Today with my DH's help I finished the quilt-as-you-go blocks for the third charity quilt that I've been making. The tops for the first two are done, and the batting and backing cut, ready to sandwich. DH is getting very handy with the rotary cutter. He cut all of the strips and other shapes for the block, and then did all of the trimming, once they were sewn together. I have other commitments this coming week, so the whole project will be put on hold for awhile. Over the past couple of days, the conversation on my art quilting internet groups has been on how it's relaxing and renewing to go back and do a little traditional quilting once in awhile, and I now know this is true.
This sort of work is somewhat routine and thoughts can be elsewhere. I'm now convinced that the Doorways piece is never going to be as good as my original vision. I will pursue and finish it, but the quality just isn't there. However, this has been a fantastic learning situation, both in terms of the technique and in the capacity of the new sewing machine. So, time well spent.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
The value of others
The week was the monthly meeting of my fibre art support group--Ravenesque. Only half of us were there-- an unusual occurance. One lady is moving away and won't be able to attend any more meetings, but we only rarely have anyone actually resign. So there is a flow to our membership, but every person adds to the strength of the group.
Because there were only 4 of us, the conversation was more subdued than normal( chaos is normal), and we were actually able to exchange much more in the way of ideas, and explore those ideas in a little more depth. Two of us appear to be at a cross roads. We are unsure which direction our future efforts may take, but we both know that we are about to make some sort of shift. A third member has acquired a sponsor and is in the process of making a shift ( maybe temporary) to accommodate some of the sponsors ideas ( as artists have done for hundred of years) Thr fourth member present is fairly new to the group, but not to fibre art. She is quite taken with the various techniques we talk about, with such ease and apparent familiarity.
I mention the meeting because I truly, truly believe that this sort of stimulation and discussion with other artists is absolutely essential to the growth and development of any artist, in any medium. Most artists do the actual creation of art in isolation. That is; alone, in the isolation of their studios. What they actually produce is an amalgam of the experiences and ideas that have flowed through their lives, and the support of a like-minded group can only a positive effect. These ladies give me honest critique-- a hard animal to find. They force me to explore and verbalize my own creative thoughts. They encourage me to actually try new things and not devolve into living entirely within my comfort zone. All of those efforts may make me temproarily uncomfortable, but they all help me grow in both skill and confidence.
So, the next step? Inks.
Because there were only 4 of us, the conversation was more subdued than normal( chaos is normal), and we were actually able to exchange much more in the way of ideas, and explore those ideas in a little more depth. Two of us appear to be at a cross roads. We are unsure which direction our future efforts may take, but we both know that we are about to make some sort of shift. A third member has acquired a sponsor and is in the process of making a shift ( maybe temporary) to accommodate some of the sponsors ideas ( as artists have done for hundred of years) Thr fourth member present is fairly new to the group, but not to fibre art. She is quite taken with the various techniques we talk about, with such ease and apparent familiarity.
I mention the meeting because I truly, truly believe that this sort of stimulation and discussion with other artists is absolutely essential to the growth and development of any artist, in any medium. Most artists do the actual creation of art in isolation. That is; alone, in the isolation of their studios. What they actually produce is an amalgam of the experiences and ideas that have flowed through their lives, and the support of a like-minded group can only a positive effect. These ladies give me honest critique-- a hard animal to find. They force me to explore and verbalize my own creative thoughts. They encourage me to actually try new things and not devolve into living entirely within my comfort zone. All of those efforts may make me temproarily uncomfortable, but they all help me grow in both skill and confidence.
So, the next step? Inks.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Pushing too hard and paying the price
What a quandry!! After almost 6 months of very little studio time, I'm feeling the need, desire, and energy to get down there and work. Part of the lack of ambition comes--I firmly believe--to the Extra Strength Tylenol that I've been taking regularly since since early January. So I've been making a firm effort not to take any during the day, and I've noticed a marked increase in both initiative and creativity.
So down I go and work my little fingers ot the bone to end up exhausted, and in discomfort. The shoulder just isn't ready for such demands, and ergonomically, the area isn't set up to reduce demands on the shoulder. Planning for efficient work flow, and pacing the speed of work both help, but I have to reduce my expectations of myself--a very difficult task for me. Only a few years ago I could put in 12-14 hours/day of steady studio work and look after my house as well. Old age is a bitch.
There are three shows coming up, one next weekend which is a high end craft sale, and a more formal art show at the end of the month, followed by a gallery show at the end of May. The formal art show requires that all things displayed are ready to hang ( read framed) Anything else can be displayed, in shrink wrap, in a different room. I had asked for space in the shrink wrap room only, but this is not allowed, and I am required to put up something for display in the main area. I have a couple of small pieces but they have been shown before. So--having a little extra money-- we decided that maybe it was time to frame the large matted piece that has been under the bed for three years. Last time I was in to the framer I had a smaller piece and asked for a simple frame. The price quoted had been over $200, so I was apprehensive about the whole thing, as the mattted piece is big. Well, tax included the total came to $55.00. So now I will have a new, large piece for the more formal art show, which is unlikely to sell, so probably, a new piece for the gallery show at the end of May, as well.
So down I go and work my little fingers ot the bone to end up exhausted, and in discomfort. The shoulder just isn't ready for such demands, and ergonomically, the area isn't set up to reduce demands on the shoulder. Planning for efficient work flow, and pacing the speed of work both help, but I have to reduce my expectations of myself--a very difficult task for me. Only a few years ago I could put in 12-14 hours/day of steady studio work and look after my house as well. Old age is a bitch.
There are three shows coming up, one next weekend which is a high end craft sale, and a more formal art show at the end of the month, followed by a gallery show at the end of May. The formal art show requires that all things displayed are ready to hang ( read framed) Anything else can be displayed, in shrink wrap, in a different room. I had asked for space in the shrink wrap room only, but this is not allowed, and I am required to put up something for display in the main area. I have a couple of small pieces but they have been shown before. So--having a little extra money-- we decided that maybe it was time to frame the large matted piece that has been under the bed for three years. Last time I was in to the framer I had a smaller piece and asked for a simple frame. The price quoted had been over $200, so I was apprehensive about the whole thing, as the mattted piece is big. Well, tax included the total came to $55.00. So now I will have a new, large piece for the more formal art show, which is unlikely to sell, so probably, a new piece for the gallery show at the end of May, as well.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Fusible web
Problem solved. I was in Fabricland to buy something else and found the remains of a bolt of paper-backed fusible web. A very old and decrepit piece of fusible web. So I asked if they had any more, and she found a bolt in the back for me. It had been opened( no plastic protective covering) but there were still 22m, and at half price, I bought them all. I may never have to buy it again, but then I've been through more than two full bolts over the past 4 years, so who knows. What I had been looking for was the spray adhesive for basting quilts. In Fargo, I can buy a big can for about $10.00. Here I found a small can for $25.98. It's almost worth the trip.
Two of the three charity quilt tops are done. In finishing the second one ( trimming and squaring up blocks) I realized that I had a whole pile of narrow strips of good quality fabric. I've actually taught a class on using this sort of scrap, so why was I about to throw these out? ( And what happened to the same sort of scrap when I finished the smaller top?) So later today, after I finish a small clothing construction job, I plan to play with these scraps and see if I can come up with a saleable product for the "big sale" next weekend. I have an idea, but had been toying with the idea of using narrow scraps of fabric paper. Hm-m-m? Looks like an interesting day. And it also looks like the muse really has come out of hibernation.
Two of the three charity quilt tops are done. In finishing the second one ( trimming and squaring up blocks) I realized that I had a whole pile of narrow strips of good quality fabric. I've actually taught a class on using this sort of scrap, so why was I about to throw these out? ( And what happened to the same sort of scrap when I finished the smaller top?) So later today, after I finish a small clothing construction job, I plan to play with these scraps and see if I can come up with a saleable product for the "big sale" next weekend. I have an idea, but had been toying with the idea of using narrow scraps of fabric paper. Hm-m-m? Looks like an interesting day. And it also looks like the muse really has come out of hibernation.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Thought the Muse had died....
A friend invited me over for what is to us, the most fun thing two art quilters/mixed media artists can do--explore stash. She had recently been part of the the distributon of stash from a deceased relative, and wanted to share. This was the day before my pension cheque arrives and I barely had enough ready cash for a cup of coffee, but you better believe I jumped in the car, bought gas on credit, and hightailed it right over there! Her method of sharing such a find is to slowly go through it, and the first one to share a good vision of how something could be used, gets first dibs on it.
This means picking up something, fondling it carefully and discussing what could be done with it. I truly believe that there is no more stimulating activity. It doesn't work nearly as well if you try it alone, as your comments and ideas stimulate the other person. Out time together is particularly interesting as we each approach the task in our own way. I'm driven by colour, and while she is certainly stimulated by colour, I sometimes think she has a way of looking at texture that I lack. Her work is big and bold and dramatic, while mine tends to be more subdued and formal. We complement each other very well.
A wonderful afternoon, and time very well spent.
This means picking up something, fondling it carefully and discussing what could be done with it. I truly believe that there is no more stimulating activity. It doesn't work nearly as well if you try it alone, as your comments and ideas stimulate the other person. Out time together is particularly interesting as we each approach the task in our own way. I'm driven by colour, and while she is certainly stimulated by colour, I sometimes think she has a way of looking at texture that I lack. Her work is big and bold and dramatic, while mine tends to be more subdued and formal. We complement each other very well.
A wonderful afternoon, and time very well spent.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Traditional quilts
Everything has been set up as almost an assembly line. The top for the smallest one has been pieced, and it's bigger than I anticipated. The organization has been done and the tracing completed for the second one, so it's ready to assemble tomorrow. In the queue is the Doorways. I wanted to get all of the fusing done on that, just in case I ran out of fusible web. For this sort of job I prefer the paper backed fusible, and it's been hard to find around here for a couple of years, but it looks like it's time to start looking again. Last time I found it in Fargo, but I don't see a trip there in my near future. Usually I buy it by the bolt, but there don't seem to be as many deals around as there used to be.
The third one is "quilt as you go", which means a lot more cutting at the beginning. I feel so guilty having to ask DH to help me with that, that I haven't yet mentioned it to him. Today I had to put away a lot of fabric and get more out, which meant tossing around my big Rubbermade bins. So I had to break down and ask for help. He's always willing, and never makes a fuss, but the "guilts" get to me.
The third one is "quilt as you go", which means a lot more cutting at the beginning. I feel so guilty having to ask DH to help me with that, that I haven't yet mentioned it to him. Today I had to put away a lot of fabric and get more out, which meant tossing around my big Rubbermade bins. So I had to break down and ask for help. He's always willing, and never makes a fuss, but the "guilts" get to me.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Out of my Mind!
Whenever soemone complains about artistic block or trouble getting into a project, the recommendation is always " do something. It doesn't matter what you do, but just get busy."
The Doorways has been stalled out, as I just couldn't figure out how to place the door sections on the background, and I had cataract surgery on Wednesday, which kept me out of the studio for a bit. On Tuesday, I got together with a small group of stitchers that has met once a month for over 10 years. One of the ladies was telling us of her difficulty in supplying donation quilts to the local Transplant Unit. In a moment of insanity, I promised her not one, but two adult size qults. I had already made a mental promise to make a smaller quilt for the donation project at the LQG. So I'm now working on three traditional quilts from a commercial pattern--and loving it! Because of the surgery, I can't lift anything for two weeks, and because of the shoulder, using a rotary cutter is difficult, so VDH ( and that's a Very Dear Husband) did most of the cutting for two of the quilts, and the original friend has offered to help cutting the third. The project has served as a review of traditional methods, and has made me think about the reasons behind most of them. A good thing to go over once in awhile.
And with anything like this, as soon as my brain had transferred interest to another project, the answer to the design problem in Doorways came to me. So now I'm off and running!
The Doorways has been stalled out, as I just couldn't figure out how to place the door sections on the background, and I had cataract surgery on Wednesday, which kept me out of the studio for a bit. On Tuesday, I got together with a small group of stitchers that has met once a month for over 10 years. One of the ladies was telling us of her difficulty in supplying donation quilts to the local Transplant Unit. In a moment of insanity, I promised her not one, but two adult size qults. I had already made a mental promise to make a smaller quilt for the donation project at the LQG. So I'm now working on three traditional quilts from a commercial pattern--and loving it! Because of the surgery, I can't lift anything for two weeks, and because of the shoulder, using a rotary cutter is difficult, so VDH ( and that's a Very Dear Husband) did most of the cutting for two of the quilts, and the original friend has offered to help cutting the third. The project has served as a review of traditional methods, and has made me think about the reasons behind most of them. A good thing to go over once in awhile.
And with anything like this, as soon as my brain had transferred interest to another project, the answer to the design problem in Doorways came to me. So now I'm off and running!
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