On the Hunt

I told Art Quilt Tahoe I'd bring a couple of works, this being one. "Ordered Chaos" is around here somewhere, but I can't seem to know where. Moving is an absolute upheaval. And I've only moved two miles from my other house. Imagine across states, gosh, that would do me in! Gotta find this. 
 

Time to Sign

I've sat down at my new kitchen table to add my signature to the work that will ship out this week to the Dairy Barn for the Quilt National 2027 exhibition. The first quilt I made was signed my last name and year, and I try to get all my works signed the same way -- embroidery floss camouflaged in the design.
 

My Next Tackle

This corner of the new studio was formerly two large walk-in closets. I've removed the dividing wall as well as the facing wall with two doors. Now I need to box in the I-beam, close up the open ceiling, cover the walls, paint, carpet, and locate the longarm in this space. Give me a couple of days.
 

Next Summer's Wearables

I've been intrigued with sites that offer free patterns for apparel, offering patterns that are adjusted to fit your size. I'll be teaching a class at the Pacific Northwest Art School in Coupeville where the focus will be on printing for garments. You can do flat prints as well, but printing for the round will be encouraged. 
 

Waiting for My Prince (Prints)

These boxes ware all labeled 'fabric current' meaning that I've printed them recently, and chosen them to use in the studio, as opposed to adding them to my website sale page. They are not unboxed because I'm circling back to the studio to finish setting it up. This will take time, but once done, I'll be unboxing.
 

Entry Shenanigans

This morning was 'glue down the rug' day, so with four tubes of Liquid Nails I spread, unrolled, and weighted down the indoor/outdoor carpet replacing the 40-year-old one I tore out this summer. Most of these plants go inside ahead of the first frost, and are closer to getting inside. Townhouse maintenance.

Taking Care of Art

I've wanted to do this for years. Sealed since the mid-eighties, this oil stick drawing was in the original frame mounted to an acid foam core board. Time to give it a proper framing. I've added a closeup of the signature which reads Juliana F Williams with a date unclear. Titled "Man Picking His Teeth"!

 

Long Ago

My shibori days have passed, but once I did make and sell beautiful shibori fabric. Each had my name and year on them. This came to my workshop last weekend and we had a good laugh. And then exclaimed that you have to USE UP THAT FABRIC! So, here's the directive -- cut it up!
 

Make Room for the New Big Leaf

Laying out the pattern pieces for The New Big Leaf takes room, and the Corning Quilt Guild had whopping 8' tables for everyone, making it easy to land the pattern, the fabric, the iron (!!) and the sewing machine. I enjoy the sewing and design part of workshops as much as the printing side of my work.

 

Hanging in Corning

The Corning Quilt Guild invited me for a Friday night lecture and a Saturday workshop. We all made The New Big Leaf, and for some it was a completely new experience. But, even new to the technique they soldiered on beautifully, and will no doubt have some fabulous works to show. Thank you CQG!!
 

Noted

My newest way to keep track of stats for work is to take a shot, go immediately to edit mode, then find the text function and add the size right in the image. Save. No little piece of paper to lose!

Label It Please

I don't add labels to my works. But there are some exhibitions that ask for an ID on the back of the work. Mine are ones temporary and easily removed. Here's the one for QAQ that has been written on Tyvek and whipstitched in place. My more permanent signature and date are on the front in embroidered stitching. 
 

On the Wall

The work on the right will be for lottery at Quilts=Art=Quilts this November at the Schweinfurth Art Center. The accepted quilt is "Chaos" and this is smaller one is "A Little Bit of Chaos". Both are on their way to the art center, this is it's moment before leaving home. And yes, a peek at my dining room. 
 

Making Do

I finished the small quilt top for the QAQ auction and unearthed my longarm. I'm not yet setup for where the machine will live (and I need about 13' of length) but I swung it around, threaded it up, and in the dark -- notice the black windows -- got the little one quilted. Good thing no one is seeing this!
 

Sketches on the Design Wall

I've a deadline to send in my work for Quilts=Art=Quilts and the small quilt that will be my contribution to their silent auction. I like to make a smaller work in the same vein as the one chosen for exhibition, so it will be a 'Within the Frame' composition. But gotta get moving!
 

Quilt-A-Thon's Result

For my segment on Joe Cunningham's fundraiser for the Beamish Cottage roof restoration I demonstrated how I 'print the table'. The soft egg shapes were printed directly to my print table, then drawn through, became the monoprint, and then I printed directly on top of the monoprint the four eggs shapes. 
 

On Air

Joe Cunningham and his "Quilt-A-Thon" aired today bringing together artists, historians, crafters, novelists, and quilt lovers globally. I scrambled to set up a print station and the equipment. A fundraiser for Beamish, England's Joe the Quilter Cottage roof repair, it was great fun. And I cleaned up the studio!
 

Recommended for Motif Lovers

Someone once walked into my workshop with one of these books. There are about 4 or 5 of them, each highlighting different designers who design for applied surfaces from stationery to wallpaper to textiles. I love the simple designs and often use them as a jumping off point. 
 

Room Where it Happens

The Ah Haa School exists in a new tricked-out building a block off Telluride's main street. We were printing on the second floor. I marvel at how well equipped the room is, and my delight to find HOT water to work with soy wax on silkscreens. Big credit to the school to offer state of the art rooms. 

 

Take a Seat

 Toward the end of our week of printing Kelly pulled this one, and I encouraged her to enter it into QuiltCon. Or any other show. Pretty neat for a whole cloth, and that is hard to do -- that is, make a print from scratch, and have it hold together in a strong composition. We'll have to wait to see what comes next.

Saturday's Quilt-A-Thon (with Joe)

Joe Cunningham has organized a terrific fundraiser that will air this Saturday, October 3rd from 8am to 11am MDT. I'll be part of this, it is always fun to be involved in Joe's projects, so come join us this Saturday  (or watch it later in the recording) https://events.hum anitix.com/quilt-a-thon

Get a View

 

Telluride' gondola that will take you to some point where if you were game to hike, bike, or ski, you would start your trek. On this very rainy day, my ride offered me a view of the Rockies that surround the town. It was still glorious, even in the clouds and mist. 

Night Time at Ah Haa

The class is done for the day, and we've all gone to the next classroom for a gourmet dinner from the culinary expert at the school. It was a great day to  work over our things, and make, make, make. Tomorrow, a bit more.
 

Full Moon

 Admiral Dewey is dead center in this musical device from the last two centuries.  I saw our full moon standin in the quaint Telluride history museum. 

Screen Time

The second day of the retreat at Telluride's Ah Haaa School for the Arts saw the silkscreens make an entrance. It's one of my favorite printing techniques, and with the facility here, perfectly suited for printing, I couldn't be happier.

 

In the Thickener of It

Kelly wasted no time getting into printing. I'm in Telluride, Colorado at the Ah Haa School of the Arts and a week retreat in printing on cloth. The school is two blocks from where I'm staying and I pass the sweet village on my way. Tomorrow is screens, and more color work. Nice to print again after this August break.

 

Built for Making Art

Today was set up at the Ah Haa School of the Arts in Telluride, Colorado. Tables were cushioned and covered with plastic, dyes and thickener mixed, materials sorted and at the ready. I'm stoked to get to print in this tricked out facility. There is even MY twin washer tucked in the corner! My kinda workspace.

W-ELK-ome

I've spent the day on three flights, an hour and a half shuttle, and my reward was the spectacular vistas of the Rockies and a sighting of Elk munching on the side of the road. Telluride is charming, and this is only the beginning. I wish I'd taken shots of the views on the ride, but I was in a state of enchantment.

 

Talk with Quilt Expert

Jan Wass was curator while I was exhibition designer in the 1980s at the Rochester Museum and Science Center. A visit today was a house tour, spot of tea, and long look at the studio and it's many treasures. We could have gone for hours if other demands weren't there. Great to have the quilt expert in the house!
 

Music Morning to Night

The Turtle Hill Folk Festival (55 years on for Golden Link Folk Singing Society) was all day today. Great music, great weather, great performance hall (the German House) and a chance to gather with friends over music. Go find a day to make music!
 

Twelve Feet with a Sink in the Middle

After quite a while without a kitchen sink, it was finally back in service today. I've turned the corner on this renovation. There is still a bit to do, details on top of details, but they may have to wait while I scoot back to the studio and try to get this in order. Tomorrow is a day off, Sunday I'll get packing.
 

People We Love

I thought it would be fun to revisit summer's workshops and what fun we all had. At Independent Study for Surface Design at Quilting by the Lake, Susan made a rubbing of faces, we had giggles seeing them  appear. I love simple processes using simple tools. It's the hand of the maker. And by the people we love.
 

Close Up Quadrant

I managed to get some yards photographed. Each has a full or overall image along with each quadrant. These become mini-studies, and when seen, give me a sense of the qualities that exist inside an edited part. Try this with a square photo, cut apart into quadrants, then shuffled. A good graphic exercise. 
 

I'm Trying

A bunch of hand printed yards are washed and ready to document, but I like them too much to sell! I'll have to wean myself away from some and put on the website store. The first two are the case where a similar background allows two to become one. 
 

Drape Rules

Townhouse living has its regulations, one being that there be no laundry hanging! Well, they didn't say anything about draping fabric, did they? These are washed and waiting for the iron. Then tagged and on to the website store. 
 

Drainage Makes it Simple

My soda ash bucket on the left starts with about 4 gallons of solution (once cup soda ash to one gallon water). I add 4 yards loosely to soak. After 15 or more minutes I lift out, squeeze gently, then move to an open grate above a bucket that will collect the dripping soaking solution. When dripping stops, hang.

Makeshift or Not

Where once stood an entire kitchen now stands the beginnings of an art studio. Utility sink is in, but lacks counter on sides. I've hung a makeshift clothesline to dry the soda soaked fabric, which needs to be higher. It'll take some time and effort to get this setup, but I've often opted for operational over glitz. 
 

In the Distance

 

I've my machine set up where I can look out the window at the ridge. Lots of sunshine since this is a southern view. Tags are getting sewn on to the edge of my fabric before I pitch it in the bucket of soda ash and water bath. Getting ready  for Telluride -- unique and very individual. Small class, big graphics.

Off We Go

Thanks to those who find these handprinted cottons desirable. I like this and almost kept it for myself. But it's in the mail to an admirer. I hope it becomes something wonderful. The yards for sale on my website store are in great additions, and that is on my list! 

 

Placement Procrastination

If this was your kitchen reno, I'd make the decision of placement in about three minutes. When it's my kitchen, I can't decide. I put off the answer a long as I can, do myriad other things, circle back to try out how the handles look, leave to do some unpacking, and return unable to decide. How life goes now.
 

Nose to Nose Detail

Here is the detail of Player Piano. I'm not disappointed in it not getting in QAQ, really. They ask for two submissions, and a couple of times both were accepted. I felt that a valuable space could have had another interesting piece and viewpoint. It I made the rules, it would be two submitted, only one chosen.
 

Not Going

Player Piano was sent to Quilts=Art=Quilts for submission along with another work. This one was not accepted, but the other was. It's about 9 feet wide, or maybe more. I still think it's a strong composition, but I can see that having two accepted is rare. 
 

Portland and Hockney

I can't remember if I showed you this picture. While in Portland this spring I went to the Portland Art Museum with a friend who knew David Hockney when he was just landed in New York and she was a teen. During the exhibit I was struck by the resemblance of this visitor to Hockney's self-portrait. Hm.
 

Turning

The majority of the house reno is over, but there is still a lot to finish as well as unpack. The view from my deck in early morning hints at a change in weather, and soon I'll be back in the studio where I long to be for more of the day than I can spend during this transition. That is the change I'm longing for. 
 

Using the Past

Tiles that were purchased for the other house thirteen years ago became the back of the powder room vanity. I've always loved these tiles and it would be a shame to never use them. The walls match the tiles, this photo has poor color representation. I love that they are finally being put to good use.
 

Kitchen Taking Shape

 Doors and drawers appeared in the kitchen today. We're still a way to go, but it's nice to see how things will look. I've a ton of painting to do, and massive cleaning up, but at least we can see that this is worth the trouble. 

While Tornados Hit

After working on this townhouse all day, mainly painting, I took myself out to hear some live music. I did see the tornado warnings, and yes, they were in the counties I was crossing, but all seemed ok. When they touched down, I was safe in a concrete building, satisfied with the choice I made to hear some tunes. 
 

Details

I wanted to show as much variation in surface design techniques in my detail. Some of the printing I can figure out, some I can't. Although I aim to have a definitive strike, I often have elements that 'appear' through happenstance of dye left on a tool or picked up from another print. No need to know it all.

 

QN and the Way They Do

Each year, starting sometime, the Dairy Barn and host of Quilt National, make a personal poster for each of the entries they allow. Cleaning my flat files had this surface. This entry was 26 years since my first acceptance in 1983. I was a mere babe then, and could have gotten the young artist prize (under 30), sigh. 
 

Recon Mission to Ikea

The studio is needing these legs from Ikea. They telescope from table height to counter height. Perfect. Saw them on my visit to Syracuse to pick up more items to build the kitchen. It will end soon, let's hope.