Art Show at Silent Prints

A few pictures from my first show where I had work that was mostly photos on fabric and my friend SW had her many watercolors.

Iris Series

I got this Iris Series done for my show. I used a different technique for each piece. Lots of people asked about the pieces and commented positively on them. I was really pleased with the pieces, especially with the vibrant colors. Iris Series, One: (purple Iris, dk green background) Raw Edge applique, many small pieces, background, heavily quilted. NFS.Iris Series, Two: (fushsia background, teal border, spring green iris) photo on fabric, thread painting, SOLD. Iris Series, Three: (orange iris on blue background) Raw edge applique, thread painting, black binding with lt. orange flap. 12 x 12 For Sale $50 plus s & hIris Series, Four: (Copper color iris, violet background) Stencil and outline stitching, dk green binding, For Sale $25 plus s & h.

Dog Bowl

This "Dog Bowl" is for a 3D challenge posed by my guild for a meeting later this month. The dog is actually based on a photo I took of a wolf. I was inspired to make a dog theme by the funky dog fabric that my friend gave me.

More Flower Postcards

Dream Garden 10, Poppy, 4 x 6, $20 plus s & h
Dream Garden 12, Turk's Cap Lily, Sold
Dream Garden 11, Bleeding Hearts, NFS

Think Spring! New fabric postcards

I'm working on a series of postcards, using my photographs as a base for the stitching. It's been great to look at all the spring flowers as I've chosen which pictures to make into fabric art. I'm thinking of doing one of the iris pictures in a larger, more abstract format. These will be in the art show I'm scheduled to be in later this month.
Dream Garden 6, Tulip Transparancy, 4 x 6 $20 plus s & h
Dream Garden 8, Garden Iris, Sold
Dream Garden 9, Blue Flag Iris, 4 x 6, $25 plus s & h
Dream Garden 7, Tulip Portrait, 4 x 6, $20 plus s & h

A little art show

My friend SW was asked to have a little art show at a local gallery and shop, actually a very small gallery. She invited me to be part of the show. She says it is no big deal, just a way to show people what we "do."

It took me awhile to get on board with the concept. I actually don't have very many "quilts" that I would show. For one thing, I would only expect to show original work, but I've also given much of my work away as gifts. But I do take a lot of nice photos, so I've decided to make up some photo cards that I can sell. My speciality is close-ups of flowers, especially with the background obscured or from an angle that gives an unexpected background.

I've also decided to make a push to get some fabric postcards finished for this show. These will mostly be work based on my photographs.

Now I'm excited to see how it goes.

Why is the Sky Blue?

The Quiltart group on-line suggested a quilt challenge to answer the question "Why is the sky blue?" I entered right away because my favorite color is blue. I am actually passionate about blue. I had no idea what I would make, or indeed, if I would actually get around to finishing the quilt. I don't like deadlines.

Later I thought about the emotional meaning of "blue" i.e. a somber, sad emotion, instead of my usual happy reaction to the color. I also started taking pictures of the sky in my yard.

Then this past summer, a car accident took the lives of my friend, her daughter, and two of the daughter's friends. A year ago, another young person died in a car accident. These college age people are the same age as my children and I've known them all their lives.

My quilt then evolved in my mind and became a memorial quilt in memory and honor of these friends: Pat, Nancy, Lindi, Paige, and Dan.

So my answer to the Question, "Why is the Sky Blue?" ...is "So we can see what's in the clouds." In memory of friends who left us too soon, who are now "in the clouds." Pat, Nancy, Lindi, Paige, and Dan.

I wanted to capture the idea of our friends being "up there" and "watching over us" and that we can look up in longing and remembrance. The center sky is actually the sky as seen in my yard, with a fringe of trees surrounding it. The brown and green strips represent the endless forest that surrounds us all here in Northern Minnesota. The outer area is dark blue, for the lakes, and for eternity. Lie on the ground; look at the sky. What do you see in the clouds?