Being of a Certain Age

Unless you were born January 31, 1914, you can't claim to be my mother. Here is to longevity and a loving family to help celebrate 98 years.

My work is rolled and tagged with tyvek labels and ready for me to hand deliver. I use swim noodles or covered cardboard tubing with a hunk of fabric to protect them. Ties are fabric -- easy on, easy off. No tape, please.

Mind's Eye

The image your eye sees is always always better that what that dinky camera will record. That is my belief. The sky here was a Parrish blue, the trees glistening with ice, the sun was just glowing. This photo is a post-it note, the reality (in my head) was on parchment.

Signatures

I try to get a signature on each of my works, but it takes time. And its the last step to being finished. So, I am making time and getting finished for this group at least.

Dragons

Well, here is this week's piece "White Dragon / Silver Dragon". I can't tell if the dragon in my life is white (good, caring and sensitive) or silver (bad, small but intelligent) so in this piece they are duking it out. This is all of 20" x 12"and part of the Quilt 2012 challenge.

Paley on the Hillside

After mile and miles of backroads, I spotted this must-be Albert Paley sculpture outside of Canandaigua, New York. Its a big rusty thing that looks as light as cardboard. But it is not. Worth closer inspection when the weather warms up.

Being Rich

So in the bleak days of winter, its nice to reflect on just how great it is to have a family. I know this has nothing to do with art, but its the mood for today. Tomorrow will bring something else, I am sure.

One Thin Line

Ah. Lets return to the warm, sunny days and to the botanical garden in Ames, Iowa. Remember the green. Now focus on the line. Ha! Outside, it is snowing just a bit.

One Thing Leads to Another

The left quilt made me want to try it larger. So 200% it is. Now to get it quilted. A fresh start for the new year, right?

A Day at Marcia's Studio

We often gather at Marcia DeCamp's studio for a day reserved for total imersion in fiber art. Ok -- we might talk about other things, but it is always the best time. She is here with recent work on her perfect design boards. You can see more at www.marciadecamp.com.

Tree Trimmers

Just out my kitchen window my pests are looking over what may be left of anything green. The herd is usually around 11 or so, maybe these are the ring leaders. They are stopped listening to a barking dog. Hey -- idea there!

Glacial Talk

A visit with Karl from Alaska today included this sketch of very delicate and beautiful glacier formations. Good conversation and a good afternoon. Damn nice sketch book.

John McQueen and Storm Debris

We had a wicked wind storm night before last and the yard is littered with twigs. Something that would inspire John McQueen. His work is at the Burchfield Penney Center in Buffalo. They call him one of the world's leading fiber artists. Clever, for sure.

New Foot for the Janome

Working on the Janome 760 with a new foot while the Bernina gets fixed. Gloves are to get a grip on the work, not because it is cold. Which it is. Especially tonight. Putting on the instant fire.

Cat and Mouse

Some while ago (9/2/2011) I posted a photo given to me by my daughter. I loved the shapes there, and used it in my finished piece "Cat and Mouse" . I used my own technique for cutting up the pretties, a workshop I teach where I draft the image and then use freezer paper templates. The hard part is cutting up that one-of-a-kind fabric. But with this result, easy to do.

Packing Up for the Return



A look at how the works are wrapped to return home. I use a swimming noodle covered with a piece of batting, then wrap the work face out, cover with a clean fabric, tie with strip of fabric, add a label (courtesy of old tyvek running bibs from the hubby) and maybe a sleeve of plastic for the drive home.

Last Light

Sunset's last light as seen from the back of my house. Reminds me of aBarbara Watler piece, with bare trees and that even tone in the background. Glad that the days will linger just a bit longer each day from now on.

Home Again

At seven feet tall, this is the package just returning from the Schweinfurth exhibition with my two pieces. Tomorrow I am going to rehang them here. Kinda missed them.

Quilt 2012 is a Go

Jeanne Simpson posted a challenge to make a piece 20" x 12" each week for a year. I missed the first one, but this week (#2 of the year) I finished "Flying Solo 2012." Join the challenge. http://www.quilt2012.blogspot.com/

Continuous Energy

Time for pancakes? Penn Yan (shortened, they say, for Pennsylvania Yankees) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is where I was today. Birkett Mills which has been in continuous operation since 1797. I felt young by comparison.

Winner of My Quilt

Thank you to all who made my submission box overflow for the raffle at the Schweinfurth of my "Petite Mummy" this fall. Word has it that Nancy Ostman won this piece, and I am thrilled that it has a great home. Congrats!

Fiber Art Now

My article on the 2011 Quilt=Art=Quilts show at the Schweinfurth is in the latest Fiber Art Now magazine. If you can get a copy (or better yet, a subscription) you will not be disapointed. Cool, right?

The Drawing Board

I work like a lot of visual artists do -- by adding pieces to a design wall. This random assortment will hold the germ of an idea, and maybe it will fester into something that will go viral. Ha! Tomorrow's start.

One Last Time

My work at Rochester Institute of Technology at the University Gallery will be up for one last week. If you brave the cold, these will warm you senses. The exhibit is "Design in Fiber / Pat Pauly" until January 13.

Keeping a Sketchbook

Harald Bode kept a brilliant notebook that documented his work in inventing synthesized sound. I don't like keeping notebooks, maybe will someday. His were in German or English, and fascinating. This was from the 1940's I think.

More from Art in Craft Media

Ani Hoover and her work "Astro Dot Net" had me stop in my tracks. It was made with rings of painted paper, the back side of which was a vibrant pink. The reflection from the pink made the wall glow. I could not capture it in this very blunt photo; you have to see it to experience it. Beautiful.

Burchfield Penney Gallery

Hillary Fayle's work "The Bay" seen at the exhibition now on in Buffalo called Art in Craft Media 2011 just blew me away. This photo does not do the work justice, and it was a series of bay leaves that had been sewn. And then pinned to the perfectly white wall. Amazing! If you have the chance to see this show, up until January 15th, go.

http://www.burchfieldpenney.org/collection/object:l2011-006-017-the-bay/

Everyday Collecting

I am looking at objects a lot these days. Collecting is a passion, and arranging things is not a random act. This haphazard group is from my friend's house. Symmetry reigns, if you take out that duck. But then, why would you?

Sandy Beach

This if for all my friends who are running down the waves on the warm beaches enjoying the breeze. Here at home it was frozen sand (Charlotte, to be exact) at about 13 degrees. My nose almost froze.

Window Dressing

There is an art to window dressing. I like the use of just some of the space, leaving all that framing surround. What is up with those random red lights on the awning? Seen in Toronto on the way out of town last week.

Fireworks over Susan B Anthony

Well, over the Susan B Bridge at least. Quite a show with a tremendous water flow under it all from the recent rains. And pleasant to have it at a civil hour of 10 at night. Happy New Year day.