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!

Morning Tea and Healing Doll

 "Morning Tea" is my entry for the Nouveau Art exhibit entitled "Everyday Stuff" being held by my local Island Art Association.  Last minute is NOT the way to go.  I enjoy my tea each and every morning using an old teapot my old nursing school roommate gave my eons ago.  I thought of that teapot as soon as I read about the theme.  The background is a not-so-great deconstructive screen print I attempted with my sister.  I tore it in strips and did some weaving.  I rather like the effect.  Lesson: never give up on something.  I photographed my teapot and used the outline to stitch upon an old tea towel I embroidered as a little girl.  Just love it.  All stitched down, stretched on stretcher bars, photographed, then realized the teapot melts into the background.  If I had more time, I would have taken it apart and machine stitch or something to bring out the teapot.   Since time ran out, I handstitched around the edge - better, but not great.  Oh well.  Lesson: spend more time in the design!

The next project was a healing doll for a friend of mine just diagnosed with breast cancer.  The whole poem or rather a song of "Deep Peace" is quite moving.  I'll post the source later.  Hope the words I chose and the doll itself bring comfort and peace to this dear friend.

  

Teaching Kids and Slow cloth progress

The first two images show some examples of stitching using the straight stitching:  running stitch and the ladder stitch that I used for the classes I taught at my local Island Art Association's youth art classes.  I taught elementary aged children, none of whom said they've never stitched before.  I had a good time sharing my love of stitch.  Most seemed to enjoy themselves.  I hope I inspired the rest to stitch some more. 

 These below are just my stitching along side the children.  Way too much fun!

 

Here's some works in progress.  I am sure enjoying the needle and thread, stitching in and out, filling up the spaces.  Added some words:  machine stitched and hand stitched.

 





Decided to machine quilt the woven strips of my own silk tie dyed fabrics, then tacked the silk red heart down.  I've done some more work on these two.  I'll take some more work in progress images to document my journey.

The background is hand painted and printed on this last piece.  All the fabrics are recycled ones:  a blouse, ties, dresser scarf.  Even the painted and printed background - I clean my brushes and brayers on a damp old bed sheet. let it dry all scrunched up and then leaf print and stamp it. 

Work Completed

Ancient Travelers 26 x 26"

Ancient Travelers was completed before Wandjina Revisited.  My organization is something to be improved.   This  was again inspired by petroglyphs - ones in the States.  Raw-edged applique over sponged painted hand masks.  Some machine stitching and lots of hand stitching.

The following is some of my leaf and stamp printing on hand dyed silk scarves.  I have these for sale at First Street Gallery, Neptune Beach, Florida.

 I created 10 composition covers for the same gallery.  I do sell the scarves and books at my local gallery as well - Island Art Association.

Some of my latest.

"3 Faces of Beryl"

"3 Faces of Beryl" is another piece I put in my local Island Art Association's Nouveau Art exhibit entitled "Black and White."  I was experimenting with monotype drawing of the faces - all fabric.  I chose the title as we were in the mist of the topical storm "Beryl" when I was working on it.  It didn't win anything but was accepted into the show, so I was pleased.  This is the same show my book won "Honorable Mention!"

The following are 3 fabric collages that I now have hanging in the Butterfield Garage Art Gallery in St. Augustine, Florida along with several other older pieces.  Butterfield created a really beautiful room for a bunch of us fiber artists.  Two of us are "wall" artists and the others are wearable art folks.  The Opening is this Friday night!  I'll upload some images after the opening.

I spent some time this afternoon collaging old book pages to future leaf printed cards like the one in the middle.  I'll be printing soon.  How I love to print leaves!

The following image, though sideways - sorry, are some of the notecards I made for a very loyal client!  Sieta orders cards every so often!  I'm lucky!  I collage papers and images printed on fabric and then stitch a little.

Lastly, this image is one I've been working on - first on the computer with  Picasa- sharpening it, posterizing it, etc.  It's of my great nephew and my grandson.  Michael took Max's hand and led him to the bubbles!  Ever so cute.  I've done a lot of stitching, working in the faces a bit.  Next comes the background and machine quilting.  I'm trying to talk myself into entering it into a fancy fiber show.  We shall see once I get it completed.  Of course, I ask for some feedback from friends and family. 

Til next time!  Create something, anything - play - it does your heart good!

So Tickled

The Language of Leaves IV won Honorable Mention at my local Island Art Association's Nouveau Art Exhibit entitled "Black and White!"  I'm pleased to say the least.  I thoroughly enjoyed the leaf printing - some monotypes involved and some stitching.  No fabric, only paper.  More bookmaking is in the future! Check the last post for more images of the pages.

Latest, very latest work

The following two pieces are mixed media:  the top one is a collage of different papers:  the second is a painted background, collaged moon, and nature printing.  Both for for the upcoming Nouveau Art Exhibit at my local Island Art Association.  The theme is "And let there be light."  I was majoring stuck with this theme using my favorite media - fabric and decided to work with paper.  I had a ball.  Hope the two pieces are accepted into the show.  Time will tell.

Bright Beacon, 15x11, matted and framed by Diane Hamburg

Full Moon, 12x12, framed by Diane Hamburg

 Last week, I taught a nature printing workshop at the Art Association.  The "students" printed shirts, dish towels, and notecards.  I introduced collage to the notecards first then leaf printed.  Here's an example of the notecards I did.

An example of leaf printed notecards and envelopes

The above is my "caterpillar" bracelet.  A good fiber/bead artist, Ronnie Melnick, taught this technique to my local "Itching to Stitch" group:  artists, quilters, crafters.  It took me awhile but it's done.  I love it.  And I plan to create at least one more - a sea/beach theme.  It's absolutely a hoot to wear!

Another Fabric Portrait



One Plus One Equals Three by Diane Hamburg

This fabric portrait is one of my daughter, Kara, and her husband, Matt.  The photo was taken by a friend of Kara's while Kara was waiting for baby Max to enter the family.  The faces were done using Ellen Lindner's technique Double Reverse Applique.  The background was the challenge!  The show this was made for is entitled "Split Complements."  I had to design a background using the split complementary colors of the blue dyed fabrics I used for the faces.  After several tries, I ended up with a mixed media background - I collaged old book pages using matt medium and heat adhered painted silk organza on top of a dyed blue fabric that was painted using a stencil and Shiva oilsticks.  I'm pleased with my efforts.

And I am pleased to have received an Honorable Mention for this at my local Island Art Association's Nouveau Art Exhibit.

Just Another Parrotthead

I'm back from my trip, fabulous trip to France and had a more fabulous visit from my daughter and grandson.  Upon return, I received a message from my local art association, Island Art Association that I won thrid prize for "Just Another Parrotthead."  Yeah!!!!!

3 New Pieces

"Just Another Parrotthead" 23 x 20" (c) Diane Hamburg

I just finished "Just Another Parrotthead" for my local Island Art Association's Nouveau Art Exhibit entitled "It's 5 o'clock somewhere."  My husband came up with the idea of using the parrot and a margarita.  I used Ellen Lindner's technique of double Reverse Applique!  Please go to Ellen's website to learn more about this very versatile technique.  I've fallen in love with it!

I created the following art pieces in June but forgot to photograph them before sending them off to FAN - Fiber Artists Network - my local fiber group.  We're completing our challenge to create fiber work for our 52 Pick up - really 54 cards are portrayed, including 2 jokers.  We'll be exhibiting the whole deck at Jacksonville, Florida's Quiltfest in September.  We're even making the deck into actual playing cards to sell!  Check FAN.

"3 of Clubs"  24 x 15.5" (c) Diane Hamburg

The background for the "3 of Clubs" was created using the wonderful mixed media techniques I learned from Valeria Goodwin during her workshop held in Florida this past June.  I will do this more and more.  It's such fun!   The turtle's were traced onto organza and fused down.

"4 of Spades" 14 x 15.5" (c) Diane Hamburg

The "4 of Spades" started with a dropcloth - painted and repainted in time as I worked on other printing projects.  I added some stenciling to unify the cloth and then used white paint as a light wash to tune it down.  The trees and grasses were appliqued on using fusible web.

I'm off to Europe for 3 weeks.  I hope to come back full of inspiration.  I know I'll come back eager to get back in my studio!  Bon Voyage!

Best of Show



So Many Memories  (c) Diane Hamburg  28x22"

I'm thrilled to no end!  My "So Many Memories" - a fabric portrait of my mother won "Best of Show" at my local Island Art Association's Nouveau Art Exhibit entitled "Cherished Memories."  Yeah!!!!!!  I took this photo of mom as she held her newest great grandson, Max, for the first time.  Max was the reason for the smile!

Fun Time teaching Stencil/screening

Pat's work

Charlie's screening

Sue's layering

Maureen's quite pleased with the added circles

Gail's quite busy

Some more of Charlie's screening



I've just begun teaching surface design on fabric at my local art association:  Island Art Association, Fernandina Beach, Florida.  Last month I shared some printmaking techniques:  making one's own stamps.  This month, it was making ones' own stencils and screen printing with them.  11 brave souls attended the morning workshop.  I learned from last month to just share a few techniques and then "let the people go."  The class was a mixture of folks:  some experienced fiber artists, some new to surface design, and those in between.  From all corners, it sounds like everyone learned something new.  I must say I enjoyed myself.  It's such a grand learning experience for me, the "teacher," to see what the folks come up with.  I think we all had fun!

Art Association Mosaic Project

My local Island Art Association has embarked on a mosaic project of decorating our new courtyard walls.  A group of member artists have begun.  I joined them for the fellowship along with the opportunity to learn something new - a tab different from fiber work yet similar.  The adding pieces and parts of ceramics, glass, tile is much like collaging bits and pieces of fabric.  I enjoyed it all - the laying of tile, etc. and the grouting.  The fellowship was the greatest!  No doubt about that.  The product is fantastic.  We tackled the inside walls to iron out the process, next the outside walls and the gallery building.  A great attraction to the gallery!

Many Roads Traveled

"Many Roads Traveled" by Diane Hamburg, 22x28"  $305

"Many Roads Traveled" is completed.  Having manipulating a photo of my son's vehicles, I appliqued using my own hand-dyed fabric.  I decided to extensively machine quilt it.  I'm happy with the end product.  It goes off to the themed art exhibit "Traveled Roads" at my local Island Art Association.  As I think I've written earlier, every two months the association sponsors a juried themed show.  It's always interesting how the artists interpret the theme in so many different ways and medium.

I've Been Working - Zentangles/photo to fabric

"Inspired by the Zentangle® method of pattern drawing."

This morning was our local artsy quilt gathering.  The group is called "Itching to Stitch."  We get together once a month to catch up with the news, show your art/projects and then do a hands-on project.  I often share some surface design technique.  I decided at last minute to introduce zentangles, something I've only begun researching.  I love to get on google and spend hours on different topics.  So I showed examples, handed out paper and pens and encouraged the drawing.  I think a good time was had by all.  I had stitched up an example as well just to show that one could draw using the sewing machine.  Drawing zentangles is something I'll continue.  Maybe I'll get into the meditative state users have testified about.  Maybe, just maybe I'll stitch one up on a regular basis.  No promises though.

"Inspired by the Zentangle® method of pattern drawing."

The Zentangle® art form and method was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas and is copyrighted. Zentangle® is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc. Learn more at zentangle.com

The next piece is one that did not work out so well.  I've spent more time in Photoshop Elements to work on a better value change - more changes.  So I'm just about ready to stitch up another one.  This one I'll practice adding stitching.

I'll be putting up another photo to fabric piece of my son's 2 VW's - a bus, which he's since sold and his original bug, which he still has.  This one is for the new exhibit at the Island Art Association titled "Traveled Roads."  I figured that these two vehicles have traveling many, many roads in their lifetime.

Extinct is Forever

"Extinct is Forever" by Diane Hamburg 14 x 18 inches $140

Here's my latest piece. The fabrics are my own:  the turtle fabrics are hand dyed, the water is painted.  I created this piece for my local Island Art Association's next Nouveau Art Exhibit titled "On the Edge."  I have done many sea turtles before, but this one is using Photoshop to create the pattern after much time fiddling on the computer.  I'm pleased with the result.... so pleased I'm heading down to the studio to create a larger one.  The Art Association just opened their new Art Education Center, with it's large studio, allowing more gallery space in the old building.  The space for Nouveau Art is more opened, allowing viewers to see the art at a better distance.  I thought my new abstract pieces: portraits, flowers and animals would make a better statement.

Also midway completed is a pelican piece.  The quilting is all that's needed.  I'll put an image up when I'm done.  I'll be doing that after the new turtle piece is completed.

Before these works were even thought of, I started tackling my very messy and cluttered studio.  There is so much more work to be done but there has been some progress.  I just had to do some art before continuing.  If I was not into so many techniques requiring so much art materials, the studio might look neater.  But then again, I wouldn't be learning anything new nor having so much fun.  To tell you the truth, I'm pretty messy in my art and never seem to put things back where I find them.  Here's to a neater 2011.

A Man and His Dog

"A Man and His Dog"  won third prize at my local Island Art Association's Nouveau Art Show entitled "Best Friends."  I'm so very excited!