Flow Chart of a Creative Project

One Sunday in church my brain drifted a bit onto the

plain walls.  "What we need here," I thought, "is some color

and warmth."  Before I knew it I heard myself volunteering 

to provide such in the form of a banner.  And furthermore, I suggested,

why didn't we get cloth scraps from church members from

which to build that banner...?

Oh dear...what sounded like a wonderfully creative challenge took on new meaning as I finally had to admit to myself: Cindy, you have no idea what you are about to do, no idea.  I'm a painter, not a fiber artist, heck, my sewing machine is 40 plus years old....

My enthusiasm begin to wane as the scraps came in.  Not my colors...

As an Austin Kleon fan I remembered a page he had in his "Steal Like an Artist" book:

this is a flow chart of a creative project

naturally I started at "this is the best idea EVER"

Shoot, I was already between "this is harder than I thought" and "this is gonna take some work."

My original idea was to make something beautiful from a lot of random parts, the metaphor being that together we are better, the theme being "We are one in the spirit." But little did I suspect that making all the random parts come together would be such a challenge...rather like some committees I have chaired.  So I had to lower my standard from "beautiful" to "interesting."  (Also like some groups I have worked with!)

auditioning letter styles

Precision is not my strong suit (same deficit as patience) and thus I was as wonky a sew-er as I was a cutter.  And while a couple of folk graciously offered their help I was unable to even articulate what we, or I, needed to do next.  So I bumbled along on the floor of my spare bedroom.

I've now bypassed "this sucks and is boring" and am headed smack towards "dark night of the soul."  We are leaving town and I want to depart knowing the worst is over - so I visit a quilt store looking for advice on bringing my ancient machine up to current standards as well as some "glue" or "fusing" to forge ahead.

oh boy, can I make it work?  With the numerous fabrics all different weights and weaves I've had to "strengthen" some which is a very mind numbing process.  I sorta like where this is headed and if I can get this inner border on I think I can return to it with a little optimism.

Meanwhile, all the scraps that did not make the initial design are begging to be included, they need a role and I am hoping to give them one.  I fully expect another dip in Kleon's flowchart as I approach the phase where I actually have to make three huge pieces come together with machine quilting that is functional as well as adds to the design.  And since this will be a first for me, I may lose my religion before I get to the "will be good to finish because I'll learn something" phase.  But I am determined to make it all the way to "it's done, it sucks (maybe not) and not as bad as I thought."  Hopefully I can pull off "interesting" if not "beautiful."

Stay tuned...more to come!

Plodding Along,

Cindy

Angel Tree

Summer is a great time to play.

I have been "channeling" different media this summer and

recently started playing with the idea of quilting in paint.

I have done a couple of paintings thinking about the restrictions of those who work in "fiber arts."  It used to be called quilting until they got so fancy they renamed it so that folks would know it was not your "grandmothers' quilts" they were producing.  Anyhoo, I thought about the fact that blending with

fabrics or color blocks was entirely different than blending with a continuous stream of paint.  So I have played around with the idea of doing a painting where the color on my brush had to be laid down...period.  No blending...no smoshing...no scumbling on top of other colors!

Here is only one of those endeavors:

Angel Tree, acrylic

Do you know the Angel Tree outside of James Island, South Carolina?  It is a beautiful, very old, very huge tree that has stood in one place for over 450 years.  People appear very tiny beside it, they are in awe and come to have their photos made, weddings preformed, celebrations held and family reunions photographed.  All of the above were taking place the day I happened to visit and I loved seeing the reverence everyone had for this witness to history.

I started with a black support and painted flat colors as if there was no way to blend.  I let the background do a lot of the work (it almost looks like stained glass, no?) and I really like the way it came out.  Not rocket science, just a homage to a wonderful piece of nature.  

Colorful Pieces,

Cindy

Art Quilts??

email recipient (comment here)

Ellen Lindner, Quilt as Art

Ellen Lindner is a talented fabric collage artist and teacher, who is passionate about making art.   Known for its strong contrasts and vivid colors, her work has been shown throughout the United States, and beyond, and has been published in several magazines.

Although Ellen primarily employs conventional fabrics, she also uses items like window screening and produce bags.  She works in a freeform collage style, while borrowing heavily from traditional quilt making techniques.

Ellen, you taught flying at the college level.  How did you segue into the quilting business?

It’s been a slow transition.  I started as a hobby quilter making traditional quilts, and eventually moved fully into the world of quilts as art.  When that happened, I began teaching my techniques to others.  I did this for several years while continuing to instruct part-time in the classroom.

Eventually, my flying skills became rusty and I needed to think about recurrent training.  At that time, I began to consider a career move away from aviation, and towards the art quilting that I loved so much.  The timing was right, and I made the transition to what has been a really fun and successful endeavor.

That begs the question:  how do you define success?

Success is meeting one’s goals.  Since those goals vary from person to person, the definition will, as well.  In my case, my art quilt goals were to make an income that matched the one I had in my aviation job, to achieve this with part-time effort, and to enjoy it.  Thankfully, I’ve achieved all three.

Do you call yourself a fiber artist?  I’ve seen that term used more these days.

The term fiber artist could apply, but it’s rather broad.  It includes basketry, weaving, fabric design, and what I do:  using fabric as my medium.  I call myself a fabric collage artist.  I shape and place fabric to create a composition, just like a painter places color with paint.  My work typically includes the additional element of stitching, which holds everything in place, and also provides wonderful texture.

So you don’t call yourself a quilter?

It depends on my audience.  People unfamiliar with quilts as art simply translate the word quilt as “bedspread.”  So an art quilt (or bedspread) makes no sense to them.  Therefore, I find the term fabric collage artist easier to understand.  However, since I use some quilt making techniques, I do consider myself a quilter. 

 So, “quilt” is a noun or a verb?

We’re back to that confusing terminology, aren’t we?  Quilt is both a noun and a verb.  A quilt is a fabric item consisting of several layers which are secured with stitching.  When that stitching is created, it’s called quilting, a verb.

 What are the challenges of introducing fabric work to the public as art?  Are collectors "getting it?"

 The first challenge is educating the public that not all quilts are meant for the bed.  Once this occurs, (usually when someone sees an art quilt for the first time,) viewers are typically very enthusiastic about the artwork.  That doesn’t necessarily translate to sales, however, since art quilts are generally priced higher than other artwork of the same size.  This is a reflection of the additional time involved.  However, several notable collectors have now seen the light, and many art museums are clamoring for art quilt exhibits.

 How do I care for a piece I buy? 

Fabric collages and other types of art quilts are very easy to care for.  All they need is to be dusted with a lint roller.  (No machine washing and drying, please!) 

I’m hooked, for more information what do you recommend? 

Studio Art Quilt Associates has an excellent website at www.saqa.com.  And, of course, I’d love to have your readers view more of my own pieces at www.adventurequilter.com . You may also contact Ellen through her website.

Second Verse Revealed

Sneak peek: this is what the entire piece "Second Verse, Same as the First" looks like!

Now, if you want to know more come on over to the Seaside Piecemakers Collaborations Carnival at the Melbourne Auditorium, Hibiscus Avenue, this weekend.  Admission is free and after a preview opening on March 10 from 6-8 pm, the doors are open all day on Friday, 3/11 and until noon on 3/12.  In addition to fiber art demos and classes there will be a huge exhibit of fiber art including over 25 vignettes displaying collaborative efforts by artists (potters, 2d, dolls etc) and quilters.  We are tasked with displaying our work in a setting that lends a little education as to why we did what we did....Andrea Luliak and I have a little handout that will take the mystery out of what we are showing (altho for some that spoils the fun of guessing) and we'll be on hand to oooh and ahhh at the other "reveals" we have only heard about thus far.

Collaboration (warning! fine print ahead, disclaimers included) does not always produce a final project that everyone can relate to.  But having done this several times I can attest that it always does bring out something new that the participants were not expecting...it is a great exercise in creativity that results in growth farther down the road. 

Out of town readers: sorry about the local invite...maybe I can provide a virtual tour?

Second Verse Same as the First

I know this is a bit unusual even for me....but somehow when I am involved in a specific project I just feel the need to go waaaaay outside my boundaries, sometimes it works, sometimes it does not.  Actually this is only  1/3 of the entire piece (stay tuned).  And it is for a show March 10 -12 (details to come).  That said, let me explain:

Given the opportunity to "collaborate" I usually jump so my hat was in the ring when the quilters called and asked me to work with a fiber artist from a theme of our choice.  Andrea Luliak and I decided, after a little mulling, to bounce off the Rhapsody in Blue piece composed by George Gershwin in 1924.  (Little did I suspect that Miss A was a former music major in college.  She definitely had the advantage.)  Anyway, we jointly decided to each produce a piece that had three segments, joined vertically, and inspired by the music.

This is the top of mine, you can tell that without a musical bone in my body I went full on for the historical aspect of the piece.  Meanwhile, seeing Andrea's for the first time yesterday I actually hear the music...and not a blue piece of fabric in it!  That's art for you.