Optical Illusions in Art

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Open Studio Tour

Want to see something cool and scary? Quilting Arts magazine's STUDIOS issue is hosting an Open Studio blog event.

That's not the scary part. This is the scary part. October is the month where I teach a lot (schedule here) so I'm putting together kits and supplies. I bring a lot of stuff for my students. That includes books and DVD's and lots of fun surface design goodies too. Last spring my studio was gorgeous in preparation for it's spread in Studios Magazine.

Um - not right now. Want to see some real life Studio work in progress? Watch this at your own risk!

It's always a ton of fun to see where someone else works isn't it? You can see a whole bunch more studios starting October 3rd at http:/www.quiltingarts.com.

Books and Blogs

A guest post today over at the Subversive Stitchers blog - great place - go check it out! I wrote a little about trying to carve out time for your art making. I'm trying my hardest to be more disciplined. Which means this little post is short. Gotta get back to the sewing machine.

And the most fun I've had at the post office in years!!! Sending off a stack of my new book. I had to restrain myself from climbing up on the desk and dancing and telling everyone there that "I Wrote A Book!!!" I still can't believe it myself.

So go read over there. I'll stitch over here. Perhaps I'll get some pictures and other wonderful stuff up for you soon.

Make-It University

For the past several years the Queen of Quilting Arts has sponsored Make-It University at the International Quilt Festival in Houston, Texas. Right in the middle of the show floor you find a large space with several artists demonstrating their techniques (Open Studios) and a classroom space open to the view of all the passersby. Patricia "Pokey" Bolton is one solid bundle of energy (I think she shoots caffeine directly into her veins) and things get pretty lively as she hosts her own classes and draws names from the jar of hopefuls who might want to take a class.

I had a ton of fun both presenting in Open Studios and teaching on MIU class last year and have the great pleasure of doing so again this October. If you happen to be down on the show floor and need a spot to rest your feet - throw your name in the jar to see if you win the lottery and get into my "Hopes, Wishes, and Dreams Booklet" class. We'll be doing a number of quick and easy little surface design techniques on both fabric and paper and having a ton of fun to boot!

See you there!

Signed, Sealed, and Delivered!

Mission accomplished!

I don't usually take commissions. I know where my limitations lie. Deadlines are always tough to meet when you have children as your prime responsibility to care for. Mostly - I worry the whole time whether the client will like the piece, instead of enjoying the process.

This was an exception in many ways. I proposed the commission, the client chose something that was already mostly complete and I had a relaxed, rather than a rigid, timeline. And.... she loved it. Whew. I love it myself.

It began with plain white print cloth.

Dyed - pinkish. Overdyed with browns.

Several images were manipulated in Photoshop to create screens; violin, manuscript, wings.

Manuscript was screened with a discharge agent to remove dye from the fabric.

Manuscript was screened with brown textile paints.

Violins and wings were screen printed.

Large violin was screen printed and brush painted.

Hand stitching around the small violins.

Machine stitching to emphasize the large violin.

Textural machine stitching in areas to help highlight both large and small elements.

Very subtle beads added to add that ... spark.

Presentation - stretched and secured onto gallery wrapped canvas. The client can choose to hang it as-is or add a frame.

Funky Purple Pants

Just for fun!

During the dye run a couple weeks ago I threw in several natural colored linen dresses and shirts that I don't wear any more. They all came from Goodwill so I never worry about ruining something I spent a lot of money on. They came out in lovely purples and I cut them up and combined them to make some funky purple pants. To match the fun tunic/vest that was a boring color before but no longer.

So - experiment - recycle - have fun - who cares about what's "in" fashion - create your own style! And (obviously) leave the housework till later!

From the Back

I'm putting together the last bits of an article for "International Quilt Festival: Quilt Scene" and of course I can't show you the cool samples - but I will give you sneak peek and show you some of the quilting from the back.

Because sometimes the back looks really cool even when you use your least favorite piece of fabric from the last dye batch. Can't tell you how many magenta/turquoise pieces I have - time to start over-dyeing them. AFTER I finish writing.