Windham Textile and History Museum
411 Main St. and at 159 Union St
Willimantic, Ct. 06226

June 11th / 10:00 - 4:00

VENDORS 

Carol Eaton – Hand Dyed & Painted Fabrics - STOP BY AND SAY HELLO!  

MJ Fiber Art – Unique Hand-Dyed & Painted Fabric 

Michele Palmer – Vintage fabrics including Toile,  Barkcloth & Americana. Her books on textiles, which include some of the fabrics she has for sale. Michele will be on hand to sign books and answer your vintage fabric questions. 

Schiller’s Sewing Circle – Sewing & Embroidery Machine Demo’s 

Catherine Whall Smith - Quilt Art
Stitch Chicks - Quilting Fabric and Notions 

Allison Wilbur – Vintage Quilting & Fiber Art Embellishments

DISPLAY HANGINGS (Dugan, Rear - Union St.) 
Catherine Whall Smith – Fiber Art 
CT Studio Art Quilt Association (SAQA)
Spool Quilt Barbara Barber – Hand painted “Mill Girls”

MUSIC 
Heartstrings – Melanie & Mack Johnston, mountain dulcimer, mandolin & guitar 1-2 pm 
Sally Rogers – Folk & Mill Music

DEMONSTRATIONS (Dugan, Rear - Union St.) 
Ongoing:
Schiller’s Sewing Circle – Sewing & Embroidery Machines 
Carol R. Eaton Designs – Designing Fabric for a Quilt 

Scheduled:
12 pm Hand Quilting – Catherine Whall Smith 
1 pm Folk & Mill Music Sally Rogers 
2 pm Printing Images on Fabric – Catherine Smith and Joan Johnson 
3 pm Working with Pre-Cut Fabric Stitch Chicks Quilt Shop

LECTURES in Main Building (second floor) 
11 am - SAQA Trunk Show - Hope Barton 
11:45 am – Modern Quilting - Rita Hannafin 
1:15 pm - Quilt for Change - Allison Wilbur 
2:00 pm - Mill Girls – Barbara Barber 
2:45 pm – Anatomy of Appraisal Lois Palmer, Certified Quilt Appraiser 

Soulful Journey - CT Fiber Arts Collective Exhibit!

CT Fiber Arts Collective opened the Soulful Journey exhibit March 12th but I wasn't able to get to the Windsor Art Center until now. It's an inspirational show with over 30 fiber art pieces on display. The Windsor Art Center was great to work with and they've had strong attendance all month. I encourage you to stop by if you are in the area. The exhibit comes down April 24th. 

CtFAC members: Carol Vinik, Karen Loprete, Mary Lachman, Me, Christina Blais, Linda Martin and Wanda Seldon. Missing from the photo: Rosalind Spann, Antonia Torres & Diane Cadrain

The SAQA CT Chapter held their meeting at Windsor. The group is always so supportive when members have an exhibit. You can see some of the work on the walls behind the crowd. Co-Reps Kelly Caldwell and Christina Blais gave an enthusiastic update on a recent International SAQA conference hosted in Philadelphia. 

I had 2 pieces in the show. The first is Leaf Study I. I started by pressing the leaves onto cotton with thickened dye. Next I over dyed some of the leaves and added Inktense pencils. The individual leaves are lined and attached to 2 layers of organza. The organza provides transparency and is designed to move lightly as the wind blows. 31" X 44" 

The second piece is titled FaceScapes. The design celebrates the diversity of the Connecticut population. Each face is hand dyed wool roving and wet felted into faces. Next I used free motion stitching to give each face a personality. The beads separating each face were made from a map of CT. Background fabric is confetti dyed. 19" X 30" 

The SAQA meeting gives me a unique opportunity to
chat about surface design with other artists!

The SAQA CT Chapter is a warm and welcoming group. Each meeting I learn from other artists and get a better idea about upcoming events - lots of networking and giggles! Have you thought about joining your local SAQA Chapter? 

50' Collaborative Art Quilt Project!

The CT Farmington River Quilt Project is made up of 25 quilt sections created by 25 different art quilters! When displayed together the installation will be 50' long! The premier exhibition will be April 23rd & 24th at the Winchester Center Congregational Church annual Quilt and Needle Arts Show. At the close of the show the installation will be donated to the Farmington River Coordinating Committee located in Squire's Tavern, Barkhamsted, CT. 

The enormous project was spearheaded by MaryPat Leger. She assigned each artist a specific section of the river and provided a map for where each river would intersect the next creating a continuous river flowing across the full 50'. My section is the Black Bridge Pool. MaryPat supplied the fabric for the river and I hand dyed or painted the rest of the fabrics. I gave this project a lot of thought prior to sketching a design. The Farmington River is a valuable resource shared by wildlife and the local communities. I wasn't sure if I should add people enjoying the river or animals frolicking on the riverbanks... what season should I represent?! My heart told me to create a peaceful scene which would allow the viewer to think about the serenity and joy the river brings to them individually. The goal of the project is to heighten awareness of both cultural and environmental forces that affect the river... so, in the end I left out people and animals with the hopes that the viewer focuses on the river and how they can best advocate on behalf of it's needs. 

Please come to the exhibition to see the installation and perhaps learn more about the Farmington River Coordinating Committees efforts!  

Black Bridge Pool - Detail

Black Bridge Pool
24" X 21"

Please "like" the FRCC Facebook page to keep up with the latest efforts to 

maintain a healthy river environment! 

Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective + Romare Bearden =A Fabulous Exhibition!

Christina Blais, Mary Lachman, Karen Loprete, Wanda Seldon
Carol Vinick, Guest Poet - Kate Rushin, Antonia Torres, Linda Martin
Carol R. Eaton and Rosalind Spann

The Hartford Public Library hosted a reception for the Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective this past Saturday! Kudos to the library staff for organizing such a well planned event especially Brenda Miller and Jeffery Mainville. As an added bonus attendees were delighted with a reading by famed poet Kate Rushin.

The exhibition was inspired by artist Romare Bearden who became active in the Harlem Arts Guild during the 1930's. Bearden was a prolific artist who worked in New York City as a social worker devoting nights and weekends to his art. Over his lifetime Bearden experimented with many mediums and is best known for his textured collages. The Collective paid homage to Bearden's commitment to civil rights and his contributions to the jazz and art communities. 

Poet, Kate Rushin reading from her book, The Black Back-Ups 

The reception was well attended ~ thank you HPL!

CtFAC member Rosalind Spann addressing the audience. Rosalind was the wind beneath our wings to get this project off the ground!

Attendees enjoying the art work!

CtFAC member Wanda Seldon with her darling daughter!

How fun to chat with the visitors!

We're giving a shout out to Ruth Ann Olson who wasn't able to attend!
Rosalind Spann, Barb Adams, Kate Themel, Antonia Torres and me

My nephew Dane and his girlfriend Maggie dropped in to say hi!

Look - my sweet sister came to show her support (OXOX)

So much positive energy!
Mary Lachman, me, Ed Johnetta Miller, Christina Blais, Linda Martin, 
Jeffery Mainville, Karen Loprete, Carol Vinick, Antonia Torres and Rosalind Spann

Take 5 - Honoring Romare Bearden

The Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective opens, ART, HISTORY AND SOCIAL ACTIVISM:  CtFAC HONORS ROMARE BEARDEN at the Hartford Public Library December 17th through March 13th. The third floor exhibition pays homage to Bearden's focus on African-American jazz and civil rights issues. The collective produced some striking work in textiles, fiber and mixed-media celebrating and recognizing one of the greatest visual artists of the 20th century. 

I created a piece titled, Take 5 that was inspired by Bearden's love of jazz and collage work.

The background fabric was created using the screen collage technique. It's very freeing and fun to splash the color across the surface. The applique symbolizes the music that was dancing around in my head. It is sometimes big and bold and other times fractures and drifts away. I hope you have a chance to stop by to view all the fabulous work done by the collective! 

A special reception will be held on January 17, 1:00 - 3:00 on the third floor of the library. 

Hartford Public Library

500 Main Street

Hartford, CT

More Shawls and Scarves!

I've got a lot going on in my own little slice of the world but I did manage to work on more shawls and scarves for an upcoming exhibition. Surface Design Association's Connecticut chapter will be hosting, Fantastic Fibers; Art to Give ~ Art to Wear at the Mark Twain Library in Redding, CT October 7 - November 15th. 

There are two phases to this exhibition; first the art work will be displayed in the library beginning October 7th and secondly the artists will be hosting a trunk show on November 15th offering unique art work for sale... just in time for holiday shopping don't you think! 

The Surface Design Association is comprised of many types of fiber arts: weavers, felters, fabric artists and more. I hope you'll have an opportunity to stop by throughout the exhibit and especially to say hi on the 15th! 

Open Studio!

Our team is busy getting our "pop up" studio ready for the upcoming Bridgeport Art Trail event! Please stop by The Nest Factory, 1720 Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport - November 8th, 9th and 10th!

We will offer a variety of art work for sale!

fiber art

mixed media

jewelry

felted items

hand crafted fabric by the yard

and more!

Meet the Artists:
Deirdre Abbotts, Pam Poling, Kendall Storm, Karen Loprete
Mary Lachman,  Carol R Eaton and Mayann Weinburg

Karen Loprete, Pam Poling, Deirdre Abbotts and Mary Lachman are hard at work!

Deirdre and Mary clean every corner!

Mayann Weinburg makes the place sparkle!

Next we load up the studio with beautiful art and open our doors... see you there!

Awesome Technique!

Most of you know I am curating a traveling exhibit, Color Wheel of Emotions which opens in August. I created a Facebook page dedicated to bringing the readers into the world of the artists by sharing interviews, tips and techniques. Recently I shared Peggy Brown's unique approach and it's just so cool that I wanted to share with you as well! Please feel free to go to the Facebook page to read more and view the artists stunning artwork... it's a treat!



Changing Colors III

 

Peggy Brown Shares Her Techniques for Combining Mediums! 

I want to thank Peggy for sharing her techniques with us. The end results are beautiful and with her fearless approach perhaps other artists will venture into the arena of combining mediums for unexpected results!  

PB: The materials used to create “Changing Colors III” include archival tissue paper, cotton flannel, a few pieces of silver leaf and  interfacing - all painted with transparent watercolor paint. The darker pieces which compose the center of interest are digital transfers which I fused to the painted background and edged with hand embroidered blanket stitch.  The image in the transfers (which in this case is mostly just textured color) was cropped from one of my watercolor paintings (on paper) using Photoshop to crop and print on treated fabric.

The process: I started with the three orangeish paper sections. I tore pieces of archival tissue paper, placed them on a painting support board, and sprayed them with water until wet thru. Next I painted them with watercolor and let everything dry flat on the support board. The paper and paint worked together to make various textures and the pigments ran and blended.  I never know how a piece is going to look until it is dry - watercolor does wonderful things when left to be itself!  (Refer to photo of Peggy in her studio in below photo) 

When dry I fused the painted tissue to larger pieces of cotton flannel and repainted everything including the whitish sections. When dry I gave the paper parts a coating of Acrylic Mat Medium. 

The next step in the process included fusing the strips of interfacing you see on the sides of the paper sections. I cannot remember if I painted them first or after they were applied to the flannel but either would work. Then I fused my center of interest - the darker transferred pieces.  Lastly I quilted thru everything. The paper doesn't tear because the mat medium makes it strong. Please visit my website gallery for more examples of my work.

 

Peggy Brown happily creating in her studio!  

 

Please "like" our Facebook page!

 

Color Wheel of Emotions opens at the

 World Quilt Show - New England XII

700 Elm Street, Manchester, NH

August 15 - 18!

 

 

Artist Reception: Botanical Inspirations ~ Capturing Nature in Fiber

We had a lovely day for our artist reception at the Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens in Stamford. Being surrounded by acres of gardens and forests while viewing the nature inspired fiber art was a treat!

The exhibit runs through June and I hope you have an opportunity to visit. Bring a picnic lunch and make a day of it!

As always the artists of the Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective combined efforts to create a beautiful array of refreshments and shared some laughs and stories with our guests.

Antonia Torres, Mary Lachman, Karen Loprete, Ruth Anne Olson, Carol Eaton
Rosalind Spann, Judy Ross and Diane Cadrain

 

The show includes

over 30 pieces of fiber art

and here is just a sample of what you can expect!

 

Autumn Trees
Rosalind Spann

 

Clematis
Carol Vinick

Bird in Blooms by Rosalind Spann
Fall in New England by Carol R. Eaton

Ruth Anne Olson, Karen Loprete and Rosalind Spann discussing the art work

Bartlett Arboretum
Karen Loprete

Winter Red
Antonia Torres



Secrets of the Cabbage Patch
Diane Cadrain

Le Jardin by Mary Lachman
Black Eyed Susan by Carol Vinick

Geranium
Carol R. Eaton

Botanical Inspirations: Capturing Nature in Fiber

The Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens present

Botanical Inspirations: Capturing Nature in Fiber

The Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective is a group of artists dedicated to fiber and mixed media. The exhibition highlights the artists appreciation for nature and inspiration drawn from the Bartlett.

We invite you to meet the artists on June 9, 2013 from 12:00 – 4:00. Bring a friend and join us for a gallery talk, refreshments and tour the beautiful grounds at the Bartlett.

The exhibit runs through the month of June

Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens, 151 Brookdale Road, Stamford, Connecticut

Participating Artists: DianeCadrain, Carol Eaton, Mary Lachman, Karen Loprete, Rosalind Spann, Antonia Torres, and Carol Vinick

December Exhibit: Connecticut Landscapes

I belong to the Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective and we'll be exhibiting "Connecticut Landscapes" at the Prospect Public Library during the month of December. Please stop buy to view the artist's unique interpretation of their Connecticut surroundings using fabric, fiber and found objects.

We hope to see you there!

 

Participating Artists:

Roz Spann, Carol Vinik, Antonia Torres, Carol Eaton, Mary Lachman

 Diane Cadrain and Karen Loprete

 

 

The Holiday Shopping Season has Begun!

My work will be available at the Norfolk Artisans Guild through October 26th!

Is there anyone on your shopping list who would like to receive a vintage gift? I have table runners and pillows made from a combination of vintage and reproduction fabrics for sale! There is also a collection of more contemporary fiber art on display!

Stop by to shop at the Norfolk Artisans Guild, Station Place, Norfolk, CT

with the added bonus of the beautiful fall foliage at peak season!

 

 

Vintage Fabrics Galore!

I've been collecting vintage fabrics for a number of years - I'm not quite sure why but they seem to evoke a connection to the past that I treasure. I was asked to be a guest artisan at the Norfolk Artisan Guild in Norfolk, CT this coming September and October. Although it seems a long way off I know the fall will be here before I know it so I got started on some inventory. I decided to use my vintage fabrics to create table runners and pillows. I also have antique buttons so I added a few here and there. Some fabrics are actual "feed sacks" that I found at the Monroe Historical Society sale. It was hard to cut them but I took a deep breath and went for it!

Vintage Pillows

This is a sweet little bunny hankie

The table runners were fun to create. I didn't exactly have a design in mind and let the amount of fabric available influence the outcome. I supplemented some reproduction fabrics to use as fill or on the backs. I apologize for the photos; its so difficult to take a decent photo of table runners because they are so long and skinny!