Artists at White Point Show & Sale

Last Sunday I attended Artists at White Point Show & Sale. 43 vendors from around Queens County and beyond, gathered at the Beach Resort to be part of the 7th annual show. Apparently, the number of visitors was way up from previous years. In fact, the tally of sales for the participating artists and creators, for this one day event, was an incredible $25,000.00.

A big thank you to the staff, especially Cathie Pincombe, of White Point Beach Resort, for hosting this magnificent event. Did I mention that it was free for vendors and visitors?

Also, thank you to those who stopped to say hello and to those who purchased something special for themselves or for someone else. It was a great day! Shimmer Ornaments were a hit.

Here's a few shots taken mostly from my table space. It was a busy day with lots of folks and I didn't get a chance to see other vendors until almost closing time.

Jill and I shared a backdrop. My scarves, her wall art

My table

My beautiful daughter hiding behind her necklaces. Each piece is a miniature of an original oil painting

Looking across the room from my table

Directly across from me

Side view of Jill's table

Making Waves

Last evening was the opening of my daughter, Jill Cooper's, art exhibit at the DesBrisay Museum, Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.

Making Waves - Jill's Artist Statement 

 I grew up on the edge of a fierce ocean. A turbulent, gobble you up in its cold expanse, ocean. Even with their dangers, these rough waters would sparkle, dance in the sun, and entice my 10 year-old self to join them barefoot on the rocky shore, despite the way it instantly numbed my feet from cold, even in the peak of summer. I couldn't stay away.

I'd perch on the shore with my notebooks, filled with cartoon sketches of my versions of Betty and Veronica, my head filled with National Geographic  Articles, and my ocean horizon spoke of possibilities; escape, change, and adventure. A windy, undulating expanse that led to new worlds far away from out tiny fishing village. I found freedom in the sea foam.

It was at the intersection of stone, sea, and sky that the seeds of my obsession to capture waves and women were planted. For me, seeing the connection between women and water was as clear as a blue sky. It's no surprise that these experiences led me to paint a series that reveals their spirits.

Bright and strong. Deep and powerful. Wild and unrelenting. Beautiful and mighty.

Are these features the water or the women? Both, of course.

There is something magical about blending paint so that it captures the translucent aqua of the sun streaked waves, a perfect glint in the eye of a woman who's gaze speaks volumes, and reveals the same energy shining forth from each of them. More than once, while creating this series of amazing women and natural beauty, I've felt the resonance between the two and it has deepened my gratitude for both, while filling me with excitement for the future. Just like those days as a barefoot girl standing in front of an endless ocean.

We are very proud of you, Jill!

Art from Eastern Edge Quilt Challenge - Part One

I'd forgotten about the photos I had of some of the art work displayed at the year end dinner of the Eastern Edge Quilt Guild. One of the challenges this year was to select an artist and make a piece in his / her style.

Some artists selected, included: J. C. Roy, Tom Thompson, Gloria Loughman, Josef. Albers, Cezanne, Gustav Klimt, Charlie Harper, Johannes Vermeer, Paul Klee. I missed some of the artists as the quilters were talking about their pieces. Sorry.

Drop back tomorrow for Part Two!

Permission was given to display these photos:

Through Our Hands

This morning as I was glancing through my emails, I came across a new on-line magazine, Through Our Hands, from Design Matters. Figuring it was another promo where you could view the first one but then have to purchase the rest, I was mildly surprised to see that it is FREE!  As they write: You can view it online, you can save, share and even print a copy if you want to. There are articles from Through Our Hands artists, guest writers and all illustrated in lovely full colour throughout.

I have quickly glanced through the magazine but will be going back to have a more thorough look. I'm sure there is a little something for everyone! I want to go back to the Meet the Artist page and visit each one.
Enjoy!

UK Art Quilts

UK Art Quilts is a new blog started this September. They have been very active on Face Book and because many of their members requested a group or a website, decided to do the blog thing! Photos of spectacular work from some of the members can be found HERE. I've also spent a little time looking at some other blogs & websites (mostly British) that are quite interesting. Grab a cup of something and enjoy these!

Painted Quilts by Annabell Rainbow
Cath Stonard Textile Art & Stitch Cloth Colour
Contemporary Quilt is a specialist group of The Quilters' Guild of the British Isles. Check them out!
The Dyers Hand
Jill Taylor - Third Age Musings
Sally's Stuff (Australia)
Occasional Jottings & 12 By the Dozen
Cas Holmes

From Ewe to You

I was out walking this morning in Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, and found a great little yarn shop called From Ewe to You. The owner is Rachel Hooper. Her shop has beautiful yarns. Of course I was drawn to the glittery stuff. She also has fun projects and patterns, needles and knitting accessories, books, gifts (some made by local artists), as well as some felting supplies. Here's some photos of the shop. The second photo shows a knitted shawl that has been blocked to the correct size. Enjoy!

11 Days of Pre-Holiday Tutorials

You will just have to check out these tutorials. A new one every day for 11 days!

1. November 9  :Jane LeFazio 
2. November 10 :Lyric Kinard
3. November 11 :Tracie Lyn Huskamp
4. November 12 :Melanie Testa
5. November 13 :Traci Bunkers
6. November 14 :Diana Trout
7. November 15 :Judy Coates Perez
8. November 16 :Kelli Nina Perkins
9. November 17 :Lisa Engelbrecht
10. November 18 :Jill Berry
11. November 19 :Gloria Hansen

Some of the above artists also have other tutorials on their blogs. Check them out!

Forte Framing and Gallery

My daughter, Jill and her husband, Jude, have just started a new business in Chicago, Forte Framing and Gallery. It is located at 2301 W North Ave in the neighborhood of Wicker Park. We were there for the official opening on July 2nd. We wish them well in their new venture. Their web site is under construction but the title page with loco is in place here. While visiting there this summer, I was amazed at some of the older buildings in Chicago as many of them have very decorative fronts like the one their business occupies. This one is art deco style.The front entrance to the shop is right on the corner.

If you look real close at the third picture, you will see a small sample of my art work, which is on display there for the summer. One of the things they hope to do besides framing pictures, is to promote artists and their work. So if you are in the area, please stop by and have a look at their gallery.

Judy Cooper textile art on the left

Canada's Search Engine

I'm now listed on Canada's search engine, Canadae.ca. Just click on arts. This site has lots of blogs from across Canada. In fact, I found it by accident last week and haven't really searched through it yet. I'm always trying to find things that are Canadian whether it's a list of shops or textile / fibre artists. I'm interested in finding more Canadian sites related to textiles.