Exhibition Jury Day!

I am so lucky to be part of the SAQA CT organization. The Connecticut chapter is active and full of like-minded artists who support and encourage each other. The group is putting together it's second traveling Local Colors exhibition. This year the tag line is Connecticut Stories. This was completely open to the artist's interpretation and yesterday the artist's work was juried by Carol Padberg, Associate Professor at the Hartford Art School, University of Hartford (pictured above). 

Co-curators, Kate Themel and Diane Wright were on hand (and me too!) to assist the juror but once the theme overview was provided Carol needed little direction. With her trained eye and knowledge of fiber Carol pulled together a beautiful show. She stated the pieces needed to be well constructed and looked for a clear relationship between the design and overall use of textiles.  Carol said she chose both abstract designs as well as precise or structured work to create a more engaging show. She also mentioned looking at the use of color and contrast as it related to the design. Carol said the decisions were hard given there were so many fabulous pieces. With this particular theme the "story" is important to the overall exhibition but when choosing works the artist's statements were not part of the process. The exhibition was limited to 35 pieces so decisions had to be made and some great pieces were not able to be included.  

I was delighted to find 2 of my works in the accepted category... definitely more in the abstract arena! The premiere opening is February 5, 2016 at the Guilford Art Center. The exhibit will travel to varies venues throughout the state with plans for a bi-coastal exhibit with a Californian chapter but you will need to sit tight for details! The exhibition will include traditionally hung work and pieces mounted on stretcher bars - it's going to look great!

Seasons Pass

Birch Grove

Textile Arts Facebook Page!

I'd like to recommend the Textile Arts page on Facebook for anyone interested in an engaging online group! I'm playing around with creating fabric art using organza and had some technical questions. I reached out to this group and within minutes had a number of positive and helpful suggestions! Working in our studios can be isolating at times so it's refreshing to have an online support available! Click here to hop over to their page.

Happy Creating Everyone! 

Fabric Giveaway - The Printed Fabric Bee!

We have been hosting this giveaway for the last two years. This is our last collection. We will be back in January with a new format which we think you will like. Please stay tuned.

This month Judy Gula was the "Queen" for the month. She chose Caribbean Blue as her theme and the Printed Fabric Bee artists got to work each creating their interpretation of Judy' theme. 

I tried to capture the ebb and flow of the tides as they perpetually move. 

This is my 6X6 giveaway piece! 

Go to The Printed Fabric Bee blog or Judy's blog and leave a comment under the photo of the collection by October 15 and you will be eligible to win the entire collection. Imagine what you could make with 11 squares of fabulous fabrics! Judy will be choosing a winner on October 16. Good luck!
 

Be sure to also stop by all the Bee members' blogs to read about how they made their contribution to this collection. Good Luck!

Carol R. Eaton
Jackie Lams
Lynda Heines
Gerrie Congdon
Susan Purney Mark
Deborah Boschert
Jane Davila
Lisa Chin
Lynn Krawczyk
Leslie Jenison
Julie B. Booth 

Using Unique Fabrics!

I'm having a burst of creative energy and actually creating some of my own fiber art pieces. Typically I create fabric for other artists to use but in reorganizing my inventory I've been setting aside fabrics that "speak" to me. I admit to having a wee bit of trouble focusing on completing a piece once I work through the design process but I'm committed to creating new works and will keep going!  

Here's a piece waiting for quilting. I took some black & white confetti dyed fabric and sliced it up. Next I layered it over a hand painted landscape fabric. I think I'm going to continue with the KISS method, Keep it Simple Stupid and only add a tight machine zigzag along the edges of the trees... does anyone else have another suggestion?

You're Doing What? = SAQA CT Trunk Show Piece!

I just completed my piece for the "You're Doing What?" challenge. Betty Warner and her counterparts are putting together a regional trunk show. The title made me stop to think about how many times I've used that phrase in my life... You're doing what? Usually directed towards my son's but this time I thought about Scott Jurek who ran the full length of the Appalachian Trail last summer. Most people take months to complete the trek from Georgia to Maine but Scott did it in 46 days... that's 2,180 miles of running - sometimes 24 hours in a row. I think Scott's goal was worth a "You're Doing What?"

 The requirements were to create a fiber art piece 6" X 10" which will be mounted on an 8" X 12" black mat. The collection will look really sharp when hung together and can be reserved by organizations for exhibition.

To check out Scott's full story click here! 

To learn more about the Appalachian Trail click here! 

Here is a detail photo that's shows a little tiny Scott reaching Mt. Katahdin in Maine - CONGRATULATIONS super man! 

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!