More Music

Third night of music, this time at the Eastman Theater to hear the philharmonic. Lovely evening and in a spectacular setting. I'm thankful to have music all around me, its a constant companion.

 

Songs of Protest

The concert's organizers were moved by the killings in Minnesota as well as the state of the union. They assembled 20 singer-songwriters who volunteered their time to sing to a packed house and offer songs of protest. I feel honored to know many of these people who performed, and be part of that dedicated crowd.
 

A La Carte

I was tasked with selecting two quilts to send to Allegre for the week I'll be there in April. Knowing I'll be traveling directly to Chicago afterwards, I thought this work "A La Carte" would speak to printing (Allegre) as well as Within the Frame's design's workshop (Northern Suburban Needlearts Guild).
 

Birthday Flowers

We've had a winter of show and getting fresh flowers for my birthday is always a treat, if for no other reason than we need that dose of spring-to-come-soon feeling. I topped the day with a jazz performance in a small theater setting. Good way to usher in the next year.
 

More On the Line

I spent another day in the design studio that I'd turned into a print studio. I experimented with a soy way screen that gave me an allover design. I'm hoping to use these for garments, although can't say just what, but washout will help determine.
 

What Is THAT

When I printed with my 'strong' turquoise, it was as dark as the mixing blue. The turquoise was the first layer, the blue the second. I got severe lightening being in a cool room, so it did not bind as it could in warmer temp. But this effect of the first layer blocking the second is gooey! You are seeing it washed.
 

I Was at QuiltCon, Sort Of

It's hard to miss social media flooding works from QuiltCon. I was surprised that I had a piece there, sort of. Sharron Sarchet purchased this piece from my website (above as it appeared) added  lovely quilting for a wholecloth quilt. I'm not sure I got credit as designer or co-maker, but was seen an admired.
 

Impromptu Critique

I love an impromptu discussion on the merits of a piece, which is what we're doing here with works done after class for a few tudio days before the studio is returned to a sewing/design space. I'll have some time next week to work on some larger scale pieces, but then need to return to design. 
 

Fashion Show

Tonight's fun was a fashion show organized by Gabby, an RIT student with a theme of Afro-punk at the University Gallery. The style was cool, glittery, edgy, and metallic. Kudos to the crew and support team. I enjoyed the look and the power it brought.
 

Leaves Even in Winter

I have great hope for this print, is has a varied background with defined leaves. Washing out is tomorrow in between getting taxes ready to go. So, the good with the dreary. 
 

Good Day, Nothing to Show

I printed in studio 301 today, the one that was set up for last week's printapalooza. And totally forgot to take photos. At home I landed, clicked on the fire, and did all I could to not fall asleep. How does time fly so fast? This is my only photo for the day. Promise tomorrow will be documented.
 

Trip Out but In Town

Half hour out of Rochester and it's country, rolling hills, little towns, sweet life. I spoke tonight to an artists group who were gearing for their April Exhibition. They were wonderful and kind, plus they found some of my jokes funny. That's worth the drive out! Thank you West Wayne Art Group.

 

Four Square

 

Prints through the wash let me know lots. Is this new motif strong? Are the colors holding, or are some wimping out? Which can I combine, and which will lend themselves to a minor role? And is there one that has text or letterforms? I'm eager to prints more. This is a set of four pieces.

Studio Flip Design to Print

My dear blog friends, you know what the my studio looks like when I'm designing works, hosting a First Friday, or working on a project. Here is a view of midweek where printing is in progress and works are getting built. A different way to use the studio, and keep in mind, we were only six in the room,

Finger Lakes Fiber Artists

I belong to a small and diverse group of fiber artists (Finger Lakes Fiber Artists) that gets together every couple of months to share work, their goings on, and information on exhibitions, opportunities, and professional well-being. Plus, it's just a nice group of friends. 
 

Good to Talk

Spreading out to the main hall outside of Studio 301 we gathered to talk about the work a it progressed. This was a private group of printers who braved the snows of upstate New York to print for a week. No frills, just a chance to dive deep into printing on cloth. And to talk art for five days.
 

Washout

I've washed out the first set of prints, where I've used a weaker mixture of thickened dyes. We're working in a room that is at most 65 degrees. The effect of the cold on the dyes setting is that it is a weaker bond, hence lighter colors. I'm fine with that as I lack lighter prints as a whole. Plus I know how to fix this.
 

Same Motif, Different Models

The assignment for the day was to start two identical prints, but finish each in a different way. My table was getting more and more complicated with tools, but I managed to finish a couple of prints that I hope will hold their brilliance through the wash. 
 

Screen Day Begins

My favorite printing method is the silkscreen. The techniques, applications, happenstance, and compositional choices are nearly endless. One could be paralyzed with the choices, but that's sometimes the fun. I'll be teaching "Just Silkscreens" end of May at the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn, NY.

Printing Day

The studio was flipped from a sewing/design space to a print space for the week. We all braved the sub zero temps for the drive in, but are promised above freezing tomorrow. Let's hope. Day one was fun, focused, and we were all in by the end of the day. The screens show up next.
 

Looking for Space

After tripping over camera and lights for a virtual class, it was more than tempting to seek a space that would give me elbow room. So, a Sunday visit to an open house offered this solution. Can't say I'm ready to move, but I am always looking. 
 

New Big Leaf Day

With the snow fall, temps in single digits, I spent the day virtually with the Ohio Modern Quilt Guild making The New Big Leaf. I ended with a demo leaf, and I like the quirkiness of it. If I had time, I'd finish, but tomorrow I'll set the stage for a print class, if I can get out of the drive. Still not shoveling.

 

First Friday Fab Four

Shameless self-promotion not from me, but a great group who stopped in to visit on First Friday. What fun, especially with one who shares my birthday. I'll have to send him a birthday card! The best laughs I've had all week, this is a great crew. 
 

Ready for Saturday

Saturday the Ohio Modern Quilt folk will join me in a virtual workshop to work with freezer paper methods for construction. We'll take on The New Big Leaf, and it's wonderful to see how each interpretation differs from the next. I'll put up the thermostat, it's a chiller out there.
 

Still Not Shoveling

The lump of snow outside my door is mainly most of my roof (I raked it 2 weeks ago) but the stuff on the chair and table are fresh from the sky. Today was set up day -- gathering what I'll need -- for next week's printing class. And hours and hours of computer wrestling files to send off. Why am I thinking of spring?
 

Third Block

At 18" square, this one might be my favorite. It has the raw strokes of the printed mark, some of the 'print the table' action, and a bit of improv piecing. I've only to mark the corners and send it off to England. It will be some time before it is combined, but that's fine. I'm happy to finish this before spring shows.
 

Second Block

The smallest block meant for the collaborative quilt measures 9 x 18. I've pieced the heart, the thin lines, and the rest relies on the printed fabric. The red of the heart is cut from printed fabric. 
 

Snow Moon

Sitting in the northeast states, we're used to snow. As a Buffalonian by birth, I've got snow in my blood. So this latest cover of snow, and no surprise, cold, greets this full moon with a clear night sky and a landscape that can be seen in its light. This detail of a work sent India, fills in for tonight's moon.