Monday, December 28, 2009

Appleton Art Center Members Exhibition



AAC Membership Exhibition and Sale opened December 4, 2009 and runs through January 16, 2009. Three of my "She Series" pieces are included, they always look so nice when hung for a show.


One of my favorite local artists, Leonard Nagler has pieces in the exhibit. He has won numerous awards and works in oils. Two other fiber artists have work in the exhibit also, one of them being Jeanne Pfister, a friend from Kaukauna, WI.


Take some time if you get a chance to visit the exhibit, there's lots to see. Gallery hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; Saturday 10am-4pm; Closed Sundays and Holidays. http://www.appletonartcenter.org/



Saturday, December 5, 2009

Flying Sock Monkeys

Just added two new members to the Sock Monkey family. Original members are Ralph and Fred. Carl and Carlita are the newest members of the family. I made all the big guys but Carlita was a poor waif who came in the mail this week from a good friend. This post is in honor of my Flying Monkey friends, you know who you are.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Check out Laurie Ceesay's new Website

Laurie is a friend who used to live in Appleton but now lives in Menominee, Michigan. Her brand new website showcases her cool pop art fashionista portraits and more. To me her quilts are reminiscent of the colorful playful art of the late sixties. Her work is bright, bold, exciting and like nothing else out there in the world of art quilts. My favorites are: "1974: Good Hair", "Dandelion Fairy 1" and "Pop Art Princess". "Pop Art Princess" makes me think of Gustav Klimt's "The Kiss". Take a peek, it will be worth your while. http://www.laurieceesay.com/ What's your favorite?

Saturday, November 28, 2009

New Appleton, WI quilt shop!

Keep your eyes open for a new quilt shop coming to north Appleton in Spring of 2010. Jacqi is the shop owner and sounds like she is going to have a fun shop with some exciting new ideas. The shop will be located near the intersection of Hwy 41 and Hwy 47, an easy to find and convenient location.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Quilts=Art=Quilts

Quilts=Art=Quilts exhibition currently at the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn, New York can be seen in part here. http://www.schweinfurthartcenter.org/exhibits/current.html Very stunning works, mine did not get accepted and I can see why. I am very inspired.

Artist in Residence at the historic Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee

This past week I was in Milwaukee at the Pfister Hotel, http://www.thepfisterhotel.com/ for a seminar for work. As an added bonus I discovered that The Pfister Hotel has an Artist in Residence Program in their hotel on the lobby level. If you are in the area I highly recommend you pass through the gorgeous lobby and stop at the Artist in Residence area. In my opinion the Pfister is worth a look on its own merit, but this exhibit will hopefully intrigue you to take a peek as it did me. The current artist in residence is Reginald Baylor from Milwaukee. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHlWzEYxOdo


His method of painting involved segregating small sections of the canvas with a 1/8 inch line. He meticulously separates each segment like a "paint by number" kit and assigns numbers associated with paint colors to these areas. Then he additionally paints the lines between each segment, I think by taping off the areas for a second time (I'm not sure about this). His approach is very intriguing and something I can relate to as an art quilter. I find his subject matter is fresh and alive. You may want to check out his website to see more of his portfolio. http://www.reginaldbaylor.com/index_main.html

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Dyeing for some new fabric



Two weekends ago I did some microwave dyeing with Procion dyes. It was so quick and easy. I dyed some of my damask napkins and misc. fabric. The colors are lucious, but not showing up well on my photo. The pale one between the brown and grey/blue is really a nice lime. Instructions can be found at: http://www.cottonclub.com/dying.htm The only thing I did differently was use 4 times the dye powder and extend the microwave time x 2. My dyeing microwave is one of those teenie tiny ones w/o a turntable. I would microwave 4 minutes, then rotate the container and do it again.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

She #6 preview


I've got the figure complete, now its just a matter of filling in. I'm happy with it so far. This piece will be about 48" across and 48 high. It will take some time to get the remainder pieced. What do you think? I think she looks a little Peruvian.


Wednesday, October 28, 2009

She #6 progress

I've been working on #6 in the She Series. This one is bigger than all the rest and I'm using black and red for my main figure. I've got both my sewing machines set up with light thread on one and dark thread on the other. Will post a pic tonight or tomorrow. I'm having fun!

Friday, October 9, 2009

Robert Genn

I subscribe to Robert Genn's twice weekly inspirations. Give it a try if you are a wannabe artist, he has good advice in all areas that can relate to whatever your artistic passion is. Click on the link to the right for a taste of his wisdom. I often learn something new or am reminded of something I once knew.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Twisted Sisters


A few weeks ago our group of girlfriends had our annual summer weekend getaway. There are six of us, some of us have been getting together for more than 10 years. We always have a good time talking stupid, eating, some drinking (not so much anymore), playing games, and other girlie type stuff. We used to camp in tents, then campers, now its mostly cottages or hotels. We all have alias's so as not to get our true selves in trouble.


This year we had a gift exchange where everyone had to find, steal, barter, make, purchase from thrift shops, rummage sales, whatever a gift for each person using the first and last intials of the giftee's "real" name. I got a lot of Purple Beads and no Peanut Butter, which I was expecting. Also I received a Preying mantis Bug, Pear Bath soap and other items I can't recall at the moment. It was inexpensive and a lot of fun.

The She Series #3 and #5

The She Series continues. The first one is #3 (16"x23")that I finally got a good picture of today. I really like the colors, shape and strength of this one. I like how what I see as the arms reach from edge to edge.



Finishing up #5 today, it just needs binding but I've taken a picture anyway. This is the first time I've taken photos of my pieces outside on an overcast day. This is supposed to give you the best light. I'm not sure if I agree or not. Anyway, I wasn't crazy about the colors of #5 when I was putting it together, but now I really like it.

I've totally enjoyed making these small pieces. The final one, #5 is 24"x35", not so small. I've developed an easy binding method that only requires one sewn seam, the rest is glued (don't tell anybody), its not quilt-like to glue. Shhhhhhh!


I'm pretty proud of myself for getting these done. Yeah for me!!


Now I think I'll get back to my Italian apartment view that's been hanging on the design wall for about 5 months, way too long.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Sunday, June 7, 2009

She #1 in a Series


She #1 (12" x 20") completed today. I'm really on a roll, that's three completed pieces in three days. This turned out better than I had originally thought, in fact it was headed for the scrap pile at one point. I'm really enjoying the simplicity of these pieces.
Today's my daughter's birthday, she's 31. Happy Birthday Jess! I love you!

Saturday, June 6, 2009

She's Back!


Well I actually did it! #2 in the She Series is complete! I'm having fun breaking in my new sewing machine, a Janome 6600 that I purchased while down at Chicago's International Quilt Festival in April. The extra room in the throat area really does make a huge difference. I'm also liking the threader, thread cutter, tacking and quietness compared to my beloved Bernina 1260.


Tomorrow I will attack She #4 in the Series. There are a total of 5 in this Series with #5 being the largest and most complex, but probably the most interesting also. I'm pooped now and done sewing for the day, ....maybe.

Inspired To Get Back at It! As in Art!!!



I've been inspired by my new Internet friend, Barbara Strobel Landor from Plymouth, WI who is an extremely talented art quilter AND diligent blogger. Check her out at: bslartquilts.blogspot.com I was amazed when I found her and realized I had never heard of her since she is so talented and lives so close by. She has gotten me determined to continue writing about my creative life. So here goes again...




In May, 2009 my guild, Darting Needles Quilt Guild of Appleton, WI hosted Cynthia Corbin from Washington State. We had three days of classes with Cynthia and it was a real treat. Check out her site at cynthiacorbin.com. Besides being a talented artist Cynthia is so down to earth, sweet, funny, kind and a real inspiration to me. I have been working on the pieces I started in her class and am very excited about the energy it has given me.


Cynthia works in a "seat of the pants" method, where you just go for it with a few rules and see what happens. She is an excellent mentor. If you ever get the chance to work with Cynthia I highly recommend it. She got me started in my very first series. I have been wanting to do more abstract work and feel that I have gotten a handle on it in this beginning series.
This is the third piece I did in my series but its the smallest at about 5 x 7 inches, therefore making it the first candidate for quilting and finishing due to its small size. Its made of scraps of silk mostly and was pieced in a record 15 minutes. Ta da!!! "#4 in the She Series". My goal for today is to work on #2 in the She Series and get it quilted and bound. Very lofty goal for one day, but it doesn't hurt to dream. I'll be back later when I'm finished. Today is a great day to spend indoors anyway due to the gloomy chilly weather. And--- I'm proud of myself for getting this post done. Yeah for me!!! Thanks Barbara.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Not Your Grandmother's Quilt Show February 21 - May 10

If you happen to be in Oshkosh, WI soon, stop in to the Oshkosh Public Museum http://www.oshkoshmuseum.org/exhibits/This_is_Not_Your_Grandmother’s_Quilt.htm to see their brand new exhibit opening this Saturday, February 21 featuring many non-traditional quilt items. If you go to their site you will see one of my quilts that is in the exhibit. "Dog Bone" is featured in the announcement on the museum's website alone with Jeanne Pfister's quilt "Dresden Delite" which won 1st place at the Chicago 2008 International Quilt Festival. You can also stop by on March 21 when their will be a "meet the artist" day. You can also read about it in the Oshkosh Northwestern local newspaper ttp://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20090215/OSH04/90211130 There will be almost 100 quilts in the show. I'm looking forward to seeing it, the Oshkosh Museum does a great job with their displays.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

February 1, 2009 Puerto Vallarta



At this time of year don't we all think about heading somewhere warm for a few days of relief from the parkas, long underwear, gloves and hats?

Two years ago my husband and I joined our good friends and their son for a winter getaway to Puerto Vallarta. It was sunny with warm ocean breezes and glowing serene sunrises. My photo from the balcony one morning was used as my inspiration for this piece which was great fun to make and conveys the warmth of that relaxing time of breakfast under the beach cabana and afternoons lounging with cocktails and a good book. (Puerto Vallarta 2008 (sold))

Monday, January 12, 2009

Getting the creative match to strike!

Trying to get back to work in the "studio" after at least a month long absence. Trying to come up with something, anything creative. I have several works in progress that I would love to get off the design wall, but then there is that fear of failure. Well, to heck with it, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Time to get back at it. I will start with some machine quilting using a leaf motif, how original, yuk, yuk.

I've heard you've got to put in the time and eventually you will produce something noteworthy. That's my goal. Time to get started. OK, bye, see ya.