Virginia A. Spiegel

I love reviewing books, but I am always excited when I receive one authored by Martha Sielman, Executive Director of Studio Art Quilt Associates. Who knew Martha was a “Nature Girl” with a life-long affinity for flora and fauna with academic coursework in biology?

I hated reading the book in one go for this review and plan on returning to the book at my leisure. There is much to enjoy in the writing and in the gorgeous images. Nineteen artists are featured with additional galleries showcasing the work of more than 70 artists. I was happy to see that some artists new to me were featured in the in-depth profiles.The galleries are grouped under flowers, birds, water, animals, leaves, insects, trees, and textures.

There is a special section featuring interpretations of Wallace Stevens’ poem, Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird, by the Fiber Artists Coalition. Take a moment if you are able and follow the link to read the poem.  That’s a poem with some power to generate powerful artwork. I could probably spend a year just thinking and making art about it. Kudos to Clairan Ferrono for proposing the poem theme to the group and for creating what I found to be the most evocative artwork from it.

As always, the artist interviews were revealing and one of my favorite parts. The artists chosen have explored the natural world in depth, often as metaphors for their own lives and circumstances. This book would be a great gift to a nature lover who perhaps is not familiar with the art quilt. The images are arresting, interesting, and varied. There is very little use of abstraction in the artworks showcased so the volume can be enjoyed by those who just like to look at nature in all its glory.

I will reiterate my comment made about Sielman’s previous two books:  Masters: Art Quilts, Volumes 1 and 2 published by Lark.  It’s fiber, not paintings, please show us details of the stitching or other surface design.

Of course, I’m going to name favorites:  Annie Helmericks-Louder (a distinct artistic vision backed by a strong environmental stance) and Katherine K. Allen (the aesthetic of growing materials used in the art is very appealing).

Art Quilt Portfolio:  The Natural World  is 192 pages and retails of $24.95.  It is available at the usual outlets as well as in the Studio Art Quilt Associates bookstore.  I look forward to the next book in this Art Quilt Portfolio series, People and Portraits.

Lark is celebrating the release of The Natural World by giving away a copy of the book here.

I’ve been down in the basement screen printing on upholstery fabric.  Usually I start my textile artwork by building layers on plain white cotton cloth.  It is inspirational to start with with a base layer of texture and color already present.  Everything I’m screen printing is destined for new artworks in the Formerly Present series.

This is a sampling of the upholstery fabric.  I purchased this most excellent selection from The Scrap Exchange which is a nonprofit creative reuse center located in Durham, North Carolina.

I’m using three different sizes of one screen and sticking to a very limited palette of earth colors: terra cotta, brick, grey, tan, black, white, and ochre with accents of blue and red. The Formerly Present series is all about the beauty in decay and dissolution in the built and natural world.

Details showing how the upholstery fabric changes the screen’s effect:

Lark sent me a review copy of Creative Quilting with Beads by Valerie Van Arsdale Shrader.  I’m happy to do said review and then donate the book to my local library where I know it will be a popular item.

The book is subtitled “20+ Projects with Dimension, Sparkle & Shine.”  I’ll say!  Fifteen artists, including the very well-known Larkin Jean Van Horn and Sarah Ann Smith from the art quilt world, have given directions for art quilts, pillows, aprons, magnets, card, and more.  Most of the projects are a step above those usually found in a collection of projects from many artists.  If you wanted to give beads a whirl, you certainly could find a do-able and, even more importantly, an interesting project to complete.

The opening pages include directions on not only beading, but quilting. The only addition I would have liked to have seen in the introductory “BASICS” section would have been a small photo chart of the the most common types and sizes of beads.  When faced with buying beads, it would be helpful to know how small exactly the different sizes of beads are, what different countries of origin mean for bead quality, etc.

There is a twelve-page gallery at the end of the book which is one of the features I liked best about the book.  It really shows to diversity and creativity of those working with beads and quilting and should provide even more inspiration to add beads to quilts.

Creative Quilting with Beads is 128 pages and retails for $17.95. If you go to the Lark Books page about this book, it will send you to BN.com where the book is currently selling for $12.08.  Even though we all love a bargain, don’t forget to support your local quilt or bead shop owner who will REALLY appreciate your purchase.

SUCCESS!  We raised over $7000 for the American Cancer Society in just two days with a new event, Foto/Fiber 2012.

My sincere thanks to the patrons who were so very generous.  As always, our Honorary Chairperson, Karey Bresenhan, celebrating twenty-one years as a cancer survivor, was a steadfast support to me and the fundraising effort.

Of course, Foto/Fiber 2012 could not have happened without the donation of photos by Karen Stiehl Osborn and Cynthia Wenslow.  The BONUSES were provided by this all-star team of artists who also excelled in p.r. for the event:

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
Cynthia St. Charles
Susan Schrott
Suzanne Silk
Lura Schwarz Smith (with Kerby C. Smith)
Sarah Ann Smith
Terri Stegmiller
Mary Ann Van Soest

We have raised and donated over $220,000 to the American Cancer Society.  I hope you are as proud of our success as I am.

P.S.  It will take a bit to sort everything out, but the winners of the p.r. drawings as well as the drawings of fiber art will be announced no later than Monday, February 27.

We’re on a roll!  We raised $5000 toward our goal of $7000 for the American Cancer Society yesterday.  Can we finish the job today?

Foto/Fiber 2012 opens today at 10 a.m Central and the minimum donation has dropped to $50.  You still will choose a beautiful photo, but your fiber BONUS will be chosen for you. You know with our all-star lineup of artists that your BONUS will be wonderful!

Photo for Foto/Fiber 2012:  Perfect Landing by Karen Stiehl Osborn

Not only that, we still have all the drawings for fiber art with a gorgeous 18×24″ art quilt on the line if we reach our goal.

Photo for Foto/Fiber 2012:  Morning Dance by Virginia A. Spiegel

Please join us today and know that besides photos, BONUSES, and drawings, you are helping in the fight against cancer as 100% of donations are made directly to the ACS through Fiberart For A Cause.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!    V.