Art at Stone Lake

Working in Series: Scale

For the next assignment, we were challenged to work wth variations in scale.  I chose to dramatically increase the size of the letters in the first pieces. 

First, here are the two Journal exercises--I am so pleased that I slowed down enough to make 2!  Both are done using spray paints--one of my favorite mediums.  I used a limited palette that echoed some of the colors from the foundation piece.  The large letter stencils were created by me using Word and cut out by hand.

Here's number 1:

I only used a tiny bit of fancy stenciling in the upper right corner.

Then, here's number 2:

 I played wth Large scale letters (R, X), and then used the commercial stencil in the background to create smale scale letters and symbols. 

 

Finally, I made an artquilt working with scale and color.  Big letters--I find that I am intrigued by the effect.  I also painted some of the letters in colors as well as in black.  Acrylic paints and Spray paints.

TWO CLOSEUPS:

 

 

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 

Artomatic Exhibit Photos

Hi Everyone,

Well we put up the show yesterday--all fiber art!  Here are a few photos to help you locate my space.  I'm on the 7th FLOOR, my space is on an end of a row along the walkway (not on the end near windows).  Can't miss me--you'll see all the bright colors!

Be sure to check the Artomatic site for the fabulous entertainment schedule and hours. And, it's all FREE!!  

 The Venue is located at 55 M Street SE, Washington, DC 20003 and opens May 29.  Hours: 

Open W-TH Noon-10 pm       F-Sat: Noon-1 am             Sun: Noon-10 pm

GETTING THERE:  Take Metro! Located directly above the Green Line Navy Yard Metro Stop, West Entrance.  IT VERY, VERY EASY TO GET THERE BY METRO AND PARKING IS VERY EXPENSIVE, especially when there's a ball game.  You exit Metro right outside the Artomatic building.  The building is wheelchair accessible.

OK--here's a shot of my wall......sorry that it's a bit dark...

HERE'S A CLOSE UP:  I am finally working on my doorways series in fabric after collecting photos of doors for about a year....You can see an early in progress photo in an earlier blog. 

Here's the second doorway piece in this show.

Artomatic Washington DC -- New Work on Exhibit in May 29 to July 5, 2009

Hi,

This summer, I will exhibit artquilts at Artomatic.  Click here to go to the Artomatic Site  for all the details about this wonderful monthlong event. Artomatic is run by volunteer artists, and there are several hundred artists on display, along with bands performing and workshops all month long.  Best of all, you can directly get to the building by using Washington DC's Metro system becasue we are right over the Navy Yard station--Note that there is very, very limted parking in the area so Metro is definitely the way to go!!  DATES: May 29 through July 5.

In the meantime, here are some sneak peeks at in progress photos.  I'll post finshed photos here and on my website when Artomatic opens.

Artquilt made with Batik fabrics.

What do you see?  A seascape? landscape?  moutains and villages?

   A detail view of another Batik artquilt.This is a wild variation on the traditional 9 patch...smile....

When you look very closely at the completed piece, you can see the 9 patches--all of which are the same size. From a bit of distance, the 9 patch grid is almost invisible, but it does give subconscious structure to the piece.  And, I am quite proud of the way the intersections of the 9 patches actually line up...I know that my early quilting teachers would be sooooo proud....

A very early stage of another Batik artquilt.  This one is an abstract based on the central image of a doorway. At this stage, I am working from a base drawing of my own, cutting the shapes indicated by the drawing, and then playing, and playing with shapes, values and color. The final piece may or may not be close to my original drawing.

I love doorways....I photograph interesting ones that I see on my travels. 

Watercolor!!!

For the past 2 months, I've been learning about a new medium...new for me, that is!  I've been taking classes in watercolor painting with  Marilyn Evans, a teacher here in the Baltimore/Washington area.  I'm excited to say that under her mentoring, I've actaully begun to undersand what this fabulous medium can really do.  In previous classes, I walked away feeling discouraged about my ability to learn to use this medium.

Now, I am still very much a raw amateur at it, and I don't intend to abandon textiles or acrylics.  Nonetheless, some magical things are happening because of this study.  First of all, I am begining to SEE the world differently.  I can actually see watercolor paintings everywhere I look these days.  My sense of value and design is sharpening.  In addition to the classes, I've also been reading great watercolor instruction books from the library.  I'll share more about that in future posts, but in the meantime, here are some of my first attempts.  I still find it miraculous that I can take water and paint and come out with something close to my intention.  

 This is a monochromatic landscape using burnt sienna.  My own design.

This is a detail of an 11 x 17 inch painting. 

I used a drawing from one of my instruction books but then deviated a bit.

It's a spring day with bluebells.

Another detail of the Spring day painting. 

I'm just tickled that I can DO this....I love the delicacy of watercolor and its emotional qualities.

My best so far....I did this in about 2 hours in Marilyn's workshop.  It's based on a drawing from Terry Madden's workbook. 

wow...so much fun and sooo much more to learn as I just sit and paint, and paint, and paint......

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.

My Online Interview: Obama Inauguration Artquilts

Hello!

Recently, I was interviewed by Karen Musgrave of the Alliance for American Quilts Save Our Stories Project.  It was fun talking with Karen about making the first two artquilts about the Inauguration. 

Here's the link to the interivew transcript. Carole Lyles Shaw Interview     I hope you enjoy it, and I would love to hear your comments.