No Time like the Present to reconnect

 Wow, it's been quite a long time since I posted.  I tend to keep up to date through my Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/dianehamburgart account. So please, please like that page and maybe you can keep up with my fiber journeys.  

The above images are my latest Covid creations.  I got into my old tie stash and pieced together with the slow in and out of the needle.  Quite calming and meditative( my latest word).  Can't get back into my beloved eco printing for some reason.  Though writing up an artist statement for Island Art Association  https://islandart.org, I can feel a yearning to see what nature has in store for me.

Some of my earlier indigo Eco printed creations.

Newest eco-dyed scarves and work in progress

 These 3 scarves were eco-dyed using leaves I collected on my recent trip to Maine.  I was enamored by the different shades of green on the many different kinds of trees.  I don't know the names of the trees the leaves came from but some printed very well, some didn't pass on their colors to well.  The scarves on the left I will be stitching the short ends together so they'll look nice wrapped around the neck.  The lightly printed parts will compliment the dark areas.  One scarf for me and one for my friend with whom I visited up North.  A remembrance of our great time together.

The following image is one of three pieces in progress.  One stitch at a time.  No hurry.  I sure love the slow meditative pace hand stitching allows.

Two Ecoprinted Tops

This ecoprinting is quite addictive.  These two pieces of clothing were purchased at a thrift shop.  I am quite pleased. 

Eco printing using spent flowers from a local florist

the pinks and purples are from red roses.

the bottom scarf has fresh pecan leaves printed on it

I am attempting to figure out how to post using my cell phone. I think I've got it

These are my latest eco printed fabrics.  I picked up spent flowers from a local florist at the great suggestion from my lovely sister Marlene. My pot continues to be water with a walnut, rusted metal, and a cup of vinegar. Leaves and flowers are placed on wet fabric and then wrapped around the copper piping.  The water in the pot is brought to a boil, then I put the fabrics in and  let it simmer for about 2 hours.. I usually end up unwrapping the bundles when they are cool to touch. I'm usually always happy and pleased with the results. The joy of eco printing is that I can always print again if the results are not to my liking.

Ecoprinted crazed

Ever since the Nature Printing Society's last workshop with Leslie Marsh, I've continued my forage into ecoprinting/dyeing and having thrill after thrill.  Here is some of my better results.

Nature Printing Society Workshop

I know, I know, I know!  I've been non-existent for months.  I've done some creative fiber art in the past months - not much.  I'm still in  total bliss caring for my littlest grandchild - that's where most of my energy is spent.  Though, I must say, my attendance at the recent Nature Printing Society Workshop held at Wildacres Retreat, Little Switzerland, N.C. last month has got my creative juices flowing.  I took classes in Papermaking using leaf inclusions, East meets West - Sumi ink sprayed on fish and leaves then watercolored,  Gelatin Plate Printing and lastly and most thrilling for me was Eco dyeing paper and fabric.  I came home and dyed.

Process in a nutshell:  roll leaves in fabric around a copper pipe, bind tightly, boil in water that had rusted metal, vinegar, black walnuts and pesto - beauty!

My prints at the workshop were not the best but good enough for my local fiber friends.  The pieces I've done at home were much more to my liking.


This is my most favorite - on silk.

Long Time No See

I have been thoroughly enjoying my expanded life as a Granny.  My newest grandchild was born the end of March and I've been sitting for this little fellow.  A Joy!  The other two grandbabies who are 3 1/2 and 1 12 years old now get on Skype often to my life more complete.  Oh, I get to see them in person too - trip to their home and a family reunion.

Those babies as well as traveling has made me put art on the back burner. 

I did manage the first 3 new pieces that were entered in my local Island Art Association's Nouveau art exhibits.  I feel obligated to enter in these 2 month themed shows as I am one of the Association's Exhibiting Artists.

Briny Deep II     SOLD

Slightly Blue  9x9"  $50

Composition Book covers  $35 each

Sisters 16 x 20 "  Commissioned piece

This piece was commissioned after a client saw a similar one of my oldest Grandchild.




 

Beach Scenes 6 x 6"  $50


I quickly completed the Beach Scenes and the composition Book covers - all raw-edged applique and machine stitching.   Short but sweet projects which I enjoy making every once in awhile.  I do have some "car projects" going.  Beach scenes and 2 more "Tidal Pool" pieces.  All on the small size which are easy to hand stitch in the car.



Slowly I feel the itch to create getting stronger.  Time will tell.



Tidal Pool III completed

"Tidal Pool III"  21x12 inches

detail

All the quilting is done!  I enjoyed the stitching while watching the Australian Tennis Open.  

An Award and Some Work in Progress

 

"Sweetie" earned Honorable Mention at the St Augustine Art Association's "Portrait and figure" exhibit.  Yeah!!!!!!

 

I've been working on this "Tidal Pool III" for awhile now.  It is in process - I'm still adding finds from the sea, beads and yarn.  Then I must add some quilting to finish it.

Below are a sampling of some little stitched pieces using notecards my sister gifted me and some silk pieces from fabric samples given me a long time ago.  Great "in the car" projects.

This last piece I thought I completed awhile ago but decided to add the green plant.  I believe I like it better now.

Latest Fabric Portrait

Sweetie 22x17 in



My latest fabric portrait.  This one of my granddaughter, Brenna.  Her momma and brother call her "Sweetie" and she is a sweetie!  I've entered the portrait in exhibit "Portraits and Figures" at the St Augustine Art Association.  I used double reverse applique method taught by Ellen Lindner.

A Bit late

 

 

 

Hope your holidays continue to bring joy, peace, and health to you and yours.

Charlie Brown Christmas Tree

Corey and Mary's Advent calendar

A couple of fast and easy Christmas trees - just plain fun.  I'm trying to use up my fabric stash.   It was nice to have quick projects.

Small Works

Most of the piecing and embroidery were down while on a trip to and from visiting my grandchildren.  I am so grateful I can stitch in the car!   These are a part of a seemingly never-ending love of doing beach scenes.  These are 6 x 6" and attached  to gallery wrapped frames.   Just plain fun! 

I'm entering these in "Small Works" an exhibit in my local Island Art Association's Nouveau Art Exhibit.

Yippee!!!!  I won an Honorable Mention!

Show Opening coming up!

 Here's the announcement.  It's always a good feeling to have my fiber work amongst the painters!  The following images are pieces of my work that were included in the show

Monoprinted fabrics along with hand dyes

 Reduction using beach, then hand stitching after minimal machine quilting.

 Beach discharge, minimal machine stitching then hand stitching.

The following two pieces are mixed media:  painted backgrounds, leaf printing, collage.

 Encrusted embroidery,  objects first embedded then hand stitching.

 Monoprints on fabric, piecing, machine quilting.

Wandjini Revisited - my interpretation of Australian primitive art:  discharged fabrics, applique, piecing.

New Work

12x9 collage

28x24"

12x9 collage

The blue pieces are paper/paint collages that I plan to frame.  I haven't named them yet.  Any suggestions?

The middle one is all fabric.  I used the pieces I monoprinted earlier.  Hope it works.  I haven't come up with a name for this either. 

These are among the pieces I plan to hang at an upcoming exhibit at a local bank.