How long did it take you to make that?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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"