Delusions of Grandeur

Rene Magritte's work "Delusions of Grandeur" at the Baltimore Art Museum, on my stop today, had me wondering his meaning. That it's time to pare down? Or is it time to segment my life? Or that progressive lenses would be best for someone with my eyesight? I'm still wondering.

Figure Studies

Sarah Mary Taylor's work from the 1990s "Business Man" is at the Schweinfurth now in an exhibition curated by Jonathan Holstein. This work, from his collection, has engaging shapes cut and appliqued to strong colored backgrounds. I have a detail here, so that you can see how it is cut, applied and quilted.

Pollen Season

Betty Busby's work "Pollen" greets you at the door of the Quilts=Art=Quilts show. Knowing where Betty gets these shapes helps, but I like it for just what I see, and really don't need to know the subject matter. But if it helps you to see, that's ok.

Seeing is Believing, But Feeling...

... is the truth. Kathy Ford's lecture did something unusual. She told the story of a "class" healing quilt that was passed from member to member for five years. It returned to her, and she passed it for us to hold as well. Can't remember the last time a quilt was passed around.

Lecture Tomorrow

Kathy Ford's work is part of the Schweinfurth's exhibition Quilts=Art=Quilts, and she will be speaking tomorrow (Sunday) at 2:00. Weather and time permitting, I hope to be there.

Holiday Shopping Begins

While I won't be participating in Black Friday, I've mailed some printed scarves to the Pink House Gallery in Saranac Lake. Yes, wool might be a better bet, but these silk drape beautifully and I wear them 18 hours a day. And they are warm! Happy day after turkey day.

Drawn and Figured

For a section of this next work I needed to draw and piece the element. To the rescue is my freezer paper. Those who know my technique know it saves me again and again for figuring out how to piece in a shape. Well, here it is again -- the drawing on left, and a few pieces on the right.

On the Wall

Inspired by the fabric I've made this summer, I've started a piece improvisationally. Now that my travel is slowed down, I can indeed concentrate on my design wall.

Schweinfurth's Quilts=Art=Quilts

1985 was my first acceptance to this show. This is the first in the last 10 years I have not been in. As I look around, I see many worthy artists taking my spot. I'm good with that. This has always been a show to serve up strength and controversy, this year no exception. Go visit.

Unexpected Foundation

Shin-hee Chin's Homage to Sonia Delaunay is now on view at the Schweinfurth's "Quilts=Art=Quilts" exhibition. With a photo one can clearly see the face, but without it is difficult. Shin-hee paints on a coiled basket-like substrate. Her other works are similarly surprising in technique.

Meeting Up

Yesterday was a meeting of art quilters based near the Finger Lakes in New York. We are privileged to use Schweinfurth's open flex space to meet, and these foam walls for showing work. Whether a piece in progress, like Liz Anderson's at left, or my hunk of printed linen, at right, it's always great discussion.

Things, Things, Things

Art at the Pink House, a gallery in Saranac Lake, New York, has a bunch of my hand dyed and painted linen pillows. Since a couple have sold (!) I'm boxing these up and mailing replacements. And you think all I do is look at art these days?

Room Full of Gerri

The World of Threads showcased an entire hallway to Gerri Spilka's work.  Large, graphic, and organically shaped quilts seemed to do-si-do as you walked between them. Wish I could have a long view, but glad to see a formidable group.

Public Display of Affection

One of my favorite artists is Pamela Allen, whose work "Kissing in Public" is on view at the exhibition The World of Threads in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. This detail shows the lovely graphic quality for which she is expert, and the color and pattern play that she uses with such ease.

Intoxicating Art

Yesterday was a visit to the World of Threads exhibit in Oakville , Ontario, Canada. The grandest, most memorable, and certainly the work with the most parts (11,000 leaves) was this wall of leaves molded from beeswax. The smell was intoxicating, the effect mind blowing.

Beauty in Chaos

Jonathan Holstein's Schweinfurth lecture this Sunday touched on this Anna Williams quilt from his collection. He reminded us that although it seemed simple and random, it was crafted expertly and with genius. Yes, seems simple, but, it's difficult to do. You try.

Super Moon

My shots of the night sky never turn out, so I offer this as an alternative. I've been noticing the moon of late, it's still delightful. Happy Supermoon.

The Expert is in the House

Jonathan Holstein and Barb Ackley hold her quilt while Marcia DeCamp looks on during Jonathan's lecture today at the Schweinfurth Art Center. His breadth of knowledge on material culture (no pun intended) is vast, and his observations are spot on. A lecture that was a treat.

Art Quilt Class 101

Friday was a "Dozen Ways: Design for Abstract Art Quilts," a kind of boot camp forgene rating ideas for works. Fun, for sure, but difficult as well. Making one "sketch" seemed easy, three not so much. But in the end, the results and ideas were grand

The View From Where I Stand

This morning's lecture was with the ever wonderful Q.U.I.L.T.S. Inc in Delmar, New York --- and a full house salute as well. The afternoon was just as fun with the "Dozen Ways to Design Art Quilts." Many thanks.

Full House

The New Big Leaf came to Delmar, New York, and the Q.U.I.L.T.S. Inc. guild. Although I've taught this many times, the work that comes out -- the changes in the combinations --- always has me wanting to try a new twist on this pattern. Great group!

Quiet Reflection

Wednesday was a visit to the Munson Williams Proctor Museum Institute in Utica, New York. Milton Avery's work "Poetry Reading" from 1957 offered a quiet mood for reflecting on our place in time. I love the full attention to the woman.

I Voted Early

This vintage quilt, from the collection of Sue Reich, was made to represent victory in World War II. For me, it's "get out and vote." Which I did, and early.

Show and Tell

Tonight was my lecture with the quilters in Clifton Park, New York. As always, the show and tell brings surprises and a new appreciation for twisting tradition. Tomorrow is a workshop and more fun.

Why Kids are Worth the While

I was hunting for a machine needle when this came up. Seem to remember that a tidy daughter arranged and cataloged my haphazard collection. Nothing I would have taught, maybe learned elsewhere.

Square Time

Squaring up with a T-square used for drywall work I bought at Home Depot. This is 48" long, and when I combine the square of my work table, I can trim the piece very easily.

Type High

First Fridays in town offer a chance to haunt new studios. This one called Type High Letterpress in Anderson Alley allowed me to go back to my days printing with movable type. Lovely shop, and Tony was a great guide. All the best to them.

At It Again

I'll travel to the Albany area next week, and I'm making some fabrics to share. I love using that goofy stencil, and this X screen. Lots to wash out tomorrow.

Sketched Out

While at the quilt festival in Montreal this summer, I was given a box of chalk. I've used it again and again locate a cut or a line I'd like to use. The straight pins are used to baste the layers.

On The Wall

I save out choice fabrics from my dye/paint/screen/discharge days. This bunch seemed like it ought to be used. So, there. I cut into them, and have channeled the mantra from my "Slash and Burn" class -- don't think, just cut.