Is there anything more amazing than participating in a solo art show!
I had the opportunity to exhibit art pieces at Blue Bar Quilts in Middleton, WI. The memorable event was held during September, 2019.
Choosing, hanging and observing my works of art was an experience I will never forget. Plans for the show were nine months in the making. Everything right down to the smallest detail was analyzed over and over again. An artist reception was held on September 14, 2019. Meeting and conversing with my fellow enthusiasts filled my heart with joy.
Five months have passed since the finale of my memorable event yet the images and conversations remain vivid in my mind. Since many of you would not have been able to attend I have assembled a grouping of photos for you to experience. To see them as a slide show click on one of them and the show will begin.
When I hear the words, “follow the lines,” I am reminded of the instructions I received as a child. The phrase was uttered to encourage me to stay within the lines while coloring on paper. The meaning, in this instance, is much different. This installment in my polyester stretch velvet revelations will introduce you to an art piece I call Follow the Lines.
Art Piece # 99 was assigned the name Follow the Lines because of the added quilting. The angular movement, of the stitches, is reminiscent of a corn maze one would explore.
Follow the Lines, AP # 99
As was mentioned earlier, this 7 3/4” x 9 3/4” portfolio installment was constructed primarily from polyester stretch velvet. The various layers were secured together with a fusible web and an iron. Making the item appears as if it were shrouded by a curtain is a very fine sheet of mesh. Although the specimen had a unique quality of its own it still needed quilting to complete the process. Complimenting the perimeter of the polyester fiber art piece is a border of black cotton fabric embellished with rows of straight-line quilting.
Not too long ago I shared plans to spend time sewing, shopping, and just having fun with a group of friends. Sadly my first full day has come and gone.
Almost all of my time was focused on my hand stitching pile of unfinished projects. Thankfully all of those items were finished. Take a look.
Cow on a Pedestal
Dancing Tooties
Dancing Tootsies II
Rectangles and Squares
Tiny House Village
It feels so great to have crossed over that hurdle. Time to focus on other things!
Continuing in my series of polyester stretch velvet art is the addition of this little gem. Named Retro Vibes because of its jazzy appearance this 7 3/4” x 9 3/4” art piece is the third item in line.
Art Piece # 98: Retro Vibes
Compared to Around and Around and Mint Shake this project involved very little melting. I primarily used an iron and a fusible product to meld the velvet sections together. To mimic the silver sequins, seen on the soft blue fabric, I added circular white buttons as well as silver beads. Three purple beads and a matching colored Perle Cotton thread were incorporated to echo the purple polyester stretch velvet. Also integrated was mint green Perle Cotton thread to bring more focus to the like colored stretch velvet. Rounding out the doodads is a very fine layering of fused sparkly threads. The last stage of this project was to add borders, quilting, etc.
Retro Vibes is a wonderful addition to my polyester stretch velvet experiment. Keep watching for the fourth member in this series.
Let’s celebrate! Well, not quite yet. Before we pop the cork on the champagne let’s turn the calendar pages back a bit.
Not too long ago I made the choice to turn the wheels of my art cart in a different direction. The course change meant giving up my customer-based longarm quilting business for total focus on my own endeavors. The decision, although very hard, was a longtime in the making.
As was shared in a previous visit, selling my art to fellow enthusiasts meant finding an outlet for the transactions to take place. The location I selected was Raven’s Wish. Just because I chose them didn’t mean they would mutually agree. On a very exciting day in January, my husband and I packed items from my portfolio into the truck of our car and headed to the gallery. Upon arrival I popped in to see if the owner, Alicia Reid, had time to visit. Alicia was currently visiting with an individual but was willing to divert her attention to my direction. After returning to my car, where my husband was patiently waiting, we retrieved my belongings and proceeded inside.
Shared with Alicia were samples of my small fabric art pieces, my meditative hand stitching items and my newly created greeting cards. Alicia carefully examined the items before her. As she pondered I presented my application and inquired about the jury process. With a smile on her face she announced that the jury process was complete. She was more than happy to display selected pieces of my art in her gallery and offer them up for sale. I’m sure you can imagine the elation I felt. How wonderful it was to have someone give value to my art. After mutually agreeing on pricing we entered into a contract.
Alicia now has nine of my polyester stretch velvet projects, four of my meditative hand stitchery pieces and three of my improv fabric art creations. All of the above are available for purchase on a commission basis. Purchased outright were twelve of my greeting cards.
Tuxedo, AP # 84
X’s and O’s, AP # 75
1973, AP # 74
Raspberry Lemonade, AP # 152
Rolling Down the River, AP # 155
What’s Not to Like, AP # 159
Some of the items on sale at Raven’s Wish
During our discussion I mentioned the solo art exhibit I was privileged to experience at Blue Bar Quilts last fall. If Alicia was aware of the event I thought it would give her the opportunity to visit my blog and peruse the other items in my portfolio. At the mention of my previous event Alicia then offered me the opportunity to do the same at her gallery. After discussing several options we decided to schedule a show for the month of August. I think my heart skipped several beats when Alicia made the suggestion. Internally I was flabbergasted! I’ve been happily working with fiber arts for decades always wondering if it was worthy of appreciation. Having another well-known establishment acknowledge my endeavors was something I had never thought possible.
When I left Raven’s Wish, on that very memorable day in January, I believe I floated out the door. My decision to change course had been validated. Along with it came an even stronger desire to expand my portfolio. Alicia’s nod lifted my spirits and gave my ego the boost it desired. I know that life is not always filled with champagne bubbles and roses but for now I’m going to bask in the glow of this sweet, sweet experience.
Mention the phrase road trip to a fiber artist and visions of fabric stores, antique shops and anything other vendor that carries our supplies will come to mind. In this instance it conjures up a cozy, modern retreat/educational center in northern Wisconsin. In the very near future I am scheduled to pack my car to the gills with every possible project/supply I can imagine. Once I’m assured the tires and suspension can withstand the extreme weight (LOL) I will be off to my next adventure.
Quilting is My Therapy #3
During my extended excursion I will immerse myself in endless sewing, stitching and conversation with my fellow enthusiasts. By the time the event has ended I will be so exhausted I’ll need a period of time just to recover. Keep your eye directed toward this direction for updates on my activities. It’s sure to be an interesting explosion of creativity.
