Fantastic Fusion Workshop

For the past two Thursday evenings, I have participated in an online workshop, Fantastic Fusion, with Lisa Walton, Textile Artist, from Sydney, Australia. This was organized by the Mahone Bay Quilters' Guild for its members.

19 quilters were eager to learn something new. Many admitted that they were definitely out of their comfort zone. However, you couldn't tell that by the pieces that were created. Lisa was a wonderful teacher, quite prepared with samples, videos, photo gallery and live demos. It was six hours of fun! 

Using Zoom, we were able to see all 20 of us on one screen (thumbnails). We got to see what the other was doing, ask questions, make comments, chat . . . almost the same as been in a physical classroom. The other upside - no packing to go to a classroom, unpack etc. You know the drill. I was in my own space with all my 'stuff' at my fingertips. No, "Oh darn, I forgot to bring . . ." or "I have the perfect piece of fabric for this, but it's home". On that score, I prefer working here in my own studio!

These batik blocks are the result of week one. My colour scheme came from the colours in my back garden and the quilt my sister, Joan, made me for my July birthday, 2018. The blue represents the sky.

Week two

These are the same blocks from above. I chopped them up, cut extra strips and put them together to form this piece. I managed to fuse some of the pieces together but the rest are pinned to my board to do later. It measures approximately 18" x 26" and will be quilted and free-motion stitched.

My colour inspiration:

 

Thanks, Lisa. It was very nice meeting you.

• Lisa Walton on Pinterest HERE and HERE   
  
• Quilt Stories with Lisa Walton
• Abstract Textile Artists
• The Story of Abstract Design
  
• Abstract Textiles from Pinterest HERE, 
• Textile Abstract Art by Leah Gillette 

Enjoy! 

Flash Back!!

Today I'm posting a few images of work I've done in the past. Since I don't have a studio space yet, I have no where to do any large pieces. Hopefully, plaster and painting will begin next week. I've been told there are fiddly things to be done. My husband is working on it as I write.

Enjoy!

Red Fish, owned by the City of St. John's, NL

Calm, private collector, California, USA

Flow, part of the Art Collection, Province of Newfoundland Labrador

View From The Rooms

I thought this had been posted yesterday! I just discovered it was still a draft - what a bummer! Oh, well, better late than never.

So: Yesterday I made a delivery to The Rooms Gift Shop. While there, I took several photos from the 3rd floor. Have a look at the ice just outside the harbour! Apparently there are over 600 icebergs along the coast of Newfoundland. No wonder it's so cold these days. Brrrrrrrrr . . .

A few years ago, I created the textile piece below, and it is called 'View From The Rooms'. It was taken from a different angle than those above.

View From The Rooms

Eye Candy

Sometimes it nice to just look at other artists work, don't you think? I enjoy seeing what others are doing. You never know what might trigger an idea for a new project.

Not one to make excuses for what I do, I'm very proud to present my artist daughter, Jill Thirza Cooper. Have a look at her work and bio.

• Next are birds, beautiful embroidered / beaded birds made by Julia Gornia. Her work is exquisite.
• Embroidery by Kitaeva Irina. It's not in English but scroll through her posts. 
• Textile Art by Susan Teech 
• Embroidered Art by Rachel Wright
• Kate Barlow's Budgerigar - a gorgeous piece. 
• Adventures Textiles by Cecile Maraglia 
• Fiber Artist / Embroiderer, Eve Botelho 

 Enjoy!1
    

Textile Art

I was reading through some emails and came across one from The Quilt Show. Of course, the heading, ' The $45 Million Tapestry ' caught my eye! This price broke the record for the most money ever paid for a piece of Chinese Art. The tapestry, made in the 15th Century, has significant historical value in Chinese history. Please go to the blog page to see it.

Another piece of textile art, this time, a quilt, titled ' Maya's Quilt of Life ', will be going on auction in September. It is estimated that it will go for at least $150,000. See more about this quilt HERE.

If you are interested in reading more about the emergence of textile art, check out an interesting article by the Wall Street Journal.

Here's a couple of articles on Textile Art:

• Textile Artist Organization
• Textile Art Network

Enjoy!

These photos are from a Textile Trip I took to England in 2008.

Embroidery by Constance Howard

Royal School of Embroidery

Festival Gallery of Quilt Art: Home

Today, I'm highlighting the Festival Gallery Online.This is where many of the quilts that have been exhibited at shows are shown to those of us who can't attend in person. 

The show today is titled "Home". What comes to mind when you think of home? Is it the place where you grew up or the place you live now? Is it a feeling you get when you go somewhere familiar? Maybe a memory of a place you once knew? In this exhibit, artists explore and share what the concept of 'Home' means to them and how it plays a part in their lives. 

Click on the thumbnails to see each piece.

The textile piece below, called 'Gower Street', was a commissioned piece that a former Newfoundlander has in his Nova Scotia home to remind him of home.

Enjoy!

Taking The Day Off!!!

Today, I've decided to take the day off! No sewing, no creating, no knitting, no anything in my studio. However, I'm still blogging. And by the way, don't forget my giveaway. Check back to last Wednesday to leave a comment to be eligible to win some of my work.

Check out some of these links:

• Bee Tree Designs free patterns for hand stitching
• Clover & Violet - Embroidery 101
• Let's learn Embroidery - Free Patterns & Tutorials
• Cloth Dolls by Stitch 'N Stuff
• Art Journal Tutorial
• Bags, Carry Cases, Wallets Tutorials
• Tea Pot Mug Rug

Now for a few random photos from my collection. Each one could be the subject for a piece of art. Think about it. I can see hand embroidery, printing on fabric and making a collage, photo realism using fabrics and applique . . . Endless possibilities!

What do you see? Why not take out some of your photos and see where they might take you. They might be a jumping off point to get you started in another direction.
Enjoy!!

Interesting Textile Sites / Organizations

It's time to have a look at some interesting sites / organizations, that host textile artists.
Here's what I've found last evening in an hour or so. I'll have a closer look at them when I get a bit more time.

• The Textile Blog
• The Textile Artist Organization
• The Textile Arts Network
• Textile Arts Resource Guide
• TAFA - The Textile and Fiber Art List
• Textile Artists
• ATASDA - Australian Textile Art and Surface Design Association
• SAQA - Studio Art Quilt Associates

Enjoy!

Member's Exhibit, Craft Council of Newfoundland & Labrador

I've been a member of the Craft Council of Newfoundland & Labrador since 1999. Each summer, there is a juried exhibition of member's work featuring a variety of mediums and techniques and celebrating excellence in contemporary craft. You will find this summer's exhibit pieces at Devon House, St. John's. If you can't see them in person, please take a minute to see them HERE, as you won't be disappointed!

My textile piece, The Fishermen's Museum, English Harbour West, is on page two.