It Won't Last

This collection has started to gather. The start is all right, but who knows where these parts will run. Some may stay on path, some a shortcut -- a cheat to the finish -- and some may drop out from exhaustion.We're a long way to the finish line.

Roll 'Em

I'm near the tail end of cleaning up my studio. The stack of quilts is gone, and as I rolled them one at a time on a noodle to store, I noticed the free-form quilted line on the back. It mirrors the front, but on its own, floating free visible in the back, I  realize that this is just the way I like to quilt -- like Scribbling.

Underfeet

Friends were over today one got on his knees to turn back the edge of a carpet runner I had. He discovered the stamped fabric tag that stated the country of origin to be Iran. I walk, scrape my shoes, ignore, and occasionally clean it. Now I might be kinder.

New New Table Top

It don't seem like a big whoop-di-do, but it is for me. I've replaced the two tables cobbled together and installed one large 44 x 80 sheet of plywood, covered in plastic sheeting, taped down, with two cotton batting layers, then a white plastic cover (with its folds ironed). I'm in printing heaven.

The Sunday Crowd

Victor Vasarely's " Quasar +" from 1966 was on my tour Sunday at the Memorial Art Gallery. The serigraph was all precision, graduation, clean. That the eye wants to see an "X" in the piece is part of the optical illusion's charm. Good clean fun.

Stocking Stuff

It has to be at least 25 years since I made these for my relatives. But it's been a request to add two more for a nephew and his son. So, these took my Sunday. Hope they like them. Mail tomorrow.

Takin the Longarm for a Drive

After a studio cleanout, moving party, installing, and final tension tweaks, the longarm was ready to run. So, I had a great time trying new lines, new swigs, new blips. Might work their way into the real stuff -- this is just a test drive.

Full Moon Night

You know my moon shots are small, blurry, out of focus. Just like that rabbit I've tried to catch unsuccessfully. So, I'll offer this perfectly round and crater-pocked sphere. Happy The Beaver's Moon.

While Others Cooked Thanksgiving

I made a coat. Thanksgiving day I was invited to a lovely dinner -- and all I brought was wine. So, with a long morning to spend on myself, I nearly finished a coat that had been on my list. Thanks to Jeannette in Oregon for fabric shopping.

Your Pal

More cleaning of my shelves unearthed this tea towel embroidered by M. V. D. Seems she had a pal, and this was gifted to her friend. Love the handwriting style and the color she used. It was from my old neighborhood, so I think I'll keep this a while longer.

Walking the Line

Paula Kovarik has a way with line. It's a story, a path, a gesture. A row of her works are on view in the World of Threads exhibition which I got to see Saturday. This detail is but a glimpse of what she does with the quilted stitch.

Time for Folds

Tina Struthers' work "Untamed" was beautifully worked in denim, velvet, and thread. What intrigued me was the variety of textures she made with simple and complex folds. This was part of the World of Threads Exhibition in Oakville, Canada.

Botanically Beautiful

Ellen Ramsey's piece "Satori" has a way with layering and transparencies that give this woven tapestry great depth. I love the square format, the large "X" and breaks in the columns. Saw this at the World of Threads exhibit yesterday in Oakville, Canada. Go, if you can.

Visible and Invisible

Sun Young Kang's piece  "In Between Presence and Absence" covered the floor at the World of Threads exhibition in Oakville, Canada. Made of paper cast forms, it became a see of white and off white forms. I found it intriguing, and she states her interest is showing the visible, invisible, and emptiness.

Reordering

As I move through the corners of the studio and rearrange work stations, I've made changes. I turned to my design wall and took a hard look at the junk pinned up. Half got tossed, some made it back in a new arrangement. At least now there is some white space to think.

Turning a Corner

The new (to me) longarm is now in place and I'm ready to learn how to use it. This placement has forced me to move boxes, purge bins, settle up old bundles of "maybe-someday" to make room. We'll see how it goes, and what comes of it.

No Raking Necessary

Snowfall is nature's way of shutting down activity, and letting me know the long winter's work is at hand. And that is inside, where it is warm, well lit, and surrounded by design walls.

Winter Cleaning Phase 2

I've almost a dozen bags of scraps ready to give away, and that leaves me room to get to the stash on the shelves. Although my work uses mostly fabric I've made, I do use these commercial fabrics for practice work, ideas, and finishing. Plus, I love them too.

Revisit a Book

I've added another work from the exhibit at the Rundel Library "The Art of the Book" because it is such a wonder in lightness and volume. The scale is large, and there are several works of equal size on view. The show is downtown Rochester, NY until January 9, 2019.

Winter's Night

"Kalpa" by Symmetry Labs and Alexander Green is installed just next to the Rochester Contemporary Art Center where it changes color via interaction with the crowd. As I left a concert nearby, the cold air, the quiet crowd, and the tree's glow stayed with me.

Time Passes

Ruth White, a fellow fiber artist from Ithaca, bought this from a SAQA auction, I believe, in 2008. She supported fiber artists, encouraged them, and let us know our worth. After her death, I inherited "Little Red" and now have this to remember Ruth.

Winter Cleaning

Some wait for spring, but I know I will be on the road by then. For me the sweet spot is winter. I'm starting with the bins of fabric scraps. This is the first bag up scraps to give away to friends who will use them in their work.

What I Did On My Day Off

Aside from spending most of the day at the Genesee Valley Quilt Club's meeting (with a rally to quilt well from Genie Barnes) I raked these leaves caught last week in all their glory. As I write, they are down, and out at the curb.

Art of the Book

At the opening of the "Art of the Book" was an international gathering of art made from books (altered book category) and book art (books from diverse media) at the Central Library in Rochester tonight. This collage by Gareth Fitzgerald Barry called "Narrative Portrait: Frederick Douglass" hit me.

Longarm for Sale

This is an extra post for today. I thought perhaps some of my peeps in the GVQC quilt club here in Rochester, New York might pass along the word that my Handi Quilter 16 is for sale at $900 or best offer. So, here are two photos before I took it apart. The two oak tables go with the machine and act as the base. It is gently used, never commercially, and in fair condition. Find me at patpaulyart@gmail.com to inquire.

One Voice, One Vote

I used to be a one item voter, but now I see many things that compel me to vote. Voting is less than a mile from home, with no lines. Wish others could cast their ballot as easily.

Making Tracks

With dyes ready to go it seemed a shame not to take an afternoon and use them. I often use my table, coated in white plastic, as the surface for monoprinting. And I make pieces that are a generous yard in size.

Meeting of the Minds

The group Finger Lakes Fiber Artists meets every few months to share and encourage each other to continue work in fibers. Most often, the works are art quilts, but other processes and techniques are brought to the table, or in this case, the wall.

Visiting Friends

A check up on my piece at the Quilts=Art=Quilts show at the Schweinfurth let me know all was good. This show is well thought out for locating the art work, and a delight to see. I saw many that are intriguing, and will return to visit. The show runs in Auburn, NY until January 6, 2019.

One to Go

Members are invited to show a piece during the Rochester Contemporary's annual members show. I've got this ready to hand over this weekend. Needs a name, and a signature. That's all. It is about 35" square and yes, for sale.

Back At You

I've got a small piece for the ROCO members' show to quilt. Decided to match the bobbin thread to the top, and this drawing shows on the back. Much  more fun than matching to the back.