End of the Run

Split over a few days, this way of adding the quilting is great. I can load the longarm and it will wait for me to return to add. This one was longer than I thought as I switched out the top color frequently. I like to match the thread to the color beneath. And I'm using wool batting. It's light and forgiving.
 

Scenic Photos

I know, I know. Your Facebook feed is flooded with spectacular photos of the super-blue moon. But sometimes a gal just has to stop and get that gallon of milk and the view is clear and a snap away. So, there. I'll go home and view it from my spot there as well. But this is reality.
 

The Almost Moon

Last night's almost Supermoon was raring to go. I was out of the city, the sky was clear, and I figured the supermoon day might not give me a chance. So, let's go for two posts on the Blue Moon Supermoon,
 

Diffuse Light

I offer the unusual two image post tonight to explain the perfect light in the University Gallery at RIT where my work is now shown. The top image shows the wall perfectly wall-washed with even light, the second the skylights that bounce the incoming light in a box and diffuse it. Wonderful light.
 

Mind the Gap

On a tour of recent additions to the RIT campus I noticed this infill for what may have been a gap between two walls, near an elevator. I'm not sure exactly what it was, but it seemed so incongruous with all the clean, minimal surfaces, that it became a focal point. Someone had to approve it!
 

Scale

I got in a visit to the exhibition of my work at RIT yesterday. And since my friend was along, I can show how large scale  the work is. It's really great to have a 12' x 12' panel on which to hang these. 
 

Good to Go

It's pieced and ready to quilt. I've trimmed the top edge so I can set that against the top of the quilting bar on my longarm. Grateful to have these tools -- studio, printing studio, longarm. 
 

Quick Visit

I had a rendezvous at the University Gallery today and was surprised to see the room was set for a banquet. It makes the work look even more important as the sole color infusion was coming from the art. Hope they had a good lunch! 
 

Add Some Red

I thought I had the color pallet set, but was asked to add red. I was stopped a bit there, but after adding that strong color into this gentle set, I could see the difference, and the change. So, it's nearly finished and sporting Red.
 

How Many Ways?

This composition rearranged itself countless times over several months. As I said, many things preempted my work on it. And just when I thought I had it working, it was determined there needed more red. Stay tuned.

 

Back in Time

I'm reaching back in time to catch you up on the work that has hung out for months. A commission piece, this has a particular location and the colors needed to be soft and calm. I printed about a dozen pieces specifically for this work. Apology if I've shown it before, but I'll take you through the next steps next.
 

Back to the Studio

You know when I've been to the studio because I change the yard of printed fabric each time I visit. Now that the weather has cooled to reasonable, and I've got some unscheduled time, I can get back to the design wall. Gosh, it feels good.
 

The Lineup

Seventeen works are hung, and they do take command of this space. The one nearest is 'Normandy' from 2016, one that also traveled with Quilt National '17. I'm glad to have the opportunity to show it past that exhibition, as they frequently 'age out' of juried shows. 
 

Other's Art

A side travel to see the Geisel Gallery's exhibit of four abstract artists. This work "The Rest of the Story" by Peter Veitch caught me for both its scale and the high chroma, not to mention the line work. The works had various media, which made for great comparative study.
 

Installation Day at RIT

The University Gallery at the Rochester Institute of Technology is hosting my work in an exhibition till October 7. It's a grand space, comparable to the height and volume of major museums. we've set out the show and are starting to hang the works.

 

Labels

I'm using a repro low tack adhesive film to print my labels and then cut apart to use for my exhibit. I've used these for more than twenty years, and I love that they are clean and don't mar the wall. This is my test in the kitchen!
 

Raffle Quilt

Years ago I taught a class called "Skinny Line Leaf" and this was an example of the pattern and technique. It's about 70" square, using my hand dyed fabric. A group of mine holds a folk festival each year, and this will be raffled off. I'm happy to support my group, and happy to see it find a new home.
 

A Day Out

Yesterday we had one of those spectacular days, where it is technically summer, but the breeze tells you that it's cooling and will soon be fall. I was at a picnic all day, and today was recovery. But the pile of quilts is getting stacked for installation, and tomorrow I've got packing to do for that. 
 

Design Wall

Wouldn't it be great if you could leave parts on the design wall, go away for the night, and return to see the perfect recombination of the elements? Where are those elves when you need them. I did the work that they should have done, and somehow the work started to gel. Now to let sit and steep.
 

New and Just Hung Up

Finished this so that I can enjoy it a week before I pack for a solo show that is installing this week. I always enjoy living with these, and can't for the life of me understand how one would not want to see their work in the changing light of day. It's called "Plants Take a Holiday"
 

Cooler Day to Iron

The studio, in a large old building, faces south. So, since the air cooled to a reasonable 75 degrees, it was possible to get there and start to get the works ready for exhibition. Ironing forces me to go over every inch and catch stray threads, missed areas, and set the surface with steam. It's a wool batting, that's good.
 

Self Shipping

Interfaces for various carriers change, and seems I can't quite adapt. The work for the New York SAQA exhibit Contrast was mailed out today, happily nestled with tissue paper, wrapped in plastic, tied with cloth strips. Only I sent it to MYSELF. You can see I'm not quite up to par. Hope it arrives tomorrow!
 

Reading List

I admit to being a casual, and sporadic reader. But after spending time with Roland this week for our family wedding, I though it proper to read his book. The others are for gifting. I'll let you know if it's recommended. 

Back for Time, or Time for Back

Black thread hides sins, but also is so hard to see. I'm trying to finish this facing in time for next week and hanging the show at RIT. Tomorrow will be the sleeve, and if time permits, the signature. Then Thursday it's back to the studio. Gotta keep the walls happy!
 

Color Instead

I can't think it would look as lively if the cake(s) were all in white. I learned about gel colors for decorating cakes and they work just like any other pigment. I used various shades of blue and green, and those brassy marigolds helped. Now I'm ready to cut loose and do some wild cakes. Hmmm.
 

That Other Sewing Stuff

The past few months I was sewing a wedding dress. I've not great photos of the day, but these will offer a glimpse of how it looked. I'll add a detail from the construction. I've not made many gowns, so this put my skills to a test. Many have heard me talk about this, and now I can share.

 

The Party

 Wedding is over, we ate, danced, tossed petals, and welcomed the newlyweds. Soon life will be back to what it was. 

High Peaks

 The Adirondack mountain range of high peaks is the backdrop for tomorrow's event. There's a few things left to do, and the day calls for sun. All is good.

You Gotta Practicre

Making anything -- from a pie, to a quilt, to and English Country Dance -- calls for practice. Doing it over and over cements the muscle mass, gets the brain doing the process without thinking. That goes for anything. 
 

Life After Dark

Built in the late 1800s, this was part of a hotel complex in the Adirondacks. Across the lawn is the best view of the full moon, special because the sky is clear. Up here, weather changes by the minute.
 

Full Moon Part 1 of 2

There will be two super moons this month, a truly rare occasion. This print from my workshop at Pacific Northwest Art School seems to illustrate that with two full moons and their risings. The work from that class was so clear and vibrant. True printmaking.