November 14, 2014

Work in Progress – Ice Jam, Update 2


Sue Reno, Ice Jam, Work In Progress, Image 2
The center portion of this piece, the needlefelted river, changed a lot since the start as shown in my previous post.  I continued building up the water with layers of wool roving, wool scraps, and silk slivers.  I scrunched up pale silk and needlefelted it into place to represent the ice on the river banks.  I added the banks with more scrunched silks in earth tones.

Around the felted portion, I built the piece up further with more strips of silk and wool.  Even this early on, the textures I was achieving were very exciting to me.  (The pictures enlarge when you click on them so you can see more detail.)
Sue Reno, Ice Jam, Work In Progress, Image 3
As I worked on the center piece, I started arranging and rearranging the collagraph prints and some pieced strips on the design wall.  I left them up for a while and contemplated them daily in case I needed to make adjustments before starting the actual piecing. 

Thanks for following along, and as always, thanks for reading and commenting.

November 13, 2014

Blog Tour – Lyric Kinard

Today’s blog tour participant, and the last stop on the tour, is Lyric Kinard.  Lyric’s talent knows no bounds. She is a master of surface design techniques, she is an expert stitcher and beader, and she teaches and runs workshops. Lyric has been a guest on Quilting Arts TV, has written a book—see here—and produces instructional videos. See her blog and website for details on all this and more. 
Lyric Kinard
I met Lyric this spring in the green room while preparing to tape for Quilting Arts. I got to see the projects she was calmly working on while waiting, and was wowed by the freshness and immediacy of her design and execution.  I’m pleased that Lyric agreed to help me out on this blog tour, and excited to click over and see her viewpoint on my Quilting Arts Workshop Video, Surface Design Essentials for the Printed Quilt.
Surface Design Essentials for the Printed Quilt
My sincere and deep thanks to all the artists who participated in this tour, and my thanks also to all the readers who toured along with us.  I hope you have discovered some new favorite blogs to enrich your creative life.  Here’s the recap in case you missed any of them:

Blog tour schedule
11/5/14: Sue Reno http://suereno.blogspot.com/
11/6/14: Susan Brubaker Knapp http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/
11/7/14: Allie Aller http://alliesinstitches.blogspot.com/
11/8/14: Diane Doran http://www.oohprettycolors.blogspot.com/
11/9/14: Vivien Zepf http://sevenpinesdesigns.blogspot.com/
11/10/14: Virginia Spiegel http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/blog/
11/11/14: Cynthia St. Charles http://cynthia-stcharles.blogspot.com/
11/12/14: Natalya Aikens http://artbynatalya.blogspot.com/
11/13/14: Lyric Kinard http://lyrickinard.com/blog/

And as always, thanks for reading and commenting.








November 12, 2014

Blog Tour – Natalya Aikens

Today’s blog tour participant is Natalya Aikens, of Art by Natalya.
art by natalya

Natalya is a artist and photographer that works with textiles and stitching.  Lately she has incorporated recycled elements into her work, specifically plastic bags and dryer sheets.  In Natalya’s hands these humble materials are transformed into beautiful architectural depictions.  Her eye for line and design is unerring. She has a Cloth Paper Scissors Workshop Video—see here,  her work is regularly featured in prestigious exhibits and publications, and she teaches and runs workshops.
Natalya Aikens
I’ve known Natalya online for some time, and finally met her in person at a SAQA conference a few years ago. She was even more charming than I had imagined, and her knowledge about the larger fiber/art world made her a great companion for gallery hopping.  I am so happy that she agreed to view and review my Quilting Arts Workshop Video, Surface Design Essentials for the Printed Quilt, and am excited to click over to her blog to read her perspective.Surface Design Essentials for the Printed Quilt Tomorrow’s blogger is Lyric Kinard http://lyrickinard.com/blog/

Blog tour schedule
11/5/14: Sue Reno http://suereno.blogspot.com/
11/6/14: Susan Brubaker Knapp http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/
11/7/14: Allie Aller http://alliesinstitches.blogspot.com/
11/8/14: Diane Doran http://www.oohprettycolors.blogspot.com/
11/9/14: Vivien Zepf http://sevenpinesdesigns.blogspot.com/
11/10/14: Virginia Spiegel http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/blog/
11/11/14: Cynthia St. Charles http://cynthia-stcharles.blogspot.com/
11/12/14: Natalya Aikens http://artbynatalya.blogspot.com/
11/13/14: Lyric Kinard http://lyrickinard.com/blog/

As always, thanks for reading and commenting.








November 11, 2014

Blog Tour – Cynthia St. Charles

Today’s blog tour participant is Cynthia St. Charles of Living and Dyeing Under the Big Sky

Cynthia works with block printing and other surface design techniques to produce beautiful art quilts and mixed media works.  She’s made a Quilting Arts Workshop video on designing with hand carved printing blocks—see here—has had her work published, and exhibits widely.  Her blog also features incredibly stunning photos of her travels and adventures under the big western sky, and is a pure joy to read.
Cynthis St. Charles
I first became aware of Cynthia’s work back when I was in my heyday of making and mailing fiber art postcards.  I have drifted away from the practice, but Cynthia continues to produce mail art, along with larger, beautifully designed works.  I am so grateful she is taking the time to review my Quilting Arts Workshop Video, Surface Design Essentials for the Printed Quilt, and I’m excited to click over and see what she has to say.
Surface Design Essentials for the Printed QuiltTomorrow’s blogger is Natalya Aikens  http://artbynatalya.blogspot.com/

Blog tour schedule
11/5/14: Sue Reno http://suereno.blogspot.com/
11/6/14: Susan Brubaker Knapp http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/
11/7/14: Allie Aller http://alliesinstitches.blogspot.com/
11/8/14: Diane Doran http://www.oohprettycolors.blogspot.com/
11/9/14: Vivien Zepf http://sevenpinesdesigns.blogspot.com/
11/10/14: Virginia Spiegel http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/blog/
11/11/14: Cynthia St. Charles http://cynthia-stcharles.blogspot.com/
11/12/14: Natalya Aikens http://artbynatalya.blogspot.com/
11/13/14: Lyric Kinard http://lyrickinard.com/blog/

As always, thanks for reading and commenting.








November 10, 2014

Blog Tour – Virginia Spiegel

Today’s blog tour participant is Virginia A. Spiegel.  Virginia is a prolific artist and author.  Her trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area provide the inspiration for beautiful and thoughtful artwork that incorporates painted, collaged and stitched fabric and paper. She exhibits her work widely, and has placed it in many private and permanent collections.
Virginia A. Spiegel
I met Virginia online years ago, in the listserve days, when I was first involved in the then-novel production of mail art fabric postcards.  Virginia took that concept and ran with it, establishing Fiberart for a Cause, which to date has raised more than $240,000 for the ACS. I've been a proud participant of many of her fundraisers, and Virginia remains one of the few people for who I will drop everything and help with whatever she is proposing.  She is a meticulous organizer and has the ability to make everyone involved in her projects feel valued and part of the larger good.  So I am particularly pleased that she agreed to help with my blog tour, and excited to click over and see her review of my Quilting Arts Workshop Video Surface Design Essentials for the Printed Quilt.
Surface Design Essentials for the Printed Quilt Tomorrow’s blogger is Cynthia St. Charles http://cynthia-stcharles.blogspot.com/

Blog tour schedule
11/5/14: Sue Reno http://suereno.blogspot.com/
11/6/14: Susan Brubaker Knapp http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/
11/7/14: Allie Aller http://alliesinstitches.blogspot.com/
11/8/14: Diane Doran http://www.oohprettycolors.blogspot.com/
11/9/14: Vivien Zepf http://sevenpinesdesigns.blogspot.com/
11/10/14: Virginia Spiegel http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/blog/
11/11/14: Cynthia St. Charles http://cynthia-stcharles.blogspot.com/
11/12/14: Natalya Aikens http://artbynatalya.blogspot.com/
11/13/14: Lyric Kinard http://lyrickinard.com/blog/

As always, thanks for reading and  commenting.








November 9, 2014

Blog Tour – Vivien Zepf

Today’s blog tour participant is Vivien Zept of Seven Pines Designs.
  Vivien Zepf
Vivien has a zest and enthusiasm for life that is reflected in her vibrant textile works and stunning photography. She exhibits widely and successfully in both mediums.  She is also a published wordsmith with magazine articles to her credit, and her blog features her work, her travels, and her adventures as a museum docent.
Vivien Zepf
Vivien is a thoughtful observer of both the natural world and the art world, and an encouraging, helpful friend.  I finally met her in person a few years ago at the SAQA conference in Philadelphia, and had a great deal of fun touring galleries and just generally hanging out with her. I am happy she agreed to help with my blog tour, and am excited to click over and see her review of my Quilting Arts Workshop Video, Surface Design Essentials for the Printed Quilt.
Surface Design Essentials for the Printed Quilt Tomorrow’s blogger is Virginia Spiegel http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/blog/

Blog tour schedule
11/5/14: Sue Reno http://suereno.blogspot.com/
11/6/14: Susan Brubaker Knapp http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/
11/7/14: Allie Aller http://alliesinstitches.blogspot.com/
11/8/14: Diane Doran http://www.oohprettycolors.blogspot.com/
11/9/14: Vivien Zepf http://sevenpinesdesigns.blogspot.com/
11/10/14: Virginia Spiegel http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/blog/
11/11/14: Cynthia St. Charles http://cynthia-stcharles.blogspot.com/
11/12/14: Natalya Aikens http://artbynatalya.blogspot.com/
11/13/14: Lyric Kinard http://lyrickinard.com/blog/

As always, thanks for reading and commenting.








November 8, 2014

Blog Tour – Diane Doran

Today’s blog tour participant is Diane Doran of Ooh! Pretty Colors.
Ooh! Pretty Colors
Diane is an art quilter and designer with a deep mastery of digital imagery.  Her engineering background, combined with her sewing and quilting experience, makes her work unique and contemporary .She has made two excellent Quilting Arts Workshop Videos—see here and here, has been on Quilting Arts TV, and is a prolific author of magazine articles on a wide variety of quilting techniques.
Diane Doran
I first had the pleasure of meeting Diane years ago when we were both in Houston for the Awards Ceremony at the International Quilt Festival.  It’s a familiar place for Diane, as her work has won numerous awards there and in many other prestigious shows.  I am so delighted she graciously agreed to be a part of my blog tour, and am excited to click over and see her review of my Quilting Arts Workshop Video, Surface Design Essentials for the Printed Quilt.
Surface Design Essentials for the Printed Quilt Tomorrow’s blogger is Vivien Zept http://sevenpinesdesigns.blogspot.com/

Blog tour schedule
11/5/14: Sue Reno http://suereno.blogspot.com/
11/6/14: Susan Brubaker Knapp http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/
11/7/14: Allie Aller http://alliesinstitches.blogspot.com/
11/8/14: Diane Doran http://www.oohprettycolors.blogspot.com/
11/9/14: Vivien Zepf http://sevenpinesdesigns.blogspot.com/
11/10/14: Virginia Spiegel http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/blog/
11/11/14: Cynthia St. Charles http://cynthia-stcharles.blogspot.com/
11/12/14: Natalya Aikens http://artbynatalya.blogspot.com/
11/13/14: Lyric Kinard http://lyrickinard.com/blog/

As always, thanks for reading and commenting.













November 7, 2014

Blog Tour – Allie Aller

Today’s blog tour participant is Allie Aller of Allie’s in Stitches.
Allie Aller's Crazy Quilts
I have been amazed by Allie’s work for many years.  She has the singular ability to take the time honored format of crazy quilting and make it contemporary and exciting.  Her design choices are always spot on, and her stitching skills and craftsmanship are impeccable.  She is the author of two books on crazy quilting—see here and here— has an online Craftsy class,  and travels to teach and lecture and just generally be awesome.
Allie Aller
Allie and I found each other on Facebook some time ago, and have discovered our mutual love of gardening, India and Indian silks, and vintage textiles.  Surely we will meet in person someday, but until then I am happy to follow her adventures on her blog, and you should too.  Click on over to discover what she has to say in her review of my recently released Quilting Arts Workshop Video, Surface Design Essentials for the Printed Quilt.
Surface Design Essentials for the Printed Quilt Tomorrow’s  blogger is Diane Doran http://www.oohprettycolors.blogspot.com/

Blog tour schedule
11/5/14: Sue Reno http://suereno.blogspot.com/
11/6/14: Susan Brubaker Knapp http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/
11/7/14: Allie Aller http://alliesinstitches.blogspot.com/
11/8/14: Diane Doran http://www.oohprettycolors.blogspot.com/
11/9/14: Vivien Zepf http://sevenpinesdesigns.blogspot.com/
11/10/14: Virginia Spiegel http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/blog/
11/11/14: Cynthia St. Charles http://cynthia-stcharles.blogspot.com/
11/12/14: Natalya Aikens http://artbynatalya.blogspot.com/
11/13/14: Lyric Kinard http://lyrickinard.com/blog/

As always, thanks for reading and commenting.














November 6, 2014

Blog Tour – Susan Brubaker Knapp

Today’s blog tour artist is Susan Brubaker Knapp of Blue Moon River.
 Blue Moon River
I first met Susan online in an art quilt group many years ago.  There was a discussion about flowers, specifically cleomes, and I commented on the beauty of the ones she was growing.  And just like that, Susan sent me some seeds for my own garden.

Susan has since gone on to well deserved fame as an artist, a quilter, a teacher extraordinaire, and the new host of Quilting Arts TV.  But along with her obvious talent, it is her generosity of spirit, as evidenced by a simple gift of seeds, that sets her apart.
Susan Brubaker Knapp, Host of Quilting Arts TV
When Susan asked me to tape some segments for her first season of QATV, I finally got to meet her in person and admire her poise and professionalism first hand.  I’m grateful that she agreed to be a part of my blog tour, and excited to click over to her blog and see what she has to say about my recently released Quilting Arts Workshop Video, Surface Design Essentials for the Printed Quilt.
Surface Design Essentials for the Printed Quilt
Tomorrow's blogger is Allie Aller http://alliesinstitches.blogspot.com/

Blog tour schedule
11/5/14: Sue Reno http://suereno.blogspot.com/
11/6/14: Susan Brubaker Knapp http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/
11/7/14: Allie Aller http://alliesinstitches.blogspot.com/
11/8/14: Diane Doran http://www.oohprettycolors.blogspot.com/
11/9/14: Vivien Zepf http://sevenpinesdesigns.blogspot.com/
11/10/14: Virginia Spiegel http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/blog/
11/11/14: Cynthia St. Charles http://cynthia-stcharles.blogspot.com/
11/12/14: Natalya Aikens http://artbynatalya.blogspot.com/
11/13/14: Lyric Kinard http://lyrickinard.com/blog/

As always, thanks for reading and commenting.








November 5, 2014

Blog Tour for Surface Design Essentials for the Printed Quilt

Sue Reno, QA Workshop, Design ChapterHello!  I’m so happy you are joining me today.  I am kicking off a blog tour in support of my recently released Quilting Arts Workshop Video, Surface Design Essentials for the Printed Quilt
Surface Design Essentials for the Printed Quilt
In the video, I distill my years of experience with four favorite surface design techniques—cyanotype, heliography, collagraphy, and thermofax printing—using clear and concise demonstrations.  There are examples of how I use prints in my work, as well as chapters on the basics of quilt design.  Whether you are new to surface design, or want to add to your existing design toolbox, there’s something here for everyone.

To help spread the word about the video’s release, I asked some of the artists and bloggers I admire most to participate in my blog tour.  To keep things interesting, both for all of us and for our readers, I didn't ask them for anything specific.  Each one is a seasoned professional, with a strong body of work and a distinctive voice and online presence.  So I simply asked them to view and review the video as they saw fit. I am really looking forward to being surprised and delighted by their posts!

Here is the schedule:
11/5/14: Sue Reno http://suereno.blogspot.com/
11/6/14: Susan Brubaker Knapp http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/
11/7/14: Allie Aller http://alliesinstitches.blogspot.com/
11/8/14: Diane Doran http://www.oohprettycolors.blogspot.com/
11/9/14: Vivien Zepf http://sevenpinesdesigns.blogspot.com/
11/10/14: Virginia Spiegel http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/blog/
11/11/14: Cynthia St. Charles http://cynthia-stcharles.blogspot.com/
11/12/14: Natalya Aikens http://artbynatalya.blogspot.com/
11/13/14: Lyric Kinard http://lyrickinard.com/blog/

I will post each day with a link to the artist of the day.  If they are not already on your blog reader of choice, you should add them.  Their posts are consistently interesting and worthwhile.

Join us tomorrow on Susan Brubaker Knapp’s blog:http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/

I've posted previously about the experience of filming this video and some segments for Quilting Arts TV.  You can track those post back by clicking on the Quilting Arts TV tab at the header, or clicking here.

And as always, thanks for reading and commenting.











November 4, 2014

Silk Mill #2 acceptance in Materials: Hard and Soft

I am very pleased to announce that my Silk Mill #2 has been accepted into Materials:Hard & Soft.
Sue Reno, Silk Mill #2
From the website: This annual competition and exhibition of contemporary crafts was started in 1987 and is now in it’s 28th year. Recognized nationally,Materials: Hard & Soft attracts hundreds of entries from every state in the union. Nationally recognized jurors select the show from slides and then award $5000 in prize money. The juror has always selected the winning pieces on-site. A catalog is printed. This year’s juror is Ana M. Lopez.
Sue Reno, Silk Mill #2, detail 1 I am always particularly happy when my work is accepted for a fine craft exhibit, as I feel it is a good fit for the work that I do.  The exhibit runs from February 6 through April 2, 2015, at the Greater Denton Arts Council in Denton, TX. 
Sue Reno, Silk Mill #2, detail 2 This work is based on a photograph I took of the dilapidated Ashley and Bailey Silk Mill, in Columbia, PA, just before a renovation project transformed a portion of it into the Turkey Hill Experience.  I was rather overwhelmed with the beauty of the architecture, and the way the light poured through the broken windows.  I made three quilts, to date, based on my photos.  Silk Mill #1 is currently touring with the Tactile Architecture Exhibit of the International Quilt FestivalSilk Mill #3 was purchased by the State Museum of Pennsylvania and is now part of their permanent fine art collection.  You can track them all back as works in progress, and see my photos of the silk mill, by clicking on the Silk Mill tab in the header, or by clicking here.
Sue Reno, Silk Mill #2 photo As always, thanks for reading and commenting.