it take to make that?" It's hard to say - because do you count the time while you think, and think, and think, about what you could do on the design wall? And about the mistakes, the do overs, and the unsewing (otherwise known as ripping out stitches)? Designing takes a long time, and it's hard to keep track of that time, because it's going on even while you're doing other things. Or, standing in front of the design wall and trying to figure out what it was I thought I was going to do! Your time may vary...

Deidre Adams is a well known art quilter who documented the design and creation of a commissioned piece on her blog. She made a wonderful stop action film that shows the sewing together part of her process, which I thought was great. Deidre has given me permission to repost it here:
Deidre Adams piecing a commission

She posted 7 times about creating the "Life on the Eastern Plains" piece, and it's well worth reading her well written and documented posts. She also has a video about painting the work - her own unique style of working. Deidre painting the work

Deidre's work is very atmospheric in my opinion, and she was an excellent choice for this commission. I'm sure the new owners are thrilled that they are able to enjoy this art work all the time.

The Unspoken Truth featured in Quilters Newsletter

2011-12-06T15:36:00.000-05:00

I'm part of the Fiber Artists for Hope group of Art Quilters. We have made art about social issues, and our group exhibit of "The Unspoken Truth About Color: A Dialogue in Art Quilts About Racism" has been travelled around the country. It has now been published in the Quilters Newsletter, with some of the Art Quilts from the exhibit. Mine isn't in there, but I feel the exhibit is well represented. If you don't subscribe, you can pick up an issue in the library if you want to take a look, or check out our blog: http://fiberartistsforhope.blogspot.com/p/some-photos.html

It's good to know that the issue of racism is getting attention and venues are willing to show it - and share the message that we are all part of the human race!

Thanks giving

2011-11-24T12:51:00.000-05:00

There are so many reasons to be grateful. I am very blessed in the wonderful relationships I have with family, friends, community, and art. In the spirit of today, I'm posting a link to an enormously beautiful film on gratitude. It is truly worth your time to watch it, and get in touch with the things we have to be grateful for everyday. It is a film that would be a wonderful way to start every day.

Louie Schwartsberg films the natural world - in 24 hour segments. A young girl talks about imagination and an old man talks about gratitude. The visuals and music are stunning. Mesmerize yourself for a few minutes!
Louie Schwartsberg - "Gratitude"

Thank you for reading this, thank you for sharing your thoughts, thank you for being interested in art and community. I am grateful for you!

Yellow and Orange Circles

2011-10-25T21:22:00.000-04:00

The workshop work continues - the series using circles is still on my table for finishing many of the compositions. I learned that layering and adding more lines and shapes made for a more successful composition with "Going In Circles".
This new piece is teaching me different lessons - it seems the most important one is to vary the sizes, so they don't become boring. This is what I've done so far -


Sunset Circles in process - unfinished.

I think it needs a larger circle over some part of it. Maybe white organza?
I'll get to work on it tomorrow!

Series workshop assignments 4 and 5

2011-10-04T13:38:00.001-04:00

The series workshop is completed, and was a GREAT learning experience. I hadn't posted about the last two assignments, but Lisa Call wrote about my work in the workshop on her blog today, which motivated me to post the assignments. Thanks Lisa!

The fabric dyeing for each assignment became overwhelming due to time constraints. I have been dyeing circles for awhile, with the thought that someday I would figure out what to do with them. The workshop helped me realize I needed to do more planning ahead, and dye for composition.

One of the options for exercise number 4 was to use lines in the composition. Lisa sent links to many artists that used lines and made me really think about how to add lines into my work.

I had an Alexander Henry fabric that was white with black lines. I had already dyed some of it multi-colors. I used a curry dye, and clamped circles of different colors in an arc. Getting the lines onto the ground of the design meant I'd completed that part of the assignment already. Ever the conscientious student...

This is what the fabric looks like - it's a great fabric, huh?
For the 4th assignment, I broke the design into three sections, adding a strip of a pole dyed shibori, and a small piece of red. The arc of the circles needed more definition, so I added arcs in black tulle. Members of my critique group gave me some great feedback. Adding red, was one suggestion, which I really liked. Here's the assignment that I posted for that week:

In progress composition

By the next week, I had company for the week that I hadn't figured into my studio scheduling, so I decided that instead of starting from scratch, I would develop assignment 4 into a completed composition for the last assignment. I really wanted to play with transparency and depth, and see if the lines could be accentuated. I spent a lot of time standing in front of the wall with various size arcs and circles, in tulle and organza. I finished it, photographed it, and am ready to try for some juried exhibits. I added a black binding, because I felt it really made it pop with the black on the edging.

Going In Circles c.2011 32" x 38"

I'm very thankful for Lisa having the foresight to design this workshop, and to always be one step ahead of the class and their journey. I'd recommend the workshop to anyone who is hoping to find their own voice, institute better studio habits - and grow in their art. The other class participants were very helpful too - watching what others do is always good for inspiration.

Series Assignment #3

2011-09-26T23:09:00.002-04:00

The series workshop with Lisa Call is completed, and it helped me get into a better, more disciplined studio practice. I worked so hard that I didn't have time to blog - that's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it.

One of the choices for the design exercise was to turn multiple shapes into one shape. I dyed circles into a large radiating circle. The week ran out before I really felt that I had a developed composition.
The dyed circles felt too flat without an addition to them, so I tried red first - complementary colors usually add zing.

1st try at composition #3

I really liked the way the red popped, but it felt like the red fabric was too flat. A switch to a more subtle and mottled dyed fabric seemed to work better. I still don't feel like I have a completed composition, but I'll get back to it soon.

unfinished composition for assignment #3 about 36" square

The composition feels too symmetrical, so I plan to make it less so in the next iteration. Stay tuned!

Interpretations 2011 at Visions Art Museum

2011-09-15T00:15:00.001-04:00

I'm honored - and floating on air! My art quilt "Grief" was juried into the Interpretations 2011 exhibit at the Visions Art Museum in San Diego, CA. The show opens on November 4, and runs through January 22.

Grief c.2009 22" x 36"

A decade after 9/11

2011-09-11T12:33:00.000-04:00


War and Peace by Jeanne Marklin

Peace to all who died that day

Peace to all who lost family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and heroes that day

Peace to all who watched and felt helpless

Peace to all who felt anger and revenge, and have known no peace since 9/11

Peace to all who fought for the cause of peace, and have found no peace

Peace to our country and it's people

Peace to all the people of the world

May this anniversary move us toward the love and community we felt that day for one another

And away from everything that is not peace.

Series Assignment #2

2011-08-25T12:44:00.000-04:00

The second assignment was supposed to build on the first (as in a series...get it?). I was hoping to do more with depth, by using different sizes and values, but screwed up in the dyeing. I forgot to write down the amount of dye I used for the darkest and largest circles(highest contrast) pieces, and ended up with the smaller circles being much darker. The opposite of my planned composition. So, I gave up on the idea of the large circles looking closer, and the smaller one in the background.

I really love blue and white, and I thought I would simplify my work by keeping the piece one color with white. I overdyed some very light batiks to see how that would look, and I actually liked it. The patterning of the batik is barely visible when seen from a distance, but up close, it gives it some interesting lines.

There's nothing wrong with your monitor - I didn't have the autofocus turned on in the camera, and without my glasses, I didn't realize it was out of focus! It's off the design wall for now, because we're on to assignment 3. That white square up in the left hand corner will be solid blue.

During the one on one phone call with Lisa, she emphasized that the series had to be something that I LOVED. I'm not loving this series, although I feel compelled to explore more. Lisa says that you may make 10 or more pieces in a series before you know where you're going with it. That has helped me to feel that I can keep going and just explore - and not to feel pressured to make only work that is worth exhibiting. None of the assignments are sewn together. If I sew them together, it will be with the commitment to quilt them as well. As a famous b-t-ch said "I'll think about that tomorrow"!

Working in a Series part. 2

2011-08-18T14:44:00.000-04:00

This is a continuation from the last post about the online workshop I'm taking from Lisa Call, on "Working in a Series".

The challenge of dyeing for each assignment continues - my back really doesn't like standing over buckets, and especially the cleaning up part! But then again, my back doesn't like cleaning up - period. Does yours? I had to miss out on the Lowell quilt shows and SAQA regional meeting - the first time in 5 years. I used the day to dye more fabric for Assignment #2.

Lisa sends us reading material and links to articles and websites that are very helpful. So far, we've read and conversed about Responsibility and Accountability. Both really good things to remember for being productive in the studio. It was the Accountability reading that made me recognize that if I'm going to put my art first, I have to be accountable for it. Missing out on the Lowell shows and meeting was a hard decision to make, because I find looking at Art Quilts, and interacting with friends and fellow artists to be inspiring - but I was feeling really pressed about getting the fabric ready for the second assignment. I don't live in an area with a large art quilt community, so even though I drive for 3 hours to get to Lowell, it's always been a highlight for me.

The action of deciding to put my art first is a way of taking control of my life, and steering it in the direction I want it to go. Prioritizing, sacrificing, being clear with myself are all necessary to growing, and can be painful at times. The time I've spent in the studio lately has been frustrating. I'm not sure I know where I want to go with this series. There are so many possibilities. At the same time, in order to make those possibilities happen, I need to gain more control over the dyeing process. That will take time, and remembering to keep my eyes on the goal, and enjoy the process. Some days, it's hard to remember that making art is about the process, because I want each composition to be great. No artist is great all the time, and it's too much pressure to put on myself. I'll have to repeat that many times in my own ear! I think it's a common thought, right?

New Series

2011-08-03T21:05:00.001-04:00

I signed up for an online workshop with Lisa Call several weeks ago, and it's already been a fruitful endeavor. The workshop is on "Working in a Series", and Lisa is walking us through the steps of focusing on a subject, and setting design parameters.

Lisa is very tech savvy, so she has set up a website for the workshop, and we each have our own site and pages. It's pretty user friendly. I'm keeping a journal so I can keep track of my ideas, and all the things I've tried - whether they worked or not.

My series is going to focus on circles. I've been intrigued by all the possibilities there are in clamping circles as resists. The choices for dyeing in different hues and values seems to be - unlimited. But it's not! I will be learning about color and dye forever...

My initial thought was to use analogous colors and white, and to organize the circles as I would a family portrait. That was a way for me to get started on the design. I did stick with the colors - yellow, orange, red, and love the way white brightens up everything. Since my art training was in photography, it is still easier for me to think of looking through a viewfinder, and organizing the composition that way. Whatever works to make the design process a little less painful. I'm not sure this looks like a family portrait, but it helped me to figure out a way into the design.

I plan to design tops - and sew them together if I can. Since the assignments are due each week, and I dye my fabrics for each project, I know I may not get them sewn together. But if I photograph them, and pin them to a backing, I can finish them at the end of the 8 week workshop.

It's helped me to be better structured in my day - and in the studio or dyeing everyday. Lightens my mood, and stirs my juices. Worth the cost already!

Here is my first composition. The back ground is pieced, except for the middle seam. The rest is pinned. Can't wait to see where these circles lead me.

composition in progress 33" x 38"

How to buy Art

2011-07-29T10:03:00.000-04:00

I read a great blog post from another SAQA member about how to buy Art on a modest budget. I thought it was valuable enough to post the link here to June Underwood's blog post. http://fullcirclegallerypdx.net/2011/07/27/how-to-buy-art-on-a-modest-budget/

Although I look at Art all the time - galleries, museums, books and Internet sites, I rarely think about buying. And then I see something that just speaks to me - like it's a message to my soul, and then, I try to buy it. I've never been sorry about those purchases, and they give me years of pleasure. If I know the artist, it's even more special. The connection remains as a feeling of communion. I may not feel the same thing the artist intended, but that the art made both of us feel something.

Art can be found everywhere, and it can deeply add to your daily life. If you find something you would like to live with, but can't afford right away, sometimes an artist or gallery can set up a payment plan. I know that I am always pleased when my Art moves someone, and if they like a work enough to want to bring it home, I want them to be able to do so. Art is a way of communicating, and it feels good to connect with another person on that level.

La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain

2011-07-06T23:51:00.000-04:00

I visited Barcelona, Spain in June, and loved the architecture. Although I have seen many cathedrals in Europe, La Sagrada Familia is the only one where it seemed that the architect was truly inspired by God to build this cathedral.

Antoni Gaudi felt that Nature was God's Art, and tried to bring natural forms into all of his designs. In La Sagrada Familia (Sacred Family), the columns are the shape of tree trunks, and they reach up into the sky with branches spreading out, so it feels you are walking in a forest, with light flooding in from the sky.


Columns and winding staircase

When you look up, the ceiling looks like stars, or flowers -


The branches are holding up the sky

The interior is light filled - Gaudi wanted it to feel light, airy and full of sunshine. It's the brightest cathedral I've ever been in.

This is a large opening to the sky, that glows with light and those triangular shapes. I found it hypnotic!

The altar is surrounded by stained glass - all colors in simple shapes - not the usual figures or bible stories. The crucifix is floating off of a circular shape with grape vines hanging off it.


The organ pipes reflect the colors of the stained glass.

Although I had seen photo's of the outside of the building, it was a surprise to see the size of the building, and how it is a small block, surrounded by office and residential buildings. Hard to believe Gaudi had the vision to start this in 1883 and worked on it until his death in 1926. It is still far from finished. While you are touring the cathedral, there are workmen moving around the building, and cranes working over head. It's still undergoing work, and may not be finished for another 25 years.

The flower forms on the top of a couple of the spires.

This little building is the school that Gaudi designed for the children of the people who worked on La Sagrada Familia. It's all waves and curves and fun angles.

Just a taste of the amazing forms and ideas that Gaudi was able to design - and figure out how to build. I'll post about a few more Barcelona sights soon. If you can be lucky enough to visit Barcelona - don't miss any of them!

Sacred Threads

2011-06-26T21:33:00.000-04:00

Through true serendipity, I had a 3 hour layover at Dulles Airport, which timed exactly with the Artist Reception at the opening of the Sacred Threads exhibit in Herndon, VA. I got out of the airport as fast as possible and into a cab, and was at the show in 15 minutes.

From the Sacred Threads website:
"Founder Vikki Pignatelli and the other committee members wanted to create a dignified exhibit of artwork that would touch all those who viewed it on both spiritual and personal levels. We wanted to share the experiences of quilters whose stories would be a source of healing and strength for others by allowing the artist to submit a statement which would be exhibited with the artwork that described the meaning or inspiration for the piece. We also encourage attendees to complete artist comment forms if they are particularly moved by a quilt - these are returned to the artists with their quilt." After mounting the exhibit for semi-annually for many years in Columbus, Ohio, Vicki asked for volunteers to take over the responsibility, and Lisa Ellis and Christine Adams of VA stepped up to the challenge.

In 2007, I had made a quilt about 9/11, but never found a call for entry that it seemed to fit. When I mentioned on the Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) listserve that I'd like to find a venue for this art quilt, Lisa wrote that the Sacred Threads exhibit might be a good match. I entered the piece, and it was juried in.

Unexpectedly, I made it to the opening. There were several women I knew there, and I was happy to get to catch up a little bit. One of my sisters had met me there, and it was great to be able to share the exhibit with her. There are many quilts that have very personal meanings, and the artist statements are moving. My sister and I both had our mouths hanging open in front of a couple of quilts. The opening was crowded, which was great. I'd love to return and take more time to view the work.

If you are in the DC area, go see the show, and I promise you will be moved, inspired, and new thoughts may be provoked. I'm posting a couple of photo's although I don't know all of the artists.

Jeanette Thompson of Chicago, IL

The quilt on the left is titled "Abuela" by Jennifer Day. The quilt on the right is by Kate Themal, of Cheshire, CT. She had two exquisite quilts in the show.


Sherry Boram of Indiana, made the piece on the left. It is about the Golden Rule being a part of every major religion. I loved the banners displaying the various ways it is expressed in the 13 different religions.

Spring colors

2011-06-15T11:25:00.000-04:00

Blue Spruce - nest?

We redid the landscaping in our front yard, and I'm enjoying watching things bloom. We've had so much rain, that everything seems to be growing at it's happiest. Here's a couple of photo's of the colors that are coming up in my yard - I love the tenderness of Spring colors.


Kousa Dogwood

I'm off for a wonderful trip in Spain. I'll try to post as I can!

Inspiration from Cory Booker

2011-06-08T10:58:00.000-04:00

A great speaker can make you laugh, cry, think deeply, and also be memorable. Cory Booker was the commencement speaker at Williams College last weekend, and he did all of that and made you want to be a better person too!
One of the many challenges he made to the graduates was to avoid becoming homogenized - everyone starts out as individuals, but the world has a way of wearing you down and becoming more alike. Booker encouraged the graduates to maintain their integrity, and not to become someone who just goes along. He told many stories about the love of his family, and their ebullient support for him. Booker talked about learning the most from the most disadvantaged, whose struggles made them resourceful and strong. He encouraged the students and audience to be kind, every day.

I can't do justice to his gifted speaking, so I'm posting the link. Many said he was the best commencement speaker they had ever heard. If Cory Booker ever runs for President, he has my vote!
Listen, and be prepared to be moved.

MassMoca

2011-05-31T13:59:00.000-04:00

MassMoca (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art) in N. Adams, MA is a treat for the contemporary art lover to visit.
Exhibits stay a long time - the longest is the Sol Lewitt exhibit - he has three stories in a building for 25 YEARS!
The building is as interesting as the art in many ways. It's an old textile factory with numerous buildings. Some have been repurposed as office buildings; there's a restaurant and an antique store too. MassMoca also has a good cafe, concerts, plays, kids activities - and gift shop of course! Check out the website and you get a good sense of how stimulating a visit can be.

I have visited the Sol Lewitt exhibit at least 5 times, and still enjoy it. The website allows you to view the show, but seeing it in the museum is something else - the windows, floors and industrial feel of the building play very well with the art. There is also a video about the student's and artists who did all the work, right on the walls. Sol Lewitt wanted art to be accessible to all, so he made up plans that can be executed on any size wall, anywhere. They'll all be a little different, according to the size of the walls, but the composition, and the color always works. It's an amazing tribute to Lewitt that he was given carte blanche to pick out a space for this retrospective and know it would be there for 25 years. Sadly, he died before the exhibit was finished, but he was able to see it in process, and know his life's work would continue to be viewed by thousands.

A winter view of the exterior and link to the Lewitt exhibit

This green and red wall vibrates the eyes!

Is the line up of the yellow line serendipity, or planned?

There are many black and white paintings -

I'm posting a few photo's, but recommend that you make a visit to the museum. It's in the beautiful Berkshires, and there is so much to do here!

Stimulation

2011-05-25T22:26:00.000-04:00

I like to title things that make you click on them! The stimulation I am referring to is the experience of being with other artists, hearing about Art, looking at Art, discussing our work - soaking up the experience of being with other people focused on expressing themselves through Art.

It's a rare experience for me, because I live in a small town and don't get out much. Probably my own fault for not reaching out more in the community. I have started a critique group, and that is very exciting.
The recent Studio Art Quilt Association conference in Denver was well done, with interesting and helpful workshops, and lots of networking going on. It's a real buzz to be in a room with almost 200 other women (only a few male spouses attended), and know we're all thrilled to be immersing ourselves for a few days in Art Quilts. NOT literally - these are wall art, not bed quilts, in case you didn't know that. Here are a few for you viewing pleasure - we couldn't see the titles or names, but I'm pretty sure I have the right artists for these-

Sue Cavanagh

Terri Stegmiller

I'm pretty sure this is by Cathy Kleeman.

This is the 3rd SAQA conference I have attended, and each time I get more out of the time spent. And, I've made some friends who are really adventurous and fun to be with - we laugh for hours! I took a few photo's of the SAQA trunk show. These are small pieces that will travel to regions all over the country, and some to other countries, so SAQA members can see all the possibilities of cloth, thread, paint, dye, beads, stitching, found objects and every possible combination.

If you're looking for a place to explore the artist in you, and like fabric, SAQA is a great organization to help you grow.

SAQA Visioning Conference

2011-05-19T17:03:00.000-04:00

I'm attending the SAQA Annual conference again this year. It's in Denver, so I'm looking forward to having some city time, as well as learning about marketing art. Since I've attended the last few conferences, and was a SAQA rep for 3 years, I've made friends, and love catching up with them.

A few of the workshops are particularly interesting to me at this point - Regina Benson is doing one on "Marketing with Pizazz", and since she is doing a great job marketing her work, it should be very helpful.
Kris Sazaki and Deb Cashatt, also known as the Pixeladies, are doing a workshop on Photoshop Elements, and I need all the help I can get using PE!

I will post some photo's and comments after the conference. Next year's is in Philadelphia, in conjunction with SDA.

Guinea Hen, anyone?

2011-05-17T17:03:00.000-04:00

I woke this morning to a sound like metal scrapping on metal, but recognizable as a bird "song". It seemed like it was probably a crow that was imitating the sound of a drill on metal, but I mostly thought it would go away, and I went back to sleep. A sure sign that I can sleep through almost anything!
This afternoon, I saw the culprit - a large guinea hen. One thing I know about guinea hens is that they eat Japanese Beetles - which have been attacking my roses every summer. But the beetles come out around the 4th of July - and I don't need this screeching until then. Not sure it's a good trade off anyway - sleep for more beautiful roses?

I was able to photograph the guinea hen with a new telephoto lens - they have beautiful dotted black and white feathers.

To discourage this hen from hanging around, I've let my dog out a few times to chase him away. Don't worry - the dog won't catch the bird - he's about the same size as the bird, and the bird can fly up to branches. It makes it's awful screeching sound, and that scares the dog too. I'm just hoping the bird will decide there's a better place to peck around so I don't have this all summer. There is plenty of land around to move on to - and a wildlife preserve very close. Don't they read the signs?

The pleasures of living in the country, are often the same as the drawbacks. Nature is beautiful, it's peaceful and quiet, and we get to watch deer, foxes, bobcats, wild turkeys - and now guinea hens.
And these photo's might help inspire a quilt - I've always loved Black, White and Red together, and that little bit of yellow on the bird's bill is a nice touch.

Dad's gone

2011-05-02T21:00:00.000-04:00

My father, Robert Marklin, died on April 18, at the awesome age of 90. Given his poor health, lack of energy, mobility and interest in life, it was a blessing. Now that he has passed on, I am remembering the man who used to be, and missing him. Over the past 5 years or so, I was adjusting to having a relationship with a small echo of the man who was my father, and grieved after each visit for the man I missed. At the same time, my father became more verbally affectionate than he had ever been, and let down some of his defenses to be more emotionally open. I treasure those times when he told me he really missed me when I wasn't there, and that something I had done was fantastic.

My family gathered together this past weekend to celebrate my father's life, and share memories and stories. With 6 children in the family, there are so many different perspectives. I felt strongly that there should be a eulogy, and wrote one. However, public speaking is very anxiety producing for me, so my husband ended up presenting it at the funeral service. I hope that I passed on many of the values my father and mother gave me. Here's the eulogy as I wrote it:

We all want to be remembered. After 90 years, there is a lot to remember of my father's life. My memory of him is shaped by being his daughter, and the 3rd of 6 children.

I think my father wanted to be remembered for his efforts to be a good husband, father, “Pop Pop”, great grandpa, and provider for his wife and children. He was all those things, as well as wise, stoic, smart and funny. As adults, I don't think we ever spent time with Dad without laughing, and also saying “how come you can never give a straight answer?”

He did, of course, give straight answers when it was needed. My brothers and sisters have been talking about the things he said that stayed with us, and that we hoped our own children would also incorporate into their beings.

My favorite was "To thine own self be true", a quote from Shakespeare that was a little mysterious to me when I was young, but which I came to appreciate. It meant to follow my conscience, because I knew what was right if I thought deeply about it. We had learned right and wrong from our parents, our most important role models.

Dad also used to say that “if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing right.” Those words come back to me every time I buy something that has to be put together with un-decipherable directions!

Dad also told us “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all” Wise words to follow, and sometimes, very difficult. He followed them always – I can’t remember him saying a harsh word about anyone.

My sister Christine's youngest son, Michael has already told her how he knows "you can't buy back your reputation": your words and actions reflect on who you are. Michael heard those words as we did, and he knows those are important words to live by.

As an insurance salesman for 35 years, my father knew those were also the words his business, and reputation were built upon. I remember him talking about advocating for his clients. For the people who had been in accidents or had their house burn down, or lost a loved one. Dad would call the Home office and do his best to move things along and help his clients when they really needed it. I suspect there is a saying about insurance salesman similar to the one about lawyers. Nobody likes them until you need them! I’m sure my Dad was “needed” by many people over those 35 years.

A few years ago, my father told me that at one point, his manager had admonished him for selling policies to African Americans. Dad told the manager "their money is as good as anyone's and I'm selling to them". He got that look of angry indignation that he could get when things were just plain wrong. Hearing this story touched me deeply then as is it still does now.

Since my father’s death, I've been thinking back over how much he changed the past few decades. When we were growing up, all he had to say was "Jeannie" in that deep way he could do, and I would snap to it! He commanded our attention and obeyance, just through his voice.

I was telling someone the other day that when we were young, and making a raucous before going to sleep, he would yell up the stairs "if I have to come upstairs I'm going to knock your heads together". You can bet that we'd quiet down! Although he never came upstairs, we just knew when he had had enough of our antics.

It's hard to imagine Robert at 65 and older, ever being that stern.

As the provider for the family, he had worked at least 8 hours a day, and gone out again for appointments on so many nights. He needed some peace at night and we didn't! But, like my Mom, he had to be that way to be the best parent for their six children.

After Dad retired, I remember very vividly that when he visited us,

he wouldn't wear a watch. He'd say he was on “retirement time”, and he obviously relished the freedom. Traveling all over the country in their 33' RV, brought him great joy. He especially loved visiting the National Parks, and taking photographs along the way. My parent’s trips to Alaska, Hawaii and Europe were opportunities to absorb the sights, learn about the culture, enjoy the food and know the people.

Dad was very proud of his service in the Air Corp during World War II and loved flying. For his birthday a few years ago, I arranged for him to fly on the same type of bi-plane he had trained on. He said it was as if he went back in time. I could see the joy that flying had brought him whenever he talked about it. If you have watched the video on You- Tube about his first flight, you can see and hear the excitement he felt about flying.

He was so proud of all the family members who have served or who are actively serving. Bob, Peter, Faith, Kyle, Christian and Andrew - you've all carried on the tradition and shown the value of serving our country.

I feel so privileged to have spent five days with Dad before he passed on April 18. Although he was very sick, he remained Robert up to the very end. Every nurse or technician that came into the room was an opportunity for him to make them laugh. His standard response to "how do you feel, Mr. Marklin?" was "with my hands". Never a straight answer, but always a funny one! After I had said "I love you Dad” and “You've been such a good Dad", for three days in a row, he said "if you keep saying that I'm going to believe it.".

My Dad said many times that he had lived a good life. We are all a testament to that! We will always miss him, but he lives on in so many ways, and will always be remembered.

Rest in Peace, Dad.

Piecing Shadows

2011-04-02T22:46:00.000-04:00

I just returned from a wonderful week in Tucson - a great respite from our seemingly never ending winter here in the northeast. We were having lunch at a sandwich place in a typical suburban strip mall, and found out we were looking at the Safeway where Rep. Gabby Giffords was shot, and 8 people died. It was hard to imagine that someone walked up with a gun and started shooting. The parking lot was full of cars, there were people walking all over, in and out of the stores, and 8 people had died there. I can only imagine how surreal it was for everyone. And it made me realize it can happen anywhere.

While in Tucson, we did some exploring of the area. Visited the Desert Museum which had plants, coyotes, javelino's, raptors, lizards, snakes - oh my! Nice place to walk around and learn about the desert and it's flora and fauna. Of course, I was most interested in things that could inspire compositions.

The shadows on the walls made me think about what they would look like if they were pieced, or if the shadows were created by Shibori type marks. I could see doing them in the colors of the photo, or just black and white. Or in very bright colors...As usual, my mind goes in many different directions, and I can imagine all of them. Sewing is so time consuming that choices need to be made, and it is sometimes hard to commit when you know the work will take a month or longer. Meanwhile, other ideas move in and out of the list of things to be done!

New View - SAQA 2011 Auction piece

2011-03-25T00:59:00.000-04:00


"New View" c.2011 12" x 12"

The Studio Art Quilt Associates asks its members to donate a small art quilt each year for the annual fundraiser. I actually got mine in early this year, instead of just making the deadline! Progress, not procrastination for a change. My piece is titled "New View" because I thought it seemed like a view from another planet of moons circling the sun. I dyed the fabrics and have become entranced by circles.

This is the second year I have donated a piece to the auction. I bid, on two last year, and was thrilled with the art quilts when they arrived via USPS. They were both more detailed and interesting than I could tell from the photo on the web site. This year's auction will start on Sept. 12.
I hope you will take a look, and start thinking about the small art works you would like to have for your own. Watch this space for more info!

Quilts for Japan

2011-03-20T22:54:00.000-04:00

The continuing devastation in Japan leads us all to want to help in whatever way we can. Donations of money are the most helpful right now and there are many organizations that are doing important work. Save the Children is my favorite, and Doctors without Borders a close second.

Being quilters, we all think of all the fabric we have that could be sewn up into quilts to help with warmth, and care. Here are possible sources for contributing quilts to the people in Japan:

1) Mission of Love Foundation
2054 Hemlock Court
Youngstown, Ohio 44515 ~ U.S.A.
Ship quilts any time now to the above address. First shipment to Japan in about 30 days by the U.S. Air Force

2) Dana Jones
Quilter’s Newsletter magazine
741 Corporate Circle, Suite A
Golden, CO 80401
Add your name, address and e-mail inside the package.
A third possibility is to mail quilts directly to the editor of Patchwork Tsushin.
★Naomi Ichikawa suggests that people send quilts after the end of April.
Mail to:

3) Naomi Ichikawa, Editor
Patchwork Tsushin Co., Ltd.,
2-21-2, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku
Tokyo, JAPAN 113-0034
or
4) Patchwork Tsushin Co. Ltd
Tohoku Kanto Earthquake Comfort Quilts
〒113-0033 Tokyo, Bunkyoku, Hongo 5-28-3
Telephone 03-3816-5538

If sending directly to the magazine, please do not state a declared value of more than $100. or a customs tax will have to be paid by the recipient. When shipping, don't put "quilt" on the contents form - it is too tempting to thieves. Instead, "bedding", "used fabric" or "blanket" is safer.
Thanks to Patricia Cummings for the information and addresses!

Let's all keep Japan and the environment in our thoughts and prayers - and do what we can to help.

Hugs and Kisses for babies

2011-03-18T18:18:00.000-04:00

I quilted "Hugs and Kisses" and a heart across the bottom border of the quilt. Someday, the babies will be able to read it!

I'm a grandmother now - hard to believe, since I still feel like I'm about 35, but it's a wonderful experience. I've spent the last two weeks making a wall hanging for my new grandbabies - twins!
My daughter in law always signs her emails and cards with XOXOX, so I thought I'd use that theme for the babies quilt. The nursery is painted purple, and knowing that babies like bright colors and black and white, I used a Laurel Burch designed fabric as the centerpiece with bright accents.

I loved that the fabric had a brown woman who looked like she was a princess of the stars, and there were lots of different suns and some moons. They both speak to me of the wonders of the universe, and having twin babies seems to be an amazing event!

Full view of Hugs & Kisses 2011c.

No Indigo to go go

2011-03-16T14:08:00.000-04:00

Unfortunately, the Indigo workshop doesn't have enough registrants to make it worthwhile. I'm disappointed, because I love the color of Indigo, and was looking forward to using it in many art quilts.
I've been working on a wall hanging for the nursery of my new twin grandbabies. Will post when it is finished!

Indigo AND Shibori!

2011-03-01T16:55:00.000-05:00

Indigo Itajime by Vicki Jensen

The Surface Design Conference - "Confluence" has so much to offer this year. I'm particularly excited to be assisting at a workshop being taught by Vicki Jensen of Pro-Chem and Dye. The workshop is "The Magic Of Indigo", and it's 5 days of working with Indigo, and learning multiple Shibori techniques. Pole wrap, stitching, resists...the possibilities are endless. It's those endless possibilities that I love about Shibori. You can keep thinking "but what if?" and have so many options, and sometimes, surprises.

The Indigo is a newer type - pre-reduced - so you don't have to have a place to keep a vat going non-stop. Blue and white are my absolute favorite colors! You can also use the indigo over other dyes, and mix the colors to get anything that can be mixed using blue. Vicki has some examples on her blog Vicki Jensen blogspot. Some examples start with a rust colored cloth, and then blue, as well as the traditional blue and white, and dyeing with other primaries. Vicki is an expert on dyes and will be a fabulous instructor.
Check it out and see if you can come learn, and play with us!

Art Heals

2011-02-13T12:43:00.000-05:00

The Textile Arts Blog is a great resource for learning about textiles, but today's post also illustrates the healing power of art: http://http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2011/02/1200-stitches-per-square-inch-art

A prison inmate, drug addicted and with no resources, takes apart socks, and using the threads, embroiders them into portraits. Finding solace, inspiration and most importantly, hope, he gets through his prison term and embroidery helps with his healing.

Art has been shown to help heal many hurts, as well as to lower stress. Just cutting up construction paper, or the newspaper, and gluing them to a background can feel like you are a world away from the daily stresses - as long as that critical voice we all hear in our heads is told to stay away! When doodling, or coloring with crayons, our brain stops running all the "have to's and should have's" and we get in touch with a different side of ourselves. This "Art" may not be something to share with anyone else, because it's the process of making it that is valuable, not the result. That voice that says "I'm no good at Art", is what stops us from going to that place of release and renewal. Art needs to be made for the making, not for the showing.

Roy Matterson was able to get through years of prison, and still uses art to deal with his demons.

No Holds Barred!

2011-02-02T19:53:00.000-05:00

Grief c.2009 36" H x 22" W.

The opening reception for the SAQA NE Region "No Holds Barred" exhibit was on Saturday. There was a big turnout, with most of the artists attending. The New England Quilt Museum did a professional job of hanging the show. There are some amazing pieces of art in the show. The show will be at the museum until April 9, so if you can get to Lowell, it is well worth the effort.

I was proud to have two pieces juried into the show, but couldn't post a photo of them until after the opening. The one above is "Grief", which I have thought was one of the best pieces I've made, but it hadn't been accepted into a show before. I'm glad it was able to make it's debut in the show. You just never know what the jurors will see in different entries, or what other entries will be. The jurors brought a very cohesive show together.


Before/After 27" W x 22" H

The one above is "Before/After". Both are made with my own hand dyed fabrics, which I love making!

More Than Skin Deep 2

2011-01-28T16:57:00.000-05:00

More Than Skin Deep2 by Jeanne Marklin c.2011 Dimensions: 32" H x 54" Wide

Add caption

Detail of More Than Skin Deep2

Last summer, I posted a piece on the blog titled "More Than Skin Deep" that I had made for an art quilt exhibit on racism. The art quilts were exhibited at a conference on racism in Chicago. A staff member from the General Council on Religion and Race had attended the conference, and contacted me about buying the quilt. The exhibit was already scheduled to travel for the next year and a half, so I offered to make another piece that was similar, but they could choose the finished size. I received a commission to make a similar piece for the General Council on Religion and Race in Washington, DC. They wanted a larger piece for the reception area of the organization, and I was thrilled to be asked to make a work that would represent an organization with the goal of raising consciousness about racism.

This was the first time that I needed to produce a piece with a similar design. I wasn't that happy with the first piece, but it had a deadline, and I had made the deadline. And it had led GCORR to contact me, so it was a good introduction to a new organization. I had been unhappy with the proportions in the first quilt, so I decided to make the background much more variable in sizes and shapes, and the black line, stronger. I think this piece is much stronger than the first one. Do you agree?

The piece was meant to represent the variety of skin colors in the human race, and the blood, and heart beat that we all share. The artist statement went something like this "Our skin is meant to protect us from the elements, but is a very small part of who we are. So many judgements and prejudices are made on the basis of skin color, that really have nothing to do with the human being within that skin. We need to look inside each other, to see the person within, what makes them tick, what their heart tells them. We have much in common." GCORR asked for an artist statement to frame and post near the art quilt so visitors can understand the meaning behind the work.

I was in the DC area and delivered the quilt to the organization. The staff all gathered for the "unveiling", and it was a warm, welcoming, and appreciative group. They made it a special time for me. It is gratifying when people who are "simpatico", get the meaning of one of my art quilts, and want to share it with others. If I can influence anyone to be more open to connecting with others, the goal of the work will be reached!

Bird Photography - Audubon Awards

2011-01-16T12:51:00.000-05:00

The Audubon Society Magazine has published their Annual Photography Awards. The photo's are stunning! They capture birds while feeding, hunting, resting (do they rest?) and mating. The photo's have exquisite composition and color. The photographer's must have been incredibly patient and observant to make the photo's. Any of these photo's could be an inspiration for art, using the colors, lines and texture of the birds.
Check out the photo's at the website: http://www.audubonmagazine.org/features1101/photoawards.html
There is a screensaver as well if you're a subscriber. The snowy owl with one wing across his head is my favorite - but the green-breasted mango (don't you love that name?) is gorgeous too. What's your favorite?

Get in line

2011-01-11T11:45:00.000-05:00

"Get In Line" was created in response to an article on White Privilege. The quilt is the second piece in a series about Racism. The article is a thought provoking paper written about "White Privilege" by Peggy McIntosh. This paper is well known in the field of sociology. Read it here: http://www.nymbp.org/reference/WhitePrivilege.pdf

The author lists the multiple ways a white person doesn't have to think about their race. Easy examples such as "will the drugstore carry hair, skin and make up for my race?" To more difficult ones, such as if "I moved into a new neighborhood, would my neighbors accept me, and maybe even welcome me?" and, "when I"m part of a group conversation, do I have to parse my words for fear that a statement will be taken as representative of my race, rather than my own experience?" It's a list of thought provoking questions about the unrecognized privileges that come with being White.

Get In Line, Jeanne Marklin c. 2010, 40" H x 50" W. I dyed the fabrics, using the shibori pole wrapped method. The shadows are black tulle. Click on the photo to make it larger.

Peace on Earth, Goodwill to all!

2010-12-23T14:28:00.000-05:00

It always takes me until December 15 or so to get into the Christmas swing. I love the Tony Bennett album "Snowfall", and that usually does the trick. My nephew got married on Dec. 18, and it was a beautiful wedding with Christmas decorations everywhere, shared by family and friends. Christmas has always meant family time to me - the presents are nice, but the best part is being with family.

The age old saying of Peace on Earth, Goodwill to all still applies!

New England Quilt Museum acceptance!

2010-11-15T16:12:00.000-05:00

Great news in the mail today - I had two Art Quilts accepted for the SAQA sponsored "No Holds Barred" exhibit at the New England Quilt Museum. I'm very pleased and can't wait to see the full show. It opens in January, and will run through March. The museum prohibits artists from posting images of the quilts until the show opens, so I'll have to wait until January 20 to post photo's. http://nequiltmuseum.org

Matting Small Art Work

2010-11-03T20:24:00.000-04:00

The New England members of SAQA are making donations for the New England Quilt Museum. The donations are all going to be 11 x 14, with the opening in the mat to be the option of the quilt artist.

My friend Fern Leslie mats and frames most of her work, and was generous enough to show me her method. The supplies are simple: purchased mat (the example is from Dick Blick), thread, small strip of archival sketchbook paper, double sided adhesive tape, and a small art quilt that will fit behind the opening.

Directions: Cut a thin strip of archival paper, slightly wider than the art quilt. Sew the top of the art quilt to the strip of paper. Place a piece of double sided tape on the back of the strip of paper. This way the fabric does not have tape on it. Draw a line with pencil to guide you to taping the piece of paper to the back board of the mat. See below - the backing of this small art quilt is larger than the front, and the thin wool used for batting.

The art quilt sits better behind the mat if it doesn't have the bulk of a finished edge. Once the art quilt is taped to the back board of the matting, you can either put the double sided tape on the top edge of the mat board, or use a linen tape to hold the front mat board to the back. Be sure to sign your name on the front of the matboard, and include all information about the art on both the back of the art quilt, and the back of the mat board.

Doesn't this look great? Note Fern's signature on the mat, and how neat and finished the whole piece looks.

Buy ART!

2010-09-19T19:58:00.000-04:00

2010 SAQA Benefit Auction - Starts September 20th

Over 280 pieces have been donated to the 2010 SAQA Benefit Auction. The funds raised through the Auction are critical to supporting SAQA's exhibitions, catalogs and outreach programs. SAQA's Benefit Auction is our biggest fundraiser. Last year we had donations from 235 members and raised $47,325!!!

This year's Auction will begin on Monday, September 20th at 2:00 Eastern. Price points will again be: $750, $550, $350, $250, $150 and $75. Unsold work will be placed on the SAQA website for a month and then returned to the artist.

This is a great opportunity to start a collection of small work that will fit on any wall. They are perfect for hanging in a triptych or one at a time as surprises in your home or office. They also make perfect gifts. All artwork is about 12" square, and can be matted and framed. Please take a look!

Remembering 9/11

2010-09-11T15:14:00.000-04:00

I was at home on 9/11 with a repairman, when my husband called and told me to turn on the TV. After seeing the video of the first plane hitting the tower, I called the repairman to the TV to watch. He looked very briefly and said in a sad voice, "there will be a war over this and nothing will be the same." I sat for the rest of the day with a neighbor, watching the horror, and worrying about the people in the Towers, and those who were trying to rescue them. And what would happen to our country.

A year later, I was in a design class and put two long rectangles up on the wall. I realized that the shape would be forever burned into my mind, and for many in the world, as the Twin Towers. I followed my thoughts, and made an art quilt. For me, I feel that the people who died that day are at peace, but so many people are still working through the feelings from that day. Hate and fear were ignited, and it has resulted in two wars, and the deaths and maiming of many troops, civilians, and not enough terrorists.

Now, the Muslim Community Center has become a symbol of terrorists, instead of the peaceful message that Islam preaches. If the terrorists had purported to be Catholics, would we say a Catholic church couldn't be built there? They were no more practitioners of Islam than Timothy McVeigh or abusive priests are true Catholics.

It is very sad that the hate the terrorists felt, has caught on with some people. Who wants to be judged by the worst of us?

2010-09-10T20:27:00.000-04:00

SAQA Auction

The annual SAQA auction starts on September 20. Each year, members of SAQA donate 12" squares to benefit the Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA). They are hoping to raise over $50,000 this year, and with the beautiful work that is available, the goal should be reached. I'm going to feature a few every few days. This is a sample of three that are abstract, and have colors that look great together. Maybe a grouping?

Carol Larson "Heat Wave" HOT, HOT, HOT!

Leslie Carabas "Puzzle" This piece GLOWS!

Shelly Brucar "BLUSTERY DAY" Perfect title for this piece

To learn how you can bid on these and see other works of Art go to the SAQA site.

More Scarves to Seduce you

2010-08-26T21:16:00.000-04:00

More scarves - Fall colors for the season. I used 2 squares as a resist on the yellow and rust one, and long rectangles on the other two. The Salmon and white one was one dye bath, the others were 2 or 3. It's time consuming, and back breaking - but the washout is always a thrill. Enjoy!

Silk Scarves - Seductive!

2010-08-23T21:16:00.000-04:00

I named my hand dyed silk scarf business Seductive Scarves because that is how I feel about scarves. Can't have enough of them! I love to wear scarves - they seem to make any outfit more interesting, and they also keep my neck warm. They're great for travel - bring all black and white (or gray or navy) keep wearing the same clothes, and change scarves according to the weather, the destination, or mood.

I've dyed a lot in the past two weeks, to deliver to the store where I sell them. I'm also donating one to a local fundraiser for Alzheimer's Disease. Each one is different - I can't seem to repeat myself, even if I wanted to!

They are photographed so I can share them with you, and also to remind me how I made them - sometimes notes just don't do it, or get done. I'll post more soon!

Opening night!

2010-07-28T15:28:00.000-04:00

The opening of the National Small Art Quilt show was lovely. Very diverse art, well executed. Adrienne and Roger Smith of the Main Street Art Gallery in Groton, NY were excited and did an excellent job of curating the show. It was hot, humid and raining that night. Nonetheless, I was happy to see my work "Rising" hanging, and meet other artists.
That's me with "Dreaming" and Jayne Gaskins piece on the far right. Jayne does beautiful threadwork!
You can see from these four pieces how different all of the work is. The piece on the left is by Sandra Lauterbach from California.
The piece on the left is by Lisa Chipetine of New York, and the one on the right is by Susanne Clawson of MD. Susanne lives in Silver Spring, my old hometown.
It was a good experience to see the show, meet the gallery owners, and enjoy a relaxing weekend in the Finger Lake region of NY. I made a couple of side trips - to the Earlville Opera House for the Contemporary Art Quilt Show, and the Schweinfurth Memorial Art museum for the Nancy Crow show. It was an All Art Quilts, All the time kind of weekend! Now, to the studio for me...

Honorable Mention at Main St. Art Gallery!

2010-07-23T20:38:00.000-04:00

Rising has received an Honorable Mention award from the Main Street Art Gallery! I am so pleased to receive the honor and look forward to seeing the show tomorrow. The opening is from 5-8 pm, and it will be a good experience to meet the gallery owners, Adrienne Bea and Roger Smith, and the other artists.

Please say hello if you are coming to the opening.

National Small Art Quilt Works

2010-07-14T17:32:00.000-04:00

The Main Street Gallery in Groton, NY has held a juried exhibition for the past three years and I've had a piece in each year. This year, I am very honored to have had two pieces accepted.

The opening is July 24, from 5-8. I'm planning on going to the opening and beaming! The exhibit will be open thru September 5, 2010.

Thirty two fiber artists from across the United States have been selected by jurors Cathy Rosa Klimaszewski, Ames Associate Director for Programs/Curator of Education, Herbert F Johnson Museum of Art, Cornell Unviersity and Roger Smith, painter, sculptor, educator and Director of The Main Street Gallery.

Both of my pieces are fabric that I dyed, quilted and then painted. The edges are satin stitched. The stitching and painting were done intuitively and I'm pleased with them.

Above is a detail of "Dreaming".

The piece below is "Rising", and is the same size. A detail is below. Hope to see you at the opening!

July brings beauty, and the beetle

2010-07-05T14:44:00.000-04:00

Here in the Berkshires, we celebrate the Fourth of July with a great home town parade, barbecue's, lawn games, theatre, museums, concerts, intense gardening...and the birth of the Japanese Beetles, who will plague us for about two months.

Just when my roses are blooming and full of leaves, these little shiny monsters start coming out of the grass, and feeding. They eat the leaves, the buds - anything. I pick them off by hand, and drop them into a small margarine tub of soapy water. They are the only thing I enjoy KILLING! I pray for a natural predator, but guinea hens are not a real possibility for me. My dog and cat would be their natural predators...

Here's a few photo's of the things blooming in my garden - and the before and after of a rose, who was then attacked by a beetle. This was his last few seconds of life - hope he enjoyed it.

Before major damage by the Japanese Beetle....

There he/she is - destroying this bud.

On a more prosaic note - here's a bud from a beautiful lily, soon to become the flower you see below it.

I love these white echinacea's. The complexity of the center is like popArt.

Landscaping as Art

2010-06-30T23:39:00.000-04:00

My mind has been full of the shapes, colors, textures and seasonal interest of plants. We are replacing the plants and huge amounts of pachysandra in our front yard. Thinking about the way to design a fairly large space has had my head swimming.

There are so many similar design elements to think about that it's been interesting to figure out what to plant, and how to layer the plants. Leaf shape, height and width, deciduous or evergreen...colors - so many variables and trying to visualize the final result, is as challenging as creating art.

I haven't been in the studio because I've been reading books about landscaping, visiting nurseries and friends' gardens, and dealing with living in Zone 4-5 and the plants that will grow here. The first decisions have been made and they start planting tomorrow...I'll post some before and after photo's soon. If you have a favorite plant, shrub, grass or perennial, let me know. The Old English Roses are a sure thing!

Shibori, explored

2010-06-05T23:09:00.000-04:00

The Shibori class was wonderful. Jan is a very patient and helpful teacher, and there were other students with lots of experience. Seeing other students create their work speeds up the learning process - and adds to the inspiration. Dyeing is similar to what printing photograph's used to be for me. You put something in a tray/bucket, and after a bit of time, find something wonderful developing under your hands.

If you like the looks of this work, I recommend taking a class with Jan Myers Newbury. Her workshop schedule is here: http://www.janmyersnewbury.com/Jan_Myers-Newbury/Home.html And any chance you get to see her work, run, don't walk! Although making the fabric is intriguing, and joyful, using it in a composition is a challenge. Cutting into it feels like torture - unless you know you can make more.

This piece was done on a pole, and twisted in opposite directions. That's how you get that nice "V" shape.

Underpainted, folded in half, and put on a pole on the diagonal. Making these is so much fun because it's so exciting to see what comes out of the dye bath.
This is a close up of the one above. Love those shapes and colors, and wish I could do them on purpose...they're accidental so I may never make them again.
This was underpainted too, folded, and then clamped with two sizes of circles...pretty cool, huh?
This was underpainted, put on a pole and scrunched down with wrinkles in it... I want to do more of these.

Shibori, here I come!

2010-05-11T17:11:00.000-04:00

I'm getting ready for a shibori class with Jan Myers Newbury at ProChemical and Dye in Fall River, MA. I've already taken the class with Jan before, but need a refresher course. Jan is an excellent teacher, and I admire her work so much. Take a look at your website, and hold onto your socks!

I'm packing PVC pipe, clamps, bobby pins, washers, rubber bands, thread, rope - anything that can be wrapped around fabric, or fabric can be wrapped around. And lots of shapes to clamp - I especially love circles, but I'm also going to try squares, triangles and long rectangles.

Will post some of the class samples after I return, and then I plan on spending summer making more fabric. Dyeing is so much fun - there's always some new combination to say "What If?"

Published in Journey Of Hope

2010-05-03T13:04:00.000-04:00

I'm so proud that my art quilt - "Lift Every Voice and Sing for Obama" was included in the book Journey of Hope: Quilts Inspired by Barack Obama, written by Carolyn Mazloomi, with a foreword by Meg Cox. The book is beautifully done, and each artist had space to write about their work, and the thoughts behind it.

It's only $16.49 at Amazon - how do they do that?! Hardcover, great color printing, and multiple artists' depictions of an historical election. Yes, I'm very proud that my piece is included, as I believe this will be part of the President's library someday. I'm honored to think I'll be sitting on a shelf with many other books that relate to the election, and presidency of the first African American president. The quilt is now part of the collection of the Mississippi Center for Justice, so it also sits with good company.

My Art quilt included the first stanza, because the words said exactly the way I felt after the election of Barack Obama. If you don't know the words to the hymn, written by James Weldon Johnson in 1900, "Lift Every Voice and Sing" you can hear a beautiful rendition on You Tube (many others there as well), or read them:

Lift every voice and sing
Till earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the listening skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us,
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun
Let us march on till victory is won.

Stony the road we trod,
Bitter the chastening rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat,
Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered,
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
Out from the gloomy past,
Till now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who has brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who has by Thy might
Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,
Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;
Shadowed beneath Thy hand,
May we forever stand.
True to our God,
True to our native land.

ECG - More Than Skin Deep

2010-04-26T17:58:00.000-04:00

An exhibit on Racism has been organized, and I've finished my piece, and am posting it. I titled it "More Than Skin Deep". I wanted to express the kernel of the idea of racism - that our skin color defines our intelligence, capabilities, and humanity. Instead, the fact that under our skin, we all have the same blood, organs, needs and dreams, is represented by an ECG line. To define someone by their skin color or culture is to see such only a part of the whole person.

The ECG represents the line of a normal heart. When we look beyond skin deep we see the person inside - and although we are all shaped by our families, cultures, ethnicity, environment and country, we are more than any one of those things - we are all human and we must learn to see that first when we see each other.

If we could all look within for the good in each other, imagine how it would change the world. We can start by doing it with our children, siblings, parents, partners and friends - and then expand it to everyone we meet.

Quilting designs by Leah Day

2010-04-09T10:58:00.000-04:00

I subscribe to the Textile Arts Resource Guide blog, which always has great postings and links to lots of informative and educational articles. This link came today, and I'm so happy to be able to pass on the resource. The blog is one that is well worth subscribing to - always informative and thought provoking! Thanks to Gwen Magee for her excellent work.

Leah Day is posting quilt design fillers - and has a video for each design. It is a real gift to all quilters for her to do this work, and make it available for free. The site is 365 Days of Free Motion Quilting Filler Design Project, and should be bookmarked by all.

I have a terrible time deciding how I will quilt a piece. There are just too many options! But this site will help me get more focused on what it is I want my stitches to "say", and will be a wonderful resource.

Inspiration from New Mexico

2010-04-03T21:11:00.001-04:00

I love making spontaneous compositions with the camera. There were plenty of opportunities using the shadows and architecture in Northern New Mexico. The adobe changes color as the daylight changes, and the texture always shows that a human hand has made this material. The wood beams, doorways, and trees create interesting shadows and lines.

Just for fun!

2010-04-01T17:45:00.000-04:00

The next day, we visited Ghost Ranch, where O'Keefe had a summer home. It's surrounded by dramatic cliffs, and you can see the Pedernal that she painted numerous times. She said that God told her if she painted it enough, he would give it to her.

The open sky, dramatic and ancient cliffs, with mountain ranges in each direction made me have a much better understanding of the Native American sense of Mother Earth. My feet were on the ground, my eyes were on the sky, and the earth all around was stunning. There is a real sense of the way the landscape has been made by glaciers, and that it is continually changing - whether daily or over time, and that my lifetime is less than a blink of the eye in the totality of things. I kept thinking that in this beauty, I could die and truly become part of the universe again.

Ghost Ranch is now owned by the Presbyterian Church, and holds retreats for groups and individuals. It would be a fantastic place for a retreat, or for hiking and meditation.

I'm going to post some photo's, because I think they say it better than words.

2010-04-01T17:31:00.000-04:00

We did a tour with a docent at the O'Keefe Museum , and were able to see many paintings that were new to us. The exhibit included quotes from O'Keefe, and I really enjoyed reading her words. She was a fiercely independent, kind, generous and spiritual person, who was so dedicated to her work that she had little patience for anything outside of it.

We toured her house in Abiquiu, about an hour north of Santa Fe, and saw her kitchen, living area, studio, bedroom, and the black door on the adobe wall, that she had painted many times. No photo's - visitors are not allowed to bring any kind of camera, or even a phone on the tour. The tour guide showed copies of her work, while showing the scene she had painted. It was obvious that she was able to isolate the elements of the scene she most wanted to illustrate, and use heightened colors to represent the feeling she had about the landscape. I loved being able to look at her brushstrokes - which are barely visible, and the way she was able to make shapes that have such round, sensuous shapes out of very rugged country.

It was raining on and off, so I wasn't able to get too many photo's - this one of the red rock cliff is from a bit further up the road. The sun kept going in and out of the cloud's and changing the light. It was a truly awe inspiring scene. (You may get sick of me using that phrase!)

O'Keefe's New Mexico

2010-04-01T17:21:00.000-04:00

I was able to spend a week in Northern New Mexico, with my husband, my favorite traveling companion. We flew into Albuquerque, and drove to Santa Fe, and Taos. Georgia O'Keefe's work had been shown at the Clark Art Institute last summer, and I fell in love with her work. So our goal was to go to the O'Keefe Museum, and tour the houses where she lived.

We stayed at a little B & B in Albuquerque and acclimated to the altitude. At first, the local scenery didn't appeal to me - the main impression was of very dry, yellow/gray everywhere. Then, the colors of the desert started to make themselves known. I appreciated the subtly of the sage, straw, pinion and juniper. And the sky was so HUGE!

Seductive Scarves

2010-03-17T14:15:00.000-04:00

Another dye packed fun week - mostly scarves for sale at a local gift shop. I'm posting a few of my favorites - it's always hard to send them off when I'd rather be wearing them!

Who Does She Think She Is? documentary

2010-03-05T13:54:00.000-05:00

I haven't seen this documentary before, but the trailer already has me fascinated. It's titled "Who Does She Think She Is?" and is about Women Artists who are also mothers. The struggle for studio time, balanced with family and work, the lack of understanding and appreciation for the time it takes to make Art. And of course, the perennial problem for women - to be taken seriously.

I asked my local independent theater, Images, to screen the film, and they will be showing it on April 5, in Williamstown, MA. One of my passions is film, and especially documentaries. I love learning about the way people's live are lived, and how different, and alike, they are from mine.

After I've seen it, I'll post a review. Meanwhile, see if you can get it shown near you - and let followers know your opinion.

12 inch square

2010-03-02T19:52:00.000-05:00

Studio Art Quilt Associates has an auction each year to raise money for the organization. They auction off 12" squares online, and last year they raised over $47,000! I'm planning on submitting a piece and am considering this one, which I've named "Skylight" .

The fabrics are all my own hand dyes, except for the black. It's ready to hang, although I think it would look great in a square, black frame.

Now what?

2010-02-28T20:06:00.001-05:00

I've finished the composition for the last assignment in the Nancy Crow Sets and Variables workshop. I used commercial Kona cotton fabric, and would like to do the next one in hand dyes. The piece is pretty large, although that is hard to tell in the photo. The dark side is meant to be low value, and dark, but here is actually more definition in the real piece.
Now, the part I hate - basting the layers together. It's hard on my back, and I haven't figured out any shortcuts. It's 65" wide by 35" high. I plan to quilt it in a grid pattern, with a dark red thread. It went through many changes from the workshop, and I learned a lot from making it.

FrUstRaTiOn!

2010-02-18T14:58:00.000-05:00

I have been trying to work on the last piece from the Nancy Crow workshop. It has changed a lot, and I've been learning about the motif and the many possibilities. However, I've moved pieces around, changed colors, sizes, shapes, and although I am happy with some aspects of it - I don't feel the composition is coming together. I just don't feel that I know where I'm going with it. Today has been a day where I thought about taking the piece down, giving up on it, and starting over. And questioning whether piecing motifs is even a way I want to work.

Writing this, I can hear advice from others (am I hearing voices?) Same suggestions I would give another artist - work on something else, go for a walk, give yourself an Art day, and then look at it again. Maybe it isn't worth finishing, but it just might look different in a few days. Like most people, I'd really prefer that creating was easy, and I could be brilliant all the time. (Or at least, once in awhile) Everyone would like to feel that way about whatever kind of work they do. But, life isn't easy. Think I've talked myself into another stab at the piece!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T15:47:00.001-05:00

Since today is a day celebrating love, I'm posting a couple of photo's, just to enjoy. The first is a photo of my dog, Romeo, and the second is the cyclamen that my husband gave me for Valentine's Day. The cyclamen is a really deep fushia color, with round variegated leaves. I love them, but never seem to keep them flowering and health for very long. Hope you have a moment where you feel loved today, and every day.

Tokyo Great Quilt Festival 2010

2010-02-08T11:15:00.000-05:00

A friend on the SAQA listserve posted this link to photo's from the Tokyo Great Quilt Festival 2010. The work is truly amazing in it's complexity, and attention to detail. Unfortunately, the slide show doesn't list the artists names or countries. There is a lot of reverse applique, and what seems like inspiration from arpilleros, as well as very intricate piecing, and hand quilting. Take a look and be inspired, amazed...and like me, humbled.

moving motifs

2010-02-04T20:36:00.000-05:00

I put the motifs from the workshop on the wall, and decided I needed to move them around some more. I like the way the motif makes different shapes, which show up when the yellow motif is placed next to another yellow motif, in each of these photo's. Now, I want to play around with the way they interact, make a lot more, and compose them into interesting shapes. Nancy Crow emphasizes the figure/ground relationship. In the bottom photo, the two squares that are side by side -yellow against the brown and black ground - show how effective it can be when it is used effectively.

It also shows how helpful a digital camera can be in the studio. It makes it easy to pick up on what is working, and what isn't. I make prints on a small photo printer, to document my progress. A lot easier than trying to remember if moving a piece has made a difference or not.

Learning from Nancy Crow

2010-01-31T20:49:00.001-05:00

My goal for the Crow workshop was to get a kick start for 2010. After 3 months away from home and the studio, it was overwhelming to remember - how do I do this? Where do I start? What am I supposed to be thinking about? And of course, what makes me think I can do this - with any competency? Nancy taught us to start with a framework: 1. a motif, 2. a couple of variables set for the composition and color - and then, JUST DO IT.

Getting started is the hardest part - then the joy and struggle take over. At one point, I was frozen, feeling overwhelmed with the same thoughts I have in the studio. Nancy told the class - start putting things on the wall, NOW. Once I had some fabrics up on the wall, my anxiety abated, and I could work intuitively. A simple, but invaluable lesson. No more staring at a blank design wall and trying to think everything through. Pick a palette, have a general idea of the composition, and let it flow from there. I'm looking forward to a productive year.

My third workshop with Nancy, and another major growth experience. I'll be processing, and practicing, what I learned.

Susan Shie begins painting a quilt

2010-01-28T23:17:00.000-05:00

The Crow workshop is going great - but I'm too tired to post photo's and write. I promise I will after the workshop ends and I can think again. Meanwhile, I heard from Susan Shie that she is starting a quilt about Haiti. We're both part of a group that is organizing an exhibit about racism. Susan has started her piece, and I think it's a real treat to see her at work. Check it out - http://tinyurl.com/Susan-Shie. I'd like to try it - except for wearing a respirator - hate those things!

Making More Motifs

2010-01-21T19:39:00.000-05:00

I've spent the week preparing for the Nancy Crow workshop at the Fuller Craft Museum by making up motifs. I had started working with the motif below, using my hand dyed fabric. It might have possibilities in the future, but for now, I'm stuck. I love the way the hand dyes add little points of light to the piece, and will come home and dye lots of fabric after the workshop. I'm bringing commercial cottons to the workshop because I don't have the wide range of colors and values in hand dyes yet.
Now, for a motif that I think will work for the workshop. It has to be something fairly easy to piece, because we're supposed to finish a piece every day, and I'm a slow piecer. We were to make up at least 10 in black and white. I like the zig-zag lines - they make interesting shapes and graphic lines.

The zig-zag motif - one black on white, the other white on black. The design wall is white too.

This is the practice piece on the design wall to see how the zig-zag motif worked. I think it has lots of potential. Figuring out how to sew it together will be a challenge...

A little note about the last two posts...

2010-01-08T21:34:00.000-05:00

I'm still learning how to use blogspot...and got my posts out of order. Read the Workshop post, and then look at the photo's - and thanks for your patience as I learn how to do this!

2010-01-08T21:13:00.000-05:00

It's a window opening in a cell in Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin, but I like the shape and the placement in the frame.
A simple arch is always interesting. This one is from Ravenna, Italy, but I always like arches.
These rocks are a fascinating - they're from The Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland. This could be a great motif, but might be too time consuming for the workshop.
I love the positive and negative possibilities in this - and would like to design something that looked like it had lights in some of the windows. I'll post more as the process goes along.

Simple Motifs

2010-01-08T21:02:00.000-05:00

Nancy Crow is giving a workshop titled "Sets and Variations" at the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, MA. I'm taking the workshop, my third with Nancy. Her workshops are always challenging, and it will be a good way to start off the year - working intensely and getting lots of ideas for the rest of the year. The instructions for the class are to bring 10 simple motifs to the workshop, so I've been making them up in black and white fabric. I've been using some photographs for inspiration, and will need to figure out which motif I want to commit to working with for the 5 days of the workshop. Here's a few examples I've used for starting points:

A New Year thought

2010-01-03T11:12:00.000-05:00

Nuala O'Faolain, a well known Irish author, whose memoirs (Are You Somebody? and Almost Home) are fascinating. She also wrote a novel, My Dream of You. A couple of sentences in her novel jumped out at me as good guidelines for a New Years motto.

The main character wants to make major changes in her life, but is overwhelmed at figuring it out. At a funeral, she talks to a priest, who gives her the advice "Do the thing that's less passive. Do the active thing. There's more of the human in that". It is good advice for many different areas of my life - exercising more often, working in the studio (more work, less worry), building friendships, being more actively involved in LIFE. It is the human thing to do - instead of waiting, and letting others make things happen, or waiting and hoping what you want will happen. We all make some kind of resolutions at this time of year - sometimes letting others know about them, and sometimes just hoping they work out. I'm going to keep these words in my head, and put them up on the studio wall and make the change to be more active.

O Holy Night by Eve Brown-Waite

2009-12-25T20:36:00.000-05:00

My friend, Eve Brown-Waite is a talented writer, with a sweet heart, and terrific sense of humor. I wanted to pass on the link to a post from Eve's blog. It's about a special experience, shared with her daughter, that doesn't come very often, but when it does, it lifts your heart and spirits. Here's the link Eve Brown-Waite.

Her book about being in the Peace Corps is also a great read.

Newgrange radio spot

2009-12-23T11:40:00.000-05:00

The Irish radio station, RTE1 has a segment written by a tour guide at Newgrange that says just what I wish I could have said about Newgrange. The segment starts at about 48 minutes into it, and you can fast forward to that if you don't have time to listen to the whole thing. The writer, Vonna Groake, is a tour guide and really captures the magic and mystery of the place, and the people who built it.

Go to the site, and click on latest show. If you're reading this after Dec. 26th, you'll need to find the show from Dec. 20th. Here's the link: Newgrange by Vonna Groake.

With the solstice being just passed, it's a perfect way to celebrate that we are going into the light!

Touching 5000 years of life

2009-12-06T12:17:00.001-05:00

I visited Bru na Boinne in County Meath, Ireland on Friday. It is the site of several Neolithic tombs, and I was able to go into Newgrange with a tour. It is the best known Irish passage tomb. Archeologists have dated it from 3,000 BC. Older than the pyramids and Stonehenge. It was designed so that on the Winter Solstice, the sun would come in through a small window box over the entry, down a long, very narrow passage way, and shine onto a Basin stone. The stone held the remains of people, and it is believed that they were the most revered in their community.

The stones have designs carved into them that have influenced art - for 5000 years. No one knows what the marks mean, but they are also found in other communities across Spain and Portugal.

Standing in the interior space of Newgrange, seeing the markings, the amazing corbeled central ceiling, and knowing that it was designed to have the sun line up perfectly for a few days of the year was very moving. I put my palms on many of the stones, and felt the same stones that people moved, 5,000 years ago, and touched by many since then. I thought of the desire we all have to be remembered in some way - by creating art, writing, changing society, or even through everyday kindnesses. The people who built this tomb had the same desire to create, to find meaning in their lives, a connection to the greater world through the path of the sun and seasons.

The urge to leave something of ourselves, to find meaning in our lives and world, is a difficult urge to satisfy. It was a powerful experience to be in the same room as 5,000 years of humanity.

Alliance for American Quilts

2009-11-29T18:33:00.000-05:00

I was interviewed a while back by Karen Musgrave, for the Alliance for American Quilts, after the exhibit "President Obama: A Celebration in Art Quilts". My "Lift Every Voice and Sing" quilt is the subject of the interview.

The Alliance is saving quilters stories, so our history can be recorded.

My interview is only one of many, many interviews from a wide variety of people. Take a look at the Alliance for American Quilts, and if you'd like to be interviewed, contact them. We all have stories to tell.

trees and eyes

2009-11-27T12:25:00.000-05:00

These "eyes" are from a tree in the neighborhood. I'm imagining them printed on fabric in all different sizes - they are so obviously tree knots, but seem so expressive. A possible future piece when I return to my studio.

Happy Thanksgiving to anyone reading this! I'm thankful for YOU.

Half a bike

2009-11-19T17:29:00.000-05:00

The clouds were pouring over the mountains, and there was half a bike showing from the shed. The perspective was flattened due to the light. I like that it almost seems like it's a stage set. Made on the Dingle peninsula, Ireland.

Shadowheads

2009-11-19T14:17:00.000-05:00

Aren't those great shadows? I loved the shadows all lined up, looking scraggly. The photo was made in Howth, Ireland.

leaf shapes

2009-11-14T17:33:00.000-05:00

When I'm thinking of shapes to use in my work, I often end up thinking of the shapes of leaves. Sometimes I walk around my yard, other times I look thru my photo's to remind myself of the wonderful diversity in leaf and flower shapes. These are photo's of leaves that I took in the small yard in the apartment complex we're renting in Dublin. Between the colors and shapes, there are

so many options. My favorite leaf is the gingko - but I haven't seen one in Dublin. I'm looking forward to going home and seeing the gingko tree that we planted this summer. I keep some pressed gingko leaves in my studio - they're like a touchstone for me.

If anyone knows what the name of the plant in the first photo with the big white spray of flowers, please let me know! It's very striking - and may not grow in my yard at home, but I'd love to know what it is! Thanks in advance for any help.

Fear and Ferris Wheels

2009-11-02T16:23:00.000-05:00

Next to the Belfast City Hall is a huge Ferris Wheel, and on Halloween, they had it lit up with fluorescent colors. It looked fabulous! After taking a few photo's with the almost full moon showing through the spokes, I asked my husband if he thought we should go on it. He was happy to do it so we walked around the block and bought the tickets.

It wasn't until we were in the slightly swinging cab that I told him I was terrified of ferris wheels. After 26 years of marriage, he knew I didn't like heights, but he didn't know how scared I was to go up in a Ferris Wheel. As we started going up, I had to fight the feelings of vomiting or well...you know. I kept talking - about looking out instead of down, noting the landmarks and how pretty the city looked and how much higher we were than the City Hall building - which is pretty high! As we came back to the platform, I felt I could breathe again and was ready to get off and feel very proud of myself for facing my fear. Then...the wheel kept turning. The second time was almost as bad and I started worrying about them letting us off. I still felt sick to my stomach, and was only able to control my feelings by reminding myself that I did it once, and could do it the second time.

They ended up having us go around four times! Yes, it was a little easier by the fourth time. I can't say that I enjoyed it at all, but I did feel that I had done something that was very hard for me. There aren't many times when I have the option of doing something new, that is very difficult. Just a fact of age and experience. But I thought of how long it had been since I had done something that was a challenge for me. Doing something that fills you with anxiety and/or fear is a good thing to do on occasion. Challenging myself not to become complacent in my life, my art, or relationships is a way to be sure that I will spend each day knowing I am alive, growing and gaining new perspectives. It's just a Ferris Wheel to some people, but to me, it was an electric jolt!

2009-11-02T16:17:00.000-05:00

The Knitting and Stitching Show was held at the RDS last weekend. I went on Thursday, and it was packed!There were loads of vendors, with the majority being related to embroidery. There were gallery type set ups with art quilters, and the most creative embroiderers. They had some of the Prize Winners from the Festival of Quilts Show in Birmingham, England.

I'm posting a few photo's of the art quilts: First is Pearl Essence, by Laura Kemshall. The award was for the Quilters Guild Challenge. It's a lovely portrait using hand dyes, discharged and painted fabric, with very elaborate machine stitching. Laura has captured this woman so well, and it is a very dramatic portrait.
The second photo is Pearls Are Not Always White, by Sheena Norquay. It is beige, and subtle pastels. The photo doesn't do it justice due to the lighting in the RDS, but you get the idea of the delicacy of the colors.
The next photo is the Prize winner for the Art Quilts category: Mother Earth, by Helen Godden of Australia. It looks like it was hand dyed/painted and discharge, with the composition planned in advance, and then thread was used to draw the details. A very striking image, that just glows off the wall!

2009-10-27T13:08:00.000-04:00

I feel blessed to be an extremely visual person. It wasn't always easy in educational settings, because I always had to see and read something to understand it. But it's a great way to never be bored!

A sprained ankle has me taking it very slow, and limiting my use of a sewing machine. I needed to get out to feel the air and be a part of the world for a little while, and hoped that a short walk would encourage healing.

I took my pocket camera with me, and sure enough, found things to get me excited - visual candy!

Being a visual person, and artist, means that the world is always offering you stimulation. I love that I can compose in a camera, and then think about what I can do with the idea I grabbed out of my brief walk. The bark of a tree can be an idea for painting fabric, and then there's discharging to get the luminosity reflected from leaves. Or the lines of granite stones with green moss providing texture - could be done through piecing hand dyed fabric, or painting...so many possibilities to consider. Even when I'm procrastinating - and I'm really good at that, I know that all I have to do is walk out the door for more ideas, and energy.

It is a grey day in Dublin, so everything was very subtly lit. The photo of the shadows on the bridge was supposed to be uploaded for another posting about design, but got left behind. Love the lines across that bridge!

The stones made me think of the work of Jeanne Williamson, an Art Quilter. She uses Orange construction material and fabric, paint and stitching. Her work is dramatic, and graphically complex. Jeanne has a show opening soon in Providence, RI. I won't be able to go, but if you do, please, let me know!

2009-10-25T15:57:00.000-04:00

Lynn Kenny was the speaker at the Irish Patchwork Society meeting in Dublin, on Saturday. Lynn is a professional artist from Killaloe, in County Clare, Ireland. She uses paper, paint, fabric and stitching in a very distinct style.

Lynn has lots of birds in her work, but I admired her abstracts most of all. She starts with a page from a magazine or catalogue, adds some tissue paper, puts PVA glue over the whole thing, and when dry, adds acrylic paints. She then layers fabrics and threads which add depth and texture. She said that she never knows what will come through the tissue paper - sometimes faces, sometimes words, or partial objects, but she lets the piece lead her where it wants to go. I really liked the depth and complexity of her pieces. Take a look, and see if they inspire you.

Finding design ideas

2009-10-21T16:23:00.000-04:00

Traveling gives me so much inspiration because everything feels new. I'm using my camera as a sketchbook, and plan to use some of these photo's for inspiration when I get back to my studio.

The white Dahlia is a wonderful possibility for quilting a whole cloth quilt, or using the photo multiple times on a piece. The cabbage is gorgeous color. The shapes of the leaves, with all their different sizes and ruffled edges make it so voluptuous.

The shadows on the wooden bridge could be a design in black and white, or many colors - the lines and shapes are already an interesting place to start. Both the stone wall, and the rocks, are good possibilities for positive and negative shaped designs. They stand up as designs whichever way they are turned.

How does traveling inspire you?

The Fuschia of Ireland

2009-10-21T16:13:00.000-04:00

In Ireland, the Fuschia plant is a shrub. The flower looks like the hanging fuschia flower plants we buy and try to baby through the summer. In Ireland, the plant is a shrub, that needs to be pruned back every year, or it can grow to 10 feet! I'm posting a photo of the flower, the shrub, and a hedge of fuschia's. In the landscape photo from the Dingle Peninsula, there is a couple walking along a path with a row of red plants - they are actually a hedge of fuschia's. They just glow in the sunlight.

Ireland has a mild climate and is in the Zones 7-10 according to Wikipedia. It's a great place to garden, or visit gardens.

2009-10-10T06:26:00.000-04:00

The colors in the photographs of the mosaic don't show the depth of color as I experienced them.

Might have been having an out of body experience, but if so, it was with 100 other people!

I've been thinking about why these mosaics are such masterpieces, and at this point, I think it is because of their depth of color and complexity of design. The whole composition is so richly textured and patterned that they are a feast for the eyes. I've been looking at other artists work to see if I can get a better understanding of how to accomplish this level of richness (someday in the future). Pamela Allen, an art quilter, does similarly beautiful and interesting work, with lots of detail and embellishment. Nancy Crow, uses a rich palette of color as well, and many of her art quilts glow as the mosaics do. Lino Tagliapietra is an Italian glass blower who also has complex shapes, designs, and very rich color in his pieces. All are masters, creating masterpieces, and it is the richness of their work that is teaching me what raises their work from the GOOD to the GREAT.

Ravenna, Italy Mosaics

2009-10-07T15:17:00.000-04:00

I recently visited Ravenna, Italy, where there are masterpieces of mosaics from the 4th century and up. They were a real surprise to me because they were so fresh in design, color and lines. Many are from the Byzantine age, so they are completely full of texture. There are 8 World Heritage sites in the city of Ravenna, with 6 of them being sites that are decorated in mosaics. It was a very inspiring visit, and reinforces the thought that nothing is new in Art. The density of color and complexity of design exemplify the more is more concept. The glass pieces are 1 cm. and smaller!

The photo showing the 3 floors and ceiling is from S. Vitale, the best known of the mosaic sites. The glass pieces that make up the mosaics are placed at slightly different angles, so they catch the light, and are very reflective, even after 1500 years.

Gold was often used for it's reflective quality, but doesn't

show up well in the photo's. You'll just have to go!

Just Be - guest blogger Morna McEver Golletz

2009-09-02T18:41:00.000-04:00

A portion of a recent e-zine - The Professional Quilter - resonated with me. I've received the magazine for about 5 years, and always learn from it. This recent message was a different one, and something I wanted to pass on.

"When I go to my local yoga studio, Follow Your Heart Yoga in Germantown, Md., I see a tile hanging by the door. It says Just Be! I've seen it for years now and never really gave it a lot of thought. What does it mean to "just be"? On one level it means to be present in the moment, without distraction, still. And, that's probably what we're supposed to consider when we see the tile and begin our practice in the studio. But who is it that you want to be?

I don't know if you are familiar with the Be-Do-Have principle. I think I first heard of it years ago, probably on a Tony Robbins audio program. It got a lot of play recently with the movie The Secret and the Law of Attraction principle. Early on most of us learn that if we do whatever, we will have whatever and then we'll be whatever. That's DO-HAVE-BE; it really should be BE-DO-HAVE. You first need to figure out what kind of person you want to be. Being is how you create the life that you want.

This past Sunday my husband and I went to church in Connecticut, and, in her sermon, the deacon asked, "Who Are You?" Most of us say, "I'm a wife, a mom, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a quilter, a writer, a cook, etc." But who are we really and who do we want to be? It can take some listening to figure it out.

Spend some time thinking about who you are and who you want to be. For me, I want to be a person of integrity, filled with joy and gratitude. I want to be generous and open and spirited. Since I know the person I want to be, it makes it easier for me to do things in accord with that. My actions are based on who I want to "be" and what a person of that "being" would do.

So, who do you want to be? You need to listen to your inner voice to find out. And, to do that you need to Just Be!

Here are two quotes on being that I like:

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.
e.e. cummings

I think of life itself now as a wonderful play that I've written for myself, and so my purpose is to have the utmost fun playing my part.
Shirley MacLaine"

Morna McEver Golletz is the editor and publisher of The Professional Quilter, a business journal for serious quilters. You can learn more about Morna and The Professional Quilter at www.professionalquilter.com. You can also sign up for her free e-zine filled with tips, tools and techniques to grow your quilt business.

tie-dyed scarves

2009-08-27T23:35:00.000-04:00

Dyeing scarves is like playing with color. I scrunch, tie, clamp, twist or just put them in a baggie and squeeze. Mixing colors and seeing how the different effects end up is always a surprise and delight. Before delivering the scarves to the gift shop that sells them, I photograph them and enjoy the photo's too. Here's a few from recent dyeing.

Ochre/Blue at the Brush Art Gallery in Lowell, MA

2009-08-03T12:36:00.000-04:00

The Brush Art Gallery opening reception is Saturday night, August 8, from 3-5 pm. The juried exhibition was organized by Eileen Byrne, and jurors are Sylvia Einstein and Judy Becker. This is the first time I have entered this exhibition, and I am looking forward to being a part of the opening. I feel that I get a good pat on the back when I attend an opening reception, and hear positive comments on my work. There's lots to do this weekend in Lowell, so come if you want to see the latest in art quilts, as well as traditional quilts. Let's hope the weather holds out. http://www.thebrush.org/exhibitions.htm