Summer camp!

Have not posted in awhile, so I thought I would show progress on my little restaurant guy.  Still tweaking, but he's getting there. 

I have been working on finishing some art quilts.  It feels great to get them quilted, and bound.  Then I have to come up with a title, which I sometimes struggle with.

Jane Dunnewold has opened a Creative Strength training summer camp on Facebook.  I joined, and the first prompt was about using sticks.  I hate picking up sticks, but I did (several wheelbarrows full) and I decided to make a quick study using some scraps that have misty fuse on the back.  Wanted to focus on negative space and layer several 'sticks' on top of each other like the ones I pick up and throw on the burn pile. 
Here's step one: 

I chose a brown for the background, then when I add the 'air' shapes, the twigs look brown. 
Step two:

Really, a continuation of step one.  These look better from a distance, or when squinting your eyes.

Step 3:  Layering and adding a new color.

And step 4:  Need to know when to stop!

I like this, but wish I could add layers without covering so much of what is beneath.  Anyway, it was a fun and quick process, and I enjoyed it.  I was rebellious and didn't follow the directions to make a sculpture of actual sticks, but having handled so many sticks yesterday, I wanted to work with FABRIC sticks today!  Thank you Jane, for the fun challenge!!

Update

It's been awhile since I posted any work here.  Have been super busy with classes, business, family, etc.  Thought I would post my partial progress on a figure I am making.  I sneaked some photos of a man who was reading the newspaper in a restaurant in Eureka Springs, Arkansas last fall.  Here is my project so far. 

I'm trying to get in all the large shapes first before getting into too much detail.  He is hoping for a name and a face today.  We'll see.  It's a gorgeous day in central Florida, and hubby wants us to pull weeds today.  Might have to squeeze in both jobs. 
Here is the photo:

As you can see, I've simplified, and am using a different color scheme.  The colors were appropriated from a Mary Cassatt print.  I am using much more black than she did.  I'm doing this piece as an assignment with my Art quilt class students.  (I always do the assignments that I give)  Will tweak and continue and post again when he is more complete.  It's a start!

Back at Camp!

Having a terrific time this week and next, with some sweet teenage girls at a residential camp nearby.  I was invited to help them learn quilting.  We are working on Gees Bend style, simple improvisational quilts, using a pillow turn method and tying to finish.  Here are some photos of our progress and materials and tools.  I am getting tickled watching them get so excited about these pieces.  It is so fulfilling to watch them learn and create with pride.  They have lots of donated fabrics to work with.

This is part of one camper's choices.  Her goal is to make a large, bed size quilt for her grandmother.  This will not be finished at the end of next week!
We also have sewing machines to use, both new and old.  Guess which ones have the fewest problems?

Some of the girls are total beginners to sewing.  It's a joy to watch them find success at a new skill!!

 And to see the pride in their achievements!!  The camper below lucked out and found some already pieced flying geese units in the fabric pile, but she pieced the entire top section herself.

The quilt below was freshly 'hatched' just before this photo was taken.  The girls are working hard, learning useful skills, and having fun!  And so am I.

Dinner @ Eight acceptance!!!!

My entry, Fiberarts Compulsion, has been accepted into the Dinner@Eight exhibit for the Houston IQF show this fall.  I am thrilled to be among some truly skilled, rockstar artists in this group.  The theme this year is Affinity.  Something you are drawn to, have strong feelings for.  I decided to focus on designing art quilts, which is my current obsession.

I chose a split complementary color scheme of yellow-orange, blue and violet.  I used an old iron as a reference, and designed a portrait, landscape and still life in progress on my design wall and ironing board.  As you can see in the detail shot, I quilted it with words, thinking of things I have an affinity for.  As I was quilting, I kept singing, "These are a few of my favorite things" from the Sound of Music.

I love the choice of theme, and can't wait to hear what next year's theme will be!

Excitement in the Air!

Just finished some wonderful fiber related experiences. 

1. Got to attend the SAQA regional conference, Studio to Gallery, and 2. see the opening of an exhibit, Southern Accents, in the Ruth Funk Textile Museum in Melbourne, FL.  3. Had fun reconnecting with many fiber friends (always great!)

 From there, I went on to Cocoa Beach, and  4. got to spend some impromptu reconnect time with another fiber buddy, Midge, who lives and has a studio there.  We wanted to fish in the ocean, but the conditions weren't just right, so  5. played with fabric collage instead.  It was wonderful.  AND, 6. we took a field trip to a terrific Art studio in Melbourne, called Art More Place.  7. I was invited to take some photos of the great explorations going on there in a Tracy Verdugo class. 

 Students going out in front for a group photo.  Front and center is Sherri O, the owner of AMP.

                                            It's a large, colorful, inspiring place to create!

When I returned home, I gathered some of my small Art quilts, and  8. headed to the Florida Craft Art Gallery in St Petersburg.  The Gallery director, Liz, selected 12 of my pieces to be sold in the retail area of the gallery !!  I am honored to have work in this venue!  Which gave me courage to 9. approach another gallery in a different metropolitan area of Florida!!  Fingers crossed on that one. 

AND, 10. I am in the process of scheduling a two day Art quilting workshop at the Life Enrichment Center in Tampa in July.  This is thanks to another fiber friend who recommended me.  All very exciting growth experiences for me.  I so appreciate the friendships that are helping to create all this wonderful karma!

Hybirds

I recently made a small quilt to donate to an auction for an international Art quilt group called SAQA - Studio Art Quilt Associates.  I had just come from a retreat, where people had shared some of their fabrics.  I challenged myself to use these fabrics for my 12" square auction quilt.  It was a very mixed bag of prints, including a navy with white scissors, and a navy with white bicycles.  And some beautiful feather print with gold details.  I decided on birds, and was able to make it all work together, I think.  Here is the finished, hand quilted piece:

I thought later, that I should have made a more beautiful, subtle, generic quilt that would appeal to more people, but maybe some quirky person will enjoy it.  I hope so.
To see many more SAQA Auction quilts, go to:   http://www.saqa.com/memberArt.php?ID=3325

Local exhibit - April 2015

My students from the recent City of Inverness Art Quilt class are exhibiting some of our finished work in the Lakes Region Library, Inverness, FL.  I will go tomorrow to set up the exhibit.  We are showing 12 pieces - landscapes, still lifes, portraits, room interiors.  Come and see them if you are in the area!! 

 Gotta Dance! by Marsha Millich    All hand applique and hand quilting!

Still Life by Judy Doten   Again all hand applique and hand quilting.  I'm a proud teacher!!!