Virginia A. Spiegel

You will notice comments are allowed once again. New technology for screening spam is supposed to help. I’m giving it a try. It has been awhile since I reported on what’s up in the studio, so let’s jump right in.

This is how far the series (more than 30 small artworks) for a possible Quilt National entry reached and then I was done. I think, with my summer schedule, that a QN entry won’t be happening this year. The collages in this Third Thoughts series were interesting, but they never developed the cohesiveness or, perhaps, the inner compulsion, that I require in any long-term series.

I have found several small pieces that I might want to expand into their own series. Although I can’t say more at this moment, you will be seeing more of these unique artworks in a interesting venue. If you missed what this series is all about, here is a blog post about them.

So what have I been working on? Something that still hold sway over my creative life - the Boundary Waters series. I finished Boundary Waters #31 and then …

Boundary Waters #32 (Fault Lines) - Detail of work-in-progress

started a nice big piece - Boundary Waters #32. This piece is related to the two Boundary Waters cliff pieces, but it much more abstract (and colorful). It is about the great fault lines in the rocks that caused the impressive cliff faces and jagged shorelines of the Boundary Waters lakes. Just finishing touches remain.

Boundary Waters 19
18″ x102″
White cotton fabric, acrylic paint, thread.

You are invited to the ArtQuilt Elements opening reception tomorrow (Friday, April 4) from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at the Wayne Art Center, Wayne, PA.

Boundary Waters 19, part of my Boundary Waters series, was one of 68 works chosen from 708 entries by jurors Robert Shaw, BJ Adams, and Mi Kyoung Lee.

This piece was based on a photo of a “mother log” in the Boundary Waters. “Mother logs” are trees that have fallen and, in various stages of decompostition, provide organic material in which new trees sprout. It really is amazing to see a “dead” log with tiny pine trees growing from within it. Life and death intertwined.

ArtQuilts Elements, according to its organizers, presents,
“… contemporary quilts that reflect or embrace original, unique and innovative methods incorporating impressive craftsmanship and technical prowess.”

Since Breaking New Ground, the joint Studio Art Quilt Associate/Surface Design Association conference is also being held in Wayne, PA from April 5 - 9, I hope to hear numerous reports about ArtQuilt Elements as well as the many other fiber exhibits.

More information here.

Boundary Waters 19 - detail

Woman in Foliage
Wanda Stivison

Collage Mania, May 5 and 6, will offer over 215 collages, thanks to the generosity of over 95 artists. A Patron Preview begins April 28. 100% of the proceeds are donated directly to the American Cancer Society through Fiberart For A Cause. More details here.

Prize Spotlight:
Over $500 in prizes have been donated for a random drawing for all artists whose collages are acquired. You can see all the prizes here. Included are two books:

Digital Essentials: The Quilt Maker’s Must Have Guide to Files, Images, and More
by Gloria Hansen.

Visit Gloria’s website to learn more about this multi-talented writer, artist and website graphic designer. Gloria’s Squared Illusions 6 won the Master Award for Innovative Artistry at the International Quilt Festival- Houston. Winner will receive book upon publication.

Create Your Own Hand-Printed Cloth
by Rayna Gilman

Visit Rayna’s website and blog to see her latest artwork and to check her busy teaching schedule. Winner will receive book upon publication.

On to the collages:
Woman in Foilage by Wanda Stivison opened this post. The collage is 9″ X 7.5″ mounted on 10″ X 8″ mat board, signed, dated and ready for framing. Wanda used Shiva oil paint sticks, Setacolor macre’, textured poly, and cotton fibers. Wanda donated the collage in loving memory of her quilting friend, Bev. You can read more about Wanda’s artwork on her blog.

Believe
Andee Wasson

Andee’s multi-media collage is made of paper towel, scrapbook paper and fabric with paper clay embellishments and acrylic paint on a 10″x8″ artist canvas panel and is signed, dated and ready for framing. You can read more about Andee’s art on her website and her blog.

Ripe

Of course, there’s a new post today on The Garbage Day Project blog.

The winners of the last ten ATCs for artists donating collages to Collage Mania are:

Kathleen Angel Lee
Nellie Durand
Miriam Gogarty
Melanie Hulse
Susan Lenz
Lesa Bame
Diane Lochala
Wanda Stivison
Kristin Powers
Jeri Pollack

And Edie Clark is the winner of the $100 gift certificate to Flourish!, a complete online resource for art quilting supplies, for donating $50 or more to subscribe to Art, Nature, Creativity Life. There have been 51 donors at this level to date.

I thank Jane Davila of Flourish! for her ongoing support of Fiberart For A Cause.