Striated News

Striations 4   -  12" square © 2013 Linda A. Miller

"Striations 4" will be in the 2013 SAQA Auction beginning on September 9th.  Follow the link to learn about my process with this quilt.  Over the next few weeks I will show you some of my selections by other artists works, as with yesterday's post.  So enjoy, and should something take your fancy, get ready to bid!

Interplay

It is that time of year again...the online 2013 SAQA Benefit Auction begins in less than 2 weeks on September 9, 2pm EST.

Here is a collection I am naming Interplay.  Limited color palette that pops against the grays and blacks...

And there are over 400 more 12" square quilts that will be auctioned.... see SAQA's site for details....

Taking in the Details

Work in progress embroidery detail

The progress continues with finishing touches...  Satisfied with the purple background, I am filling in embroidery stitches.  Reminded once again how feelings about the work shifts over time.  The work pace also changes, with slower more contemplative phases and more energetically driven phases. Pleased with it now, and motivated to finish!  Then I will reveal it....

Work in progress...upper corner

A good part of this week was spent helping to refinish wood trim at my local meditation center.  Rediscovering muscles I have not felt in some time.  Also rediscovering how beautiful wood grain can be. So much focus on detail.  It was a very satisfying project to be a part of.

Reading Mary Oliver's "The Summer Day" out loud on a daily basis... embodying the wonderfulness of that poem which ends with these lines:

I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

Finally, linking to Off the Wall Friday where you can see what others are up to....

Resting and Resolving

Work in progress - detail

Now that the demo at the IQF and last weekend's teaching are behind me, the focus can shift to other projects.  During my demo on texture, I added more embroidery to the piece you see above.  This one has been inching along.  It is ready for the final stages of completion.  After auditioning fabrics, my intention is to float it over a dark purple background.  I feel the creative wheels whirring....

Striated Orange  © 2013 Linda A. Miller

Very happy to report that "Striated Orange" has found a new home!  It sold after being seen during my IQF demo.  Reinforces the thought that textiles are best appreciated being viewed up close and personal.













And sharing a garden adventure... I introduced friends to the very special Arlington community garden.  A wonderful time we had exploring...

Arlington Garden blooms

Arlington Garden

Arlington Garden bee heaven

Arlington Garden

 Linking to Off the Wall Fridays...

Building Community

Sacred Threads Wish Tree

We all seek to create community on one level or another.  As an example, earlier in the summer my neighborhood had its first ever block party, and it was a huge success.  Neighbors socialized over plates with yummy food from the potluck, while kids enjoyed the water slide.  I finally met some people who I have waved to from afar over the years.  It allowed all of us to feel more connected on this street where we live.  May the feeling continue.

Connection links with art making as well.  When artwork goes to an exhibit, I never really know how others connect to it, unless I can attend the opening and even that is not a guarantee.  It is wonderful to get feedback.  Sacred Threads provided that opportunity for viewers and artists.  My quilts returned from the exhibit with a number of extra treasures in the box.  All the committee members signed the envelope thanking us for sharing our work in the exhibit (well, not directly, it was printed, but you get the idea).  There was the photograph, shown here, from the Wish Tree.... exhibit attendees could write a wish on a card that was hung on the tree for the duration of the show.  Also included were comment forms from viewers, answering the question: How did this quilt touch you?  I was moved by those responses.  Thank you to each anonymous person who took the time to share their experience from seeing "Linear Moves" and "Heart's Vision".  The viewer provides an important element of connection to the work, would you not agree?  They complete it.  I created to share the work with you.  Otherwise it would be creating in a vacuum.  We all have to work at building and sustaining the connection.
 

Creating Flags!

Getting ready with Bhavana Project flags in background

Sunday's Creative Circle Flag workshop at Buster's Baskets was a fun afternoon of creative play on a lovely summer day.  First let me thank Tina Millman, proprietor of Buster's, for welcoming us and generously hosting this event.  Thank you to all the ladies who brought their energy and intention to the workshop.  I was happy to guide the explorations.

After loosening up with some creative exercises, it was on to prayer flags... All were receptive and open, diving right into bringing their ideas to cloth. 

Creative juices flowed using paint, glue, fabric, crayons, pencils, embellishments, and more.

Almost ready...

Ideas manifesting to fabric....

Cutting fabric...

Flags drying

Zara and Theresa finish...

Sherry's insect flags

Ruby with flags

It was a joy to spend the day with these ladies, watching the flags develop.  Would like to join in?  What would you put on your flag?  There will be more workshops in the future, so stay in touch!

Viewing Art

Rodin at the Norton Simon Museum

Do you approach art viewing by seeking out information about the piece first, or do you move right to experiencing it?  Do you rely on external sources to guide how you see what you see?  How we engage with the art can be simple and direct.  Take a look at this video from a talk by Steven Saitzyk, Director of Shambhala Art,  on the process of contemplative viewing and what it is about... enjoy! 

Quilts & Techniques IQF Style

Giving demos at IQF

Saturday was a full and rich day at the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach.  In the morning at the SAQA booth I gave demos on the shrinking technique I use for creating texture in quilts.  I met some wonderful people and received good responses.  A number of folks asked about classes, and I am now giving serious thought to teaching in the future.  Thank you to SAQA reps Deborah Stanley and Teresa Shippy for the opportunity to share these ideas with others.  It is a very satisfying feeling.

(The quilt pictured in the background is by Katie Pasquini Masopust.)




In the afternoon I was free to wander the exhibits to enjoy the spectacular work on show.  My friend, Terry Waldron, lent her expertise on a docent tour of SAQA's Seasonal Palette  and A Sense of Scale exhibits.  I spent more time with Seasonal Palette, which brought together a collection of amazing pieces by world renowned artists.  Highlights:  Arle Sklar-Weinstein's intricate layering, Maya Chaimovich's intense colors and Nancy G. Cook's fine stitching & painting.  Since photos were not allowed, you can see the works on this 2012 video tour by Luana Rubin.

Terry Waldron leads docent tour.  Photo courtesy Terry Waldron.

Exquisite Moments is this year's excellent Dinner at Eight Artists exhibit curated by Jamie Fingal and Leslie Tucker Jenison.  The exhibit will be in Houston and travel to other venues from there.  Here are some selected pieces from the exhibit: 

Sherry Davis Kleinman with "Waiting Expectantly"

"Grocery Shopping with Sammy" by Cindy Cooksey

"Fiji" by Karen Rips

"Stitching, Interrupted" by Pamela Klebaum

From A World of Beauty 2012:

"Silk" by Hollis Chatelain

Hollis Chatelain's piece incorporates Thai silks and extensive vibrating stitching.  A quilt that needs to be viewed in person to take in all the details.

"Tutti Frutti Village" by Susan Bleiweiss

Sorry to see the IQF leave Long Beach.  May the new location in Oregon prove successful.  It is my understanding it will include more than quilts with the addition of other fiber crafts.