If There's Gators, It's Florida

Before catching a later flight out of Florida I was treated to an Air Boat tour of a vast marsh. Seemed that the purpose was to spot alligators, and we managed a good dozen. The birds were choice, absolutely beautiful, and a perfect way to end the conference/workshop/day-off smash up of a week.
 

More Design Camp Within the Frame

One image from the Florida workshop; this is day two and Withing the Frame. We had a great space to work with, lots of room to step back and see what we had, and where we wanted to change. And bonus -- good light to see our design walls. Setup was a beauty, wish they were all like this.
 

Museum of Arts and Crafts

On my way out of town before heading east we stopped to see the Museum of American Arts and Crafts Movement. The interior mirrors Frank Lloyd Wright's Guggenheim Museum's tiered interior as its staircase. Definitely a strange adaptation, but but still sculptural. 
 

Night Out

Friday night, the SAQA conference held a spot for the Visionary Reception at the Florida Craft Art Gallery in St. Petersburg. A busman's holiday, we had a chance to see fiber art SDA curated. Yes, bit of wine, and nibbles, but mainly a chance to talk about the fiber art we love.
 

Imagine Museum

One pic would not explain this glass work. There are mirrors and clear glass, and I can't explain how it works, but it's a hell of a lot of fun to look into it. This was yesterday's excursion to the Imagine Museum here in St. Petersburg. 
 

Speakers Speakers

The crowd at the SAQA convention in St. Petersburg, Florida, paid close attention to speakers, taking in vast quantities of information. The after-lecture discussion was almost as heated as the weather outside (88!) but no fear, we were cool inside. And the promise of a pool (outdoors!) waits.

Shirts are Packed

This back of quilt was at the Iowa Quilt Museum. A good fill-in for my packing an unpacking here in Florida. I'm at the SAQA conference getting ready to meet load of friends and have some good solid diversion and quilty topics with meat on them bones. 
 

Alligator Missing Me

The day after I visited my friend in Jupiter, Florida,  a 750 pound alligator (age 100) was captured from the office park  (near the spot I parked my car) and relocated. Just want you all to know I risk my life to be the traveling quilter that I am! And no, I did not take this photo. Courtesy of the Jupiter Police Department.

Define a Line

As I get ready for my next class in printing on fabric at Pro Chem, I'm isolating lines in my mind. Whether they are organic, stiff, unyielding or flowing. The threads at the edge of the palms I saw in Florida make that italic, gestural line I'd like to capture.

I've Left Something in Florida

I'm glad I spent a few weeks in Florida. To my eyes, it's still a different world from coast to coast. But I've met more people who speak so well of Florida's attributes, that I'm beginning to understand the allure of that state. Plus, there must be my people there if the plate says so.

Florida Sendoff

This morning I spent with an artist I've long admired. I talked her into a Florida walk in the woods. These two barred owls sent me a silent farewell from their perch. I thoroughly enjoyed my time on both coasts, as well as the drive across the middle. Till next time -- Whooo Whooo.

Big Leaf Kind of Day

I'm always happy when a class in the Big Leaf makes it past the template stage and gets the Big Leaf fleshed out. The differences in pattern, color, choices are wonderful to see. It was a good day for the Thimblebuddies in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Thanks for having me over!

Who's With Me?

Tonight''s lecture for the Thimblebuddies in Port St. Lucie, Florida was fun. Especially telling was when I asked them to wave for a group shot for this blog. You can see some where for and some were not. All was fun at the end of the night. Maybe I won a few over to the art side? Well, it was about challenges, after all.

A Little R&R

In between workshops was a chance to visit friends near Naples, Florida. So, the beach at sunset was on the list. Check. Tomorrow the everglades.

We Meet Again

I finally got to visit my work that is installed in a fabulous place on the Gulf Coast of Florida. The hand built fireplace surround tops at seven feet and my work is 11 feet high. I'm just there for scale. I signed it in 2014, and hadn't seen it since it went to its forever home.

Looks Like Fabric to Me

Westcoastalscape by Syd Solomon caught my eye on today's tour of the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, Florida. Somehow it felt like fabric I'd printed or messed with. At least it reads to me like fiber art. Well, painting in 1968 was like that.

Standing Wave Pattern

We couldn't have more fun tonight with a group, well TWO groups of quilters and artists, who joined forces to host my talk tonight. This is the first time I've ever been asked to show more images and speak longer. Like, repeat it all again in the same night. That, clearly, a compliment. Thank you Tampa Bay Surface Design Guild and Suncoast Quilters Circle.

Put This on Your Florida Calendar March 18

Suitcase #2 will have quilts and fabric; most will be seen at my lecture for the Tampa Bay Surface Design Guild and the Suncoast Quilting Circle. Here's the details: "We still have lots of seats available for your lecture March 18th here in St. Petersburg, FL at 7pm in the Heritage Hall room of Pilgrim Congregational Church - 6315 Central Ave. Donation of $5.00 at the door."

Shedding in Place

Being in mid-air seems an odd place, but mid-tree to crawl out of your skin seems odd, too. Perhaps this was the shady, safe place to be. Which is what I like about my dye studio -- perfect spot for shedding, and away from interference.

As Art Centers Go

The Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center was on our river walk today in Fort Meyers. An old post office that was renovated, it is on the turn of offering great space for events and art exhibitions. I'll return to see more of what they offer