New Newsletter Format

I'm excited to be using a new format for this newsletter. Previously, subscribers received an email notifying them that the newsletter was posted here, on my website. Starting with this issue, the entire newsletter is going directly to subscribers' inboxes. (There's also an option to get a text only version.) In addition, the full newsletter will always be posted here.

This new format allows subscribers to completely manage their subscriptions themselves.  They can subscribe, forward, change email addresses and more, with the click of a mouse.  Everything happens instantaneously, and automatically.  (From my end, I'll no longer be managing approximately 1000 emails, so I'll have more time to create!) 

Upcoming Events
- Extended! Melbourne, FL, through August 3rd, Art-chi-Texture exhibit at LoPressionism Fine Art Gallery.
- Ft. Myers, FL, August 19 & 20, Lecture Playing with Fabric, and workshop Design Your Own Nature Quilt
- Punta Gorda, FL, August 21 & 22, Workshops Intant Art Quilt and Double Reverse Applique, and lecture Playing with Color
- Mt. Dora, FL, September 19 - October 23, Fiber Expose exhibit, at Mt. Dora Center for the Arts
- Mt. Dora, FL, October 10, Interactive Demo Fabric Collage, followed by opening reception of Fiber Expose, at Mt. Dora Center for the Arts
- Mt. Dora, FL, October 18, Workshop Design Your Own Nature Collage - Glued or Stitched, Mt. Dora Center for the Arts

Next online class: Design Your Own Nature Quilt, starting August 15th. (Sorry, this class is full.) Learn more about online classes here.

See Teaching and Events schedule for more details.

New Work
As I mentioned last month, I've recently been reminded of the need for creative play. Without it, I've found that my creative resevoirs tend to dry up. Therefore, I've been trying to get into the studio a little more often.

Because my time is limited, I recently decided to work on a glued collage, rather than a stitched one. Since I wanted to focus on the process more than the end product, I chose a simple mountain scene as my "playground." My mindset was to experiment as much as possible. The glued collage, at left, is my result.

I had fun using a variety of materials. The sky is layers of sheer paper, which I had previously painted. The farthest two mountains are sheer fabrics. Crinkled tissue paper was used for the far tree line and the rust colored plain. And, finally, I used conventional fabrics in the foreground. I also added in some cheesecloth and hand embroidery. This piece has certainly got a lot of texture! I don't think it's finished, though, so I'll continue to slowly work on it, as the mood strikes.

Short Lesson
"Be inspired by your photo, not owned by it!" These are the words that I frequently repeat in my Design Your Own Nature Quilt class. When working from a great photo, it's easy to want to reproduce it exactly. However, there are two reasons to avoid this: 1) the composition and/or color of the photo can probably be improved; 2) it will be more interesting, if you interpret the image more loosely.

When making composition decisions, I often seperate key elements onto individual layers. This way, I can move them around, independantly, and find the best possible arrangement. I've written a short essay about this process, and how it applies to this wonderful old (grainy) photo, at right. You can read it here.

Enjoy the adventure!
Ellen

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