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? 

Steeped in Stitches Fiber Art Exhibit - Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective!

Members of the Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective held a Fiber Arts exhibition this weekend at the Phelps-Hatheway House in Suffield, CT.The show took place in conjunction with Suffield town day and there were bands, food, markets and good ole fun! 

The group and friends were even treated to a tea complete with tiny cucumber sandwiches that had their crusts cut off - who knew we could be so fancy! 

The exhibition took place in the very large barn on the property. It was a lovely setting and it's my understanding the barn is also used for weddings ad other types of functions. 

We were joined by SAQA CT co-reps, Barb Adams and Catherine Whall Smith! 

The artists took a moment to talk about their work and design process - always a treat to hear the back story!
 

What's a tea party without fancy hats?
Thank you Roz for bringing this 1930's hat for me to wear during the event! 

From left to right in the back we have Roz, Mary, me, Denise and Catherine. Front row is Wanda, Carol V, Francesca, Barb, Toni, and Nancy. Linda is missing from the picture.

The group voted on the best hat and Catherine presented Toni with a bag of goodies.

I'm sure you agree that Toni's has the greatest hat ever! 

Later in the day member Mary Lachman was on hand for a poetry reading from her recent book, Moth at the Window. Click here for details - it's a great read! 

Stay tuned for our next adventures! 

Outdoor Studio Space!

 I firmly believe everyone should establish a little nook for themselves outdoors to create art. It's just a different experience to be outside - for one you don't have to be as neat! I spent most of Sunday cleaning up my space! I had to replace the landscaping fabric this year and that combined with a tree falling and crushing my Honeysuckle structure I decided to enlarge the space - tons of work alone on a humid day - but it's done and I'm delighted with the extra room. All that's left is to set up my tables and I'm good to go! It will make it easier to have my buddies over for play time!  

This picture is from last summer when the Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective came over! I look forward to hosting again this summer... with more room! 

 My hubby helped me set up a clothes lines next to the tables. I can't believe how excited I was for a clothesline! 

This picture is also from last summer to lure YOU into creating an outdoor space. See how pleasant it is to create art among the flowers and grasses - how could you not be inspired! 

I'd love to see pictures of your outdoor space! 

Look What Linda Did!

Linda Martin is a fellow Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective member. Linda is known for her fun and fabulous applique work - aren't her color combinations full of life! Here is Linda's latest piece titled, "Moonlight Bathing". I'm honored Linda chose a piece of my fabric for the background! 

For more information on the Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective 

and Linda's work please click here!

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

Art, History and Social Activism - Meet the Artists!

This weekend at the Hartford Public Library!

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

Surface Design Play Date!

The weather was perfect and the company supreme! The Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective got together for a surface design play date! Our group was long overdue for some getting messy time. 

Members: Diane Cadrain, Linda Martin, Karen Loprete, Rosalind Spann, Christina Blais, Antoinia Torres, Me and Wanda Seldon. Taking the photo is Mary Lachman.

The group got busy creating one of a kind fabrics using many techniques: ice dyeing, confetti dyeing, painting, and sun-printing. We manipulated the fabric for interesting results and I can't wait to see what these fabulous artists create with their treasures! 

Fun - fun - fun!

Wanda Seldon thinking about the next color to add to her ice dyed piece.

Diane Cadrain's confetti dyed piece!

Diane Cadrain and Mary Lachman wrapping fabric Shibori style
to dip into the indigo vat! 

Antonia Torres using a stencil!

Rosalind Spann and Karen Loprete discussing techniques!  

Wanda Seldon's dramatic confetti dyed piece! 

Linda Martin is hooked on fabric painting! 

Rosalind Spann painting with dye!

Mary Lachman and Karen Loprete experimenting with sun-printing!

Rosalind so generously shared her newly created rust fabric with me... gimme... gimme... gimme... yippee! 

Christina Blais was on the hunt for yellow fabric so she created her own! 

The Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective exhibits their art work all around the state and currently showing "Jazz Tones" at the Pearl Street Gallery in Hartford, CT. Click here for the artists comments sbout how they approach the creative process.  

Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective ~ Jazz Tones Exhibition

Greater Hartford Arts Council

presents

The Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective

JAZZ TONES

A collection of textile fiber arts and mixed media work that celebrates 

and depicts  the diverse sounds of America’s indigenous music: JAZZ.

100 PEARL STREET GALLERY

JAZZ TONES

June 15 - August 23, 2014

Artists:

Christina Blais, Diane Cadrain, Carol R. Eaton, Mary Lachman, Karen Loprete

Linda Martin, Wanda Seldon, Rosalind Spann, Antonia Torres, and Carol J. Vinick

Opening Reception -Thursday, June 26, 2014, 5-7pm

Featuring internationally acclaimed fiber artist, Ed Johnetta Miller

Book signing of “Textured Rhythms: Quilting in the Jazz Tradition”

Greater Hartford Arts Council - www.LetsGoArts.org/Gallery

CT. Fiber Arts Collective - Gray Matter Challenge!

At the monthly meeting for the Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective we revealed our "Gray Matter" challenge  pieces! Mary Lachman provided each person with a bundle of gray related fabrics and we we challenged to use at least 2 fabrics in the design. The pieces are mounted on an 11" X 17" canvas... so here you go - my piece is titled, "Acadia".

I started with gray hand painted fabric.
After adding the boat I layered tulle across the piece.

The shaded effect comes from the tulle and a little stitching...
it was so simple it worked! 

Check the CtFAC blog for the reveal of all the members Gray Matter challenge! 

Hands-On Demonstrations by Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective Members!

 
This past Sunday the Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective presented hands-on demonstrations at the Norfolk Artisans Guild, Station Place, Norfolk. The weather was perfect and the visitors friendly.

Please stop by the guild and pick up an early holiday gift. Be sure to say "hi" to the guild mascot!

Our members will have artwork for sale through September!







Diane Cadrain showed us how she creates felted jewelry

Diane says making felted balls is soothing and relaxing!

Diane strings the finished felted balls into beautiful necklaces

Carol Vinick demonstrated how to use recycled silk ties
to create new designs on silk scarves

Carol laid recycled silk scarves on top of a plain silk scarf.
Next she folded the scarf in half and rolled all layers up with plain cotton.

Carol took the rolled up fabric and boiled with 2 TB. white vinegar
and water for 45 minutes

Once the fabric was cooled Carol unrolled to discover the design from the ties
has transferred to the plain silk scarf... magic!

Rosalind Spann shared her techniques for wrapping fibers around
cording to create unique and beautiful jewelry



Rosalind talks about the best qualities when it comes to
choosing the many fiber options available.

Rosalind discussed how she combines varies colors and fibers
to achieve specific results

Rosalind shows off her beautiful jewelry!

The day was a lot of fun and we hope to see you at the guild soon!