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.