Solar Flare for the SAQA Benefit Auction

Solar Flare

Update: I was honored to learn that Solar Flare, as part of the SAQA Benefit Auction, was selected for a special exhibition at the International Quilt Study Center and Museum, in Lincoln Nebraska, April through August. View selected works here: https://www.saqa.com/auction-quiltsIQSCM.php

Here's Solar Flare, a 12" x 12" art quilt I made for this year's SAQA Benefit Auction. The Auction supports the exhibition program, and since I have two quilts currently traveling in SAQA Global exhibits I was extra-motivated to make an auction quilt this year. The auction takes place from September 13 - October 6, and you don't need to be a member to bid. I don't make many works in this size, so it's a nice opportunity to own a piece of my work and support a good organization. I'll post reminders when the time comes.

Solar Flare began  with a solar dye print I made last July using a hosta leaf. I was deep into an experimental printmaking frenzy, and this was one of the more outre prints:

You can read about how it was made on this blogpost. For this quilt, I combined the print with some shimmering shot silks from Mysore, India, then heavily quilted it.

In general I focus on the my enjoyment of the process of making art, and am willing to let things go out into the world when I'm done, but I must admit to a small pang of desire as I mailed this one off. It's so cheerful!

Here's my quilts traveling with SAQA Global Exhibits and the line-up to date.  I could never set up  venue schedules like this as an individual artist, so I am most appreciative of the opportunity.

Heat Lightning

 Heat Lightning, SAQA Season after Season.
Texas Quilt Museum, La Grange, Texas, January 10 - March 24, 2019
European Patchwork Meeting, Sainte-Marie Aux Mines, France, September 12 - 15, 2019
Prague Patchwork Meeting, Prague, Czech Republic, April 3 - 5, 2020

Squirrel and Locust

Squirrel and Locust, SAQA Metamorphosis.
Quilt Festival Houston: November 8 - 11, 2018
Quilt Festival Chicago: March 28 - 30, 2019
Quilt Canada Ottawa: June 12 - 15, 2019
AQS Quiltweek Grand Rapids MI: August 21 - 24, 2019
AQS Quiltweek Fall Paducah KY: September 11 - 14, 2019
AQS Quiltweek Charleston SC: September 25 - 27, 2019

River Dreams for SAQA Benefit Auction

UPDATE:  River Dreams has been scheduled for Section 1 of the auction. The auction will kick-off at 2pm EDT on September 16 with Diamond Day bidding - an early bird opportunity to purchase ANY quilt for $1000. Section one works go up for bid in a reverse auction from September 19 - 25. All the details are on the SAQA website.

River Dreams 

I've made an art quilt for this year's SAQA Benefit Auction.  I've named it River Dreams, as it is a distillation and continuation of the work I've been doing in my 52 Ways to Look at the River Project and in my ongoing series the River   It's 12" x 12", needlefelted with wool and silk, stitched and quilted, and hand beaded.  The texture on this piece is incredible; here's a detail shot of the tree:

River Dreams, detail

 The SAQA (Studio Art Quilts Associates) Benefit Action Fundraiser  begins on September 16, and I will be sure to update you as it approaches.  I seldom make work in this format, so this is an unique opportunity to make my work a part of your collection!

The funds from the Auction go towards the exhibition program.  I am very, very grateful for the amazing journey The Organic Landscape has been on as part of the Seasonal Palette exhibit-it's currently in Taiwan!-- so I am happy to be able to contribute to the cause.

Just for fun, here's a GIF of River Dreams as a work in progress:

River Dreams, Work in Progress

As always thanks for reading and commenting.

River Dreams for SAQA Benefit Auction

UPDATE:  River Dreams has been scheduled for Section 1 of the auction. The auction will kick-off at 2pm EDT on September 16 with Diamond Day bidding - an early bird opportunity to purchase ANY quilt for $1000. Section one works go up for bid in a reverse auction from September 19 - 25. All the details are on the SAQA website.

River Dreams 

I've made an art quilt for this year's SAQA Benefit Auction.  I've named it River Dreams, as it is a distillation and continuation of the work I've been doing in my 52 Ways to Look at the River Project and in my ongoing series the River   It's 12" x 12", needlefelted with wool and silk, stitched and quilted, and hand beaded.  The texture on this piece is incredible; here's a detail shot of the tree:

River Dreams, detail

 The SAQA (Studio Art Quilts Associates) Benefit Action Fundraiser  begins on September 16, and I will be sure to update you as it approaches.  I seldom make work in this format, so this is an unique opportunity to make my work a part of your collection!

The funds from the Auction go towards the exhibition program.  I am very, very grateful for the amazing journey The Organic Landscape has been on as part of the Seasonal Palette exhibit-it's currently in Taiwan!-- so I am happy to be able to contribute to the cause.

Just for fun, here's a GIF of River Dreams as a work in progress:

River Dreams, Work in Progress

As always thanks for reading and commenting.

Spring Thaw for The 100

Spring Thaw is finished and ready to go to a new home.  It’s my contribution to Virginia Spiegel’s ACS Fundraiser The 100. This brilliantly conceived event opens on February 4th.  The first 100 patrons to sign up and contribute $100 will receive a randomly selected original artwork, made and donated by invited artists.  The money raised will put the total for Fiberart for a Cause at a cool quarter million dollars.  For a preview of the outstanding work made to date, check the Pinterest page graciously curated by Deborah Boschert here.
 
Spring Thaw is 9” high x 11”wide.  The river in the center is needlefelted with layers and layers of roving, silk and wool scraps, and threads.  The river banks are needlefelted and stitched, and I added hand beadwork to the banks.  It’s signed on the back, and I’ve included a rod pocket to make hanging it easy; it would also look great framed.  (All pictures enlarge when clicked.)

This piece began as part of my demonstration when filming for Quilting Arts TV last spring.  You can read more about it, and see examples of my other river-themed work, in my previous post here.  I don’t usually work in this size format, so it’s a very nice opportunity for a lucky collector to own a smaller piece. 

Great art, a great price, and a great cause—it’s a win all around!  Mark your calendar and join in on the fun.

My work for “The 100” Fundraiser, in progress

Early this year I was honored to film for Quilting Arts TV series 1400, with Susan Brubaker Knapp as the host.  For one my segments, I demonstrated my method of combining needlefelting with other techniques to create a river landscape.  I’ve used this method on several of my latest works in The River series, including If I Woke at Dawn:
and In Dreams I Climbed the Cliffs:

I prepared a lot of “step-outs” for the shoot, showing the progression of steps needed to achieve the result.  Most of these I was able to recycle back into my stash or works in progress, but the final example, shown above, deserved a higher purpose. 

I will be adding more stitching, texture, and embellishment, and donating it to one lucky (randomly selected) bidder in Virginia Spiegel’s excellent fundraiser for the ACS, The 100.  Details on how it all works, and the list of the other 99 amazing contributing artists, can be found here.


Mark your calendars for February 4 for your chance to contribute to a good cause and own a unique work of fiber art.

The 100 – a Fiberart For a Cause Fundraiser

 

I am honored to be an invited artist for "The 100" to be held on Wednesday, February 4, 2015. The goal for this fiberart fundraiser for the American Cancer Society is to raise $10,000 in one day.

I wrote recently about my esteem for Virginia Spiegel, and how she is one of the few people for whom I will give an immediate and enthusiastic “Yes!” when asked to participate in an event.  I have proudly contributed to past fundraisers Virginia has held, and Fiberart For A Cause has already raised $240,000 through the generosity of fiber artists and patrons. With this event, we will bring the dollar amount up to cool quarter of a million dollars.

How? All the details are here: http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/FFACThe100Fundraiser.html

The setup is simple and brilliant.  100 artists are contributing work—and it’s an amazing line up!  The first 100 patrons to sign up and donate $100 when the event opens on February 4 will receive a randomly selected artwork. Knowing many of the artists, and knowing the generosity of fiber artists in general, it’s entirely possible that many of the artworks will exceed the $100 valuation.  I know the one I’m working on will—I’ll share some pictures soon.

So mark your calendars, and join us in this worthwhile cause.

My Foto/Fiber Bonus Pack

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, the first three “Red Carpet” fiber postcards will be part of the three Fiber Bonus packs I am donating to Virginia Spiegel’s Foto/Fiber Fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.  But that’s not all, folks!  I’ve raided my studio and pulled out some of my favorite things to add to the fun and sweeten the deal. 

I love collecting vintage linens and using them in my work.  Some time ago I scored a set of quilt blocks embroidered with flowers.  I used most of them in a bed quilt top (it remains a UFO at this point) and have decided to share the rest and so am adding one to each Bonus.  With a little research I’ve identified the designs as  Eveline Foland’s “Memory Bouquet” pattern.  The patterns first appeared in the Kansas City Star newspaper from October 10 through November 11, 1930.  The quality of the workmanship in these blocks is really excellent, and they are in very good condition for vintage blocks.  They measure approx. 12” square, and  would be wonderful either framed or incorporated into a project of your own.  They are all different, but here’s an example:

But wait, there’s more!  In each pack I will be including one of my original cyanotype prints on cotton, made from a photograph taken in my garden.  They measure approx. 8” x 10”, and again, would be suitable for display as is, or used in your own artwork.  Here’s one of them:

Next up, a piece of my hand painted cotton fabric, measuring approx. 11” x 22”.  I have never offered either my cyanotype prints or my painted fabric for sale, so this a unique opportunity to own a piece of my work in this format.

Another one of a kind item--a strip of Seminole patchwork, approx. 16” x 4”, left over from my award winning quilt Sumac:

Whew!  I think it will all fit in the envelope, and if there’s room I may find a few other little treasures to tuck in there.

So mark your calendars for February 15th and 16th, and hop on over to the Foto/Fiber Fundraiser page for more details on how it all works.  There are many amazing artists donating their work, and 100% of the proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.

New Fiber Postcards - “Red Carpet”

I’ve just completed a new set of fiber postcards/mail art pieces.  I’m calling it “Red Carpet”.  It’s based on the magnificent display my red maple tree puts on each year when the leaves drop to the ground, usually all within a day or two.

I did a set on the same subject, “Carpet of Leaves”, way back in 2005, and it was very popular.  Here’s a card from that series:

I thought it was a good time to reprise the theme.  Both sets were made in a similar fashion, starting with a length of white cotton fabric.  I painted the fabric with textile paints and arranged maple leaves on it, then put it out in the bright sunlight to dry.

A heliographic print resulted, as the paint wicked out from under the leaves and the image of the leaves remained.  This was layered with batting and stitched heavily with a variety of specialty threads.
After washing and drying, to intensify the texture of the piece, it was layered again with peltex (a stiffener) and a backing.  Individual 4” x 6” cards were cut, and the edges stitched to reinforce them.  Here are all 25 cards in the “Red Carpet” set:

Some of them will be going out in a swap with my fellow artists over at Postmark’d Art.  I’ve been a member of this group since it’s inception, and have swapped dozens and dozens of cards, but have been on hiatus for the last several swaps due to being overcommitted elsewhere.  I’m happy to be back on board and looking forward to the exchange.

And….drum roll please….the first three in the numbered series of “Red Carpet” cards will be part of my contribution to Foto/Fiber 2012 Fiber Bonus, Virginia Spiegel’s  Fiberart for a Cause fundraiser to benefit The American Cancer Society . I’m so pleased to be a part of this worthwhile effort that I’m raiding my studio for all sorts of goodies--more on that tomorrow!

Foto / Fiber Fundraiser

I’ve known Virginia Spiegel for years.  She is first and foremost an amazing artist whose work I admire, but also a charitable fundraiser par excellence who has raised over $215,000 to date for the American Cancer Society.  I have donated artwork for several of her previous Fiberart for a Cause events, and have always been impressed with her dedication and professionalism. So when Virginia invited me to participate in her newest effort, I jumped at the chance to help out.  I will be donating some bonus fiber surprises to the cause--read all about how it works below, and/or go to Virginia’s site for more information.  Mark your calendars for this opportunity to donate, receive some great art, and do some good!

 

Foto/Fiber 2012
90 Photos AND 90 BONUS Fiber Surprises
One Donation To Fight Cancer = Two Rewards and More!

Gold Donor Day - February 15, 2012
Make a minimum donation of $100, choose a photo by Virginia A. Spiegel,
and choose a BONUS Fiber Surprise by a specific artist from an amazing list of generous fiber artists.

Regular Foto/Fiber - February 16, 2012Make a minimum donation of $50 and choose a photo by Virginia A. Spiegel.
Your BONUS Fiber Surprise will be chosen at random
for you from the list of generous fiber artists.

Artists donating BONUS fiber surprises include: Natalya Aikens,
Frances Holliday Alford, Pamela Allen, Sue Bleiweiss, Nancy G. Cook, Jane Davila, Vivika DeNegre, Diane Rusin Doran, Jane Dunnewold, Jamie Fingal,
Leonie Hartley Hoover, Leslie Tucker Jenison, Lyric Kinard, Susan Brubaker Knapp, Lynn Krawzcyk, Jane LaFazio, Susan Lenz, Jeanelle McCall
Linda Teddlie Minton, Karen Musgrave, Gail Myrhorodsky
Karen Stiehl Osborn, BJ Parady, Cate Coulacos Prato, Yvonne Porcella
Wen Redmond, Sue Reno, Susan Schrott, Cynthia St. Charles
Lura Schwarz Smith, Sarah Ann Smith, and Terri Stegmiller

Drawings for Fiber Art throughout the event.
All patrons of Foto/Fiber 2012 will also have multiple chances throughout Foto/Fiber to win amazing fiber art donated by:
Leonie Hartley Hoover
Lyric Kinard
Lynn Krawczyk
Yvonne Porcella
Mary Ann Van Soest
More information on how Foto/Fiber 2012 works is here:
http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/FotoFiberHowItWorks.html

Our goal – Raise $7,000 for the American Cancer Society
in just ten hours over two days.

Fiberart For A Cause has already donated over $215,000 to the American Cancer Society through the generosity of fiber artists and their patrons.

Contact
Virginia(at)VirginiaSpiegel.com
for more information.