Dinner at Eight Artists

Take The New Dinner At Eight Logo out for a blog date!

2012-01-31T06:00:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Indigo Perez we have a new blog badge and logo! Please feel free to take this to your own blog, along with our url (http://dinnerateightartists.blogspot.com/). Don't forget to stop by Indi's blog and take a look at more of her great work! Her photography is breathtaking.

TSB Artists involved in Foto/Fiber 2012

2012-01-19T07:17:00.000-08:00

Foto/Fiber 2012
90 Photos AND 90 BONUS Fiber Surprises
Beauty and Mystery Unite to Fight Cancer

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

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

Interviews in blue for d@8 artists
Artists donating BONUS fiber surprises include: Natalya Aikens,
Frances Holliday Alford, Pamela Allen, Liz Berg, 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, Lesley Riley, 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
Susan Schrott
Mary Ann Van Soest

More information on how Foto/Fiber 2012 works:
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.

The Space Between

2012-01-13T14:54:00.000-08:00

Quilting Arts Feb/March 2012 issue; feature about five of the quilts in the exhibit, including the cover - "Hope is The Thing" by Susan Brubaker Knapp and quilts by Susan Fletcher King, Sherry Kleinman, Jayne Larson and Linda Teddle Minton. We have a "cover girl." So excited!

The Space Between- Happenings!

2011-11-20T13:10:00.001-08:00

"Hey Doll Face" article written by Jamie Fingal and Leslie Tucker Jenison - about getting your gal pals together to attend the International Quilt Festival in Houston. One of the girls was doing the downward dog in front of Jayne Larson's quilt.

Dinner at Eight Artists toast on Friday, Nov 4 at Festival - 15 artists in attendance

The exhibit at Festival in Houston

The Space Between is featured in the Feb/March issue of Quilting Arts Magazine, with art quilts by: Susan Fletcher King, Sherry Kleinman, Susan Brubaker Knapp, Jayne Larson and Linda Teddle Minton.

Quilts sold in this exhibit include work by Karen Rips, Susan Brubaker Knapp and Jayne Larson - congratulations to you all!

The Space Between in Houston

2011-11-17T15:38:00.001-08:00

The Space Between exhibit in Houston at the International Quilt Festival

Our exhibit was off Main Street, just beyond the Twelve by Twelve exhibit

Dinner At Eight Artists have, well, Dinner At Eight in Houston!

2011-11-04T23:00:00.000-07:00

Friday evening at the Houston Quilt festival we were so excited to gather in Spencer's restaurant for our artist-dinner.
Just in case you aren't sure whether we have a great time together at our D@8 gatherings, please observe the following:

Indigo Perez, Judy Coates Perez' daughter, took a lot of photos of our evening.

I promise that Jamie and I will add more as soon as we receive them.

For some reason, I didn't get a shot of the entire table.

One of the unknown benefits of d@8 is you get to learn the fine art of "Spoonology".

Observe:

Barb Forrister (L) and Susan Fletcher King (with Judy & Indigo Perez)

practice their skills

Jamie sets her spoon up while Linda Teddlie Minton cracks up

There's a first time for everything - Terry Grant's first Festival and spoon experience!

some of us have other skills. Who is this?

Why, it is Ms. Napkinhead*

There is more than one way to practice Spoonology.

Just ask Susan Brubaker Knapp!

Gerrie Congdon says, "Wow, Susan! You have good spoonology skills!"

*Frances Holliday Alford

Houston Quilt Festival workshop, Friday, November 4, 2011 "Dreaming in Canvas: A Painted Quilt"

2011-11-04T17:00:00.000-07:00

Friday's workshop was super-fun, and our students made gorgeous collaboratively painted canvases and then turned their sections into beautiful, unique quilts! At the end of the day it was difficult to believe that these quilts originated from the same canvases. Everyone had a unique take on the project.
Here are a few shots of the progression of the paintings, followed by the quilts:

we even picked up some monoprints on watercolor postcards!

beautiful, messy hands...

canvas 1

canvas 2

the beginnings of a quilt

someone managed to find a "face" in her canvas swatch

aren't these quilts incredible?

Houston Quilt Festival workshop, Thursday 11/3/11, "Playful Painting On Canvas"

2011-11-03T17:15:00.000-07:00

Our students were so much fun! Here are a few shots of the progression of their two canvases:

We sincerely enjoyed working with everyone in our class, and the cards and journal covers the students made were awesome!

Here is the collection of canvas-embellished postcards that were subsequently mailed to the students:

Gorgeous!

A "Funscription"

2011-11-03T12:00:00.000-07:00

Many of you know that Jamie and I like to have fun wherever we go. My motto, and I believe I can speak for my teaching partner, is, "Don't Postpone Joy". With that in mind, I decided to dispense a few "prescriptions" at the International Quilt Festival in Houston this year:

These will be given to our workshop students.

We hope they will be filled with fun after our day-long workshop(s)!

International Quilt Festival - Houston 2011

2011-10-24T06:08:00.000-07:00

The Space Between, special exhibit has the work of 40 exceptional artists. The exhibit is located just off Main Street, as you walk into the exhibits from the vendor area, TSB will be on the left, just beyond the Twelve by Twelve exhibit.

Some have work in other exhibits at Quilt Market/Festival. During Festival, some will be teaching as Faculty and/or in Make-It-University, teaching a workshop or working in Open Studios. Here is a master list of Everything Festival

Exhibits
IQA: A World of Beauty

Barb Forrister - "Songbird"
Susan Fletcher King - "Beneath the Canopy"
Susan Brubaker Knapp -"Maximum Cat Nap" (which has won a ribbon!), and "Freckles." :

Judy Coates Perez "Oh Deer, Look What’s Become of Me!
Kathy York - "High Rise"
Group Quilt - "Artists' Garden" with Connie Hudson, Sherri McCauley, Kathy York, Leslie Tucker Jenison, Frances Holliday Alford, Barb Forrister, Annie Smith, Suzan Engler and Cindy Henneke

IQA - Silent Auction Quilt
Jamie Fingal

Beyond Borders
Susan Fletcher King "Alice's Odyssey (group quilt)

Celebrate Spring
Barb Forrister - "Generation Y:Song of Hope"

Eye of the Quilter
Cindy Cooksey, Jamie Fingal, Leslie Tucker Jenison, Rachel Parris

In Full Bloom
Barb Forrister - "Austin tatious"
Teresa Shippy - "in Bloom"

Lone Stars III
Barb Forrister - "Life's a Beach"
Barb Forrister - Lone Star Quilts (museum) "Little Boy Blue"
Judy Coates Perez - "Flora" (group quilt)
Judy Coates Perez - Lone Star Quilts (museum): "Tree of Life"
Kathy York - "A few of my Favorite Things," "Little Cities," and group quilts "Cosmic Curves," "I Sing the Flower Eclectic"

at Festival -"Group Conversation", a collaboration with Sherri McCauley, Connie Hudson, Leslie Tucker Jenison, Kathy York, Frances Holliday Alford, Barb Forrister, Pearl Gonzalez, Diane Sandlin

Tactile Architecture
Kathy York - "Central Park"
"Artists Village," a collaboration with Susan Else, Frances Holliday Alford, Pamela Allen, Frieda Anderson, Lisa Call, Jane Davila, Naomi Adams, Jamie Fingal, Barb Forrister, Vickie Hallmark, Connie Hudson, Leslie Tucker Jenison, Sherri McCauley, Judy Perez, Melanie Testa, Laura Wasilowski and Kathy York

Text of Textiles
Terry Waldron "A Gentle Heart"

Twelve by Twelve
Deborah Boschert
Terry Grant
Karen Rips

SAQA Texas
Kathy York - 3 small 9x12 quilts

FESTIVAL FACULTY

Tues, Nov 1st
Judy Coates Perez - #212 Tsukineko All Purpose Inks, Tues, 9 am

Wed, Nov 2
Judy Coates Perez -#314 Tea & Ephemera, Wed, 9am
Thurs, Nov 3
Susan Brubaker Knapp - #432 Wholecloth Painting – Botanicals
Judy Coates Perez - #412 Tsukineko All Purpose Inks
Jamie & Leslie - #425 Musical Chairs - all day
Friday, Nov 4
Susan Brubaker Knapp - #521 Start with a Photo
Judy Coates Perez - #552 Lecture: It's all in the Process, Fri, 9 am
Jamie & Leslie - #517 Dreaming in Canvas - A Painted Quilt - all day
Jane LaFazio - Recycled Circles (full) all-day
Jane LaFazio - Modern Needle Felting (full) evening

Sat, Nov 5
Susan Brubaker Knapp - #715 Thread Sketching – Dragonfly

MAKE-IT-UNIVERSITY
Open Studios
Thursday, Nov 2
2:50-4:50pm - Kathy York

Friday, Nov 3
10:30-12:30pm - Deborah Boschert
12:40-2:40pm - Barb Forrister

Saturday, Nov 4
2:50-4:50pm - Jamie Fingal
2:50-4:50pm - Leslie Tucker Jenison

WORKSHOPS in MIU
Thursday, Nov 312-1pm - Barb Forrister -Mixed Media Beads

Saturday, Nov 5
11:45am - Judy Coates Perez
1:15pm - The Sketchbook Challenge - Jane LaFazio, Jamie Fingal, Leslie Tucker Jenison
Surviving the Runway
5:30pm - Judy Coates Perez, Jane LaFazio, Jamie Fingal, Leslie Tucker Jenison

Last in the Line-up: The Curators' Quilts

2011-10-21T08:00:00.000-07:00


Jamie Fingal

"Soul Sisters"

Leslie Tucker Jenison

"Amsterdam Alley: The Shortcut Between"

We wish to thank all the artists who have created work for this exhibition. Your amazing energy has been an inspiration to both of us. We are both humbled and honored to have the opportunity to work with each of you.

Thank you so much!

Houston-bound, Part 10!

2011-10-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

Carolyn Ryan

"Pre-Teen Between"

Teresa Shippy

"Twins"

Gayle Simpson

"Mind The Gap"

Cynthia St. Charles

“Spring Blossoms aka Yearning for an End to Winter”

Houston-bound, Part 9!

2011-10-18T08:18:00.000-07:00

Jeanne Palmer Moore

"The Red Tomato"

Gwen Mayer

"Saber Dancers"

Susie Monday

"Reading Between The Lines"

Houston-bound, Part 8!

2011-10-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

Susan Brubaker Knapp

"Hope Is The Thing"

Pamela Price Klebaum

"Figure and Ground"

Jane LaFazio

"Industrial Aged"

Sherry Kleinman

"The Family Tree"

Houston-Bound, Part 7!

2011-10-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

Frances Holliday Alford

"Pisces"

Astrid Hilger Bennett

"Anticipation"

Terry Grant

"Between Mother and Child"

Betty Amador

“Symphonic Dances”

Houston-Bound, Part 6!

2011-10-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

Natalya Aikens

“Steni Mezhdu Sosedyami/Walls Between Neighbors”

Paula Chung

"Intervals"

Joanell Connolly

“Life Happens In the Space Between”

Linda Frost

"Black and White"

Houston-Bound, Part 5!

2011-10-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

Loris Bogue

"Sedimentary Silk"

Deborah Boschert

"Fence and Flourish"

Cindy Cooksey

"Between The Air Conditioner And The House"

Barb Forrister

"Lost Cavern"

Houston Bound, Part 4!

2011-10-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

Lyric Kinard

"Dream"

Linda Teddlie Minton

"The Antechamber"

Rachel Parris

"Sands Of Time"

Wen Redmond

"Trees Singing"

Houston-bound, Part 3!

2011-10-07T20:43:00.000-07:00

Laura Cater-Woods

"Fault Lines"

Julie Schlueter

"Knee High To A Grasshopper"

Sarah Ann Smith

"Clothed In Color"

Karen Rips

"Spinal Study 1"

QSOS Comes to Houston!

2011-09-30T20:12:00.000-07:00

We Need YOU!

Have you heard of Quilters: Save Our Stories? This is a major endeavor by the Alliance For American Quilts. The purpose is to document the stories of quilts and the people who make them. Our goal is to document as many stories as possible. To commemorate the launch of the new book by Karey Bresenhan and Nancy Bryant Puentes, "Lone Stars III", the Alliance will be capturing as many of the stories that feature the quiltmakers in the book as possible during the course of the International Quilt Festival.

If you are planning to be in Houston for the festival, please consider a donation of your time. This rewarding project will be well worth the time spent!

This is an all-star team already, but we will need many more volunteers! Depending on how many morning and afternoon sessions each volunteer takes on we will need between 22-48 volunteers per day. So I need your help with recruiting! Please help us by circulating this call for volunteers to any websites, blogs, lists, newsletters, FB pages, cork boards or refrigerator doors you manage or contribute to.

The "I'm Volunteering" logo can be used on your own website, blog, FB page that tells everyone you are volunteering. Please direct all potential volunteers to this page on our website, which contains a link to our volunteer registration survey:

http://www.allianceforamericanquilts.org/qsos/2011IQFinfo.php

The Space Between: Houston-bound (Part 2)

2011-09-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

Here are three more of the lovely quilts that will grace the George R Brown convention center during the International Quilt Festival, November 3-6, 2011.

"Forest of Blues"

Desiree Habicht

"Blue Towers"

Kathy York

"Breathing Space"

Jayne Larson

"Schooling Through The Jellies"

Susan Fletcher King

The Space Between - Houston Bound!

2011-09-23T22:05:00.000-07:00

40 artists interpret the theme "The Space Between" to create this amazing exhibit. All of the quilts are the same size 36W x 48H vertical format. The exhibit will be shown at the International Quilt Market Oct 29-31, and Festival in Houston - Nov 2-6; If you would like to read the artists profiles from this exhibit, they are here. Three bright and vibrant art quilts from the exhibit!

"Black and Bloom All Over" by Judy Coates Perez

"Storybook" by Yvonne Porcella

"Meadow Gold" by Terry Waldron

Artist Houses, Part Two!

2011-08-27T16:00:00.000-07:00

In the Artist Houses workshop at CREATE mixed media retreat, Chicago, the day was divided into two sections: morning was devoted to creating layered patterns onto the surface of Hoffman fabric, as well as a variety of paper, using gelatin monoprinting and handmade stamps. During the second half of the day, students selected from their printed surfaces and color laser images of doors and windows and began to assemble their house designs, which were fused together with Mistyfuse and stitched to window screen.
Take a look:

Students cut backgrounds for the houses, then used the smaller pieces to create accents
behind doors and windows

decisions, decisions!

color laser copies of doors and windows were cut

and glued to the surface with matte medium

houses were stitched to window screen on the beautiful

Bernina B350 sewing machines

Each student used her beautifully textured cloth and paper to

create a series of amazing houses!

Yay!

Part 1 of Folding Artists Houses at Create

2011-08-27T09:23:00.000-07:00

Using a variety of unconventional tools, students created
wonderful textured backgrounds on Hoffman fabric
as well as a variety of paper to use in their Artist Houses

Morning portion of our class "Folding Artists Houses" at Create in Chicago; gel printing with Gelli Arts printing plates onto Hoffman Fabrics hand-dyed fabrics

Sample Artists Folding Houses

class room set up with Bernina B350 sewing machines

the building of layers of paint, pattern and design using acrylic paint and gel plates

Later, these background monoprints were layered with students' handmade stamps!

stay tuned for this afternoon!

CREATE mixed media retreat class: "Aprons As Personal Armor"

2011-08-25T07:53:00.000-07:00

This student from another class drops in to try on my sample apron

The Aprons As Personal Armor class at CREATE Chicago was small, but mighty! Our students worked hard throughout the day to create wearable constructions from cloth and trim. The classroom was an explosion of color and texture! We brought many types of trim and ephemera for students to choose from to add to what they brought from home. I brought a bag of bits and pieces of cloth from previous projects that had Mistyfuse added. Using Mistyfuse and stitch to assist with their creations, each student left with a great start on her apron. We can't wait to see the end-results!

Our students got a great start on their designs and embellishments

There was a great deal of laughter and banter throughout the day. What fun!

2011-08-21T12:43:00.001-07:00

"The Space Between" at Festival in Long Beach

2011-08-03T16:10:00.000-07:00

"The Space Between" at the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach - July 2011 - sponsored by Moore's Sewing Centers. The exhibit was on Main Street (prime location), and was the first exhibit on the right coming from the vendor area. Judy Coates Perez ,has pictures on her blog too.

Side Corner facing Main Street - (L-R) Judy Perez, Kathy York, Yvonne Porcella, Cynthia St. Charles

Middle Corner facing Main Street (L-R) Jeannie Moore, Joanell Connolly, Astrid Bennett, Linda Frost

Left Side facing another exhibit - Desiree Habicht, Susan King, Linda T. Minton, Lyric Kinard, Frances H. Alford, Sarah Ann Smith

Back Side Middle; this is the view when people come from the front of the exhibit area; Susan B. Knapp, Barb Forrister, Betty Amador, Deb Borshert, Sherry Kleinman

Looking at the Middle Section from Main Street

Side view

Looking towards Main Street

Left Side Corner - Jamie Fingal, Leslie Jenison, Laura Cater-Woods, Jayne Larson

Looking from Main Street through the exhibit

Right Corner of Middle - Terry Waldron, Gayle Simpson, Susie Monday, Carolyn Ryan

Right Side - facing inside of exhibit - Teresa Shippy, Cindy Cooksey, Gwen Mayer, Julie Schlueter, Pam Klebaum

Moving onto - Jane LaFazio, Paula Chung

Switch to the wall on the other side (inside corner) that parallels the previous wall - Natalya Aikens, Terry Grant

which corners this wall, that parallels the wall on the other side - Loris Bogue, Wen Redmond, Rachel Parris, Karen Rips

Scenes from our workshops in Long Beach (Part 2)

2011-07-30T16:00:00.000-07:00

Saturday, July 30th, "Playful Painting On Canvas"
During this 3-hour afternoon workshop we narrowed the width of our canvases and created 2 painting environments. As always, our students amazed us with their unique painting styles. The other point that fascinates us is that, in every single workshop, the two canvases develop their own unique "personalities".
Take a look:

Students move to different "spots" on the canvas to paint.

We ask the students to work in areas they have not painted into previously at first,

and we switch who they are positioned near to change up the style of the painting!

Below are details from the canvases:

many hands make the canvas rich and textural!

Students hold up one of the finished canvases, before it

gets cut into sections!

Here are the two finished canvases.

Students took 2 sections from EACH painted canvas.

Imagine all the possibilities that could be created from these beautiful

painted canvases!

A note to our workshop students: We LOVE to see what you create with your canvas sections!

Please share photos of your finished items with us!

Scenes From Our Workshops in Long Beach (Part 1)

2011-07-29T18:00:00.000-07:00

"Musical Chairs: A Painted Canvas Adventure"
Our day-long workshop in Long Beach CA was small, but mighty! Our students created 2 wonderfully colorful canvases, which were subsequently divided into smaller sections. Since we have learned through experience that people fall in love with certain areas (those boyfriends) we turn the sections face-down, mix them up, and each student selects the pieces.
After the canvas section are selected the group settles into the 2nd phase of the workshop: working into the painted canvas with markers, cutting shapes and sections, and creating amazing cards, journal covers, and ATCs from their customized canvas. The results were amazing! Take a look:

students in the initial stages of painting the gessoed canvas..

the canvas evolves...

a second canvas, with a distinct personality!

students gather around a work table to share markers, glue,

and stories

creating postcards and memories

what will this be?

A few of the finished postcards, stamped, and ready to be mailed to their makers

as a memory of the day we shared!

International Quilt Festival in Long Beach, CA

2011-07-14T20:15:00.000-07:00

Dinner at Eight Artists presents "The Space Between" a juried invitational,

at the International Quilt Festival at the Long Beach Convention Center - July 29-31, 2011

co-curated by Jamie Fingal and Leslie Tucker Jenison
sponsored by Moore's Sewing Centers and Brother International

Forty Artists - Natalya Aikens, Frances Holliday Alford, Betty Amador, Astrid Bennett, Loris Bogue, Deborah Borschert, Paula Chung, Joanell Connolly, Cindy Cooksey, Barb Forrister, Linda Frost, Terry Grant, Desiree Habicht, Lyric Kinard, Susan Fletcher King, Pam Klebaum, Sherry Kleinman, Susan Brubaker Knapp, Jane LaFazio, Jayne Larson, Gwen Mayer, Linda T. Minton, Susie Monday, Jeannie Moore, Rachel Parris, Judy Perez, Yvonne Porcella, Wen Redmond, Karen Rips, Carolyn Ryan, Cynthia St. Charles, Julie Schlueter, Teresa Shippy, Gayle Simpson, Sarah Ann Smith, Terry Waldron, Laura Cater-Woods, Kathy York, Leslie Tucker Jenison and Jamie Fingal.

TSB Artist, Loris Bogue has designed an exhibit book for us. Blurb Book is available to purchase here

White Glovers in TSB Exhibit

Friday, July 29th

1:30-3:30 - Cindy Cooksey
3:30-5:30 - Teresa Shippy

TSB Artists have work in these exhibits -

West Coast Wonders
Sherry Kleinman
Terry Waldron
Celebrate Spring!
Barb Forrister
Text on Textiles
Barb Forrister
SAQA: The Creative Force
Paula Chung
Leslie Tucker Jenison

TSB Artists Volunteering their time in the SAQA Booth
Pam Klebaum, Carolyn Ryan, Karen Rips, Gwen Mayer, Sherry Kleinman, Julie Schlueter, Jayne Larson and Teresa Shippy.

TOURS, FACULTY, MAKE IT UNIVERSITY

SAQA Docent Tour
Terry Waldron - Sat, July 30 from 11-12pm

FESTIVAL FACULTY
You can sign up for classes at the show!
Thursday, July 28th
Jane LaFazio
#210 Recycled Circles - All Day Class
Judy Perez
#214 Tsukineko Inks - All Day
Jamie Fingal/Leslie Jenison
#204 Musical Chairs - All Day
Friday, July 29th
Judy Perez
#312 Heavy Metal - All Day
Jane La Fazio
#309 Monoprints on Cloth - All Day
Saturday, July 30th
Judy Perez
#413 Tea & Ephemera - All Day
Jamie Fingal/Leslie Jenison
#432 Playful Painting on Canvas - 2-5pm
Saturday Sampler
Terry Waldron

MAKE IT UNIVERSITY
Workshops $15 Cash/Lottery
Thursday, July 28th
7:00-8:00pm - Judy Perez
DeColorant
Friday, July 29th
1:30-2:30 - Jeannie Moore
Stitch and Paint Flower Pins
3:00-4:00 - Leslie Jenison/Jamie Fingal
Scrappy Pin Cushions
Saturday, July 30th
11:45-12:45 - Jane LaFazio
Drawing and Watercolor a Flower
Sunday, July 31st
11:30-12:30 - Leslie Jenison/Jamie Fingal
Scrappy Pin Cushions

MIU - OPEN STUDIOS
Friday, July 29th
10:15-12:15 - Jeannie Moore
12:30-2:30 - Jamie Fingal/Leslie Jenison

Saturday, July 30th
10:15-12:15 - Jamie Fingal/Leslie Jenison

MIU/SURVIVING THE RUNWAY
5:30-7:00pm - Join us for some fun!

CREATE in Lisle, IL

2011-07-08T07:12:00.000-07:00

CREATE with Cloth Paper Scissors in Lisle, IL
Wed, Aug 24th to Sun, Aug 28th Retreat

Folding Artists Houses - Sat, August 27th from 9-4pm


Apron as Personal Armor - Thurs, August 25th from 9-4pm

Teaching at Festival in Long Beach

2011-06-09T07:25:00.000-07:00

Leslie Tucker Jenison and Jamie Fingal will be team teaching at the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach, California - July 27-31st at the Long Beach Convention Center. We are very excited about being part of the "faculty!"

Thur, July 28th - 6 hour class - 9am to 5pm
#204 Musical Chairs: A Painted Canvas Adventure - join us for a fun filled day of free-style painting on canvas, where students will change seats when the music stops, to create a collaborative painting on canvas. Each student will receive a section to make the following items below -

from the painted canvas, students will create one-of-a-kind art cards, ATC, postcards and a cover for a sketchbook

Sat, July 30th - 3 hour class - 2-5pm
#432 Playful Painting on Canvas - come release your inner child and paint a collaborative canvas. Each student will receive a section to take home.

Make-It-University - Scrappy Pin Cushions - recycle an Altoid tin to create a unique and fun pin cushion. MIU is a lottery system, so come early to put your name in the appropriate container for each day. Arrive at least 15 min ahead of time, so if they call your name, you will get in the class. Classes are $10 cash.

Fri, July 29th - 3:00-4:00pm

Sun, July 31st - 11:30-12:30pm

Questions for Curators - from TSB Artists

2011-05-31T22:47:00.000-07:00

1. What are your final decisions based on? (Statement, Cohesiveness, Color)
J- Good design, how it relates to the statement, and does it go with the exhibit.
L-We consider each entry on its own merit in terms of composition, value, and overall design. Then, we look at the artist statement, how it relates to the theme, and how it fits into the collective exhibition.
2. How long does the process take? (Start to finish)
J- We were not together in the same room this year, so it took a bit longer - 2 weeks. Last year, we were together and it took 2 days.
L-This year we set up a private blog to view the entries and comment back and forth to one another. It took a bit longer, but I think it worked well since we were unable to work directly with one another.
3. How do you and Leslie determine the equal balance of selections?( When you both live in different states).
J- The exhibit is determined as a whole - the big picture. And then how pieces relate to one another. That is what the 4x6 photos are for.
L-I think we answered these questions in #2, but one thing we do is look at which pieces will look good together so the collective body of work flows for the viewers.
4. Each year you always seem to come up with a theme that appeals to a broad range of interpretations. How do you do it?
J-We start brainstorming about the theme as soon as we can, with e-mails and then narrowing it down to a specific few. Having our private blog helps too, because the brainstorming is there, anytime we need to review it. We discuss how it could be interpreted, and do we find inspiration in the theme ourselves.
L-Sometimes we struggle with the theme because we want something that can have both a representational or a more esoteric interpretation. We have started a list of potential themes and we are frequently discussing this during the times we are together, tossing ideas back and forth.
5. What is your absolute favorite part of curating an exhibit? (or your top 3 favorite things?).
J-The artists rising to the challenge to make a piece of amazing artwork, to the statements, and then seeing the exhibit hanging at Festival in Long Beach for the first time!
L-I have to agree with Jamie. I would add that I consider it an honor that the artists are willing to rise to the challenge and submit their work for the exhibitions.
6. I'm curious how the two of you find time for your personal work, along with traveling, teaching classes, and promoting us?
J- This is the first year that this has been a challenge. With our other projects, TV tapings, curating, teaching, it has been difficult to find time to make a piece for The Space Between.
L-LOL! Yes! This year, I think we both have been squeezed a bit! We have had some amazing opportunities this year: both of us were asked to contribute work to two books, both to be published in 2012. We both taped workshop dvds for Interweave, and we are teaching more this year. I serve on the board of the Alliance for American Quilts, as well. I really have to protect my studio work time!
7. How do you find balance, doing all that you do?
J- Ha ha - always looking at what is more important - what is the bottom line? What don't I really have to do, what is making me crazy? Just do it. And alot of post-it-notes and lists all over my studio. I try to leave it in my studio on the weekends, so that helps with balance. I do have a very supportive and understanding husband, which I am quite happy about.
L-Yowza! Balance?! Well, Jamie and I are at a point in our lives where are responsibilities with our children are much lighter, since they are all grown and on their own or away at college the majority of the time. Our spouses are very supportive of what we do. My dog isn't quite as gracious about my absence, but she is adjusting. Jamie and I are both really focused people. We have a great partnership and we bring different strengths to the table. It just seems to work.
8. Do you have any tips on traveling, from the standpoint of teaching and/or showing your work?
J- Be organized and know what you can do. Share what you have learned. I think it’s important to get your best work out there in the quilting world, so that your name and style can be recognized by your future students. Leslie and I always bring a few small pieces to share with our class about what we do, even if the class has nothing to do with quilt making.
L-The work in the studio really should inform everything else. That is my humble opinion. I have to keep pushing myself as an artist all the time. The joke (that isn't really a joke) at Art Cloth Studios is, "Just Do The Work". Keep making stuff, even when you don't know what to make. Get in there and do something. I love to teach, and was a community health educator in my former career as an RN. I love being able to bring that skill set to this world.
9. What's your new favorite toy?
J- 2 Things - Martelli Notions self-healing cutting mat and non-slip ruler and my Havel scissors, rotary cutter, nippers, pinking shears, and I want the GO cutter that Leslie has.
L-I love two new things: Havel everything (scissors, rotary cutter, nippers) and my shiny new Go! cutter. I named mine "Go Gettem!"
10. How do you market the show to attract sponsors?
J- It all comes down to who you know, and who you feel comfortable with in sending a sponsorship letter to and then following up with them. We have had great exhibits, amazing artists and artwork, a blog, good exposure, etc - it all comes full circle. I always hope that companies would jump at the chance to sponsor our exhibits. A girl can dream.
L-Our personal contacts in the quilt world. As our exhibitions are getting attention from a variety of media and more people are aware of the exhibitions, we hope that we will continue to partner with companies to showcase the artists.
11. How do you resolve differences or disputes between the co-curators? Rock, paper, scissors?
J- Very diplomatically. Compromises can be made one to another. Variety is the spice of life!
L-Some people are surprised to hear this, but I think it is really good that we often do not agree on the pieces to be selected.   We will both argue, sometimes passionately, for certain pieces to be included. It comes down to evaluating the pieces for their strengths, and then we often compromise over several quilts.
12. What is the best thing and what is the worst thing about being a curator?
J- Having a stunning exhibit. Sending rejection letters.
L-I feel honored to be able to see all these amazing works of art. It is an absolute thrill to see the selected quilts hanging in a show! As Jamie said, declining someone's work is an unpleasant task.
13. Do you think it is helpful to have a consistent size for all the pieces in an exhibition. If so, why?
J-The same size gives the exhibit a unified look. Easier to store in my studio. It is easier to hang, because they are all the same size, and instead of looking how uneven pieces hang together, you can concentrate your efforts on how the color and design hangs together.
L-Since our themes allow so much room for interpretation the uniform size provides a stunning visual cohesiveness to the collective group. We must stack the quilts and roll them into a gigantic 'burrito" for shipping and storage between shows. Having one size makes this much, much easier.
14. What was your reason for wanting to curate?
J-I have curated many exhibits and have always found it both a challenge and quite fun to put together a show with the work of many talented artists, with different styles, color palettes, design elements and achieve a knock out exhibit. When I found out that IQF was coming to Long Beach in 2008, I put together an exhibit, "Everything Under the Sun" which showcased group quilts all about Long Beach. Asking Leslie to join me in curating Edges in 2009 was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
L-I have curated numerous exhibitions in a small gallery I was involved with here in San Antonio. Jamie and I co-curated an online exhibition, and she invited me to co-curate Edges. The rest is history!
15. I'd love to know how your would express your goals/mission/intentions in curating the exhibit. And how you feel you have achieved it.
J-I defer to what Leslie says below -
L-The goals are (hopefully!) outlined in our call for entry with each exhibition. The mission is always the same: we ask artists to interpret a theme in the form of a quilted construction that is specifically created for the exhibition. Once that process as culminated in the submission of the finished quilt, we have the opportunity to explore what the artist has decided to create. If the art reflects the theme, has good composition, use of color, value, and perhaps even texture, and we can understand the meaning of the piece through a well-articulated artist statement, we feel we have achieved our purpose as curator/jurors.

Jamie Fingal - Orange, CA

2011-05-31T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise? I am an artist, but when referring to my art quilting - I am a Contemporary Quilt Maker...or perhaps a Rebel Quilter.
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump? This does not occur very often, but when it does, I go shopping to see colors, shapes and patterns. The dish department can be very inspirational. I also enjoy taking pictures of obscure items.
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art? Public art projects for local libraries, schools and non-profits. Can you imagine the possibilities?!
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.? Yes, I keep a sketchbook/journal of my ideas for projects, and a record of every piece I make during a given year, complete with title, size and artists statement. I keep a running list of what pieces are available to enter in shows. I also carry a small sketchbook in my purse, because you never know where or when inspiration will come from.
5. Where can people see your other work this year? The Sketchbook Challenge on-line. 101 Patchwork Projects magazine. I taped a segment for Quilting Arts TV Series 800 at IQF Cincinnati. My art quilt "Soul Sisters" is traveling with the Alliance for American Quilts - Grand Prize Winner 2011. Upcoming Workshop DVD for Quilting Arts about color, design and working abstract. Sacred Threads exhibition in Virginia June 22-July 4th. I made a zippy 3-D house for the Artists Village, an invitational project by Kathy York. The House Quilt Project - making house quilts for wounded warriors (url below). My artwork will be featured in two mixed media books next year.
6. Do you teach? Yes! International Quilt Festival in Long Beach (July) and Houston (Nov). Create in Chicago (August) and the schedule is on this blog.
7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why? Long admirer of Klimt, Kandinsky, and Kahlo. In my work as a quilt artist, Terrie Mangat and Yvonne Porcella for their whimsical delight.
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday? A girl can dream... Quilt National and Quilt Visions.
9. Describe your studio workspace. 600 square feet divided into 4 rooms in an office park that is less than a song away from my house. Design room with fusing table and stash, 2 sewing stations, a design wall, an office, and a really messy storage room. It's a sacred place.
10. What 3 tools could you not live without? Only 3? Who came up with this number? I'm going with 5 - Sewing machine, Mistyfuse, scissors, Bess 2 and a digital camera.
11. What drives you to make the work that you do? I have something to say! Sometimes with serious intent, but most times, just fun. It's inside me and yearning to get out on paper and cloth. Make time for art!
12. How do you balance your life? Family first. Studio time is Monday through Friday and I rarely bring work home. I think that having my studio out of the house has helped me to balance my life. It's not perfect, but it works for me. And yoga is a part of my life too. My nights and weekends are devoted to the two of us, family and friends. I still make dinner almost every night, which I enjoy and my husband (my biggest fan) and I love to entertain.

http://JamieFingalDesigns.blogspot.com/

http://www.JamieFingalDesigns.com/
http://SketchbookChallenge.blogspot.com/
http://TheHouseQuiltProject.blogspot.com/

Friends at Festival - Interview

2011-05-28T05:56:00.000-07:00

Friends at Festival - Interview

Friends at Festival - e-zine newsletter brought to us by the International Quilt Festival. Our interview with Rhianna White, about Leslie Tucker Jenison and Jamie Fingal in regards to our co-curating adventure with Dinner at Eight Artists. Our newest special exhibit "The Space Between" will debut at the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach this summer. Check it out here

Leslie Tucker Jenison - San Antonio, TX

2011-05-27T03:09:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise? A mixed media textile artist.

2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump? I shift gears and work in another medium. Often, spending time looking at things and photographing them will open something up for me. I'm never at a loss for ideas, but sometimes get stuck as to how to interpret them.

3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art? I would travel to far-flung places to soak in the differences in culture. I would divide my time between traveling, working in my studio, and teaching. One thing informs the others.

4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.? Yes, I keep several types of sketchbooks: I use one in a sort linear way, making notes to myself about creative ideas, sketches of pieces I intend to work on. I carry a smaller, "moleskin-type" of journal when I travel, where I write things about the experience, tape in museum stubs, restaurant cards, and a variety of ephemera to memorialize the experience. I use another book to keep surface design notes about fabric dyeing and various processes. Finally, I have a larger journal that I use for life-drawing.

5. Where can people see your other work this year? This has been a busy year for me: I have contributed work to two different mixed-media books that will be released in 2012. I just finished taping a surface design workshop dvd for Interweave, which will be offered for sale sometime later this summer or early fall. I taped a television segment for Quilting Arts TV Series 800 during the International Quilt Festival in Cincinnati. As to my personal work: I participated in a fundraising event for the American Cancer Society, and I created a 3-dimensional structure that is part of a collaborative "artist village" which we hope will be juried into Tactile Architecture this year. I am working on several textile constructions at the moment. I am honored to have work that is traveling with SAQA Creative Force 2010 which will be shown at the International Quilt Festival, Long Beach. I hope to have work in World of Beauty, 2011, but that remains to be seen!

6. Do you teach? where? Yes, I taught at the International Quilt Festival in Cincinnati, and will be teaching at the festivals in Long Beach and Houston. I will be teaching at the CREATE! mixed media retreat in Chicago in August 2011. I also teach occasionally at a local quilt shop,when time allows.

7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why? I don't believe I can narrow it down to one. I am generally influenced by the late 19th and early 20th century painters. On a more personal level, I think there are four artists who turned the course of direction in my work: Debra Lunn, Nancy Crow, Jane Dunnewold, and Hollis Chatelain. Each of these artists has taught me a great deal, either by example or from direct interaction, or both. I have learned a great deal from each of them.

8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday? I would be thrilled to have work juried into Quilt National and Visions.

9. Describe your studio workspace. I work in two different studios. I have a large home studio that is not ideally configured for wet (surface design) work, so I have the good fortune of sharing studio space with several artists at Art Cloth Studios.
10. What 3 tools could you not live without? My sewing machine, my silk screen, and my imagination.
11. What drives you to make the work that you do? I have a series of stories to tell. I am fortunate to be able to tell them through words, cloth, and paper.
12. How do you balance your life? Always challenging, this equation has become much easier for me in the past several years as my children have grown and left home. Since my husband is equally passionate about his pursuits it is easy to be supportive of one another. The scale is never truly balanced: sometimes one side needs more time and energy than the other. Family is always my highest priority.

http://leslietuckerjenison.blogspot.com/
http://sketchbookchallenge.blogspot.com/

Kathy York - Austin, TX

2011-05-26T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise?   I usually refer to myself as an artist.
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump?   I juggle multiple projects. It helps to always have something that is easy to do and ready to pick up.
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art?   If money wasn't an issue, I would love to hire someone to help find venues and buyers for my work. That way I could devote more of my time to creating art.
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.? I do keep a sketchbook, but mostly use it when I am traveling.
5. Where can people see your other work this year? shows, books, magazines, etc
I have a piece in Volusia, Wrapped in Fiber. I also have a quilt in Quilt National 2009 that runs until the end of 2011, though I am not sure if any other venues are slated. I have two quilts appearing in Lone Stars III: A Legacy of Texas Quilts, 1986-2011 coming out this fall.
6. Do you teach? where? I have taught workshops for guilds related to my lectures, but am not currently scheduling any workshops.
7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why? Frank Gehry, Hundertwasser, Van Gogh, Georgia O'Keefe, Frida Kahlo, Hollis Chatelain, Inge Mardal and Steen Hougs, and many, many others. Mostly when I see art that I like, I feel inspired.
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday? I would love to have a solo show in an art museum featuring a series of my work, or perhaps a retrospective.
9. Describe your studio workspace. I have a sewing studio with design walls and storage and sewing machines. I also use my laundry room to do my dyeing. And, I have taken over half of my garage for batik work.
10. What 3 tools could you not live without? My hands, sewing machine, and scissors.
11. What drives you to make the work that you do? I have no idea.
12. How do you balance your life? In bits and spurts. During a productive period I get a burst of energy to create. Then after I finish a piece, I tend to the things that were forgotten or postponed, like housecleaning and gardening.

http://aquamoonquilts.blogspot.com/

Deborah Boschert - Crofton, MD

2011-05-25T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise? I'm a fiber artist. I clarify that by explaining that I make collages with fabric and stitching. Around quilters, I often say I'm an art quilter since the quilting world has a good concept of what that means.
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump? I'm never at a loss for ideas but sometimes I get in a bit of a funk when I am not able to bring my ideas to life with the materials, techniques or time I have at hand. Then I really have to get creative and find new solutions or revise my vision of a particular piece of art.
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art?   Honestly, I'm not sure that money is what's holding me back. It's time and discipline. That said, I would love to do more fiber art projects with students in my local schools. I did an art quilt project with fourth graders that was an inspiring experience for the kids and for me.
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.?   I like to make sketches of possible compositions for art quilts. Sometimes I sketch the same thing over and over just playing with the proportion of different elements. My sketchbooks also include lists of various techniques I'd like to try, materials I'd like to include and things I need to pick up on my next trip to the art supply store.
5. Where can people see your other work this year?   I am thrilled to be one of the authors of Twelve by Twelve: The International Art Quilt Challenge, so you can see lots of my small art quilts in that book. The quilts from the book will also be on display at the International Quilt Festival in Houston. I also have a quilt traveling all over the country with the exhibit "Thread Tails and Vapor Trails" which celebrates the one hundredth anniversary of naval aviation. I wrote an article for Volume 2 of In Stitches emag about using sheer fabrics to create silhouettes. And I just got word that my quilt Refuge Radiant will be in the Sacred Threads exhibit.
6. Do you teach? I love teaching. It is so exciting to see students come away with tiny nuggets of inspiration that may change the way they think of fabric and art quilting. I teach mostly in the Maryland/Virginia/DC area, but I've got some longer trips on the horizon too.
7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why? My great grandmother, Mabel, was an amazing renaissance woman. I have a picture of the two of us sitting together in about 1975. There is a latch hook pillow on the couch and a tie-dyed discharged wall hanging behind us. Apparently, fiber art was in the genes!
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday?   I am trying to adjust my mindset toward continuing to create a body of work that really fits my personal style and creative spirit -- rather than creating work to enter in specific shows. But, of course, I am hoping that those two directions will eventually merge and I'll have work that fits perfectly at various venues. I am new to Maryland and I'm eager to get to know the local art scene and display my work here.
9. Describe your studio workspace. I'm in the basement! The lighting is not great, but it's cool in the summer and warm in the winter and there is lots of space to sprawl. I have a big work table that is up on risers since I prefer to stand when I'm working. I bounce back and forth between the table, the ironing board and the design wall. Drawers and boxes of fabrics, embellishments, tools and odd bits of this and that are easily at hand.
10. What 3 tools could you not live without? Recently, my husband found my favorite thimble under the couch. So, I had been living without it, but I was very very happy to have it back. My camera is a great tool for taking pictures for inspiration and also for taking in-progress shots as part of the design process. Most of my work is constructed with fusible webbing. Is that a tool? I buy it by the bolt!
11. What drives you to make the work that you do?   I just really enjoy the whole process. I love the seed of an idea, picking out fabric, exploring relationships between colors and shapes, adding paint or other surface designs, and stitching by hand and by machine. Even when I encounter problems or disappointments and I have to work hard to make changes, I enjoy the fist pounding, teeth clenching challenge of getting from start to finish.
12. How do you balance your life?   I just have to know when it's ok to let something go. Sometimes that means I miss a deadline; sometimes that means we have sandwiches on paper plates for dinner.

http://www.DeborahsStudio.com/
http://DeborahsJournal.blogspot.com/
Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=28957

Betty Amador - West Hills, CA

2011-05-24T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise?   I call myself a fiber artist.
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump? When I am stuck I usually look through my large collection of art books not just quilt books for inspiration. Sometimes I get the juices going by doodling or painting. Another way to jump start is by cutting up an old and unsuccessful quilt that may lead me in a new direction. I am passionate about classical music which I listen to all day long and often use in titles for my work.
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art?   I would hire an agent to help promote my art work.
4. Do you have a sketchbook, journal, etc.?   Yes, I have numerous sketchbooks that I have kept over the years. It began years ago when I was studying art in college. I have sketchbooks for ceramics, sculpture and jewelry ideas. They all help when I am in a slump.
5. Where can people see your work this year?   I belong to two quilt groups. One group "Xtreme Quilters" is planning another show this year at a gallery in Newbury Park, Ca. in October. It is a beautiful gallery and I will be showing some of my work there.
6. Do you teach?   No, I don't teach. I don't think I would be good at it. There are plenty of teachers out there and I don't think I would be able to do that.
7. Is there a particular artist who has influenced you in your art life? And why?    There are no particular artist that has influenced me. Most of the 20th century artists and almost all the abstract expressionists are my favorites. Some many have never heard of. I count Corneille, Esteve, Klee, Manessier, Matisse, Miro, Tamayo and Winter among my favorites.
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be someday?   I would like to be Quilt National or Visions but most of all in some fine art gallery either here in L.A. or N.Y.C.
9. Describe your studio workspace.   I have a spare bedroom in my home that serves as my studio but recently I am planning to expand my studio into my family room which is much larger and has better light. I also plan to set up a space outside in my backyard for silk screening.
10. What 3 tools could you not live without?   The three tools I could not be without , of course my Bernina, my olfa cutter and my design wall.
11. What drives you to make the work that you do?     It has always been my passion in life to be creative.
12. How do you balance your life?   I have been a widow now for 5 years and I live alone. So I can call all the shots as long as my health and energy are good I will continue to do what I love to do the most.

http://www.bettyamador.com/

Frances Holliday Alford - Grafton, VT

2011-05-23T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself -art wise? Artist
2. How do you jump start your creativity?   I don't usually have a problem with needing jump starts. If I am at a loss for what to do, I sometimes take random pieces, scraps and left overs and try using them in a very unstructured way. I see inspiration in all kinds of forms.
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art?   I try not to let money be an issue. I am willing to give up other things to be able to do my art. I would like to build my own studio and retreat center from scratch. And it would need to have a hot tub too!
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc? I work on small collaged mail art pieces every day. I also work in sketchbooks frequently. I rarely draw out the plans for a quilted piece. I blog and post a lot of things on Facebook.
5. Where can people see your other work? You are welcome to come to my studio in Grafton, Vermont. . Also my website. http://franceshollidayalford.com/ Currently, I have a quilt in the Alliance for American Quilts website as well.
6. Do you teach? Occasionally. And frequently if you consider the daily how to-s that seem to happen.
7. Is there a particular artist who has influenced you in your life?   I like a lot of the pointillist artists, particularly Paul Signac. My favorite print artist is Gustave Baumann. Susan Shie helped me jump start my quilting journey. I am in a mutual fan club with my very good friend Rachel Parris.
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday? I would like to be in the Modern Museum of Art in New York. Also the International Quilt Study Center and Museum in Lincoln, Nebraska. And the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts.
9. Describe your studio workspace. Fabulous! My Grafton, Vermont studio, the Tuttle Barn, a 150 year old building that has been remodeled. The second floor is a large room for cutting, sewing, and designing. A second room upstairs is devoted to drawers for beads and embellishments.   On the first floor, I have a show room/sitting room, an office, and a kitchen for painting and wet work. I don't live there, but I am often tempted.
10.What three tools could you not live without? Mistyfuse, Design board, and crewel sized hand needles.
11. What drives you to make the work that you do? I don't think I have much choice. My whole life, I have been making what I could out of what ever I had. I am always thinking about what I will do next. Also, group interaction and peer approval works for me.
12. How do you balance your life? Balance? There is supposed to be balance? I have a lot of time to devote to my art. I also spend wonderful quality time with my companion Fritz. I like to travel, and I do a lot of community service.

http://franceshollidayalford.com/

More Colorado Adventures

2011-05-22T16:58:00.000-07:00

A little doodling by Leslie at a restaurant on their paper tablecloths

The flower market at Whole Foods in Fort Collins

The stained glass ceiling at the Brown Palace in Denver

The decor in the Brown Palace was absolutely amazing

A corner view of the floors in the hotel

Beautiful light fixture and I love the way it illuminates on the marble walls

Leaving for the airport and saw this art installation of brightly painted containers

Doodles by Jamie

Paula Chung - Zepher Cove, NV

2011-05-20T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise? I generally call myself a fiber artist.
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump? I rarely experience a slump—I think primarily because I stay within certain subject areas. My images tend to be representative—using flowers as my subject. But lately I’ve been working with x-rays, MRIs and other body imaging as my subject.
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art?   I’m not sure. I would like to eventually donate the pieces.
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.? Not generally, but I do keep a lot of images on my computer and work from that.
5. Where can people see your other work this year? shows, books, magazines, etc. I was recently featured in Quilting Arts Magazine and have a solo show “A View Within: The Body Stitched” in the Foyer Gallery at Lake Tahoe Community College through June 18th. I also have work in the SAQA exhibit “Creative Force” and will be one of the featured artists in Martha Sielman’s new book, Art Quilt Portfolio: The Natural World.
6. Do you teach? No.
7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why? There are so many artists that I admire. Right now I’m studying Cezzane, Kandinsky, Diebenkorn, O’Keefe for their abstraction and use of color. I’m studying Egon Schiele for his line drawings of the figure, Chiura Obata for his pen & ink works, and Henry Moore’s figurative sculpture. There’s too many to name.
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday?   I’ve never been accepted to the Visions show, so that is a goal. I am also working on a gallery proposal.
9. Describe your studio workspace. My workspace is a spare bedroom, crammed full of stuff and a laundry room crammed with dyes, paints and surface design implements.
10. What 3 tools could you not live without?   I just found a new toy—the Rowenta Steamer. But I couldn’t live without my Bernina and my cameras.
11. What drives you to make the work that you do?    I find using floral images to depict life’s changes can be powerful. Recently I was in a discussion with my brother about the implied message and the real message. I’m attempting to explore that within my work. My new work dealing with the internal images of the body also provides a source of powerful images that I feel compelled to make.
12. How do you balance your life?   My family, friends, exploration of art and nature all help me attempt to balance things. It’s a thin line between balance and chaos.

http://www.paulachung.com/

Jayne Larson - Camarillo, CA

2011-05-19T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise? Textile Artist or Fiber Artist.
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump? I never have a problem with finding inspiration from my life and environment. The outdoors and my yard are great places to observe plants, bugs and critters of all kinds. Just a simple errand, like a trip to Home Depot, one of my favorite places, brings lots of colors, textures and ideas. The biggest challenge is selecting from the many possibilities. My sketchbook or my camera helps me to play and finally to focus my energy in a specific direction
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art? I might enjoy some very large installation work, like Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Well, maybe not quite that large....but something that works in the context of nature
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.? Yes, my sketchbook is a tool for inspiration. I'm not very faithful but, I use it to take notes, doodle, keep clippings of photos and I go back to it frequently
5. Where can people see your other work this year? shows, books, magazines, etc. I will be participating in a show "Art From Cloth" in Newbury Park CA in October 2011. The show is sponsored by the Extreme Quilters mini group. And my work can be seen on my mini group's blog: Digital to Textile: Eight Views.
6. Do you teach? where? I have taught at my local quilt shop, Quilters Studio, in Newbury Park, CA. which accommodates wet studio activities like dyeing, discharge and printing.
7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why? Rembrandt is my all time favorite, he makes me want to draw more and better. I also love primitive or naive art for its boldness and raw creativity.
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday? Visions
9. Describe your studio workspace. I juggle my studio space between the dining room, the garage and the family room. My sewing room is actually a storage room for my supplies, fabrics and books.
10. What 3 tools could you not live without? Seam ripper with a large ergonomic handle, computer, and camera
11. What drives you to make the work that you do? It’s a mystery! From somewhere in my DNA, I am wired to make, arrange, record, or express things about the life around me.
12. How do you balance your life? Between art, nature, friends, family and yoga - its a wonderful life!

Julie Schlueter - Orange, CA

2011-05-18T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise? Quilt Artist, Fiber Artist
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump? When I'm in a slump, need a quick pick-me-up or just can't sleep, I play with fabric. Being in my studio and putting different colors and textures together is soothing. I may never make the quilt of the fabrics I manipulate and lay out together at that time, but it's a wonderful possibility and my mind loves to dream it.
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art?   If money was not an issue I would get a studio separate from the house so I could dye and dye and dye (and paint) fabric, and rust more fabric. I would make more art quilts and take classes from the masters I admire so much.
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.?   I have a few random sketchbooks around the house, near my bed, in my studio. Sometimes I sketch, sometimes I forget. It is nice to look through them and see where I was and get re-inspired all over again.
5. Where can people see your other work this year? shows, books, magazines, etc. My quilt "Flamenco" is in the book "500 Art Quilts." My piece “Pidgeonholded” is traveling with a Quilts on the Wall exhibit "Discovery" -Denver National Quilt Festival April 28 to May 1, 2011 and at the Flying Geese Quilt Guild Show, Soka University, October 1-2, 2011. My piece "Guitar Hero" is traveling with the "Bridges" exhibit which will premier at IQF Long Beach in July 2011, then go on to Pennsylvania National Quilt extravaganza September 15-18, 2011. Also, “Reinvent the Wheel” in the "Journeys" exhibit - Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza in September 15-18, 2011.
6. Do you teach? where?   I do not teach, but so admire those who do.
7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why? When I began art quilting I was inspired by the work of Michael James, Ruth McDowell and Nancy Crow. Among others, I have added Jane Dunnewold. Her work is inspirational and I feel more creative just being in the same room with her and hearing her speak.
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday?   I would love to be in Visions and Quilt National. Those are the pinnacle.
9. Describe your studio workspace.   My workspace is small, but effective. I have as much visible as I can, fabric, thread, embellishments. If I can see it, I use it. If it's tucked away, I forget.   Like many others, I spill out into my house. I design large quilts in my living room and quilt large quilts on my kitchen table. I photograph my quilts on the wall behind the front door. When I need to get the "10-20 foot away" view I put my quilt on the floor near the kitchen table, run upstairs and lean over the bannister to see if my quilt is aesthetically pleasing.
10. What 3 tools could you not live without? I could not create the fiber art that I make without my scissors and iron and sewing machine.
11. What drives you to make the work that you do?   I love to have the "aha" moments. Sometimes I have a picture in my mind of how the quilt will look when it's finished. Sometimes I am pleasantly surprised it's better than imagined and sometimes I am disappointed. My favorite quilts and best work unfold as I am working on them. My last two quilts, I made significant changes after I put the binding on because that changed the look so dramatically.
12. How do you balance your life? Very carefully...everything in moderation. My day job is deadline oriented so there are times throughout the month I need to focus almost completely on work. When the deadline is past and I can come up for air, I enjoy my family and friends, then continue creating. It's an ebb and flow.

http://fiberdose.blogspot.com/
http://www.quiltsonthewall.com/

Rachel Parris - Birmingham, AL

2011-05-17T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise? Art Quilter
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump?   I visit my favorite blogs, read Quilting Arts Magazines, talk to my artist friends, look at old photos, get outside...woods, mountains, beach...outside.
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art? Hard one. I suspect I would be more prolific.
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.? I have just begun this year to keep an art journal of sorts. A good friend gave me a little journal for Christmas that has sparked this effort. I do keep a life journal, and have for a while now.
5. Where can people see your other work this year? I have a quilt in the Alliance for the American Quilt fundraiser that can be viewed online or in Paducah if you happen to be going to the show there.
6. Do you teach? No, I learn.
7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life?   I would not be an art quilter had it not been for the persistent, long-time nudging of my long-time friend Frances Holliday Alford. She not only nudged (incessantly), she led, she taught, she provided materials, books, other resources, and best of all she generously introduced me to a circle of incredible women who have enriched my life in more ways than I can count.
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday? I would love to be in the Digital Image section of the International Quilt Festival in Houston.
9. Describe your studio workspace. My workspace is my dining room.
10. What 3 tools could you not live without?   My computer, my rotary cutter/cutting mat, and Mistyfuse.
11. What drives you to make the work that you do?   I have something to say.
12. How do you balance your life?    I am fortunate to be at a stage in my life where balance is not the issue it might have been several years ago. I am retired without children. I enjoy incredible support and encouragement from a loving husband. However, if a choice is necessary, family always comes first if the needs are real. Also, my husband and I have recently started a business; and like any newborn, when it needs my attention, it gets it. Life is good! I am so happy!

Desiree Habicht - Riverside, CA

2011-05-16T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise? I call myself a mutli-media artist. I work in watercolor, pastels, acrylics and so much more, and of course fabric!
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump?
I am surrounded by things that inspire and motivate me. All I have to do is just open my eyes!

3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art?

I would give it away!! I enjoy brightening other peoples lives with art. The best part about being an artist is sharing my gift!

4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.? Yes, many, many sketchbooks and journals. I have both working sketchbooks that are for developing projects and ideas and I have more of a journaling sketchbook that I will show others.

5. Where can people see your other work this year? shows, books, magazines, etc

My quilts and fine art is being shown around the country. My fabric line is in many of your local quilt shops, Lil Miss Cutie Patootie! There is also my blog and website

6. Do you teach? where? I do teach, I will be at the CREATE retreat in Costa Mesa teaching a fun colored pencil panel class. I also teach at quilt shops, guilds and I give workshops at my studio.

7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why? Many artists have influenced me both in my artwork and in my art quilts. To mention just one, Dianna Ponting for her wonderful eye for color and for helping me with my signature!

8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday? I have been honored to have been accepted in both National and International Quilt Shows. I hope to be able to continue creating pieces that are accepted! I am still discovering more and more venues that are accepting fiber art pieces in their museum art shows etc. Competitions are perfect for me as I often need a deadline and I appreciate the other talented artist the keep raising the bar! I would love to be asked to travel overseas to attend a big international show or teach a class!

9. Describe your studio workspace.   My main studio is a converted bedroom, about 14x14, but like most of you, I have managed to take over other rooms in the house. My studio is always cluttered with ongoing projects and ideas but I can shut the door and hide the mess!
10. What 3 tools could you not live without? My iron, a pen w/sketchbook, and my paints, is that 3 or 4? I was never good in math.
11. What drives you to make the work that you do?   Something inside needs to be expressed visually, there is always a painting or a quilt that is trying to get out!! I just need more time and some full time helpers.
12. How do you balance your life?   Balance is tricky, my life is so busy and a bit crazy. My husband and daughter are my biggest fans and help to support my dreams. I do find its very easy to get over committed if I am not careful, so I approach things more slowly now. Over the last few years I have been able to grow again creatively. Since my daughters crash in 2000 my time has not been my own and it took years but we have finally developed a rhythm or balance, together.

http://www.desireesdesigns.com/

http://myclothesline.blogspot.com

The Brown Palace Hotel in Denver

2011-05-15T06:58:00.000-07:00

The dolls arrive at the Brown Palace Hotel in Denver, Colorado

Jamie and Leslie enjoying High Tea at the Brown Palace

Breakfast at the Brown Palace - Steel Cut Oatmeal and Sourdough bread that they make on-site. It was delicious!

Leslie enjoying Eggs Benedict!

DVD Tapings in Loveland, Colorado

2011-05-14T06:45:00.000-07:00

The dolls arrive in Loveland, Colorado to tape DVD's. Interweave building is in the background - large historical bank with columns and archway. The recording studio was on this side of the street in the basement.

Jamie Fingal gearing up for the morning taping of her DVD for Quilting Arts

Jamie's set with her own props.

Leslie Tucker Jenison getting ready for the afternoon taping of her DVD for Cloth Paper Scissors

Leslie's set with her own props

Gwen Mayer - Woodland Hills, CA

2011-05-13T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise? An artist.
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump? Have a glass of wine, play music, dance, decide on a canvas size, and go to my "Bits and Pieces" container. Then I close my eyes, grab a handful of bits and pieces and dribble them on the canvas a la Jackson Pollack.   When I open my eyes, I usually find inspiration and direction in the randomly placed pieces.
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art?   Have it all professionally framed.
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.?   Yes, but more often I go to my photos, and "Idea Folder".
5. Where can people see your other work this year? shows, books, magazines, etc
At the Thousand Oaks Community Center, my website, my group's blog and hopefully at some of the SAQA exhibits.
6. Do you teach? where? I'm a retired language teacher and now volunteer. At the moment, I have no desire to teach anything else.
7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why? Frida Kahlo for her strong stories, vivid colors, and naive style. Katie Pasquini- Masopust, and Leslie Gabrielse for their techniques, artistic knowledge, creativity, and outstanding artwork.
8.   Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday?   Visions, Quilt National, Textile Museum in Washington DC and Philadelphia
9. Describe your studio workspace.   13' x 15'; wood floors, organized, large window with a view of all the foliage,flowers, finches, fountains in my back yard; lots of photos of family/friends; art/artquilt books and magazines; way too much fabric and paraphernalia for one lifetime!
10. What 3 tools could you not live without?   Scissors, pens/pencils, and sewing machine.
11. What drives you to make the work that you do?   Fabric, fashion, and sewing are part of my DNA and allow me to express myself without words.
12. How do you balance your life?   Exercising, gardening, dancing, volunteering, getting together with family and friends, and being grateful for my great life.

http://www.gwenmayer.com/

Joanell Connolly - Huntington Beach, CA

2011-05-12T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise? According to my business card, I claim to be a "fabric" artist but I describe myself as a "surface designer" when asked.
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump? I am trying to learn to be "kind to myself", take a breath and read a book. The rest will follow or not.
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art? I would take classes in all sorts of mediums, all over the world. Something in Tuscany or Santa Fe or Arrowmont, and not necessarily fabric or paint related. But I would become a collector of "stuff" I like, other peoples art.
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.? I have started many sketchbooks and journals, follow through is a problem.
5. Where can people see your other work this year? shows, books, magazines, etc. On my website and my blog.
6. Do you teach? where? No, teaching implies I will teach you something. I can demonstrate or share till the cows come home and feel good about my sharing.
7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why? Yvonne Porcella in 1987. Her book, My Colorful Book, changed my life, it was a pivotal moment. I went from sewing to SEWING and this creative world.
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday? - Quilt National but first I would have to be brave enough to actually apply.
9. Describe your studio workspace. We bought this home for the studio space, it is an attached converted 2 car garage and it is wonderful.
10. What 3 tools could you not live without? At this point - my computer, the printers and my old Bernina sewing machines.
11. What drives you to make the work that you do? I believe we don't have a choice.
12. How do you balance your life? That depends on the day of the week and the time of the day. Balance requires attention and work and does not come easily.

http://www.joanell.com/
http://joanellconnolly.blogspot.com/

Sherry Kleinman - Pacific Palisades, CA

2011-05-11T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise? Sometimes I am an art quilter and other times I call myself a fiber artist------that later really combines the fine art side of me with my love of textiles.
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump? I like to work on several projects at a time, it is a great way to kick start ideas. Inspirations seem to come to me while working on a variety of pieces. Creativity seems to breed more creativity! Taking my dog for a walk along the bluffs overlooking the ocean seems to be a great inspiration place for me...the grand vista of all that water and the ocean air have sparked ideas for quite a number of pieces.
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art?   I would remodel to make a bigger studio and travel the world visiting museums and galleries exploring places I have never been.
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.? Not really in an organized daily way, but I do like to cut and tear paper to try out an idea before I go for the fabric, kind of building block style. I do have notebooks of photos taken by myself or by my 3 daughters (kept in plastic sheet protectors) that I often refer to for inspiration. I work from an artist model once a week, and those drawings have been a big springboard for my work. From the basic figure I expand creating a scene that tells a story. I often don't quite know what the outcome will be or where my muse will take me. I work best NOT having it all planned out ahead of time.
5. Where can people see your other work this year? shows, books, magazines, etc   California Fiber Artists group shows (http://cafiberartists.com/); Bakersfield Museum of Art (March-May) Bakersfield, CA, Eureka Art Museum (June-August) Eureka CA, East Bay Mud (October-December) Oakland, CA; PAQA South ArtQuilts:Movement (May-July)Durham, NC
6. Do you teach? where? I will be teaching for the Westside Quilters (Los Angeles) in April.....It will be a class on how to use water soluble media.....I love using water-soluble crayons and pencils on fabric and want to encourage others to try it.
7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why? I have taken art classes at Brentwood Art Center in Santa Monica, CA for years and David Limrite's mixed media figure class has been the most influential. David is a wonderful teacher who has taught me so much....and encouraged me when I ventured into the fiber world with my fine arts.
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday? Quilt National and Quilt Visions are my long term goals.
9. Describe your studio workspace. I have one main studio (a spare bedroom) to work in but my projects often spill out into the rest of the house:   the dining room table to cut fabric, the pool table to store quilts and in another bedroom lives my long arm. My husband and I make use of all the rooms our 3 daughters have left behind. Sometimes we wonder how did we ever have room for them too?
10. What 3 tools could you not live without? My Viking SE, my paints and brushes.
11. What drives you to make the work that you do? I have an inner passion to create and explore, a curiosity to see what works. I have never liked to follow set patterns as traditional quilts require. Making art quilts was a wonderful revelation to me, that there were no rules I had to follow.
12. How do you balance your life? I have no problem with balance these days, as my daughters are grown and my husband retired (he can be found on the golf course or tennis courts). So I have wonderful long days to work in my studio creating art, something I didn't have time for in my past life.   Since I made my first art quilt 6 years ago, it has been a wonderful time for me:   making new friends, traveling to shows, and creating art. But I guess I do wish the days were longer...never enough time to make all the art that is inside my head wanting to come out!

http://www.sherrykleinman.com/
http://www.californiafiberarists.com/

Lyric Kinard - Cary, NC

2011-05-10T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise? An Artist.
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump? I do the work. It’s all about getting in and starting - making - doing. I don’t believe in waiting for the muse - I believe in being there with your hands already moving and creating to invite her in. I am always recording ideas or doodles in my sketchbook or with my camera so I have a plethora of inspiration when I have time to actually get down to the art-making.
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art? I’d spend a year in Italy getting an MFA. Then I’d buy this beautiful three story brick barn in my town. It would make an absolutely lovely retreat/classroom/shop/studio center. I’d make art, teach art, sell art… and travel some more.
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.? Always, always, always. I have a small book that lives with me - I call it my paper brain. Everything from quick composition sketches to grocery lists go in there. Ideas don’t always come at convenient times or places and this treasure captures them and holds them until I can make time for them. I also have larger sketchbooks: one for life drawing sessions, one for the Sketchbook Challenge, one for studies in texture or color or different media. One can never have too many sketchbooks.
5. Where can people see your other work this year? shows, books, magazines, etc I’ll have work up in August in the Exchange Gallery at the Visual Arts Exchange in Raleigh, NC. I also have a piece that will show during May at the Durham Arts Council in the ARTQUILTSmovements show. Check in on my blog to see any other listings that might come up.
6. Do you teach? where? Yes! It’s a passion of mine. This year I’ll be in Houston, Asheville, Cedar Rapids, and Nashua NH.
7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why? I am constantly finding new loves and inspirations in the art world so it is impossible for me to pick out one. I’ve have always had a particular fascination with Art Deco and Art Nouveau. In the quilt world Caryl Bryer Fallert, as a teacher and business woman has been a great example to me. She is generous with her knowledge and savvy in every way.
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday? MOMA, the Renwick, any of the Smithsonian museums? Why not dream big? Oh - some day I’ll be in Quilt National too.
9. Describe your studio workspace. Most often, I’m working out of a basket or a little bag - doing handwork during hockey games, music lessons, at the park or whatever else I’m doing with the kids. I do have a lovely studio where a formal living room might be with machine tables, a drafting table, huge design wall, and cubbies and baskets all crammed with glorious stuff!
10. What 3 tools could you not live without? Paint or Dye, Cloth, and my Thermofax Machine to make screens with!!!
11. What drives you to make the work that you do? Usually a deadline (grin!) I simply love to create - to bring order from chaos, beauty from nothingness. It feels like my art is the only thing I do that isn’t almost immediately undone. I also am easily bored and forever curious and fascinated with the world around me. I can’t sit and listen - I have to be doing something with my hands in order to pay attention well.
12. How do you balance your life? Hah! With five children still at home there is no such thing really. They come first, but they know that time and space for art and teaching will be made. Family, Work and Art life doesn’t balance daily or even weekly most times - but over the long run I make sure each gets the time it needs.

www.LyricKinard.com
www.LyricKinard.blogspot.com
www.LyricArt.etsy.com

Barb Forrister - Austin, TX

2011-05-09T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise? I am a fiber artist who enjoys using unusual and “upcycled” materials to convey textural surfaces. I love to heat distress synthetic fibers and add 3 dimensional elements to my work.
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump? I photograph nature and feel that there is always something that calls to me and beckons to be created. I contribute to many causes for both animal protection and environmental issues and often find that I can speak through my art to make people aware of their plight or circumstances.
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art?   I would travel more and allow my world to inspire me. I would also love to have a full size studio with lots of storage and room for creating.
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.? I have a few different size sketchbooks that I use to sketch ideas and keep notes. Sometimes, I even use napkins to doodle on and then transfer them to my sketchbook for later reference.
5. Where can people see your other work this year? shows, books, magazines, etc.
My work can be seen at International Quilt Festival Special Exhibits Including Text On Textiles, Celebrate Spring, 175th Birthday of Texas as a Republic, Open European Quilt Championships in the Netherlands and the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center (NHOTIC) in Baker City, Oregon. Publications include 2011: Lone Stars III: Texas Quilts Today by Karey Patterson Bresenhan and Nancy O'Bryant Puentes, The Copper Shade Tree Art In Fiber 2011, Studio Art Quilts Associates Inc. Portfolio 18 and In the Spotlight, Barb Forrister in April/May 2011 edition of Quilting Arts Magazine.
6. Do you teach? where?   I absolutely love teaching and this year I will be teaching Artful Coloring for the Austin Area Quilt Guild. I hope to have more teaching opportunities in the future.
7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why? I love all sorts of art and artists though I can’t say that anyone in particular has influenced me in my work.
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday? I would love to have my work included in one of SAQA travelling venues and perhaps one day, at Quilt National. I would also like to have a solo art exhibit in a museum.
9. Describe your studio workspace. I share a studio with my husband. He creates music and I create visual art. I love the way both senses are blended together!
10. What 3 tools could you not live without?   That’s a tough one! Let’s see… I would need my sewing machine, needle felting machine and a pair of scissors. If I had to, I could make do with that!
11. What drives you to make the work that you do? I absolutely adore texture and am mesmerized with creating naturescapes from recycled and unconventional materials. I am a very tactile person!
12. How do you balance your life? Family is first, then art. My days are spent creating art but by 4:30, it’s all about family time and enjoying one another’s company.

http://www.BarbForrister.com/
http://freespiritartstudio.blogspot.com/

Karen Rips - Thousand Oaks, CA

2011-05-06T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise? There's been a lot of talk in the blogosphere about defining ourselves, and I vacillate between textile artist and fiber artist although regardless of the adjective, I am an artist.
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump?   Fortunately, the last few years have been very productive for me and I've had more ideas than time to explore them. I keep an idea book with photos, drawings, and notes in it that I refer to when I'm stuck.
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art? Philanthropy aside, I don’t think I would change anything.
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.? I keep an idea book but don’t seem to have the discipline to do daily sketches or journaling, which is probably to my detriment as I think it would make me a better artist.
5. Where can people see your other work this year? shows, books, magazines, etc. I am proud to be a co-author of the just published book, “Twelve by Twelve: The International Art Quilt Challenge.”
6. Do you teach? Where?   I don’t teach, I don’t think I have the patience for it.
7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why? Jean Ray Laury opened up the world of art quilting for me. I took a class from her years ago in Pasadena, California, and still refer to her books when I want to go back to the roots of what I do.
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday? I know that it is important artistically to be seen and recognized, yet at this moment I am not show oriented. This invitational is the only show that I’ve entered in the last year. I think long term I would love to see my work hanging in a gallery setting.
9. Describe your studio workspace. My work space is fairly large, having appropriated the former bonus room in our house. I have a wet area with two sinks and a dry area with design walls.
10. What 3 tools could you not live without? Does a Bernina count as a tool? That, my design wall, and my camera are the tools I use the most.
11. What drives you to make the work that you do? What drives me is the desire to interpret what I see into my own vision.
12. How do you balance your life? I’m lucky to have a husband who is a glass artist, so we each have our own focus during the day.

http://fiberartmusings.blogspot.com/

Linda Frost - Lawrence, KS

2011-05-05T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise? I call myself a textile artist.
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump?   There is an overwhelming amount of creativity to be found on the internet. When I am in a slump, I visit one of my favorite blogs and then visit some of the sites on the "favorite links" list that many folks include on their blogs. Then I visit the links on those sites. After a bit of random skipping around the internet, I am usually more than inspired to do some work of my own.
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art?   If money wasn't an issue, I do not think that it would change what I do with my artistic efforts, but it might change where I do my art. My basement studio is comfortable, but a studio with a view in a milder climate always sounds like nice someday dream.
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.?   I have made several failed attempts to keep a sketchbook, or at least a list of projects I'd like to try. Somehow I don't seem to be able to stick with it, though. My work is often like my internet habits, wandering and sporadic.
5. Where can people see your other work this year? shows, books, magazines, etc
I just published a book with Pickledish.com called "Happy Birthday Kansas!" It features a block of the month quilt that I designed to celebrate Kansas's 150th birthday. My quilt "Rosh Hashana, the Head of the Year" is traveling with the "America Celebrates" exhibit curated by Judith Trager. The two quilts I made about the BP oil disaster that I refer to as my tar ball quilts are part of the Topeka Competition 30 exhibit now until May 13 at the Sabitini Gallery in Topeka, KS. My quilt "Geode Slices" will be in the "Happiness: Quilted Expressions" exhibit May 5- July 10 at the Riffe Gallery in Columbus, Ohio. "Why Always War?" will be included in the "Play" exhibit at the Brooklyn Textile Arts Center May 13 - June 24.
6. Do you teach? where? I have not done any teaching for quite a while.
7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why? Classes with Nancy Crow, Jane Sassaman and Ruth McDowell gave me the skills to piece together just about anything I can imagine. I would hope to someday be able to use color the way Wayne Thiebaud does in his paintings. The variety and quality and sheer volume of work that Paul Klee produced is a goal to reach for as well.
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday? I would like to be in Quilt National.... and if I am really dreaming, MOMA.... or maybe its next door neighbor, the American Folk Art Museum.
9. Describe your studio workspace. I have taken over the basement of my home for my art. I have a ping pong table to work on, solid shelves for storage, good lighting, a sewing machine cabinet with a large table, a utility sink and dedicated washing machine for dyeing. I am very lucky!
10. What 3 tools could you not live without?   My sewing machine, rotary cutter and mat.
11. What drives you to make the work that you do?   I have always loved fabric. There is so much variety in texture, pattern and color in today's fabrics. When that resource is added to piecing, painting and dyeing, the possibilities are endless.
12. How do you balance your life?   Who says my life is balanced? I guess I just do as much as I can, as well as I can, and try not to obsess too much about what falls by the wayside. Comic relief in my life is provided by my collection of geriatric parrots. Pride is supplied by my two fabulous daughters. Support is provided by my long-suffering but good natured husband.

http://www.13thstreetstudio.typepad.com/

Terry Grant - Portland, OR

2011-05-04T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise?   I call myself a fabric artist. I quit calling myself a quilter because that just makes people want me help them make a baby quilt.
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump?   I try something new on a small scale. A slump usually means I am bored with myself and need a challenge.
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art?   I would spend half my time traveling and getting inspiration, then the other half creating in the state of the art studio I would build.
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.?   I use a sketchbook, as opposed to keeping a sketchbook. My sketchbooks are purely functional, working sketches and not for anyone's eyes but my own. My blog is my journal.
5. Where can people see your other work this year? shows, books, magazines, etc
I have an article in the upcoming issue of the e-Mag In Stitches and work in Susan Brubaker Knapp's upcoming book. I am one of the authors of Twelve by Twelve: The International Quilt Challenge just released this spring and our work will be seen at the Houston, Cinncinnati and Long Beach International Quilt Festival shows. I have also submitted work for other shows yet to be announced. You can always see work in progress on my blog.
6. Do you teach? where?   I teach only occasionally. My most recent teaching engagement was at the Stitches in Bloom Quilt Show at the Oregon Garden.
7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why? Many, many years ago the work of Jean Ray Laurie showed me that quilts could be something more than bedcoverings. Her innovative techniques, free spirit and sense of humor have been a great inspiration.
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday?   I would love to have a solo show in a gallery some day. That means I would have to accumulate show worthy work and then summon the courage to approach a gallery. Gulp!
9. Describe your studio workspace.   Right now I work in a tiny, cramped bedroom with horrible wallpaper! We are in the final stages of obtaining permits to build a new studio on our property. It will be heaven when it is finished.
10. What 3 tools could you not live without?   My sewing machine, of course. My light box and a collection of good scissors.
11. What drives you to make the work that you do?   It is who I am. I can't imagine my life without it.
12. How do you balance your life?    I gave up on the idea of balance long ago. I am a glutton for what makes me happy—art, friends, family, travel. I clean when it is absolutely necessary and sleep very little!

http://andsewitgoes.blogspot.com/
Quilting Daily interview

Laura Cater Woods - Billings, MT

2011-05-03T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise? "artist", or mixed media artist
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump?   Most "slumps" are a result of creative energy being used by non-studio issues. I fill the well with the things that inspire me, keep a routine of quiet time every day, the juice returns eventually.
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art?   More! Bigger! I'd love to work large scale with durable surfaces.
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.?   several at all times. They are primarily repositories for ideas, observations, planning as well as a place for regular drawing.
5. Where can people see your other work this year? shows, books, magazines, etc
This year my work can be seen primarily on line. I am preparing for a major show in January and holding most work back for that.
6. Do you teach? where?   I teach across the US, sometimes in Canada. Guilds from time to time, but more frequently I am teaching for small mixed media gatherings s and private groups. I have taught online in the past and may go back to that in 2013.
7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why? A teacher early on whose questions still give me things to think about. He taught me to see, to consider size and scale, and to question "how much information is enough?"
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday?   My work lives in several public spaces (hospitals, clinics, residential treatment facilities) . In the future I will be seeking out more of these opportunities.
9. Describe your studio workspace.   The entire North wall is glass, looking out on my back garden, a secluded space with year round interest. The interior of the space is very small and crowded with storage, work tables , a drafting table. In various nooks and crannies are twigs, cottonwood roots, rock and shell of all sorts. The floor is painted, great for accepting the inevitable spills.
10. What 3 tools could you not live without?   a mark making implement of any sort, reference books on the natural world, my sense of wonder
11. What drives you to make the work that you do?   I want to learn about the mysteries, find meaning in what I see, find the universal connections in the forms that obsess me. It's an ongoing journey.
12. How do you balance your life?   Ideally all parts of my life intertwine and support each other. Sometimes one aspect needs more time and energy, that's ok.

http://www.cater-woods.com/
http://www.cater-woods.com/weblog/
http://sketchbookchallenge.blogspot.com/

Cynthia St. Charles - Billings, MT

2011-05-02T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise? Textile Artist
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump? I clean up my studio. As I start handling my materials, I start to see them differently and new ideas start to flow. Often I don't finish cleaning up because I get sidetracked starting a new project.
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art? I would donate even more of my work to organizations for fundraising.
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.? I am a doodler, and I usually doodle on random scraps of paper. These get pasted into a sketchbook so I have a reference.
5. Where can people see your other work this year?    I am currently writing an article about a unique surface design process I have developed and it will be published in Quilting Arts Magazine this summer. I have work traveling with IQF's Tactile Architecture, and Text on Textiles 2010. Sacred Threads 2011. SAQA: A Sense of Adventure that will be shown at Festival in Houston in the Fall. I am the First place winner in the Alliance for American Quilts contest in 2011.
6. Do you teach? where? I retired from a 25 year career in education, and do not teach currently.
7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why? I grew up on a ranch and the value of hard productive work was instilled in me from an early age. Art was generally considered a frivolous activity, and was not encouraged. So, no - I have not had any influental artists in my life. Even now, I struggle with my identity as an artist.    I am still trying to figure out what it means to be an artist!
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday?   I have been so fortunate to be able to show my work in many prestigious shows . I would love to be in a Quilt National someday, however, I do realize my style of work is not typical of the work in that venue. Even so, I will enter whenever I have something I feel might be worthy.
9. Describe your studio workspace. My studio is located in the walk in basement of our home. It includes a modest wet studio equipped with a sink, a dedicated washing machine, microwave, Thermofax machine, and toaster oven. The main workroom is generously sized about 30 x 15'. The workroom is furnished with salvaged Hallmark store drawers and the vast countertops were salvaged from a TJ Maxx remodel. It is not beautiful, but it was free and works efficiently with lots of storage and lots of horizontal workspace. My design wall is 8' square and I have floor to ceiling bookshelves and a cozy fireplace.
10. What 3 tools could you not live without? Camera, pencil and paper, and sewing machine
11. What drives you to make the work that you do? My drive is internal and intangible. My art feeds my soul.
12. How do you balance your life? Having a dedicated studio space in my home allows me to walk away from work in progress with the ability to pick up where I left off at any time. This gives me the flexibility to work in small bits of time - sometimes as brief as 15 minutes, while also managing the rest of my busy life.   Spending time in the mountains - hiking, backpacking, fishing - helps keep me centered and balanced.

http://www.cynthiastcharles.com/

http://cynthia-stcharles.blogspot.com/

Natalya Aikens - Pleasantville, NY

2011-04-29T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise? An artist.
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump?   Go out for an art date by myself or with a friend. See an exciting new exhibit at a museum or a gallery, or even an oldie but goodie. And preferably not an art quilt exhibit, although I do enjoy those too.
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art?   Cover the walls of my home, my friends homes and possibly a few strangers...LOL!
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.?   Several actually. My working horse sketchbook for notes and sketches and doodles is always in my purse. And others more dedicated to exploring different techniques and materials in the studio.
5. Where can people see your other work this year? shows, books, magazines, etc
In the next (3rd) issue of the the new Quilting Arts emag In Stitches, and at the SAQA Beyond Comfort exhibit debuting at the Birmingham Quilt Festival.
6. Do you teach? where? I'll be teaching two workshops this year at the Create Retreats in Costa Mesa and Chicago. One is Mix Your Media with Photoshop ( learning to play in Photoshop and print on fabric) and the other is Hand Stitched Jewels (transforming your small art quilts with hand stitches)
7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why? I cannot pin point just one artist. My art life has been influenced by an incredible amount of artist past and present. I am always inspired by work of famous artists, little known artists and pioneering women artists who have paved the way. Some favorites are Mary Cassatt, Judy Chicago, Victor Vasnetzov, Ivan Aivazovsky, Sonya Delaunay.
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday? Why Quilt National of course... but a prestigious NYC gallery will do also! (this is tongue-in-cheek by the way!)
9. Describe your studio workspace. Basement room, with two large windows into the front and side yard and a door to the outside (convenient when I have to run outside with some wet dripping fabric that needs to be spread on the grass). Painted a lovely butter yellow!
10. What 3 tools could you not live without? My thimble, my Epson printer and my Bernina 1000
11. What drives you to make the work that you do? Sounds corny...but...it's in my soul. It's my life that is the inspiration, my heritage, my family.
12. How do you balance your life?   That's a hard job and I try to do my best. I have two small daughters, so my creative time is limited to school hours and after bed time.

http://www.artbynatalya.com/
http://artbynatalya.blogspot.com/

Astrid Hilger Bennett - Iowa City, IA

2011-04-28T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise? I am an artist. I bring the same concerns, perceptions, skills and vision to my art work, whether I am using fiber, or paper, printing or painting, drawing or dyeing. For painting and printing, I prefer fabric to any other surface, including paper. I love the drag of the brush on fabric.
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump? Getting started is sometimes the hardest part, but once I’m in my studio, music going, I can find plenty of busy work to do until my need to work takes over. Sometimes I just paint stripes or backing fabrics, using older dyes. My big issue is time.
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art? I would spend lots more time! I would not keep my part time job as a marketing director. But I’d need to feed the people part of me, too, which paid work is good for.
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.? Yes. I have always wanted to be better at this- it takes being an observer, not so much a participant, to be good at recording one’s days. I recently finished one of the Sketchbook Project moleskine journal books- a good incentive that’s helped a great deal.
5. Where can people see your other work this year? shows, books, magazines, etc. I have been overly busy with a big Surface Design Association website re-design, my way of giving back to an organization I’ve belonged to since 1977. I am just now arranging shows, etc.
6. Do you teach? where? I teach locally and at guilds. I enjoy teaching immensely but am very mindful of using time wisely to be more productive in the studio.
7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why?
German expressionism allowed me to think boldly and was the aesthetic backdrop of my childhood. Abstract expressionism allowed me to think large and with large arm movements. Andy Goldsworthy helped me to connect art and the natural world.
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday? I have been in some good ones and hope that I can continue to provide exciting work for future venues. I especially enjoyed being chosen for Quilt Nihon in Japan.
9. Describe your studio workspace. My home has always been my studio. My wet area is in the basement. I piece & stitch works on the main level, and at one time, with more family members around, upstairs. I use all my table surfaces. I hang pieces on walls that I pass by regularly. For a mental picture of my current studio and the changes it’s undergone in recent years, read my blog post,
http://midwestprintworks.blogspot.com/2009/12/new-years-story-embracing-creativity.html
10. What 3 tools could you not live without? My eyeglasses, my laptop and a pencil!
11. What drives you to make the work that you do? I love the tactile quality of fabric and use it as an expressive surface for my ideas. The piece in this show, Anticipation, is restrained in image and size when compared with my usual work, mostly due to trying to accommodate a theme.
12. How do you balance your life? Quiet with Action, listening with expression, living well (exercise, healthy living, biking, yoga), music, gardening, and above all, family and loved ones.

http://www.astridhilgerbennett.com/

http://midwestprintworks.blogspot.com/

Jeannie Palmer Moore - Escondido, CA

2011-04-27T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise? A painter and mixed media artist who loves texture.
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump? I will refer to a notebook where I’ve written down or sketched new ideas I want to try. I’m constantly observing everything around me in my daily life. Looking at anything that could create a texture.
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art? I’d build a large gallery and studios for all of my artist friends.
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.? I keep a sketchbook when I travel but are more sporadic about sketching at home.
5. Where can people see your other work this year? I show at my local gallery in Escondido, Quilting Arts TV Series 700 and Quilting Arts Magazine.
6. Do you teach? where? I’ll be teaching at CREATE in Costa Mesa in May, as well as, CREATE in Chicago again this August.
7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why? I admire so many artists but the painter; Edward Hopper has influenced me on how he creates solitude and introspection in his paintings.
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday? I would love to show in Quilt National but do need to make the quilt and enter first.
9. Describe your studio workspace. My studio is in my home with 3 big work tables, a design wall, storage and lots of light. My 2 cats reside there too.
10. What 3 tools could you not live without? I couldn’t be without a paintbrush, my Bernina and my thermo faxes.
11. What drives you to make the work that you do? I just love to create. I think I have a lifetime full of ideas but am just trying to find time to produce all of them.
12. How do you balance your life? Balance is pretty easy for me because my husband is very supportive and independent. I guess being happily married for 35 years helps. And I make time for Pilates 3 days a week!

http://jpmartist.com/

http://jeanniemooresblog.blogspot.com/

Susan Fletcher King - Houston, TX

2011-04-26T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise? I think of myself as an artist first and foremost. Many years ago I was a graphic designer and illustrator, but even with those titles, I always thought of myself as simply an "artist".
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump? If it's a bad slump, sometimes I just have to go with it. I will actually leave my studio, close the door and give myself permission not to return for a few days. That is usually all it takes, and when I finally "allow" myself to return, I'm excited and ready to create once more.
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art? I would probably experiment a lot more and not look at producing my art with quite as much of a "commercial" eye.
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.? No. I haven't ever been very good or faithful with a sketchbook or journal. I haven't kept one since I was required to when I was in art school.
5. Where can people see your other work this year? shows, books, magazines, etc.
I show my work at The Copper Shade Tree Gallery in Round Top, Texas.
6. Do you teach?   I used to teach graphic design at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. But now I'm too busy, and very protective of my limited free time.
7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why?
There are so many artists that have influenced me but the one who comes to mind right now is Velda Newman.   Ever since I started with fabric and sewing, I have been amazed and ecstatic whenever I see anything by her. Each of her pieces is truly stunning. The scope, size, detail, colors, composition -   all breathtaking.
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday? Visions and Quilt National, of course. But ultimately, I'd really love to say that my work is hanging in a museum.
9. Describe your studio workspace. I have a room in our house that we originally called the "Bonus Room". When my husband and I bought the house, we had forgotten about this small room in the back of the house. When we moved in, it was an extra or "bonus" space which I originally claimed as a storage area for all my old unused art supplies. It is now a totally remodeled space with large north-facing windows, excellent storage... and not a square inch to spare!
10. What 3 tools could you not live without? I can't live without my Bernina sewing machine, a ruler, rotary cutter and paint brushes. That's more than three, but in my mind these are a single unit.
11. What drives you to make the work that you do? The voices in my head. Truly! I constantly have so many ideas filling my brain that many nights I can't sleep!
12. How do you balance your life?   It is all about priorities. My family comes first and then my art. Sometimes I can overlap, but most of the time, I just try to find a few minutes here and there to get to the studio. Late at night after everyone is asleep is my most creative time.

http://www.susanfletcherking.com/

Pamela Price Klebaum - Ventura, CA

2011-04-25T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise? Since the art world is generally still in the Pleistocene Era regarding the value of contemporary quilts, I avoid the "q" word. "Textile artist" sounds good to me!
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump? A good credo: "step away from the design wall!" Distance works wonders -- both physical and temporal. Another fresh look comes with photographing my work-in-progress and studying the image anew.
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art? Nothing different, but I would have a whoopdeedoo midarm sewing machine! I do like the feeling that comes with donating my art -- and someone buys it!
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.? My sketchbook has drawings and magazine clippings, and I have a large digital journal with oodles of inspirational photos.
5. Where can people see your other work this year? shows, books, magazines, etc
I had a piece that toured the country in SAQA's "No Place to Call Home" exhibit on homelessness. Some of my work was in a Ventura County Arts Council show, and two of those are now on semi-permanent loan to the Ventura County Government Center. My last Dinner at Eight exhibit piece was featured in Quilting Arts magazine. I'll have a piece at the Pacific International Quilt Festival in October, and some in the second annual Extreme Quilters exhibit at the Thousand Oaks Municipal Gallery in October. I have an article in the spring issue of the SAQA Journal, which features a piece I mounted on Plexiglas.
6. Do you teach? where? I am a perpetual student!
7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why? My art professors at the local college influenced me deeply. Hiroko Yoshimoto taught me of the nuances and grace of the human form, and Carlyle Cooper instilled in me what I hope is a keen aesthetic sense of the head and all its complexities.
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday? I think we all would be over-the-moon if our work were selected for Visions or Quilt National. I need to have the courage to enter, though.
9. Describe your studio workspace. My studio has a view of the Pacific. What more could I want? We are building a detached workshop in the backyard, and I will have space for my fused glass pursuits there. I often combine fused glass with textiles, so this new space will allow me to experiment more with combining those enterprises.
10. What 3 tools could you not live without? My iPod, digital software, and my #6 pencil.
11. What drives you to make the work that you do? It's definitely something internal and very basic. My mom was quite artistic, and we are eternally trying to please our moms, eh?
12. How do you balance your life? Balance is not really an effort. I married really really well.

http://pamprice.blogspot.com/

Linda Minton - San Antonio, TX

2011-04-22T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise? I started out calling myself a “quilt artist”, followed by “fiber artist”, and now I just say “artist”. There are too many variations on what I do to pin it down to one narrow definition.
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump?   Ideally, I like to visit art galleries and museums, but if I need a quick “fix”, I’ll go back to some of my old art books and just thumb through them for both inspiration and a review of the basics.
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art?   Travel abroad … anywhere and everywhere … to broaden my horizons, gain insight and inspiration, and to make art “on the road”.
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.?   I keep many of them. Mostly because I can never lay my hands on the one I want, and so will start another one. I like to make some of my own sketchbooks, too.
5. Where can people see your other work this year? shows, books, magazines, etc.
I occasionally show and sell my work at the Copper Shade Tree Gallery in Round Top, Texas. If you want to look back at Virginia Spiegel's ONE Collage Fundraiser from earlier this year, my 5 mixed media collages are on page 9 of the website. http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/ONEFundraiser9.html
6. Do you teach? where?   I recently read and loved this answer by another artist to a similar question: “No, I’m too busy learning”.
7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why?   The artist I always think of in terms of philosophical and emotional influence is Susan “Lucky” Shie. I took a workshop with her at QSDS many years ago, and her sunny and determined outlook on life and art is still an inspiration to me.
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday?   Quilt National. I’ve never entered … yet.
9. Describe your studio workspace.   I actually have two separate workspaces. One is a large “game room” that has been taken over by my fabrics, sewing machines, and storage. The other is an adjoining small bedroom/office that has become my wet-work room.
10. What 3 tools could you not live without?   Now that I have purchased a small machine-quilting frame for my mid-arm Juki sewing machine, I don’t think I could ever again live without the long-arm quilting experience … even though this is a “shorter” version. My little Janome Gem machine goes everywhere with me, and Photoshop Elements on my computer is an absolute necessity.
11. What drives you to make the work that you do?    Sheer love of creation … I often wake up with my heart pounding with excitement over a new idea that has come to me. Thank goodness for the little journal book I keep by my bed, because if I don’t write it down, it’s gone!
12. How do you balance your life?   This is the hardest question of all. I’m not sure I do balance it successfully. Some days the “necessities of life” take precedence, and other days I can concentrate on nothing but my art. It seems to be quite out of my control, and I feel like Alice in Wonderland … “I give myself very good advice, but I very seldom follow it.”

http://fiberreflections.blogspot.com/

Teresa Shippy - Santa Ana, CA

2011-04-21T04:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise? I'm a fiber artist, I use acrylic paints as my medium to create portraits and landscapes.
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump? Honestly, my creative juices are always flowing. Coming from a large family I'm filled with thoughts of creative works many times based on family members and I always like adding a touch of whimsy along the way.
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art?   I love to donate to promote excellent organizations. I have contributed my art to great causes and wonderful organizations including Precious Life Shelter, Dana Point Ocean Institute, and Kaiser Permanente, all of which are on display in Southern California.
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.?   Yes, I often will pen to paper sketches of potential ideas. I love to create unique faces and shapes while doodling in my journal.
5. Where can people see your other work this year?   I have three pieces in "Featured Artists” Vol II, an international publication available through Amazon Books, I'm the only fiber artist included out of 60 artists. I will also be returning to Tustin CA Fine Art Walk this year, in addition I'm delighted to have designed a book for "The Sketchbook Project" currently on tour.
6. Do you teach?   I've been teaching my dye workshops at my home in Santa Ana, CA for eight years. I have a large side yard to accommodate many guests who love to create original painted fabrics from cottons, silks, etc.
7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life?    Without doubt both of my parents, especially my father who painted with acrylics and oils on canvas. From my father I learned patience and how to focus on clarity and realism.
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday?   I have been very fortunate to have my work displayed in many prestigious venues, with that being said, I would love to have my work in a nearby fine art gallery in which I am the featured artist.
9. Describe your studio workspace.   I design and create most of my work in my art room in my home, it is filled with my life's memories including my father's ballerina paintings from 1968 and my works in progress. Also did I mention the painted fabrics that hangs down from the ceiling, another story!
10. What 3 tools could you not live without?   Paint brush, jars for mixing paints, Gingher scissors.
11. What drives you to make the work that you do?   I love to capture the visions of my imagination in my art. I incorporate the flavors of vintage, rustic and whimsical in my work, it’s those everyday simple things with just a pinch of imagination that makes my art unique pieces.
12. How do you balance your life? I'm blessed to have a wonderful and supportive husband, friends, and family. Now in my 50's, art is one of my passions in life along with my husband and my personal well being. My life is intertwined with a routine that provides my balance and allows me the time to do my art work.

http://blog.teresashippy.com/

http://www.teresashippy.com/

Terry Waldron - Anaheim, CA

2011-04-20T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise? I consider myself a representational artist, but I represent the world as I see it... and, hopefully, that is not like anyone else sees it. I've been called "quirky," too. I'm not sure what that means.. but I do like the sound of it!
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump? Truly, I'm rarely, if ever, in a slump. I jump- start every single day by going outside and looking at the trees and the flowers and birds that surround me... and I sing! Nearly every single day of my life I sing... but not in front of people, mind you!
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art? Because I'm retired now, money isn't really a big issue to me. Of course, I dearly love to sell my work, and I love having them in large buildings' permanent installations because I can go visit those pieces that way! But I have given pieces to special people who love them and will give them good homes. And recently, I swapped pieces with an artist whose work I greatly admire and who I love as a person. That's really special. I've also donated many pieces over the years to worthy causes for their auctions to raise money, and that makes me happy, too.
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.? No, I don't do either one. Actually, I guess I do, but it's an invisible thing because it's inside my head! When an idea comes to me, I start designing it in my mind's eye... it comes bit by bit until I "see" enough to begin the real thing. Like any sketchbook, this is only a rough draft and not a finished thing, though. I drew so much in advanced drawing classes at university and then as I taught high school art that drawing has never left me. I do love to draw, and occasionally when I'm not sure of how to cut a shape, I do draw it first.
5. Where can people see your other work this year? shows, books, magazines, etc. As a member of the California Fiber Artists, I will have my work hanging in many museums and galleries throughout California for the next two years. I just co-curated a show at the Bakersfield Museum of Art for CFA with Sherry Kleinman, and my work is there now. I will also have 3 pieces at the Long Beach IQF show this July. I have been asked to submit art to various galleries and shows nationally, as well, but you will have to see my Facebook site as these venues happen. Happily, I have also been approached about writing a book... but, for sure, you won't see that this year!
6. Do you teach? where? I do teach, and I love that I do! I've taught from California to Florida and up to Washington state. I'm looking forward to teaching at Asilomar, and "Quilting in the Desert" in Phoenix, as well as at AQS in Paducah, Kentucky, all next year. This year I've been to many quilt guilds, and soon I will be in speaking and teaching in Lincoln, Nebraska (so I get to see the Quilt Study Center, too!), and in the fall I'll be up in La Conner, Washington teaching 4 classes for Quilt Fest at the La Conner Quilt and Textile Museum. What fun!
7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why? There is more than one artist who's influenced my work, mainly because I nearly took a degree in art history... loved it! Raoul Dufy was an early influence on me. His paintings are bright, happy, and his color never stayed inside the lines. His work still inspires me. Always Japanese artists, from the oldest to the newest, have been inspiring to me because their composition sense is completely unique, not based on the European view of what composition should be. But for use of fabric, it's Edrica Huws, the English artist, who used cloth like Dufy did his paint.   But she could use slices of plaids and strips and flowers that Dufy never had. I bet he would have done, though, if he'd had plaid paint!
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday? In my wildest daydreams my art hangs in New York City! As a high school student and later a university coed, I commuted into "The City" nearly anytime I wanted since we lived in Stamford, Connecticut and my dad worked in NYC. Imagine... the Metropolitan, MOMA, the Whitney, the Guggenheim were all there for me to wander through! That will never happen, of course, but I'd be happy with a piece permanently installed on a hospital wall there, or in a small art gallery, or The Folk Art Museum... oops! Somebody wake me up... I'm dreaming again!
9. Describe your studio workspace. That's easy. It's my spare bedroom, complete with its own bathroom and an entire wall of closets, which are not enough! The work table with my sewing machine is right next to two large 2nd-story windows that look out over our backyard with two African thorn trees just beyond the fence.   They are precocious trees, covered with huge pink orchid-like flowers before the leaves pop out. After summer is over, they have large hanging green pods that explode handfuls of cotton all over our backyard. By the way, all our over-night guests have to give us at least a month's warning before they come so I have time to turn my studio back into a guest room! ... and they always know that they have only 3 inches of closet space to hang their own clothes...
10. What 3 tools could you not live without? My two eyes and my finger tips are the most important tools of my trade, but that's not what you mean, I'm sure. The 3 tools I couldn't live without are scissors, a straw needle, and my portable, handy-dandy thread holder full of every solid color of thread that Mettler makes!
11. What drives you to make the work that you do? Gratitude! That's what drives me... When I was 4 1/2 years old and sitting in my kindergarten class drawing a picture of a log cabin in front of a lake with flowers surrounding a log and pine trees, I decided right there that I wanted to be an art teacher. Well, it happened! I loved every single day in the secondary classroom, even when I switched to teaching English literature. Now I get to teach people across the country that they really CAN make art! Who wouldn't be grateful for a life like that? I'm just plain lucky!
12. How do you balance your life? I can't balance it... it's as simple as that. It's like trying to stuff an octopus into a plastic bag! Something is always sticking out, waving at me that it's not going to happen the way I'd hoped. And please... please don't look inside my closets!

http://www.terrywaldron.com/

Cindy Cooksey - Irvine, CA

2011-04-19T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise? I am an artist.
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump? Taking a long walk is a tried and true method for me to get my creative ideas flowing. Going to good art museum works, too.

3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art? What a question!? Okay, how about I'd put images of my quilts up on the big screens in Times Square?
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.? I do, but fitfully, when I'm in the mood.

5. Where can people see your other work this year? shows, books, magazines, etc.

I have a quilt in the traveling exhibit called "Noble Seasons-Fall" that's in several places, including some of the Mancuso shows. I have two quilts in Simply Mini Quilts by Lark books. I have a trunk show in Visalia in late April. A number of other possibilities are in the works but not sure things at this point.

6. Do you teach? where? A little bit, here and there, locally. I would like to do more.

7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why? There are many. Gabrielle Swain, for her beautiful handwork. Yvonne Porcella, for her love of color. Therese May, for her playfulness.

8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday? I'd love to get into Quilt Visions again.

9. Describe your studio workspace. I have a medium-sized room that is getting rather full of stuff. That's where I do my machine work, cut out fabric, store fabric etc. I do all my handwork in my chair in the family room, with all my handwork materials kept nearby.
10. What 3 tools could you not live without? That's a tough one. Seam ripper, Bernina stitch regulator, rotary cutter.

11. What drives you to make the work that you do? Mostly I do it because it makes me happy.

12. How do you balance your life? It's not easy, is it? I try to set priorities. I try not to get over scheduled. I try to have some quiet time in a busy day.

http://www.CindyCooksey.com/

http://Cookseyville.blogspot.com/

Carolyn Ryan - Thousand Oaks, CA

2011-04-18T03:00:00.000-07:00

1. What do you call yourself - art wise? Mixed media artist
2. How do you jump start your creativity when you are in a slump? I turn out my studio lights, light two candles, and look through favorite art books such as The German Expressionists, Kathe Kollwitz woodcut artist, and California Painters.
3. If money wasn't an issue, what would you do with your art? I would put more of my pieces on my walls, give a gift occasionally to a friend, and donate significant pieces to nonprofit offices.
4. Do you keep a sketchbook, journal, etc.? Yes, but I sit down in my studio and sketch/watercolor several ideas at once instead of stopping to sketch during the day.
5. Where can people see your other work this year? I currently have a piece, “Summer Peach Dreams” at The Gateway Center for the Arts, DeBray, FL, in the Volusia Wrapped in Fiber SAQA exhibit. I also have two woodcuts in the Thousand Oaks Community Gallery, Newbury Park, CA open juried show.
6. Do you teach? where? I teach my mono printing and woodcut techniques informally, but have not taught art classes.
7. Is there a particular artist who had influenced you in your art life? and why? Kathe Kollwitz, a German painter, printmaker, and sculptor (1867-1945), created artwork that consistently explored raw emotion and pathos. She gave voice to thousands of the struggling poor in Europe through mass printings of her dynamic woodcuts.
8. Where or what show do you hope your work will be in someday? I have a five-year plan which includes submitting work to Visions, continuing to enter out-of-state exhibits and fine art gallery shows, and having a solo show.
9. Describe your studio workspace. I now have two funky studios: Indoors, I sew and sketch in my upstairs magic kingdom, and in my outdoor studio I do painting and mono printing and other fun, messy stuff.
10. What 3 tools could you not live without? Janome sewing machine, sharp-point scissors and digital camera.
11. What drives you to make the work that you do? The longing for visual substantiation of my inner theater.
12. How do you balance your life? I’ve spent so many years “balancing” that I now strive for creative chaos. I am most energized when I allow daily time for family, friends, personal reflection and artwork.

http://www.carolynryanart.com/

Jamie and Leslie teach at Festival in Cincinnati!

2011-04-17T03:00:00.000-07:00

Festival in Cincinnati - Here's the sign on the door outside our classroom...pretty cool! A dream of ours to teach at Festival. More photos on both of our personal blogs Jamie Fingal and Leslie Tucker Jenison's blog

The collaborative painting begins with a playlist of eclectic music in the background. When the music stops, everyone changes places, so you are not painting in the same spot the entire time. The students painted 2 different canvases.

No painting experience necessary in this class. Canvas is getting a little more detail

In all the classes we have taught with the painted canvas, this is the first class to add words. Canvas #2

More details and it is coming together!

I love this!

Our students!

Cutting up the canvas, and having the students select a section from each canvas, face down, so it would be a surprise as to what they got.

Students had the option of saving one section for a future project, and cut up the other one to create art cards, postcards, ATC's and cover a journal. We will be teaching this class at Festival in Long Beach also!

Scenes from our "Musical Chairs Painted Canvas" Class in Cincy

2011-04-16T21:00:00.000-07:00

"Musical Chairs: A Painted Canvas Adventure" is a collaborative painting endeavor on primed canvas.

The students painted, switched positions, and painted over the work of others in the class. Two canvases were set up and the students switched back and forth. The first half of the day was spent on the paintings. After the lunch break both canvases were divided and each student got a portion of each one.

These pieces were subsequently fashioned into journal covers, art cards, postcards, ATCs (artist trading cards), and more. We played music and had a fantastic time!

Here is the progression of one of the canvases:

the artists pose in front of one of the painted canvases.

Beautiful!

Afternoon:

We gathered around a table and spent the afternoon creating

lovely pieces of art with the painted canvas, markers, etc.

This class is such a joy for Jamie and I to teach!

If you are planning to come to Costa Mesa to CREATE!, we will be teaching it there.

Please join us!