Surface Design Association's Confluence Conference Highlights

Jason Pollen, the SDA guru and inspirational leader for so many years, stepped down from his leadership role this past year. His exhibit at the Confluence conference was another play on combining diverse materials with textiles.

This year, due to health issues, he had time to ponder a nearby fence. He thought his usual mantra- "What IF- I used wood with my textiles"? So he did! The result was the exhibit, Sentinels, opening this past weekend.

A row of wooden and textile objects line up, side by side, on one side of the wall. To stand guard?

 I got the feeling they were watchers. Looking at us while we gazed first at the cleverness, unity of color and design and the absolute creativity of Jason. Watching as we looked closer and closer to see how the designs were executed. The innovative use of materials. Even discussion on what they were actually made of.

Jason was on hand to describe his inspirations and materials.
The well deserved responses of 'ohh' and 'ahh' were heard among the explanations and musings of the
watched.

more info here

What do I want out of a workshop?

What touches me about teaching is
The power slowly stirring the spirits of the
Participants.
The class unites for a brief day or more, sharing
Space
Sharing inspiration,
Sharing food, candy, lunch.
A little at a time, I hear their story.
How they perceive, what they 'do',
If they've written, if they are unsure
In their artists shoes.
Soul stories. Smiles.
Their stories move me. Make me cry, cheer,
Laugh and even sing.
I have been a part of them now and they
A part of each other.
What do I want out of a workshop?
To leave changed.
I have!

Adding Images of your own work to your new work

I've been away at the wonderful SDA conference. I'm teaching Mix It Up- Mixed Media Collage. We're using all sorts of fiber and paper. On my supply list, I suggested bringing print-outs of one's work. These could be images of your whole piece, detail shots or even pix of painted fabric. 
It's a great way to add personal touches to collage. And a terrific way to use the design element of repetition. 
You can also scan parts of your work, change the scale and create print-outs in different colors or even black and white. 
Cool tool!

Journal Pages, Thinking in Ovals #10

 Time always goes by

up and down

happy or not

it wings forward

taking us along

Namaste

Journal Pages, Thinking in Ovals #9

 waiting and wondering

sky and clouds part

for brief veiws

time going short

you appear

Namaste

Fiber Revolution's NEW Exhibit! Morristown Museum, NJ

This will be the my first exhibit with Fiber Revolution. I am proud to be included. My work Flown will be shown for the second time. It was exhibited in Feb, at my solo show, Dancing with the Light in Portsmouth, NH. More information HERE.

Statement

Dig-it-al!!  Digital Fiber Constructions

       I enjoy photography and the creative processes now afforded by contemporary 

Digital technology. My fascination with photography is finding expression by printing  

 manipulated original photographs directly onto various 

substrates, and specially treated natural fibers. Images are printed with an Epson 

printer to create unique photographic stitched textural constructions. I call this 

work, Digital Fiber. 

My new work continues the creative process in Photoshop by changing 

the actual image, layering and digitally fusing with photographs of my painted 

cloth. When I finish composing an image. I decide on presentation, 

such as a whole cloth photo-art quilt, or divided into multiple images as for my latest 

work or collaged into mixed media art. 

I print the completed photos onto heavy canvas. I either size the work in 

Photoshop and print or I print cutting the resulting photo into sections. These 

are mounted onto heavy stabilizer, felt, or interfacing. Stitched or quilted, leaving the 

edges remain unbound. I seal the edges with gel medium to secure the loose 

threads and finish with a touch of accent paint on the edges. I finish the top with a 

protective UV medium. 

Only after all of this is dried, do I assemble the work using a simple bookbinding method, 

using artist dyed pearl cotton or wax linen threads. 

Beautiful Thoughts

"A friend is one whom one may pour out all the contents of one's heart; chaff and grain alike, knowing that the gentlest of hands will keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away."~ Arab Proverb

Fabulous Fiber at York Art Association in Maine

This Friday I had the honor of judging a fiber art show in York, ME at the lovely York Art Association Gallery. One of the things that struck me about this exhibit was it's versatility in form and content. You have to go to the exhibit, open until June 26th, to see what I mean!

Warning: This Exhibit is Not What You Might Expect!

Fabulous Fiber is the 2^nd annual fiber arts show hosted by York Art Association. This juried show was open to members, and non-members alike. Submissions need to have been completed in the last three years, and fall under the categories of: quilts, rug hooking, weaving, wearable art, fabric painting and soft sculpture. 

The show will be judged by nationally recognized fiber artist Wen Redmond. Redmond is a mixed media fiber artist, and longtime member of League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, as well as Studio Art Quilt Associates, and Surface Design Association. Redmond will present a gallery talk at York Art Association on Thursday, June 23rd at 6:30 p.m. entitled: “Fiber Art ---Breaking the Barriers of Traditional Quilt Making and Entering the Realm of Art.”  

As part of the Fabulous Fiber show, members of the Seacoast Association of Fiber Artists will be exhibiting a Slice Quilt. SAFA consists of ten fiber artists from Maine and New Hampshire. Last year SAFA divided into two groups, and each group completed a Slice Quilt. Members of each group were given a section of a seascape photograph and asked to duplicate the image in fiber. The artists were also told to keep the horizon line consistent. 

Fantasic Fab Painting Fabric Fun

I'm having no time for any lull after attending the QN opening. I'm packing for my Media Mix! Mixed Media Collage Class! I leave for the SDA conference on the 8th.

Dance detail
AND just a reminder- I will be teaching locally, in MA,in August 26-28, at Pro Chem. Fantasic Fab Painting Fabric Fun!

http://www.prochemicalanddye.com/home.php?cat=293

This class teaches the basic's and use of a variety of paints and techniques. It should be a relaxing and yet strangely invigorating workshop.

Workshop: Using a wide variety of tools and tricks, you’ll have lots of fun as you explore the exciting prospect of painting on fabric. Learn lots of techniques to create completely incredible fabric! Each day will focus on surface design techniques, building your fabric with each consecutive skill. The emphasis will be on encouraging creative responses to instruction, cheering serendipity and happy accidents.
“ I do not want exactness in my painted cloth but spontaneous colors- mix and allow development! To be open for the unexpected-changeable like the clouds.”

Notes detail
Something for everyone!

Quilt National 2011 Opening

One of the most revealing impressions I received from attending the opening- besides the energy of so many kindred spirits- was seeing the pieces up close and personal.

Ann Rebele

Pieces in a book, however beautifully photographed lose texture, and in many cases color. My work lost many of the delicate colors in the book that you would see in person. 

Heather Allen & Elin Noble (Heather's work on L, Luanne Rimel R)

Elin Noble's work lost the delicate texture. 

Janet Bass

Leaping Point

If you can, this is a show to see in person! So many folks worked hard to present this fine Fiber Exhibit. The catalog is excellent. But do try to see it when it travels to your area!

Dominie Nash

Susan Shie

Leaping Point and me at QN

Fiber Revolution Members at Quilt National

Fiber Revolution Members- Benedicte Caneill, Cindy Friedman, Judith Plotner, Wen, Kate Themel, Kevan Rupp Lunny The Fiber Rev's are smiling in front of Alice Beasley's piece.

Judith staring to speak on her work

QN rocks with high energy and high fiber exhibit!

Kate received the Young Emerging Artist's Award!
It was beyond all connecting names with faces and work and meeting folks whose work I've admired for years. And meeting lots of folks for the very first time. 

Each artist spoke a few minutes about her work. This was a very insightful and fulfilling listening experience. You got to see the work, hear the artist's inspirations and feel her energy. Sometimes to the point of tears!

Cindy speaking about her work. More to come on that!!

Kevan speaking on her work 

Kevan's work up close

My first time accepted and just returning. Kathleen Dawson, Quilt National Director, said I missed the Persistance Award by one year!
If you can, by all means go. QN lives up to it's reputation of expanding the art quilt to beyond!!

Journal Pages, Thinking in Ovals #8

 They don't need lighthouses anymore

we have a new way of seeing

radar changes the landscape

change changes

in ways, in waves

are we any different?

Namaste

Busting off to Quilt National!

Off to Quilt National! I’m so excited!  I can’t wait to go and see the show. I’m looking forward to seeing my work exhibited at the Dairy Barn Art Center. It took over 17 years of trying to get in! 

And my piece, Leaping Point, was purchased already by Marvin Fletcher, the former directors husband!

I'll post photos soon so Stay Tuned 

The exhibition catalog can be purchased through the Dairy Barn’s website:http://www.dairybarn.org/shop/proddetail.php?prod=a-books-QuiltNational11&cat=7

SDA exhibits are us!

Touch the Earth will be included.

Textile Center llnk.

One of the TONS of exhibits at the upcoming Surface Design Conference. 

Journal Pages, Thinking in Ovals #7

 It was never about safety.

He came to me then,

folded back his wings.

Hard we worked,

trials and wonderments,

at long last, became one.

Namaste.

Professional Art Quilters Alliance-South juries 3 pieces in!

See, Shrine of the Tree and Flow have all been juried into The Professional Art Quilters Alliance-South (PAQA-South) annual juried exhibition of  innovative quilts: 

ARTQUILTSmovement.  May 20 – July 24, Durham, North Carolina. Only 32 out of 100 quilts were chosen for the movement theme! 

PAQA-South Spring Conference hosts Alyson Stanfield, author of, I’d rather be in the studio! Alyson will present “Shameless Self-Promotion: A No-Excuses Art Marketing Workshop”. Friday, May 20th and Saturday, May 21st, 2011.

Check the PAQA-South website at http://www.artquiltersouth.org/

See detail

Journal Pages, Thinking in Ovals #6

Thinking out loud

gets me in trouble again

editing a skill

learned again

and again

Namaste

Journal Pages, Thinking in Ovals #5

 Chartreuse leaves

strain toward the lightening sky

Spring popping open everywhere

warming my heart

outside I go

Infinity Art Gallery, Virtual Fiber Exhibit

Award Winners:

Artist's artwork shown in image below: 1st row: Founders' Choice ~ Suna No Onna by John Cambre; 2nd row: Director's Choice ~ On the Edge of Darkness by Maggie Dillon, Best in Show ~ Come Join Us by Mirjam Pet-Jacobs, 1st Place ~Lace Portrait- Vass by Whitney Sharpe; 3rd row: Director's Choice ~ Sleeping Beauty by Leslie Song, 2nd Place ~ So Tell Me Again Why We Need All This Stuff Anyway by Trisha Hassler, 3rd Place ~Tree In Half by Helga Schulte-Schroeer

Exhibit Finalists: Catherine Beard ~ Susan Bleiweiss ~ John Cambre ~ cotton-well ~ Cheryl Costley ~ Fenella Davies Zachary Davis ~ Maggie Dillon ~ Jayne Gaskins ~ Trisha Hassler ~ Gretchen Jolles ~ Hanna Leena Sandra Little ~ Gwen Lowery ~ Linda Matthews ~ Dorothy McGuinness ~ Candy Meacham ~ Mary Pal Mirjam Pet-Jacobs ~ Barbara Poole ~ Elaine Quehl ~ Wen Redmond ~ Helga Schulte-Schroeer Whitney Sharpe ~ Mary Ruth Smith ~ Leslie Song ~ Joan Sowada ~ Susan Strickland ~ Tiziana Tateo Grietje van der Veen ~ Carolyn Lee Vehslage ~ Rachel Wright See More Here

SAQA Showcase artists chosen

Jurors Judith Content and Carolyn Ducey have chosen the artists for "SAQA Showcase" to be exhibited at the International Quilt Study Center from July through October 2012.

ARTISTS SELECTED:

Deidre Adams
Michael Cummings
Gay Lasher
Jan Myers-Newbury
Wen Redmond ( Whoopie!)
Susan Shie

I am so pleased and honored!

More to come!

Touch the Earth

 My Piece Touch the Earth has been accepted into Watershed, a surface design fiber art exhibition by Textile Center Members. Textile Center is located in Minneapolis, MN.

Touch the Earth

Statement - I interpreted the Watershed Moment based in the way I construct my art. I am a process person and enjoy not only doing the work; but attaining that flow of unconscious response to mark making. I love learning new ways of expressing.

            Touch the Earth is an example of my new collage method, offered as a workshop, called  Serendipitous Collage!  
Recently published in Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine this past winter, I combine paper, fabric and all sorts of items to create a unique  one of a kind collages. It is a green way of working!  Revelation!

detail

Journal Pages, Thinking in Ovals #4

Creating a journal

drawing on crisp pages

painting paste papers

texture

excitement in the making

Namaste

OPEN STUDIOS !!!

OPEN STUDIOS !!!                                   Visit Wen's Studio #336!

Twice a year, the Saturday before Mothers' Day in May and the Saturday and Sunday before Thanksgiving, the artists of the Salmon Falls Mills open their studios to the public.

• Visit artists studios
• Learn how & why artists do their work
• See artists at work
• Buy art directly from its maker
• Ask as many questions as you want!

Salmon Falls Mills Spring Open Studios
Saturday, May 7, 2011, 10 am-5 pm
The Upper Mill is not handicap accessible.  No dogs please.

directions here

Surface Design Association Conference 2011

Surface Design Association Conference CONFLUENCE is coming closer!
It features pre and post workshops, a conference in the middle and gorgeous fiber exhibits that set your blood racing. Oh! and of course there are tons of venders. This is really fiber heaven. Sadly, I have only gone to 2 others. But this year I will attend and TEACH!!

Dorothy Caldwell 2005 conference 

I  am presenting a workshop MIX IT UP- Media Mix Collage! We will learn about different substrates, ways to create unique collage materials- in both fabric and paper. We will be introduced to a variety of mediums and create tons of samples. Well, not tons, but lots! I include of one of my specialties, a Serendipity Collage technique that is sure to please. It's always a surprise!

Susan Lordi Marker 2007 conference

(Can you tell I'm excited?)

workshop info here
Every night several workshop presenters will show slides. Just in case you're not inspired or stimulated enough. Or you can just chill your smoking brain.
INFO here

Wen Redmond Fiber and Paper Collage
Navigating Awareness
Workshop MIX IT UP! Media Mix
Time is running out!! Hope to see ya's there!

Journal Pages, Thinking in Ovals #3

tired, she closes her eyes.

colors dance in those dark spaces

sending ideas

inspiration waits

racing toward morning 

Namaste.