Art at Stone Lake

New Documentary: Why Quilts Matter

YAHOO!!!!

PBS has issued a new documentary titled: Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics.  It is a 9 part series that will air this fall.  However, you don’t have to wait.  The series is available for immediate purchase. I’m very excited about this series because it spans the centuries, with a clear balance that honors  traditional quiltmaking while featuring contemporary quilt artists as well. 

 In addition, unlike many other  documentaries about the textile arts, this one includes African American quilt artists and scholars!!  

 Here’s the link if you want to find out more and purchase it:

 http://www.whyquiltsmatter.org/welcome/about/the-series/

Artquilting in Costa Rica!

Hi,

 

I think I mentioned on an earlier post that one of my quilts is being exhibited in Costa Rica!  It's part of an exhibit curated by Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi, who is a truly world class quilt curator, historian and artist. In addition ot the exhibit, several of the artists also traveled there to conduct talks and classes.  Here is a link ot the FABULOUS blog by Marion Coleman that is a moving documentary.  Please click below to share their amazing journey.

Costa Rica Blog

And, here's a detail of the artquilt that was in the show.

 

 

 

 

Inspiration

Well, I was reminded once again that you never know how your work will impact other people.  A Chicago teacher recently posted on her blog about using my artquilts to inspire art-making and poetry writing in her students.  Here's the link to her inspiring post. 

Students Make Artquilts 

War Honor Freedom: New Work on Tour

I just completed another work in the War, Honor and Freedom Series.  This is a small piece (about 24 inches square) that just left home (smile....) to tour the U.S. and other countries.  Judy Howard, of BuckBoard Quilts and Heavenly Patchwork has organized a show of small artquilts called "God Bless America".  The show fees and sale profits support a project for creating quilts for wounded veterans.  If you would like to book this show for your organization, please contact Judy Howard at BuckboardQuilts@cox.net

My piece is titled:  War, Honor and Freedom: African American Veterans,  2-27-09.  I've now started using DATES as part of the series titles. It's just easier.  The date is the official completion date of the piece.

Here is a full photo. the photo with the word HOME on it is of my Mother and Father. 

Obama Artquilt Book Published!

Hello Friends!

As many of you know, I had an artquilt in 2 different exhibits celebrating the Inauguration of President Obama.  Sue Walen, the organizer of one of the shows, suggested to the participating artists that we self-publish a book!  and, we all pitched in a small financial contribution, and self-published our complete catalogue of the show in FULL color.  It's now available. 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE BOOK.

Here's the cover...it's one of the artquilts in the book--fabulous isn't it?  And, all of the Profits from this book will be donated to a Scholarship fund for students at Montgomery College in Maryland.  Montgomery College has a wonderful arts department and their gallery is where we held the show. 

 

Thanks so much for your support.

Obama Art Show Reception

Please join us at our Opening Reception for a show of Artquilts celebrating the election of President Barack Obama.  You will see many different perspectives on what this historic event means to a group of very diverse artists.

Here are the details!

President Obama: A Celebration in Artquilts

Montgomery College Cafritz Art Center, 930 King Street, Silver Spring MD.  Open February 9 through March 5, 2009. 

Opening Reception   February 13, 6 to 9 p.m.  Gallery PH: 240-567-1368 .  PARK IN THE FENTON STREET MONTGOMERY STREET GARAGE .  there is no onstreet parking in this part of Silver Spring on a Friday Evening. 

 Regular Gallery Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This show, organized by Sue Walen, is an exhibit of artquilts created by an all-volunteer, grassroots, multi-ethnic group of fiber artists from all across the United States and as far away as Australia.  The work in this show is a tribute to our new President, in gratitude for the hope and inspiration he has brought us. 

Here's a photo of the work that I will have in this show.  It pays homage to the service of early 20th century African American soldiers who served in a segregated armed forces until 1948, and then in very restricted roles until the Vietnam War era.  How very proud they would be to serve under President Barack Obama as their Commander-in-Chief.

 

 

And, here's a detail of one section of this artquilt.  As you can see, this piece is very content dense, so I would call it a story quilt or narrative quilt. To start the quilt, I painted a piece of canvas with red and white stripes to simulate an American Flag. I then added photos & memoriabilia from my collection (including things from my Father and Uncle).  I also added materials relating to the civil rights movement, Election Day and the Inauguration.

 

   

More Inauguration Artwork

I've also created more collages in the Obama Inauguration series.  Here are a couple of them celebrating the extraordinary participation by so many American citizens in this election campaign.

My collages are on display at the Touchstone Gallery in Washington DC through early February.

These works are stretched on canvas, using acrylics, photos, fiber and more.  Here are some detail shots.  To see the work, please visit my gallery. CLICK HERE.

Here's a detail shot from "American Dream" with the words "On the Wings of Hope" and a copy of my absentee ballot.  I voted Absentee because I had to travel to Toronto Canada on Election Day.  That was a wonderful experience because so many Canadians were congratulating me as an American. 

 

Here's a view of a full collage called "Wired Democracy".  I think it speaks for itself.

2nd Obama Inauguration Artquilt Completed!

I am so excited to add another piece to TWO series.  This new piece is part of the War, Honor and Freedom series honoring African American Veterans.  And, it also is part of my series of artquilts and collages celebrating the Inauguration.

so, here is a photo of the piece. It represents the pride that African American veterans feel as they celebrate President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration as 'Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces'.  What a journey--Truman desegregated the forces in 1948  and today, we have Obama in the White House.

 I notice that these artquilts are pretty content dense.  In fact, they 'read' like pages of books to me.  There is a page with a letter from a veteran to his family, along with pictures (upper left corner).  There is a page that has 2 photos of my father and a letter from President Truman acknowledging his service.  There is a page with photos and a copy of the program from the March on Washington, and more...  Please share your thoughts about this piece, the series and anything else about my work.  Love to hear from you!!

Artquilts for President Obama: 2 new Shows

Hello Everyone,

I have been HARD at work in my studio creating 2 new artquilts to celebrate the inauguration of President Barack Obama.  The details of the 2 shows are below:  Both are in the Washington DC area so please do stop by. 

My two works are new pieces from my "War and Freedom" series of collages and artquilts that celebrate the military service of African American men and women. 

Here is a detail of the artquilt that will be at the Historical Society Show.  It includes a copy of a letter sent by President Truman to my Grandmother that acknowledges my Father's service in the U.S. Army.  I also printed a small photo of my father on the letter.  The artquilt is called "Hail to the Chief" and includes photos and other memorabilia from my personal collection.

 

SHOW DETAILS FOLLOW: 

Quilts for Obama: Celebrating the Inauguration of our 44th President

An exhibit of 44 Artquilts curated by Roland Freeman

January 11 through January 31, 2009 at the Historical Society of Washington, 801 K Street NW at Mount Vernon Square, Washington DC 20001.   Opening Reception January 11 at 2 p.m.  Historical Society Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 10 to 5.  Building will be open January 17 and 18, regular hours.  Closed January 19 & 20. 

 

President Obama: A Celebration in Artquilts

Montgomery College Cafritz Art Center, 930 King Street, Silver Spring MD.  Open February 9 through March 5, 2009.  Opening Reception February 13, 6 to 9 p.m.  Gallery PH: 240-567-1368 for time.  Regular Gallery Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This show, organized by Sue Walen, is an exhibit of artquilts created by an all-volunteer, grassroots, multi-ethnic group of fiber artists from all across the United States and as far away as Australia.  The work in this show is a tribute to our new President, in gratitude for the hope and inspiration he has brought us. 

 

Artquilts for President Obama: 2 new Shows

Hello Everyone,

I have been HARD at work in my studio creating 2 new artquilts to celebrate the inauguration of President Barack Obama.  The details of the 2 shows are below:  Both are in the Washington DC area so please do stop by. 

My two works are new pieces from my "War and Freedom" series of collages and artquilts that celebrate the military service of African American men and women. 

Here is a detail of the artquilt that will be at the Historical Society Show.  It includes a copy of a letter sent by President Truman to my Grandmother that acknowledges my Father's service in the U.S. Army.  I also printed a small photo of my father on the letter.  The artquilt is called "Hail to the Chief" and includes photos and other memorabilia from my personal collection.

 

SHOW DETAILS FOLLOW: 

Quilts for Obama: Celebrating the Inauguration of our 44th President

An exhibit of 44 Artquilts curated by Roland Freeman

January 11 through January 31, 2009 at the Historical Society of Washington, 801 K Street NW at Mount Vernon Square, Washington DC 20001.   Opening Reception January 11 at 2 p.m.  Historical Society Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 10 to 5.  Building will be open January 17 and 18, regular hours.  Closed January 19 & 20. 

 

President Obama: A Celebration in Artquilts

Montgomery College Cafritz Art Center, 150 King Street, Silver Spring MD.  Open February 9 through March 5, 2009.  Opening Reception February 13, call Center at 240-567-1368 for time.  Regular Gallery Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This show, organized by Sue Walen, is an exhibit of artquilts created by an all-volunteer, grassroots, multi-ethnic group of fiber artists from all across the United States and as far away as Australia.  The work in this show is a tribute to our new President, in gratitude for the hope and inspiration he has brought us.