Common Threads: All Things Connected-2

Greetings All,
Here are some of the images of the wonderful works that are on exhibit at "Common Threads; All Things Connected" hosted by CWAC at St. Paul's Cultural Center, 2215 W. North Ave. Starting left to right: Baila Miller, Judith Roth, Joy Morshita, Clairan Ferrono, Sara Peak Convery, Victoris Senn, Karen Schuman, Bert Leveill, and Ruth Sikes. The show looks great for a no-traditional space and I'm so very glad to be in this group. Enjoy the image and links.

Smyrna, TN

My friend Pam is on a roll. Here are some more of her creations. She is determined to use up her stash of fabric and she's pulling out some oldies but goodies and I'm just loving them. Pam keep on trucking.

Collaboration Project/Smyrna, TN

Greetings All,


Here's Jabriah's collaboration piece (left) and I kept to the original work and didn't add anything other than the quilting. Jabriah is the youngest of the Henderson's and was tagging along with her sibling and I had to honor her as well. I'm so very grateful the lessons that are being learn by us all during this process.

One of my best friends that is now residing in Smyrna, TN sent me images of her latest creations and I just wanted to share them with you all. Pam has created a wonderful animal theme jacket and matching tote bag and I can't wait to see them and her in person. Way to go Pam.

Collaboration Project - Jamillah's piece

Greetings All,
I finally finished Jamillah's piece and again I'm so very happy with the results. I can't wait to show it to her for her response. I love the hand/texture of that the cloth takes on with all the paint applied. The glitter and metallic paints add a flavor that only they can add and I see why the children are drawn to them. Next I start on Jabriah's piece which will be more mix-media with paper, beads, etc.

Common Threads; All Things Connected

Greetings All,
I'm A member of CWCA (Chicago Women's Caucus for Art) and we are presenting a members exhibition at St. Paul Cultural center, 2215 W. North Ave, Chicago, IL for "Chicago Artistis Month". Gallery hours: Thursday, Friday, Saturday 12-5 pm Exhibit dates: Friday, October 2 thur Saturday, October 31st. Artists' reception: Saturday, October 17th, 4-6pm. So if you are in town do stop by. Metallic - V (below) is the piece that I've entered and I love the response that I've gotten thus far.

Play date with Jamal

Greeting All,

Yesterday I had another play-date with Jamal and here is is latest creation. He didn't explain his piece only to say that there was a bird, plane, sun, and a car in this piece. I just stood back and open paints as he asked. He did tell me that is first piece in our "Collaboration Project should remain in the orientation that he created it in so I've change that on the previous post. I hope that we get the chance to do at least on more. I will keep you posted.

Jamal's Piece

Greetings All,

Jamal's piece is finished and I didn't want to take away from his work so I just quilted heavely with Superior Primary color thread. Do click on the image for more detail view. This pieces was painted with Setacolor transparent, Tulip Slick, Tulip Pearl, and Tulip Glitter.

All paints were donated by Loraine Little and Michele Hardman, who I thank wholeheartedly for their contributions. Loraine also gave me the base fabric. I have decided to make this an on-going event/project not just with the Henderson, but with any child that shows an interest. The next piece that I will work on is Jamillah's and next Monday I have a play-date with my mentee who wants to explore fabric paint and I'm going to try to convince her to quilt it on her own. I will keep you posted on our "Collaboration Projects".

Play Date with the Hendersons

Greetings All,

Jamal finally got me to slow down and have a play-date with him and his sisters Jamillah and Jabriah. These are my next door neighbors children and Jamal has always asked me what I was doing, where I was going and could he help. We have a small space between the building were we live, so there we were again in the gang-way painting fabric. We did this last year and Jamal has been waiting to do it again. I'm so sorry that I put it off for so long and hope that we can get in a couple more days this year were we can do it again. I have started quilting Jamal's piece and we shall see what come of it. I would like to enter their pieces in shows and once we get accepted let them come and see their work on display. Who knows we may have a budding artist among us.

Chicago Jazz Festival Art Fair - Part III

Greetings All,

I got some wonderful photos today that were taken by photographer Kathy Hillegonds while I was vending at the Chicago Jazz Festvial Art Fair and thought that I would share them with you. Thanks Kathy for taking them and please check out her other photos at her Shutterfly site link.

I also met a awesome singer/artist by the name of Leena Conquest and we had a wonderful conversation about our work. The jazz fest did a tribute to grand Curtis Mayfield and Leena was one of the preformer who participated in that. This is a short film on her style and you can check out more on her Myspace site. This is one of the perks from vending that I love and that forming new relationships. Thank you Leena for sharing. Enjoy

I did aquire a new piece of art work for my collection from the offical jazz fest artist Patrick Crouch (right) which I just love. It adds that burst of color that I need in my life and he aquired one of my pieces (Trump-I below left) which I know that he loves. So it was just a love-fest between him and is brother Reginald. They were so very helpful and kind to Kem and I.

Chicago Jazz Fest Art Fair - Part II

Greetings All,

I made it through another weekend of vending and the city could not have looked any better. There were blue skies for days and the weather was just great. I met people from all over the planet and educated so many about what I do, why and how. The music was just wonderful and to my surprise there were some great high school bands that were just unbelievable with their talent.

Several of my large works found new homes and for that I am grateful. "Mother Water" (left) is gone to the east-coast and "To The Water" went to north-side of the city. Both of the pieces are water related and we were at the lake front all weekend. Hmmm?

My daughter Kemba came up from Georgia to give me a hand. Some of her friends were also visiting from Georgia and they came out to say hello. It was just great to meet Mama Graham and Grace as my daughter Kemba calls them. I also met an internet daughter Fallon Wilson who hung out with me and Kemba all afternoon on Friday and Fallon was just a delight. Tracy Lewis, mama Grace's daughter was also in attendance with one of her friends and we all had a great time.

Innovations in Textiles 8

I got my postcards for Made By Hand exhibit that is a part of Innovations In Textiles 8 in St Louis, MO. This is an regional juried fiber exhibition that the St Louis chapter of the Women's Caucus for Art. The chosen work for the postcard is by Nino Hecht and is titled "Housewife. Don't forget if you are in the area check out the exhibit and all the wonderful related works of art.

Made By Hand
Crossroads Gallery/Studios
501 N. Kingshighway, St. Charles, MO
Reception:
Friday Sept, 11, 7-9 pm
IT8 Bus Tour:
Saturday October 3
Felted Workshop W/Nino Hecht:
Sunday, October 4, 1-4 pm
for more info: wca-stl.org

Also my friend Judy Coates Perez is teaching two workshop during this event and lecturing. Mixed Media Painted Fabric and Tsukineko All Purpose Inks are her workshops on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 18th and 20th. For more info click on Missouri Fiber Artists . Well I'm off to my first day of vending at the Chicago Jazz Festival Art Fair.

Chicago Jazz Festival Art Fair

Greetings All,

This coming weekend I will be hanging out vending at the Chicago Jazz Festival. This will be a first for me and I hope/pray not the last. The art fair will be set up surrounding the north rose garden in Grant Park between Jackson Blvd and the famed Buckingham Fountain. I will be there for 3 days starting Friday and ending Sunday (Sept 4th, 5th, & 6th) from 11 am to 9:30pm each day and my darling daughter will be coming in from Georgia to lend me a hand and to just hang out with her mom.

The other fabulous artists/artisans in attendance are , Nnamdi African Origins, Wire Art Jewelry, Avril's Designs, Pretty Afrika Designs, Samsara Boutique, B&N Designs, Out of Africa, Ernani Silva, Cheryl Toles, Peter Hurley Studio, Sam Thread Art, Chester Allen, Patrick Crouch ("Official Artist"), Chris C. Crystals and More, Gallery Guichard, Third Generation Jewelers, Paul S. Benjamin, Kerream Jones, JJB Silver & More, Bayo Studio, Window to Imagination, Kit Enterprise LLC, and Semmerling & Schaefer Masks Studios.

The music line-up is great and some of my favorites are Dee Alexander, Esperanza Spalding, Fareed Haque, Muhal Richard Abrams, Von Freeman with the "New Apartment Jam", and Archie Shepp Quartet just to name a few. I am going to have a great time and if you are in town come on down to the fest and hear some wonderful music and stop by and say hello.

Innovations in Textiles 8

Greetings All,
My piece "Mother Earth" (right) from my mother series was accepted into the "Made by Hand" exhibit that is a part of the "Innovations in Textiles 8" event in St Louis, MO Sept 8 - Oct 8 at the Crossroads Art Studio and Gallery, 501 N. Kingshigway, St. Charles, MO. Made by Hand is regional juried exhibition sponsored by the St Louis Women's Caucus for Art. Opening reception, Sept 11th, 7-9 pm at Crossroads Art studio.

Other members of this exhibit are: Roxanne Phillips, Pat Owoc, Jennifer Weigel, Virginia Dragshutz, Clairan Ferrono, Nino Hecht, Lydia Brockman, Linda Elkow, Jean Mills, Janice Nesser, Kathy Weaver, Betsy Dollar, Christine Ilewski, Lisa Becker, Marie Samuels, Evie Shucart and Leslie Hume. I am in very good company and if you're in St. Louis, MO area check out the show and let me know what you think.

26th Annual Seaway Bank Art Fair

Greetings All,

I made it through another weekend of vending and above are the "We Three Quilter" (Charlotte Keith, Doris Barnes and friend). These ladies love machine embroidery and color. It was great seeing them and they won 3rd place in the fiber/doll category and I came in 2nd and Juliette Hurtz came in 1st. Above is Lori Watts-Branch, owner of "Sen Tea Mental Moods" relaxation & wellness specialty teas. I have been drinking Lori's teas all week and they are just wonderful. She also to me had the best display with her booth set-up it was just as relaxing as her teas.

Everett C. Williams (left) had for me the most interesting art and I love his laid back attitude. Gerald Sanders of "Studio Bronzeville" (below) and some of his students where there and I always look forward to seeing them and what they are doing. It is my desire to take classes with Gerald I love his technique and they way that he brings out the best in his students.

Bill Hill (below) of the "Murphy-Hill Gallery" was a 1st time exhibitor and I was great to see his wonderful photography. One of the most interesting artists to me was Dr. Yemonja Smalls (below) a clinical psychologist, specializing in treatment of behavioral disorders for children and adults. I love her colors, her sense of style and she has the most beautiful personality.

Eddie Hudson (below) is also one of my favorite artist and that is because he uses pencils/ball-point pens and dose lots of black/whites and I have a strong passion for black/white. It was great to see Eddie again this year.

The gathering of mature men, Babatunde (right) hanging out with one of his friends. Tunde is one of Chicago fabulous jewelry designers and is known across the country for his unique style. I own several of is small pieces and wear them with pride.

The "Over The Rainbow" coat was a hit again and it still has not found a home. This woman (right) told me that I was not going to be able to sell this coat until she went back to work next month because this coat belong to her. She asked to try it on and I agreed, but I didn't get her name She told me that she had seen me last month at the "Ethnic Festival" in Evanston, IL and had come to this event to see if her coat was still there. I will take it out again next month to the "Chicago Jazz Festival" Sept 4th, 5th, and 6th and we shall see if it sales then. The life on the road. I'm now on my way to "Artisans 21 Gallery" to do my bit for the day.

Artisans 21 Gallery

Greetings All,

I just returned from Artisans 21 Gallery dropping of some more small works and completing some paperwork. It's official now I am a member of the gallery and I'm very excited about that because this is a new beginning for me and I'm in some very good company. Do go to the website and check out some of the other artists. Two of the artists I just met within the last two months and one I've known for years, but never knew she was a part of this group, nor did I thinking about joining before. I am always amazed by life and for that I am thankful. The pieces I took I sewed them to mat-boards that I painted too complement. I notice that after a couple of months of hanging on the wall the pieces started to flop and needed more structure.

24th Annual Ethnic Arts Festival in Evanston, IL

Greetings All,
Well we survived another festival and I met some wonderful people as usual. This time I was amazed by the young people that wanted to take pictures of my work and in turn I took pictures of them and some of them immediately posed. I had a great time.

The new items that I took this time were the garments (left). The "Over The Rainbow" coat was the big hit. It got photographed with and without me and I even took a picture of it with and a friends that stopped by the booth (below). It also was modeled, stroked and praised, but it didn't find a new home yet.

Gwen McGee-Boyd (above right) had a great weekend also and here she is explaining one of her pieces. Gwen has a new website and do check her out at www.quiltingwithgwen.com/ It was a lovely weekend. Next month I will be at the "Seaway Bank"24th annual art fair on 15th and 16th from noon to 6 pm each day at 645 East 87th street. So if you are in the area come by and say hello. Summer in the city.

24 Annual Ethnic Arts Festival in Evanston, IL

Greeting All,

I'm still here I've just been planning for the "24th Annual Ethnic Arts Festival" in Evanston, IL. Last year was my first time doing this event and I want be alone, Gwen McGee Boyd of the "Sew What Art Quilters" is my sponsor and co-vendee. One day if rain for half a day and the second day was just a dream and people were out both days in spite of the weather and it's a beautful setting with lake Michigan as the backdrop.

I made a half dozen pantsuits (below) and finished several jackets/coats (above) for this weekend because last month that's what sold. I only sold two small art quilts, one apron and three jackets/coats. People keep asking about the pantsuits that I wear so this time I will try those. You never know what people want or will buy and I'm so very glad that I know how to do more that one thing. So if you are in Evanston, IL the 18th and 19th come by the festival and stop by booths 41 and 42 and say hello.