I like challenges. As a result, I’m currently working on an abstract self-portrait. It all came about when my art group, Dirty Dozen Fiber Artists, came up with (another) self-portrait challenge. This one was to be inspired by another artist. After some online searching and thought I decided on one of my favorite contemporary artists,…
When making Melting Pot, I was also considering whether I might have time to make a smaller quilt for another challenge. As Melting Pot grew, I decided to make it smaller and to use the remaining parts for this smaller quilt. Diversity is the result. It was made for an exhibit called “1 x 4: Imagination.” As you can…
In a recent post I suggested that, when making improvisational quilts, it’s a good idea to get the proportion of colors set before any construction begins. Yet, I ignored my own advice on my latest quilt, Melting Pot. It all began when I fell in love with a painting by Jane Davies. Great colors, right? It’s…
Are you familiar with Linda and Laura Kemshall? They’re a mother-daughter duo who make fabulous art – in fabric and paper, and who have a weekly newsletter. Recently, they featured this photo. Isn’t it lovely? I was enamored with the colors of the lilies and wrote to ask if I could use it for a…
I’ve you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you know that I’m not shy about cutting up a quilt. Sometimes I rearrange the pieces and create a new, more exciting composition. Other times, I use the new smaller pieces as the start of new little works of art. Such was the case with this COMPLETELY…
I’m thinking about turning my “Notes for a Friend” concept into a class. To try out the idea I did an informal class with two friends and it was a huge success! Cindy had never worked abstractly before, but she jumped in and finished her note in no time flat. Didn’t she do a great…
After trying a pastel blue sky on my piece inspired by fall trees, I tried it with dark blue instead. I actually liked it pretty well, but I didn’t have enough bright blue to do it justice. So, I tried white. And also auditioned the idea of more twigs. The verdict: YES to the white…
What do you get when you add a beautiful setting, great friends, and time to make quilts? Well, fun productivity, of course! At a recent SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates) retreat I took my portable design wall, my easel, and ALL of my hand dyed fabrics. I didn’t have an idea when I left home,…
I recently redecorated my bedroom and I’m LOVING the results! Here’s the bed wall, with my quilt Rhythm of the City prominently displayed. More of my work moving across the window wall. This is Croton Leaves 3. Continuing to look left, a corner featuring my paper collage Three Cherries. And, to complete the artwork roundup, at the foot…
Well, after LOTS of trial and error, trouble shooting, and rearranging, I finally finished my latest abstract piece, When Fuchsia Came to Play. A detail shot of the fabrics – most of them dyed by me. I showed you my plans for rearranging in an earlier post. As part of that, I whacked 7+” off the…