Up Close

A large Gerhardt Knodel work is at the Snyderman-Works Gallery in Philadelphia. A group of artists from the Studio Art Quilt Association is meeting in Philly this weekend, and a treat was to see this installation. It's fiber work from A to Z.

Fracking

If you've been in my Improv class, you know about adding two pieces together and then cutting apart to fracture the line. I'm looking for an uneven line, so I've sliced and reassembled. Tedious, but it gets the job done.

Placement Tricks

Just using the freezer paper as a placement and cutting guide. I've even got a few tick marks, but I may not need them. I'll cut the background, add 1/4" to the holes, and iron it back. Then I think I will slip the underneath color in, and reverse applique the fillings.

Adding in a Big Way

It's evolving. The spaces that are just one large hunk of fabric are puzzling. I like them, but they are a lot of real estate. So glad too have a dreary day to work. Less pull outdoors,

Target Practice

This target practice sheet from Sears, Roebuck & Co.  listed itself as "America's Gun Headquarters." Easter Bunny, watch out. 

Cover Art

My head may not fit through the door. The cover of Martha Sielman's new book "Art Quilts International: Abstract and Geometric" will be out soon with one of my works on the cover. Talk about a treat! You can find it on Amazon.

Filling In

I've started to sketch in the areas of the drawing with my hand dyed fabrics for value. The original photo is at the upper left on the design wall. The freezer paper pattern hangs to on left and right walls.

Class in August in Massachusetts

I'm set to teach a five day class in Fall River, Massachusetts at Pro Chem called "Surface Design Sampler: Monoprinting, Stamping and More" this August. Here is a yard piece that I've silkscreened,and just quilted as a whole cloth. Love to have you join us. Find information here.

Taking My Advice

When I teach, I use an image to illustrate cropping. Each time I see it, I love it more. So I figured it's time I used it. Take my own advice for a change. Now is the full scale drawing stage.

Climbing the Wall

Lori Cooley's ladder scales a stone in this 2' high sculpture, part of a group exhibition at St. John Fisher College. It's the simplest of forms, and one often seen in fiber art -- two parallel lines crossed in rhythm.

Takes a Week

Three amigos got unpacked finally. Took a while to get all the parts back on the shelves. Ohio was five classes, and lots of pieces. Next stop is St. Albans, Vermont at the end of April. Then I'll pack 'em up again.

Take This With You

A gift from a student (who is also the publisher!) in my Ohio class, this book will be my traveling companion. It's hefty, chock full of stores, and maps. Thank you Michele Marin, I'll use it. For a look at her work check https://www.needletravel.com/

Tic Tac Bow (Tie)

Got the Bow Ties framed and ready to load on the longarm tomorrow to quilt up. My experiment with adding a thin line to a shape has just begun. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

Vested Interest

Melissa Matson was at the Geisel Gallery tonight for the opening, featuring a trio of talent. I was intrigued with her painted paper and sewn vests. This photo does not do it justice. Just go see them, if you are around Rochester's Legacy Tower.

Hidden Passion

Wendell Castle's music stand (collection Memorial Art Gallery) held his notes tonight as he sang Woody Guthrie songs. Sponsored by MAG, "Hidden Passions," had me wondering just what I would share. Publicly, that is.

Ducks in a Row

The Global Eye Health Center is the work zone for Bausch + Lomb optical products. An enormous space, the building's collections curator rotates art constantly. My turn was this winter.  Had a visit today.

You Make What You Wear Take #2

It was too obvious who was working on this quilt. For my Cutting Up the Pretties, we found a design, drew it full scale, made freezer paper templates, then populated with fabric. Well done, Sandi. Can't wait to see it finished.

Welcome Home

I'd watched this bud and grow, and now I am returned home (from being away a week) to enjoy the orchid. Once gifted, it's now returned. I can enjoy another life cycle.

You Wear What You Make

It never fails to emerge in a class that the person makes the piece that they wear. Shaila worked diligently on this piece with a range of blues, and strikes of black. Perfectly geometric, just like her sweater. I had a wonderful time in Kirtland, Ohio, at the Lake Metroparks Farmpark. For me it was a treat to be among so many talented and daring quilters.

The Wave

Dinner and a lecture. At Lake Metropark in Kirtland, Ohio, the topic was Challenges. Not a challenge to get this bunch to laugh. We had a wonderful time tonight. And I discovered I am actually younger in person!

Guess What

Perfectly pieced but wrong pieces. At times, we get so enamored with finishing that we forget to look! It made for a good laugh, and the skinny line leaf was soon put right.

I'm Not Kidding This is Fun

Classy, complex, complimentary, clever, chatty, colorful, and cleveland-esque confirms this class today. 

Lunch Break

Drop everyting, It is time to tie on the feed bags (eat lunch). Since we are at the Lake Metroparks Farmpark, we know we can check out the baby pigs, lambs, and cows. It is almost spring. Just come back after lunch.

Emerging Art

Helen welcomed my day by saying she had planned to take my class many many months ago. Such a strong woman could only make strong selections. She is joined by several more brave souls who will be with me the whole week. Can't wait.

Checking the Quilt Show

I've gotten a quick glance of the 2016 Quilt Show at Metropark in Kirtland, Ohio. This caught my eye because it is from a workshop I taught a couple of years ago -- the Shibori Half-Square Triangle Quilt. Guess the judges like it as well.

Globs to Love

Todd Oldham's Evening Dress from 1987 has these perfectly wonderful globs. If you love beads, silk, evening wear, and floral forms, here you have it. Now at the Memorial Art Gallery's exhibit on Ebony Fashion.

Birthday Gifts

Mary and I share birthdays next to each other. Yesterday we got together and I finished this apron that I had direct dye painted. I used some textile pens to add the squiggles, drawing in some natural forms. May have to do another for gifting to me.

In the Thick of the Dye

First Fridays in town mean lots of neat art. For me, the call of the wet studio was greater, so I spent the evening getting to screen, drip, and slather thickened dye on my soda-soaked fabric. I'm warming up for my two classes, one in Montreal this May, and one in Fall River this August.

Two Peas in a Pod

It's rare to see two images on this blog. These pics were shot in sequence, and as I saw the frames juxtaposed, the comparison was confirming -- I'm color influenced, for sure.

Gift from India

My birthday can continue for a few more days. A friend gifted me this hand printed, silk scarf. Not that I could print like this, but it does incline me to put dye to cloth. That'll be tomorrow.

Packin Junk

Next week the workshops at Quilts 2016, the 25th Annual Quilt Show at Farmpark outside of Cleveland, will have my Dozen Ways: Design for Art Quilts. I'm adding some non-traditional elements for experimenting. Can you spot the shower curtain, the Yupo paper, and the deer fence?