Blue Bra Revolt

I know, you are wondering what I am talking about... so here it is.
The other day there were news articles that talked about the Egyptian Army's attack on a women protester.  They beat her up, tore off her clothes, manhandled her, and stomped on her.  Terrible.  People viewing the scene noticed that she was wearing a bright blue bra.  Under all that controlled clothing!  Well, it became a rallying point with people sewing blue bras over the official Egyptian flags.  To me, the blue bra represented the protest of so much control, something that couldn't be denied.
Often, I have wanted to do a piece that expressed my feelings on a topic, but it never seemed to work.  My work is bright and I thought that "statement" pieces should be dark.  Well, this time things went right.  The background starts in black but lightens up as the "revolt" gains strength; the bra gets larger and becomes stronger; the chain is strong at the bottom but drops away; the quilting is meant to represent hands and fists but they fall away into blooms of hope.  Your work is supposed to stand and be understood by itself, but this is new and I didn't want you to miss my point.
This piece is dedicated to the brave women protesters and also to Eva Henneberry who did many "statement" pieces and encouraged me to do the same.

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.

New Challenge - In the works

This is what I have been doing, in between Christmas Shopping and the usual fun.  It is for a new challenge of Rachel Clark's, based on fashion designers. Title "THEY ARE CALLED A CLASSIC FOR A REASON". After doing a quick search I found Elsa Schiaparelli and fell in love with her amazing designs.  One of my favorite was a dinner jacket that turned writer Jean Cocteau's 1937 drawing into a dinner jacket.  You can see it on wikipedia.  At first I wanted to make a jacket, but realized I do better making flat things....no bumpy bust lines to contend with!  As you can see I used some very nice silk in beautiful colors.  The pattern portion is also inspired from one of Elsa's coats.  After seeing the layering at the Houston Festival, I wanted to see what I could come up with, and that is where I am currently stumped.  The face is hand stitched on to a double layer of tule and the hair is appliqued on to the tule.  A double layer of subtly colored chiffon goes behind the tule.  The original plan was to let these pieced hang free but that seems to "dull" down the silk piecing.  I could sew it behind the silk but I had my heart set on free flowing fabric.... like some of Elsa's formal dress designs.  So here I am... tune in later for the final decision.  You won't have to wait long as the piece is due the first week of January!
Also, in January, I will have three pieces in the Main Street Gallery in Weaverville, CA  The three pieces are Birch Tree Sunlight, Nuggets, and Hope Out of Despair.  Address is 490 Main Street  and phone - 530 623 9259.  Show title "Quilt as Art".  Maybe you would enjoy a ride during the January show.

We're all better artists for----

 

Pam at Houston with Leaves of Costa Rica

"We're all better artists for having come to Houston".  This was said by a fellow visitor to the Houston Quilt Festival during one of those wonderful instant friendships that spring up on the the gallery floor.  How true!  Every piece, both traditional and contemporary were inspirations.  The subject matter was often thought provoking and the techniques were amazing.  The skill all the artists displayed was something to aspire to.  Guess by now you know how I felt about the show, but that was not the only thing that was note worthy.  The people I met, the tours that SAQA  provided, the enthusiasm and excitement was overwhelming.  I was fortunate enough to have a piece in the show and so I wore a ribbon declaring me a "Finalist".  What fun and how humbling.  Have you ever felt that maybe they had left the back door open and you just got in?  Well that is how I started out, but with all the kind and excited people coming up and congratulating me... I soon just relaxed and really enjoyed myself.  Self doubt is always there.

Speaking of self doubt... I hope all of you that have considered entering a show, will do so in the next year.  Entering is sometimes confusing but manageable.  There are friends that will help with the photography and computer work.  Please consider trying because it is not just you that will miss out, but the others who would be inspired by your work.  Don't let self doubt hold you back.

Turning a Pigs Ear into a Silk Purse!

 

"Cathy's Flowers" - The silk purse

 

Have you ever heard the above phrase before?  It means that from something so common or ugly as a pigs ear you can create beauty.  My Mom would often use this phrase when she would miraculously create a beautiful garment from cast down fabric.  Anyway, this project started as a Wearable Arts Challenge (below) that was going no where, into successful (?) Wall Art.  A big improvement!  The belt was wide and at my age I do not need a "belly band"!  This piece is named "Cathy's Flowers" for my friend Cathy.  Her favorite comment is that something needs more Shinny S...t.  While making the flowers and background from upholstery fabric I could see that all the colors were the same intensity and that they really needed a spark.  Then I heard Cathy's voice in my ear!   What a difference and just what the piece needed.

The Pig's Ear!

Just a little note, I am going to Houston for the huge quilt/quilt art show so I won't be doing anything to show you for a spell.  I expect to come back with lots of inspiration and new techniques to try, so it shouldn't be too long before you will be seeing more posts.