Newest Fiber Work

I will have to re-set my goal for 2013 to be a more consistant blog poster!  Seems like I am always working on something, and my work has been getting out there to more venues in Forida.  Like many of you, I am working on Christmas gifts and other fiber products.  This week's prduction has been, painting and shibori.  I have two shawls and a dress completed and a tote bag still in production. 

Happy holidays to all and a very blessed new year!  Be creative!!!!!

Two Finished Quilts; One Accepted

Well, when it comes to juried shows, you never know what will happen!  I worked to get the second polka dot entry done, and only my first quilt, All About Polka Dots: The Tea Party, was accepted.  I was kind of bummed about it, but hey, at least one got into the show.  This show is currently being displayed at Big Art on Sanibel Island, Florida.  The show runs until December 1.
It's time to work on another project!

All About Polka Dots Too

I have been working on the 
quilt in my previous posts, All About Polka Dots, The Tea Party.  I decided to work on a second entry for this call for art, because this second image was stuck in my head.  I have spent the last two weeks quilting one piece and then sketching and painting, All About Polka Dots, At The Races.  I have one week to have both of them ready for the jury!  Keep working!  What do you think?  You probably think I am crazy!
The call for art stated that they wanted art in any medium, showing, "The World of Fashion's Influence on Contemporary Life."  A week from now, we see if I managed to make it to the show!
Judy

Almost Ready to Quilt

All About Polka Dots is almost ready to quilt.  Here it is still on the design wall.

There is a slight delay in working on my All About Polka Dots quilt, as I work on some small projects for an upcoming craft event in Cape Coral.  My friend, Rose asked me to share a sales table with her at a children's event.  I have never done this before and do not aspire to working craft fairs, but I have made several things as gifts in the past, for children and adults, so I am making  a few things for this event.  My husband has made doll beds for me in the past as gifts.  I make bedding and quilts and we gift them.  I have two left, so I'll see if they sell at this event?  I also knit doll sweaters, so I am doing that also. 
What do you think?  Do you enjoy making gifts?  Do you sell at craft fairs?

Grown-up Little Girls

Did you play paper dolls as a little girl?  I did.  I loved to dress paper dolls in an array of outfits, a little irratated when those little white fold over tabs, wouldn't keep the outfits in place.  Remember?
I am thinking of that, on this Sunday afternoon, as I dress the models on my story board.  Maybe this is why we love Project Runway, we love to leaf through fashion magazines, we loved, "The Devil Wears Prada!"  We just love playing dress-up and some of us love making art quilts!  Do you think???

All About Polka Dots

I posted this week about, "Story Board or Design Wall," which do you use?  I am creating a quilt for another local show.  The subject for the entries is, " Fashion's Influence on Contempory Life."  I instantly knew that my quilt would be, "All About Polka Dots."  I am now building my storyboard.  In the center will be a woman wearing  a yellow polka dot blouse ( I have that blouse ) and she will be serving tea from her black and white polka dot teapot ( I have that teapot),  In the background will be "fashionable women," and in the foreground a small girl and her dog.  The attached picture is where I am so far, as the, "story," unfolds!  Stay tuned in, as they say!

Current Story Board

The scene in process.

Design Wall or Story Board ????

There is always talk about using a design wall, or layout board or is it a story board?  I tend to see my quilts as pictures or, "scenes."  That is how they form for me in my mind's eye.  I can see the scene.
I think sharing our design walls in, "Off the Wall Fridays," will help us all to see the design process of other fiber artists.
Today, I painted some Setacolor paints ( very watered down ) onto my next story board.  It will be the background for my next large quilt, which I plan to enter locally in an art show.
I can already see the characters in the scene.  Do you all think this way as you create?  I wonder?

Channeling Monet; Quilted and Framed

 

 

Interpreting The Beach at Trouville complete.  Painted with acrylic paints, fabric medium, cotton cloth, poly and cotton threads and mounted on wooden stretcher frame.  Ready to show.  What do you think?

Adding Thread

Channeling Monet is on my long arm and almost finished.  I should be done well ahead of my deadline.

Channeling Monet

The painting is finished.  Now off to the long arm to add thread.  My spacing could have been improved upon and the figure on the left, Camille, should be slightly reclining.  I also have shown too much of the chair.  I approached this challenge by looking at a copy of Monet's painting which I printed ( 8x10 paper) and I just started painting, no sketching first.  If I wanted to expand this study, I would do at least one more version, but I don't want to spend more time and paint on this.
I am hoping when I quilt it, it will turn out to be a one of a kind submission for this art call.

What do you think?  I wonder how many artists really like to interpret the Masters?

Easel Set Up

The easel is set up and I am working on piece of cotton cloth that almost feels like a heavy muslin.  There is a call for art at the VAC in Punta Gorda with a focus on the works of Monet.  This is not what I prefer to do, but I decided to enter to get my work out there.  The challenge is to interpret a Monet painting.  I have no idea how well my interpretation will turn out, but the paints are out and the first strokes are on the cloth.  Lets see where this challenge goes!

Ft Myers Art Community

There is a great art community in this area of South Florida.  Now that I am getting settled in the area, I have begun to look at opportunities to exhibit my work.  While living in New Hampshire, I was predominently showing my work at quilt shows.  I have decided to shift my focus in this area and embrace the many possibilities that this region provides for mixed media art.  I am a painter of art quilts.  I use my combined love of photography, painting and thread painting to create most of my work. 
My first fiber art was exhibited at the VAC Gallery in Punta Gorda, as part of the Art Quilters Unlimited exhibit in April.  I now have, "On the Track," at the Ft Myers Art League for the month of August and "Go Team USA," at the black and white exhibit at The Alliance for the Arts in FT Myers, until Sept 1st.

I look forward to being an active part of the South Florida Art Community.

Back to the South

I have relocated from New England to South Florida and am enjoying the warm weather. As soon as we get settled into a home again, I'll start a new project. I am excited by the possibities! Right now my long arm, as well as my other machines, are in storage. Hopefully I can get them out soon. Here's to sunshine!!!