Sunday, November 28, 2010

What I did on my Thankgsgiving Holiday - My Favorite long weekend!!

                                  
This is my favorite long weekend because the holiday part is the first day usually, followed by three days of dong whatever you want.  This year was a little different but still very enjoyable.  Well, we weren't having a big meal on Thanksgiving as the married kids are spending it with their other half's families.  Jess and Jason came to our house Thanksgiving afternoon to spend the long weekend with us.  Thursday was 1) read the ads for Black Friday.  2) plan for Black Friday shopping trip starting at 2am.  3) start making approximately 30  fabric wallets as gifts for friends.  Click on Valori Wells to see the pattern and link to "Keep Me in Stitches" quilt shop where you can purchase the pattern and fabric.  Jacqi shared the pattern with us last weekend at our Bjorklunden retreat last weekend.  Thursday night we selected coordinating fabrics and cut them to the pattern size.


 Friday we did get up at 1:45 am to do our "Black Friday" shopping trip with daughters/sisters Tracy and Liz.  We had a chilling fun bargain hunting adventure arriving back home by 10 am.  Naps immediately followed.  Afterwards Jess spent the day with one of her nieces and one of her nephews having the funnest day ever according to one young gentleman.  Later that day we finished pinning together wallet fabric preparing for sewing. 
That evening sewing, turning and pressing was done
Saturday was brunch with the family, grand kids and all.  It was a wonderful morning together.  Liz and Tracy picked out their favorite wallet from the assortment.  They will get them as soon as we finish the closures.  We thought they were an appropriate initiation gift to "Black Friday" shopping, their first time for this, where you just use your cash and cards, no time for big bulky purses.  Its serious business, hunt and buy, no browsing.  Get in and get out. 

Later that day after more bargain shopping, a nap by one and a workout by the other, more work was done on the wallets, we opted for buttons and buttonholes.  At the end of the day we had put together 37 (thirty-seven)!!!! Valori Wells wallets. 


Are you one of the lucky ones on our Christmas list?  To make your own wallet check out Jacqi's shop, "Keep Me In Stitches", Appleton, WI.  She has great fabrics and buttons to finish these quick, cute gifts.  Easy too, but 37 is a lot.  Thank goodness, Jess and I worked well as a team.   Thanks J!


Door County,WI Sewing Retreat Weekend

Daugher Jess and I at Bjorklunden, not sure who took this picture of us with my camera.......hmmmm, Jacqi?  Rhonda?

 Last weekend, the weekend before Thanksgiving was our semi-annual date for Bjorklunden Retreat with Jacqi Levy from "Keep Me in Stitches".  Jacqi invites 30-40 of her closest sewing/crafting/scrapping/knitting friends for a four day fun-filled gathering to indulge in your favorite pastime along with eating, talking smart, eating, staying up late, eating and generally having a "Dear Camp" extended weekend.  Think hunters' deer camp, female style.  This time we had the option of a one hour massage with an awesome certified massage therapist, Catherine De Valk of Appleton, WI www.devalkhealth.com which many of the ladies took advantage of.  It was heaven. 
 Here's Rhonda(left), Alice(the chicken in the center with the lime green "do") and Jacqi(right).  Looks like Rhonda is giving Jacqi sage advice on how to make a mug rug with invisible thread using free motion quilting on her domestic Bernina.  Don't tell anyone but Jacqi hates invisible thread, doesn't do free motion quilting on her Bernina, (though she is an accomplished and award winning long-arm quilter) and is the original inventor of the "mug rug". 

 Our table is the closest one from this view, we had two new mates at our table, Victoria the chicken lady (see her masterpiece hanging on the chair closest to us) and friend Connie (with their backs to us).  Both great additions to the crew.  Welcome ladies!  And across from them, the next "project runway" finalist, Ellen, possibly working on her neice's wardrobe, the Chanel jacket or who knows what.  Whatever it is its gorgeous, I hope that little girl knows how fortunate she is.  I wonder if Ellen's three daughters were ever that well dressed. 


Here's (clockwise starting at the left) Rhonda, Jacqi, Amy, Gretchen and Jess all hard at it.  I don't see any wine glasses on the table, oh yes, there's one by Rhonda and another one to the right my Janome.  All burning the midnight oil sewing our hearts out. 

And then there's the issue of the ugly slipper, forbidden to set foot outside the building.  We won't name names but who would ever think this is attractive footwear?  Comfortable yes, but not even in the northwoods of WI is this appropriate even for Walmart, or so I'm told.  Cheeze!

Along with our hippo fabric mug rugs (a Jacqi tradition of making a coaster out of fabric and batting, similar to a mini-quilt, approximately 4-5 inches square), (sorry no mug rug pics)many of us made Valori Wells wallets, too cute.  More on that later.  Thank you Jacqi for a great time.  Thank you friends for another memorable bonding weekend! 

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Friend Jacqi from "Keep Me in Stitches" at IQF Houston, Oct. 30, 2010


Jacqi's in Houston, Texas this week having a great time seeing all the exhibits and shopping at market for her Appleton, WI quilt shop.  She took time out of her busy week to send me this photo of her and my quilt, "Walk of the Cranes" which is a finalist at the International Quilt Festival in Houston this year.   Thank you Jacqi!  Can't wait to see what you buy at market for the shop!  Thanks for thinking of me...love the picture, especially since you're in it!

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Sandra Began Event at Butte des Morts Country Club Oct 22-23



This is my booth from the Sandra Began Shopping Event this past weekend.  It was a lovely location with a great crowd.  Lots of shoppers on Friday night and Saturday.  Had lots of great comments and met some very nice shoppers and exhibitors.  I would call it a very successful event.  Next year's event is already scheduled for October 14-15, 2011.  Mark your calendars for a fun two days of shopping!  Check out Sandra Began  on Facebook to see a list of unique exhibitors.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

SAQA Auction a huge success - "Siberian" sold


 
Studio Art Quilters Association has an annual auction of 12 inch square art quilts donated by SAQA members on a voluntary basis.  This is the first year I've contributed a piece to the effort.  I am happy to say my art quilt, "Siberian" sold to someone from New Jersey, thank you very much.  The money raised through this auction goes to help SAQA member fiber artists put on exhibitions and all the costs that go along with it.  I believe the money raised this year was over $50,000.  Wow!  SAQA is a great group, I have learned so much from all the other members who generously share their knowledge and experience in this medium. 

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Fall is here....so soon


Although I'm always a bit sad when fall arrives it is the best time for taking pictures.  This past week the rain and overcast skies made for a few magnificent photos.  Possibly an inspiration in my future. 



Sunday, September 12, 2010

Wonderful Experience at "Art Harvest", Green Bay Botanical Garden, even with the RAIN!



Saturday morning, 5:30 am....not quite pouring rain.....hmmmm, stay home? or take a chance on surviving the "Art Harvest" art fair at Green Bay Botanical Garden?  I had put a lot of time and work into preparing for this day so I decided I was going to go for it.  My husband was not real excited about joining me on this 'adventure'.  But, he had said he would be my assistant for this event so he grudgingly came along. 

The day did not start out well, the rain continued through our setup, which went pretty smoothly.  I didn't put out as much of my work as originally intended due to the wet conditions, so much of it stayed packed up or in the car.  I was very happy that I had taken the extra time in the last days before the show to compile a portfolio, this came in very handy with all the photos I had taken of my artwork, press releases, bio and artist statement.  All the pages were in protective sleeves so nothing was harmed by the weather. 

Though the visitor turnout was less than desirable, I met some wonderful vendors who shared some valuable insight about other quality shows they participate in.   The staff at GBBG was excellent, they fed us, had live music and the grounds are outstanding, with this event held in the Magnolia Garden! 

An added bonus is that the Art Harvest vendors are judged and the top three are awarded ribbons and prizes.  I was very honored to be the "First Place" Recipient for Artistic Excellence.  This was especially memorable because the judges were Donald Taylor, Adjunct Associate Professor of Art and F. William Bohne, Professor of Art, both from St. Norbert College in De Pere.  These two wonderful gentlemen were so much fun to talk with and gave me some direction on where to show my work.  My day was made by them. 

It was so nice to see some of my family and friends come out on the less than perfect day (weatherwise), and also to meet new friends.  I really did enjoy the experience and can list a handful of great things that happened that day that made it so worthwhile for me. 

Sunday, August 22, 2010

More Cranes


Friday I finished "Gawking Cranes" (above) just in the nick of time to replace
"Walk of the Cranes", which I had to take down, unattach from stretcher bars, attach a binding, hanging sleeve, and label, and ship off to Houston to arrives there by Wednesday, August 25 for the Internation Quilt Festival.  Whew, got that done! 
 
Now its on with preparation for the Green Bay Botanical Garden "Art Harvest" on September 11.  This is a juried art fair put on by the gardens with food and beverages, a plant sale and free admission to the gardens.  Its worth the trip for that alone.  If you've never been to the gardens you really should see them several times throughout the year, they are gorgeous and their plant sales are great!  Art Harvest is from 9am to 5pm.  For more information check out their website at http://www.gbbg.org/
 
I'm also hoping to see Nancy Pierce, a friend and fellow fiber artist who also is an extremely talented and award winning photographer who will also be exhibiting at the fair.  Hope to see some other friends there too. 

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Nice Article on my Solo Show in Local Paper


A week ago Kara Patterson, a reporter from the Post Crescent interviewed me for the Sunday, August 8, 2010  Newspaper Article on my solo exhibit through the Appleton Art Center.  She did a great job writing and I was very impressed with how good she made me look.  They included a full color photo of my "Walk of the Cranes" which can be seen on my website, http://www.patbishop.info/.  (the online article does not include that image)

Wish I could write like that! 

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Simply dyeing...successfully


The results of my simply dyeing were very successful.  These are all damask linens.   Just about everything I dyed looked very good.  My process was to soak all my fabric to be dyed in soda ash plus water.  See the previous post for ratio of soda ash per gallon of water.  Soak the fabric 20 minutes minimum before applying the dye.  The dye powder was mixed 2Tbsp. of dye powder per 8oz. of water.  Dyes were put into squirt bottles.  Dye was applied to the fabrics randomly.  Squirt until it feels right, mixing colors at will.  No adding soda ash water after 20 minutes.  Just 1) Soak 2) Squirt 3) Set out in sun for 3-4 hours 4) Let sit 24 hours 5) Rinse in cool water 6) Wash in washer with small amount of Synthropol.  Also prewash all fabric in Synthropol before soaking. 


I'm using a "not so great" camera so my pictures don't do the fabric justice. 

Sunday, August 1, 2010

I've been dying to dye...today was that day.


This past winter I did some microwave dyeing and snow dyeing but I've been itchin' to get outside and do some garage dyeing. Today was that day! I've been collecting damask and misc. fabrics on a continual basis at garage sales and thrift stores, but my storage area for these PFD(prepared for dyeing) fabrics has been overflowing. When I bring home a load of fabric I immediately wash them in synthropol so I know everything I have is ready to dye.

The pic above is four separate damask napkins overlapped with different color dye squirted on each napkin as it was laid down on plexiglass. It looks better in real life, really.   All fabric was first soaked in soda ash water 20 minutes(soda ash, also known as sodium carbonate is purchased at the local Fleet Farm store in the swimming pool supply area) before being placed wet on the plexiglass.   

I haven't dyed fabric outside for over a year.  I wanted to do it yesterday, but the overcast skies and  humidity changed my mind.  Today seemed like perfect dyeing weather, 80 degrees, no wind, sunny with low humidity.   The temperature outside should be at least 70, the higher temperature helps the dyes do their magic.   
 
Dyeing is always a good excuse to clean the garage and for some reason I don't mind cleaning the garage when I know I'm going to be dyeing that day. 
 
Next I mixed 3 gallons of warm water in a 5 gallon bucket with about 2 cups of soda ash powder.  Once that is dissolved (about 5 minutes) I add as much fabric as can comfortably fit in the bucket with enough room to get saturated, unfolding the fabrics and stirring occasionally with a paint stir stick.  Fabric should soak at least 5 minutes, I usually try for at least 20 minutes.  Longer than that is not a problem, you can leave it sit in the water for a couple days I would think. 
 
Then I fixed myself a soda, turned on the radio, brought up barstool from the basement, put on my apron, mask, gloves and glasses and starting mixing dyes.  This seems to be the most time consuming part after cleaning the garage, but it is fun too.  You need to wear a mask when mixing the dyes only, in their powder form they can be very dangerous.  Once mixed there is no problem. 
 
I had six colors already pre-mixed and waiting in the downstairs fridge, I've saved them for up to 12 months and had acceptable results as long as they are refrigerated.  If you leave them out  unrefridgerated they only last about two weeks they say.  I mixed up six more colors so I'd have a good selection to choose from today.  (Most fiber reactive dyes and synthropol are purchased from Pro-Chem, some dyes from Dharma Trading, both online dyeing suppliers with tons of fun items to pick from).  I also used Urea to help the dyes dissolve, this can also be purchased from Pro-Chem or Dharma Trading. 
 
Some of my favorite colors are:  Bronze, Chartreuse, Bright Blue, Navy and Gunmetal, Basic Red and Scarlet, but I've got about two dozen different dye powders to choose from.  If you are just starting out, and you don't want to spend a fortune you should go for just some basics colors (fuschia, turqoise, bright orange, black and sun yellow I think) and Ann Johnston's  book, Color by Accident, get the book first, it tells you what colors you need.  The dyes may seem expensive but they go a long way and have a long shelf life.   You could also share with a friend and split the cost.  I use squirt bottles purchased from Prochem and from a local Harbor Freight store.  I've also used honey squeeze bottles, hair color squeeze bottles(not sure where I got those :-). 
 
Using Ann Johnston's dye books, Andria Buffington's book and my own experience I set out to dye massive quantities of fabric.  The true results will be evident tomorrow after I rinse and wash everything.  Tomorrow will tell if the color sticks.  I tried winging it today, I'm a Melody Johnson "wannabe",  if she can define her own method, so can I.  I'm a big girl now, you know!  I may have to eat crow if it all washes down the drain. 
 
With my show in progress, I can now focus on other things.  Dyeing was on my "to do" list, but it was supposed to be "after" I finish my replacement for "Walk of the Cranes".  I need to come up with a substitute for this piece at the American National Bank Gallery show as the aforementioned piece "Cranes" is going to Houston Internal Quilt Festival near the end of August.  I worked on it yesterday so I don't feel too bad about dyeing fabric today. 
 
This is charmeuse silk on plexiglass, squirted with bright blue, bronze, chartreuse and navy I think, one edge tipped up to let the dye flow a bit, and then put out in the sun to heat set (hopefully) and dry.  This I've done before and it worked great.  

Stay tuned, I will report if I was successful with "Pat's Personal Lazy Dye" method after everything is rinsed and dried.  Then I will share my method, if it worked.  Cross your fingers, I am. 
 

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Opening Reception - My Name in Lights!


Egret Territory and Storm
My Mom Viewing Vernazza
Thursday, July 22, 2010 was my solo show reception at American National Bank Fox Cities.   Friends, family and others stopped by to view my work and wish me well.  It was an exciting night for me to see all of my artwork up at one time in a very classy environment.  The show runs Monday - Friday from 9am - 5pm through September 10.  There are 26 pieces on display.  If you stop by please drop me a note, I'd love to hear what you thought.  Thank you to all those that attended and to American National Bank Fox Cities and Appleton Art Center for the lovely evening.  I truly enjoyed it!

Saturday, July 17, 2010

I'm Celebrating!


Saturday evening, 6pm I'm feeling ready for my solo show with the reception coming up this Thursday evening.  Today I have everything finished, labeled, prepared to hang except for a few minor issues.  It all needs to be there by Tuesday at noon to be hung and I have it all sitting in the spare bedroom ready and waiting.  Its a gooood feeling so I'm celebrating with a glass of wine sitting on the deck with a book and my feet up.   
 
Hope to see lots of my friends and family there!  The Gallery at American National Bank, 2200 N. Richmond Street, Appleton, WI  54911, Thursday, July 22, 5:30 - 7:30pm 

Sunday, June 20, 2010

View of Vernazza


This is the completed "View of Vernazza".  (40" w x 30" h)  This was over a year in the making due to stops and starts, distractions and uncertainties.  I like the blockiness and simplicity of it.  Glad it is finally finished.  If you recall from a long ago post this was made in 7 vertical strips that were then sewn together after everything was pieced or fused.  I started out piecing it but ended up with a lot of fusing because I was getting bored with all the piecing.  Machine quilting was done after all the 7 strips were connected.  Fabrics include:  hand dyed, silks, cottons, unknown and recycled fabrics.  From the photo (courtesy of Mike and Carleen Baum's honeymoon photo), I made a full size cartoon out of lightweight fusible interfacing with the drawing done on the fusible side of the interfacing.  This was my master pattern that I then cut into the 7 strips and constructed one strip at a time.  I also did a copy of this pattern onto clear vinyl to be used as an overlay as needed to make sure things were lining up.  When all was said and done I didn't stick that close to the pattern, changes were made along the way to simplify the composition and make it easier to construct. 

Monday, June 14, 2010

Composition changes


Which composition do you like better?  The top photo is how this piece looks right now.  This abstract was totally pieced and quilted.  After putting it back on the design wall I decided I didn't like the two strips (yellow and red) in the lower left corner that looked like they were coming out of the pale green bottle shape on the left.  By fusing a black scrap over the strips (second photo) it breaks up the awkward distracting bold strips that were coming out of the bottle.  In fact I think I will use a bigger scrap to make the strips into small squares.  I also prefer the more complex black shape that the change creates.  I may do something about that large yellow section near the center top, its asking for something but I'm not quite sure what yet. 

Even though I thought this piece was finished I can go back and make some major or minor changes by fusing on new fabric and then I will quilt over that area.  This is one of five pieces I did over another long home retreat weekend. 

With my solo show coming up in July I'm starting to panic and think I won't have enough artwork.  At last count I should have at least 25 pieces. 

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Matisse Exhibit at Chicago Art Institute


'Bathers by a River' Henri Matisse 102" x 154"
(this is one of his largest paintings, its huge, that's 8.5 feet high by 13 feet wide)  After seeing this painting in person I was very much in awe, maybe it was the size, colors or the way it was segmented.  I'm not sure. The figures are very statuesque and strong.  The cool colors are calming. 

Tuesday, June 8, 2010 the SAQA WI-IL Regional group met at the Chicago Art Institute to view the Matisse Exhibit.  To see a pic of the SAQA group members that attended the exhibit go to http://www.saqailwi.blogspot.com/
  Described by the Chicago Art Institute
"the works Matisse produced between late 1913 and 1917 are among his most demanding, experimental, and enigmatic. While these works have typically been seen as unrelated responses to the influences of Cubism and World War I, this exhibition illustrates the deep connections between them and their critical role in an ambitious, cohesive project of developing what Matisse called “the methods of modern construction”—a process in which the act of creation itself was the main focus."
Henri Matisse started out his adult life as a lawyer but while recovering from appendicitis his mother brought him art supplies and he was hooked. He went back to art school (to his father's great disappointment) and became a painter, printer, sculptor. Later in his life when he was unable to stand at an easel he cut colored paper and arranged them. In 1953 a year before his death he created "The Snail" (below)



While at the Chicago Art Institute we viewed many amazing paintings, some of my favorites were Georgia O'Keefe's.  I'll post the ones I saw another day. 

If you get the chance to visit the Art Institute don't pass up the chance, I could spend a week or two there easily. 

Monday, May 31, 2010

View of Vernazza


Vernazza, Italy - This is another view for the source of my "Italian Apartments" courtesy of my daughter, Jessica, who asked the newlyweds where they had taken the picture of the apartments in Italy. 

I had a lightbulb moment Saturday.  I was working on my "Italian Apartments", now renamed "View of Vernazza", when I recalled a comment someone made on my piece by 'either name".  She said, "those are interesting colors you chose for this piece".  Well, it dawned on me that she had not seen my inspiration photo taken by my nephew Mike and his bride Carleen when they were on their honeymoon in Italy.  The buildings are actually pretty close to the colors I picked for them.  Please note the pink, terra cotta, dirty lime and orange in the photo above.  I'd love to go there, wouldn't you?   Ouuuuuu, the colors.....ahhhh...


Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Follow up to Retreat Weekend


I thought I would follow up on my thoughts of my Weekend Retreat at home.  I think it was very successful, I spent three and a half days in my sewing room/studio.  I worked on my Italian Apartments and am very close to finishing, completed a Field #2 (almost) and I removed my "Cranes" from their canvas.  Telling myself I was on retreat really helped me focus, the "Do Not Disturb" sign reminded me every time I walked out the door why I was in there in the first place. 
 
Having spent that much time in the studio made me less fearful of going in there, i.e. fear of failure.  Do you ever feel like you'd just rather just not deal with the frustration of trying to be successful in what you create?  I have two quotes on my sewing room wall from the book "Art and Fear":
 
"Uncertainty is the essential, inevitable and all-pervasive companion to your desire to make art.  And tolerance for uncertainty is the prerequisite to succeeding."
 
"Art is like beginning a sentence before you know its ending.  The risks are obvious; you may never get to the end of the sentence at all--or having gotten there, you may not have said anything."
 
I just need to read these quotes once in awhile. 
 
This weekend we are going up north to the cottage so I have packed my Janome and the Apartments along with another unfinished temporarily abandoned project that I will take another look at and determine if I want to slash and re-connect.  If I do, I'll take pictures first.  Although my experience with the "Reject Reframed" was frustrating I was satisfied with the result and I did enjoy the process (some of the time) so I'm game for some more frustration. 
 
I need to find out what those Italian Apartments are called or what city they are near, I'm tired of calling that piece my "Italian Apartments". 

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Reject to Reframe


Good bye REJECT!
This is a rejected piece that I had jammed under my work table so no one else could see it.  I'm embarrassed to even show it now.   Two years ago it was originally dyed after applying potato dextrin resist.  Then I went at it with textile paints and markers, then did some machine quilting.  At that point I was totally disgusted with it and tossed it under the table.  I didn't throw it in the garbage because there were small bits of it I still liked. 


After reading about cutting up your rejects on the SAQA yahoo group I decided I was ready to give it a go.  I was unsure what to do because I had already quilted it so it was kind of thick to piece back together.  I solved that problem by not joining any of the quilted pieces to each other. 


REFRAME
This is my result.  It really looks better in person, you can't see the part I like the best, which is the light strips that go vertically.  They look like a topographical map from  the potato dextrin resist area.  

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Weekend Retreat



In order to get some creative work done I decided to take Friday off from my real job and spend the weekend in my "studio" working.  I even brought home a "Do Not Disturb" sign from the office to hang on my door, (mostly for my own sake, to remind me I'm here to FOCUS).  Truman (my dog) can't read so it won't keep him away.  My husband is helping by shaking his finger at me when I'm having a snack or talking on the phone. 

I am imagining I am up in Door County at Bjorklunden at Jacqi's retreat and all that's on my agenda is sewing.  I started Thursday right after Oprah and spent all day and evening Friday here (did take a break to mow the lawn as it was a hay field after all the rain we've gotten).  Today - Saturday,  husband and I did a few rummage sales because it was Greenville town-wide rummage day.  But after about 45 minutes of that we weren't finding any bargains so we came back home and back to my retreat. 

I'm getting a lot done.  My Italian apartments (photo above) is now in three layers and I'll be quilting it tonight and tomorrow.  I started and finished a piece on Thursday night/Friday morning.  Tomorrow I want to take a reject balled up under my work table and cut it apart and make something beautiful out of it.  That's the goal and the plan, we'll see what the result is.  If its good I will post a before and after pic.  Cross your fingers.  Now.....back to work....

Monday, May 10, 2010

I have a Website!


As of last week my website is complete!  I am very excited to be able to now have a professional web presence.  With an upcoming solo exhibit coming this summer, it seemed like a good time to launch my site.  

Holly Knott http://www.hollyknott.com/ is the web designer who built the site for me.  She came highly recommended by many Studio Art Quilt Association members and specializes in artists' websites.  I am extremely happy with the work she did.  Holly is very organized, gives honest advice and had my site up in three weeks. 

She helped me realize my vision of what I was looking for in a website.  Please check it and out and give me your honest feedback.  I'm always open to suggestions.  Thanks!    http://www.patbishop.info/

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Walk of the Cranes takes 1st Place


Walk of the Cranes - April 23-25 Secura Insurance Companies 30th Fine Art Exhibition, Appleton, WI.  Today I was very excited to learn that this piece was awarded 1st Place at the Annual Secura Show.  This is the first public showing of the Cranes so I was ecstatic to have it so well received. 

Best of show was an oil painting "Dusk in the Country" by Betty Proper, well known Appleton artist.  Her painting was a picturesque farm house that glowed with warmth.  2nd Place went to a fiber artist friend, Sandy Schilawski with her abstract, dimensional "Space Regatta".   3rd place went to a photographer, Sarah Bretall, the photograph was of a horse in his stable,  titled "Old Paint".  Tim Riley, director of the AAC said it was very difficult to pick the pieces for the show with over 200 entries that needed to be pared down to 75.  The juror for the show was Charles Mitchell, well know Wisconsin artist.

We are very thankful to Secura Insurance Companies for this annual opportunity they provide to the Fox Valley public and artists.  If you go to see the show you will be pleasantly rewarded with some very impressive artwork from the region's many talented artists. 

This exhibition is open to the public and held on the campus of: 
SECURA Insurance Companies
2401 S. Memorial Drive, Appleton, WI
Friday, April 23 4PM - 8PM
Saturday, April 24 11AM - 5PM
Sunday, April 25 11AM - 3PM
1PM - 3PM Reception
2PM Presentation of Awards

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Emerald Fall

I love leaves, trees, walking in the woods. That was my inspiration for "Emerald Fall". This piece was randomly pieced without a preconceived idea of how it was going to progress. Finished size 30"W x 24"H mounted on a canvas frame. Materials were basically cottons and silks.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

My Dali

"My Dali" was inspired by the surrealistic style of Salvadore Dali. This piece was entered into the "Quilting is Art" event sponsored by Milwaukee Public Television, Patched Works of Elm Grove and Bigsby Sewing Center of the Milwaukee area. All entries will be displayed at the 2010 Greater Milwaukee Realtors Home and Garden Show (March 19-27, 2010).

The purpose of this contest is to showcase quilting as an art form as part of the 2010 Channel 10 Great TV Auction. Work is judged on overall creativity, representation of the theme, construction and innovation in approach and design.



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Sunday, February 28, 2010

Its Coming...."Keep Me In Stitches" Appleton, WI new! New! New quilt shop!





Daughter Jess and I got a sneak peek inside the quilt shop, "Keep Me In Stitches" coming soon to Appleton's North Richmond Street(near the intersection of Hwy 47 and 41). We are very excited for the opening coming very soon.  Jacqi has some fresh ideas and spring fresh fabrics to entice you.  (the pictures don't do the fabrics justice).  Things are looking good! And there is a great place for lunch right next door, gyros, subs, burgers, dogs.   


Friday, February 19, 2010

Olympic Snowboarder quilt for Kenyan People

Hannah Teter, USA Olympic snowboarder has her heart in a very fine place. Hannah helped to design a quilt to be auctioned off with proceeds going to benefit of the people of Krindon, Kenya to assist them with water filtration, sanitation and housing. You can see Hannah sitting on her quilt in her room at the Olympic Village. The quilt design shows Hannah holding her snowboard with people of the village of Krindon, Kenya looking on. The quilt is made from totally organic materials and was created by Amp Energy Juice, a subsidiary of PepsiCo. Hannah had previously started a charity dedicated to the village raising money through a maple syrup business "Hannah's Gold Vermont Maple Syrup". Good for you Hannah!


Rust-Tex Collection Exhibit Good News!

My piece "She #3" is on its way to Lois Jarvis, curator of the Rust-Tex Exhibit. This is the first time one of my art quilts will travel across the "pond". This exhibit will premier at the Spring "International Quilt Festival" in Chicago April 16-18, 2010. It will also be displayed at the "Festival of Quilts" in Birmingham, England August 20-23, 2010. To learn more about the "Festival of Quilts" which is purported to be the biggest quilt show in Europe go to: http://www.twistedthread.com/

To learn more about rust-dyed fabrics visit Lois's website http://www.rust-tex.com/.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Rust dyed Fabric Exhibit

From now thru Sunday, Feb. 7 you can view all entries into the Rust-Tex competition. All entries must have included rust-dyed fabric. Viewing is limited from now thru Sunday. There are over 80 entries but only 24 pieces will be selected to be exhibited at international venues. Go to the Rust-Tex site http://rust-tex.com/TW/tiki-index.php?page=Member_home Two of my pieces from the She Series have been entered. See some very nice pieces from very talented fiber artists using rust dyed fabric.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

The "Art Garage" 1409 Main Street, Green Bay, WI is hosting a reception Thursday, February 4, 2010 from 6pm to 9pm. My piece "You've got the Beat" was juried into this exhibit. Below is an exerpt from the ARTLINES newsletter from Cedar Center Arts, Inc. and the ARTgarage:

"Art Meets Heart" Exhibit with a Purpose
The first juried exhibit at the ARTgarage will be on display from noon, Thurs., Feb. 4, until closing on Sat., Feb. 27. In a unique collaboration with Bellin Hospital, the ARTgarage is helping to draw attention to the importance of hearts - physically, emotionally, spiritually, and metaphorically. Judges for the exhibit were Graeme Reid, Assistant Director, Museum of Wisconsin Art, and Andrea Werner, Director, Bellin Hospital Heart & Vascular Center. Thirty-one art pieces include a painting of Bob Marley with dreadlocks wrapped around a heart, a photo of hands resting on a pregnant belly and forming the shape of a heart, another photo of a heart image in latte' foam, a drawing of a young child after heart surgery, and a splat of red paint on a white board with the title, "Please Don't Throw My Heart Against the Wall." Interspersed between the art pieces are digital (and artistic) images of actual hearts...veins, arteries and all.Special thanks to the 48 artists from throughout Northeast Wisconsin who submitted entries; the following were chosen to have work in the exhibit: Leah Abrahams, Grace Adler, Diane Allen, Cynthia Barnes-Johnson, Pat Bishop, Kara Counard, Bonnie De Arteaga, Mindy Frank, Barb Halron, Brian Hibbard, Arda Ishkhanian, Molly Johnson, Lucy Bea Jost, Daniel Klewer, Peter Koury, Donna Lindboe-Trupin, Tricia Matthew, Sandy Melroy, George Ouimetter, Heather Peterman, Jeanne Pfister, Mike Riley, Roberta Scherrer, Drew Schmidt, Chris Style, and Joan White. Thanks, too, to the sponsors who made this event possible: Cardiology Associates of Green Bay, Green Bay Cardiothoracic and Vascular, General and Vascular Surgery of Green Bay, Surgery Specialists of Green Bay, General and Vascular Consultants, Green Bay Radiology, Radiology Chartered, Bellin Hospital Heart & Vascular Center, Toshiba, and the ARTgarage. Volunteers who have put their "heart" into this project are Rachel Carstens and Carrie Dorski, who organized all the entries and coordinated the judging process; Ann Gray, Barb Halron, Lindi Kuritz, who decorated for the opening reception; Jenna Neumann, who painted the red wall in the gallery and helped organize the exhibit; Melissa Sinitsky, who typed up all the printed materials for the show. Staff at both Bellin Hospital and the ARTgarage earn applause for doing extra tasks, as well as members of the ARTgarage Board of Directors, who initiated and coordinated the entire project.A public opening is scheduled at 6-9 pm on Thursday, Feb. 4, with the announcement of award winners at 7 pm. Refreshments and harp music, provided by Nancy Watts, will round out the evening. Parking is available along Cedar and Grove streets and in lots off Main Street. Watch for heart-shaped parking signs.
I hope to see you there!