Sacred Threads

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

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

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

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

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

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?

     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.