I can't believe how time has passed and no entries

I have been working, believe it or not.  I've been way too silent.

I'm on my laptop in my studio. A rainy, stormy day - but I still enjoy gazing out to the sea, though it's a bit turbulent.  The beach sunflowers are blowing this way and that.  The bird feeders are swinging back and forth as well.  The prickly pear cacti are pillars of strength - they are blooming big beautiful yellow flowers.

Me, I'm grateful to be inside, cocooned in my studio.

I've been taking an online class from Jude Hill - Sun, Moon, Stars - I'm learning so much.  I had started some hand stitching on the ice dyed fabrics my sister and I dyed awhile back.  This began my journey back to hand work.  The peaceful in abnd out of the needle and thread pleases me.  It's a relaxing and meditative activity.  Here's an image on the last piece I created.  I had the best time working on this one.  I have a couple more ice dyed pieces but the images are on the regular computer.  Melted Fusion I and II are on display at my Island Art Association.   I'll post the images soon.

Circle Play 21x6"  $185

Back to Jude Hill's class - I love her quiet, gentle way of sharing her love of creating through stitch.  Another class is in the horizon!   The following piece is influenced by her work.   I wove the fabrics and stitched them down before I started Jude's online class.  I have since learned an easier way to hand stitch pieces down.  I don't want to say how as I don't want to take anything away from Jude's teaching. Check out her classes!  It's a work in progress.  I've been stitching daily - using Jude's ideas and some from my research on stitching on the Internet - moon jellies and the sea star.



WIP

The next two are pieces I started in planning for a hand embroidery intro for children at Jacksonville's MOMA - my FAN group is displaying, demonstrating, and sharing fiber art to folks - young and old . Next Saturday is a program highlighting a fiber artist, Memphis Woods - who spent part of her life in Jacksonville and was an early supporter of the museum.  The project I've planned is simple applique on felt, using hand stitching.  These two pieces were part of my playtime.  My class with Jude has lengthened the fun.  Check in later for the finished products.

WIP

WIP

I'll be doing some hand stitching of this just created dry felted piece.

These two wonders were my take on a children's art project at my local art gallery - Island Art Association- led by my artist friend Anne Howden.  The fabrics are part of my collection of fabrics/ties/shirts from my father and father-in-law.  I wanted to pass on my love anb fond memories of both these men, especially my dad!  How he would have enjoyed these grandchildren of mine.  Max and Brenna will received these dolls when they visit as the end of the month!


Max and Brenna's dolls

The two next images are products of my raw edged applique and machine quilting.  A fun, relaxing time of creating.  I really ought to title these.

10x10 $85

6x6" $40

The following quilts are hanging at the Island Art Association for the Nouveau Art Exhibit entitled Wildlife.  The heron was awarded Honorable Mention!  Yeah!!!!!!  I don't have the titles/sizes/prizes.  They were last minute creations..........

On display at Island Art, 12x9"

On display at Island Art

This took awhile.  Maybe if I write more frequently,.........  There's always hoping.

Til later, Peace and joy be with you, Diane

On to Houston!!!!

A pair of sisters are heading to Houston's International Quilt Festival. My friend, Nancy, and I are meeting her sister, Jeanette who lives in Houston and my sister, Marlene, who is flying in Houston. And am I ever excited. This is my first time!

Images: the surfer dude is my fabric take of papier mache. I assisted with a children's class. I found the drift wood and ended up making a surfer! And I loved the process. Loved it so much I've made another - a lady this time - no picture yet, I'm afraid. The other image is examples of memo pad covers. I have more planned. I enjoy making these bits of fiber art!!!!! And hope they sell at the upcoming Christmas show.

That's all for now. On to Houston I go

Off to another Beach

Going from one beach to the other. This time to meet up with my husband's family. We've been gathering for 30 years!! A fun time always.

I'll be reading and reading and reading. Some art thinking to, no doubt. I'm bringing my Art Quilt Workshop book along and will trace some photos to later use - Chapter 3 for those who have the book.

I've included my latest wall doll - Wanderlust II, 13x8"(I think). I've used my discharge fabrics, air dried face and beads.

wow, April's flown by, May's here!!

Believe it or not, I've been busy. The best part about April other than my birthday is that my beautiful, artistic sister, Marlene came to visit. We, being artsy, experimented with new techniques. You know, the ones you've read about, bought the supplies that end up sitting on a shelf somewhere. Well, we experimented and had a ball. And laugh, we do laugh. That's how we stay young!

Anyway, among our experiments was one from a book "Breakdown Printing" by Claire Benn and Leslie Morgan. In a nutshell, thickened dye is painted on the back on the screen, allowed to dry and then screen clear thickened paste. Really cool! Need to experiment more - all in good time. We tried "Tray Dyeing" by the same authors. That was fun as well. I just had to use up old concentrated dyes that have been sitting in my studio refrigerator for 9 + months. I thought the dye would be weak - not so! We did some monoprinting - applying paint to freezer paper palette, making marks and then laying fabric on top and brayer. Another cool!!!! (Can't wait til I can get back to dyeing. Have to use up the new concentrated dye that is occupying my refrigerator again.) Oh, we filled our days and evenings up. What a grand time we had. We are so lucky to have each other.

After Marlene left, I promptly got back to business - had to finish up my wall doll, now named "Wanderlust." She's unique. I'm pleased. I finished up some beach scenes. And created 3 small stenciled and stamped pieces: one shrimp(Isle of Eight Flags Shrimpfest, Fernandina Beach, Florida is tomorrow!) and 2 sea turtles. I like them as well.

Tomorrow is Shrimpfest. The weather promises to be pleasure. Hooray!

Then next week, I'm off to Vegas to visit my ballerina daughter for awhile. Gotta plan for some had projects - beading motifs probably.

Happy Spring!

It's a delightful morning here at the beach. I'm just about ready for my daily, meditative(at least I'm planning on that)walk on the beach. I am so ever grateful for this place on the beach!!!

But... I've realize I haven't written in ages....
I've done 2 art/craft shows in the past few weeks - one indoor and one outdoor. Enjoyed both. I always get a high when folks admire my work. Don't we all??? My work called to several folks and now I hope my work continues giving them pleasure.
I do a lot of education into fiber art as well. I think I'm finding the words to express my art form.

I've been working in several directions: 2 of my galleries are having themed shows centering around the Humane Society. One show is called Fur and Feathers and the other is called Paws and Claws. I've created some seabird pieces and some dog and cat pieces. I've made my Bank Show Opening - 4 Inspirations - I along with 3 other artists have hung new works at a local bank that has a gorgeous space to exhibit art. I do get excited - the space is great! I've continued along with my "discharge series" - taking the color out of black fabric. I'm in the process of completed a large wall figure with pieces and parts of the discharged fabrics. I'm pleased and energized by this project. The image I'm including is very poor quality but you'll get an idea. I have another idea up on the design wall. I'm itching to get going on it. And I've completed 2 more Beaded Fantasy pieces. Many directions - many but fun directions.

Now for my walk!