Post Cards in the Quilting Gallery

This weeks theme for the Quilting Gallery exhibition is postcards. Of course, I had to submit one of mine featuring my favorite subject...

The Lake - 4" x 6"

There are 34 entries from 9 countries. You can see them here as well as vote for your favorite.  I wish we were allowed more than one vote, because it's tough to pick just one from this collection.

Alzheimer's Auction & Sale

The April Slow & Silent
Quilt Auction To Fight Alzheimer's
Starts April 1st

All profits fund Alzheimer's research!
 

My quilt, "Memories", was selected from hundreds of quilts donated to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative to be auctioned during the month of April. These are online auctions to raise money to fight Alzheimer's.


Now is your chance to own one of my quilts. Please bid in the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative online auction. Even if you don't make the winning bid, your support would make a big difference to me and to the AAQI, a nonprofit national charity that I support.  Click here to bid.

There are also a lot of quilts that are priced to sell at any time.  The "Falling Leaves" postcard that I donated has already sold.  The larger piece pictured here is still up for sale.

Go the "Quilts for Sale" page to see it and the others that can be purchased at all times.

"Fading Memories II"
(10"x 8")  $175

Scrappy Postcards

There was enough of the sewn together strips that I played with yesterday for the foundations of two postcards.

Actually, I made this one before I made the larger piece, "Fading Memories II", to see how the paper napkin leaves would work.  This is the first time I've incorporated paper in any quilt.  It definitely won't be the last.  The acrylic medium coating makes the paper strong, pliable and resistant to moisture.

It's difficult to tell that the background for this one is cut from the same hunk as the leaf pieces.  Part of it is the overcast hue from the color of the tulle that's layered on top.  This one is a bright pink while the other postcard is gold and the bigger piece is a dark brown.  Silk flowers and green squiggly yarn decorate this one.  The centers of the flowers have hand and machine embroidered centers.

Both of these postcards are destined to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative sale, too.

Cyber Fyber Exhibition Report

Golly! Where to start? First there was Susan Lenz! She was right there and visible both days I entered the Vista Gallery. The first day she was updating the show's site on her laptop out in the middle of the gallery, the second she was hand stitching one of her Decision series pieces. I was thrilled to meet her ... to actually talk to and touch her.
To quote the article written in a Columbia, South Carolina publication, "Cyber Fyber is not your average gallery exhibition. It is the culmination of a monumental, yearlong project developed by Columbia-area fiber artist Susan Lenz. The project was inspired by the sense of community she developed with other fiber artists around the world through her blogging experiences."

The postcard and ATC exhibits are amazing! While I was there, they were the major draw for anyone entering that showroom. Those small pieces of art drew viewers in for closer inspection. There were audible "ooo's and ahhhh's". There was wonder when they realized that Susan had made as many postcards and ATC's as were hanging to trade for all those exhibited in this show. I'm sure everyone treasures theirs from Susan as much as I do mine.
I have been online multiple times to study all these postcards and ATC's, but their photos do not portray the intricate details, colors, and textures that could be seen with my own eyes. I've voted (commented) on many of them and am glad to see that one of the ATC's I voted for won. To see a video of the people's choice awards go here.

I follow the blogs of many of the exhibitors. It was great to get up close to study the work that I've seen and read about online.
Arlee Barr is the cyber fyber artist with whom I've had the closest contact and interaction. It was wonderful to get to see and touch her Exquisite Corpse piece, "Shifting Gears". Although, I couldn't help but feel wistful that the original piece, "Rust Never Sleeps", designated for this show had gotten lost in the mail. I had contributed my work to that one. To read about the other exquisite corpses that have been created thanks to Arlee's organization and overseeing as the originator and "Grand Corpse Vizieress" go here. A third round that again includes fiber artists from around the world has just begun.

"Shifting Gears" by Arlee Barr

Another of Arlee's pieces hung on the wall opposite to one above.
This piece, "Cache", is rich in color and texture that can be seen in this photo. However, seeing those qualities in person is an AWESOME experience.

"Cache" by Arlee Barr

Arlee says of this piece, "It is a composite of techniques and ideas, many of which I was exposed to or shared on line, with my “Cyber friends”. Go here to read more.

I love to see artist's studios, the place where their creations "become". Susan's works in a space that is astonishingly small AND crowded.
In the center of her small space is the installation of her doors piece. Three walls exhibit finished pieces. There is hardly room for a stool to be brought up to her very crowded work table. Below is a photo of Susan's studio that I lifted from her blog.
As you can see, the fourth wall is shelves for containers filled with supplies.

Among all of the wonderful pieces hanging in Susan's studio this one spoke to me. There is a quiet elegance about it that I found appealing. The stitched birch bark pieces have the feeling of runes to me. It can be read about here.

Westport Island Series: Birch Bark
by Susan Lenz

I'm privileged to add that piece of Susan's to our home filled with art.
Susan is truly an amazing artist and person. Thanks to her more of the world has become aware of how the internet has positively connected, as well as affected, many of us artists separated by a lot of geography. The process of getting this exhibition together,as well as the exhibit itself, has extended and helped cement a world wide community of creative textile artists. Thank you, Susan.

Cyber Fyber Exhibition

Many of you may have been keeping up over this last year with the creation of the international fiber arts exhibition CYBER FYBER by fiber artist Susan Lenz. The installation is complete and that show will open on January 8 - 20, 2009 at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios, 808 Lady Street in downtown Columbia, South Carolina.
Part of the show includes 225+ fabric postcards that Susan has exchanged with people all over the world. These are only two of five sections of wall space exhibiting them all. I think I see mine hung left of center in the the middle row on the left wall of this photo.
A feature of this show involves world wide online participation by having a voting contest for a PEOPLE'S CHOICE award for the postcards and for ATC's (artist trading cards). If you'd like to cast your vote(s) go here. It's the comments that count! The postcard with the combined "most comments" (votes) from the exhibition will be the winner. In case of a tie, a random drawing will determine the winner on January 17, 2009.

Just in case you didn't recognize mine in the exhibition on the wall in the above photo, this is it ... #113
I can't make it to the opening, but I will see this exhibition on the weekend of the 17th. I can hardly wait to see it and to meet Susan.

The gallery photos are Susan's. Go to her exhibition journal blog by clicking here, then click on the photos there to see larger versions. You will see that my postcard really is hung there.

Shared Goodies

This fabulous postcard is a Pay It Forward gift from Karoda.
Can you believe it traveled through the postal system? ... and arrived in perfect condition.
This exquisite little cheeper is created by Kay Susan in England.
This is her 'S'Mockeryfied' version created from my bird pattern.Its body is made of her complex cloth and decorated with stitchery. She even wrapped the wire legs with stitching using wool. Go here to read Kay Susan's description of her techniques.
This little beauty is added to the Picasa album of "Birds" along with others shared with me as well as all the ones I've created. That album is now posted in my sidebar. Click the picture of the bird to go there.

December 11th Post Script:
Susan Kay has made yet another bird, "Rockin' Robin". Go here to see him and read the delightful story that accompanies him.

ATC's

Three quilted trading cards were made for Susan, Arlee, and Vero who have added their creativity to my Exquisite Corpse piece. You may recognize the elements from "Come With Me to the Kasbah".
I had previously sent ATC's to Caroline and Julie who also added their skills and imagination to that piece. Caroline's got in the mail before I thought to take a picture of it. Here's both sides of Julie's.
My Exquisite Corpse piece will be presented here with close-up photos when it arrives in the mail from Canada. The last two mailings from there to here have taken sooooooo long ... nearly five weeks for one and two+ weeks and still counting for this one. Is it the gas prices? Customs? What?

SMQ Guild Small Quilt Sale Contributions

The "Hot Stuff" red shoe quilt was made for our guild's challenge. Those of us who participated were given an 18" square sample piece of fire retardant batting made by the Warm Company ... hence the challenge theme was "hot stuff". Here are the quilts that were presented at the April meeting.

I thought you may like a closer look at this one. Just in case you can't read the note pinned to the lace garter belt it says, "I'd like to get my mitts on you!"
Most of those challenge quilts are donated to the guild's small quilt sale that will take place at the quilt show that opens this next Friday. My "Hot Stuff" quilt is not for sale. My donation to the small quilts to be sold are these:

Libby's Flowers - 12"x 16" (2008)

Those of you have taken a reverse applique class from Libby Lehman will recognize that flower shape. This had begun as the piece I made in her class a number of years ago. I finished it using my "ortwork" collage technique.
I also donated two "Lake Series" postcards.

PS: Here's another quilt that had it's beginnings in Libby's thread play class. It was donated to the guild's small quilt sale a number of years ago.

More Creative Energy for My Studio

My PIF gift from Acey arrived in today's mail. It is wonderful! I keep looking at it and discovering ... more. I love the reflected sunlight within it and the sparkle of dew. Is it early morning OR has the sun just come out after a mid-day sprinkle? Whichever one will depend on the kind of day it is OR the kind of day I'm having. I'm pleased to have this piece of her creative energy in my studio.

13"x 15"

Also, in todays mail was a postcard. It is created by fiber artist Susan Lenz. It's part of the postcard exchange for her upcoming international Cyber Fyber Exhibition scheduled January 8 - 20, 2009 at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios, 808 Lady Street in downtown Columbia, South Carolina.

Postcard #113

In exchange, this is the one I'm sending to her.

Lake Series 100 postcard - 2008

And then there's the little purple guy that I brought home from Chicago after the holidays. Our 6-year old granddaughter created this charming creature for me.
It hangs with the drawing of a sewing machine by a grandson, my latest award ribbons, and the little old soft sculpture guy who keeps watch over all. My studio is full of creative energy.

Purple Lake Postcard

Here's a second postcard that has slipped into the Lake Series. The sky and horizon of the lake are the purple Thai silk fabric mentioned in my last post.

Lake #34.5 - 4"x 6"

It's created for Dianna in exchange for one of her "Turtle Soup" postcards she made from the leftovers of "Honu II". See them here.

Basically, she and I are trading scraps. What fun! I can hardly wait to receive mine from her.

Moonlit Lake

I'm excited about my latest Lake piece. I ended up depicting the lake on a moonlit night ... without the intention of doing so. Because I hadn't deliberately done so, it took a while to even recognize that time of day.

Lake #28

It happened because I build off the first piece of fabric picked up. I begin at the horizon ... either the sky or lake. This one began with an interesting very dark shaded blue. I thought I was creating an approaching storm. But what happened with the clouds and the beach spoke otherwise.

#28 Lake contstuction

This kind of thing is what thrills me and keeps me at it ... especially after the struggle of making that first one in the presence of the lake. It's most interesting to have found that I kept my back to the view of it ... that I couldn't make myself look out the window.

So, this is what's hanging on my design wall. Lakes #27 and #28 and

# 28 1/2

Last night I made the postcard size one for a friend who cut my hair this morning. It gets a half designation within the series.

SMQ Small Quilt Sale

The members of the Smoky Mountain Quilt Guild make and donate small pieces to sell at the quilt show every year. The six flower postcards I posted about here are my donations.

Another donation is a combined creation with my friend, Jane. It's title has something to do about a tree and flames ... I don't recall it's final name ... "Flaming Sunset" would be appropriate.

18"x 20"

It began with an exchange of single elements each of us had made. She gave me the tree she had machine embroidered in a Dottie Moore workshop. She hadn't realized a stabilizer under her base fabric was necessary, so she ended up with a wonderful tree on a very gathered background that she didn't know what to do with. For 3 weeks I studied the piece on my design wall trying to think of a way to utilize that textured background. I'm kicking myself for not taking a photo of it before I started.
Well, I couldn't come up with a way to work with the wrinkled fabric, so I cut it away in wedges leaving some of it around the tree branches and trunk. Many cut away pieces were layered on the fabric piece that looked like a glowing sunset. I found a piece of home decorator fabric for the foreground. I decided to move the tree right of center and to turn the sunset fabrics "wrong side" to the front. Now I saw a lake with the reflected sunset sky beyond the hill that the green area formed. To accentuate the perspective of looking out over the plains from the top of a hill I put boulders in the foreground. Then the fun began of finding bits and pieces to define the areas of the composition.
After the collage in my "ortwork" technique was layered under tulle and machine quilted, I highlighted and blended various areas with oil stick pastels. The pastels are heat set into the fabrics. I use my tiny iron at the design wall. It's set on medium-low heat so the tulle won't melt (I've done that and it's pain to patch). I wear a mask to keep from breathing the dust created when the pastels are applied to the surface. I don't know how effective it is against the fumes from heating them, but I think it helps to keep me from breathing them since I'm working at nose level.

detail

I gave it back to Jane with the batting and backing extended beyond the edges of my contribution. She added the borders and finished it off.

The heads of the committees for putting together this wonderful quilt show have first chance at purchasing these quilts. Jane donated AND bought this one. Later I'll post about the other piece in this exchange between her and me.

More Shared Art

Here are a few more treasures that have been presented to me.

Kay sent this postcard based on the trees in the woods she views from her windows. I love the winter feeling and shadows she's portrayed.

"Winter Light in the Woods"

My friend, Linda in Milwaukee, made two artist's trading cards. They each have designs on both sides.This side alludes to Linda's quilt, "Mrs. Robinson" that features the Dustin Hoffman movie on an outdoor movie screen viewed through a front windshield ... complete with various items on the dashboard (Coke in a paper cup, popcorn, and black lacy bra).This one was an exchange through her shop, Fabric Fusion, in Brown Deer Wisconsin. She made all the ATC's for her shop to exchange with customers ... and friends.

An artist friend, Karen, here in Knoxville made this card using scraps left from the silk kimonos and yarns that I had shared with her to complete a spectacular quilt.

All these shared art pieces have been made into two, double-sided mobiles that hang over my cutting table.
The larger mobile features the postcards from my Bee exchange. Plus there's a thread wrapped egg made by my friend, Melanie, hanging in the center.
That's a lot of concentrated creative energy keeping me company in my studio. Thank you everyone.