Under My Nose

The first floor of the building where I have a studio is retail stores. One is a fabric and upholstery shop, and one I've not seen in years. Looking for a better Olfa cutter (they had one) I also haunted the aisles with discounted fabric. I've already many pieces never used at home, so I was not tempted. Bought the cutter.
 

Advance for Needle Turning

I'm floating some shapes and will needle turn applique to do that. Sharon Stroud, a fabulous teacher, showed me the method of basting (she did it by hand stitching) away from the edge to secure the two fabrics. I'll then run my stitch as I poke the turn under, and sew in place. 
 

Side Bar

Yesterday's task was to photograph and document a work that will be submitted to a juried show. They ask for a full image, naturally, and occasionally, a detail shot. I think the detail image should show the quilting and the array of printing techniques. But more importantly, it be a strong composition on its own.

Back to the Wall

Call it the windfall. More than once someone has walked past my design wall and the rush of wind caused the pieces to fall. I discovered that a good windfall (all take down) and then put back up again is the best way to see a composition anew. Never fails to improve design. So, I'll keep this going, but I'll use pins. 
 

Under the Needle

My Gammill is not in constant use, and it jumps into action when needed. I've got a small work for the members' show at Rochester Contemporary due in a month, and October is full of 'other'. So, best to get the queue taken down a few. No name yet, I'll have to live with it for that, perhaps.
 

Alpaca's Eye View

It's looking at me, and I've no clue what is going on in it's mind. This is the first greeting at the Hemlock Fiber Festival that was held yesterday. And if these alpaca care, their fleece is in bags under the tent just behind them. Not for them anymore, but for someone who can spin, weave and/or knit. Lucky someone.
 

Who Needs Socks?

Knitting socks became automated with this knitting machine. Part of the demonstration area of the Hemlock Fiber Festival, the machine made a long string of socks that were separated by a toss-away yarn. Dropping needles obtained ribbing. It was mesmerizing to watch it take shape. 

Lotus Land 2 Off to QAQ

This little work (20 x 31) 'Lotusland 2' is in the post headed to the Schweinfurth's silent auction. The Quilts=Art=Quilts exhibition, where my 'Lotusland" is accepted, will also have this on view. I love making a smaller companion for the exhibit. And I like helping to support the Schweinfurth's mission.
 

The Other Part of Business

For teaching "The New Big Leaf" I supply a full scale pattern and the instructions to make a freezer paper pattern. So, off to the large format printer at FedEx on a drizzly day, A couple hours later I've got the layout and reverse printed, folded, packed to go. I will also teach this online, perhaps in this winter,.
 

On the Design Wall

Looking back on the design wall this afternoon, just before I left. It's leaning monochromatic, which may be a reaction to the equinox shift where colors are duller, days noticeably shorter, and the reaction to calm is taking a seat at the table. 

Sashing

Glass art uses leading connections as a design element. Traditional quilts often use sashing between blocks to strengthen design by repetition and grid.  I've used blocks devoid of sashing, but in a grid, allowing the shapes to cross and flow, or stop and form edges. This ceiling is from the downtown library. Below, an example of sashing from the collection of the New England Quilt Museum.

 

Good Things, Small Packages

A most wonderful gift came today from Maggie Jarman, a student and enthusiastic quilter from the UK. She has seen my work at The Festival or Quilts and asked if she could write an article on me. This is a  publication of her group The Quilters Guild. Thank you Maggie, it's swell!
 

Where Do You Get Inspired?

I'm circling back to the exhibit "The Art of the Book & Paper" and this illustration used in a book. What intrigues me is the dress -- a collaged image mimicking the shape and function of a dress -- for how I might make fabric to make used in garments. This inspires me to print and to compose with large motifs.
 

Never the Twain

I've two works to go to respective shows, left for the members show at RoCo, right for the silent auction for Quilts=Art=Quilts. But not before I have some fun joining them to see possibilities I'll not grab. Another time, another set.

 

Honoring a Painter

Last night the Naples Historical Society,  located south of Rochester, honored their citizen, Ira Randall (1903-1986). He left hundreds of landscapes painted during his lifetime, with the practice of completing one work each day. The lively lecture was in the grange hall built in 1923, a work in itself.
 

Chalk Earns Its Keep

A small work for Quilts=Art=Quilts exhibit on the design wall. I wanted to place a free floating window, and to get the location, so I chalked both the shape and then the placement on the background. Next, I cut out the shape from the background and laid it on foreground, cutting an additional 1/2" seam. I think.
 

The Art of the Book & Paper

The opening of the exhibition of "The Art of the Book & Paper" at the Rochester Public Library had over 100 works on view. I must return to get a better look, but here are a few snippets. It was fabulously overwhelming, and the craft and artistry is superb. More ideas for more ideas.
 

Fun Time is Over

With handwork, I move to the dining table to sew. My incentive is a movie. So this gathering of the blue glass and hydrangeas will have to skedaddle. I'm eager to get the last large work on the longarm, and word has it there is a lineup forming. 
 

Waiting in the Wings

My waiting wall is for trying out stuff that calls from poking through prints for the main design wall, but strike me and ask for consideration. The right one will be sent to Quilts=Art=Quilts for their silent auction (a mini-me for what I'll be showing there) and the left for the ROCO member's show. When I'm done.
 

Left on the Design Wall

It's always waiting for me, that last bit to finish. I've got most of this together and if I can haul my sorry self out to Studio 301 tomorrow, I'll get it ready to quilt. Then I need to turn my attention to two smaller projects and some administrative tasks. Not in that order though. 
 

Shenanigans

Today's entertainment included workshops in conjunction with the 54th annual Turtle Hill Music Festival here in Rochester, NY. Among the serious, technical, harmonic, and though provoking sessions was this one from two music therapists. We all got a bit of good deserved therapy! My day off was fun.
 

One Last Week

My exhibition of 12 works at the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts enters its last week this week on September 20th, and then I'll welcome them home. It is an honor to be seen is such a lovely venue, and with such care that the staff has given to the installation. 
 

Lecture Today

The Genesee Valley Quilt Club is the Rochester New York mothership for countless quilt groups in the surrounding region. They've been around for over 80 years, and today's lecture was by Jean McCleary on her technique for translating her photographs to contemporary art quilts. Always news, always fun.
 

Banner Installed

Looking as though it was made for the space, the banner was installed this week. And looks great because it WAS made for the space. At about 8' wide, it was to incorporate the very clear colors of the room. The book store's banner and was printed on 7 0z cotton canvas with fiber reactive dye.
 

Evolution on the Wall

 

Over the last week I've moved parts of this around. I think I'm finished fleshing it out, and now I need to assemble or build it. Finishing comes with the chance to mess up the connections, the proportions, and smooth out the joints. In short, to change the energy that the rough set contains. We'll see.

Street Presence

Needing a little signage for outside the entry door to the Anderson Arts Building here. I took an Ikea tray, screwed it to the brick wall, added adhesive backed letters and called it done. It joins an eclectic mix of other signs just as creative in their execution. Now I need to replace the little tray.
 

Full (Corn) Moon

This is as 'corny' as you can get for this month's full 'corn' moon. After I was away for a few weeks, and the home temps reaching into the 90s-100s, I had to pull the dead stuff and replant the planters on the front step. These blossoms haven't budged for weeks. Must be happy. Neither have I!
 

Final Set

I assembled the banner with few pieces, just enough rearranging to make it hold together. So grateful to have the space to lay this out and work easily on it. Made all the difference to be able to mark, cut, measure. And that large 6' ruler came in handy. It's delivered; I'll get an install shot when it's ready.
 

On to Design

Two recent prints and one earlier one are stacked on the design wall. I've printed to 7 ounce painters cotton canvas, and will be making a banner 90" x 32" for a book store. The colors are the wall colors, and yes, it's bright! Now that the wall is clear, I can really stretch out. 
 

The Design Wall Today

Here's what I left on the wall today. I've added height to this to balance the width. Now that it's all together, I can get it in the queue for finishing. It'll be about 6 feet and some after quilting. Haven't a name as yet, but I see people in it, perhaps traveling somewhere. 
 

Canvas to Start

The second project I'm printing is for a banner for a book store. Matching the vibe of the store's color scheme is intended. I've more to do to compose, but I wanted the raw material to give me alternatives,
 

Special Prints

A fellow quilt artist asked for particular fabrics, mainly light toned, but with interesting texture or line. I've made half dozen, some might work, some not. It's so hard to know what is wanted, and what is in mind. I hope one or two will work. This is scraped, screened, rubbed. 
 

Normandy Off on Its Own

I received a lovely image of Normandy in its new home, a permanent place. It is on the left here, as it was seen at the Festival of Quilts early August. An interested buyer loved it, and I brought it home to ship to the west coast. Normandy was a break-through for me, and I'm happy it will be appreciated by others.
 

Getting Some Air

 

I judge the value of the work, as well as the value of the exhibition, on how much space there is -- breathing space -- between artworks. This exhibition of SAQA NJ/NY at RoCo has enough to separate the works. I've seen better, I usually see worse. It will travel and redistribute, with different results.

Apparent Contradictions

 

It was opening night for the SAQA NJ/NY exhibition 'Apparent Contradictions' and the crowd was thick. And the panel discussion went well, some great questions, and always a good vibe from the Rochester Contemporary Art Center staff, they put on a remarkable event. So, go see this show -- till September 20.

So Far, So Good

This piece seems to know just what to do, and seems that I'll be lead on by that. It has been amazing that I am able to use just about every inch of these four fabrics -- some that are half yards -- but with almost no waste. The rough size is about 50" x 70" wide. And the print is doing the heavy lifting.
 

On the Cutting Floor

Good thing I left a draft on the design wall before I left for a 10 day east coast swing. A few hours in and this piece is snapping right along. Notice that illegal ruler? I use it to place the square in the frame of the surrounding fabric, measuring the cut to allow for reassembly. Need that perfect 1/2 inch to make it work. 
 

Swallowed Hole

I'm officially back from my months of travel. And the greeting from my front yard was overwhelmingly YELLOW. This very quick shot let you know I'm editing out the lawn that needs mowing, as I'm busy! Neglect of most all fronts takes remediation, the lawn will wait. But the list is getting shorter, at last. 
 

Disarrangement

 

Here's the full version of 'Disarrangement' that will be part of the SAQA NJ/NY exhibition at Rochester Contemporary that opens this Saturday. Close inspection (for those who know I love to hide squares,) will reveal a few squares that are let-in to the overall large print. Something that intrigues me to no end.
 

Apparent Contradictions

Rochester Contemporary Art Center hosts a SAQA NJ/NY exhibition that opens this Saturday evening. There is a panel discussion starting at 7 where I've been asked to participate. What pearls of wisdom I can muster after a full day of "Music on the Porch Day 2025" will be the spectacle to hear. Join us! 
 

New England's Gem of a Museum

I spent time with works new and old at Lowell's New England Quilt Museum. I was fascinated with the "Summer Collection" with regional quilt groups' work, as well as the the museum's collection. This scrappy historic quilt caught my eye when I thought I was looking at a print, not the batting.