Happy Holidays/Piece of the Week

Greetings,

Happy holidays to all. I've finished a tee-shirt quilt, a legacy quilt for the a first grandchild and piece for the "Whisper Challenge" that was called by our regional representatives Clairan Ferrono of SAQA. I am truly looking forward to seeing the end results.

Last weekend I also hosted an open-house and at the end of the final day I spent a delightful time with a wonderful friend/collector Patric McCoy who the founder/president of "Diaspora Rhythms" and a artist I have admire for some time, Paul S. Benjamin (above). I ended up doing a trunk show of my work and sharing the stories of each piece. Paul talked about an artist that I was not aware of Sam Gilliam (below center) and I spent an hour the next day just looking at Sam's work along with Paul's.

My piece of the week is the last piece (below) for the Westside HIV/AIDS Regional Planning Council. This has been a great learning experience for me working with this project and one that I will never forget. I chose to do my landscape type of piece with some photo transfers that I altered and then over painted. I also added some striped pieced section. The fabrics all came from PAQA members who were having some give aways at our monthly meeting. So I would like to thank Michele Hardman, Frieda Anderson, Judy Zoelzer Levine, and I also had some fabric that was given to the project by the "Garfield Park Alliance". I would like to thank all that had something to do with the completions of these quilts and most of all WHARP for the opportunity to be their coordinator for the project.

Edna J. Patterson-Petty

Greetings All,

SAQA member Edna J. Patterson-Petty got a call before Thanksgiving that sent her into a creative frenzy. She was asked to be one of 44 quilters to make a quilt to mark the inauguration of Barack Obama. Check out this wonderful article about Edna and her work.
http://www.bnd.com/news/local/story/575997.html

There will be another exhibition in honor of President Obama: A Celebration in Art Quilts

Location: Montgomery College Cafritz Art Center, 150 King St., SilverSpring, MD

Dates: February 9 - March 5, 2009.

Opening Reception: Friday, February13th. Call Center for exact time of reception. Regular Gallery Hours M-F, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gallery Phone: 240.567.1368

This show, organized by Susan Walen, is an exhibit of artquilts created by an all-volunteer, grass-roots, multi-ethnic group of fiber artists from all across the United States and as far away as Australia. Our work is in tribute to our new President, in gratitude for the hope and inspiration he has brought us. We present these art quilts to celebrate this moment in our country's history

Quilts for Obama

Greetings All,

I'm still here. I have been busy and under the weather at the same time. I have been working on a tee-shirt quilt and it's given me the blues. I had to take the whole quilt a part. This is not a good thing and it's some thing that I hate too do (taking it a part). Also this dose not allow me to be my most creative self, but it pays the bills. On the other side of thing. I created two new "Obama" pieces. I know that the election is over, but these were for a special exhibit "Quilts for Obama: Celebrating the Inauguration of our 44th President".

An exhibit of 44 Artquilts curated by Roland Freeman. January 11 through January 31, 2009, at The Historical Society of Washington, D.C., 801 K Street, NW at Mount Vernon Square, Washington DC 20001. The exhibit opens Sunday afternoon, January 11, 2009, at 2:00 p.m.. The exhibit is in the Small-Alper Gallery, at the top of the stairway on the second floor. The Historical Society is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 am - 5:00 p.m. If you or anyone you know is coming for the Inaugural weekend, January17th-20th, please keep in mind that there will be several inaugural activities going on in the Historical Society building during those four days. This is a simple schedule of what that weekend will look like at the Historical Society building: Saturday the 17th and Sunday the 18th: you will be able to see the exhibit during the normal opening hours. Monday the19th: they are normally closed. This is also the day in Washington when we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday, so it is a federal holiday.Tuesday the 20th: Inauguration day, the building will be closed.

"Change" (above) is the piece that got accepted and the construction inspiration comes from artist Sonji Hunt. I'm a fan of her work and had been trying small pieces. This was my first larger scale piece (30 inches by 30 inches). I love the abstractness of the piece and this was my second effort. The first piece I did (The Making of a President-below) is more traditional to me in it's construction. A whole cloth quilted background with appliques of states that were places that are the making of president Obama (Honolulu, Illinois, Kansas, and Kenya). I also applied a lone figure of a man to represent the president elect.

Greeting/Happy Holiday/The Piece of the Week.

Greetings All,

Since I last posted I've had a birthday (58), been to Atlanta and it was cold (37 degrees) and when I left home (Chicago) it was cold (35 degrees). I also have been working hard on several pieces that I'm going to submit for exhibitions and think that I should not show them in total until I've heard from the committees. The images below are from one that I did for a mermaid exhibition and I have finally finished it last week all but the lable.

The piece below, "Gate-1" is my piece of the week. I was inspired by another gate piece that I created from some of my hand dyed and then painted fabric. I fused to peltex both sides and I love the feel of the fabric. I like the stablity and the quiltablity. I'm preparing for an open house this weekend. All the stores are having 3-day events and so is "Hand Works". I hope/pray that you all will have a safe/great/wonderful holiday.

SOFA/Piece of the week.

Greetings All,

The piece of this week is the sister piece to the "Landscape of Change" (right) piece that I created. I had a busy week and didn't get the chance to do much. I went to SOFA on Thursday night with my friend Judy Coasts Perez and we had a blast. So much great at to see. One of my favorite artist was there Woodrow Nash (below) and I was just in awe by seeing some of his new works.

I also fell in love with fiber artist Barbara lee-Smith (below right) I thought was just lovely and Karen Halt (left/center) had these little dresses that were painted, dipped in bees wax and then in resin were just darling. She also had done framed paintings that were done to match the theme of the dresses.

I also saw in person some of Twiga (below) great jewelry which I have only seen in books I love her use of big, bold beads and color. I returned to SOFA on Saturday and volunteered at the SAQA (studio art quilt associates) booth. I'm a new member and wanted to get out and meet some of the members. I saw Casey Puetz (below right) whom I know from PAQA ( Professional Art Quilt Alliance), Desiree Vaughn (below left)and other wonderful artist of both PAQA and SAQA. We were next to Fiber Arts magazine booth. Sunday Judy Coates Perez , her children and I went to brunch hosted by Prism and Function + Art Galleries in the Fulton Market District. Prism is all about contemporary glass and Function is about everything else. This was a art fill week/week end and my head is bursting with new ideas,

Yes We Did!

Greetings All,

Last night was a night of history as we all know by now. I was at home alone watching and then my children called one by one to talk about what they were watching on CNN and how they wish that they were here in Chicago with me and the masses. They both know that I'm not a big crowd lover so I would not be at Grant Park, but I would be watching as they were. I work when I get stress and I started on Saturday a small piece in honor of the ending of this election process (right-Landscape of Change-I) and I finished it after I went to vote on yesterday. I could not do the early voting being born in 1950 and I had to do it on the historical date. It was amazing standing in line with those that were there for the 1st time, those who brought there children and grandchildren and those that were much more mature than I and did not want to do an absentee ballot as they had done in the past because they too wanted to be a part of the history. The mood was just unbelievable all day long and the ending was just as awesome. Now the hard work begins and those of us that are of faith we must continue to keep prayerful for our president, nation and the world. Yes We Did!

Green Pastures/The piece of the week.

Greetings All,

This week has been a slow week. I've caught another cold from those wonderful little darlings at the day care center where I work out of. So I've not been feeling 100 %. I did another re-make of an older piece. "Green Pastures" has be made over twice now. I was thinking about a question I was asked last Saturday about how long dose it take you to make a piece? This question bugs me. I wonder if people ask painter or sculptors how long it takes them to create a piece? This piece has been in the making for three years and now it's finally finished I think.

Cover Stories and Wrapped in the Feeling

Greetings All,

The tapping of "Cover Stories" went well on Saturday. We had a panel of several levels of skills and types or preferences. I will post more when the DVD has been edit and sent out. Marian Haynes was a good host and I thank her for allowing me to be a part of the panel which included Ora Fireson, Gwen McGee-Boyd, myself and Sandy who's last name I forget. Sandy was the only new quilter. She just started earlier this year after battling cancer. She love to hand quilt and is a member of Marian "Options Quilters" group at Chicago State University.

I did get some more images from Anita Knox curator of "Wrapped in the Feeling". I can't wait until this exhibit comes closer to where I live so that I can see the pieces up close and in person. At the left are two coats by Aundra McCoy (left) called Hope For AIDS and Liani Foster (right) who made a wonderful dinner jacket. Anita Knox has two awesome pieces also in the exhibit (below) one is called "Ella and Sarah" (left) and the other is titled "Jazz" (right).

Aundra McCoy stunning coat in the show (above) that honors her own trials and tribulations facing breast cancer and also to those that have fought or are still fitting. Below is a photo of Barbara McCraw and Viciki Meek (left) and a photo of Vicki coat called "Mississippi Black and White" (right). Also at the bottom of this post is an image of the back of my "Over The Rainbow" coat. Thank you Anita, I forget to take pictures of the back of my coats.

Cover Stories

Greetings All,
On October 25, 2008 artist, "Options" quilt instructor, producer and host Marian L.Hayes (above) will premiere “Cover Stories” a live television production showcasing Chicago quilt makers. The program is part of the citywide month long "Chicago Artist Month"event. There will be a panel discussion on the role of quilts in the 21st century. Guest include Zetta Dupart, Yvonne Williams, Geraldine Woolfork, Ursulla Allen, Delores Sanders, Gwen Boyd-McGee, Ora Fireson, and Trish Williams. Program starts at 10 am at Chicago State University, Douglass Hall, 9501 S. King Drive in Chicago, IL 60628

Chicago Artists Month is an annual celebration of Chicago’s vibrant visual art community. Each October more than 200 exhibitions of emerging and established artists participate in openings, demonstrations, tours, open studios and neighborhood art walks at galleries, cultural centers and arts buildings throughout the city. For more information, call 312/744-6630 or visit http://www.cityofchicago.org/CulturalAffairs. Chicago Artists Month is organized by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and is made possible through the Presenting Sponsorship of 3Arts and the Lead Sponsorship of the Sara Lee Foundation.

Yesterday I got an email from Anita Holman Knox who is the curator for "Wrapped In The Feelings: The Story Coat Exhibition" at the TCC South Carillon Gallery in Fort Worth, TX. Anita sent me some images from the show and below are coats by Barbara McCraw (left), and Henry Leonard (right), and Vicki Meek (below center). From what I see of these they are just awesome. I look forward to seeing more from the other artists, Anita Holman Knox, Liani Foster, Jacqui Dorsey, Sammie Nicely and Aundra McCoy. At the very bottom is my one of my coats (Over The Rainbow). If you are in Forth Worth, TX or will be visiting do go and see the exhibition it will run until November 6, 2008.

Quilting in the City/Piece of the week

Greetings All,

This week pieces are some that I made last week and didn't feature. They are simple in there construction, but I love the colors. They are sewn to mat boards and are ready to be frame. They are small parts of a larger piece that I'm working on and there are two more to follow. "Rays-I" (left) is created with my hand dyed cotton and some of Sonji Hunt's hand painted fabric and glass beads. In "Morning Dew-I" (right) I also used some of my same cotton, silk and purchased hand dye cotton. Glass beads were also added to enhance. These works measure 8 by 9.5 inches plus the mats which are 12 by 12 squared. I painted the mat before sewing the pieces to them. I've fallen in love with these little pieces of art.

NTQG show "Quilting in the City" was as great as always and well attended. You can check out some of the photos on their website at http://www.chicagontqg.com/ in their Flickr album. This is also my last year for being a part of the guild. Because I want to focus on my art quilting I'm moving on to more groups where that is their main objective. I will also way have Needles and Threads in my heart because I've learned a great deal being a member of this group and they have allow me to be a part of their history.

Quilting in the City/The piece of the week.

Greetings All,

Today is the set up for NTQG annual quilt show "Quilting In The City" and I'm on my way to give an assisstance. The piece of this week are two of my jackets. I have so may wall hangings completed that there was no need to create anything new for the show and I got pieces that have only been see on my blog and not in person. "Mud Diva" (left) is the 1st jacket and is constructed of all types of Mud Cloths. It has a fringed binding, cuffs, patched pockets and a cruved hem front with side button loopes. I love Mud Cloth and have used it and have used it throughout my career. The next coat is called "Fringed" (right) becasue of the collar. It a wrap closure with dropped hem in back, patched pockets and matching fringed belt. I was on a fringed kick this term. The fabrics are hand dyed cotton, African cotton prints and quilters cottons. Mutli colored, but with lots of reds. Hot!

Quilting in the City-NTQG

Greetings All,

It's show time for the Needles and Threads Quilters Guild. So my focus has been on getting every thing ready for the show. If you are in Chicago, IL next weekend and can come to the show please do so there will be plenty to see both art, contemporary, and traditional. Also dolls and wearables.

SWAQ month meetings?

Greetings all,

I think the "Sew What Art Quilters" are coming a loose at the seams. We didn't meet again this month. This afternoon Gwen McGee Boyd will be a part of the Phantom Gallery opening at Murphy Hill Gallery along with Alice Alexander, Gwen Jones and others. I still have some of my work up at the Acme Arts Building and they are having another reception tonight. I plan to go there and by Masion Rouge Gallery to see works by Preston Jackson a professor, a supporter of other artists and a genius painter and sculptor (below). I'm on my way out to enjoy an evening of art.

Wrapped in the Feeling: The Story Coad Exhibition

Greetings All,

Today I got the postcard for Wrapped in the Feelings: The Story Coat Exhibition (above). This is a group exhibition that I'm a part of that's at the Carillon Gallery, Joe B. Rushing Center for the Preforming Arts at Tarrant County College South Campus in Fort Worth, TX. The group includes Barbara McCraw, Vicki Meek, Liani Forster, Jacqui Dorsey, Henry Leonard, Sammie Nicely, Audra McCoy and Anita Holman Knox who is also the curator. I am so very glad to be a part of this exhibition and thanks to Anita for including me. Below are images of two of the three pieces I have in this show (Kinda of Blue-left and Maple Rag-right). Opening reception and performance by South Campus Jazz Singer is October 9th from 6 -8 pm and gallery hours are noon-3 pm Monday through Thursday. The exhibtion is from October 9 til November 6, 2008.

Chicago Artists Month-2008

Greetings All,

Next month is "Chicago Artist Month" and this town will be jumping with all types of events. Yesterday I install pieces for the Phantom Gallery Chicago at Murphy Hill. Works by Gwen McGee-Boyd (below), Gwen Jones. Also there will more fiber artists, painters, installation artists, and sculptures. Opening reception is October 4, 4008 from 1 to 5 pm.

Last night I hung some of my own works (below) at the Bloomingdale Arts Building, 2418 W. Bloomingdale. This show will also be an extention of the Phantom Gallery those participating are in this venue are Alpha Burton, Benyamin Maccabee, Jennifer Scott, Debra McLendon, John Song just to name a few. Opening reception is October 4. 2008 from 6 t0 10

October 18 & 19 is the annual quilt show of Needles and Threads Quilters Guild. They are one of the oldest African American quilting guilds in Chicago and this is quilt show year "Quilting in the city". I have several of my pieces (below) in this show along with at lease a 100 others. The show is at Fernwood Park fieldhouse at 10436 S. Wallace St.

I also have several of my piece (below) at an exhibition at the Urban Art Retreat at 1957 S. Spaulding. "U.A.R. encourages people to learn from each other’s differences while overlapping our similarities through examining issues of violence and inequity in our society. " Opening reception is October 4, 2008 from 1 to 5 at the Liz Long Gallery.

I'm so amaze that I will have so much work on display at the same time. I also have some works that are going places that I didn't know about. Two of my pieces (below) are on their way to Ohio. I have three of if my pieces that are in shows around the country and 3 of my coats being sent off to a show in Texas for next month. This is truly a busy time and if you are in Chicago at all during these events do come out and support the arts/artists.