Jazzfest closes, Shrimpfest coming

"Invasion of the Hearts" 36.5x32.5" Mixed media: fabric dyeing, leaf printing, Shiva paintstick highlights, free motion machine lace, loose appliques, beading, couching, piecing for the border and free motion quilting.

Jazzfest ended in strong winds. Luckily for us the sun added some warmth. The people traffic was nothing to compare to last year. The city had 3 Jazz venues going at the same time so the people were spread out throughout the city. Disappointed in the turnout but I certainly enjoyed the music and the people stopping by.

I'm off traveling for a few days. I'll be back blogging at the end of the week. When I get home, I'll be gearing up for Fernandina's Shrimp Festival, May 5th and 6th. A grand art/craft festival with lots of seafood to devour.

Have a great week.

Jazzfest Continues

I've taken the old Japanese art form "gyotaku" - fish rubbing, a step further, on fabric and quilted. I do so love nature printing. Check out http://www.natureprintingsociety.info. I also thoroughly enjoy leaf printing as well. There's an example. Since I am not a fisher person, I purchase my fish, paint it, place the fabric on top and gently rub so the paint transfers to the fabric. I add borders, maybe some leaf printing, and finish the piece with free motion quilting. Both leaf printing and fish rubbing is very meditative to me. Crazy as it sounds, even to me, I seem to commune with nature during the process.

Saturday at the Jazzfest - beautiful weather for most of the day. The music was grand. The crowds increased in size as the day progressed. A few customers; the return ones thrill me. Future ones??? I continue to talk about the world of fiber art. The rain of this morning is supposed to move along by noon when the show opens. I sure hope so. We did need the rain as Florida is mighty dry. Rain does tend to keep folks away from outdoor events.

Jazz Festival

I beat the sun this morning. I never seem to sleep well before a show. Adding the finishing touches to the music pieces took more time then I allotted so I was stressed. I managed to take some photos though not ideal ones. I finished 3 medium hangings called Jazz I, II, III. These I surface designed a batik using Shiva Paintsticks - rubbings and stencils. Appliqued the instruments and added yarn covered pipecleaners for the treble clef and buttons. An African Queen series, 8 x 10", similar style to a larger piece I entered in my local Art Association. I used some African fabrics my darling sister, Marlene, and another quilt friend gave me. I love the African doll idea and went for it. 6 quilted fabric postcards, 4 x 6" following the music theme. Some I put in fabric frames that JoAnn's used to sell and others I hung with a wire and beads. Think I'll look into shadow box frames in the future.

I better get going. My dear husband, Jim, will be ready to pack the car shortly. Can't forget the art! Nor the cooler, lights, canopy, lights, tons of stuff - we fill the minivan. With the show close by, we get to sleep in our own bed at night. I will give you an update on doing shows tomorrow morning - early!

Activity prior to a show

I get a tad manic when I have an art show coming up. Deadlines are intriguing, I guess. I have more ideas rolling in my head then I can ever produce. But what fun! Jacksonville, Florida's Jazzfest is this weekend. For the second year, I'll be part of the art show. So JAZZ is the current theme I'm working with. In the throes of near completion are 3 medium quilt wallhangings, 6 quilted postcards and 4 8x10's. Once completed, I'll photograph them and get them on the blog. Well, maybe not all of them, but enough for you to get the picture.

Art shows are exciting, though sometimes disheartening (when little interest is shown). But I like most of what I do and enjoy talking about it.

Oh, family members commented that I have made a good start but where is my art. I've included some of my recent work.