For this exhibit, I am proud to say I will have an entirely new collection of work for your enjoyment. I’ve been busy, busy, busy…thinking, dreaming, and executing my ideas. This exhibit has encouraged me to step back into my roots and break the rules. The best way to describe my work is as an art quilt. Just don’t let the word “quilt” confuse you, these pieces are not just quilts. They are art pieces that merge my love of fabric and quilting with my love of paints and mixed media.

Above all, these new pieces truly reflect my life-long culmination of creative adventure and exploration with a color pallet deeply influenced by my love and study of nature. I spent many years walking through forest and wetlands, the beauty I witnessed first hand has deeply affected me. With this opportunity to work with LiquidAmber, I have pulled from my core, dug deep into my soul and produced a collection for which I am very proud.

I invite you to join me for the Artist’s Reception on Sunday, October 2, 2011 from 2 to 4pm. If you can’t make it for this first Sunday reception, you can view the display any time in October during LiquidAmbers’s normal business hours.

Gallery Hours:
Closed Mondays, Tues thru Fri: 10:30-5:30pm
Sat: 9:30 – 5:30pm, Sun: 11:00 – 5:00pm

Over the years, I’ve explored a great many techniques for adding color to fabric. Why? Because, sometimes pre-designed materials you find in stores just won’t work for a given project. Other times, you just want to create something that’s totally you.

For a fiber artist, facing a blank piece of fabric is very similar to a painter facing a blank sheet of canvas… the possibilities are endless. In fact, when it comes to surface design many of the tools available to the fiber artist can can also be used on painter’s canvas or water color paper. And, many techniques that the painter is using can be used by the fiber artist.

You may be asking what is surface design? Just what is says, simply a way to add design to a surface using a variety of techniques and media to alter appearances.  These days, the term is most commonly heard amongst quilting and mixed media artists. The use of surface design has played a critical role in the recent advancement of non-traditional art quilts. Quilters are painting their designs on fabric and quilting them to create stunning works of art. You can see some of this in action by viewing the works of Susan Brubaker-Knapp.

The exciting thing is that many surface design techniques that art quilters are using can, with equal success, cross media into traditional 2-dimensional artwork and collage. The processes are fun and liberating, because they open up opportunities for experimentation. Its like being a kid again…rules are few and its acceptable to break them.

Are you curious about surface design? Do you want to find out more? Better yet, do you want to enjoy some creative play? Then join me for a class at:

Artists League of the Sandhills

6-8:30 pm, Wednesdays, April 28, May 5, and May 12

Price: $50 League Members/ $70 Non-members

Class: Surface Design Using Mixed Media
Instructor: Nanette S. Zeller

Short synopsis:
During  this 3-session course, students will use creative play to explore a variety of surface design techniques using acrylic paints, watercolor pencils, Shiva Painsticks, and other tools. In class, the student can choose to apply the techniques to either fabric or watercolor paper, or experiment with both surfaces. The resulting designs can be applied to 2-dimensional surfaces, used as collage elements, or incorporated into art quilts. This workshop is intended to inspire both new and experienced artists to include surface design into their artwork.

If you want to find out more, contact the Artist League at 910-944-3979 or visit their web site at www.artistleague.org. I really hope you will join me and don’t forget to tell your friends. I’m sure you will have fun.

Its on the shelf now! So, go check it out at your local magazine rack. My “Early Bloomers” pin keeper will be happily waiting to see you on pages 26-29. Along with my pincushion, there are some great patterns. I adore the owl quilt and hamburger pincushion is pretty darn fun.

I’ve been making pincushions for several years. The basic shape was simple, but the toppers just weren’t working for me. You’ll find several renditions if you look back through the pages of this blog. In an attempt to streamline my sewing process, I developed a unique zinnia flower design. The pincushion was so easy to make I decided it was a good project to pattern and kit. Thanks to the folks at Better Homes and Garden Quilts and More magazine, the pattern is available in their Spring 2011 publication. Thanks to my Etsy shop you can purchase the kit to make one in any of the three pictured colors.

This is exciting for me for a couple of reasons. Not that I haven’t been published before, but you may have missed the handful of articles I wrote for now-defunct e-magazine titled Fibre and Stitch. And I’m sure its unlikely you saw the 1995 publication of my graduate research in Wilson Bulletin (a scientific ornithological journal). This publication is different because it is a widely distributed National magazine and one that I love to read.

The other reason it excites me is because my godmother had faith in me. When I first got word of the acceptance, my godmother told me she always looked at the Better Homes and Gardens quilt magazines (they have several) and hoped to find me published within it. I couldn’t tell her then, but I can now…her dream came true and I am so happy that she should live to see it. Today a copy of the magazine and one of the pincushions is heading her way with my love.

I’m blessed in many ways. I’m also happy to know that the next half century of my life I will be working in an industry that I love. I’m glad you’re joining me on this journey. Here’s to a life filled with textiles, wool, misc. fibers, and dreams.

Note: This is a quarterly published magazine that should remain available until April 26. Can’t find it? I have some for sale on my Etsy shop along with the fabric kits and the crushed walnut shell filling to make your own pincushion.

My thoughts are “How did they envision that?” But mostly I think “Wow!” This is the one event that I think captures the essence of this Guild, we are mixed media artists

Another sneak peek

Although I consider myself a fiber artist, my piece doesn’t “feel” fibery. That’s what the challenge is all about to me.  I’m stretching and forcing myself to try something different. I got frustrated with it during the process. “Now What?” was my biggest question along the way. Yeah…I could piece a quilt and hang things from it. Or knit a sweater embedded with challenge “ornaments.” Or laminate adornments within the layers of needle felt. But that’s ordinary to my life. I chose to stretch myself, do something kind of out of my comfort zone, try new things.

My idea came early, primarily since I have a history with the Long Leaf Pine tree. In my “other career,” I spent a lot of time studying plants and animals that live in the long leaf ecosystem. I roughly sketched my idea on paper (an unusual step for me), then spent weeks thinking and processing. The thought process happened while I was busy with everything else going on in my life the last 2 months. Then I finally “started”…and it just happened. The “now what’s?” came, but each time they resolved themselves. Little by little the components came together.  I am pleased with my final piece. I used techniques I was comfortable with, but I also experimented a lot. I learned a lot. That’s why I love this challenge. I learn.

OK, you say…so really what is the big deal with THESE two? The big deal is YOU CAN bid on them and I CAN watch the process. Its like being on my own personal version of “Cash in the Attic” (BBC version of course). Who’s gonna bid on them? How much are they willing to bid? Will they go higher? Do I know the person who will win? AHH!!! I’m so excited!!!

OK…so here’s what you have to do…Go bookmark this page:

http://www.alzquilts.org/quiltauction.html

My quilts are #4265 – Summer Hydrangea Garden and #4266 – Modest Contemplation. When the auction starts on October 1, 2009. Check the directions on the web site then and start bidding. You’ll have ten days. All bidding is final on October 10, 2009 at 10pm EDT.

Of course there are other quilts besides mine, but you know me and you might want to own one of my originals. Remember, I’m not getting the money, so my shameless plug is for a good cause. I hope you join me in my excitement. Tell your friends, bid high, bid often! It feels good!

So as always, I’ve been busy with the odds and ends in life. Last week I spent several days teaching at the local quilt shop. I love Linderella’s. Linda and Carl are fun people to work with and their shop it extra cool, bright colors, and sunlight even when its raining outside. I don’t know how they do it, but I’m glad they do. I have a bunch more classes schedule for March and we’re discussing our options for April, May and June.

I opened an Etsy shop, you should see the link in the upper right hand corner of this page. Slowly, I’m adding things, but I always seem pre-occupied with so many things.

One project that is weighing heavy on me is the kit challenge I’m working on for my Mixed Media Guild. We’ve affectionately called the challenged M4 (an attempt to shorten the title). Back in January, those willing to accept the challenge were given a box of “things.” The boxed contained bits, baubs, circuits, papers, fibers and other miscellaenia. From the box, each of us must assemble the pieces in to a piece of art.

I am finding that this is no small challenge. Sounds pretty easy, just slap some things together with glue and be done. Ha! Each time I think I’m close to being finished I find another “thing” that needs to be incorporated into my piece.

The deadline for completion of this challenge is next Saturday, March 7th. On this day, the pieces will be displayed at a Gallery Showing at Artist Alley, in Southern Pines,  NC. I’m sure I’ll be done in time, I have all today and tomorrow. I’ve been working on this project most of the week and most of today. So, in order to keep to my schedule, I must get back to work. So for now I’m back to M4 Challenge and Beyond. Thanks for the temporary diversion.

One of these commitments was to give a demonstration at Artist Alley were my work is displayed for sale. I am working in baby steps, setting up an inventory of my work at “The Alley”. (Eventually, I hope to have an Etsy shop where anyone could purchase my art-i-facts.) My big day was Sunday, December 14. Here’s the link to the local newspaper article about me.

During the Demo, I worked on some machine quilting techniques. I make small quilted backgrounds that I use to make journal covers and sewing needle keepers. The journals and needle keepers are a new addition to my inventory. I have only been able to create a few of these, but I truly enjoy making them.

The day of the demo was yucky, which limited the number of people showing up. However, what amazed me was hearing people come in to the gallery asking for me. These people didn’t know me, but they had read the article. The article must have impressed them enough to show up on such an icky day. I received a lot of good feedback and kudos about the demo and the article. I promise that these accolades will not go to my head. I will remain the humble artist who is trying to share my joy of fiber art. Am looking forward to doing some more demo days and I have a full line up of classes that I’ll be teaching at the LQS next year. I guess I’m pretty luck to be living a dream.