Ellen Lindner: Art & Creativity

Adrenalin surge.  That’s what I got when I was able to meet up with a bunch of other fiber artists.  As far as I’m concerned, the combination of new friends, socializing, and quilts is almost as good as it gets.  So, when a recent event provided me with such a mixture I was on cloud nine!

Dij Pacarro, Gabrile DiTota, Susan Rienzo, and Ruth Anne Parker enjoying animated conversation

Sponsored by SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates,) and held in Melbourne, FL it was open to current and prospective members.  Following a wonderful gallery walk through the Masters 2 exhibit, about 25 of us met in an adjacent class room for more fun and information.  We started off with a panel discussion featuring Sandy Donabed, Jayne Gaskins, and Martha Sielman, and led by Nancy Billings.  Questions dealt with websites, pricing, gallery representation, and much more.  It was interactive and very informative.

After a snack break, we launched into Show and Tell.  It was wonderful to see work produced by Florida fiber artists, and to hear a little about their processes.

Jayne Gaskins creates heavily stitched, photo realistic pieces.  But, what’s more amazing is the depth she adds with trapunto.  Can you tell that the heel below actually sticks out of the piece?

Click any image for a larger view.

Kay Smith’s large liturgical piece includes colors and symbolism representing Lent through Easter.  There’s even an actual crown of thorns.

 
Candice Phelan loves to represent 3D spheres.  Can you believe this piece is actually flat?  She uses hundreds (thousands?) of tiny circles, paying careful attention to value placement.  Each circle is cut with a die cut machine and is sewn on by machine.

These are just a few of the great pieces we saw.  It was an informative and exhilirating event!

BTW, if you’re an art quilter who’d like to turn that into income, SAQA can really help.  The resources and opportunities are plentiful!  Online articles, an email forum, a quarterly journal, and many exhibition options.  Check it out.  (Hey, list me as a referral if you join.)

Ellen Lindner
P.S.  Additional websites and blogs for those in the first picture:
Dij Pacarro
Susan Rienzo
Ruth Anne Parker