Painted Doodles

This whole cloth piece fits the theme of "Pattern" but it is too small and would require a border of a few inches.  I doodled with resist and painted with fabric paints.  I have always loved this piece of fabric, but it looks too sloppy to me now.  The paint ran and I am not sure it is up to my standards as a stand alone piece.  This one was probably painted 8 years ago,

Montana Mudcloth in Vertical Mode

Is it any better in this orientation?

This piece is one that was originally printed with the idea of slicing between the printed rows and inserting contrasting strips.  I never intended it as a whole cloth piece. However, once finished, I fell in love with it as a whole cloth rectangle.  I don't care for it nearly so much as a square.  I have thought about cutting it into quarters and rotating them to make something a little more dynamic.  I think I could use some daring colors on the inserts to make it come alive, too.  I am reluctant to cut it up, but I can probably man up and do it.  .......

More choices coming up. 

Montana Mudcloth in the Running

 I really loved this piece when I printed it several years ago.  The fabric was eco dyed using wild sunflowers.  I carved a series of printing blocks with this format in mind.  Once it was printed I admired it on my design wall until I needed the wall space for something else and then it went into a drawer for 3 or 4 years.  This whole cloth piece could be easily quilted up and bound and ready to go.  It easily fits the theme "Pattern".  It easily fits the 40x40 dimensions. It is actually a rectangle, so several inches would be cut off to make the 40 x 40" size.

But is it too dull?  Too drab?  Too simple?  These are the questions I ask myself as I consider it.  Tomorrow I will post it in a different orientation with some of my other ideas for making it more artful.  Interested in your ideas, in the meantime.

Looming Deadline Forces Decision

 I have been fortunate to be invited to present an entry for the Dinner@Eight annual exhibitions over the past 6 years or more.  I always jump at the opportunity because it is such a great group of artists.  There is always a theme and a size restriction.  This year the theme is "Pattern" and the size is 40 x 40".  We are given advance notice of about a year to create our entry.

Usually, I have something done well in advance of the entry date, but this year I have barely been in the studio, and when I have been in the studio I am working in Mixed media - not fabric, and not making anything even remotely right for the theme or size.

A few months ago, I began pulling UFO's out of the drawers and closet to see if I might have something already on the way to meeting the criteria and satisfying my critical eye.

This is one of the first things I came across.  Probably printed this 4 years ago or more.  It is appealing because it measures 40 x 40".  It is problematic because it will be smaller after quilting and I don't see a border being beneficial to this design.  I put this one away, but recently pulled it out again, along with some other possibilities - which I will present here on the blog this week. 

I usually do not solicit input, but I am really not "into" the process this time around.  Input welcome. 

I think I can do better than this.

Earth Stories - The Evolution of My Subject

I wanted my Earth Stories piece to be about energy sources, including the use of fossil fuels.  Montana is also the scene of extensive fossil fuel mining.  There are many oil wells, and huge coal mining operations scattered across the state.  The vast fracking operation known as the Bakken Oil Field is right along the border between Montana and North Dakota.  I hoped I could portray my mixed feelings about these various ways of obtaining energy. 

My search for a subject/project led me to Procon.org – a non-profit online pro and con forum that presents intelligent discussions on controversial subjects.  It contains a vast collection of professional writings offering both pro and con arguments for the use of Alternative Energy –vs- Fossil Fuels.  I contacted them and obtained their permission to use text from their website on my piece.  They graciously approved, provided I included the proper citations (which I have done).  Examples:

Jeffrey Sachs, PhD, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary General and Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, and Klaus Lackner, PhD, Ewing-Worzel Professor of Geophysics in the Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering at Columbia University, in their Feb. 2005 paper, "A Robust Strategy for Sustainable Energy," a Brookings Papers on Economic Activity available on the Brookings Institution's website, wrote: "To provide all of current primary energy consumption in the United States from wind energy would require capturing, every day, all the kinetic energy from wind over an area of about 500 km by 500 km [approximately 97,656 square miles--size of Wyoming]. Meeting world energy consumption would require almost four times that area [approximately 1,562,500 square miles--two and a half times the size of Alaska.]." ProCon.org. "Is Wind Power an Economical Alternative to Conventional Energy?" ProCon.org. 10 Apr. 2009. Web. 7 Jan. 2014.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) wrote in its May 2009 report "Water Resources and Natural Gas Production from the Marcellus Shale" on the USGS website: "Natural gas is an abundant, domestic energy resource that burns cleanly, and emits the lowest amount of carbon dioxide per calorie of any fossil fuel... [N]atural gas resources in the United States are important components of a national energy program that seeks both greater energy independence and greener sources of energy... While the technology of drilling directional boreholes, and the use of sophisticated hydraulic fracturing processes to extract gas resources from tight rock have improved over the past few decades, the knowledge of how this extraction might affect water resources has not kept pace. Agencies that manage and protect water resources could benefit from a better understanding of the impacts that drilling and stimulating... wells might have on water supplies, and a clearer idea of the options for wastewater disposal." ProCon.org. "Should the US Use Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking) to Extract Natural Gas?" ProCon.org. 23 Apr. 2012. Web. 7 Jan. 2014.

 Here is a link to the website with the pro and con discussion of Fossil Fuels and Alternative Energy at ProCon.org.

http://alternativeenergy.procon.org

Earth Stories - The Beginning

Earth Stories is a SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Association) Exhibition.  The artists were chosen through a call for consideration process.  Artists were asked to submit 3 pieces that were representative of the style for the piece we would be creating for Earth Stories if we were to be chosen.  The artists were also asked to present a proposal identifying a person or project that enhances the planet, makes a significant difference in restoring and/or protecting the environment, increasing sustainability or otherwise improving the earth we occupy.

For my story, I wanted to explore the imagery of wind farms.  I drive through the wind farm at Judith Gap, Montana every time I visit family in Central Montana.  I have long been captivated by the regal, yet alien nature of the gigantic wind turbines juxtaposed against the backdrop of four beautiful mountain ranges in the sparsely populated agricultural valley south of Judith Gap.

Earth Stories Exhibition Shows at UCM Gallery of Art and Design

 I am so thrilled to see my piece: "Alternative Energy -vs- Fossil Fuels" in the UCM Gallery of Art and Design, where it will hang through March.  Below, the postcard for the exhibition.  My piece got a nice spot on that, as well! 

I have not shared this piece on my blog yet.  I was waiting until it had been shown, first.  But now I can tell the story.  Stay tuned!

Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum Show Opening

 The opening reception was last evening and it was a lovely affair.  I was gifted with a corsage!  I was showered with attention and my work seemed to interest the crowd.  There was a good turnout.  The food was wonderful.  Five pieces sold already!  I am not able to get more pictures up - the Internet connection at my hotel is very poor.  Maybe more will come later.  31 pieces were hung and they did a great job making it look smashing.  Many thanks to all the staff and volunteers at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum!

Big Sky Quilt Retreat Gig!

Hope you all had a great holiday!

I am thrilled to announce that I will be teaching at the upcoming Big Sky Quilt Retreat in Billings.  The dates are March 7, 8 and 9, 2013

Here is a link to the website  .http://www.bigskyquiltassociation.com/

Surface Explorations Announcement!

I am so thrilled to announce my upcoming solo exhibition at Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Golden,  Colorado.

 The show is called, "Surface Explorations"

The dates are January 28 - April 27, 2013

The Opening Reception will be on Friday, February 1 at 5 PM

Merry Christmas Everyone!  We will be celebrating with family - our traditional Christmas eve meal of sushi!

LaConner Quilt Festival

Today is the opening of the La Conner Quilt Festival in La Conner, Washington.  This event is a fundraiser for the La Conner Quilt Museum.  I had two pieces juried into the show, and last evening, I learned that my piece, Hedgerow # 3 was awarded second place.

Here is a link to the details about the La Conner Quilt Museum, and also about the Festival that opens today, Friday, October 5 and runs through Sunday. 

Here is the quilt that won second place:

 Above, a detail, below - the full size piece, which measures 89" wide x 37" high.  Hand dyed whole cloth, block printed, machine quilted.

We recently passed through La Conner (we were not able to coordinate our trip with the Festival).  Here is a picture I took of the museum, which is in a very lovely restored Victorian home.  La Conner is a really cute little town.  I recommend a stop if you are ever in the area.