Music Making

As a member of the singing group in Rochester, I was part of a jam presentation. Three bands were randomly chosen, and after 6 weeks of practice, we performed last night. I've a great respect for performers, regardless of the talent or genre. It takes time, patience and nerve. Now back to being just me.
 

The Full Monty

Now seen across the room from where I made it, it looks happy there. I realize that I need a name for it. Nothing seems to fit, so I'll just have to stare at it a while. Which I recommend -- staring that is. It takes time to get to know why you like the piece. 
 

The Finish Line

 

I sign the lower right hand corner in stitching by hand. Since today was gas insert conversion day (!!!), I could do this mindless task. Signing this way -- on the front -- saves me hours of poking around in the files. I never sign the back unless an exhibition asks for it. And then, it's a temporary tag.

Waiting for Me at Studio 301

Thanksgiving has me running about, but I know that when I get back to the studio on Tuesday I'll have this waiting for me. It's a good thing to leave something there, and not an empty wall. It's always easier to edit than stare at a blank page. 
 

Before and After Additions

 

The top image is about 3' x3' and is strictly the squares from an exercise. The lower image, about 4' wide and 3.5' high, included additions of plain blocks that expand and stretch the more complex pieces. I've often suggested adding in breathing room, and this worked for me here. 

Slide Along

I'm working at facing this piece, and I land everything on a tray, including my tea, where I can slide along the piece and throw the pins as I go. Plus, when company invades (this is my kitchen counter peninsula) I can clear quickly.
 

As I Left It

Wednesday I turned off the lights and looked back at this set. As today was Thanksgiving, I realize that I am blessed with the space to create, wonderful people to meet and know along this way, and know that there is so many who encourage me to continue. So, thank you on this day. I wish you the same.
 

Which Row to Sew?

After laying out my squares I need to keep track of which is what. So, I use roman numerals in each upper left corner starting at left and the stacking in that orientation. That way I keep order. Then the rows are assembled. Learned this in the 70s watching Simply Quilts. Or was is the 80s? 

 

Exhibitions

Showcasing your work happens in the small arena as well as the grand. A show of Darryl Abraham's sweet burned wood and painted art is in a library case. This image was just enough for me to note to Darryl that I am interested in owning it. So, look everywhere, support your fellow artists, gift art. 
 

The Back Story

I think it's fun to see the drawings made in the stitches. So, I've matched the color of the top thread to the bobbin and where it shows, it shows. Quilting on my printed and drawn shapes is just so relaxing, easy, and fits the work.
 

Close Up Front

Details tell a lot, and I often take them in case I enter the work in an exhibition that is juried. I try to show the quilting, but also the printing complexity. Plus, they make a good little composition. 
 

Late Afternoon

I'm trying to visit studio two every day, and since the massive snowfall missed Rochester, there was no excuse to stay in studio one.  After assembling the last project, I reconfigured a class demo that I quite liked. The strong shadows came along, confusing the design. But it was time to go anyway.
 

Dusk

The morning was in the home studio on the longarm, the afternoon in the away studio. I got a lot finished, and left just at the sun was setting. This is the view  our my studio windows, about a block from the Art Gallery and minutes from the heart of downtown. 
 

Straight Edge

Those who piece with traditional blocks have a built in square side. This particular design, where I use a grid to select sections gives me that square edge. Which comes in handy when I set it up to quilt. I can lock the vertical (or horizontal) movement to tack down those sides. After that, it's freestyle.
 

Closer Look

No matter how carefully I shoot the photos of my scarves, I know that daylight -- and cloudy light even better -- works to translate the perfect color for the pieces on my website store. So, here is what I sent to someone who asked "just what is the green color?". Leaves for comparison!
 

Back at the Design Wall

It was good to get back to the studio this week. Slow progress on this piece, and I hope to get it connected tomorrow. What was a collection of demonstration prints at Hudson River Valley Workshops this summer has turned out to be a good set to work with. I've named it Player Piano. 
 

Beer (Cup) Party

Before I leave the stack of photos from Art Quilt Tahoe, I should show you all this. It is a view of the "tower" that we used to lay our wet prints flat. Yes, that's a double beer cup for spacers between the foam insulation boards. It's a great system in a pinch. But we still were waiting for the beer.
 

Salad Du Jour

I'd taken an armload of scarves to Tahoe and returned with just a handful. They are now parked on my website shop. I'll make more, as I love to gift them for the holidays. Which you might, too. This on is "Salad Du Jour" which is just what I need after indulging in desserts all week. 

 

Glance Back

My trip from Tahoe to Rochester took 30 hours, an overnight in the airport, and funky food. But I wanted to leave you with an image of two of the work tables, and their prints. All pieces that emerged were magical, fun, high chroma, and inventive. Thank you all who were with me there for my refreshing week!
 

The Print

A printing workshop is just that -- printing. A couple of people in the class asked for learning the language of printing as their top goal. It's the first I've been asked to highlight that. And we did.
 

What We Do For Fun

Art Quilt Tahoe is like many retreats for creatives. We get a group together, explore a process or project, and practice as much as time allows. This is a typical scene, and boy, did we make great prints!
 

What Next

Before the day starts, we finish what we started yesterday. The proverbial question: What Next? And it may seem like we are seriously considering the demise of lately departed, we are in fact figuring how to breathe more life into the piece. One of my favorite times.
 

Beaver Moon

 Near Lake Tahoe's shore the walk home gave me this beaver moon. Also  few bear tracks. Life has its steadiness. 

Dye Dogs

In surface design lingo, there are pieces that are not worthy of keeping around and we affectionately call them "dye dogs". Today's Art Quilt Tahoe had dogs of a different breed. These energetic, well drafted, and funky dogs were made with rubbings. Pretty bow-wow, I say!
 

The Undiscerning Traveler

It must be that my level of fantastic is low. I am able to love any landscape regardless of how thrilling or important it is. So, the bus ride from Reno to Tahoe's retreat where I'll be teaching can be as exciting as all get out. Just the texture of the pines, the grit of the earth, the color of the sage brush. It's swell.
 

Home Stretch

I'll be traveling for my last out of town trip for this year. By my return there should have been our first frost, and the last of the falling leaves. What keeps me grounded is that I have a great and welcoming life here, and returning is always a joy. I'll take a last look at this garden before I board my flight.
 

The Second Design Wall

It's been a decade since I had a second design wall at hand. And I can see what I've been missing. Being able to have this grouping of parts at the side of the larger design wall, gives me a great opportunity to really "live with it" and add or subtract in bursts. It can linger, stew, or just wait its turn.
 

Time is Now

I've rearranged teh studio a bit, and given the lady a scarf. First Fridays are, well, tomorrow, and I've got a few more to change out the gallery space. We'll see what the wind blows in tomorrow night. Might need a scarf.
 

Let Your Pretties Go

Of  these two, one is clearly stronger. Never mind that I spent an hour fussing with the first column, then eliminated it from the second composition. I'll finish like this, and let go of that precious piece. Sacrifice! 
 

Who Will Win This Discussion?

Parts from a demonstration in my Make It & Break It workshop is getting assembled into a real work today. I've had it around for a year of so (it seams) and each time I get it out and talk about it I keep saying that I should put this together and finish it. So, I am.