Two Shows - and one Sale

There is Berry Art in two different shows.

Hope Out of Despair

Main Street Gallery, in Weaverville, CA.  Title:  Quilt Art
   490 Main Street, Weaverville, Ca 96093  530-623-9259
    Dates: January 2012  Call for times
    Show Pieces:  Birch Tree Sunlight, Nuggets, Hope Out of Despair(SOLD)



Blue Line Gallery, in Roseville, CA.  Title:  Minimal/Colorful
    405 Vernon Street, Roseville, Ca 95678  916-783-4117  www.rosevillearts.org
    Dates:  Jan 12 - Feb 25, 2012  Tu-Sat:  11 am-3 pm
    Artist reception:  Jan 21, 7-9pm  Also on Feb 18, 7-9p
    Show Piece:  Leaves of Costa Rica

So, there you go.  Hope you can come to one of the two Artist Receptions at Blue Line Gallery.  It would be lots of fun to see you and you can see me "hung" with some great Artists.

Elsa and Photography

Elsa

Elsa is finally done and she looks great.... except in my pictures.  Yes it is important to learn to take great photos of your work!

Elsa is a challenge project created by Rachel Clark.  Her newest challenge is "Classic for a Reason" and the goal was to do a piece (wearable art but I got to do flat) that was inspired by a famous couture designer.  I chose Elsa Schiaparelli.  Her time was between the wars and for some time after.  One of her most famous client was the Duchess of Winsor.  I was inspired by two pieces; one was The Cocteau Jacket, second was a pieced long coat.  She liked the unusual and contrasting fabric textures.  Beading was also an important part of her look.  Look her up and you will be amazed. 
The construction was difficult because I used a double layer of netting and a double layer of colored chiffon for her face.  Fabrics are all silk and her hair is a variety of fabric, some from my trip to Houston.

Again, I promise to improve my photos...a new years resolution!

How much I've changed...

Early Days
I did this once at an all night'er and then had to
redo all the shashing because it was so crooked!
Poor Mother in Law got it for Christmas and never complained!

Now is the time for reflections for sure!  Looking over some of my original work and what I do now was a surprise to me.  I'm not sure how it happened but its been fun.  Guess the thing that caused change was my constant effort to make a pattern or technique my own.  Back in the day of ceramics, some of my efforts was greeted with the exclamation of "Why can't you just paint like you are supposed to!"  I have to admit that my efforts did not improve the project.  But now thanks to many friends and mentors my efforts are more "acceptable" and appreciated.  Even my hubby now corrects people when they call my work quilting... he now sees it as Fiber Art.  Now don't think I don't want to be a quilter!  That is the base, the center, and the starting point.  It is only because people immediately think of Grandma that I choose to use the words Fiber Art.  It is all Art as anyone can see by going to any of the quilt shows.  The other truth is that I can't sew with the precision of my friends so Fiber Art gives me more leeway.  They even have a name for my fumbling process.... intuitive work.
Anyway, this is the year to evaluate what I really want to do, to let go of some of the fun things in favor of more art associated things, and to enjoy the process.
Here's wishing you the best New Year and a healthy and productive "growing" path.