New Work for Spring Art Expo, 2013

I just finished these yesterday and immediately got them hung at the BIC Realty office in Cook, MN for the Spring Art Expo.  These are my photos, except as noted, printed on fabric and dimensionally stitched. 

 House at Ashawa

 Tim's Airport,  photo by Tim

 Sunrise at French Creek

Jeanne's Boathouse, photo by Dave.

Creating again!

Creating again!

I had a long break from my creativity and sewing due to health issues, mostly, but also because I've been secretary of Northwoods Friends of the Arts http://nwfamn.org  here in town.  A small group of volunteers have made amazing strides in just three years, and we will be holding our third annual Spring Art Expo http://nwfamn.org/events/2013-spring-art-expo/
starting this Friday, 5/31/2013.  Over 35 artists will have their work in 22 businesses and 2 galleries in our area for 2 weeks, plus we have gotten three grants for concerts next week. 

Meanwhile, I've been sewing again, putting my photos on fabric and sewing them "dimensionally."  These are from January and February, 2013. These are from my photos, unless otherwise noted.

 Turks' Cap Lily

 Grand Boys

 J's Blue Jay Photo by J.

 The Comet (From the series, Save the Comet.)

 Butterfly in Paradise

Stole for Ordinary Time, two more views

Full length view and reverse of stole, with free motion embroidery.  This could be used for a baptism.

Stole for Ordinary Time

This stole was given to our pastor this summer in honor of her 5th anniversary at our church.  The stole was a gift from our church choir and was designed and made by me.  The green of ordinary time represented growth and life, so I scanned some real leaves and printed them onto fabric, which was then cut out and appliqued onto the stole. The blue triangles represent the Trinity. Blogger won't cooperate and upload the full length view.

More stoles HERE.

Salad

Yum, Romaine lettuce, with carrots and onion Salad.















Yum, Chicken Salad.















[Scanned into computer; trapunto, and FMQ.] Life size leaves.

Nasturtiums

I finished, finally, My Nasturtiums, Dream Garden 13. I got off track after the show, but now I'm excited to do more flower pieces. I've got flowers blooming outside, and more will bloom on my sewing table.

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

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?

At the Lake

Post Card 2005

You are driving me Buggy!

Post Card 2005