These are meant to be framed and hung in a row, like in the picture below.
The guidelines I was given for this commission were 3 wreaths with red bows that will be framed and hung together. I used fusible web and raw-edge applique, then embellished with all sorts and styles of red buttons. I finished up with free-motion quilting.
Real life photograph
Art quilt
I recently spent a few days in Holmes County, Ohio...home to a large population of Amish folk. I was struck by the beauty and coloration of all the produce at a market there...thus the pictures for art inspiration. Hmmm, not to mention cooking inspiration. I'm thinking pumpkin and apple pies....cider.....ok, turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing too.
This has been an amazing fall here in south eastern Ohio. The colors on the trees are beyond belief, and ever so inspirational. I cannot go for a walk anywhere without returning with a collection of colorful leaves. You can pick up almost any book in our house and find leaves pressing. You can be sure to see these showing up in my work.
Pictured below are Sue, Jo Ann, Melani, Sue and Sharon
I just returned form the Art Quilt Network retreat. As always, it was a very positive experience. It's great to be surrounded by a group of people who are very serious about their art. The presentation by Gordon Lee, from the Columbus College of Art and Design was incredible. I am ready to do more image transfers starting tomorrow...in the studio. 
Busy squirrel
Colorful maple
Long shadows
I am currently working on a beaded crow. It is made up of black wool and bugle beads. Where this crow will wind up...I'm not sure. But I do know that the crow has been coming to me a lot lately. I need to do some research on animal totems and see what this might mean. Anyone thoughts?? Oh, and if you click on the photo you can get a closer look. The wool will be trimmed away right to the edges of the beading.
This is one of my newest pieces. I actually completed it and had it hanging in time for the September First Friday Art Celebration. It still amazes me when I find myself able to work quickly and intuitively and suddenly have a piece I am content with. Effortlessly. "Namaste" is the result of such flow. And why is this flow so fleeting? Sometimes you have it and sometimes you don't. I do know that when I am experiencing it, it is wonderful feeling. I am grateful.
I recently hung a new show at Schimmel Fitness, in downtown Zanesville, OH. The owner, Bill, asked me if I would display some of my work there. I didn't have to think too hard about it. It is a win-win situation. I get my work shown in another venue where a lot of people go in and out...and he gets artwork on his walls. I have even sold a few pieces. I try to change the display about every 2 months or so. I really appreciate the opportunity.
Here are a few more spirals; these taken on Upper Captiva Island, Florida. The last picture is a commercial break of sorts. There seems to be a common theme here, in this post and the last. Yes, I am a Corona beer fan. I just thought the two bottle caps in the sand were cute and could be a nice advertisement.
manhole cover
wild grape vine
I just picked up my latest piece from the framer last Friday... in time for the First Fridays Celebration of the Arts. Yes, I have a "thing" for ginkgo trees. There is something about the shape, color and texture of their leaves that I cannot resist. Plus, I am enchanted by the fact that they are a prehistoric tree. I hope you enjoy this piece.
squinting into the sun
Beautiful fields
more beautiful Amish-tended fields
As of a few days ago, Mike and I have been married for 31 years...a milestone we are both proud of. We were fortunate enough to be able to "sneak" away in the middle of the week to Holmes County Ohio, where we stayed at The Inn At Honey Run. The weather has been amazing here in Ohio---clear, dry blue-sky days followed by crisp, clear cool nights. I found lots of inspiration in the colors of nature. NATURE: my greatest inspiration.
I have been "MIA" from this blog for most of August...but, you see that I have been to a place to re-group and re-charge! We visit this island, Sunset Island, in Lake Ontario every summer for the past 20 years. It is such an inspirational, and beautiful spot. Just 20 minutes east of Niagara Falls, and 20 minutes north of Buffalo...it is a well kept secret. (shhhh, don't tell). I even spent 2 days doing nothing bit reading and eating. Such a treat! So, now I am back home and ready to hit the studio running. Look for more work soon!
The first annual Y-Bridge Arts Festival was held August 7-8, 2009 right smack-dab in the middle of the historic Y-Bridge in downtown Zanesville, Ohio. This was my first time in a long time to participate in an arts fair. It was a wonderful experience. I felt very successful in the sales department, and it was also wonderful to hear praise and comments for my work. All in all, a very positive experience. Would I do it again?? " You betcha!!"
It was a great experience, and I was very excited to recieve the award for Best of Show in the Mixed Media division. Happy and humble am I!!
Sometimes all it takes is to just show up at the studio to get into the mood to create. I am happily surrounded by a lot of stuff. That would be the things that I have collected over time...inspirational items such as leaves, rocks, shell, feathers...and so on. Oh, not to mention the fabric, threads, yarns, buttons and found objects. All of this stuff, collectively, charges my creativity. I just need to channel it into one thing at a time. I am currently working on 3 panels that will hang together. You can see the start of one of these panels. Soon I will post the finished items. Stay tuned!
Here is the finished product that was previewed earlier in this blog. I call it "Koi Pond". I found this amazing, sparkly green lace as a remnant, and loved the color and everything about it. The only problem was how would I ever use it. Anyway, I bought it because I had to have it. So, it turned out to be perfect duck weed! I could cut out sections and it didn't ravel apart.
Elizabeth Busch
I just got back from an awesome week in Columbus, OH at QSDS. I took a master class from Elizabeth Busch. There were 20 of us in the classroom, so there was lots of networking, critiquing, and learning...not to mention FUN! We stayed busy most of the time. It's an intense experience.
So at the end of the week we each had an opportunity to talk about our work...what we saw, what we felt, do we work "inside" or "outside", and has our work shifted during the week. I brought several pieces that I wanted to complete while there, and did so....but there was no "shift" in my work. It turned out as I had already planned. But, after a weeks-worth of studying with Elizabeth, I do, indeed, feel a "shift" coming. I have learned to ask myself many questions. Each time I finish a piece I need to look at it and decide, objectively, if it was successful. I am learning to stretch and grow in my work. It was a very valuable experience.
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